September 8, 2020

Common Meds Tied to Faster Mental Decline in Seniors

THURSDAY, Sept. 3, 2020 -- A group of widely used medications might speed up older adults' mental decline -- especially if they are at increased risk of dementia, a new study hints.

The medications in question are called anticholinergics, and they are used to treat a diverse range of conditions -- from allergies, motion sickness and overactive bladder to high blood pressure, depression and Parkinson's disease.

September 2, 2020

Can Seniors Handle Results of Alzheimer's Risk Tests?

MONDAY, Aug. 10, 2020 -- As researchers hone in on ways to detect whether someone has a high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease before they have any symptoms, mental health professionals have worried what the psychological fallout of that knowledge might be.

But new research suggests that people can handle the truth.

September 2, 2020

Do Your Sleep Patterns Affect Your Risk of Alzheimer's Disease?

MONDAY, Aug. 24, 2020 -- Disturbed sleep doesn't cause Alzheimer's disease, but some sleep patterns may be more common in people who have a high genetic risk for it, a new study reports.

Those patterns include being a morning person, having shorter sleep duration and being less likely to have insomnia, according to findings published in the Aug. 19 online issue of the journal Neurology.

August 3, 2020

Could the Flu Shot Lower Your Risk for Alzheimer's?

MONDAY, July 27, 2020 -- Getting vaccinated to protect against pneumonia and flu may offer an unexpected benefit -- a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests.

Two new studies being presented Monday at this summer's virtual Alzheimer's Association International Conference found a lower incidence of Alzheimer's in people who got flu and pneumonia vaccines. A third study underscored the importance of prevention, reporting that people with dementia are more likely than others to die if they get serious infections.

August 3, 2020

Blood Test Heralds New Era in Alzheimer's Diagnosis

TUESDAY, July 28, 2020 -- A new blood test offers hope that doctors may soon be able to diagnose Alzheimer's disease with astonishing accuracy.

A study led by Swedish researchers found the test did more than differentiate between Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. It also spotted signs of Alzheimer's two decades before symptoms appeared in people who were genetically predisposed to develop the degenerative disease.

August 3, 2020

Researchers Zero in on Alzheimer's Disease Risk Factors

MONDAY, July 20, 2020 -- Ten risk factors may affect your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a new Chinese study suggests.

Focusing on these factors could help doctors develop guidelines for preventing Alzheimer's, researchers say. The risk factors include mental activity, obesity in late life, depression, diabetes and high blood pressure.