Brain health Archive

In a 2024 study, researchers found that the short-term brain boosts people receive after doing moderate to vigorous exercise can last 24 hours.

Using tobacco in cigars, pipes, or smokeless products such as snuff is associated with distinct heart-related risks.

Intensive blood pressure control that lowers systolic blood pressure (the first number in a reading) below 120 points may lower the risk of cognitive impairment or probable dementia.

Strokes fall into two main categories: ischemic (which result from a blockage inside one of the brain's arteries and account for 87% of all strokes) and hemorrhagic (also known as bleeding strokes, usually from a ruptured blood vessel). Three main types of ischemic strokes are those that result from atherosclerosis in a large artery supplying the brain (large-artery atherothrombotic strokes); those caused by clots in the heart that travel to the brain (cardioembolic strokes); and those in the brain's smallest vessels (small-vessel strokes).

Many people worry about occasional memory lapses that occur as they get older. To cope, it helps to talk to a doctor and also reduce stress by following healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercising, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and meditating. Using strategies to help retain information is also important. Examples include placing keys in a designated spot, taking medication at the same time each day, and using notebooks-not just memory-to organize and store information for fast retrieval.

A 2024 study suggests that older adults who fall for financial scams may have brain changes associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease.

There's no clear-cut answer about whether taking antihistamines for allergies increases dementia risk. Antihistamines have anticholinergic effects, which might increase the risk for dementia by blocking a particular brain neurotransmitter or increasing brain inflammation. But studies on whether there's any link between antihistamines and dementia have produced conflicting findings. Doctors advise taking the lowest antihistamine dose possible or using another medication for symptom relief.

A 2024 study suggested that older adults who undergo cataract surgery to improve vision may have a lower risk of developing dementia.

According to a 2024 study, people with high amounts of visceral fat-the deep hidden fat surrounding abdominal organs-also have higher levels of abnormal proteins in the brain that are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.

Having an extremely low LDL level from aggressive cholesterol-lowering therapy was not associated with cognitive impairment, according to a 2024 study.