Dementia
Episodes
Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses a study that found vitamin D supplementation was associated with a 40% lower risk of dementia.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses xylitol safety, strategies to reduce hemoglobin A1C, klotho and dementia risk, and the timing of hormone replacement therapy.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses fish oil and Afib risk, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, supplements for kids, and curcumin's impact on testosterone.
-
Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses a study that found vitamin D supplementation was associated with a 40% lower risk of dementia.
-
Rhonda Hormones Diabetes Cholesterol Omega-3 Dementia Curcumin Protein Blood Sugar Berberine AcetaminophenDr. Rhonda Patrick discusses xylitol safety, strategies to reduce hemoglobin A1C, klotho and dementia risk, and the timing of hormone replacement therapy.
-
Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses fish oil and Afib risk, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, supplements for kids, and curcumin's impact on testosterone.
-
Dr. Rhonda Patrick explores collagen peptides, high-dose niacin and vitamin B6, avoiding nano- and microplastics in her latest Q&A.
-
Rhonda Brain Diet Aging Hormones Omega-3 Fasting Memory Testosterone Dementia Development Skin CocoaDr. Rhonda Patrick explores taurine's longevity role, cocoa flavanols, training adaptations, and oral hyaluronic acid in a Q&A.
-
In this clip, Dr. Montagne discusses promising targets for protecting brain vessels to delay Alzheimer's.
-
In this clip, Dr. Axel Montagne discusses how the brain transport of omega-3 DHA may be important for the prevention and possibly as a therapy for dementia.
-
Dr. Axel Montagne discusses blood-brain barrier dysfunction in dementia and early-stage age-related cognitive decline.
-
Rhonda Exercise Brain Alzheimer's Cancer Telomeres Probiotics Fasting Pregnancy Coffee Anxiety Dementia Sulforaphane Sauna COVID-19 Supplements Ketogenic DietDr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.
-
Rhonda Vitamin D Sleep Vitamin C Inflammation Fasting Pregnancy Coffee Vaccine Heat Stress Dementia Resveratrol Calcium Sulforaphane Sauna Time-Restricted Eating Protein COVID-19Dr. Rhonda Patrick answers audience questions on various health, nutrition, and science topics in this Q&A session.
-
In this clip, Dr. Giselle Petzinger discusses Parkinson's disease and explains how symptoms can vary dramatically between people.
-
In this clip, Dr. Dominic D'Agostino describes the positive effects that ketones can have on the brain.
-
In this clip, Dr. David Sinclair and Dr. Rhonda Patrick discuss the brain health benefits associated with NAD+ boosters.
-
In this clip, Dr. David Sinclair and Dr. Rhonda Patrick discuss the brain health benefits associated with resveratrol and NAD+ boosters.
-
In this clip, Dr. Charles Raison describes the complex relationship between inflammation and depression.
-
Dr. Rhonda Patrick describes the role that heat shock proteins play in reducing the risk of disease.
-
Dr. Dale Bredesen describes the risks associated with APOE4 and identifies strategies for mitigating that risk.
-
Dr. Matthew Walker explains how sleep and sauna may induce sleep through their short-term pro-inflammatory effects.
-
Sleep Brain Alzheimer's Cancer Obesity Aging Performance Depression Immune System Stress Circadian Rhythm Behavior DementiaDr. Matthew Walker discusses the role of sleep in immunity, creativity, and aging.
-
Dr. Dale Bredesen discusses treatments that may reverse symptoms of mild cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
-
This short recipe video shows a fun, tasty way to eat salmon roe. Salmon roe is rich in the omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid, in its phospholipid form.
-
Ketosis Nutrition Brain Alzheimer's Diet Microbiome Performance Insulin Resistance Mitochondria Dementia Insulin SupplementsDr. Dominic D'Agostino discusses the health benefits associated with a modified Atkins diet, ketosis, and supplemental ketones.
Topic Pages
-
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone involved in the sleep-wake cycle that might also have benefits for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia.
-
Salmon roe
Salmon roe, the internal egg mass found in female salmon, is rich in protein, vitamins, and the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
News & Publications
-
Conventional wisdom suggests that cognitive skills begin to decline in early adulthood, but this assumption may be misleading. A recent study found that cognitive skills—specifically math and reading skills—actually improve into one’s forties before experiencing a decline, and using these skills regularly is crucial in determining how abilities change over time.
Researchers analyzed data from a previous German study that monitored more than 3,200 adult participants over time, allowing for the identification of genuine age-related changes in cognitive abilities. They also considered measurement errors that could skew results.
They found that math and reading skills continued to improve into the participants' forties. After that, literacy declined slightly, while numeracy dropped more sharply—but only for participants with below-average skill usage. Those who regularly engaged in complex tasks at work or home, particularly white-collar and highly educated participants, maintained or improved their skills well beyond midlife. However, women experienced steeper declines in numeracy as they aged.
These findings suggest that cognitive decline is not inevitable. Remaining mentally engaged through work and daily activities may help preserve or enhance cognitive abilities beyond middle age. Maintaining healthy blood flow to the brain through vigorous exercise can support cognitive function in aging. Learn more in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
-
Being socially active may delay dementia onset by five years. alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
A lively social life might be one of the best defenses against dementia. With more than 50 million people affected worldwide and care costs soaring into the hundreds of billions, finding ways to delay dementia is a public health priority. A recent study found that older adults who were more socially active developed dementia about five years later than those who were the least socially engaged.
Researchers tracked nearly 2,000 older adults without dementia as part of the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Each year, participants underwent cognitive assessments to determine whether they had developed mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
Over nearly seven years of follow-up, 545 participants developed dementia, and 695 developed mild cognitive impairment. On average, the least socially active participants developed dementia at about age 87, while the most socially active participants developed it at about age 92—a five-year difference. The same pattern emerged for mild cognitive impairment.
These findings suggest that social activity could be a powerful, community-wide strategy for delaying dementia, ultimately improving older adults' quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. Dietary components, including omega-3 fatty acids, play a critical role in reducing the risk of dementia, too. Learn more in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
-
GLP-1 receptor agonists may lower risks for major illnesses like dementia and seizures. www.nature.com
Ozempic, Wegovy, and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs have catapulted into the mainstream of diabetes care, with more than 15 million people in the U.S. currently taking one. Evidence suggests GLP-1 drugs have many off-target effects—both good and bad—but healthcare providers don’t currently know the full extent of the drugs' effects. However, a recent analysis found that GLP-1s may reduce the risk of dementia, seizures, respiratory illnesses, cardiometabolic disorders, and certain infections more effectively than other diabetes drugs and typical care.
Using the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare databases, researchers identified roughly two million people with diabetes who were using a GLP-1 drug, one of three common anti-diabetes drugs (sulfonylureas, DPP4 inhibitors, or SGLT2 inhibitors), or continuing their usual care without adding new therapies. They tracked the participants' health for about 3.6 years.
They found that GLP-1 use was associated with a reduced risk of dementia (8%), seizures (10%), respiratory illnesses (10% to 25%), cardiometabolic disorders (7% to 22%), and certain infections (12% to 25%). However, the drugs were associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal issues (5% to 20%), low blood pressure (10%), kidney problems (10% to 15%), arthritic disorders (10% to 16%), and pancreatitis (15% to 20%).
These findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists offer promising benefits for people with diabetes while highlighting potential risks. Further research will illuminate the full range of the drugs' effects. Learn more about GLP-1 drugs in this clip featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
-
About half of your brain is white matter—a network of nerve fibers that allow for the exchange of information and communication within the brain. Aging and lifestyle factors can damage the white matter, increasing the risk of stroke, dementia, and disability. However, a recent study found that the brains of regular green tea drinkers have fewer white matter lesions than non-drinkers.
The study included nearly 8,800 older adults living in Japan. Participants provided information about their green tea and coffee consumption and underwent magnetic resonance imaging to assess their brain health and volume.
They found that higher green tea consumption correlated with fewer cerebral white matter lesions but had little effect on brain volumes, even after accounting for demographic, lifestyle, and health factors. People who drank about three cups (~20 ounces) of green tea daily had 3% less white matter damage in their brains than those who drank just one cup (~7 ounces). Those who drank around seven to eight glasses (~50 ounces) daily had 6% less damage. Coffee consumption did not affect white matter or brain volume, suggesting that green tea protects against white matter damage.
Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a polyphenolic compound that exerts robust antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Evidence suggests that EGCG reduces the buildup of amyloid beta and tau—two proteins involved in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about EGCG and other polyphenols in our overview article.
-
Rapid increases in frailty levels, especially among women, amplify dementia risk by up to 73%. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Frailty isn’t just about getting older—it’s a key indicator of biological age that can signal an increased risk for many health concerns, including dementia. A recent study found that rapid increases in frailty increase the risk of dementia by as much as 73%, especially among females.
Researchers analyzed data from four large studies involving nearly 88,000 adults aged 60 and older. They measured participants' frailty levels at the start and monitored their health, including the development of dementia, over several years.
They found that in the years before dementia began to manifest, frailty tended to increase. Participants with the most rapid increases in frailty were 18% to 73% more likely to develop dementia than those with slower frailty progression. Frailty was more common in females than males among those who developed dementia, with the greatest differences seen in the years leading up to dementia onset.
These findings suggest that measuring frailty could help identify people at greater risk for dementia, serving as an early target for strategies to reduce dementia risk through public health interventions and lifestyle changes. One powerful lifestyle approach for reducing dementia risk is exercise—especially the vigorous kind. Learn more in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
-
A moderate intake of choline—two to three eggs worth—may cut your risk of cognitive decline in half. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Cognitive decline is a growing concern as populations age, and diet may play a key role in preserving cognitive function. A 2021 study found that people with moderate choline intake—about the amount in two to three eggs or a serving of salmon—were half as likely to experience cognitive decline than those with low intake.
Researchers categorized roughly 2,400 older adults enrolled in NHANES based on their daily choline intake: low (less than 188 milligrams), moderate (188 to 400 milligrams), or high (more than 400 milligrams). Then, they ranked them according to their performance on various cognitive tests.
They found that people with moderate choline intake were 33% to 50% less likely to have low cognitive function than those with the lowest intake. Interestingly, those with higher intake didn’t perform better on the cognitive tests, suggesting a “sweet spot” for choline intake.
These findings indicate that incorporating moderate amounts of choline-rich foods into one’s diet may protect brain health during aging. This protective effect may be due to choline’s role in producing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in neurogenesis, synapse formation, learning, and memory. In addition, research in animal models shows that choline deficiency increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and damages vital organs in mice.
Choline is found in many foods. Good sources of this essential nutrient include: - Eggs (1 large): ~147 milligrams - Fish (salmon, 3 ounces, cooked): ~187 milligrams - Cauliflower (1 cup, cooked): ~72 milligrams - Beef (3 ounces, cooked): ~78 milligrams Learn more about choline’s role in brain health in this Q&A featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
-
Smoking accelerates cognitive decline by 17% over a decade. www.eurekalert.org
Smoking has numerous harmful effects on health, including increased risks of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Evidence indicates smoking also contributes to cognitive decline, affecting memory and fluency. A recent study found that smoking accelerates cognitive decline by as much as 17% over time.
Researchers examined data from more than 32,000 cognitively healthy adults aged 50 to 104 from 14 European countries. They grouped participants according to whether they smoked, engaged in regular exercise, were socially active, and drank moderately—defined as less than or equal to two alcoholic drinks per day for men or one drink per day for women. Then, they analyzed the effects of lifestyle on memory and fluency decline over 10 years.
They found that non-smokers maintained relatively stable memory and fluency scores over the 10 years. However, smokers experienced up to 17 percent greater decline in memory and up to 16 percent greater decline in fluency, even after considering other factors that influence cognitive aging, including age at baseline, gender, country, education, wealth, and chronic conditions. Interestingly, healthy lifestyle behaviors offset some of the risks associated with smoking, with smokers who exercised, socialized, and drank moderately exhibiting cognitive declines comparable to non-smokers.
These findings suggest that smoking markedly increases cognitive decline, increasing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Quitting smoking can be challenging, but mindfulness techniques can help. Learn more about mindfulness in this clip featuring Dr. Ashley Mason.
-
Chronic inflammation in early adulthood can impair cognitive performance by midlife, with 39% of young adults showing high inflammation levels. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Research demonstrates that inflammation in later life harms the brain, increasing the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. However, scientists don’t fully understand the effects of inflammation that begins in early adulthood. A recent study found that inflammation during early adulthood markedly impairs cognitive performance in midlife.
The research involved more than 2,300 young adults (aged 24 to 58) enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study. Researchers tracked the participants' inflammation levels, measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), for about 18 years. Five years after their last CRP measurement, the participants completed tests that measured their verbal memory, processing speed, executive function, verbal fluency, category fluency, and overall cognition.
The researchers identified three inflammation patterns among the participants: lower stable (45%), moderate/increasing (16%), and consistently higher (39%). Participants with consistently higher CRP levels were 67 percent more likely to experience poor processing speed and 36 percent more likely to have poor executive function than those with stable, low CRP levels. Those with moderate/increasing CRP levels were twice as likely to have poor processing speed. There were no significant associations between CRP levels and memory, verbal fluency, category fluency, or overall cognition.
One of the many ways inflammation harms the brain is through its effects on pericytes, tiny cells that surround the brain’s blood vessels and help maintain the blood-brain barrier. Inflammation causes pericytes to release pro-inflammatory cytokines, compromising the barrier and facilitating neurodegeneration. Learn more about links between inflammation, pericytes, and cognitive decline in this clip featuring Dr. Axel Montagne.
These findings indicate that more than one-third of young adults have high inflammation levels, adversely affecting executive function and processing speed by midlife. They also underscore the importance of managing inflammation throughout life. Omega-3 fatty acids have potent anti-inflammatory effects. Learn more in this episode featuring Dr. Bill Harris.
-
Diets rich in omega-3s and antioxidants slow brain aging and improve cognitive function in older adults. www.nature.com
While brain aging is an inevitable part of growing older, lifestyle factors, particularly diet, can influence the rate at which this aging occurs. A recent study found that older adults with diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins demonstrate slower brain aging and better performance on cognitive tests.
Researchers administered cognitive tests and brain imaging scans to 100 healthy older adults. They also measured 13 nutrition-related biomarkers in the participants' blood.
They identified two brain aging patterns among the participants, with one group exhibiting accelerated aging and the other slower aging. Further analysis revealed that distinct dietary patterns distinguished the two groups. In particular, the intake of specific nutrients positively influenced brain health and cognitive function, including: - Alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid found in nuts and seeds, such as walnuts and chia) - Eicosapentaenoic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid found in fatty fish, such as salmon) - Lutein (a polyphenol found in green leafy vegetables, such as kale) - Zeaxanthin (a polyphenol found in brightly colored vegetables, such as orange bell peppers and butternut squash) - Vitamin E (found in seeds and nuts, such as sunflower seeds and hazelnuts) - Choline (found in a variety of foods, including eggs and soybeans) These patterns were consistent even when considering the participants' demographics, fitness levels, and body measurements.
These findings suggest that nutrient-rich diets are critical for maintaining cognitive health and decelerating the brain’s aging process. They also highlight the importance of dietary choices as potential tools to manage and mitigate age-related cognitive decline. Learn about other lifestyle choices that slow cognitive and physical aging in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
-
Multivitamin/mineral supplements enhance memory and cognitive function in older adults, a finding from the COSMOS trial. www.sciencedirect.com
As the global population ages, the number of people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia increases. A robust and growing body of evidence indicates that lifestyle influences the risk of developing dementia. A recent study found that multivitamin/mineral supplements improve memory and slow cognitive aging in older adults – roughly equivalent to reducing cognitive aging by two years.
Researchers investigated the effects of multivitamin/mineral supplementation on cognitive function in a subset of participants enrolled in the COSMOS study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving more than 21,000 older adults (60 years or older) in the U.S. Participants in COSMOS were randomly assigned to receive one of three interventions: cocoa extract (providing 500 milligrams of flavanols daily, including 80 milligrams of epicatechin), a multivitamin/mineral supplement, or both, daily for two years. A fourth group received a placebo. In the subset, called COSMOS-Clinic, 573 participants underwent extensive brain function tests before and after the study and again two years later.
They found that multivitamin/mineral supplementation conferred modest improvements in overall cognitive function over two years in participants enrolled in the subset, particularly in episodic memory – the ability to recall specific events, experiences, and contextual details from one’s past. They did not observe improvements in the participants' executive function or attention. However, a meta-analysis involving more than 5,000 participants from the COSMOS-Clinic, COSMOS-Mind, and COSMOS-Web studies demonstrated that multivitamin/mineral supplementation markedly improved overall cognition and episodic memory.
These findings from the COSMOS trials suggest that multivitamin/mineral supplementation – a low-cost, low-effort intervention – improves cognitive function in older adults. They also highlight the role of adequate nutrition throughout the lifespan and support the “micronutrient triage theory” – the idea that the body prioritizes the utilization of micronutrients for metabolic pathways needed for survival and reproduction over those used for long-term health. Learn more about micronutrient triage theory in this clip featuring Dr. Bruce Ames.
-
Poor oral health may triple Alzheimer's disease risk. www.brainandlife.org
Oral health is intricately linked to overall well-being, with emerging research identifying associations between poor oral health and an increased risk of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. A recent study found that oral diseases associated with tooth loss more than tripled the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers assessed Alzheimer’s disease risk among more than 32 million people. They categorized the participants as having normal or poor oral health and assessed serum biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s, including blood glucose, lipids, and C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation).
They found that more than 1.2 million participants had poor oral health, while the remainder had normal oral health. Those with poor oral health were more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those with normal oral health, regardless of age, gender, or serum biomarkers. Those with oral conditions associated with tooth loss were more than three times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s.
The findings from this large epidemiological study suggest that poor oral health markedly increases a person’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. In vitro research further supports these findings, demonstrating that oral bacteria colonize the brain and release toxins that disrupt the blood-brain barrier, impairing its function and increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s. And research in mice shows that oral bacteria over-stimulate microglia, impairing their ability to eliminate amyloid-beta, a harmful protein linked to Alzheimer’s.
-
Dementia cases could surpass previous estimates by 40 percent, highlighting the need for prevention. medicalxpress.com
Nearly 50 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia — a number projected to triple in the coming decades. However, a recent study suggests the number could be even higher, as much as 40 percent more than previous estimates.
Researchers analyzed data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a long-term study of older adults living in England and Wales. They identified dementia cases from among more than 90,000 people. Then, they analyzed how dementia incidence changed over time based on age, sex, and education.
They found that dementia incidence decreased by 28.8 percent between 2002 and 2008 and then increased by 25.2 percent between 2008 and 2016 (nearly 3 percent per year). People with lower educational attainment experienced a slower decline in dementia during 2002-2008 and a more rapid increase after 2008, demonstrating growing disparities. The researchers predicted that if dementia incidence continues to rise at the same pace observed from 2008 to 2016, the number of people living with dementia will roughly double by 2040.
These findings suggest that the number of people with dementia will be markedly higher in the coming decades. Evidence suggests lifestyle factors influence a person’s dementia risk. Learn how sauna use, exercise, sleep, and dietary components, such as omega-3 fatty acids and sulforaphane exert robust anti-aging effects on the brain, potentially preventing or forestalling dementia.
-
Enhancing brain health in older adults: Olfactory stimulation via aromatherapy shows promise in cognitive function preservation. neurosciencenews.com
The limbic system – a complex system of nerves and networks in the brain – supports many brain functions, including memory, emotion, and learning. The olfactory system is the only sensory system directly linked to this critical brain region. A new study shows that olfactory stimulation via aromatherapy may enhance limbic system function, potentially preserving or improving cognitive function in older adults.
Researchers assigned 23 older adults (aged 60 to 85) to an olfactory-enriched or control group. Using an aromatherapy diffuser, they exposed the enriched group to seven essential oil scents (rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender – one per night) for two hours per night for six months. They exposed the control group to a similar routine but with minimal amounts of scent. The participants underwent neuropsychological assessments and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans at the study’s outset and again after six months.
The assessments revealed that the participants who received olfactory enrichment demonstrated a 226 percent improvement on learning and memory tests. Notably, only six of the 12 participants improved, five stayed the same, and one did worse, calling the data into question. The fMRIs showed that the enriched group also exhibited enhanced function in the left uncinate fasciculus – an area of the brain that plays a crucial role in memory, language, emotion, and memory retrieval.
These findings suggest that olfactory enrichment administered at night improves cognitive and neural functioning and may provide an effective and low-effort means to improve brain health. This study was very small, so larger trials are needed to confirm the benefits of aromatherapy on cognitive health.
-
Exercise, vitamin D, and cognitive training boost cognitive function. link.springer.com
Changes in brain function and connectivity often occur many years before the clinical manifestation of cognitive impairment and dementia. A new study shows that lifestyle modifications, including exercise, vitamin D intake, and cognitive training, improve functional brain connectivity in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
The study involved 120 older adults (ages 60 to 80 years) with mild cognitive impairment. The participants engaged in 30 minutes of cognitive training and 60 minutes of exercise three times a week for 20 weeks. Thirty-eight of the participants received vitamin D supplements, while the remainder received a placebo. Researchers measured the participants' functional brain connectivity using MRI before and after the interventions.
They found that physical exercise alone, exercise combined with cognitive training, or exercise combined with both cognitive training and vitamin D supplementation increased functional brain connectivity in regions of the brain’s default mode network, including the hippocampus and angular gyrus.
The default mode network is a collection of interconnected neural structures involved in attention and focus. Disturbances in default mode network connectivity are associated with poor working memory, reduced performance, and work-related productivity losses.
This study’s findings suggest that lifestyle behaviors, particularly exercise, enhance functional brain connectivity, potentially staving off age-associated cognitive decline. Learn more about the effects of exercise on the brain in this episode featuring Dr. Axel Montagne.
-
Three or more concussions may worsen brain function later in life. www.sciencedaily.com
Experiencing multiple concussions increases a person’s risk of poor brain function later in life, a new study shows. People who experienced three or more concussions exhibited cognitive deficits that worsened with each subsequent concussion.
Researchers collected self-reported concussion histories from more than 5,700 adults between 50 and 70 years old. They administered cognitive tests to gauge changes in the participants' brain function every year for up to four years.
They found that participants who experienced three mild concussions in their lifetime had difficulty with attention and performing complex tasks later in life. Participants who experienced four mild concussions had difficulty with processing speed and working memory – an aspect of cognitive function that allows a person to remember information for relevant tasks. However, experiencing even one moderate-to-severe concussion impaired the participants' attention and the ability to perform complex tasks and process information.
These findings underscore the risks associated with even mild brain injury. Some evidence suggests that lactate and ketones may be beneficial in treating brain injury. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Dominic D'Agostino.
-
In the U.S., 40 Percent of All-Cause Dementia Is Preventable www.alzforum.org
Nearly half of all Alzheimer’s disease and dementia cases are preventable and tied to lifestyle factors, such as obesity in midlife and not exercising.
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are age-related disorders characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. As many as 55 million people worldwide have dementia, a figure expected to triple in the next three decades. Findings from a recent study suggest that more than 40 percent of all Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia cases in the United States are attributable to a small number of modifiable lifestyle factors.
The investigators drew on data collected in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, a telephone interview-based survey of adults living in the United States. Their analysis included nearly 380,000 adults (aged 65 years and older) who provided health, lifestyle, and demographic information about factors that influence dementia risk, including physical inactivity, smoking, depression, low education, diabetes, midlife obesity, midlife hypertension, and hearing loss.
They found that eight modifiable risk factors drove more than one-third of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias among people living in the United States. Most of these cases were attributable to having obesity in midlife, not exercising, and low education. The percentage of preventable Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia cases was higher for men than women and higher among Blacks and Hispanics than among Caucasians and Asians.
These findings suggest that lifestyle factors play critical roles in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia risk. Learn more about how lifestyle influences Alzheimer’s disease and dementia risk in this episode featuring Dr. Dale Bredesen.
-
How cranberries could improve memory and ward off dementia www.sciencedaily.com
Eating polyphenol-rich cranberries improves memory and neural functioning in older adults.
As many as 55 million people worldwide have dementia, a figure expected to triple in the next three decades. Evidence suggests that dietary patterns and components may reduce the risk of developing dementia. Findings from a recent study suggest that eating cranberries improves memory and neural functioning in older adults.
Cranberries, like many other red, purple, or blue fruits, are rich in bioactive compounds called polyphenols, including anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols, and others. Robust evidence indicates that these compounds exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and/or neuroprotective effects in humans.
The investigators conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 60 healthy adults between the ages of 50 and 80 years. Half of the participants consumed 4.5 grams of freeze-dried cranberry powder (to be mixed in liquid) every day for 12 weeks. The daily portion of supplemental cranberry powder was roughly equivalent to eating about one-half cup of fresh cranberries and provided 59 milligrams of anthocyanins, 281 milligrams of proanthocyanidins, and 20 milligrams of flavonols. The other half of the participants consumed a similar-looking non-nutritive powder for the duration of the study. Before, during, and after the intervention, participants underwent cognitive testing and provided blood samples for biochemical assessment. A subset of participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies.
At the end of the intervention, participants who received the cranberry powder exhibited improvements in visual episodic memory. In addition, their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (which contributes to atherosclerosis and impaired brain function) decreased. The MRIs revealed that the supplemented group had increased blood flow to areas of the brain involved in memory formation and consolidation.
These findings suggest that polyphenol-rich cranberries improve memory and aspects of neural functioning in older adults. It is noteworthy, however, that many commercial cranberry products contain copious amounts of added sugar to counter the berries' tartness. Because sugar can have harmful effects on brain and metabolic health, consuming unsweetened cranberries (or other berries) will likely have the greatest benefits on cognition.
-
Leaky blood-brain barrier caused by cerebral small vessel disease increases the prevalence of white-matter hyperintensities and brain damage www.sciencedaily.com
Poor blood-brain barrier integrity drives white matter losses.
White matter hyperintensities are areas in the brain that appear as intense white spots on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. They are often indicators of cerebral small blood vessel disease and are considered a risk factor for dementia. A 2021 study found that breaches in blood-brain barrier integrity are associated with brain tissue losses and precede the appearance of white matter hyperintensities.
The blood-brain barrier, a specialized system of endothelial cells that shields the brain from toxins present in the blood, supplies the brain’s tissues with vital nutrients and substances necessary for neuronal and metabolic function. The structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier is therefore critical for homeostatic maintenance of the brain microenvironment.
The study involved 43 patients (average age 58 years) who had been diagnosed with cerebral small vessel disease, as evidenced by having experienced a stroke or demonstrating mild cognitive impairment. At the beginning of the study and two years later, participants underwent a variety of MRI techniques that quantified their overall blood-brain barrier permeability as well as the areas surrounding white matter hyperintensities.
The MRIs revealed that participants who had the greatest amount of leaky brain tissue at the beginning of the study exhibited greater white matter tissue losses two years later. These tissue losses translated to greater permeability, a phenomenon particularly evident in the areas surrounding the brain lesions associated with white matter hyperintensities.
These findings suggest that losses in blood-brain barrier integrity damage brain tissue, driving increased permeability and white matter losses. In turn, these changes potentiate the disease processes associated with cerebral small vessel disease. Learn more about the blood-brain barrier in our overview article.
-
Mid-life long duration antibiotic use of >= two months linked to poorer scores in cognition, learning, working memory, and attention in later life www.sciencealert.com
Antibiotic use in midlife increases a person’s risk for neuropsychiatric diseases.
Antibiotics are prescribed for a wide range of infectious diseases. In 2015, healthcare providers in the United States wrote nearly 270 million antibiotic prescriptions – more than 800 antibiotic prescriptions for every 1,000 people. Health experts estimate that 30 percent of these prescriptions were likely unnecessary. Findings from a new study suggest that antibiotic use in midlife increases a person’s risk for neuropsychiatric diseases.
The study included approximately 15,000 midlife participants (average age, 55 years) enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study II, an ongoing prospective cohort study of female nurses. The participants completed questionnaires regarding their general health, diet, lifestyle, and medication use during the previous four years, including antibiotic use and the reason for which the antibiotic was prescribed. The investigators categorized the participants' cumulative antibiotic use as none, one to 14 days, 15 days to two months, and two months or more. Participants also completed a battery of neuropsychological tests.
The investigators found that participants who took antibiotics for at least two months over the previous four years were more likely to perform worse on neuropsychological tests than participants who did not take antibiotics. The influence of antibiotic use on neuropsychological test scores was roughly equivalent to three to four years of aging. These findings held true even after considering other factors that could influence cognitive function, including age and coexisting illnesses.
These findings suggest that longer exposure to antibiotics in midlife negatively influences cognitive health, underscoring the importance of moderating antibiotic use in older adults. They also support findings from animal studies that suggest antibiotic use early in life alters neuropeptide signaling pathways that influence behavioral development. Learn more about the effects of antibiotic use in early life in this clip featuring Dr. Eran Elinav.
-
Maintaining a lower systolic blood pressure (less than 120 mm Hg) may reduce the amount of white matter lesions, reducing risk of dementia www.sciencedaily.com
Maintaining a systolic blood pressure of 120 or less may protect against dementia and cognitive decline. Nearly two-thirds of adults living in the United States have hypertension (high blood pressure), defined as having a systolic pressure of 130 or higher or a diastolic pressure of 80 or higher. Hypertension damages small blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys, and other tissues, increasing the risk for disease and dysfunction. A 2019 study found that intensive blood pressure control in patients with hypertension reduces the risk of developing small blood vessel damage-related white matter lesions in the brain.
Intensive blood pressure control is an aggressive treatment protocol for hypertension that seeks to achieve a target systolic blood pressure goal of 120 or less. This differs from standard treatment protocols, which stipulate that within three months of starting medication therapy to reduce high blood pressure, a patient’s target pressures (systolic and diastolic) should be less than 140/90. After three months, the target pressures should be less than 130/80.
White matter lesions are areas in the brain that appear as intense white spots on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. They are often indicators of small blood vessel disease and are considered a risk factor for dementia.
The study involved 670 adults (average age, 67 years) who had hypertension. Roughly half of the participants underwent intensive blood pressure control treatment, while the other half underwent standard treatment. The investigators performed MRI scans of all participants at the beginning of the intervention and again about four years later.
They found that participants who underwent intensive blood pressure control had fewer white matter lesions in their brains compared to those who underwent the standard treatment. Interestingly, those who underwent intensive treatment exhibited greater brain volume losses than those who underwent standard treatment, but this difference was not statistically significant.
These findings suggest that intensive blood pressure control reduces white matter lesions in the brains of people with hypertension and support findings from a related study that demonstrated that intensive blood pressure control may reduce the risk of adverse cognitive outcomes.
Hypertension is highly preventable with lifestyle modifications that involve diet and exercise. For example, dietary components, such as potassium and magnesiumquercetin and vitamin D lower blood pressure. Aerobic exercise also lowers blood pressure. Learn about other beneficial effects of aerobic exercise in our overview article.
-
Hypertension in mid-life reduces brain volume and increases risk of dementia. neurosciencenews.com
Many people develop hypertension (high blood pressure) with age, putting them at risk of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, retinal damage, and stroke. Hypertension is also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, due to damage caused by years of vessel injury, microbleeds, and lesions. Authors of a recent study report that hypertension diagnosed in early or midlife, but not late life, is a predictor of dementia.
Because hypertension damages the delicate small blood vessels of the heart, kidneys, eyes, brain, and other organs, it is a risk factor for a wide range of chronic diseases. Previous research has shown that hypertension, by restricting blood flow, reduces brain volume in key areas associated with dementia, such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. As the number of young adults with hypertension increases to an estimated 1.6 billion globally by 2025, research on the risks of hypertension in earlier life are needed.
The authors collected data from more than 135,000 participants with hypertension and 135,000 matched control participants without hypertension from the United Kingdom Biobank, a long-term study of United Kingdom citizens. The researchers categorized participants into four categories: younger than 35 years; 35 to 44 years; 45 to 54 years; and 55 to 64 years. They used magnetic resonance imaging data to measure brain volume, and hospital records, death records, and self-reports to assess dementia status. Participants in the study provided data at a baseline appointment between 2006 and 2010 and at a follow-up appointment between 2014 and 2021.
Participants diagnosed with hypertension at any age had smaller brain volume than their matched control participant without hypertension. Participants diagnosed earlier in life had the greatest reductions, with participants diagnosed between ages 35 and 44 exhibiting a 0.8 percent loss in volume and participants before age 35 exhibiting a 1.2 percent loss. Specifically, hypertension was associated with loss of peripheral cortical gray matter, brain tissue necessary for higher brain functions such as learning, memory, and attention. Participants diagnosed with hypertension between ages 35 and 44 were at a 61 percent higher risk of dementia than the matched control participants without hypertension.
The authors concluded that hypertension diagnosed in early mid life, but not late life, is associated with decreased brain volume and increased risk of dementia. Lifestyle strategies that reduce blood pressure, such as exercise, sauna use, dietary modification, and stress management, may reduce dementia risk.
-
Depression is associated with muscle loss in older adults. journals.plos.org
Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass with age, is related to falling, poor oral health, and chronic disease. Sarcopenia is a progressive disorder, but early interventions with diet and exercise may improve health outcomes. Authors of a new report investigated the relationship between sarcopenia progression, depression, dementia, and hypertension.
Body composition shifts across the lifespan, with a progression toward lower muscle mass and increased fat mass after age of 60. Because fat and muscle participate in whole-body metabolism and hormone signaling, this shift in body composition contributes to the development of age-related diseases. Previous research has reported a link between sarcopenia, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms in older Korean men, but research is needed in additional demographic groups.
The authors collected data from more than 750 adults aged 60 years and older living in Japan. Participants completed surveys to measure depression and dementia status and underwent a physical examination that included the measurement of blood pressure, height, muscle mass, grip strength, and walking speed. The investigators classified participants as having sarcopenia if they had low skeletal muscle index (i.e., the ratio of the muscle in a person’s arms and legs to their height), poor grip strength, and slower walking speed. They defined pre-sarcopenia as having a low skeletal muscle index with normal grip strength and walking speed. Finally, they classified participants with a normal skeletal muscle index as robust.
Sarcopenia was associated with increased age and depression severity, but reduced hypertension. Compared to robust participants, those with pre-sarcopenia were more likely to have depression and hypertension. However, sarcopenia was not associated with dementia, which the authors noted may have been due to the small number of participants (only 49) with dementia.
The authors suggested that future research should explore strategies for management of depression, dementia, and hypertension in the prevention of sarcopenia.
-
Increased visceral fat impairs cognition through chronic microglial activation mediated by IL-1 beta release [animal research] www.sciencedaily.com
Scientists find that visceral fat, a type of adipose tissue that produces high levels of inflammatory signals known as adipokines, impair learning and memory in mice by setting off an inflammatory cascade mediated by the release of IL-1 beta, which crosses the blood-brain barrier leading to chronic activation of microglia.
From the article:
“We have identified a specific signal that is generated in visceral fat, released into the blood that gets through the blood brain barrier and into the brain where it activates microglia and impairs cognition.”
Visceral fat as the ring leader:
They looked further and found that just transplanting the visceral fat caused essentially the same impact as obesity resulting from a high-fat diet, including significantly increasing brain levels of interleukin-1 beta and activating microglia. Mice missing interleukin-1 beta’s receptor on the microglia also were protected from these brain ravages.
[…]
To measure cognitive ability, the scientists looked at mice’s ability to navigate a water maze after 12 weeks on a high- or low-fat diet. They found it took the normal, or wild type, mice consuming the higher fat diet as well as the visceral transplant recipients with NLRP3 intact longer to negotiate the water maze. In fact, while they could reach a platform they could see, they had trouble finding one beneath the water’s surface that they had been taught to find. Mice with the interleukin-1 receptor knocked out, could find it just fine, Stranahan says.
The high-fat diet, transplant mice also had weaker connections, or synapses, between neurons involved in learning and memory. Mice on a high-fat diet but missing NLRP3 were spared these changes, like mice on a low-fat diet.
-
Greater BDNF expression in brain tied to up to 50% slower decline in memory in older people (for those in top decile of expression) www.sciencedaily.com
A study of BDNF gene expression in post-mortem brain tissue found that BDNF may provide a buffer against dementia, particularly when higher expression is found in the context of the classical Alzheimer’s brain pathology of amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles.
From the article:
For the study, 535 people with an average age of 81 were followed until death, for an average of six years. They took yearly tests of their thinking and memory skills, and after death, a neurologist reviewed their records and determined whether they had dementia, some memory and thinking problems called mild cognitive impairment or no thinking and memory problems. Autopsies were conducted on their brains after death, and the amount of protein from BDNF gene expression in the brain was then measured.
[…]
The rate of cognitive decline was about 50 percent slower for those in the highest 10 percent of protein from BDNF gene expression compared to the lowest 10 percent. The effect of plaques and tangles in the brain on cognitive decline was reduced for people with high levels of BDNF. In the people with the highest amount of Alzheimer’s disease hallmarks in their brains, cognitive decline was about 40 percent slower for people with the highest amount of protein from BDNF gene expression compared to those with the lowest amount.
-
Regular physical exercise reduces the incidence of dementia in a dose-dependent manner. onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Dementia, a form of cognitive decline that interferes with normal daily living, affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. Findings from a recent study suggest that regular physical exercise can reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Dementia commonly occurs in older age and is characterized by a progressive loss of memory, executive function, and reasoning. Approximately 70 percent of all dementia cases are due to Alzheimer’s disease. Previous research has demonstrated that the incidence of dementia is influenced by non-modifiable risk factors, such as increasing age, ethnicity, and the presence of a genetic variant known as APOE4.
Researchers are less certain about modifiable factors that may alter dementia risk, including health behaviors such as exercise. The current retrospective cohort study investigated which individuals developed dementia and the factors associated with its incidence.
The study involved 206,073 people over the age of 50 years who were enrolled in the Health Check Ubon Ratchathani Project in Thailand. The authors of the study questioned participants about their medical and personal history, including the use of medications and exercise habits. Six years later, investigators reviewed the participants' electronic medical records for the incidence of physician‐diagnosed dementia. They found that a lack of physical exercise was associated with an increased risk of developing dementia in a dose-dependent manner. Exercising three to five days per week reduced the risk of dementia by 37 percent as compared to no physical exercise, while exercising more than five days per week reduced dementia risk by 59 percent.
These findings suggest that physical exercise at least three days a week can reduce the risk of developing dementia. Further clinical trials with longer follow-ups are needed to confirm the impact of lifestyle factors on dementia risk.