Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
A study of 3 million US adults found anxiety and depression were significantly higher among younger adults, possibly due to economic conditions and social upheaval. The findings highlight the need for targeted mental health care and economic policies for younger adults during the pandemic.
Researchers found a significant increase in extracellular vesicles released by aged keratinocytes, which were also enriched with specific microRNAs. These EVs impaired young keratinocyte proliferation and organogenesis, mimicking aged skin defects.
A study will examine the cognitive function of older adults who were exposed to measles during childhood, shedding light on potential long-term benefits of routine childhood vaccinations. The research aims to better understand how childhood experiences shape health and well-being across the life course.
A recent study found that older adults with dementia who are transferred to another hospital are less likely to receive intensive care or medical procedures within the first two days of transfer. This highlights the need for closer patient and family involvement in determining whether transfer provides optimal care.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that excess thyroid hormone levels are associated with a higher risk of cognitive disorders in older adults. The research suggests that clinicians should avoid overtreatment when prescribing thyroid hormone therapy to prevent potential negative consequences.
A recent study of 7,000 older US residents found that food insecurity was associated with a higher risk of dementia, as well as poorer memory function and accelerated memory decline. The researchers suggest that addressing food insecurity may have benefits for brain health.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 can leave a lasting impact on older adults living in nursing homes, causing them to need more help with daily activities and experience a decline in brain function. The study found that those who tested positive for COVID had effects that lasted up to nine months.
A study of 25,000 veterans revealed that unstable housing before starting dialysis was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality. The risks were found to increase with age, highlighting the need for further research on this vulnerable population.
A recent study reveals that over one-quarter of older transgender adults have seriously contemplated ending their lives, highlighting the urgent need for targeted support and interventions. The study found that experiencing challenges in areas such as workplace issues and personal safety significantly increased the odds of contemplatin...
Researchers found an association between altered circadian rest-activity rhythms and increased risk of frailty incidence in older adults. The study used wearable devices to detect variations suggestive of future frailty over six years before incidence.
A study of over 12,000 people in the US compares Baby Boomer and Millennial financial outcomes. Millennials with typical middle-class life trajectories accumulated substantially more wealth than their Baby Boomer counterparts, while those with low-skilled service jobs or living with parents struggled financially.
A study of 213 participants found that reducing dietary sodium significantly lowered blood pressure, with consistent results across subgroups. The decline in blood pressure was also not associated with excess adverse events.
Experts call for urgent measures to address discrimination against patients fleeing war or conflict zones, those with serious mental illnesses, and frail elderly patients. Guidelines for treating advanced breast cancer should prioritize patient preferences and involve multidisciplinary care teams.
A new study from Northwestern University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that reducing sodium intake by just one teaspoon a day can lower systolic blood pressure by about 6 millimeters of mercury, comparable to the effect produced by commonly used first-line medication for high blood pressure. The study involved middle-a...
Research by University of Colorado geriatrician Kenneth Lam found that the average person moving into a nursing home is already severely disabled and receiving 27 hours of care per week. Assisted living residents are less likely to be severely disabled but still receive significant support.
A new study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine shows that frailty is associated with higher rates of death and major morbidity after surgery. The electronic frailty index (eFI) may help identify patients who are at risk, according to the findings.
Regenstrief Institute researchers are sharing their work on aging research at the Gerontological Society of America's annual meeting. This platform enables them to disseminate high-level scholarship that will shape future research and policy. Regenstrief Institute, founded in 1969, is a leader in healthcare innovations and studies.
A University of Michigan team found that vaccinating people over 65 against COVID-19 will save the US money, while younger adults may not see significant cost savings. The analysis, commissioned by the CDC, focused on costs to insurers and the government.
Researchers investigate centro-cingulate network changes and cholinergic innervation deficits in Parkinson disease and normal aging. Studies reveal significant correlations between centro-cingulate changes and cognitive impairments, motor symptoms, and age.
Older adults with a GED certificate have higher odds of cognitive impairment, hearing impairment, and limitations in daily activities compared to high school graduates. The study suggests that the cognitive reserve hypothesis may partially explain these disparities, as well as access to healthcare services.
A study found that African Americans with higher positivity about physical activity had lower anxiety about aging, regardless of income or living situation. The researchers aim to develop a virtual program to improve access to exercise and healthy eating for middle-aged and older adults.
The study analyzed global data from the past three decades, revealing an overall increase in hypertensive heart disease (HHD) prevalence but a decrease in mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The burden of HHD is particularly concerning for healthcare systems due to higher prevalence with lower mortality rates.
The study found that funding for supportive services is a significant hurdle, and innovative solutions are needed to secure reliable funding. Housing models with integrated services have proven popular among better-off individuals, but limited options remain for older people with fewer resources.
A virtual, home-based exercise program using cognitively enriched tai ji quan improved global cognition and reduced walking interference associated with dual tasking in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The intervention also showed favorable improvements in cognition, function, executive function, and working memory.
A new study found that while most residents in British Columbia had been infected with SARS-CoV-2, older adults remained at highest risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. The researchers estimated that the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 was about 1 in 30 among adults 80 years and older.
Researchers developed the SOMMA Vigor to Frailty Score to rank older adults from 0 (vigorous) to 12 (frail), predicting their resilience to stress. Patients on the high end of the continuum are up to 31 times more likely to have functional limitations.
A Michigan Medicine-led study reveals that older adults from distressed communities are less likely to attend cardiac rehabilitation after coronary revascularization. The study found that only 26% of patients from these areas used cardiac rehab, compared to 46% from prosperous areas.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that both nurse practitioners (NPs) and physicians are similarly likely to inappropriately prescribe medications to older patients, with an average of 1.7 inappropriate prescriptions for every 100 prescriptions written. The authors suggest that use of clinician-level perform...
The study, which analyzed data from older adults with peptic ulcer disease, revealed that approximately 1 in 8 individuals developed depression for the first time during the pandemic. Women, those who felt lonely, and those with functional limitations were at higher risk of depression. Targeted screening and intervention are being reco...
A recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology – Series B found that having more children can produce economic, social, emotional, and biological burdens that impact health, especially chronic conditions and depression. In contrast, adults with fewer children were more likely to report poor self-rated health in certain countries.
A large cohort study found a significant association between adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the risk of dementia. The study followed 109,000 individuals born between 1933 and 1952 and found that ADHD was associated with an increased risk of dementia.
People with dementia experience a rapid rise in unpaid and paid home care, and major erosion of net worth. Family members face significant demands, providing an average of 45 hours of care per month.
The study reveals that dementia significantly affects an older adult's long-term care and financial status, with incremental changes being substantial. Family care availability should be considered in assessing the effects of dementia on caregivers' lives.
A recent study published in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine found that playing golf, Nordic walking, or regular walking for just one session can improve immediate cognitive function in older adults. The research also showed that Nordic walking and regular walking were associated with enhanced executive functions.
A new study reveals a reversal in the trend of early-onset lung cancer, now affecting younger women and middle-aged adults. The increased incidence in women is attributed to rising rates among those born in the 1960s, without higher smoking prevalence.
Research found that poor sleep quality is associated with less muscle strength and mass, more body fat, anxiety, and depression in obese older people. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing sleep quality to prevent negative health outcomes in this population.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System are developing computer models to better understand the cellular processes and gene activity of multi-drug resistant bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities in these bacteria and advance the development of new treatments.
Middle-aged Chinese surgery patients experience subjective cognitive impairment within 12 months after surgery, with identified risk factors. Preoperative psychological interventions and optimized perioperative management may help prevent postoperative cognitive impairment.
Researchers found a quantitative difference in B cell response following vaccination between young and older adults, with younger adults mounting a stronger clonal response and older adults having more activated B cells. This study provides insights into the age-related differences in B cell vaccine response and may lead to the develop...
A new intervention for caregivers has been shown to reduce elder mistreatment of older adults with chronic illness, including dementia. The Comprehensive Older Adult and Caregiver Help (COACH) program provides personalized support to caregivers, reducing mistreatment rates from 22.5% to 0%.
A new study aims to identify environmental and social factors contributing to Alzheimer's disease in older Black adults, who are up to two times more likely to develop the condition. Using remote cognitive assessments and biomarkers, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of the biopsychosocial factors behind this disparity.
A study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found a significant association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and crash risk among older adult drivers. Older adults with ADHD were more than twice as likely to report traffic tickets and vehicular crashes compared to their counterparts without ADHD.
A new study reveals that language recognition speed varies significantly across the lifespan, peaking in the mid-20s to early-30s and declining in the mid-40s. Despite controlling for hearing ability, researchers found variations in processing speed among older adults, suggesting cognitive processes may be at play.
The study found that Paxlovid treatment was associated with reduced risk of COVID-19 hospitalization or death in clinically extremely vulnerable individuals. Severely immunocompromised patients showed the greatest benefit from this treatment.
A new study suggests that life satisfaction has limited benefits for cognitive function in older adults experiencing health or socioeconomic challenges. High life satisfaction was associated with increased cognitive functioning among most individuals, but it was less beneficial for those with low SES, poor health, or adverse psychologi...
A new poll found that 62% of people aged 50-80 disagree with using life expectancy as a factor in determining cancer screening guidelines. The majority also believes that some older adults should still receive cancer screenings even if guidelines don't recommend them.
A new editorial paper highlights the importance of including older patients in lung cancer clinical trials, where they are often undertreated due to age-related factors. The paper emphasizes the need for increased collaboration among stakeholders to enhance enrollment and retention of older cancer patients.
The article discusses the need to reassess COVID-19 precautions in 2023, particularly for patients with hematologic malignancies. The researchers highlight the increased risk of poor response to vaccination and worse outcomes from COVID-19 infection among these patients.
A new quality improvement study shows a primary care intervention reduced the number of older adult patients at risk for hypoglycemia by almost 50%. The tool facilitated shared decision-making and improved patients' daily lives, leading to de-escalation of diabetes medications causing hypoglycemia in 20% of participants.
A recent study found that adding 3000 steps per day can significantly reduce high blood pressure in older adults. The study involved sedentary adults aged 68-78 who walked an average of 4000 steps before the intervention, resulting in a 7-point decrease in systolic and 4-point decrease in diastolic blood pressure.
Research finds that immune cells in older adults are similar to those in newborns and children, but less effective at recognizing infected cells. The study, published in Nature Immunology, suggests that tailored vaccines and therapies could be developed for different age groups based on the unique characteristics of killer T cells.
A behavioral experiment involving 644 older adults found that many are susceptible to government impersonation scams, including those without cognitive impairment. The study highlights the need for awareness and education among this demographic to prevent such scams.
A study found that negative childhood experiences can lead to lower levels of social support and relationships, increasing the likelihood of physical frailty. Adults with negative childhood experiences who maintained strong social relationships were less likely to develop severe frailty.
A new study found that older adults with COPD had a heightened risk of depression during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 1 in 2 individuals with COPD and a pre-pandemic history of depression experienced a recurrence of depression.
A study reviewing current research on ADHD in older adults highlights the need for better approaches to screening and diagnosis. The authors conclude that existing guidelines focus on children and young adults, leading to a lack of consideration for the condition in people aged 50-55.
A study by Waseda University researchers found that car ownership among older Japanese adults is associated with higher self-rated health status, greater independence, and a more positive attitude towards receiving help. The study suggests that autonomous driving may play a key role in improving mobility for older adults.
A study of 805,000 patients found that receiving physical therapy after dizziness was associated with a significant reduction in fall risk over the next 12 months. The findings suggest that timely physical therapy referral for dizziness may be beneficial for these patients.
A meta-analysis of 34,000 older adults found that antihypertensive treatment decreased dementia risk compared to untreated hypertension. Individuals with treated hypertension had no increased risk of dementia.
A large study found that more time spent in sedentary behaviors was significantly associated with a higher incidence of all-cause dementia among older adults. The study, which included 49,000 adults aged 60 or older, suggests a potential causal link between sedentary behavior and dementia risk.
A new study published in JAMA found that adults over 60 who spend more than 10 hours a day engaging in sedentary behaviors like sitting are at increased risk of developing dementia. The study used wearable accelerometers to track physical activity and found that the total time spent sedentary each day was a significant predictor of dem...