Category Archives: Brain Function

Young adults with PTSD may have an increased risk of stroke when taking certain types of antidepressants, according to new research. The study published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke was the largest investigation of post-traumatic stress disorder and antidepressant-associated stroke risk in young adults ever performed. Collecting data from 1.1 million U.S. veterans ...click here to read more

Mental health affects millions of people in America, yet it still has a certain stigma surrounding it. However, one of the world’s most popular musical genres is helping those overcome mental illness by encouraging people to seek professional treatment. With the worldwide popularity of hip-hop, many rappers have risen to fame. In fact, seven of ...click here to read more

Those who enjoy wine and cheese as part of their diet may want to note new research showing that it may reduce cognitive decline. Studies on diet typically show a direct impact on health in a negative way, but this new research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease has found a positive connection with ...click here to read more

Regardless of age, high blood pressure takes a toll on memory and thinking skills. The findings suggested that even hypertensive middle-aged folks experienced cognitive decline. And even if high blood pressure was kept in check until advanced age, cognition took a steep decline once it set it. The long and short of the study is ...click here to read more

Sleep is at a premium these days. The stress and anxiety of the holidays can make it tough to get a good night’s sleep. Toss a pandemic into the mix, and quality sleep becomes even more elusive. Sleeping pills, also called “z-drugs,” can be an attractive option for those struggling with sleep. But they are ...click here to read more

As more research becomes available, it’s becoming more apparent that focusing on heart health in midlife is crucial for lowering the risk of dementia later in life. New studies are showing that even those who have just a few signs of poor heart health in middle age are linked to a faster decline in cognition. ...click here to read more

New research has found that high blood pressure may accelerate cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults. Studies such as this are becoming imperative since nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure or hypertension. According to the study published in Hypertension, high blood pressure is a risk factor for cognitive decline. This includes ...click here to read more

According to new research from the University of Eastern Finland, obstructive sleep apnea (OBA) may have a more significant impact on the heart than previously noted. Patients with OBA have been found to show a higher immediate heart rate variability and greater changes in beat-to-beat intervals. These new findings come from two recent studies that ...click here to read more

Not being able to run as fast or lift as much weight as you used to is an acceptable form of aging. But when memory starts to go? Little can be more frustrating. But it happens. Just like your muscles have slowed down with age, so has your brain. Age can cause your brain to ...click here to read more

With the COVID-19 pandemic across the world, many people are experiencing more stress than ever. This stress can cause health problems such as headaches, trouble sleeping, muscle pain, upset stomach, and fatigue. According to Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a Mayo Clinic psychologist, everyone has a “stressometer.” This is a warning from your body that stress may ...click here to read more

A new study reveals that women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression have a significantly greater risk of early death than those without the conditions. Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health ran the long-term study, which strengthened the understanding that mental and physical health are tightly interconnected. The need for a ...click here to read more

A nightcap can be a relaxing way to finish off the day. But it can also be robbing you of valuable sleep. Alcohol may make you feel a little drowsy—it’s a depressant after all, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for sleep. A new poll from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) suggests that ...click here to read more

According to a new study published in the European Heart Journal, those who have high blood pressure during midlife could be more at risk for brain damage later in life. Not all people with high blood pressure will develop these changes, but the study was able to show that more than 50% of patients over ...click here to read more

There is a relationship between heart disease and depression, and a new study is contributing to researchers understanding the complex connection. Presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions conference, this new study used their Life Simple 7 measures to form their conclusions. Researchers included more than 4,000 people who had taken part in a ...click here to read more