Category Archives: Brain Function

According to a new study, depression symptoms may be reduced by the consumption of various mushroom varieties. The research led by Penn State College of Medicine adds to the mounting evidence showing the health advantages of the superfood. For the study, researchers used diet and mental health data that was previously collected from more than ...click here to read more

There is plenty of research to support that physical health plays a role in dementia risk. A healthy heart generally helps contribute to a healthy brain. But new work indicates that mental health plays a role too. The new study adds to some existing evidence that depression is linked to dementia, and it looks at ...click here to read more

Sleep disorders are pervasive, with approximately one in three adults suffering from mild insomnia. As stress levels rise around the world, insomnia is becoming more prevalent in adults. But a new study led by Monash University has found that getting enough natural sunlight each day could help to reduce insomnia and improve mood. The study ...click here to read more

New research sheds light on an essential connection between exercise and its impact on gut and brain health in patients with Parkinson’s disease. When looking for new ways to treat patients with the condition, it has been standard for many clinicians to only look at the brain. Researchers and neurologists have both tried to improve ...click here to read more

It can be rather simple to downplay the complexity of sleep. Most people, even if they don’t sleep well, take it for granted. When they get tired, they go to bed. Of course, most people know it’s not that easy. Data suggests that most people report having some occasional sleep trouble; it may include falling ...click here to read more

According to a new study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2021 annual meeting, patients who experience low blood pressure during surgery are at risk for postoperative delirium. Postoperative delirium is a change in mental function that can cause confusion after surgery. It’s the most common surgical complication for older adults and it can be caused by ...click here to read more

For those who suffer from anxiety, everyday tasks can be challenging. But a new study has found that in people with pre-existing mental health conditions, including outdoor nature-based activities could help to improve mental health. Researchers from the University of York were able to show through their study that taking part in outdoor nature-based activities ...click here to read more

Everyone has those nights where they just can’t fall asleep. Sometimes getting to sleep isn’t the problem, but staying asleep is. I can’t tell what’s more frustrating: lying in bed wanting to fall asleep but being held back by your racing mind, or suddenly waking up during a restful sleep full of anxiety. When worries ...click here to read more

Stress that’s left unchecked can be dangerous and contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. But many lifestyle behaviors can help to reduce stress, including meditation. A new study from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences found that mental training can reduce the ...click here to read more

New research has found that a history of migraines is associated with peripartum depression and anxiety in mid-pregnancy and late pregnancy. The study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders from Uppsala University in Sweden examined pregnant women who suffered chronic migraines before pregnancy. For the study, researchers surveyed a sample of 4,831 women about ...click here to read more

Physiological stressors can affect the heart in various ways. A new study from the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) found that it’s not uncommon for people to live without any knowledge of an underlying genetic heart condition until a stressor brings it to the surface. Just one external impact such as a heart attack is ...click here to read more

Researchers from Rush University Medical Center suggest older adults who follow the MIND diet may benefit from better cognitive performance. This specific diet may help to protect the brain from amyloid plaques and tangles. As the body ages, the tissues on the brain can sometimes develop abnormal clumps of proteins. These proteins called amyloid plaques ...click here to read more

Veterans suffering from PTSD are all too familiar with anxiety. However, a new Veterans Affairs study has found a strong link between PTSD severity and anxiety sensitivity among female veterans who experienced military sexual trauma. Researchers say that treating anxiety could be a way to ease core PTSD symptoms. Anxiety sensitivity is a fear of ...click here to read more

Elevated hypertension in middle-aged adults may raise the risk of vascular dementia down the line. A large new study published in PNAS is the first to show how the risk of dementia can begin early in those with high blood pressure. Interestingly, the study also found that some middle-aged individuals with damage caused by hypertension ...click here to read more