Category Archives: Brain Function

A new study published in the online journal Neurology has found that cardiovascular disease risk factors may increase the risk of dementia in older people. Cardiovascular disease risk factors include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and smoking. Previous research has shown that cardiovascular disease risk factors play a role in the likelihood of developing cognitive ...click here to read more

Psilocybin, the active component in “magic mushrooms,” may help rewire the brains of people with depression to relieve symptoms. These substances, and others, have shown promise in treating several mental health disorders in recent years. A new study may begin to show how they work. One of the features of these drugs is that they ...click here to read more

Sleep apnea is a condition that is increasing in the general population globally. It can cause people to briefly stop and restart breathing dozens or even hundreds of times throughout the night. People with sleep apnea tend to wake up tired in the morning even though their breathing interruptions don’t often awaken them. The fatigue ...click here to read more

When you sleep, which category do you fall into? Some people like to crank up the heat and snuggle under a blanket because they feel cold, while others drop the thermostat and sleep under a light sheet.  Regardless of how you like to sleep, research has shown there is a best way. According to the ...click here to read more

Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide. It is a significant concern among the aging population as cases increase in nearly every country. Due to the increasing nature of this disease, researchers are consistently finding new ways to help reduce the risk. One such review of evidence ...click here to read more

People who have insomnia may be at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. New research has found a link between people who have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep and high blood sugar levels. The study published in Diabetes Care used a statistical technique called Mendelian Randomization to see how five sleep ...click here to read more

Everybody has the occasional night of poor sleep. Whether you stayed up late to binge-watch or cheer on your favorite team, or went out for a drink with friends, it’s normal to have these occurrences. Of course, you’ll never feel great the next day. But you can bounce back with the right strategy to stay ...click here to read more

With an aging population, cognitive decline is quickly moving to the forefront of studies in older people. One such study has found a possible link between the use of antibiotics by middle-aged women and cognitive decline later in life. Previous studies have suggested a connection between gut microbiome health and mental health issues such as ...click here to read more

People sleep with a nightlight for all types of reasons. It can aid vision if they need to get up at night, while others aren’t always comfortable in total darkness. But a new study suggests that sleeping with a light on may be unknowingly keeping their nervous system awake and boosting their chances of further ...click here to read more

People with Alzheimer’s are already at a higher risk for falls than the average person. A new study suggests that damage to the inner ear system that controls balance could be a major reason. The vestibular system is an intricate network consisting of several canals and bony structures deep inside the inner ear. The impaired ...click here to read more

To reach a goal in life, you need drive and determination, but new research shows how anxiety can impact that motivation. The study looked at how people have different responses to stress and found that motivation to obtain goals after stress exposure depended on the individual’s level of trait anxiety. The study performed in rats ...click here to read more

According to a new study from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, depression may be associated with more severe dry eyes disease and overall symptoms. Dry eye disease is a common condition that occurs when tears cannot provide enough lubrication for the eyes. Tears are necessary for maintaining the eye’s health and for providing clear ...click here to read more

Over the past decade, there have been many studies performed examining the relationship between sleep and dementia, but new information is now signalling a link between daytime napping and cognitive impairment. Daytime napping among seniors is a normal part of aging, but it may also foreshadow Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias for those who do ...click here to read more

Anxiety sure is growing. The pandemic has brought its fair share, that’s for sure. There’s also been some major protests, an insurgency, a global refugee crisis (and more problems caused by climate change), and now, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. If you’re feeling a little stressed by any of it, you are certainly not alone. Managing ...click here to read more