Cognitive impairment is one of the most frequent chronic conditions in older adults. In a 2014 study published by James et al. in Neurology, it was reported that Alzheimer’s disease is now the third leading cause of death in the U.S., following only cardiovascular disease and cancer. A 2-year trial, called the Finnish Geriatric Study… Continue reading →

One hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is the presence of beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which cause neurons (brain cells) to die. However, some people, whose brain autopsies revealed the presence of these plaques and tangles, had had no cognitive decline while they were alive, because they had no inflammation. Recent research… Continue reading →

In the U.S., more than 8 people are killed and 1,161 injured every day in crashes reported to involve a distracted driver.1 Every year, almost a half million people are injured or killed in traffic accidents attributed to the combination of texting and driving. What is sad is that most or possibly all of these… Continue reading →

In a study using mice, funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), researchers demonstrated that the space between brain cells may increase during sleep, allowing the brain to flush out toxins that build up during waking hours. Almost every neurodegenerative disease- including Alzheimer’s- is associated with the buildup of toxic proteins… Continue reading →

This blog post will discuss the benefits of sleep and the costs to health and productivity of insufficient sleep. The second part, coming later this month, will offer suggestions for getting more and better sleep. How many hours of sleep do you get per night? Most adults require seven or eight hours. Thirty percent of… Continue reading →

A concern of both older and younger people is when to stop driving; older adults fear the loss of independence that comes with relinquishing a driver’s license, but their children and others fear the increased risk of accidents from slowdowns in mental processing and reaction time that accompany aging. Researcher Jerri Edwards, an associate professor… Continue reading →

I am so excited to announce that my BE! Brain Enrichment Course is in print and available to be purchased by organizations and communities who would like to offer the course to their members and residents. I developed this course to help people learn about brain health while engaging in interactive exercises to stimulate their… Continue reading →

A study conducted in Australia found that employees who walked 10,000 steps daily and also worked out in the gym three times a week were more productive on the job. Forty employees at the Melbourne branch of a large software company were given pedometers. One group was tasked with attaining a goal of walking 10,000… Continue reading →

According to the World Health Organization, up to 360 million people in the world have impaired hearing. About 33% Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 and 47% of those 75 and older have hearing loss. People with hearing loss find it difficult to talk with others, and may not enjoy participating in social… Continue reading →