The U.S. incidence of dementia is forecast to more than double by 2050, and it is becoming imperative for primary care providers to be able to help with initial diagnosis or at least screening for this illness. However, while patients want to discuss their concerns about memory with their trusted medical advisers, primary-care clinicians say they need… Continue reading →
Researchers and scientists have long held that there are certain lifestyle behaviors that will increase one’s longevity. The Blue Zones are locations around the globe where people seem to live the longest and healthiest, places such as Okinawa, Japan, and Loma Linda, California. The longevity of the residents in those places has been attributed to… Continue reading →
It is important to prevent and slow age-related memory decline in older adults. Studies have been conducted to identify factors that might affect memory, including aging, the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 genotype, chronic diseases, and lifestyle practices. Lifestyle, a modifiable behavior, has become the focus of research that addresses its potential benefits for overall health. However,… Continue reading →
In 2024 U.S. News conducted a survey of 754 U.S. adults who had moved into a senior living community within the past year or had a parent or spouse who had made such a move. They were asked how they navigated the process of researching and selecting a community, and what they thought of the… Continue reading →
Conversations can change the brain by increasing the production of hormones and neurotransmitters that stimulate both nerve pathways and body systems. As we communicate, our brains trigger a neurochemical cocktail that makes us feel either good or bad, and we translate that inner experience into words, sentences, and stories. “Feel good” conversations trigger higher levels… Continue reading →
Chemotherapy brain fog (also called chemo-brain or post-chemo brain) often occurs after a person has undergone cancer treatment. It can affect people’s thinking, ability to remember information, finish tasks, learn new things, or concentrate. Some of the factors that can cause memory lapses and fogginess include the chemo itself, anxiety and depression about cancer, fatigue,… Continue reading →
Emerging evidence suggests that poor oral health is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but there is a lack of large-scale clinical studies demonstrating this link. The increased risk of dementia is potentially due to the spread of bacteria and inflammatory molecules from the mouth to the brain. There is also a bidirectional relationship between oral and… Continue reading →
A review of studies, published in 2023, found that people who ate large quantities of ultra-processed foods of all kinds, not just processed meats, had a 44% higher risk of dementia. Gut health can be negatively affected by ultra-processed foods such as chips, carbonated beverages, breakfast cereals and ready meals. Unfortunately, much of what most of us eat… Continue reading →
Dr. Dean Ornish and his research team demonstrated that an intensive lifestyle intervention without drugs significantly improved cognition and function in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. The trial involved randomly assigning 51 men and women with MCI or early Alzheimer’s dementia to one of two groups. The… Continue reading →
A newer approach to improve diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease involves what is called “precision medicine.” This means taking into consideration a patient’s genes, environment, and lifestyle in order to customize treatment. Dr. Howard Fillitt suggests that research on biomarker blood tests and monoclonal antibody drugs can help primary care physicians to better understand… Continue reading →