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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.

Health News Results - 379

Medicare Will Cover New Class of Alzheimer's Drugs if Fully Approved by FDA, With Limits

Medicare will soon cover a new class of Alzheimer's drugs if they receive full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with some key limits.

Along with being full approved, drug makers will also have to gather and keep data in a registry showing how the drugs are working in the real world, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday.

““Alz...

The Younger You Get Diabetes, the Higher Your Risk for Dementia Later

Prediabetes often precedes type 2 diabetes, the form of the disease most closely tied to obesity.

A new study suggests that the timing of this transition may set the stage for dementia in later years.

Prediabetes refers to blood sugar or glucose levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be defined as diabetes.

Researchers found that folks who were diagnose...

Alzheimer's Genes Might Also Raise Odds for Epilepsy

THURSDAY, May 25, 2023 (HealthDay News) – People with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease may have an increased risk of epilepsy, a new study says. And folks with a certain type of epilepsy may have higher odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Having Alzheimer’s was lin...

New 'National Sports Brain Bank' Will Boost Head Injury Research

A new brain bank is accepting future donations from living athletes, in an effort to perform long-term research into the effects of sports-related concussion.

The National Sports Brain Bank (NSBB) at the University of Pittsburgh will track the health of living participants on an annual basis, and...

A Gene Shielded One Man From Alzheimer's for Decades. Scientists Are Figuring Out How It Works

MONDAY, May 15, 2023 -- Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation that should actively protect people from Alzheimer's, thanks to a man belonging to a Colombian family known to be susceptible to the degenerative brain disease.

Based on his family's genetics, this unnamed patient should have started showing signs of Alzheimer's in his 40s.

“They start getting impaired at age 4...

Celebrating Mother's Day When Your Mom Has Alzheimer's

Mother's Day can require some creative thinking when your mom has dementia.

“Mother's Day is a time to honor the special mother figures in your life, and if your loved one lives with dementia, it can continue to be special with a few adaptations,” said Jennifer ...

FDA Approves First Drug Meant to Ease Alzheimer's-Linked Agitation

A medication to treat agitation in Alzheimer's patients now has approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA gave supplemental approval to Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., and Lundbeck Inc. for Rexulti (brexpiprazole) oral tablets on Thursday. Rexulti is the first FDA-approved treatment for these symptoms.

“Agitation is one of the most common and challenging asp...

Scans Suggest Sleep Apnea Could Be Harming Your Brain

Poor sleep brought on by sleep apnea may ultimately undermine the brain health of older men and women, new research suggests.

The concern stems from a new brain scan investigation that involved 140 sleep apnea patients.

“Sleep apnea is a medical condition in which patients ... stop breathing during sleep, which can affect their sleep quality by causing multiple arousals and droppi...

Science Reveals Key Driver of Alzheimer's, and How Newly Approved Drug May Fight It

Researchers have isolated for the first time a free-floating form of amyloid beta that appears to be a key driver of Alzheimer's disease.

Further, they argue that a newly approved Alzheimer's drug — lecanemab (Leqembi) — directly targets these small, complex chains of amyloid beta (A-beta) called fibrils. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved lecanemab in January.

The A...

Multiple Head Injuries May Raise Alzheimer's Risk for Veterans

People who repeatedly suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may be more apt to develop Alzheimer's disease, new research shows.

TBI can result from direct hits to the head or from indirect sources such as shockwaves from battlefield explosions.

The brains of otherwise healthy military personnel who were exposed to explosions were found to have an abnormal accumulation of amyloid-bet...

Everyday Internet Use by Older Adults Might Help Keep Dementia at Bay

In a world increasingly consumed by social media, much has been made of the amount of time younger generations spend online every day — and the harms that habit can bring.

But now a new study of older adults suggests that regular internet use may actually be a boon for older Americans, staving off the long-term risk for dementia.

“We studied the association between internet usag...

Deep Sleep Might Be a Buffer Against Alzheimer's-Linked Memory Loss

Getting good sleep is an important part of wellness for many reasons, but new research suggests deep sleep may even guard against memory loss linked to Alzheimer's.

While disrupted sleep has been linked with accumulating beta-amyloid plaques in the brain faster, scientists found that superior amounts of deep, slow-wave sleep can be protective against memory decline in those with a high bu...

Experimental Alzheimer's Drug Slows Decline in Thinking in Late-Stage Trial

Another experimental drug meant for Alzheimer's disease looks so promising that drugmaker Eli Lilly plans to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for full approval by the end of June.

Known as donanemab, the medication clears amyloid plaque from the brain. In a late trial, the drug slowed memory and thinking declines in early symptomatic Alzheimer's patients by more than a third, Li...

Taking Longer to Perform Tasks? It Could Be a Sign of Dementia Risk

It's expected that seniors slow down physically as they age, but this could be a sign of more than just lost muscle strength, a new study suggests. In some, it may be a harbinger of dementia.

Australian researchers said the findings may help health professionals to identify dementia risk in patients earlier.

“Both grip strength and TUG tests [for balance and mobility]...

In Small Study, Hints That a Sleeping Pill Might Help Prevent Alzheimer's

Taking a particular sleep medication may help stave off Alzheimer's disease, but it's too soon to say for sure after a preliminary study.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that participants who took a sleeping pill called suvorexant before bed had a drop in levels of key Alzheimer's disease proteins.

“This is a small, proof-of-concept study...

In the Cards: Simple Test Could Assess Risk of Dementia

Is there a simple way to screen older folks for dementia risk years before there are any signs of memory loss or thinking impairment?

Yes, researchers report.

It's a test called SOMI, short for Stages of Objective Memory Impairment.

The process is straightforward. After being shown a series of images, patients who have no symptoms of dementia are asked to recall what they've ...

Easing A-Fib With Ablation Therapy Might Also Benefit the Brain

For people with the abnormal heartbeat atrial fibrillation, a procedure called catheter ablation may do more than return the heart to its normal rhythm. It may also ward off mental decline and dementia linked to A-fib, a new study says.

Researchers found that people who receive catheter ablation in addition to medical management for A-fib may be almost 40% less likely to develop cognitive...

AI Might Spot Alzheimer's Early, Using Folks' Speech Patterns

Cutting-edge AI technologies that can detect subtle changes in a person's voice may help doctors diagnose Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive impairments even before other symptoms begin.

In a new study, researchers used advanced machine learning and natural...

High Blood Pressure in 30s, Worse Brain Health by 70s?

Be forewarned: High blood pressure in your 30s may lead to poorer brain health in your 70s.

A new study suggests that treating the condition in young and middle-aged adults may help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease later on, especially in men.

For the study, researchers examine...

Dirty Air Could Raise Your Odds for Dementia

Exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of developing dementia, according to a review of prior research.

The new Harvard study is the latest look at a host of health issues — from dementia to heart disease and stroke — linked to pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), as well as nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide.

The findings support the need to streng...

US Sets Up $300 Million Database for Alzheimer's Research

A new national Alzheimer's disease and dementia database could be a game changer for research on the memory-robbing condition that now affects more than 6 million Americans.

Planning has begun at the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to fund the data platform. A $300 million grant for the six-ye...

Caregiving Brings Stress. Here Are 6 Tips to Help Ease It

The stress of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease can take a toll on loved ones.

It's important for caregivers' own health and well-being to reduce that stress, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America says.

“Finding ways to manage and reduce stress is of paramount importance for every Alzheimer's caregiver — untreated stress over a prolonged period of time can lead to care...

Timing of Menopause Could Influence a Woman's Risk for Alzheimer's

TUESDAY, April 4, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Women are known to be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than men, and now a new brain scan study suggests the timing of both menopause and hormone replacement therapy use may play a role in this increased risk.

“Female sex, earlier age-at-menopause and delayed use of hormone therapy were all associated with higher levels of...

Caregiving for Someone With Dementia

There is little doubt that caregiving for someone with dementia can be demanding and challenging, and that knowing how best to care for both the patient and yourself can be hard to figure out.

Here are some tips to help you navigate this difficult time and be the best caregiver you can be for your loved one.

According to the

  • Sue Benzuly, RN HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 31, 2023
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  • Weaker Bones, Weakening Brain? Study Makes the Connection

    For some older adults, thinning bones may be a harbinger of waning memory, a new study suggests.

    The study, of more than 3,600 older adults, found that those with relatively low bone density were at greater risk of being diagnosed with dementia within the next decade. The one-third of participants with the lowest bone mass at the hip faced double the risk of dementia as the third with the...

    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 f...

    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") le...

    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

    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 ai...

    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 said ...

    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 thoug...

    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 insurance pr...

    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. Billy ...

    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 could...

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