Category Archives: Brain Function

For adults aged 50 and older, being socially active may be the key to lowering the risk of developing dementia later in life. A new UCL-led study shows how important it is to make changes in daily life to ensure we take the time to connect with others. The research published in PLOS Medicine reports ...click here to read more

Those who suffer from depression may find that indulging in chocolate could help lower symptoms. A new UCL-lead study found that dark chocolate, specifically, may positively affect mood and relieve depressive symptoms. Although gorging on chocolate to beat the blues has become cliché thanks to romantic comedies, there may be a reason we are hardwired ...click here to read more

New research shows how hangovers may not just be a nuisance—they may actually reduce brain function and affect memory. Most of us, at one point or another, have had a little too much of a good night out and experienced a hangover, but this new research sheds light on how it may be more serious ...click here to read more

There is really only one way to describe feeling nauseous: terrible. When it hits, it can turn your whole day upside down. The rolling wave-like sensation can potentially even lead to vomiting. Surely, there is no shortage of anti-nausea over-the-counter pharmaceuticals on the market. But popular options, like Gravol, can come with an array of ...click here to read more

A new study published in the journal Neurology has found that having either high or low levels of hemoglobin in the blood could be linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen. There are medical concerns about having both high ...click here to read more

Memory problems and cognitive disabilities, including dementia, are on the rise in the U.S. and cases are expected to nearly triple by 2060. Because of this, extensive research is being conducted to determine why cognitive-related conditions are continuing to grow and how they may be prevented. One such study that has recently been published in ...click here to read more

If you wear technology to track your sleep, you know how frustrating it could be. Is the fact you only got five hours last night the reason you’re in a bad mood? Have you tried to make it up the next night only to find yourself awake full of anxiety at 2 am? Here’s why ...click here to read more

Alzheimer’s is a significant health concern for aging Americans, but perhaps more so for women than men. Women represent over 60 percent of people living with Alzheimer’s and have a one-in-six chance of developing it. By comparison, the chance for men is nearly half that at one-in-eleven. Some new findings may shed light on why ...click here to read more

Although previous research has shown generally positive findings, new research has raised questions about the potentially dangerous risk of cognitive decline with the consumption of chili peppers. Many people throughout the world use chili in their local dishes to enhance flavor, but with these new findings, there may a reason to limit the intake of ...click here to read more

New information for those concerned about Alzheimer’s disease shows that blood vessels may be the key to brain health in old age. University of Southern California researchers suspect that the best shot at Alzheimer’s prevention could be maintaining cardiovascular health through exercise and diet. This study shows that damaged capillaries in the brain may lay ...click here to read more

It is easy to have a fatalistic view of disease. This is especially true for dementia or Alzheimer’s, which have become almost synonymous with aging. Moreover, doctors have unconverted certain genes associated with a higher risk for these diseases. But a new study is showing that genetics don’t necessarily predetermine Alzheimer’s and dementia. It found ...click here to read more

Many people find a warm bath helps to relax them before bedtime, and research now backs up the claims that it may improve sleep quality. This new study from the Cockrell School of Engineering found that bathing one-to-two hours before bedtime can significantly improve your sleep. Biomedical engineers have found that taking a bath in ...click here to read more

Recently, two studies presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2019 showed a connection between sensory impairment and dementia risk. Both studies assessed the association between hearing and sight loss and cognitive decline. In 2017, a report was released that identified mid-life hearing loss as a significant risk factor for dementia. This report sparked the ...click here to read more

Many people know high intensity interval training (HIIT) is a great way to stay fit and strong, but new research suggests that it may also help prevent cognitive decline such as dementia. The study out of the University of Queensland found that high intensity interval exercise may be more effective than continuous exercise for increasing ...click here to read more