A study of 135 people with multiple sclerosis found that drinking around 290 calories per day of soda or other sugar-sweetened beverages linked to more severe symptoms and a higher level of disability. Those who seldom consumed these beverages had less severe symptoms, highlighting the potential negative impact on MS progression.
Researchers found that people who were severely obese were 62 percent less likely to die after a stroke, compared to those of normal weight. The study also discovered that being overweight or obese may have a nutritional reserve that helps them survive during prolonged illness.
Researchers found people with sleep apnea had 4.5% higher levels of tau in the entorhinal cortex, an area critical for memory and navigation. The study suggests a possible link between sleep apnea and Alzheimer's disease biomarker tau accumulation.
A study of 204 older adults found that medical marijuana reduced symptoms of chronic disease, including pain, sleep disorders, and anxiety, in 69% of participants. Additionally, one-third of participants reduced their use of opioids, making it a potential alternative treatment option.
A new study published in Neurology has found that medications commonly used to lower blood pressure and cholesterol do not slow down cognitive decline in older adults. The study, which involved over 1,600 participants, suggests that longer studies are needed to determine the effects of these medications on brain health.
A preliminary study found that professional soccer players are nearly twice as likely to develop ALS as the general population, with some developing the disease 21 years earlier than expected. The study also suggests that genetics, traumatic events, and heavy physical exercise may play a role in the increased risk.
A Swedish study of 800 women found that those with a high level of mental and physical activities had a lower risk of developing dementia. Mental activities included reading, playing instruments, singing in a choir, and gardening, while physical activity ranged from light walking to regular intense exercise.
A new study found that people with middle-age chronic inflammation may experience cognitive decline in the decades leading up to old age. Researchers discovered a correlation between high levels of inflammation and steeper declines in thinking and memory skills, particularly in areas of memory.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that education does not play a significant role in when the disease starts or how fast it progresses. Researchers found an association between higher education and better thinking and memory skills at the start of the study, but this did not translate to slower cognitive decline.
A study found that aerobic exercise improved executive function and increased brain thickness in participants between 20-67 years old. Regular exercise was shown to slow or prevent age-related decline in thinking skills, with significant benefits observed at both young and older ages.
A study found that people with blood pressure above normal were more likely to have loss of volume in the gray matter in certain areas of the brain than those with normal blood pressure. High blood pressure was linked to reduced gray matter volumes, particularly in the left inferior frontal gyrus.
A study found that moving more, even simple routine physical activity like housework, can protect the brain from damage and preserve memory and thinking skills. The study looked at 454 older adults and found that those who moved more had better thinking and memory skills compared to those who didn't.
A large-scale study published in Neurology found a significant link between excessive body fat around the middle and reduced brain volume, specifically lower gray matter volumes. Researchers measured BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and overall body fat in 9,652 participants and found those with higher ratios had lower brain volume.
A study found that people taking antidepressants, having post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety are at risk of developing REM sleep behavior disorder. Men are also more likely to have the condition. Lifestyle factors such as education level, income, smoking status and moderate to heavy drinking habits were also linked to the disorder.
A study found that exercise improved executive function, a person's ability to regulate behavior and achieve goals, while having no impact on memory. After six months of aerobic exercise, participants showed significant improvements in thinking skills compared to those who did not exercise.
A study found that female veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression are more likely to develop dementia than their counterparts without these conditions. Women with PTSD were about 80% more likely, while those with depression were about 70% more likely to develop dementia.
Researchers found that quick cognitive assessments can be wrong, with varying biases based on factors like education, age, ethnicity, and living conditions. This study highlights the need for more accurate and unbiased methods to detect dementia in primary care settings.
A 20-year study found that men who consumed more fruits and vegetables had better thinking and memory skills. Those who drank daily orange juice were also less likely to develop poor cognitive function, with a 47% lower risk compared to those who drank less than once a month.
Researchers found that people with migraines who experience visual disturbances are at a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation. The condition increases the risk of stroke and blood clots, highlighting the need for further research on screening and management strategies.
A new study published in Neurology found that the antidepressant fluoxetine showed no benefit in treating acute flaccid myelitis, a rare condition causing paralysis in children. Researchers analyzed data from 56 children with the illness and found no improvement in muscle strength among those who received fluoxetine.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that when Parkinson's disease does not affect thinking skills early on, life span is not affected. The study found people with problems with memory and thinking skills were more likely to die during the study.
A study published in Neurology found that middle-aged individuals with high cortisol levels experienced impaired memory and reduced brain volume compared to those with average cortisol levels. The study also found no links between low cortisol levels and memory or brain size.
A simple test taken within a week of a stroke can predict long-term outcomes, including impaired thinking skills and daily task completion. The study found that those with thinking problems had a seven times higher mortality rate and 42% had problems completing daily activities three years after the stroke.
A study published in Neurology found that people with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, are at a faster rate of decline in thinking and memory skills and a higher risk of dementia. Taking anticoagulants to prevent clots may decrease the risk of dementia.
A recent study published in Neurology found that sleeping too little or too much can affect stroke risk differently based on race. Black men who slept less than six hours per night were less likely to have a stroke compared to average sleepers, while white men who slept nine or more hours a night had an increased risk of stroke.
A study of 20,244 people from 16 European countries found that those who experienced socioeconomic hardship in childhood scored lower on tests of verbal and memory skills. Researchers suggest that addressing childhood poverty could help protect cognitive health.
Research suggests that even low levels of physical activity, such as walking at least four hours a week, may reduce the severity of a stroke. The study found that people who engaged in light to moderate physical activity were twice as likely to have a mild stroke than those who were physically inactive.
A new study published in Neurology shows that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affects the mind, especially later in the disease, leading to cognitive and behavioral problems such as apathy, changes in eating behaviors, and loss of sympathy or empathy. People with ALS are recommended to be routinely screened for these issues.
A study published in Neurology found that medical marijuana, specifically THC, reduces connections between brain areas processing emotions and sensory signals, providing pain relief for radicular nerve pain. The more pain relief experienced, the greater the reduction of these brain connections.
A study published in Neurology suggests that spinal muscular atrophy drug nusinersen may be effective for muscle control even when treatment is started in children seven months and older. The research found significant muscle control improvements in participants, including an 8-year-old child, with some able to sit up without support.
Researchers found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved symptoms of neurodegenerative ataxias in patients. The treatment showed significant improvements in walking speed, hand and arm coordination, and overall test scores.
A new study has found that the thinning of the retina is linked to the loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, a substance that helps control movement. This discovery may lead to a simple eye scan being used to detect Parkinson's disease in its earliest stages.
A new guideline provides recommendations for improving diagnosis, health outcomes, and care of people with prolonged disorders of consciousness. The guideline emphasizes the importance of early and accurate diagnosis to avoid misdiagnosis and premature treatment withdrawal.
A study found that children of mothers with epilepsy who took folic acid supplements had lower rates of language delays compared to those who did not take supplements. The study suggests that folic acid may be beneficial in preventing language delays for babies born to mothers with epilepsy.
A new study found that middle-aged individuals with orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up, are at a greater risk of developing dementia and stroke decades later. Those with orthostatic hypotension had a 54% higher risk of dementia and twice the risk of ischemic stroke compared to those without it.
A study found that women with a history of pregnancy, particularly those giving birth to five or more children, may be at higher risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. Incomplete pregnancies were also shown to reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer's development.
A study of NCAA Division I college athletes found that those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were more susceptible to experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety following a concussion. Athletes with ADHD and a history of concussion had significantly higher scores on tests measuring anxiety and depression.
A study published in Neurology found that higher blood pressure in later life is associated with signs of brain aging and brain lesions, including infarcts and tangles linked to Alzheimer's disease. The risk of brain lesions increases by 46% for those with one standard deviation above the average systolic blood pressure.
A preliminary study suggests that soccer players who head the ball more often may experience balance problems due to repetitive subconcussive impacts. The study found a correlation between the number of headers and balance responses, indicating potential undermining of balance control.
People exposed to paint, varnish, and solvents are 50% more likely to develop multiple sclerosis. Those with the genetic risk factors and solvent exposure have nearly seven times the risk of developing MS compared to those without solvent exposure or genetic risk factors.
A new study found increased levels of estrogen in men with migraine, as well as symptoms of lower testosterone. Testosterone levels did increase before a migraine in some participants, and symptoms of relative testosterone deficiency were more frequent and severe in men with migraine.
A new study reveals that half of Parkinson's patients taking dopamine agonist drugs may develop impulse control disorders such as compulsive gambling, shopping, or eating. The five-year cumulative incidence of these disorders is higher in those who have ever taken the medications compared to those who never took them.
A large study found a strong link between type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease, with a 31% greater risk for those with diabetes. Younger people and those with diabetes complications had even higher risks, highlighting potential protective effects of insulin use on the brain.
A recent study published in Neurology found that black and Hispanic people are at higher risk of having another intracerebral hemorrhage, or bleeding stroke, compared to white people. The study, which analyzed data from over 2,200 patients, also found significant racial differences in blood pressure and its impact on stroke risk.
Researchers at the American Academy of Neurology have identified a new type of vertigo characterized by prolonged nystagmus eye movements. The study found that this condition may respond to treatment and is associated with severe motion sickness.
A study published in Neurology found that people with a better diet, rich in vegetables, fruit, nuts, and fish, had larger brains. The study included over 4,200 participants and found that those who consumed a higher-quality diet had an average of two milliliters more total brain volume.
A study published in Neurology found that depression in older adults may be linked to memory problems and structural differences in the brain. Researchers also discovered a possible link between depression and small vessel disease, a condition affecting brain health.
A Finnish study of 1,628 people found that frequent sauna bathing may be associated with a lower risk of stroke. Those who took a sauna four to seven times a week were 60% less likely to have a stroke than those who took only one per week.
A study found structural changes in the brain's sensory system, which processes sensations and movement, in people with restless legs syndrome. These changes may be related to symptoms such as uncomfortable sensations and an irresistible urge to move the legs.
A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology suggests that starting MS drugs early may be better than letting the disease run its course. Disease-modifying therapies can alter or change the course of MS, reducing relapses and slowing disease progression.