A new study found inadequate scientific evidence on the best strategies to prevent pressure ulcers, a common condition affecting people with impaired mobility. Researchers suggest more rigorous evaluation is needed for interventions such as repositioning, support surfaces, and skin moisturizing.
A study by Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care found that older adults are more easily distracted due to gradual brain changes beginning in middle age. The researchers used fMRI to scan the brains of three age groups, including young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults, revealing a seesaw imbalance in frontal lobe areas.
A study of surgically implanted electrodes in patients with refractory depression found significant clinical response in four out of six participants, with sustained improvement through six months. The technique involves high-frequency electrical stimulation to modulate brain activity in the subgenual cingulate region.
A new fMRI study found that autobiographical memories engage different parts of the brain, even when recalling the same content. The study used 'diary' method to collect memories, revealing the frontal lobes involved in self-awareness and visual memory are more strongly activated for episodic memories.
Baycrest has implemented a state-of-the-art CPOE/CDS system to improve medication prescribing and reduce adverse drug events. The system provides real-time feedback on high-risk decisions, eliminating errors caused by misinterpretation of handwritten prescriptions.
Researchers found that cognitive behavioral therapy targets limbic and cortical regions in a distinct pattern from drug therapy, which changes chemical balance in the brain. The study suggests that brain scans may one day help doctors determine the most effective treatment for patients with depression.
A study published in BRAIN found that frontal lobe damage can lead to inconsistent performance, even on simple tasks, with effects varying across brain regions. The researchers identified specific areas of the frontal lobes responsible for increased variability, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.
A Canadian study found that appreciation and emotional reactiveness to humor doesn't change with age. However, the ability to comprehend more complex forms of humor diminishes in later years due to decreased cognitive abilities. Older adults still enjoy a good laugh but struggle with understanding nuanced humor.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that Alzheimer's patients who scored well on memory tests show distinct compensatory brain activity. This activity was observed in the right frontal and temporoparietal areas, and was associated with improved performance on semantic and episodic memory tasks.
A Canadian study found that older adults tend to remember general facts about life events, while younger adults focus on specific details. The findings may relate to subtle brain differences associated with aging.
A new study has identified a unique brain marker of 'vulnerability' that may explain why people who recover from major depression remain at risk for another episode. The finding could lead to more targeted treatments and help identify family members at risk before they experience a major depression.
Researchers discovered that damaged brains can reorganize and compensate for damage by engaging new systems to perform memory tasks. This finding has implications for the treatment of traumatic brain injuries, highlighting the potential benefits of brain imaging studies in tracking changes and understanding recovery.
A study found that depressed patients who responded to a placebo treatment showed similar brain changes as those who received an antidepressant, but with additional changes in the brainstem and hippocampus. The researchers suggest that these changes may be necessary for long-term recovery.
Researchers investigate the effects of musical training on young children's verbal and writing skills, as well as its potential benefits for older adults' cognitive preservation. The study, led by Dr. Christo Pantev, aims to uncover how musical training modifies brain development and its life-enhancing effects in the elderly brain.
Researchers are developing new rehabilitation techniques to help mild stroke patients improve their attentional control, motor skills, and response consistency. The study aims to identify specific deficits and develop targeted therapies using magnetic resonance imaging.
A new study found that damage to the right prefrontal cortex, a small area in the brain's frontal lobes, is linked to impaired mentalizing, or understanding others' mental states. This deficit can affect empathy, sympathy, and social interactions.
Researchers used fMRI scans to identify whether participants were imagining faces or places, achieving an accuracy rate of 85% in some trials. The study has implications for understanding the minds of individuals unable to communicate due to injuries or disorders.
Researchers found distinct differences in brain activity between responders and non-responders to fluoxetine, with widespread chain of events kicking in across multiple brain regions over time. The study identified critical brain areas that appear to be 'switches' controlling the direction of treatment response.
A new study from Toronto researchers has found a way to more accurately predict the cognitive recovery of severe head injury patients. By combining predictive methods with factors such as age and duration of unconsciousness, doctors can now make more informed decisions about patient discharge, reducing the risk of premature discharge.
Recent research by Dr. Endel Tulving suggests that episodic memory is essential for human cultural advancement, enabling awareness of the future. Functional neuroimaging studies have identified regions in the frontal lobes linked to past and future awareness.
Researchers found that older adults can compensate for cognitive decline by using unique brain areas, including the hippocampus, to support performance. This suggests that aging brains are more resilient than thought, with exciting implications for memory rehabilitation.
Researchers captured images of brain activity while students learned an associative task on a computer, revealing a network of brain activation. The study confirms that learning and awareness involve multiple regions acting in concert, contradicting the traditional view of the prefrontal cortex as sole responsible.
Researchers found a reciprocal relationship between emotional and cognitive areas of the brain in depressed individuals, with blood flow decreasing in cortical regions and increasing in limbic regions. The study provides new insights into the neural interplay between mood and cognition in depression.
A global conference at Baycrest Centre in Toronto brings together experts and survivors to address the specific needs of aging Holocaust survivors, while also learning from recent genocide victims in Rwanda. The event aims to provide health care professionals, academics, and families with coping strategies to deal with passed-on trauma.