Category Archives: Brain Function

Anxiety and depression can be reduced in women who partake in women-only cardiac rehabilitation programs. Women are less inclined to enroll in a cardiac rehab which could be highly beneficial for their heart health as cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women worldwide. Numerous studies have revealed that cardiac rehab programs are beneficial ...click here to read more

New findings suggest that a saliva gland test may better diagnose early Parkinson’s disease. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic and Banner Sun Health Research Institute found that testing a portion of a person’s submandibular gland could spot early Parkinson’s disease. There is no current accurate testing method for Parkinson’s disease, and so saliva gland testing ...click here to read more

Weight loss beginning in midlife and extending into later life could be a sign of dementia, as uncovered by researchers at the Mayo Clinic. The findings revealed that individuals who lose weight over the course of decades are at a higher risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is the loss of memory and thinking ...click here to read more

Easier bipolar diagnosis potential is seen with biomarkers and MRI imaging insights. A recent study has uncovered six biomarkers that could be effective in diagnosing bipolar disorder earlier. The findings come from the Mayo Clinic and if replicated could be used as an effective diagnostic tool in treating psychiatric disorders. First author Mark Frye said, ...click here to read more

Women who suffer from pelvic pain due to endometriosis may need help with their mental health. A new study suggests, endometriosis and psychological health are connected. Endometriosis is a disorder that impacts the tissue lining the inside of the uterus, called the endometrium. Sometimes, the tissue grows outside the uterus, resulting in this painful disorder ...click here to read more

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women is linked to ADHD and an increased risk of autism in children. A study examined the link between ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and PCOS. The study included 40 women aged 18 to 35 with PCOS, who were compared to 40 healthy women with normal menstrual cycles. Current and ...click here to read more

Even though there is a surge in texting and online messaging, face-to-face communication is still regarded as superior when it comes to social closeness. Face-to-face time expresses emotion and helps convey unspoken cues better than texting which is lacking thereof thus contributing to misinterpretation. The findings are based on two different studies involving teens and ...click here to read more

An FDA-approved blood pressure drug may offer benefits to Alzheimer’s disease treatment by reducing cell damage. The drug – candesartan – may be beneficial in early Alzheimer’s disease treatment, along with other Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Senior author Juan M. Saavedra said, “Our findings make sense in many ways. Hypertension reduces blood flow throughout the ...click here to read more

A link between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease has been found, and a possible vaccine targets Alzheimer-like characteristics. A study found that individuals with Down syndrome who survive into adulthood face added challenges, like an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Down syndrome has many similarities to Alzheimer’s disease, and one of those similarities ...click here to read more

Concussion (traumatic brain injury) increases the risk of dementia in seniors. Roughly 1.7 million Americans experience a minor concussion annually, and nearly 15 percent of those who experience repeated brain injuries suffer from abnormal brain functioning years later. A concussion can occur due to a sports injury, car accident, or any other injury that occurs ...click here to read more

Researchers have found a genetic overlap between schizophrenia and autism. Research from a multinational team of scientists have found that in some cases of schizophrenia, autism, and intellectual disability, malfunctions in some genes contribute to the mental disorder. The researchers examined a type of gene aberration called de novo mutation among 42 “trio” families, where ...click here to read more

Treatment of sleep apnea may reduce six-month readmission of heart failure patients. First author Sunhil Sharma said, “Our research showed that early recognition and treatment of patients hospitalized with decompensated congestive heart failure is associated with a reduction in readmissions, for patients who use their positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on a regular basis. Importantly, ...click here to read more

Whether you have a poor night’s sleep occasionally or it’s a common occurrence, one thing is for certain: not getting a proper sleep can wreak havoc on your health. Not only do you feel tired and low energy, but poor sleep can also negatively affect your day-to-day life by inhibiting concentration, decreasing the focus, contributing ...click here to read more

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) questionnaire can also help determine the risk of depression and anxiety. OCD, depression, and anxiety can often all coexist with one another, but having OCD specifically increases the risk of additional comorbid illnesses. Researchers have found that a shortened version of a questionnaire commonly used by psychologists to determine risk of OCD ...click here to read more