Many assume that memory loss and cognitive decline are an inevitable part of aging — but new research suggests that doesn’t have to be the case. A 25-year study from Northwestern University analyzed the brains of “super agers” to determine what traits they share that may contribute to their mental …
Read More »Autism by the numbers: Experts share reasons for the dramatic surge in diagnoses
Monday’s sweeping autism announcements have sparked deeper conversations about the widespread neurological disorder. Health officials spoke during a press conference in Washington, D.C., about possible causes, vaccine guidance and the potential for a cancer drug to double as an autism therapy. Autism diagnoses have been steadily rising in recent decades, …
Read More »New MRI brain scan predicts Alzheimer's risk years before symptoms develop
Levels of iron in the brain could be a warning sign of future Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests. High levels of the chemical element have been shown to increase brain toxins and trigger neurodegeneration, resulting in cognitive decline — especially when they interact with theabnormal amyloid and tau proteins …
Read More »Parkinson’s risk could increase with exposure to common chemical, study suggests
A common chemical that is widespread in the U.S. has been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, researchers say. In a recent study published in the journal Neurology, researchers found a “small but measurable increase in Parkinson’s risk” linked to trichloroethylene (TCE), which has been found to spread …
Read More »He carries the Alzheimer’s gene but never got the disease — scientists want to know why
A Washington man appeared to be destined to develop Alzheimer’s disease — but against all genetic odds, he has eluded the common dementia for decades. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis recently published a study focusing on Doug Whitney, 76, who lives near Seattle. He …
Read More »Scientists may have discovered first gene therapy for incurable brain disease
Scientists may have discovered the first therapy for Huntington’s disease, a brain disorder that until now has had no effective treatments. Researchers at the University of College London (UCL) announced positive results from a global clinical trial for a new gene therapy, AMT-130. Developed by the Dutch biotechnology company uniQure, …
Read More »Air pollution may play a bigger role in cognitive decline than anyone realized
Air pollution could worsen Alzheimer’s and dementia symptoms, according to a new study. Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found that air pollution may accelerate the buildup of toxic proteins in the brain, which can speed up cognitive decline. The study, published in …
Read More »Pot and gaming combo could pose hidden health risks, researchers warn
Smoking marijuana and playing some video games may seem like a chill night for some — but both hobbies have been linked with psychosis in a variety of studies. Fox News’ Alexis McAdams reported on this link during an “America Reports” segment on Thursday, citing NIH data that found young …
Read More »New vitamin compound shows promise for reversing Alzheimer's damage to the brain
An enhanced version of vitamin K could help reverse brain damage from Alzheimer’s disease, a study has found. Alzheimer’s and many other neurodegenerative diseases are marked by a loss of brain neurons. While most medications treat only the symptoms, researchers from the Department of Bioscience and Engineering at Shibaura Institute …
Read More »Men's brains shrink faster than women's; researchers explore Alzheimer's connection
A new study may challenge what we thought we knew about brain aging. Scientists have discovered that men’s brains shrink faster than women’s as they grow older, even though women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed …
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