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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Whatever they say about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks, it is patently untrue. Old dogs may not learn as quickly as they did when they were young, but with time and patience, most older dogs can be taught to do anything that a young dog can.
So how do we mere humans compare, 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? [continue reading…]
Published: December 30, 2008
But Abusing Alcohol can Damage Brain, Loyola Researchers say
Moderate drinkers often have lower risks of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive loss, according to researchers who reviewed 44 studies.In more than half of the studies, published since the 1990s, moderate drinkers of wine, beer and liquor had lower dementia risks than nondrinkers. In only a few studies were there increased risks. [continue reading…]
