A study found that people with severe apathy are 80% more likely to develop dementia than those with low apathy. Greater apathy was also associated with worse cognitive scores, highlighting its potential as an early sign of the disease.
Researchers discovered that remote ischemic postconditioning therapy can lead to better recovery outcomes for people who have received clot-busting drugs after a stroke. In the study, 72% of participants who received the therapy had favorable recovery scores compared to 50% of those who did not.
A study published in Neurology suggests that outpatients who receive professional rehabilitation training at home through live video consultations may recover their motor skills better than those who do their rehab in person. The study found greater increases in physical mobility and functional brain activity among the remote training ...
Researchers discovered five unapproved pharmaceutical drugs in 'brain boosting' supplements, including omberacetam and phenibut, with doses four times higher than recommended. The study warns of potential serious health risks from using these supplements, especially when combined with prescription drugs or used without medical advice.
A genetic variation has been identified that may increase the risk of cognitive decline in some individuals, even those without amyloid plaques or tau tangles. The variation affects glutathione metabolism and is associated with thinning of the brain cortex.
A study found that people with Parkinson's are twice as likely to experience orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure that can lead to dizziness and falls. Monitoring blood pressure may help control these drops and prevent falls.
A new study of NCAA football players has found that the age they first started playing tackle football may not affect their recovery after a concussion. The study, which involved 621 athletes, tested their symptom severity and performance on thinking and memory tests after experiencing a recent concussion.
A study found that individuals with declining kidney function starting at age 30 performed like those nine years older on certain cognitive tests 20 years later. This suggests that preserving kidney function in young adulthood may be crucial for maintaining thinking skills in midlife.
A study found that taking at least one anticholinergic drug increases the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment by 47%, particularly in those with genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests reducing anticholinergic use may help prevent negative effects on thinking skills.
A new analysis found that cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) incidence has increased three times higher than previously reported in the US. CVT is most common in younger women, but recent findings suggest increases in men and older women, with a notable disparity in Black people compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
Researchers analyzed genetic studies and found no causal link between sleep patterns and Alzheimer's disease. However, they discovered a small association between certain sleep characteristics and increased or decreased risk of developing Alzheimer's, including being a 'morning person' and having lower insomnia risk.
A new study suggests that following an alternate Mediterranean or Alternative Healthy Eating Index diet pattern may be linked to fewer non-motor symptoms such as constipation, daytime sleepiness and depression. The researchers found a strong relationship between healthy diet adherence and reduced risk of these preceding symptoms.
A new study published in Neurology found that people who experience a sudden drop in systolic blood pressure when standing up may be at higher risk of developing dementia years later. The study also showed that controlling these blood pressure drops could be a promising way to help preserve people's thinking and memory skills as they age.
Research suggests that increasing levels of education may be protective for people with a gene for familial early onset Alzheimer's, delaying the development of amyloid plaques. Participants with less than 10 years of education had twice as many plaques as those with more than 16 years.
A study found that taking vitamin D and calcium supplements twice daily can reduce the chances of getting vertigo again, especially for those with low vitamin D levels. The study showed a 24% reduction in annual recurrence rate among participants who took supplements.
A study of 8,275 participants found that those with severe gum disease had twice the risk for mild cognitive impairment or dementia. People with minimal tooth loss and mild gum disease were no more likely to develop thinking problems than those with no dental issues.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that drivers who have had a concussion take longer to regain complex reaction times, crucial for driving situations. The research suggests that traditional reaction time tests may not be the best measure of driving responsiveness and readiness.
A study published in Neurology found that people with normal thinking and memory scores at the start of the study were less likely to develop later problems, even with amyloid plaques. Those with the APOE ε2 gene variant were also more resistant to developing plaques.
A new study published in Neurology found that midlife thinking skills may suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. Five percent of participants experienced accelerated cognitive decline over five years, while those with high blood pressure had a 7.5% faster decline rate compared to non-hypertensive individuals.
A new study found that older women who eat more fish may counteract the negative effects of air pollution on their brains. The research discovered a link between higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and greater brain volumes, particularly in white matter and the hippocampus.
A new study found that a simple blood test can accurately predict concussion severity and duration, similar to expensive and invasive spinal taps. The test measures neurofilament light chain levels in the blood, which correlate strongly with the severity of concussions.
A new study published in Neurology found no difference in developmental and behavioral outcomes for children who had febrile seizures after vaccination, compared to those with febrile seizures not associated with vaccination or never having a seizure. This reassuring news supports the safety of vaccines.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease does not significantly increase the risk of developing dementia. Researchers found that factors such as age, hallucinations, and cerebral hemorrhage during surgery were associated with a higher risk of dementia.
A study found that middle-aged women are more likely to have changes in the brain related to Alzheimer's disease, even when controlling for age and other factors. The researchers suggest that hormonal changes during menopause may play a role in this increased risk.
Researchers found subtle brain changes in female college rugby players, including microstructural changes in white matter and differences in brain connectivity. The study suggests that repetitive impacts from playing a contact sport can affect the brain, even without a diagnosed concussion.
A recent meta-analysis found that the treatment gap between men and women for stroke has narrowed to 13%, with most studies showing differences of less than 1% in thrombolysis treatment rates. The study suggests that additional research is needed to understand why a gap persists and whether it continues to decrease.
A new study has found no link between recent cannabis use and an increased or decreased risk of ischemic stroke. Despite previous studies with conflicting results, researchers adjusted for various factors and found no association between marijuana use and stroke risk.
A blood test using neurofilament light chain may predict recovery time after concussion, especially for those with multiple concussions. High levels of the biomarker are associated with severe symptoms like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression years later.
A blood test detecting neurofilament light chain can predict which people with multiple sclerosis will experience worsening symptoms and disability over the next year. The study found that individuals with high levels of this biomarker were more likely to develop significant disability and secondary progressive MS.
Researchers found that six months of aerobic exercise improved executive function and verbal fluency by 5.7% and 2.4%, respectively. Blood flow to the brain increased significantly with exercise, associated with modest but significant improvements in thinking abilities.
A study published in Neurology found that yoga reduced headache frequency by 48% and pain intensity in people with episodic migraine. The yoga group experienced fewer headaches, less pain, and decreased need for medications compared to the medication-only group.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends considering PFO closure for some people under age 60 who have had a stroke without other possible causes identified, to reduce the risk of future strokes better than medication alone. The procedure can safely be performed for those with no other higher risk cause of stroke.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that combining highly processed meats with starches and snacks like cookies and cakes may raise the risk of dementia. Researchers found that people with dementia were more likely to eat these foods together, while those without dementia had a greater variety of healthier food options.
A new study shows that people with high blood pressure and reverse dipping may have small areas in the brain damaged from vascular disease, leading to memory problems. Those with high blood pressure and reverse dipping also had lower scores on a memory test, with average scores of about 33 compared to 40 for those without these conditi...
A recent study published in Neurology found an association between long-term air pollution exposure and a steeper rate of cognitive decline in individuals living in urban areas. Participants who lived in areas with higher levels of air pollution scored lower on thinking and memory tests and experienced faster declines in cognitive skills.
A study published in Neurology found that phone-based cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly improves depression, anxiety, and quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease. After three months of weekly sessions, participants showed a significant reduction in depression symptoms and maintained improvements six months later.
A large study published in Neurology found that taking a low-dose aspirin daily does not reduce the risk of thinking and memory problems caused by mild cognitive impairment or probable Alzheimer's disease. The study involved 19,114 participants and was supported by various funding sources.
A study found that children and teens aged 8-18 provide an average of 5 hours per day in caregiving activities, including tasks like medication management and cooking meals. Despite their efforts, many youth feel isolated and undertrained, highlighting the need for training and support.
A study published in Neurology found that 82% of people with Parkinson's reported one or more eye problems, compared to 48% without the disease. Eye problems often interfered with daily life for 68% of those with Parkinson's, affecting activities like driving and reading.
A preliminary study found that people who engage in regular physical activity have bigger brains than their inactive peers. The results showed that those who were most active had larger total brain volume, equivalent to nearly four years of brain aging slower, compared to the inactive group.
A preliminary study found that Rock Steady Boxing participants reported significant improvements in quality of life areas, including depression, fatigue, and fear of falling. The program also boosted confidence in exercising, with current participants scoring better on standardized scales than non-participants.
A study of 754 participants found that specific gene variants on chromosomes 1 and 5 were associated with higher levels of tau protein in the brain. These variants were present in around 2-3% of the group, leading to about 10% higher tau levels than those without.
A preliminary study found that blue light therapy can decrease depression and other concussion symptoms in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury. Participants who received blue light therapy showed significant improvements in depression scores and other symptoms compared to those receiving a placebo.
A study found that older adults who experience excessive daytime sleepiness are at increased risk of developing diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 participants and discovered a significant link between daytime sleepiness and the development of these conditions.
A recent study published in Neurology found that individuals who follow a vegetarian diet rich in nuts, vegetables, and soy have a lower risk of ischemic stroke. The study, which followed two groups of people from Buddhist communities in Taiwan for an average of six years, also found a significant reduction in overall stroke risk.
A preliminary study by the American Academy of Neurology found that children and teens with epilepsy who were treated with pharmaceutical cannabidiol (CBD) had better seizure control compared to those treated with artisanal CBD. Pharmaceutical CBD was found to have a 39% reduction in seizures, while artisanal CBD resulted in a 70% incr...
A study by Northwestern University found that people with better cardiovascular health in their 20s are more likely to have higher scores on thinking and memory tests, even after adjusting for education level. The researchers also found an association between better cardiovascular health and improved cerebral autoregulation.
People with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease showed significant improvements in speech, handwriting, and motor skills after playing pingpong once a week for six months. The study found that participants experienced reductions in symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and balance problems.
A study by the American Academy of Neurology found that increased out-of-pocket costs for neurologic medications, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, are associated with lower patient adherence. For example, a $50 increase in cost was linked to a 12% decrease in medication possession ratio for Alzheimer's disease.
A new AAN guideline provides recommendations for treating sleep problems in children and teens with autism. The guideline suggests starting with behavior-modification strategies, such as setting a consistent sleep routine, before considering medication like melatonin.