All articles tagged with #dementia prevention
Researchers suggest that targeting the Apoe gene, particularly its harmful variants Apoe3 and Apoe4, could potentially prevent most cases of Alzheimer's disease, although challenges remain due to the gene's vital functions and widespread presence in the population.
The article emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity for brain health, highlighting how exercise improves cognitive functions, supports neuron growth, and reduces the risk of dementia, with walking and enjoyable activities being highly recommended.
Neuroscientist Jules suggests three simple habits to incorporate into daily tooth brushing—using the non-dominant hand, balancing on one leg, and reversing letter-number sequences—that may help strengthen cognitive functions and potentially lower dementia risk by promoting neuroplasticity and cognitive resilience.
A recent study suggests that a ten-week online brain training program using BrainHQ can make older adults' brains act as if they are a decade younger, by increasing activity in key brain regions, though the findings are preliminary and based on a small sample. The study highlights the potential of mental exercises to support brain health and delay cognitive decline, but emphasizes that longer-term and more inclusive research is needed to confirm these benefits.
A McGill University clinical trial found that 10 weeks of digital brain training with BrainHQ can restore brain chemistry in older adults to levels seen 10 years younger, potentially reducing dementia risk and improving memory without medication.
Research on SuperAgers—people over 80 with youthful cognitive abilities—reveals that social engagement and maintaining brain activity are key factors in preserving mental sharpness and protecting against dementia, with SuperAgers showing less brain atrophy and more social-related neurons, highlighting the importance of socializing for healthy aging.
Regular physical activity, including aerobic exercises, weight training, and light activities like walking, can significantly improve brain health and reduce the risk of dementia by enhancing cognitive function, promoting neuroprotective factors, and altering brain structure, making it a cost-effective strategy for maintaining mental sharpness and preventing conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
A new acronym, SHIELD, simplifies key lifestyle factors—Sleep, Head injury prevention, Exercise, Learning, and Diet—that can help reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease, which is projected to triple by 2050. The framework aims to make prevention strategies more accessible and actionable for the general public.
Leading doctors highlight 'retro walking' as a potential way to improve memory and prevent dementia, with studies showing it boosts activity in the prefrontal cortex and enhances cognitive scores, especially in older adults, while also offering physical benefits like improved balance and muscle strength.
A large study suggests that cycling and active travel modes are associated with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, as well as larger hippocampal volumes, highlighting the potential brain health benefits of regular physical activity like cycling.
Novo Nordisk is testing its GLP-1 drug semaglutide, originally for diabetes, as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's and dementia, based on promising observational data suggesting reduced dementia risk among users. The upcoming clinical trials could revolutionize Alzheimer's treatment if successful, offering a new approach that targets inflammation and brain sugar metabolism rather than amyloid plaques. The results are highly anticipated, but the outcome remains uncertain, with significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry and aging populations.
A neurologist warns against common habits like using massage guns on the neck, listening to loud music, and holding in sneezes, as these actions can increase the risk of strokes, dementia, and other brain injuries. The advice emphasizes caution with neck treatments, protecting hearing, and proper sneezing techniques to prevent serious health issues.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that adherence to the MIND diet, a combination of Mediterranean and DASH diets emphasizing brain-healthy foods, is associated with a reduced risk of hippocampal sclerosis and other brain pathologies linked to dementia in older adults, suggesting diet may play a role in protecting against memory loss and cognitive decline.
Research indicates that AI-powered hearing aids can significantly reduce the risk of dementia by improving hearing and social engagement in older adults, with studies showing a potential 60% risk reduction when using hearing aids. Advances in technology have made these devices more effective and user-friendly, encouraging proactive management of hearing health to support cognitive well-being.
Research suggests that the shingles vaccine may help reduce the risk of developing dementia in older adults, with studies indicating a potential protective effect, especially in women. While the exact mechanism remains unclear, preventing shingles reactivation could be linked to lower neuroinflammation and protein deposits in the brain. Experts recommend those over 50 consider getting the Shingrix vaccine to potentially benefit their cognitive health.