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Addressing homelessness in older people

Older people experiencing homelessness are at risk of premature death, cognitive impairment, and mobility concerns. Addressing this issue requires collaboration between health, long-term care, public health, and housing to provide adequate shelter policies, age-friendly shelters, and supportive housing models.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 21, 2024

Climbing the social ladder slows dementia, Japanese study reveals

A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that upward social mobility significantly lowers the risk of dementia. The research, led by Osaka University researchers, analyzed data from 9,186 participants aged 65 and over, finding that individuals who experienced upward transitions had a notably lower risk of dementia incidence c...

SourceOsaka University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMay 21, 2024

A blood test for stroke risk? Study finds network of inflammatory molecules may act as biomarker for risk of future cerebrovascular disease

Researchers at UCLA Health have developed a potential biomarker for stroke risk using a network of inflammatory molecules in the blood. The study, published in the journal Stroke, found that patients with higher concentrations of these molecules had an 84% chance of experiencing a stroke during their lifetime.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalStroke·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 1, 2024

Loneliness grows as we age

A new study found that loneliness grows as people age, with a U-shaped pattern of higher levels in younger and older adulthood. Factors associated with persistent loneliness include social isolation, lower education, income, and functional limitations, as well as being divorced or widowed, a smoker, or having poorer health.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 30, 2024

Does a woman’s heart health affect cognition in midlife?

A new study found that Black women with poor cardiovascular health may face an elevated risk of early signs of cognitive decline in midlife. Processing speed, a leading indicator of early cognitive decline, appeared to decline in these women starting in midlife but not in white women.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 24, 2024

People with depression see no immediate change from common GP assessment, study shows

A new study by the University of Southampton found that a commonly used questionnaire for monitoring depression treatment in primary care does not provide immediate benefits. However, patients who tracked their scores reported improved overall wellbeing and quality of life after six months.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 27, 2024

AI tools and parent support could be keys to unlock perfectionism

A new pilot study explores the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence-supplemented Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perfectionism (CBT-P) intervention for young people with anxiety and depression. The research suggests that AI tools could provide strong guidance through a therapy program, while parent support is also crucial in hel...

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternet Interventions·TypeCase study·DateMar 18, 2024

Ginkgo biloba compounds improve cognitive function following stroke

A study published in Open Medicine found that Ginkgo Diterpene Lactone Meglumine (GDLM) improves cognitive function in patients who recently experienced an acute ischemic stroke. The treatment showed anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects, reducing inflammation and coagulation markers.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalOpen Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 14, 2024

Yoga provides unique cognitive benefits to older women at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, study finds

A UCLA Health study suggests Kundalini yoga can improve cognitive function, memory and brain health for postmenopausal women. The study found that yoga prevented brain matter decline, reversed aging and inflammation-associated biomarkers – improvements not seen in a group who received standard memory training exercises.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 26, 2024

May I have a quick word? Study shows talking faster is linked to better brain health as we age

A new study by Baycrest and the University of Toronto suggests that talking speed is a more important indicator of brain health than difficulty finding words. Changes in general talking speed may reflect changes in the brain, indicating its importance in detecting cognitive decline faster.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalAging Neuropsychology and Cognition·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2024

Physical activity and cognitive decline among older adults

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 104 studies with 341,000 participants found that physical activity was associated with better late-life cognition, although the association was weak. The findings suggest that even a weak link between physical activity and cognitive decline is still important from a population health perspective.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 1, 2024

Buck scientists discover a potential way to repair synapses damaged in Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at Buck Institute for Research on Aging propose an alternate strategy for reversing memory problems in Alzheimer's disease by targeting the KIBRA protein. The findings suggest that KIBRA can rescue mechanisms that promote synapse resilience, potentially leading to improved memory function.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2024

Playing an instrument linked to better brain health in older adults

A new study published by experts at the University of Exeter found that playing a musical instrument is associated with improved memory and executive function in older adults. Continuing to play into later life provides even greater benefit, suggesting that music could be a way to harness cognitive reserve.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateJan 28, 2024

Loss of executive function may signal onset of neurodegenerative condition FXTAS

Researchers at UC Davis found that men with FMR1 premutation who experienced reduced executive function were at higher likelihood of developing fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Executive function challenges, particularly working memory and organization issues, were strongly associated with the development of FXTAS.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalMovement Disorders·DateJan 11, 2024

OCD therapy retrains the brain

A new study finds that exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapy for OCD improves cognitive control by strengthening connections between brain networks. This breakthrough sheds light on the mechanisms underlying EX/RP's effectiveness in treating OCD, paving the way for targeted therapies.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 29, 2023

Parkinson disease and normal aging

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.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 1, 2023

Brain connectivity is disrupted in schizophrenia

Researchers found that hierarchical cortical organization is impaired in people with schizophrenia, leading to disruptions in processing stimuli from the external world. This disruption affects secondary processing of sensorimotor-visual gradients, explaining behavioral and clinical symptoms of the disease.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 17, 2023

Dementia risk in adults with intellectual disability

Researchers found dementia prevalence among people with ID to be 6.44%, with modifiable risk factors identified as hypertension, depression, stroke, age, severity of ID, duration of education, and traumatic brain injury. These findings can inform better screening and support for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

SourceOkayama University·JournalAlzheimer s Research & Therapy·TypeSurvey·DateSep 25, 2023

New neural insights into processing uncertainty in obsessive-compulsive disorder

A new study uses brain imaging to explore the neural underpinnings of uncertainty processing in OCD, finding that patients struggle with certainty and decision-making, particularly when outcomes are more certain. This understanding may offer new hope for developing therapies targeting uncertainty processing in OCD.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 12, 2023

Pioneering study finds that brain tumours 'hack' the communication between neurons

A pioneering study published in Cancer Cell finds that brain metastasis alters the brain's chemistry and disrupts neuronal communication. Researchers discovered a molecule, EGR1, that may play a role in this process, paving the way for potential drug development to alleviate neurocognitive effects.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalCancer Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023

Prevalence of disabilities for older Black & White Americans plummeted from 2008 to 2017

The study found a significant decline in the prevalence of serious later-life cognitive impairments among Black Americans, narrowing racial disparities. However, racial disparities persisted in activities of daily living and functional limitations. Improved air quality may have contributed to the narrowing of disparities in cognitive i...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAging and Human Development·TypeSurvey·DateAug 29, 2023

Poor report card for children’s wellbeing

A new study found that children's mental health and wellbeing gradually worsened over the past six years, with measures of life satisfaction, optimism, and emotional regulation declining consistently since 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on young Australians, particularly those in higher year levels and from lower...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 22, 2023

Extreme heat may hasten cognitive decline in vulnerable populations

A new study found that cumulative exposure to extreme heat can worsen cognitive health, particularly among Black older adults and residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 9,500 U.S. adults ages 52 and older, finding a link between high heat exposure and faster cognitive decline in these groups.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateAug 15, 2023

MIND diet study shows 'short-term' impact on cognition

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the MIND diet had a significant improvement in cognition during the first two years, but no significant difference in three-year changes. The study enrolled 604 people with suboptimal diets and family history of Alzheimer's disease.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 27, 2023