Listening to Music After 70 May Cut Dementia Risk by Nearly 40%
Summary: Older adults who regularly listen to or play music may significantly lower their risk of dementia, according to a study of more than 10,800 people over age 70. Those who always listened to music showed a 39% lower risk of developing dementia and better memory performance, while those who played instruments had a 35% […]
Brain Circuits Split Food Choices Between Sugar and Fat Cravings
Summary: A new study reveals that the brain uses two distinct neural pathways to regulate sugar and fat intake. In mice, glucoprivation—a drop in blood sugar levels—activates separate circuits in the hypothalamus: AMPK-regulated CRH neurons drive high-carbohydrate consumption, while MC4R-expressing neurons promote high-fat food intake. These pathways are triggered by NPY neurons in the brainstem, […]
Alzheimer’s Disrupts Brain’s Internal Clock, Unraveling Gene Rhythms
Summary: Alzheimer’s disease not only damages memory but also distorts the brain’s internal clock, disrupting the daily rhythms of hundreds of genes tied to brain health. Researchers found that in mice with amyloid buildup, normal circadian gene activity in microglia and astrocytes—the brain’s immune and support cells—became erratic. This disruption affected genes that regulate waste […]
Swap 30 Minutes of Sitting for Light Activity to Boost Next-Day Mood
Summary: New research reveals that replacing even 30 minutes of sitting with light physical activity—like walking or doing household chores—can boost mood and energy the following day. The study tracked over 350 young adults using wearable monitors to assess daily movement patterns. Light activity showed the strongest link to better next-day feelings, outperforming both moderate […]
Brain’s Energy Flow Reveals Hidden Coordination During Deep Sleep
Summary: New brain imaging research has uncovered how the brain’s energy and activity reorganize as it transitions from wakefulness to deep NREM sleep. Using an advanced tri-modal EEG-PET-MRI approach, scientists found that while cognitive regions quiet down, sensory and motor areas stay active, keeping the brain responsive to the environment. Blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid […]
Gene Editing Reverses Age-Related Memory Loss
Summary: Researchers have identified molecular mechanisms behind age-related memory decline — and shown they can be reversed. Two studies revealed that correcting specific molecular processes in the hippocampus and amygdala, and reactivating a silenced memory-supporting gene called IGF2, improved memory in older rats. Using CRISPR-based gene-editing tools, scientists restored proper signaling and communication between neurons […]
Pain Resilience, Not Pain Itself, Predicts How Active People Stay
Summary: A new study reveals that how people think about and cope with chronic pain is more important than the pain itself in determining physical activity levels. Researchers found that individuals with higher pain resilience — the ability to maintain positive functioning despite pain — were significantly more active than those with lower resilience. Factors […]
Lack of Sleep in Teens Linked to Higher Suicide Risk
Summary: Teenagers who sleep less or experience frequent night awakenings are significantly more likely to attempt suicide later in adolescence, according to a major longitudinal study. Researchers analyzed data from more than 8,500 teens and found that poor sleep at age 14 predicted suicide attempts by age 17, even after accounting for other mental health […]
Brain’s Waste System Breakdown Linked to Dementia Risk
Summary: Researchers have discovered that problems with the brain’s waste-clearing system—the glymphatic system—may significantly raise the risk of developing dementia. In one of the largest studies to date, MRI data from 40,000 adults revealed that impaired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow predicts dementia risk years before symptoms appear. The findings show that cardiovascular issues like high […]
Poor Oral Health Linked to Brain Damage Markers
Summary: A new study finds that older adults with gum disease are more likely to show signs of white matter damage in the brain — a change tied to memory decline, balance issues, and higher stroke risk. MRI scans revealed that participants with gum disease had significantly more white matter hyperintensities than those without, even […]