How Your Brain’s Immune System Affects Your Mood and Memory

Austin Perlmutter M.D. on May 15, 2020 in The Modern Brain

Your brain has an immune system—and it may be affecting your thoughts.

Your brain has an immune system—and it may be affecting your thoughts.

What's the Probability that the Next President Will Have Dementia?

Christopher J. Ferguson Ph.D. on May 12, 2020 in Checkpoints

The presumed nominees for the two major parties are the oldest in US history. What's the likelihood that our next president will have at least mild cognitive impairment?

The presumed nominees for the two major parties are the oldest in US history. What's the likelihood that our next president will have at least mild cognitive impairment?

Is Retirement Bad for Your Mental Health?

David Ludden Ph.D. on May 11, 2020 in Talking Apes

A new study shows that older Americans can stay psychologically fit long after retirement, but only if they keep themselves mentally challenged.

A new study shows that older Americans can stay psychologically fit long after retirement, but only if they keep themselves mentally challenged.

Why Are Sleep Disturbances So Common in Dementia?

Andrew E. Budson M.D. on May 10, 2020 in Managing Your Memory

Disrupted sleep cycle and poor sleep hygiene are common reasons why individuals with dementia are up in the middle of the night.

Disrupted sleep cycle and poor sleep hygiene are common reasons why individuals with dementia are up in the middle of the night.

When Memory Fails From Dementia, Art Is the Key to the Soul

Meredith Resnick L.C.S.W. on May 7, 2020 in More Than Caregiving

Art provides a means of expression for those with limited ability to engage in conversation, or even answer simple questions, as the result of dementia—and a connection for carers.

Art provides a means of expression for those with limited ability to engage in conversation, or even answer simple questions, as the result of dementia—and a connection for carers.

Why Some People Are Able to Stay Sharp Past Age 100

Christopher Bergland on May 6, 2020 in The Athlete's Way

People over age 95 without dementia tend to have stronger "left brain-right brain" functional connectivity, a new study reports.

People over age 95 without dementia tend to have stronger "left brain-right brain" functional connectivity, a new study reports.

Much like athletes, domestic violence victims often experience repeated head injuries that may lead to long-term problems such as dementia and cognitive dysfunction.

My Advice After Doing Phone Therapy for 20 Years

Paul Joannides Psy.D. on May 1, 2020 in As You Like It

I have done therapy on the phone for the past twenty years. Here are my suggestions for therapists who are doing teletherapy for the first time.

I have done therapy on the phone for the past twenty years. Here are my suggestions for therapists who are doing teletherapy for the first time.

Are They Jealous? Do They Cry or Laugh for No Reason?

Andrew E. Budson M.D. on April 18, 2020 in Managing Your Memory

Jealousy, binge eating, and abnormal crying and laughing are just a few behaviors that occur in dementia. Here's why.

Jealousy, binge eating, and abnormal crying and laughing are just a few behaviors that occur in dementia. Here's why.

The Benefits of Brain-Boosting Hobbies

John Randolph Ph.D., ABPP on April 9, 2020 in The Healthy, Engaged Brain

How much do our pastimes affect the brain?

How much do our pastimes affect the brain?

Improvisation's Benefits for People With Dementia

Clay Drinko, Ph.D. on April 7, 2020 in Play Your Way Sane

Dementia changes people. But the principles of improvisation can increase positive engagement and help caregivers and loved ones stay connected.

Dementia changes people. But the principles of improvisation can increase positive engagement and help caregivers and loved ones stay connected.

What Remains of the Self After Memory Is Gone?

David Ludden Ph.D. on April 6, 2020 in Talking Apes

New research shows that even when Alzheimer’s patients have lost all autobiographical memories, their personality remains intact.

New research shows that even when Alzheimer’s patients have lost all autobiographical memories, their personality remains intact.

Science says hormone replacement therapy makes life better after menopause. So why are we so afraid of it?

Acetyl-L-Carnitine May Help Sharpen Your Memory

Nootralize - Cognitive Enhancement on March 25, 2020 in Experience Engineering

Can Acetyl-L-Carnitine improve memory performance? New research suggests it does.

Can Acetyl-L-Carnitine improve memory performance? New research suggests it does.

Damage Limitation

Robert J King Ph.D. on March 25, 2020 in Hive Mind

What is coming as a response to COVID-19 is going to need psychological support as well as medical expertise.

What is coming as a response to COVID-19 is going to need psychological support as well as medical expertise.

Personality May Predict Changes in Alzheimer's-Related Brain Areas

Susan McQuillan M.S., RDN on March 25, 2020 in Cravings

A more open, and less compliant, personality may be related to brain health.

A more open, and less compliant, personality may be related to brain health.

Sleep Sweeps Mind of "Monsters," Helps Fight Dementia

Alex Dimitriu M.D. on March 25, 2020 in Psychiatry and Sleep

There is growing evidence of a relationship between lost, fragmented, and disordered sleep and incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

There is growing evidence of a relationship between lost, fragmented, and disordered sleep and incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Not everything a public figure does is an indicator of a psychological disorder.

Do Nootropics Actually Help Alzheimer's and Other Ills?

Richard E. Cytowic M.D. on March 10, 2020 in The Fallible Mind

Life hackers make dubious claims for all sorts of cognitive enhancers. A small number have withstood scrutiny. More evidence-based research lies ahead to repair failing minds.

Life hackers make dubious claims for all sorts of cognitive enhancers. A small number have withstood scrutiny. More evidence-based research lies ahead to repair failing minds.

Why Do People with Dementia Suddenly Become Aggressive?

Andrew E. Budson M.D. on March 4, 2020 in Managing Your Memory

When the part of the brain that allows for a thoughtful pause between stimulus and response deteriorates, anything can happen.

When the part of the brain that allows for a thoughtful pause between stimulus and response deteriorates, anything can happen.

Heart Disease Predicts Death from Virus

Joshua S. Yamamoto M.D. on March 2, 2020 in Silent Killer

The leading risk factor for death from the new Coronavirus is heart disease. Many people have a heart that cannot stand the stress of this infection. There is a lot you can do.

The leading risk factor for death from the new Coronavirus is heart disease. Many people have a heart that cannot stand the stress of this infection. There is a lot you can do.

Is Alzheimer’s Disease Actually a Sleep Disorder?

Melissa Burkley Ph.D. on February 25, 2020 in The Social Thinker

Think Alzheimer’s is only a memory disease? Think again. Recent discoveries linking Alzheimer’s and sleep problems has implications for diagnosis and treatment.

Think Alzheimer’s is only a memory disease? Think again. Recent discoveries linking Alzheimer’s and sleep problems has implications for diagnosis and treatment.

Here’s What You Told Me to Remember

Greg O'Brien on February 21, 2020 in On Pluto

“If you want to understand the brain,” said Harry Grundfest, “you’re going to have to take a reductionist approach, one cell at a time."

“If you want to understand the brain,” said Harry Grundfest, “you’re going to have to take a reductionist approach, one cell at a time."

When Does Brain Aging Start? The Answer Might Surprise You

Michelle Braun Ph.D., ABPP-CN on February 16, 2020 in High Octane Brain

Boosting brain health early in life has long-term (and surprising) benefits.

Boosting brain health early in life has long-term (and surprising) benefits.

Exercise and the Non-Neuronal Brain

Nathan Michaels, Ph.D. on February 14, 2020 in Myelin Matters

Exercise undoubtedly has beneficial effects on neurons. But over 50 percent of the brain is non-neuronal. What effect does exercise have on some of these cells and structures?

Exercise undoubtedly has beneficial effects on neurons. But over 50 percent of the brain is non-neuronal. What effect does exercise have on some of these cells and structures?

The Tragedy of Erotomania

Amee Baird Ph.D. on February 8, 2020 in Sex in the Brain

Erotomania is a delusion that can give us unique insights into the brain regions that control love.

Erotomania is a delusion that can give us unique insights into the brain regions that control love.

Hey, Google, Show Me How Not to Forget

Randy Kulman Ph.D. on February 6, 2020 in Screen Play

Can Google Assistant and other virtual assistants help with a failing memory? Yes, but first you'll need to know what you want to remember and if you want Google to know it all.

Can Google Assistant and other virtual assistants help with a failing memory? Yes, but first you'll need to know what you want to remember and if you want Google to know it all.

Why Does Behavior Deteriorate in Dementia?

Andrew E. Budson M.D. on January 25, 2020 in Managing Your Memory

The new parts of the brain that evolved for social cooperation can break down, leading to problems including depression, anxiety, irritability, and agitation.

The new parts of the brain that evolved for social cooperation can break down, leading to problems including depression, anxiety, irritability, and agitation.

New Insight on Preventing Dementia

Joshua S. Yamamoto M.D. on January 24, 2020 in Silent Killer

We know more about preventing dementia than you may think. We're just not asking the right people the right questions.

We know more about preventing dementia than you may think. We're just not asking the right people the right questions.

Confessions of a Caregiver

Greg O'Brien on January 16, 2020 in On Pluto

I pledge to find the beauty in each day—a shaft of sunlight through a tree’s black limbs, a marsh at high tide, an explosion of red leaves still clinging to a branch.

I pledge to find the beauty in each day—a shaft of sunlight through a tree’s black limbs, a marsh at high tide, an explosion of red leaves still clinging to a branch.