Condition Spotlight
Cognitive health is the ability to clearly think, learn, and remember. It is an important component of brain health. Others include motor function, which is how well a person can make and control movements; emotional function, which is how well a person can interpret and respond to emotions; and sensory function which evaluates how well a person can feel and respond to sensations of touch, such as pressure, pain, and temperature.
To families and friends, caring for a loved one with dementia faces several difficulties. Dementia patients from disorders like Alzheimer’s and related illnesses are undergoing a gradual biological brain disorder that makes it increasingly difficult Read More
More than 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. As we age we become significantly at risk for declining brain health as one in nine people age 65 and older have dementia. This Read More
Around a third of people aged 85 or older show signs of Alzheimer’s, which is the leading cause of dementia and cognitive decline. Many people are worried about cognitive decline as they age, as it Read More
Representing more than 99% of our genetic material, the friendly microbes in our bodies take up a lot of space. Mainly residing in the gut, our bugs were here first, have co-evolved with us, and Read More
It’s tempting to dip into the leftover Holiday treats, but new research out of York University has found eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, combined with regular exercise, leads to better cognitive functioning for younger Read More
A variety of physical changes in the aging brain can trigger cognitive impairment and memory loss. Age-related thinning of the cerebral cortex, a decrease in the production of neurotransmitters (the brain’s chemical messengers) and the Read More
The global prevalence of dementia is growing at an alarming rate. According to a forecast reported by the Alzheimer’s Association, the number of people with dementia is estimated to triple by 2050. (1) Although lifestyle Read More
“We wanted to look into these effects because previous studies have demonstrated the benefits of horse-riding with respect to enhancing physical health and the mental effects, but few studies have addressed the effects of horseback Read More
A new study by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine adds to the canon of research associating physical activity with cognitive performance, this time using 90 middle-aged and older subjects who Read More
Frequent sauna bathing can reduce the risk of dementia, according to a recent study carried out at the University of Eastern Finland. In a 20-year follow-up, men taking a sauna 4-7 times a week were Read More
Cognitive health is the ability to clearly think, learn, and remember. Functions such as motor skills, emotional responses, and sensory responses indicate a resilience to neuropathological damage.
Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors are all thought to influence cognition and health. Some of these factors may contribute to a decline in thinking skills and the ability to perform everyday tasks.
Environmental and lifestyle factors which patients can control are risk factors for health problems. These can include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and depression, and brain injuries. Studies have shown and agreed on risk factors which can contribute to cognitive decline. These include some medicines, or improper use of them, lack of physical activity, poor diet, and smoking. They can also include drinking too much alcohol, sleep problems, little social activity or being alone most of the time.
