American over-65s scored significantly better than their English counterparts at a memory and awareness test. The authors of the research, published in the open access journal BMC Geriatrics, suggest that differences in relative levels of depression, education, and the aggressiveness of treatment for heart disease may be to blame.
Kenneth Langa, from the University of Michigan, led a team of researchers who used data from the U.S. ‘Health and Retirement Study’ and the ‘English Longitudinal Study of Ageing’ to compare the brain health of elderly people from both countries. He said, “The better cognitive performance of U.S. adults was actually quite surprising, since U.S. adults had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, which are generally associated with cognitive decline and poorer mental function.” [continue reading…]
What’s the truth about “use it or lose it” when it comes to our brain power in later years?
Cognitive decline was long seen as an inevitable consequence of aging, but recent years have seen a surge of interest in activities and products touted to forestall this outcome. What is the truth? Is decline inevitable, or is there a possibility of retaining our faculties if we exercise them? And which kinds of exercises and products are effective, and which are merely hype?
According to the most rigorous and comprehensive review of the scientific findings ever, there is clear evidence that cognitive-enrichment activities—including intellectually stimulating pursuits, social engagement, and especially physical exercise—may indeed preserve or enhance various aspects of cognitive functioning as we age. The authors of the report will discuss the findings at a press conference in Washington, DC on June 24. [continue reading…]
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Tobacco acts as a precipitating factor for headaches, specifically migraines. This is indicated in a study which shows that smokers have more migraine attacks and that smoking more than five cigarettes a day triggers this headache. The work has appeared in The Journal of Headache and Pain. [continue reading…]
No more pencils
No more books
No more teacher’s dirty looks…………….
By the end of this week millions of children across North America will finish school for 10 – 12 weeks. Summer vacation may have made sense when life was more rural and the kids were needed to help on the farm, but just how relevant is it today? With the recession in full swing what priority will day camps, and family vacations assume? For many two parent familes in full time employment and already struggling financially, comes the added headache, juggling and expense of day care. And what academic impact does the long break have on kids who are struggling in school?
What do you think, is it time for a change?
