Losing One’s Mind
Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. The most common form of dementia among older people is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which initially involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. Although scientists are learning more every day, right now they still do [...]
Want to get smarter?
Here’s an article in the New York Times that suggests ways to improve our thinking. Learning new material, yoga, aerobic exercise and caffeine are all mentioned as ways to stay sharp and in tune. In addition, there’s a link to another article that explains what mental status tests are, how they are performed and what [...]
A Comprehensive Overview on Alzheimer’s Disease
April 18, 2008 – 11:22 pm
It seems that Alzheimer’s disease crops up in the news every week…..new drugs, new risk factors, compelling personal stories. Here’s a very informative article and two videos from the New York Times that humanize and sum up what the disease is about from different perspectives. Read more about it here…
Is Depression Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease?
According to the Alzheimer’s Association as many as 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, and it is fatal. Today it is the seventh-leading cause of death in [...]
Brain Cells Work Together
A group of researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Maryland have found that when brain cells in the hippocampus communicate with each other, the signal that travels from an axon to a dendritic spine simultaneously stimulates multiple other spines in the same neighborhood. This multiple transmission of information may help us learn and [...]
Is Your Brain Happy?
As we know, different parts of the brain are involved in different functions. Just as there are parts of the brain involved in depression, there are parts responsible for positive emotion. Further, mounting research suggests that the adult brain is changeable, or “plastic” as opposed to becoming fixed in adolescence. What this means is that [...]
November 24, 2007 – 5:56 pm
Overindulging during the Thanksgiving holidays? Don’t feel guilty because many of the foods we eat during the festivities contain significant amounts of antioxidants. Turkey, cranberries, stuffing and even hot cocoa can deliver benefits to your brain. Read the article in Psychology Today and reach for the leftovers!
November 12, 2007 – 11:42 pm
Stress is the condition or feeling experienced when the demands pressing upon an individual exceed the personal coping skills and social resources he or she can mobilize. As we all know, stress plays a prominent role in our daily lives, generally evoking negative associations. Aside from being associated with heart disease, a weak immune system, [...]
October 19, 2007 – 11:00 am
Certain foods can increase your brain power and can keep you living healthier and longer. And since the brain is a hungry organ in the sense that it is metabolically active, we need to feed it with the right foods for optimal performance. Here are 4 tips for an intelligent diet. 1. Water Our brains [...]
October 9, 2007 – 12:31 pm
The question often arises whether elderly people who are unfamiliar with computers might become hesitant or discouraged when they attempt to engage in cognitive training exercises. Just the process of mastering computer access, even with just one application, can be a huge confidence building opportunity, which itself boosts brain stimulation. Although elders may need more [...]