Tag

Dementia Risk

All articles tagged with #dementia risk

health1 month ago•15 min saved

Micro-Wakeups at Night Linked to Higher Alzheimer's Risk in Older Adults

A Belgian study of over 500 adults finds that older individuals who frequently experience brief micro-awakenings during sleep show a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, while younger participants with similar wake-ups do not show the same link. The researchers used EEG to monitor brain activity, and although sleep disruption may signal higher dementia risk, the small older-sample size means the findings are not yet conclusive; lifestyle measures such as regular exercise, managing blood pressure and diabetes, treating hearing loss, and staying mentally engaged may help protect brain health.

via HuffPost|

#alzheimers #brain-health #dementia-risk

health1 month ago•6 min saved

Shingrix linked to lower dementia risk in older adults, study suggests

A Brown University study of more than 509,000 adults aged 66+ found that those who had at least one Shingrix dose showed a 24% relative reduction in dementia diagnoses over four years versus unvaccinated peers, based on electronic health records and Medicare data; researchers stress this is an association, not proof of causation, and the vaccine’s primary purpose is shingles prevention, though explanations include fewer shingles-related complications and potential vascular benefits. The study was funded by GSK.

via Fox News|

#dementia-risk #health #observational-study

health1 month ago•46 min saved

Shingles vaccine may be linked to reduced dementia risk, neurologist says

Neurologist Dr. Ajeet Sodhi explains that while some research links the shingles vaccine to a lower dementia risk, the findings show an association rather than proof of causation, and more studies are needed to establish any definitive protective effect.

via Yahoo|

#ajeet-sodhi #dementia-risk #health

health-and-medicine1 month ago•6 min saved

Shingrix May Cut Dementia Risk by Nearly a Quarter in Seniors

A Brown University–led analysis of more than 500,000 adults aged 66+ in skilled nursing facilities found that receiving at least one Shingrix dose was associated with a 24% lower risk of a dementia diagnosis over four years, compared with unvaccinated peers (18.8% vs 24.6%). Using Medicare claims and electronic health records with target trial emulation, the study cannot prove causation and may reflect healthier baseline status among vaccine recipients; more research, including trials, is needed. Funding from GlaxoSmithKline was disclosed, though the sponsor had no control over study design or publication.

via Science Daily|

#aging #dementia-risk #health-and-medicine

health1 month ago•14 min saved

Midlife TV Watching Linked to Future Brain Size Decline, USC Study Finds

A USC-led study of about 1,700 adults followed for more than two decades found that watching television very often in midlife is associated with smaller memory-related brain regions, reduced frontal and occipital lobes, and greater white-matter damage later in life, even after accounting for physical activity and other risk factors. The research suggests what you do while sitting may matter more for brain health than how long you sit, though it cannot prove causation and calls for further work on whether substituting cognitively engaging activities could help preserve brain health.

via HuffPost|

#brain-health #dementia-risk #health

health2 months ago•4 min saved

MHRA urges older adults to cut back on anticholinergic medicines amid dementia uncertainty

The UK MHRA advises older adults to limit how many anticholinergic medicines they take and use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time after a safety review found a small, uncertain link between bladder anticholinergics and dementia. While evidence does not prove causation, prolonged exposure and use of multiple anticholinergics may raise cognitive risks, so clinicians should minimize exposure. Bladder antimuscarinics are commonly used for overactive bladder, a condition frequently seen in dementia, and memory- or confusion-related side effects are noted, prompting a cautious approach to long-term use.

via Medscape|

#anticholinergic-drugs #bladder-antimuscarinics #dementia-risk

health2 months ago•3 min saved

Eight-Hour Eating Window May Boost Cognition in Older Women

A small six-month trial with 47 overweight/obese women aged 50–79 found that those who ate within an 8–9 hour daily window (and cut calories by 500) showed greater improvements in spatial planning and problem-solving than peers who ate over ~12 hours, despite similar weight loss (~15 lb). Memory tasks tended to improve as well but not significantly; no differences in reaction time or multitasking. The results suggest meal timing could offer cognitive benefits beyond weight loss, but larger studies are needed to confirm and explain the mechanisms (circadian rhythm, inflammation, metabolism).

via ScienceDaily|

#aging #cognitive-function #dementia-risk

health2 months ago•4 min saved

Time-Restricted Eating Shows Early Cognitive Gains in Older Women on Weight-Loss Plan

A six-month pilot in 47 overweight/obese women aged 50–79 found that restricting eating to an 8–9 hour window (about 10 a.m.–6 p.m.) with a 500-calorie daily reduction yielded similar weight loss to a 12-hour window but produced greater improvements in spatial planning and problem-solving, with a trend toward fewer memory errors. No significant differences were seen in multitasking or reaction time. Findings are preliminary and require confirmation in larger studies; researchers will explore circadian, metabolic, and inflammation-related mechanisms. Presented at Nutrition 2026.

via StudyFinds|

#cognition #dementia-risk #health

health2 months ago•10 min saved

Split sleep could shield night-shift workers from health risks

Night-shift work disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm, harming sleep quality and potentially increasing risks of dementia, heart disease and mental illness as sleep disruption affects brain waste clearance and raises stress hormones. Researchers are exploring biphasic sleep (two daily sleep blocks) and planned naps as possible ways to mitigate harm, aiming to develop clear guidelines for shift workers, though more evidence is needed.

via AOL.com|

#biphasic-sleep #dementia-risk #health

health3 months ago•6 min saved

Brisk walking in seniors linked to lower dementia risk, study finds

A study of about 4,000 people aged 80+ found that those who walked much faster than peers—“super movers”—had roughly half the risk of cognitive impairment compared with typical-speed walkers. Postmortem brain analyses showed similar dementia-related changes in both groups, suggesting mobility is a marker of brain health rather than a proven cause of protection. The study is observational, so it cannot prove causation, and other factors like cardiovascular health, fitness, and genetics may influence both walking pace and cognitive outcomes. The takeaway remains that regular physical activity—aiming for about 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, with walking plus strength and balance training—supports healthy aging.

via Fox News|

#aging #cognition #dementia-risk

health4 months ago•7 min saved

Three Sleep Habits Linked to Early Brain Aging Markers

A UK Biobank study of about 23,000 middle-aged and older adults followed for roughly nine years found that sleeping outside the seven-to-nine-hour window (especially fewer than seven hours), frequent daytime napping, and sleeplessness each correlate with higher brain white matter lesion volumes on MRI, a marker linked to aging and dementia risk. After adjusting for vascular and lifestyle factors, snoring and unintentional daytime dozing did not show the same links. Short sleep showed a stronger association than long sleep, and while naps can aid alertness, frequent napping may signal underlying sleep problems. The researchers emphasize sleep as a modifiable risk factor that could help reduce brain aging and dementia risk, though nap duration details were not captured in this study.

via Neuroscience News|

#brain-aging #dementia-risk #health

health4 months ago•14 min saved

UA study links sleep patterns to brain aging markers

A University of Arizona study analyzing brain MRIs from more than 23,000 middle-aged and older adults found that sleeping outside the recommended seven-to-nine hours, frequent daytime napping, and sleeplessness are linked to greater white matter lesion volumes, markers of brain aging and higher dementia risk; after accounting for vascular health and lifestyle factors, only three sleep behaviors remained significant, with shorter than seven hours showing increased lesion burden, while longer sleep showed no clear additional impact; researchers say sleep could be a modifiable risk factor for brain aging and dementias like Alzheimer's.

via KVOA|

#brain-aging #dementia-risk #health

health5 months ago•4 min saved

Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Duller Attention and Higher Dementia Risk

A study of 2,192 Australian adults found that every 10% increase in calories from ultra-processed foods is linked to a small drop in attention and a higher dementia risk, with effects persisting even for those following a Mediterranean-style diet; causation isn't proven, but the findings add to concerns about ultra-processed foods and cognitive health.

via VICE|

#attention-span #dementia-risk #health

health5 months ago•4 min saved

Ultra-Processed Diet Linked to Reduced Focus and Higher Dementia Risk

An observational study of 2,192 dementia-free Australians aged 40–70 found that ultra-processed foods made up about 41% of total energy intake and were associated with poorer attention and higher dementia risk. Specifically, every 10% increase in ultra-processed foods correlated with a ~0.05-point drop in attention and ~0.24-point higher dementia risk scores. The findings suggest processing itself may affect cognitive health beyond nutrients; adherence to a Mediterranean diet did not offset the effect. Causality can’t be established, and further research is needed.

via ScienceAlert|

#brain-health #cognition #dementia-risk

health5 months ago•7 min saved

Ultraprocessed foods linked to higher dementia risk and weaker attention

A Monash University-led study of more than 2,000 dementia-free Australians aged 40–70 found that each 10% rise in ultraprocessed food intake was associated with lower attention scores and higher dementia risk, even among people with generally healthy diets; memory effects were not observed. Self-reported data and potential confounding limit the strength of conclusions. Researchers and experts, including Dr. Daniel Amen, call for dietary guidelines to consider processing level and for replacing ultraprocessed foods with real foods to protect brain health.

via Fox News|

#attention #brain-health #dementia-risk