Health News

New Genetic Clues About Rare Brain Disorder
Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare and devastating disease with no known treatments. New genetic clues could provide new insights into  neurodegenerative therapies.
Shock and Awe Memory Enhancement
Bridgid Finn, PhD, postdoctoral researcher in psychology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) reports that learning is enhanced by negative emotion, not diminished by that negative emotion. Memory is reactive and dynamic, not stagnant requiring only neutral or positive emotions to enhance memory. Retrieval of a memory still engages one in processing information. Finn offers an example of having a picture memory of a gun pointed at one just after taking the SAT, for example, probably isn’t the best situation for stored memory as there is an intri...
Detecting Dementia in Down Syndrome Adults
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a brain-scan technique that could help detect dementia in adults with Down syndrome. The researchers created a chemical marker, known as FDDNP.
Losing Weight May Save the Mind
It's now known that obesity increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. New research suggests that losing weight may help reduce these risks.
Impaired Brain Function Paired With Stroke Risks
Stroke death rates are higher in eight Southern US states which were named the "Stroke Belt" back in the mid-1960s. Researchers have added a new risk factor to this region - cognitive (mental processing) decline.
Imaging How we Think
The vast mysteries of the brain are continuing to be unraveled. Now scientists are able to identify someone's thought processes by using advanced MRI technology.
Blinding Blind Spot for Seniors
Most have a soft spot for our senior citizens, but when it comes to driving, seniors' blind spot takes over. In a safe driving study, the number of critical driving errors increased porportionally with age.  
Most of Us Have the Alzheimer's Gene
You're 24 years old and you're having trouble remembering names and movie plots. It's slightly troubling, but you pass it off to having millions of impressions and images bombard your brain every day. After all, you're too young to have Alzheimer's - right? Maybe not. If you're white, you probably have the gene that increases your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Pretty scary stuff. That's not all the bad news. This gene starts doing its damage decades before AD reveals its ugliest sides, even though symptoms don't show up for years. In startling new ...
No More Memory Like an Elephant
Where are my keys? Which row is my car on at the grocery store? Did I pay that bill? These are just  a few of the forgetful journeys one makes daily as age descends upon us.
Simple Lifestyle Habits Help Strengthen and Maintain Your Brain
Use it or lose it. How many times have we heard that? Now we're learning that exercising and nourishing the brain are essential for keeping your mind fit and flexible. What's more, we now know that maintaining an agile mind doesn't have to be difficult or painful. In fact, it can be loads of fun.