Forgetfulness—a part of aging as familiar as wrinkles and graying hair—can be a source of worry for many seniors. Is the growing tendency to forget words, recall names, or lose track of car keys normal... or is it an early sign of dementia? The good news is that in most … Read More
Do you feel as if you've been experiencing more short-term memory loss lately? Interestingly, what many of us think of as short-term memory—for example, recalling in the afternoon what we had for breakfast that morning—is actually defined by scientists as long-term memory. Short-term memory is technically limited to information learned … Read More
Ahh, brain fog. Why do you toy with me so? The other day I looked everywhere for my car keys. I was rushing so I could drop off my kids at school (finally!) when I realized they were missing (the keys, not the kids). I searched frantically: the kitchen, the … Read More
Researchers are exploring new approaches that are increasing scientific understanding of dementia with Lewy bodies (or DLB), also known as lewy body dementia. In one study, the transplantation of stem cells into DLB-damaged areas of the brains of mice revitalized those regions and resulted in dramatic improvements in the animals’ … Read More
Guaraná is a flowering vine that grows in Brazil along the Amazon River. In the 1600s, Native Amazonian tribes were the first to use guaraná seeds as a brain stimulant in foods, beverages, ointments, and medicines.[1] Researchers now understand that guaraná seed extract contains more caffeine than any other plant … Read More
When it comes to memory power and concentration, selecting the right brain food is essential. Certain foods have been shown to do a good job of protecting memory and cognition, while it’s equally as important to avoid others. Although diet isn’t the only factor that affects your brain’s prowess, it's … Read More
Chances are you’ve walked into a room and suddenly forgotten what you were looking for. Or perhaps during a conversation, a certain word eluded you. Those episodes, often dubbed “senior moments,” are generally just temporary lapses in memory, but dementia testing can help discern whether it's something more. “If we … Read More
It's an important question in trying to understand the chemicals that help define us: "What does serotonin do?" Serotonin is a neurotransmitter—a brain chemical that helps to activate communication between brain cells. Neurotransmitters work by binding to receptors (molecules of protein that receive external signals) on the surface of cells. … Read More
What is vascular dementia? It refers to a spectrum of cognitive impairments resulting from damage to blood vessels in the brain. Stroke, either a significant singular stroke or multiple smaller strokes, is a major cause of vascular dementia (VaD), but any disease process that damages blood vessels in the brain … Read More
Most of the time, memory blips are due to normal age-related changes, but sometimes memory complaints can herald the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)—a stage of memory loss that represents the first signs of dementia in many individuals. Taking a memory loss test can help determine whether you or … Read More
