Category Archives: Brain Function

Brain atrophy risk in the elderly increases with excessive sleepiness and fatigue, according to research findings. Lead author Diego Z. Carvalho explained, “Our results may help to identify individuals at higher susceptibility or risk for dementia prior to symptom onset so that appropriate interventions can be undertaken early to prevent progression to dementia.” The researchers ...click here to read more

Atrial fibrillation raises the risk of dementia, according to research findings. The study also found that atrial fibrillation patients taking warfarin (the blood thinner) to reduce their risk of stroke were more likely to develop dementia, compared to patients who used this medication for other conditions. The researchers looked at over 6,000 patients on warfarin ...click here to read more

Silent strokes are more common among seniors suffering from migraine headaches. Silent strokes are symptomless brain injuries that are caused by blood clot interrupting blood flow to the brain. Although previous research has identified migraines as a risk factor for stroke, researcher Dr. Teshamae Monteith explained that she does “not believe migraine sufferers should worry, ...click here to read more

November is Alzheimer’s disease month, so we present our top articles discussing early signs of Alzheimer’s, hallucinations, sleep disorders, eating disorders, and agitation and anxiety, along with other aspects related to Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a growing problem around the world as the population continues to age. Research is continuously underway in order to ...click here to read more

Forgetfulness and memory lapses are part of both normal aging and dementia, but there are key differences between the two, which set them apart. Dementia is quite different from normal age-related memory loss because it doesn’t affect just memory. In fact, dementia can involve many aspects of health and well-being, including communication ability, behavioral changes, ...click here to read more

Sleep disorders may impact chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, according to research findings. Sleep disorders are quite common among kidney disease patients, but their impact on the kidney disease progression has long been unknown. The researchers analyzed data from 432 patients who wore wrist monitors to assess the duration and quality of their sleep. Participants ...click here to read more

Sleep apnea has an immediate impact on blood pressure regulation and deteriorate the circulatory system. The study found six hours of fluctuating oxygen levels associated with sleep apnea can deteriorate a person’s circulatory system. Researcher Glen Foster explained, “While it is well established that sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, our study shows ...click here to read more

High resting heart rate and blood pressure is associated with many mental health disorders. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, looked at data from over a million Swedish men. Heart rate and blood pressure are regulated by the autonomic nervous system which controls the body’s basic functions. Using blood pressure and heart rate measurements, the ...click here to read more

High blood pressure may impair cognitive function, increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. There is consistent evidence that chronic high blood pressure can impair cognitive function, affecting memory, thinking abilities, speed of processing, and executive function. According to the expert panel, the contradicting research on the link between high blood pressure and cognitive function points ...click here to read more

In type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline is linked to brain atrophy that resembles early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers led a large-scale study comparing brain scans and cognitive function in patients with diabetes and patients without it. Brain atrophy was found to be the primary reason for cognitive impairment in diabetics. According to the ...click here to read more

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss among the elderly, is also linked to Alzheimer’s disease. A study has revealed that the proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease can accumulate in the retina and damage it. The researchers are hopeful their findings can work to improve treatment methods. Study lead Dr. Arjuna Ratnayaka ...click here to read more

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the intermediate stage between cognitive impairment associated with normal aging and dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Problems with memory, thinking, language, and judgment that occur in MCI are greater than those experienced in normal aging. In MCI, family and friends may notice cognitive changes and you, as well, may recognize that ...click here to read more

Dropping those few extra pounds that have miraculously found their way to you may be a real challenge. Sure, as we age, we become less active and maybe our diet isn’t the healthiest out there, but even if you do watch what you eat and exercise regularly, you may still be struggling with weight loss. ...click here to read more

Alzheimer’s disease is reaching almost epic proportions in North America. In fact, if it was infectious, it would be classified as an epidemic. ABC News recently reported an estimated 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s disease. That’s one in every eight persons over the age of 65. The increase in prevalence rates, and the ...click here to read more