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Results for search "Alzheimer's".

13 Jan

Just 6 Minutes of Intense Exercise May Protect Your Brain from Alzheimer’s, New Study Finds

Short bouts of high intensity exercise boost production of a protein that’s key to learning and memory, researchers say.

24 Mar

High Cholesterol In Your 30s Could Raise Future Alzheimer’s Risk, Study Finds

People with high cholesterol at 35 face higher odds of Alzheimer’s disease later in life, researchers say.

Health News Results - 354

Dementia Risk Rises for Elite European Soccer Players

It’s well-established that American football players can suffer significant brain impacts as they age.

Now, new research shows that elite European soccer players are also more likely than the average person to develop dementia.

Men in the Swedish top soccer division between 1924 and 2019 were 1.5 times more likely to develop neurodegenerative disease than those in a control group....

Alzheimer's Report: Many Seniors With Memory Issues Aren't Telling Their Doctors

Alzheimer's is one of the most common and serious diseases of aging, yet many older adults with memory issues are not telling their doctors about their struggles.

That's according to a new report from the Alzheimer's Association that focuses on whether doctors and patients are discussing early warning signs of the disease. The answer, often, is no.

In focus group discussions, the as...

Post-Hurricane Period Is Dangerous for People With Dementia

Hurricanes not only disrupt the communities they affect, they also pose an increased risk of death for people with dementia.

This heightened risk could owe to disruption in their normal routines, changes in their living environment or even changes in access to caregiving or medications, a University of Michigan researcher said.

"The important message is that older adults with dement...

Having A-Fib Might Raise Odds for Dementia

The common irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation (a-fib) may increase the risk of dementia, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that people newly diagnosed with a-fib had a 13% higher risk of developing dementia, the progressive loss of memory and thinking skills. The risk was even higher ...

Two Healthy Diets May Reduce Brain 'Plaques' Tied to Alzheimer's Risk

Elderly adults who eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, fish and other healthy fare may take years off their "brain age," a new study suggests.

Researchers found that seniors with either of two healthy eating patterns -- the Mediterranean and MIND diets -- showed fewer brain "plaques," abnormal protein clumps that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.

In fact, people with the high...

Tough Journeys: When Cancer Strikes People Living With Dementia

America’s aging population means that more families are soon going to be grappling with a heartbreaking issue -- a loved one living with dementia who then develops cancer.

These families will have to work their way through a series of tough decisions regarding screening, treatment and end-of-life care, a new report warns.

People with dementia already start out at a disadvantage as...

Take These 7 Healthy Steps to Lower Your Odds for Dementia

If it’s good for your heart, it’s good for your brain, too.

This is the main message from a new study showing that seven heart-healthy habits can lower your chances of developing dementia down the road. This list includes being active, eating better, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, having healthy blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, and keeping blood sugar (or "glucose"...

Black Patients With Dementia Are Less Likely to Get Appropriate Meds: Study

When Black patients struggle with dementia, they are less likely to receive helpful medications than their white peers, a new study warns.

Researchers looked at how often patients received one or more of five classes of medications commonly given to dementia patients living at home.

The study builds on prior research that has identified a racial gap in use of dementia medicine among...

Could High Laxative Usage Raise the Odds for Dementia?

Taking laxatives regularly to ease constipation may up your chances of developing dementia down the road, a new study suggests.

This risk is even higher among folks who use multiple types of laxatives or osmotic laxatives, which work by drawing water into stool.

Previous research has linked other over-the-counter drugs, including non-prescription sleep aids and allergy medicati...

Gene Could Predispose Some Black Patients to Alzheimer's

A gene variant found almost exclusively among people of African descent appears to substantially raise the risk of Alzheimer's disease, a new study finds.

The variant is in a gene called ApoE3, and it's apparently only harmful when it exists in combination with the ApoE4 gene — a well-known risk factor for Alzheimer's.

That gene duo was present in only 1% of the nearly 32,000 ind...

Alcohol Might Speed Alzheimer's Progress in Brain, Animal Study Suggests

Even modest drinking can speed up the loss of brain cells and formation of the plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, research in mice shows.

These plaques are an accumulation of toxic proteins.

“These findings suggest alcohol might accelerate the pathological cascade of Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages,” said study co-author

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • February 22, 2023
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  • 21 Genes Could Link Midlife Obesity & Alzheimer's Risk

    A new study links obesity with 21 Alzheimer’s disease-related genes.

    This may help explain why Alzheimer’s is often more frequent among adults who experienced obesity in midlife, according to researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

    To

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • February 22, 2023
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  • Poorer Schools Could Bring Higher Dementia Rates Many Decades Later

    What do race and early education have to do with dementia risk among seniors?

    Quite a bit, a new study suggests.

    Researchers spent decades tracking the onset of dementia among nearly 21,000 U.S. seniors, before reaching two main conclusions.

    The firs...

    Sleeping Pills Linked to Higher Risk for Dementia

    Seniors who frequently take sleeping medications may be raising their risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, a new study warns.

    Sleep medications are one of the most commonly used medications in older adults, the authors say, but their frequent use may not be without harm.

    Researchers found that older white adults who said they “often” or “almost always” took sleep ...

    Marriage Could Be a 'Buffer' Against Dementia

    Tying the knot is now tied to healthier aging brains: People who stay married for the long haul may gain some protection from dementia, a new study suggests.

    Researchers found that compared with both divorced people and lifelong singles, older adults in a long-term marriage were less likely to develop dementia. Roughly 11% were diagnosed with dementia after age 70, versus 12% to 14% of t...

    Wintertime Wandering: A Real Danger for People With Alzheimer's

    Winter weather can add a layer of danger to the wandering behavior common in people with dementia.

    The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) offers some suggestions to help prevent wandering and prepare folks to react quickly if it occurs.

    “During the winter, it’s especially important for families living in areas affected by cold weather, snow and ice,” said

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • January 27, 2023
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  • Women, Keep Moving to Help Keep Mental Decline at Bay

    A lot of people wear watches that count their every step as they try to move more.

    Now, a new study finds that getting more of those steps each day, along with moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise, could cut the risk of dementia and thinking impairments for women.

    For women aged 65 or older, each additional 31 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associat...

    Home Workouts Help Your Brain, But Group Exercise May Be Even Better

    A good physical workout benefits an older brain. So does socializing. Put those two together and the payoff may be even bigger.

    Researchers in Japan found that link in a new study that looked at exercising solo and in a group.

    "Exercise is manageable for many older people, and we saw cognitive benefits from it compared with those who don't exercise," said study senior author

    Initial Symptoms Could Predict How Fast Alzheimer's Progresses

    Memory loss is the most common symptom associated with Alzheimer’s disease — the terrifying prospect of slowly forgetting yourself and everything around you.

    But people who exhibit memory loss early on in their dementia actually have a slower rate of decline than those who develop other symptoms earlier, a

    Could Hearing Aids Lower Your Odds for Dementia?

    Could losing your hearing as you age be a harbinger of dementia?

    Maybe, suggests new research that found that older people who had trouble hearing were more likely to develop dementia down the road. But there's good news with the bad: Hearing aids — which are now available over-the-counter at much lower prices — may reduce this risk.

    “There is evidence that hearing loss c...

    Social Isolation Can Raise Odds for Dementia

    Social isolation is a substantial risk factor for dementia in older adults, according to a pair of studies that add evidence to past research on this threat.

    But these new studies offer a potential solution: using technology to encourage older adults to text and email to stay in touch.

    Although the studies don’t prove lack of regular social contact causes dementia, researchers sai...

    Could 6 Minutes of Exercise Help Shield Your Brain From Alzheimer's?

    Six minutes of high-intensity exercise might prolong the lifespan of a healthy brain, perhaps delaying the start of Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s diseases, a new, small study suggests.

    Researchers found that short but intense cycling increased the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is essential for brain formation, learning and memory. It's tho...

    New Year: Time for Your Memory Screening Appointment

    Many conditions cause memory issues, and early detection is essential for effective treatment, according to a national Alzheimer’s disease organization.

    The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) encourages people to get a memory screening in the new year.

    The foundation offers free, confidential virtual memory screenings. It doesn’t set a minimum age and there are no insura...

    FDA Approves Second Alzheimer’s Drug, Despite Safety Concerns

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a second Alzheimer's drug, lecanemab, despite reports of rare brain bleeds linked to use of the drug in some patients.

    However, the FDA pointed to the drug's benefits, as well.

    “Alzheimer’s disease immeasurably incapacitates the lives of those who suffer from it and has devastating effects on their loved ones,” Dr. Bill...

    Patients, Doctors Await FDA Decision on Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug

    Lecanemab: It's an experimental medication that's been shown in trials to slow cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

    It's also up for accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with a decision expected by Jan. 6.

    However, the drug has also been linked to two deaths from brain bleeds among people who’ve used it in trials, so safety concerns c...

    Congressional Report Slams FDA, Drugmaker Over Approval of Alzheimer's Drug Aduhelm

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval process for the controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm was "rife with irregularities," despite lingering doubts about the power of the pricey medication to slow the disease down, a Congressional report released Thursday claims.

    Actions the agency took with Biogen, maker of Aduhelm, "raise serious concerns about FDA's lapses in protocol," th...

    Time Spent in Nature Appears to Slow Parkinson's, Alzheimer's

    Living in an area with easy access to parks and rivers appears to slow the progression of devastating neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

    That's the conclusion of a new study based on more than a decade and a half tracking disease risk among ...

    Hints That Deep Brain Stimulation Might Ease Alzheimer's Symptoms

    Researchers are studying whether deep brain stimulation could help people with Alzheimer's hold on to their memory longer, and now a new finding may help refine the approach.

    Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for several medical conditions, including epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It involves implanting electrodes in certain areas o...

    Stranded Dolphins' Brains Show Alzheimer's-Like Changes

    Groups of whales, dolphins and porpoises are regularly stranded in shallow waters around the coasts of the United Kingdom.

    Researchers wanted to understand why, so they studied the brains of 22 toothed whales — or "odontocetes" — that were stranded in Scottish coastal waters.

    The study includ...

    Make the Holidays Comforting for Loved Ones With Alzheimer's

    Those who have dementia can find the holiday season disorienting, but their loved ones can help.

    "The holiday season can be both joyful and stressful for all of us, especially individuals living with a dementia-related illness," said Jennifer Reeder, director of educational and social se...

    Vitamin D Might Help Shield the Aging Brain

    Older adults who harbor more vitamin D in their brains may stay mentally sharper, a new study suggests.

    Researchers found that when older adults had higher levels of vitamin D in their brain tissue, they tended to perform better on standard tests of memory and thinking. They were also less likely to have dementia or milder cognitive impairments.

    Experts stressed that

  • Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 8, 2022
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  • Seizures Seem Tied to Faster Decline in People With Dementia

    Dementia patients who suffer from seizures tend to decline faster and die younger, according to a new study that urges caregivers to watch for these sudden brain changes.

    "Our hope is that controlling seizures by prescribing antiseizure medications to these patients will slow down the progression of cognitive impairment," said

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 2, 2022
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  • Experimental Alzheimer's Drug May Slow Decline, But Safety Concerns Linger

    The experimental Alzheimer's drug lecanemab slowed thinking declines among patients suffering the early stages of the disease in a new study, but safety concerns about brain swelling and brain bleeds remain.

    In the eagerly awaited trial findings, published Tuesday in the New England...

    Second Death in Trial of Experimental Alzheimer's Drug Is Raising Concerns

    Two people have now died from brain hemorrhages that may be linked to an experimental Alzheimer's drug, calling into question the medication's safety.

    A 65-year-old woman with early-stage Alzheimer's recently died from a massive brain bleed that some researchers link to lecanemab, an antibody drug designed to bind to and remove amyloid-beta from the brain, according to a report published ...

    Science Reveals Links Between Down Syndrome & Alzheimer's

    The genetic abnormality that drives Down syndrome causes the same sort of abnormal brain plaques and protein tangles that are found in Alzheimer's disease patients, a new study reports.

    Amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles have long been associated with Alzheimer's disease, and they're also evident in most people with Down syndrome by age 40, researchers note.

    These plaques and tan...

    Alzheimer's Experts Offer Tips for 'Dementia-Friendly' Homes

    While most homes aren't designed to be dementia-friendly, they can easily be adapted, according to a national Alzheimer's disease group.

    "Virtually every aspect of a home can affect the person's quality of life," said Charles Fuschillo Jr., president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Fo...

    Dementia Rate Declining Among Older Americans: Study

    There's good news for aging adults: Prevalence of dementia declined in the United States from 2000 to 2016, a new study reveals.

    In people ages 65 and up, prevalence of dementia dropped by 3.7 percentage points. Disparities also decreased between white and Black men and between men and women.

    "The ...

    Clinical Trials Could Help Stop Alzheimer's. But Who Will Join Them?

    New drugs that could slow or prevent the start of dementia would be groundbreaking, but a new poll suggests many middle-aged adults may be reluctant to take part in the studies that test those medications.

    Only about 12% of the roughly 1,000 people aged 50 to 64 who were surveyed said they're very likely to step forward to test a new dementia drug, according to the National Poll on Health...

    Common Blood Pressure Drug Might Prevent Alzheimer's in Black Patients

    A new study has shown the blood pressure drug telmisartan may offer new hope as an Alzheimer's treatment in Black patients. It did not show the same benefit in white people.

    Learning how people from different ethnic groups respond to the same drug could be key in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, researchers say. Even though Black people are more likely than white folks to develop th...

    Half of Americans Over 50 Are Now Caregivers

    More than half of Americans aged 50 and up are helping an older adult manage tasks ranging from household chores to care for medical conditions, a new national poll shows.

    Researchers said the findings highlight the critical ro...

    Get a Free Memory Screening From the Alzheimer's Foundation This November

    Early detection of memory issues is important.

    It can help rule in or out a variety of health issues, including vitamin deficiency, thyroid condition, sleep apnea, urinary tract infection and, of course, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

    The Alzheimer's Foundation of America suggests getting scr...

    Halloween Can Be a Scary Time for People With Dementia. Here's How to Help

    When there are suddenly creepy decorations and lots of knocks at the door from strangers, Halloween can be frightening for someone living with dementia.

    It is possible to keep a loved one living with the disease calm and safe, while also including that family member in celebrating the holiday quietly, ...

    1 in 10 U.S. Seniors Has Dementia; Minorities Hit Hardest

    One in 10 older Americans has dementia, and twice as many have mild mental impairment, a new study finds.

    As the nation's population grows older, the burden on families and society is likely to grow, and minorities will be affected most, experts say.

    "As the population in the U.S. ages, it is projected that there will be more cases of cognitive impairment, unless and until effective...

    Certain Class of Diabetes Meds Could Cut Dementia Risk

    An older class of type 2 diabetes drugs known as thiazolidinediones, or TZDs, may protect you from dementia down the road, according to new research.

    Thiazolidinediones, also known as glitazones, cut dementia risk by 22% among folks at high risk who also had mild or moderate type 2 diabetes when they took these me...

    Study Casts Doubt on Mediterranean Diet's Benefit to Brain

    A healthy diet might not protect you from dementia as some have suggested, according to a new Swedish study.

    The Mediterranean diet — which includes lots of vegetables, fruits, fish and healthy fats and little dairy or meat — has been touted as brain-protective. Bu...

    Mouse Study Points to Why Alzheimer's Affects Women More Than Men

    Women are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease twice as often as men. Now researchers think they know why.

    A new study found evidence in mice and human brain tissue that may explain the differences, according to researchers from Case Western University in Cleveland.

    Female brains showed a higher ...

    Scientists Propose New Mechanism Driving Alzheimer's Disease

    Amyloid-beta plaques have long been linked to Alzheimer's disease, with some scientists theorizing that the plaques actually cause the degenerative brain disease.

    But a new study suggests that the plaques are actually a symptom of what's going on in the brain, rather than the cause of Alzheimer's.

    ...

    Suicide Risk Rises Sharply in People Diagnosed With Early-Onset Dementia

    Thoughts of suicide are often a first reaction to a diagnosis of dementia before age 65, a new study suggests.

    Suicide risk is highest in the first three months after the dementia diagnosis and if the patient already has a psychiatric disorder, British researchers found. For those younger...

    Minority Patients Less Likely to Get Newer Alzheimer's Meds

    While certain minority groups are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than their white counterparts, they may also be less likely to be eligible for new disease-slowing treatments, a new study finds.

    Cognitive, or mental, impairment in Black, Hispanic and Asian patients is more likely to be caused by forms of dementia unrelated to the

  • By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 4, 2022
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  • Alzheimer's Meds Are Mostly Tested in Whites. That Worries Black Patients, Caregivers

    Larry Griner resigned from his job in California and moved back to his childhood home in Baltimore nearly five years ago so he could care for his mother, Norma.

    She had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease almost 12 y...

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