Research on health and aging in later life. Covers attention and cognition, longevity, organ aging, and age-related disease.
Researchers have identified genetic variants associated with natural resistance to SARS-CoV-2, including a gene linked to mucin production. These findings may help develop vaccines and treatments for viral diseases by understanding the mechanisms underlying immune responses.
Research at Aston University found a significant link between childhood deprivation and impulsive behavior, leading to addictions and unhealthy choices later in life. The study showed that children from deprived areas had a higher discount rate, indicating a preference for immediate gratification.
A new study explores how older adults plan for future changes, such as stopping driving or using firearms. The research found that reducing access to potentially dangerous situations should be prompted by declining ability, not age alone. Trusted messengers like family and clinicians can lead conversations around limiting access, and s...
Researchers at Ohio State University have found a clear link between the survival motor neuron protein and age-related muscle decline in mice, which may lead to the development of new therapies for sarcopenia. The study suggests that increasing SMN protein production could be a viable approach to addressing this age-related condition.
Researchers discovered that older adults have specific relationship expectations, such as feeling respected and contributing to their community. Failing to account for these expectations can lead to loneliness in later life. The study aims to better understand the factors driving loneliness to address it effectively.
A new study found racial and ethnic disparities in brain aging among middle-age and older adults. In late life, Latinx and white adults experienced more pronounced brain aging, while Black adults showed accelerated brain aging in midlife.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found a strong association between lower grip strength and accelerated biological aging in middle-aged and older adults. This study provides evidence that maintaining muscle strength across the lifespan may help protect against age-related diseases.
A new study found that eligible older adults who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have slower memory decline than those who do not participate. Researchers measured memory function every two years over 20 years and found that SNAP users had about two fewer years of cognitive aging over a 10-year period.
Researchers found that efficient brain networks may contribute to healthy memory performance in older adults, while postnatal stress and early life adversity can affect brain development. Studies also showed persistent effects of early childhood neglect on brain white matter into young adulthood.
Researchers from West Health push for elevating telehealth standards to ensure remote care meets the needs of older adults, including person-centered and equitable access. The authors propose a framework with guard rails to prevent low-value care and health inequities, while improving access to high-quality, timely, and convenient care.
NJIT Assistant Professor Salam Daher is using augmented reality technology to train caretakers for the elderly. The project aims to improve communication and empathy skills through a digital model of an older person that responds to emotions and environment. The system will be tested to investigate its impact on patient outcomes.
A new poll finds that more than half of people over 50 have helped at least one person over 65 with various tasks, including health care needs, home repairs, and finances. The experience can be rewarding but also challenging, especially for those helping individuals with complex needs.
A new study shows that a simple nutrition care program can improve nutritional status, physical functionality, cognitive function, and psychological well-being in older adults. The program reduced hospitalizations by 40% and associated costs.
Experts found that large differences in finger length between left and right hands are associated with COVID-19 severity. The study may help identify those at greatest risk of hospitalization across age groups.
Researchers from McGill University found that pneumococcal vaccination uptake is low among adults at high risk in Canada. Despite the importance of pneumococcal vaccination to prevent pneumonia and other forms of pneumococcal disease, many people missed opportunities for vaccination.
A new study found that only 12% of middle-aged adults are willing to participate in dementia prevention drug trials, citing concerns over the risks involved. The study suggests prioritizing those with a family history or perceived personal risk for dementia and communicating about trial safety could increase participation.
A study of 9,303 US adults found that people with cardiovascular disease were less likely to use wearable devices, highlighting disparities in access and use. The research emphasizes the need to ensure equitable access to wearables to benefit high-risk populations.
Researchers found that knockdown of secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) suppresses SASP and improves age-related skin phenotypes. This suggests a potential candidate for the development of new skin rejuvenation therapies.
Researchers will investigate immune system differences between men and women to better understand neurodegenerative diseases. The study aims to identify why certain neurological diseases primarily affect males or females, and how this difference impacts disease progression.
A recent study found that nearly 10% of US adults aged 65 and older have dementia, while another 22% have mild cognitive impairment. The prevalence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment increases with age, affecting individuals from diverse backgrounds differently.
Researchers suggest new criteria for diagnosing sarcopenia, a syndrome characterized by loss of muscle mass and force, with lower cutoff points leading to improved prediction of mortality risk. The study found that raising handgrip strength thresholds can detect the onset of sarcopenia earlier and more accurately.
A population-based analysis of 1,193 major surgeries found that 13.4% of patients died within a year, with frail and dementia-affected individuals facing significantly higher mortality rates
A new study by University of Essex researcher Constantina Maltezou-Papastylianou found that older adults are less accurate than younger adults in detecting emotions from speech. This decline is associated with natural changes in the brain as we age, affecting understanding and interpretation of emotional cues.
A recent analysis found that older U.S. adults with poor prognosis cancers had preexisting conditions such as functional impairment and difficulty with mobility before diagnosis. These conditions can impact their physical function and quality of life.
Adults who sleep for five hours or less per night have a greater risk of developing multiple chronic conditions compared to those who sleep seven hours. Shorter sleep duration at mid-to-late life is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease and subsequent multimorbidity.
A new study found that sleeping five hours or less per night is associated with a higher risk of developing at least two chronic diseases over a 25-year period. This includes heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 men and women aged 50, 60, and 70.
A study found that online grocery shopping filled gaps for people with mobility limitations, quarantine, or sick with COVID. Despite technological limitations, many consumers predicted continued high usage of e-commerce in the food sector.
A recent poll reveals that 48% of people aged 50-80 have purchased at least one home health test, including COVID-19 and DNA tests. Notably, 82% of older adults express interest in future medical tests at home, while 90% agree to share results with their healthcare provider.
A new study found that bioelectrical impedance analysis can accurately assess knee muscle function, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods. The findings suggest that thigh PhA is a better predictor of knee extensor strength than whole-body PhA.
A new approach combining online therapeutic games with non-invasive brain stimulation techniques has shown significant benefits in improving working memory capacity in older adults. The technology, COGNISANT, was found to be particularly effective in those with lower initial working memory capacity.
The study found that personality types, like orchids and dandelions, affect cognitive health in older adults. Researchers suggest designing supportive programs tailored to individual needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
A Baycrest study found that the gut microbiome plays a role in how diet and exercise affect brain health and dementia risk. Lifestyle interventions like Mediterranean-style diets can improve cognition and promote healthier microbiomes.
A study of over 300,000 Danish adults found that fractures closer to the centre of the body were associated with higher mortality rates. The presence of certain clusters of health conditions compounded this risk, suggesting a new way of identifying patients at high risk of poor outcomes.
Researchers found positive correlations between lipoxin A4 and cognitive brain functions, as well as its potential to potentiate the endocannabinoid system. The study suggests that reducing levels of this substance may weaken the body's defenses against neurodegeneration.
A University of California, Berkeley study found that aging and environment are more important than genetic variation in affecting gene expression. As individuals age, their gene expression profiles diverge, making genetics less useful in predicting which genes are ramped up or down.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that individuals with type 2 diabetes who exhibit psychological resilience experience fewer hospitalizations, better physical functioning, and a lower likelihood of becoming frail. Psychological resilience also appears to mitigate aging-related concerns.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that 3D printed flavor-based cues can stimulate rich sensory accounts and strong emotional connections in older adults, recalling memories from their youth. This technology has potential applications for dementia care, allowing individuals to relive cherished moments through the power of smell.
A Finnish study found that retiring individuals experience an increase in sleep time and a corresponding decrease in physical activity. This shift is attributed to the absence of work-related activities and commute time, which are replaced by sedentary behavior.
Scientists at UC San Francisco's Neuroscape Center have developed video game interventions that improve key aspects of cognition in aging adults, including short-term memory, attention and long-term memory. The games use adaptive closed-loop algorithms to challenge players, keeping them engaged while adapting difficulty levels.
A new research paper has demonstrated that psychological factors, such as feeling unhappy or being lonely, add up to 1.65 years to one's biological age, significantly impacting overall health and longevity.
Researchers found significantly larger neurons in the brain's memory region of SuperAgers compared to cognitively average peers, individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, and younger individuals. These larger neurons were spared from tau tangles, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting they may maintain structural integrity.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that COVID-19 booster shots are essential for maintaining long-term immunity against infection, particularly among older adults. The results support the CDC vaccination guidelines recommending COVID-19 boosters and highlight the importance of continued research on factors affecting immunity.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that intravenous omega-3 treatment improved immune function and stimulated healing of inflammation without compromising the body's response to COVID-19. The study suggests a potential new, cost-effective low-risk treatment for severe COVID-19.
A recent study found that among US patients with cancer during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, 16,561 deaths were attributed to cancer or COVID-19 complications. The majority of these deaths occurred in older adults and minority groups, highlighting a concerning disparity in healthcare outcomes.
Research suggests that regularly exercising with weights is associated with a lower risk of death from any cause, excluding cancer. A weekly combination of weights and aerobic exercise appears to have an additive effect on mortality risk.
A recent study published in Aging-US found that feeling lonely, unhappy, or hopeless increases one's biological age more than smoking. The research used digital models of aging to analyze the effects of various factors on aging rates, revealing a significant correlation between mental health and accelerated aging.
A recent poll found that rising food prices have a disproportionate impact on the diets of older adults, especially those in lower-income households and with fair or poor physical or mental health. The study also shows that these groups are more likely to experience food insecurity and eat less healthy diets due to increased food costs.
A new study found that only around half of older adults with hypertension regularly check their blood pressure at home. Those who received a healthcare provider's recommendation to do so were three and a half times more likely to monitor their blood pressure regularly.
A new study proposes reducing toxic proteins in the blood as a potential therapy for Alzheimer's disease. By doing so, it aims to improve memory and learning capacity, as well as correct cognitive impairments. The next step is to test this treatment at a clinical level.
A cohort study of Chinese older adults found that sleeping for more than 8 hours increases dementia risk by 69% and going to bed before 9 PM doubles the risk. The study suggests monitoring cognitive function in those with prolonged sleep timing.
Healthy older adults exhibit greater mental well-being despite poorer cognitive performance than younger adults. The study reveals that neural mechanisms underlying these findings may inspire new therapeutic interventions to promote healthy brain function.
A new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation resulted in statistically significant cognitive improvement in older adults. The researchers estimated that three years of multivitamin supplementation roughly translated to a 60% slowing of cognitive decline.
A study by Nagoya University found that elderly drivers have longer reaction times, slower decision-making, and increased brain activity in areas responsible for inhibition and switching tasks. This suggests a higher cognitive load in situations requiring complex foot responses while driving.
Researchers analyzed data from over 25,000 US adults in a clinical trial and found that vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation had no effect on frailty scores. Healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise and the Mediterranean diet are recommended for preventing frailty instead.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that older adults with consistent daily routines are happier, less depressed, and have better cognitive function. Participants who rose early, stayed active throughout the day, and followed a regular routine performed better on cognitive tests than those with disrupted patterns.
A cross-sectional study of over 25,000 adults found that approximately 70% of identified adrenal tumors were nonfunctioning, regardless of participant's age. The prevalence of adrenal tumors increased with age, from 0.2% in young adults to 3.2% in older adults.
A new study found that reports of elder abuse increased, particularly in cases of physical and emotional abuse, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial abuse remained the most common type, but higher rates of emotional and physical abuse were reported during the pandemic.
A new poll reveals that nearly half of people over 50 experience joint pain, and many turn to prescription-based treatments despite potential health risks. The poll's authors stress the need for healthcare providers to discuss medication interactions and non-drug options with patients.
A recent study found that people with dementia are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality due to underlying health conditions. The research identified risk factors such as comorbidities, anxiety, and delayed symptom recognition.
A study by Duke-NUS Medical School and collaborators found that cooler ambient temperatures increased the risk of a specific type of myocardial infarction (heart attack) in Singapore. People aged 65 and above were particularly vulnerable to this risk, with a 20% higher risk compared to younger individuals.