Category Archives: Brain Function

This may come as a huge surprise: sometimes napping can be unhealthy. I know it seems blasphemous to suggest that not all sleep is good sleep. But new research is showing a close link between regular naps, heart disease, and early death. How can this be? It likely isn’t the nap itself that is harmful. ...click here to read more

Previous research has shown that there is a relationship between sleep and Alzheimer’s disease. However, neuroscientists have now found a way to estimate a time frame for when Alzheimer’s is most likely to strike in a person’s lifetime, based on their baseline sleep patterns. This new research from the University of California, Berkeley, has found ...click here to read more

Anticholinergic drugs have been found to be associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, according to a new study published in Neurology. This class of drugs is commonly prescribed for many conditions, including allergies, colds, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. Researchers found a risk of cognitive decline, particularly ...click here to read more

New research has found an association between disrupted sleep, high blood pressure, and the gut microbiome. The study, which is the first of its kind from the University of Illinois Chicago, used rats to find a link between the three health issues. For the study, researchers aimed to find a relationship between sleep disruption and ...click here to read more

A lack of physical activity has been shown to affect cognitive function negatively, but new research from Tohoku University has found an exciting way to use virtual training to “trick” the brain into thinking it is moving when it is still. For patients who are suffering or recovering from long-term diseases, utilizing immersive virtual reality ...click here to read more

As the number of aging baby boomers rises, statistics show that the number of cases of dementia is also increasing. This rise in dementia, a term for impaired ability to think, remember, or make decisions, is raising questions for boomers themselves and their families, caregivers, and society. New research from the Max Planck Institute for ...click here to read more

Cognitive health is an everyday worry for many older people, but a new study has found a unique way involving fast-food restaurants to help keep mental health in check. Normally, fast food is not associated with good health, but places such as neighborhood cafes have been found to provide cognitive benefits to older adults. The ...click here to read more

Dealing with depression can be hard even in the best of times, so doctors have been closely following patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic who suffer from depressive symptoms. What they found surprised them. Researchers from five institutions, including UCLA, found that older adults exhibited resilience to the stress of physical distancing and isolation during the ...click here to read more

Can sleep keep your memory sharp? There seems to be little shortage of benefits to good sleep. It plays a critical role in overall health and is linked with a lower risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. It also helps you stay focused and alert every day. It could also be a key player in ...click here to read more

Many studies have confirmed that pain and depression are closely related. It is known that pain can cause depression, and depression can cause pain. In some people, pain and depression can even create a vicious cycle in which pain worsens symptoms of depression, and the resulting depression increases the feelings of pain. Depression can cause ...click here to read more

New research has found a link between sleep patterns and Alzheimer’s disease. The study published in the online issue of Neurology® finds that people who are “morning people,” those who have shorter sleep duration, and other sleep issues may be at a higher genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. “We know that people with Alzheimer’s ...click here to read more

A study published online in Neurology finds that patients with cardiovascular disease are more likely to show an accelerated cognitive decline in midlife. With many lifestyle factors being responsible for cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), which contribute to cardiovascular disease, this study helps to outline why leading a healthy life is so important throughout life, including ...click here to read more

Patients with heart failure may have more mental stress and anger, according to a new report published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure. Factors such as mental stress and anger often go unrecognized, but researchers are now making a connection with how it can affect those with heart problems. Heart failure is a cardiovascular disease ...click here to read more

It’s scary when little blips in your memory occur with greater frequency. You can’t find your keys, the remote is in the fridge, and you can’t remember the name of that little town you used to visit in the 80s. These things happen, and they are normal. As you get older, you have a growing ...click here to read more