Articles tagged with Cognitive Disorders
A study from Karolinska Institutet found that people treated with modern NOAC blood-thinning medicines experienced a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to those receiving warfarin or no anticoagulant treatment. This was associated with lower risk of other health problems, including death, stroke, and fractures.
According to a national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, most U.S. adults believe brain health habits should begin before age 40. Regular exercise, quality sleep, healthy eating, and strong social connections can help support long-term brain health.
A new ACC Scientific Statement highlights the importance of considering cognitive impairment and frailty in cardiovascular care for older adults. The statement outlines practical strategies for prevention, screening, assessment, and management, aiming to improve outcomes such as independence, mobility, and caregiver burden.
A new study found that avoiding three risk factors in middle age is linked to nearly 13 more years without dementia. Participants who had no risk factors lived without developing dementia an average of 30 years, compared to 17 years for those with the three risk factors.
Researchers used real human brain tissue samples to test the underlying mechanisms of deep brain stimulation. They found that brain cells became more synchronized in communicating, similar to memory formation, while altering gene expression across different types of brain cells.
A new study reveals that patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have elevated lipocalin-2 levels and exhibit early signs of cardiovascular and cognitive impairment. The findings highlight the importance of considering MASLD as a systemic condition affecting multiple organ systems.
A new report finds that delayed discharges and poor hospital environments keep people with dementia in hospitals unnecessarily, costing £328 million annually. The study suggests community-centric approaches can reduce hospitalisations and improve care.
A new study from UT Health San Antonio found that any degree of physical activity can slow cognitive decline in Hispanics. The research, which included 402 participants, also showed that controlling blood sugar levels and cardiovascular health are associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline.
The LifeAfter90 study found that women 90 and older are at two-fold greater risk for dementia, while Black participants have a 75% greater risk than Asian participants. APOE2's protective effects continue past age 90, reducing risk by 60%, but APOE4 increases the risk among men and Black participants.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that about 65% of patients who developed psychosis after age 40 showed abnormal tau buildup, compared to 15% of healthy older controls. The findings suggest diverse tau-related brain changes may be involved in late-onset psychosis.
A new USC study uses AI to generate detailed maps of brain aging, revealing distinct patterns of neurodegeneration in specific regions. The approach sheds light on how local brain age correlates with changes in cognitive function across the lifespan.
A Phase 2 clinical trial shows that a THC/CBD combination significantly reduces agitation in hospice-eligible people with dementia. The study, conducted across multiple US sites, achieved its primary and key secondary endpoints, demonstrating the efficacy of this treatment approach for end-of-life agitation.
A Canadian pilot study examined ways to link dementia patients' medical records with those of their caregivers. The report highlights critical gaps in clinical application due to EMR incompatibility, varying provincial privacy rules, and consent requirements.
A new $3.3 million study aims to investigate how people perceive cognitive changes as they age, with a focus on identifying predictive markers for dementia. The 'worried well' - individuals with cognitive complaints but normal test results - may hold clues to early disease detection.
Patients with autoimmune limbic encephalitis experience altered hippocampus size and function, leading to memory loss and apathy. This study reveals a link between hippocampus damage and behavioral changes, shedding light on the condition's effects on cognition and motivation.
A new paper reveals a live concert and lecture series improves emotional well-being, intellectual stimulation, and social interaction among dementia patients. Participants reported high satisfaction and improved mood following sessions.
A new study by Sanford Burnham Prebys found that bolstering the SORLA protein can reduce tau tangle toxicity, a common culprit in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. This suggests potential as a therapeutic strategy for treating these conditions.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have found a way to intervene early in traumatic brain injuries using a natural, gut-derived chemical that prevents post-traumatic epilepsy from taking root. The treatment reduced brain inflammation, improved memory and mood, protected brain cells, made seizures both rarer and harder to trigger.
A study analyzing 30,527 English dementia patients found hospital readmissions associated with multiple factors including sex, health conditions and post-discharge care. The research highlights the importance of monitoring and managing these risk factors to prevent hospital readmissions.
A blood test measuring phosphorylated tau 217 (P-tau217) can estimate an individual's risk of developing cognitive impairment over 2, 5, and 10 years. Higher P-tau217 levels are associated with increased risk of progression to cognitive impairment in cognitively unimpaired older adults.
A digital therapy platform, iACT4CARERS, has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in dementia carers after three and six months. The study, which involved almost 500 volunteers, found that carers using the platform had lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to those receiving usual care alone.
A new project developed by the University of Birmingham and Mind in Camden aims to improve understanding and response to people who hear voices, particularly when linked to suicidal thoughts. The resources encourage listening, curiosity, and collaboration to help individuals make sense of their experiences and feel more supported.
Researchers from Penn, NYU, and the Linguistic Data Consortium create virtual patients with adjustable psychiatric symptoms to simulate real-world conversations. The STELLAR platform aims to augment clinician training practices with essential conversation scenarios.
Research suggests alcohol interacts with Alzheimer's-related brain circuits in distinct ways, depending on the type of pathological change. Alcohol reduced communication in amyloid-beta models but increased it in tau models, highlighting an important principle in biology.
Researchers found minor cardiac dysfunction can predict microscopic tissue degradation in brain regions associated with Alzheimer's disease, leading to poor long-term memory performance.
A new Virginia Tech study finds that patterns of repetitive negative thinking can carry anxiety into deeper distress among dementia caregivers, but also suggests that mindfulness training may help identify and interrupt this progression. Researchers also found that introducing mindfulness early on can aid in managing stress before it d...
Research suggests that speaking more than one language can delay brain ageing and make individuals appear younger. The study found that those who spoke two languages had brains that appeared around six years younger, while those who spoke four languages appeared up to 13 years younger.
Researchers found that animal models with Alzheimer’s-related brain changes developed problems with cognitive flexibility months before showing signs of memory impairment. The study suggests that Alzheimer’s disease may affect neural circuits involved in executive function and adaptability before causing noticeable memory problems.
A new clinical trial led by University College London researchers found that ten weeks of cognitive rehabilitation can help people with long Covid symptoms such as brain fog achieve their goals in returning to work and hobbies. The treatment yielded benefits that lasted for at least six months for most participants.
Research suggests exposure to extreme heat and cold increases risk of emergency department visits among people with dementia. Extreme temperatures accelerate health events that would otherwise occur later, potentially leading to increased healthcare demand.
A new study published in Health Psychology reveals that individual personality traits play a significant role in how caregiving stress affects physical health. Caregivers with high neuroticism and low agreeableness experienced greater inflammation and poorer physical functioning, while others remained relatively resilient. The research...
A study led by Brown University researchers found that older adults who received the shingles vaccine had a 24% lower risk of being diagnosed with dementia within four years. The study analyzed health records and Medicare data from over 500,000 adults age 66 and older who were admitted to skilled nursing facilities.
A new study investigates whether obesity contributes to faster brain aging and earlier memory decline. Researchers found that high K63 polyubiquitination levels in young obese rats matched those seen in older brains, suggesting a connection between obesity-induced and age-related memory loss.
A study by DZNE shows that smartphone-based memory tests can detect subtle cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) more quickly than conventional testing. This approach has the potential to accelerate clinical trials for new dementia drugs and be used in routine care.
Researchers propose using low-dose lithium orotate to slow dementia progression in mild cognitive impairment, leveraging established neuroprotective mechanisms. The approach aims to mitigate kidney and thyroid risks associated with higher-dose formulations, offering a potentially accessible and inexpensive treatment option.
The JTMF Foundation has expanded its footprint with a $3.3 million gift to fund three main initiatives: identifying early signs of Alzheimer's in adults with Down syndrome, expanding access to cutting-edge clinical research, and developing best-practice guidelines.
A study led by Northwestern University identified a new biological culprit behind cognitive decline in people with HIV: the degradation of protective sugar molecules. Flu drugs preserved these sugar molecules and protected the brain in lab and mouse studies.
Dr. Owen Carmichael received the James W. and Neil Ann Parks Professorship for Dementia Research, Prevention and Treatment at Pennington Biomedical. His work focuses on developing advanced biomedical imaging techniques to better understand Alzheimer's disease and brain aging.
Researchers found biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease that correlated with minor cognitive differences in midlife adults. These biomarkers, measuring tau and amyloid plaque, were associated with a greater chance of cognitive decline, particularly in processing speed and executive function.
Researchers at UCLA Health have identified a brain region called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) that regulates memory integration. The vmPFC acts as a quality control checkpoint, preventing memories from getting mixed up when they are significantly different or far apart in time.
A study proposes that sleep disruption may be connected to increased risk of dementia through the brain's waste clearance system. The glymphatic system, active during sleep, helps remove metabolic waste, and its disruption may lead to cognitive decline.
A study published in Neurology found that quitting smoking is associated with a lower risk of dementia, especially for those who maintain a stable weight. The research followed 32,802 middle-aged and older individuals without dementia at the start of the study, finding a sustained lower risk of dementia with time since quitting.
A new UC San Diego study reveals that women are more vulnerable to dementia risk factors affecting cognition, with some risk factors having stronger impacts on women than men. The findings suggest a greater need for targeted interventions, such as managing depression and improving cardiovascular health.
A new study from UC San Diego found that poorer sleep quality is associated with greater memory difficulties and more Alzheimer's-related brain changes in older women with a higher genetic risk. The study suggests that improving sleep could become a target for future Alzheimer's prevention strategies.
Researchers are developing a multi-organ model on a chip to study the complex interactions between organs, hormones, and cells in diabetes and dementia. The GlucoBrain project aims to understand how signals move between the brain, gut, and pancreas, potentially leading to new treatments for millions affected by these diseases.
Researchers developed a combined sensorimotor assessment measure to gauge risk of mild cognitive impairment, a condition that can progress to dementia. The measure was associated with lower risk of mild cognitive impairment in older adults.
A recent study from Texas A&M University suggests that irregular sleep patterns may increase the risk of dementia. The research team, led by Karienn Souza, found that chronically disrupted circadian rhythms can lead to activated microglia, which can contribute to inflammation and damage in the brain. The team plans to test a new therap...
A study links insulin resistance and leptin dysregulation to cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder, highlighting the potential of targeted clinical pathways. Metabolic alterations are associated with cognitive deficits and poorer performance in memory and attention.
A new study has found that individuals with insulin-requiring type 1 and type 2 diabetes have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia compared to those without diabetes. The study, which examined over 1.3 million adults in South Korea, suggests that dementia risk is not the same for all types of diabetes.
The US had substantially higher death rates between 1999 and 2022 compared to other wealthy nations, with cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause of excess mortality. An estimated 12.7 million US deaths could have been averted during this period if US mortality rates mirrored those of its peers.
A study protocol from Hasanuddin University aims to address gaps in mental health interventions for adolescent girls in Gorontalo, Indonesia. The qualitative study will explore experiences and perspectives of young women and stakeholders to develop a community-based intervention model.
A new study with over 3,700 UK participants found that better cognitive functioning may be associated with a higher risk of future depressive episodes in those with a history of depression. In contrast, worse cognitive performance was linked to a lower risk of relapse in both individuals with previous depression and control participants.
A study finds microplastics in the human brain associated with increased risk of stroke and dementia. Apheresis, a medical treatment, is proposed as a potential removal method for microplastics from the body.
Higher body mass index over time led to more rapid declines in cognitive functions, memory and executive functioning. Managing weight could significantly lower the rate of cognitive decline in just two years.
Unsecure firearm storage is common among older adults with subjective cognitive decline, despite clinical guidance recommending secure storage for those with cognitive symptoms. The study highlights the need for improved household practices and access to fire safety education.
Researchers discovered that interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) occur in a predictable pattern, unfolding sequentially in individual neurons. Nearly 80% of IED-involving neurons are also involved in language and perception, suggesting the brain blips can derail cognition.
Researchers found that the rostral prefrontal cortex acts as a bridge between the default mode network and executive control network, enabling a gradual functional transition. The study suggests that creativity relies on a measurable balance between these networks.
Researchers found three distinct trajectories of cognitive decline: stable, slow and fast decline. Biomarker data showed that participants who declined faster had higher P-tau217 levels and smaller hippocampi.
Researchers will use DNA-encoded chemical libraries and artificial intelligence to screen hundreds of millions of potential drug compounds, identifying those most likely to succeed in treating Alzheimer's. The project aims to shorten the timeline for identifying new treatments, bringing them to patients faster and with greater precision.
A national study found that people with severe strokes have a five times higher odds of developing dementia. Stroke severity also affects thinking and memory after stroke, highlighting the need for close monitoring and treatment of dementia risk factors.