Sleep apnea, a common yet underdiagnosed sleep disorder, contributes to the development of dementia among adults — particularly women, a Michigan Medicine study suggests. At every age level, women with known or suspected sleep apnea were more likely than men to be diagnosed with dementia.
Tag: Cognitive Decline
Epidemiology researcher leads $1.7M study on Shingrix’s impact on dementia, stroke in nursing homes
Epidemiology professor Daniel Harris is leading research on the link between shingles and dementia in nursing home residents. The $1.7 million study examines the impact of the Shingrix vaccine on dementia risk and other neurological issues among 3.5 million residents.
Cognitive Deficits from Meth and PCP Use Are Generated By a Common Neurotransmitter Switch
The effects of sustained drug abuse can manifest in many ways. Loss of memory and reduced cognitive functions are some of the effects that can persist for years. Scientists at UC San Diego have now identified a mechanism in the brain that generates drug-induced cognitive impairments.
Cedars-Sinai Advances Research That Could Aid Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Three recently published studies from Cedars-Sinai investigators have deepened knowledge of how changes in the eye are linked to indicators of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain.
Molecule restores cognition, memory in Alzheimer’s disease model mice
In a new study, a molecule identified and synthesized by UCLA Health researchers was shown to restore cognitive functions in mice with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease by effectively jumpstarting the brain’s memory circuitry.
Want to Stay Mentally Sharp Longer? Eat a Healthy Diet Now
Eating a high-quality diet in youth and middle age could help keep your brain functioning well in your senior years, according to new preliminary findings from a study that used data collected from over 3,000 people followed for nearly seven decades.
New research identifies biomarkers that link alcohol use disorder and Alzheimer disease
Researchers agree that alcohol use can produce global and regional tissue volume changes in the brain, and that excessive alcohol use is associated with dementia and cognitive decline. A new study has examined the relationship between Alzheimer disease – the most common type of dementia – and alcohol use disorder (AUD), discovering biomarkers that link the two.
Detroit study shows Backward walking speed reserve assessment offers improved clinical screening for risks and decline in MS patients
A recently published study on mobility assessments led by Wayne State University show that a methodology called backward walking speed reserve may improve clinical screening for mobility impairments, fall risk and cognitive decline in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
‘Fit2Drive’ Transforms Assessing Older Drivers with Cognitive Decline
With the help of an evidence-based calculator called “Fit2Drive,” researchers have made it easy to administer and evaluate an in-office test to predict an older individual’s probability of passing an on-road driving test. Based upon brief, easily administered cognitive tests, Fit2Drive provides an objective estimation of the ability to drive for those with cognitive concerns. Results show that the Fit2Drive algorithm demonstrated a strong 91.5% predictive accuracy.
Using self-administered cognitive test in primary care offices increased early diagnosis of cognitive disorders by six times
Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine have found that the practical and brief SAGE test was easily incorporated into primary care providers’ visits.
The free Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE) developed by Ohio State researchers is designed to detect early signs of cognitive, memory or thinking impairments. It evaluates a person’s thinking abilities and helps physicians to know how well their brain is working.
Subtle cognitive decline precedes end to driving for older adults
Even slight cognitive changes can affect an older person’s decision to stop driving, according to a new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The findings suggest that routine cognitive testing — in particular, the kind of screening designed to pick up the earliest, most subtle decline — could help older adults and their physicians make decisions about driving that maximizes safety while preserving independence as long as possible.
Food for thought: Study links key nutrients to slower brain aging
Scientists have long been studying the brain with a goal of aiding healthier aging. While much is known about risk factors for accelerated brain aging, less has been uncovered to identify ways to reduce cognitive decline.
A blood test for stroke risk? Study finds network of inflammatory molecules may act as biomarker for risk of future cerebrovascular disease
A simple blood test could allow doctors to determine whether a person may be at higher risk for stroke or cognitive decline during their lifetime, according to a new UCLA Health study.
Study Reveals How Obesity Could Accelerate Aging in the Brain
A new study conducted in mice traces how obesity and a high-fat diet may accelerate aging in the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. The work is being presented this week at the American Physiology Summit, the flagship annual meeting of the American Physiological Society.
‘Curved’ Walking and a Depth Camera: New Tool Detects Early Cognitive Decline
Gait impairments often are prevalent in the early stages of cognitive decline. Researchers quantitatively compared straight walking and curved walking – a more natural yet complex activity – in healthy older adults and adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A depth camera detected and tracked 25 joints of body movement and signals were processed to extract 50 gait markers. Intriguingly, curved walking illuminated notable disparities between the study groups.
Study Detects Cognitive Changes in Older Drivers Using In-vehicle Sensors
Continuous, unobtrusive sensors and related monitoring devices are installed in older drivers’ vehicles to detect changes in highly complex activities over time. A driver facing camera, forward facing camera, and telematics unit provide video in real-time to enable researchers to analyze abnormal driving such as getting lost, reaction time and braking patterns as well as travel patterns such as miles driven, miles during the night and daytime, and driving in severe weather. Detecting changes in behavior could generate early warning signs of possible changes in cognition.
May I have a quick word? Study shows talking faster is linked to better brain health as we age
As we get older, we may start to notice it takes us longer to find the right words. This can lead to concerns about cognitive decline and dementia.
Yoga provides unique cognitive benefits to older women at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, study finds
A new UCLA Health study found Kundalini yoga provided several benefits to cognition and memory for older women at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease including restoring neural pathways, preventing brain matter decline and reversing aging and inflammation-associated biomarkers – improvements not seen in a group who received standard memory training exercises.
Dr. Claudia Padilla discusses Alzheimer’s and a new treatment.
Claudia Padilla, MD, at Baylor Scott & White Health, discusses Alzheimer’s and a new treatment. What You Need to Know: Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia. The most common sign is short-term memory loss. New medication targets the protein…
Residents of Rural ‘Glades’ Take a ‘Leap of Faith’ to Combat Dementia
Compared to urban dwellers, racially/ethnically diverse older adults face up to an 80 percent greater risk of cognitive impairment in older age, and 2.5 times potentially preventable Alzheimer’s-related (ADRD) hospitalizations.
FAU Lands $4.2 Million NIH Grant for Air Quality and Alzheimer’s Risks Study
Lake Okeechobee rural residents are subjected to repeated, intermittent exposures to air pollution during agricultural fires.
AI model isolates olive oil ingredients that may fight Alzheimer’s
A growing body of evidence suggests extra virgin olive oil can help prevent cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s disease. In a new study, Yale School of Medicine researchers led by Natalie Neumann, MD, trained a machine learning algorithm on current…
Majority of older adults with cognitive impairment still drive
The majority of older adults with cognitive impairment are still driving, despite concerns raised by caregivers and others, a study finds. Researchers say it’s best for caregivers to start conversations surrounding driving earlier while the care recipient is able to understand and actively participate in the discussion.
Lack of sleep lessens cognitive benefits of physical activity
Regular physical activity may protect against cognitive decline as we get older, but this protective effect may be diminished for people who are not getting enough sleep, according to a new study by UCL researchers.
The worm that learned: Diet found to affect learning in older nematodes
A group from Nagoya University in Japan has discovered that when the diet of nematodes, tiny worms measuring about a millimeter or less in length, includes the bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri, the weakening of associative learning ability caused by aging does not occur.
Heart Attacks Associated with Faster Cognitive Decline Over Years
In a recent study, a Johns Hopkins Medicine researcher and collaborators analyzed data on adults to determine if there is a link between having a heart attack and cognitive decline.
Higher blood sugar linked to faster loss of brain power in stroke survivors
Surviving a stroke can bring many long-term effects – including a much higher risk of dementia. But a study suggests that blood sugar may play a key role in that risk.
Obstructive sleep apnea may directly cause early cognitive decline
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often show cognitive deficits, but these have traditionally been attributed to co-morbidities such as as systemic hypertension, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and type 2 diabetes.
Insomnia, sleep apnea contribute to reports of cognitive decline in women with multiple sclerosis
Sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea may contribute to perceived cognitive decline, including ability to follow instructions and memory, in women with multiple sclerosis. Cognitive decline affects up to 70% of people with MS.
High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Linked to Thinking Problems Later
High blood pressure disorders during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of thinking problems later in life, according to a study published in the March 1, 2023, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Researchers Find That Brains With More Vitamin D Function Better
Researchers at Tufts University have completed the first study examining levels of vitamin D in brain tissue, specifically in adults who suffered from varying rates of cognitive decline. They found that members of this group with higher levels of vitamin D in their brains had better cognitive function.
Rutgers Researchers Discover How Immune Cells Prevent Cognitive Decline
Mice altered to prevent the production of a certain type of immune cell struggled to form new memories.
High blood pressure speeds up mental decline, but does not fully explain dementia disparities
High blood pressure means faster slide into signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s, but does not explain the overall disparity between Hispanic/Latino people and non-Hispanic people in dementia risk.
Daily Multivitamin May Improve Cognition and Possibly Protect Against Decline
New research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine shows that taking a daily supplement may improve cognition in older adults. In the study, researchers estimated that three years of multivitamin supplementation roughly translated to a 60% slowing of cognitive decline (about 1.8 years).
Tracking Daily Movement Patterns May One Day Help Predict Dementia
Researchers found significant differences in movement patterns between participants with normal cognition and those with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease.
Moderate drinking linked to brain changes and cognitive decline
Consumption of seven or more units of alcohol per week is associated with higher iron levels in the brain, according to a study of almost 21,000 people publishing July 14th in the open access journal PLOS Medicine. Iron accumulation in the brain has been linked with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and is a potential mechanism for alcohol-related cognitive decline.
Study shows HIV speeds up body’s aging processes soon after infection
HIV has an “early and substantial” impact on aging in infected people, accelerating biological changes in the body associated with normal aging within just two to three years of infection.
Neuroscientists identify how the brain links related memories
UCLA scientists have discovered how the brain links memories and a way to restore this function in aging mice–as well as an FDA-approved drug that achieves the same thing. The Nature findings suggest a new method for combatting middle-aged memory loss.
When it Comes to Preventing Alzheimer’s, Women and Men are Not Created Equal
A study is the first to examine if sex significantly affects cognitive outcomes in people who follow individually-tailored, multi-domain clinical interventions. The study also determined whether change in risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), along with blood markers of AD risk, also were affected by sex. Results showed that while care in an Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic setting is equally effective at improving cognitive function in both women and men, the personally-tailored interventions used by the researchers led to greater improvements in women compared to men across AD and CVD disease risk scales, as well blood biomarkers of risk such as blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, and the diabetes test HbA1C. Findings are important because women are disproportionately affected by AD and population-attributable risk models suggest that managing risk factors can prevent up to one-third of dementia cases.
People with diabetes and cognitive decline may be at higher risk for heart disease
People with type 2 diabetes who have cognitive impairment could be at greater risk for stroke, heart attack or death than other individuals with diabetes, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Inflammatory Proteins Help Better Diagnose Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Testing for some inflammatory proteins associated with the nervous and immune systems will help diagnose the earlier onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a Rutgers study.
Study: Adding Color to Your Plate May Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline
A new study shows that people who eat a diet that includes at least half a serving per day of foods high in flavonoids like strawberries, oranges, peppers and apples may have a 20% lower risk of cognitive decline. The research is published in the July 28, 2021, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study looked at several types of flavonoids, and found that flavones and anthocyanins may have the most protective effect.
Obesity and Cardiovascular Factors Combine to Cause Cognitive Decline in Latinos
Obesity is a major public health issue among Latinos, and a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. But in a new study, researchers at UC San Diego report that cardiometabolic abnormalities, such as hypertension, are more strongly associated with cognitive decline than obesity alone.
Rush Researchers Develop New Measure of Brain Health
A new measure of brain health developed by researchers at Rush University Medical Center may offer a novel approach to identifying individuals at risk of memory and thinking problems, according to research results published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association on June 1.
Exercise May Help Slow Cognitive Decline in Some People with Parkinson’s Disease
For people with Parkinson’s disease, problems with thinking and memory skills are among the most common nonmotor symptoms of the disease. A new study shows that exercise may help slow cognitive decline for some people with the disease. The study is published in the March 31, 2021, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
New Model May Help Us Better Understand Cancer-Related Disability in Humans
A novel preclinical mouse model of pancreatic cancer may promote better understanding of the mechanisms that lead to disability in human cancer patients, according to the findings of a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.
Can Large Fluid-Filled Spaces in the Brain Help Identify Those at Risk of Dementia?
People with enlarged fluid-filled spaces in the brain around small blood vessels may be more likely to develop cognitive problems and dementia over time than people without these enlarged spaces, according to a new study published in the January 27, 2021, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Including Unhealthy Foods May Diminish Positive Effects of an Otherwise Healthy Diet
Study by researchers at Rush University Medical Center finds adding more foods that are part of Western diet may reduce cognitive benefits of Mediterranean diet.
Cognitive decline distorts political choices, UCI-led study says
Irvine, Calif., Oct. 29, 2020 — Identification along the liberal/conservative spectrum may last a lifetime, but cognitive decline distorts our political choices, according to the first-of-its-kind study led by the University of California, Irvine. For those who are cognitively impaired, identifying as being liberal or conservative loses its relationship to their political decision-making.
NIH Awards $13.8 Million for Studies on the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S., M.S., an international leader in aging and cognition research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System, has received two grants from the National Institutes of Health totaling $13.8 million to conduct studies on pre-dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.