Tag

Cognitive Health

All articles tagged with #cognitive health

Multilingualism linked to slower brain ageing, study finds
science5 days ago

Multilingualism linked to slower brain ageing, study finds

A study presented at a neuroscience conference reports that speaking more languages is associated with younger-appearing brains. Using magnetoencephalography and AI to estimate brain age, researchers analyzed 728 participants and a second group of 144, finding that each additional language and earlier second-language acquisition correlate with a smaller brain-age, up to about 13 years younger for those fluent in four languages. While the study accounted for age, sex and education, experts caution that lifestyle and other factors could influence the results, though the findings support language-learning as a potential strategy for maintaining brain health.

Aging Well: The Three Pillars Keeping Mind, Body, and Heart Strong
health1 month ago

Aging Well: The Three Pillars Keeping Mind, Body, and Heart Strong

Geriatricians say aging well rests on three pillars—physical health, emotional connections, and mental vitality. Signs you’re thriving include learning new things to keep the brain active, speaking openly about needs to combat loneliness, and building a supportive community. Prioritizing a nutritious diet and regular exercise, staying physically active to reduce fall risk, and regularly reviewing medications are also key. Plan for future care with loved ones and resources like Plan Your Lifespan, and start these practices early to preserve autonomy as health evolves.

Moderate Coffee and Tea May Cut Dementia Risk, Large 40-Year Study Finds
health1 month ago

Moderate Coffee and Tea May Cut Dementia Risk, Large 40-Year Study Finds

A long-term U.S. study of more than 131,000 adults found that moderate daily caffeinated coffee (about 2–3 cups) or caffeinated tea (about 1–2 cups) is linked to a lower risk of dementia and better cognitive performance, while decaffeinated coffee showed no such benefit; researchers caution the results show associations, not causation, and emphasize that a healthy lifestyle remains important for brain health.

Trump Masks Bruised Hand After Hospital Visit at Cabinet Meeting
politics1 month ago

Trump Masks Bruised Hand After Hospital Visit at Cabinet Meeting

At a cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump, who will turn 80 next month, appeared with a badly discolored bruise on his right hand and used makeup to conceal it while gesturing; the bruise has persisted for months and followed his visit to Walter Reed Medical Center for a routine checkup. White House aides have attributed the marks to aspirin use and frequent handshakes, even as scrutiny of his physical and cognitive health intensifies ahead of the 2026 cycle. Trump has publicly boasted about cognitive tests, arguing he remains mentally fit, while polling shows growing public concern about his health and fitness to lead.

Mental Engagement in Sedentary Time Could Cut Dementia Risk, 19-Year Study Finds
health1 month ago

Mental Engagement in Sedentary Time Could Cut Dementia Risk, 19-Year Study Finds

A 19-year Swedish cohort of 20,811 adults found that mentally passive sedentary activities (like watching TV) are linked to higher dementia risk, while mentally active sedentary activities (reading, office work) are linked to lower risk; replacing passive time with active sedentary time reduces risk; results suggest not all sitting is equally harmful and that keeping the brain engaged during sedentary periods may help protect cognition, though causality cannot be established and trials are needed.

Structured, Coached Lifestyle Slows Aging and Protects Cognition
science1 month ago

Structured, Coached Lifestyle Slows Aging and Protects Cognition

A two-year randomized trial (U.S. POINTER) found that adults aged 60–79 at risk for cognitive decline who followed a structured, coached, multi-domain lifestyle program (healthy eating, exercise, social and cognitive activities) experienced greater reductions in frailty and stronger cognitive improvements than those using a self-guided approach. While frailty reductions contributed to brain benefits, the cognitive gains arose via multiple, parallel pathways, underscoring the value of structure and accountability in aging health.

Small daily habits that help protect your brain as you age
health-and-wellness2 months ago

Small daily habits that help protect your brain as you age

Experts say brain health in aging hinges on daily habits that build cognitive reserve: stay mentally active and keep learning, exercise regularly (about 30–35 minutes of aerobic activity 4 times per week plus strength and flexibility twice weekly), wear helmets and seat belts to prevent head injuries, quit smoking, control blood pressure and diabetes, eat a healthy, less-processed diet, maintain a healthy weight, and get seven hours or more of sleep. These actions, highlighted by the Alzheimer's Association, can delay cognitive decline and reduce dementia risk.

A penny-a-day pill could slow ageing, says professor who now takes it
health2 months ago

A penny-a-day pill could slow ageing, says professor who now takes it

COSMOS trial analyses suggest a daily multivitamin may slow biological ageing in older adults, with DNA methylation markers showing participants on vitamins were about three months biologically younger than placebo after two years; earlier results also noted cognitive benefits from addressing subtle micronutrient gaps. The author, Professor Rob Galloway, now takes a multivitamin and argues the cheap, low‑risk option is reasonable, though the findings apply to older adults (men 60+, women 65+) and may not extend to younger people. The piece underscores nutrition as a potentially major determinant of long‑term health, while acknowledging more research is needed; it also touches on meningitis B vaccination policy for teens in light of evolving risk.

Language Shifts in Ageing: Normal Slowing or Early Dementia Clues?
health3 months ago

Language Shifts in Ageing: Normal Slowing or Early Dementia Clues?

Health experts say some language changes are normal with ageing (slower speech, occasional word-finding pauses), but dementia more typically causes loss of words and meanings, vaguer wording, and reduced coherence years before symptoms. There is no single diagnostic test yet; however, advances in language-analysis tools and apps may help flag risk earlier to enable timely intervention.

Two-week digital detox erases a decade of cognitive decline, study finds
science3 months ago

Two-week digital detox erases a decade of cognitive decline, study finds

A California jury found Meta and YouTube negligent in a landmark case about a young woman’s social-media addiction, while a large study shows that even short digital-detoxes—like a two-week internet-block—can dramatically improve attention and mental health, effectively reversing about a decade of age-related cognitive decline, though results vary and researchers caution that personalized approaches are needed.

Garden therapy: tending plants may boost cognitive health in aging minds
health3 months ago

Garden therapy: tending plants may boost cognitive health in aging minds

Gardening may benefit brain health in older adults by combining physical exercise, mental engagement, and stress reduction; while not a guaranteed dementia preventer, it aligns with other risk-reduction strategies such as managing cardiometabolic health, lifelong learning, social connection, about 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, a brain-healthy diet (Mediterranean or DASH), and addressing hearing loss.

Young-Adult Substance Use Linked to Midlife Memory Decline
health3 months ago

Young-Adult Substance Use Linked to Midlife Memory Decline

A long-running study found heavy alcohol, cannabis, and cigarette use in ages 18–30 predict poorer self-reported memory at ages 50–65. Smoking shows a direct, lasting impact on memory, while alcohol and cannabis largely influence memory through later substance-use disorders, highlighting the importance of early prevention for long-term cognitive health.

health-and-medicine3 months ago

Cooking at Home Weekly Linked to 30% Lower Dementia Risk in Seniors, Japanese Study Finds

A six-year study of 10,978 Japanese adults aged 65+ found that those who cooked at least one home-cooked meal per week had about a 30% lower risk of developing dementia, with up to a 70% reduction for participants with fewer cooking skills, suggesting cognitive stimulation from cooking may help protect against cognitive decline.

MIND Diet May Put Brakes on Brain Aging: Real-World Study Finds 2.5-Year Benefit
health3 months ago

MIND Diet May Put Brakes on Brain Aging: Real-World Study Finds 2.5-Year Benefit

A study of 1,647 middle-aged and older adults found that closer adherence to the MIND diet—a Mediterranean-DASH blend rich in antioxidants—was linked to less brain tissue loss, especially gray matter, and less ventricular enlargement over about 12 years, equating to roughly 2.5 years slower brain aging; results varied with some foods (whole grains linked to faster gray-matter decline; cheese linked to slower decline), and causality isn’t established.