Individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) because of family history or genetic predisposition who engaged in six months of aerobic exercise training improved their brain glucose metabolism and higher-order thinking abilities (e.g., planning and mental flexibility) called executive function; these improvements occurred in conjunction with increased cardiorespiratory fitness. The results of this study are published in a special issue of Brain Plasticity devoted to Exercise and Cognition. Continue reading “Aerobic exercise training linked to enhanced brain function”
‘Lack of cleaning’ in brain cells is central to Alzheimer’s disease
Scientists around the world are still struggling to understand Alzheimer’s better in order to be able to treat and potentially prevent the development of the debilitating disease in the future. No new medications have been approved during recent years. Continue reading “‘Lack of cleaning’ in brain cells is central to Alzheimer’s disease”
Sleep deprivation accelerates Alzheimer’s brain damage
Poor sleep has long been linked with Alzheimer’s disease, but researchers have understood little about how sleep disruptions drive the disease. Continue reading “Sleep deprivation accelerates Alzheimer’s brain damage”
Decreased deep sleep linked to early signs of Alzheimer’s disease
Poor sleep is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. People with the disease tend to wake up tired, and their nights become even less refreshing as memory loss and other symptoms worsen. But how and why restless nights are linked to Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood. Continue reading “Decreased deep sleep linked to early signs of Alzheimer’s disease”
Exercise may delay cognitive decline in people with rare Alzheimer’s disease
For individuals carrying a genetic mutation that causes Alzheimer’s disease, engaging in at least 2.5 hours of physical activity per week may have beneficial effects on markers of Alzheimer’s disease brain changes and may delay cognitive decline, according to a new study available online by Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association as an article in press, corrected proof. Continue reading “Exercise may delay cognitive decline in people with rare Alzheimer’s disease”
Music activates regions of the brain spared by Alzheimer’s disease
Ever get chills listening to a particularly moving piece of music? You can thank the salience network of the brain for that emotional joint. Surprisingly, this region also remains an island of remembrance that is spared from the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at the University of Utah Health are looking to this region of the brain to develop music-based treatments to help alleviate anxiety in patients with dementia. Their research will appear in the April online issue of The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease. Continue reading “Music activates regions of the brain spared by Alzheimer’s disease”