Aging

After studying the process in mice and flies, scientists suggest that failure to transport the molecular machines that break down proteins in cells could lie at the heart of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Share on PinterestFaulty transportation mechanisms within nerve cells may lead to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. The ability

New research in mice reveals the mechanisms through which two experimental drugs that may treat Alzheimer’s disease have broader, anti-aging properties and can reverse age-related cognitive decline. Share on PinterestNew research explains how two experimental dementia drugs may reverse normal aging. Family history, genes, and some lifestyle choices all influence a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s

Using mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers have been looking into a new approach to slow down the progression of this neurodegenerative disease — a ketone ester-rich diet. Share on PinterestCould a new therapeutic approach help slow down Alzheimer’s disease? Researchers from the NIH investigate. To get the energy it needs to function correctly, the

Although a vaccine for dementia is a long way down the road, researchers recently made a few tentative steps closer. The authors of a recent study in mice hope that in the coming years, they can move into human trials. Share on PinterestScientists believe that they are on the path to a vaccine against dementia.

A new, long-term study finds that midlife obesity raises the risk of dementia in women. However, calorie intake and physical inactivity do not. Share on PinterestObesity in midlife may raise a woman’s risk of dementia later on, new research suggests. Sarah Floud, Ph.D., of the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford

A new study has found a blood plasma linked to inflammation that could be a warning signal for certain dementias. Could it pave the way for low cost screening? Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, around 5.8 million people in the U.S. live with the condition, which can

The symptoms of frontotemporal, or early onset, dementia can appear as early as age 40. Have researchers found a new way to treat this condition using antibiotics? Frontotemporal dementia, or frontotemporal lobar dementia, is an umbrella term that refers to a range of early onset dementias characterized by the progressive atrophying of the brain’s frontal

Brain atrophy refers to a loss of brain cells or a loss in the number of connections between brain cells. People who experience brain atrophy typically develop poorer cognitive functioning as a result of this type of brain damage. There are two main types of brain atrophy: focal atrophy, which occurs in specific brain regions,

A new study looks at what keeps older adults from getting sufficient fluids to avoid negative health outcomes. Share on PinterestNew research stresses the importance of staying hydrated as we get older. Staying hydrated seems simple enough. Yet studies have shown that somewhere between about one-third and one-half of older adults may be dehydrated, increasing

A new study spanning nearly 2 decades has found a link between an unhealthful diet and vision loss in older age. Should we be keeping more of an eye on what we eat? A robust body of research has shown that a diet rich in red meat, fried foods, high fat dairy, processed meats, and

Dehydration can cause headaches and several physiological issues, and older adults are most at risk of experiencing it. Does it also affect cognitive function, however? And might overhydration also affect mental performance? Share on PinterestRecent research set out to reveal whether or not hydration levels can affect cognitive performance in older adults. Dehydration can cause

Many researchers have argued that the accumulation of toxic beta-amyloid in the brain causes Alzheimer’s. However, a new study offers some evidence contradicting this sequence. Share on PinterestNew research is questioning the predominant hypothesis that a buildup of beta-amyloid causes Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease affects over 5.5 million people in the United States and millions

A person may experience an itching sensation, or pruritus, on their face for a number of different reasons. Although pruritus can occur due to visible conditions, such as psoriasis or an insect bite, it might also indicate the presence of an underlying condition. This article will look at the different causes of pruritus on the

People have long been aware of the benefits of exercise. Now, a new study finds that one particular aspect of fitness — that is, training for a specific goal — may be particularly advantageous. Share on PinterestA new study has shown that training for and running a marathon can reverse vascular aging. The value of

Osteoporosis affects millions of people around the world, and it is not possible to change some of the primary risk factors, such as aging. However, more and more environmental risk factors are coming to light, and air pollution appears to be one of them. Share on PinterestNew research points to a link between bone health

Lowering an older person’s systolic blood pressure to 120 mmHg or lower reduces the risk of heart disease, but increases the chance of kidney changes. Share on PinterestOlder adults may need different guidelines for maintaining healthy blood pressure, new research suggests. In the United States, over half of the people aged 60 and over have

Everyone ages differently, but why is that? A team of researchers has pinpointed four “ageotypes” — main biological pathways for aging — that could help us answer that question. Share on PinterestThe identification of four ageotypes may help explain why our bodies age in different ways. Everyone ages, but not in the same way. Getting

Previous research has suggested that there is a link between depression and tea drinking. Now, a new study is investigating this relationship further. Depression is common among older adults, with 7% of those over the age of 60 years reporting “major depressive disorder.” Accordingly, research is underway to identify possible causes, which include genetic predisposition,

The buildup of defective tau proteins is a prominent feature of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The faulty proteins form tangles that disrupt brain function and kill nerve cells, or neurons. Experiments in human cell cultures reveal a mechanism through which scientists can regulate defective tau protein levels. Now, scientists have identified a molecule that

Large-scale research suggests that drinking alcohol in older age may lower mortality risk. However, the scientists are cautious about potential biases in their own research and say that more research is necessary. Does moderate drinking in older age have any health benefits? A new study investigates. The debate around the potential health benefits of alcohol

Researchers reveal a marker and new testing tool of frontotemporal dementia that may help distinguish this condition from Alzheimer’s disease. ‘Moral emotions’ are ones that prompt us to do good and contribute to pro-social behavior and cooperation. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a less common form of dementia than Alzheimer’s. Sometimes called Pick’s disease or frontal

The hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease and some forms of dementia include Lewy bodies, toxic aggregates that form in the brain and disrupt neural circuits. Researchers from Osaka University in Japan are now testing a new preventive therapy in a preliminary mouse study. Researchers from Japan are testing out a new therapeutic approach for the prevention

A recent study concludes that social interaction might be more than just a pleasant pastime; it might help doctors predict an individual’s risk of cognitive decline and, perhaps, dementia. How does social interaction influence cognitive decline? Cognitive decline refers to a general reduction in mental abilities over time. It affects many people as they age

New research shows that a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease accurately detected levels of beta-amyloid protein in all stages of the condition, approaching “a level of accuracy that is usable in routine clinical care around the world.” Doctors could soon use a simple blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s. The brain changes that lead to the

It is natural for a person’s memory and thinking abilities, or cognitive function, to wane as they age — even if they are in good health. However, the rate of cognitive decline can speed up if they experience heart attack or angina, according to new research. Cognitive decline may speed up after a heart attack

In this Spotlight, we introduce the glymphatic system: the brain’s dedicated waste clearance system. Now implicated in various conditions, it is high time that we became acquainted. Astroglia (illustrated above) play a pivotal role in the brain’s trash collection service. Many of us are relatively familiar with the lymphatic system; it performs a number of

Researchers have designed a brain aging model to investigate the factors that contribute to cognitive decline, borrowing principles from precision medicine. How can we tackle cognitive decline? Cognitive decline affects a person’s ability to focus, remember, and make decisions. Its severity can range from mild to severe, and it may lead to dementia, in the

A large study concludes that atrial fibrillation does, indeed, raise the risk of dementia even in people who did not have a stroke and that anticoagulants may reduce this risk. An irregular heartbeat may be a sign of A-fib, which may, in turn, raise dementia risk. Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is a condition in which the