cognitive decline

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To Offset, or Even Reverse, Cognitive Decline, Train Your Brain

Older adults saw a key brain chemical, acetylcholine, increase after BrainHQ exercises

(Newser) - A new study offers the first strong evidence in humans that cognitive training can increase levels of a brain chemical that plays a key role in learning and memory, which normally drops as people age. Researchers at McGill University tracked 92 healthy adults aged 65 and older over a 10-week...

Even Light Drinking Boosts Dementia Risk
Even Light Drinking
Jacks Your Dementia Risk
NEW STUDY
Oct 16, 2025 7:51 AM CDT

Even Light Drinking Jacks Your Dementia Risk

Prior 'one drink a day' advice was based on skewed data, new research suggests

(Newser) - A decades-old belief that a daily drink might do the brain some good just took another hit. According to a new study in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine , light, regular alcohol consumption can raise the risk of developing dementia. Researchers tracked more than 550,000 people aged 56 to 72 and...

Scientists Warn: 'Transient' Strokes Aren't So Transient

Researchers say people shouldn't dismiss or ignore ministrokes, tied to risk of cognitive decline

(Newser) - Many people ignore or downplay the sudden symptoms of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a ministroke—but new research suggests that's a mistake. A large study published in JAMA Neurology by the University of Alabama-Birmingham and University of Cincinnati tracked more than 30,000 adults and...

Emerging Theory: 'Loneliness Is a Symptom of Dementia'

Meta-analysis finds condition boosts risk of cognitive impairment by 15% and dementia by 31%

(Newser) - Loneliness isn't just associated with a higher risk of death , but also a higher risk of dementia, new research suggests. A meta-analysis of 21 studies involving more than 600,000 people finds loneliness is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia from any cause. Participants were...

Computer Analysis Shows How Trump's Speech Is Changing

Whether the differences are caused by aging or not, candidate is talking longer and more profanely now

(Newser) - Donald Trump has addressed the perception that his speeches have become less focused, darker, more rambling, and generally less in the moment. He's called his freewheeling style "the weave," saying it's an intentional and "brilliant" way to communicate. A computer analysis has put numbers to...

'I Think We're Onto Something Important' for Alzheimer's

Scientists believe the protein reelin may help shield brain from aging diseases

(Newser) - "I think we're onto something important for Alzheimer's," MIT neuroscientist Li-Huei Tsai tells NPR , after her team's latest research backs up a pair of previous studies regarding a protein they say may help fend off cognitive decline. That protein, reelin, appears to act as a...

On Alzheimer's, an Advance 'We've All Been Waiting For'

Eli Lilly's donanemab, sold as Kisunla, gets the FDA green light to help slow disease progression

(Newser) - Last summer, the Food and Drug Administration gave the thumbs-up to Leqembi, the first drug shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Now, almost a year to the day after that move, the government agency has greenlit a second drug: Eli Lilly's donanemab, sold under the brand...

Treating Hearing Loss Could 'Delay a Dementia Diagnosis'

Research offers hope for those at risk of cognitive decline

(Newser) - People at risk of cognitive decline could cut their risk in half by getting hearing aids. That's according to a new study that has experts questioning whether governments should prioritize hearing health as a means to reducing dementia risk, per CNN . Previous research has shown hearing loss is a...

This Could Be a 'Momentous, Historic' Moment in Fight Against Alzheimer's
FDA Approves
Early Treatment
Alzheimer's Drug
updated
Jan 6, 2023 2:21 PM CST

FDA Approves Early Treatment Alzheimer's Drug

Drug to be sold as Lequembi has safety concerns, however

(Newser) - A drug found to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease received federal approval on Friday for patients dealing with mild impairment. Lecanemab was effective in clinical trials but raised safety concerns, and experts say the benefits are not overwhelming, NBC News reports. Nevertheless, the FDA fast-tracked its approval, not...

Make Competency Exams Required for Older Doctors

Mandatory exams could help identify those experiencing cognitive decline

(Newser) - Cardiologist Sandeep Jauhar begins his opinion piece in the New York Times with a reference to Dr. Howard Tucker of Cleveland, who at age 100 is the world’s oldest practicing physician and an "extreme example" of an undeniable demographic trend: More American doctors than ever are working into...

Want to Throw Brakes on Aging Memory? Veggies, Fruits to the Rescue
'Simple' Dietary
Shift Could Save
Your Aging Brain
NEW STUDY
Nov 28, 2022 9:35 AM CST

'Simple' Dietary Shift Could Save Your Aging Brain

Scientists: Subjects who ate more flavonols found in fruits, veggies saw slower rate of memory loss

(Newser) - You may have more control than you think over your brain health as you age, specifically when it comes to how your memory functions, if results from a new study are any indication. Research published earlier this month in the journal Neurology has found that individuals who consume more flavonols—...

In US, 10% of Those Over Age 65 Have Dementia
10% of American
Seniors Have Dementia
NEW STUDY
Oct 25, 2022 5:43 AM CDT

10% of American Seniors Have Dementia

New study found Black and Hispanic people were at higher risk for cognitive decline

(Newser) - The first nationally representative study of the prevalence of cognitive decline in the US that has been carried out in more than two decades found that 10% of Americans over the age of 65 have dementia and another 22% have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The study, published in JAMA Neurology...

Dementia Clues Appear Almost a Decade Before Diagnosis
Dementia Clues Appear
Almost a Decade
Before Diagnosis
in case you missed it
Oct 16, 2022 4:20 PM CDT

Dementia Clues Appear Almost a Decade Before Diagnosis

Individuals showing signs of cognitive impairment could be key in treatment trials

(Newser) - Memory loss and cognitive impairment may be detectable up to nine years before an official dementia diagnosis, according to research offering some hope for early intervention. Alzheimer's and dementia are hard to treat, as diagnosis usually comes after symptoms appear, at which point it may be too late to...

After Aduhelm Debacle, New Alzheimer's Drug Emerges

Biogen, partner Eisai: Clinical trial for lecanemab shows promising 27% slowing of cognitive decline

(Newser) - Last year, the FDA approved aducanumab , marketed as Aduhelm , a controversial drug made by Biogen and its Japanese partner Eisai to treat Alzheimer's. Things didn't go well, though, with expert opposition to the costly medication and a final death blow to its place in the market after Medicare...

Study Sees Unexpected Benefit for Kids Who Play Music

Learning an instrument early may help keep the mind sharp in old age, study suggests

(Newser) - A new study out of Scotland offers a powerful argument for having children or teens learn a musical instrument—they may end up with sharper minds in old age. The study from the University of Edinburgh found what researchers describe as a small but "statistically significant" link between the...

iPhones of the Future May Keep Tabs on Your Mental Health

Apple has teamed up with Biogen, UCLA to study depression, anxiety, cognitive decline

(Newser) - We rely on our devices for practically everything these days, and Apple apparently hopes we'll soon check our iPhones to get a better handle on our mental health. The tech giant has previously teamed up with UCLA on mental health research, and with pharmaceuticals company Biogen on studying cognitive...

NFL to Stop 'Race-Norming'
NFL to Stop 
'Race-Norming'
Jun 3, 2021 12:01 AM CDT

NFL to Stop 'Race-Norming'

Black players' claims of brain injuries will be reviewed

(Newser) - The NFL on Wednesday pledged to halt the use of “race-norming”—which assumed Black players started out with lower cognitive function—in the $1 billion settlement of brain injury claims and review past scores for any potential race bias, the AP reports. The practice made it harder for...

One Thing, Above All, Will Guard Your Brain
To Protect Your Brain
Health, Do One Thing
studies say
Jan 4, 2020 2:30 PM CST

To Protect Your Brain Health, Do One Thing

Author Jane Brody advises people to protect their hearing

(Newser) - Want to protect your cognitive powers? One way—and possibly the best—is to avoid prolonged loud noises that can weaken your hearing. So argues Jane Brody at the New York Times , saying she hopes to influence the 38 million Americans with untreated hearing loss, herself included. "According to...

5 Behaviors May Hold Off Alzheimer's
These 5 Behaviors May
Hold Off Alzheimer's
study says
Jul 16, 2019 12:08 PM CDT

These 5 Behaviors May Hold Off Alzheimer's

Study finds lifestyle choices may have a big impact

(Newser) - Alzheimer's is still an incurable disease, but a new study finds that certain lifestyle choices appear to protect against mental decline and stave off the disease—even in people with an increased genetic risk of dementia. Researchers found that people engaging in four out of the following five key...

Doing Puzzles Won't Stave Off Mental Decline
Doing Puzzles
Won't Stave Off
Mental Decline
new study
Dec 11, 2018 8:02 AM CST

Doing Puzzles Won't Stave Off Mental Decline

But researchers do see a benefit for those who indulge

(Newser) - Scottish researchers have some good news and bad news for those who do crosswords, Suduko, and similar puzzles. Such brain-training exercises will not prevent mental decline or ward off dementia, suggests their new study in the British Medical Journal . However, the researchers do see a benefit for puzzlers, making a...

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