Brain-training games remain unproven, but research shows what sorts of activities do benefit cognitive functioning

Some 2.3 million of U.S. adults over 65 – more than 4% – have a diagnosis of dementia. But even without a diagnosis, a certain amount of cognitive decline is…

How much does aging affect mental acuity? It’s debatable

I cringed recently while driving to the clinic where I specialize in geriatric medicine when I heard a young radio announcer refer to old people as “wiggy,” a pejorative for…

Does Multiple Sclerosis Lower Dementia Risk?

Summary: Research has revealed that individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) are significantly less likely to exhibit the molecular signs of Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting a protective element in MS that could…

Dementia risk factors identified in new global report are all preventable – addressing them could reduce dementia rates by 45%

Nearly half of all dementia cases could be delayed or prevented altogether by addressing 14 possible risk factors, including vision loss and high cholesterol. That is the key finding of…

Lower Dementia Risk Than Previously Thought in Parkinson’s

Summary: A new study suggests that the risk of developing dementia in Parkinson’s disease patients may be lower or occur later than previously reported. Researchers analyzed data from two large…

Anxiety Raises Dementia Risk – Neuroscience News

Summary: A new study reveals that chronic and new anxiety are linked to a higher risk of dementia, while resolved anxiety shows no such association. Following 2,132 Australian individuals for…

Biden and Trump may forget names or personal details, but here is what really matters in assessing whether they’re cognitively up for the job

Some Americans are questioning whether elderly people like Joe Biden and Donald Trump are cognitively competent to be president amid reports of the candidates mixing up names while speaking and…

Hospice care for those with dementia falls far short of meeting people’s needs at the end of life

Jimmy Carter, who chose to forgo aggressive medical care for complications of cancer and frailty in February 2023, recently reached his one-year anniversary since enrolling in hospice care. During this…

New studies suggest millions with mild cognitive impairment go undiagnosed, often until it’s too late

Mild cognitive impairment – an early stage of dementia – is widely underdiagnosed in people 65 and older. That is the key takeaway of two recent studies from our team.…

Family caregivers face financial burdens, isolation and limited resources − a social worker explains how to improve quality of life for this growing population

Millions of Americans have become informal family caregivers: people who provide family members or friends with unpaid assistance in accomplishing daily tasks such as bathing, eating, transportation and managing medications.…