All articles tagged with #dementia
Natural-experiment studies across Wales, Australia, Canada, and the US consistently link shingles vaccination with reduced dementia risk, and newer data suggest that Shingrix may offer larger protective benefits than the older Zostavax—potentially by lowering brain inflammation from varicella-zoster reactivation—though causality and gender differences require further study.
A UK Biobank study found higher dietary magnesium intake (around 550 mg/day from food) is associated with slower brain aging and reduced dementia risk, with stronger benefits for postmenopausal women. While excess magnesium from supplements can cause GI issues, experts say most people should focus on foods rich in magnesium (e.g., leafy greens, nuts, whole grains) and consult a clinician before taking supplements; the NIH notes daily needs vary by age and sex (about 310–420 mg).
China is launching a sweeping, government-backed effort to prepare for a coming wave of dementia by expanding screening, diagnosis, and treatment, recruiting returning researchers, and funding diverse avenues—from new drugs (including BrAD-R13 and DI-3-n-butylphthalide) to traditional Chinese medicine and novel glymphatic-clearing surgeries. With dementia prevalence expected to rise dramatically, the country aims to reach 2030 targets, accelerate clinical trials (already rising from 9 in 2021 to 107 in 2024), and become a leading global hub—though regulatory safeguards and safety concerns accompany rapid growth.
A large study finds that mentally stimulating activities—such as chess and other daily cognitive tasks—are associated with years-long delays in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, suggesting that everyday mental engagement can slow brain aging.
In a three-year Japanese cohort, older adults who ate cheese at least weekly showed a 24% lower risk of dementia (hazard ratio 0.76) versus those who rarely/never ate cheese, based on 3,957 matched pairs from nearly 8,000 participants. The association remained after adjusting for overall diet quality but remains observational and not causal. Most cheese consumed was processed, and researchers note potential biological pathways (e.g., vitamin K2, gut-brain axis) while acknowledging limitations such as baseline-only intake data and dementia measured via long-term care records.
A new study reports that blood tests can help build a rough 'clock' for Alzheimer's, potentially predicting when symptoms will emerge. While not precise enough to map an individual trajectory, the approach could improve early diagnosis and inform preventive treatments.
Older autistic people face higher risks of mood disorders, epilepsy, and age-related conditions such as osteoporosis, heart disease, Parkinson’s and dementia, with many remaining undiagnosed; brain-imaging hints at mixed aging patterns, and experts urge inclusive, long-term research to improve diagnosis and health support for this growing population.
A large US study of about 28 million Americans aged 65+ (2000–2018) links higher fine-particulate air pollution to increased dementia incidence, including Alzheimer’s, suggesting pollution may directly affect brain aging beyond other health factors; exposures were roughly twice the WHO annual guideline, with researchers noting potential mechanisms like brain inflammation and toxic protein deposits.
A Rush University study of 1,939 older adults over ~8 years links lifelong cognitive enrichment—through reading, writing and language learning—to up to 38% lower Alzheimer's risk and 36% lower risk of mild cognitive impairment, independent of socioeconomic status, suggesting lifelong mental activity may delay dementia—even though causation isn’t proven.
The article explains that agitation is a common, brain-based symptom of Alzheimer's caused by brain changes that disrupt emotion regulation and by imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It notes caregivers often blame themselves, but agitation increases with disease progression (about 56% in early stages to 68% in moderate-to-severe stages). Environmental stressors, like large gatherings or disrupted routines, can worsen it. The piece offers practical management tips—maintaining daily routines, avoiding arguments, using calming approaches, and consulting healthcare providers about treatments—while emphasizing caregiver support and self-care.
Experts at a AAAS conference say maintaining good oral hygiene—brushing three times daily, regular dental visits, and tongue cleaning—may reduce the risk of more than 50 systemic conditions, including dementia and arthritis, by limiting oral bacteria and inflammation. However, there is no proven causation between gum disease and these illnesses, and disparities in European dental care persist.
A science conference linked good dental hygiene to a reduced risk of more than 50 conditions, including dementia, urging people to brush two to three times daily (with a pre-bedtime brush) and to consider electric brushes; researchers warn UK oral health is lagging and bacteria from gums may affect the brain and other organs.
In a 20-year follow-up of the ACTIVE trial, older adults who completed speed-of-processing training plus booster sessions (at 11 and 35 months) had a 25% lower risk of diagnosed dementia, including Alzheimer's, than controls; memory and reasoning training did not reduce risk. The effect, derived from Medicare data (1999–2019), required about 10 initial sessions plus boosters and total training time under 24 hours. Benefits likely stem from adaptive, implicit learning, with boosters essential for durability.
A study of 52 donated brains found microplastics, including polyethylene, in all samples, with higher concentrations in newer specimens and three to five times more particles in some dementia patients, indicating the plastics can cross the blood–brain barrier and accumulate in deep brain regions. While the findings raise concerns about potential brain effects, researchers say causality isn’t established and more work is needed to understand exposure and health implications.
Emerging data suggest that a course of the shingles vaccine may slow ageing, reducing age-related health decline by about 20% across multiple countries and potentially lowering dementia risk.