A Healthy Middle-Aged Heart May Protect Your Brain Later

TUESDAY, April 11, 2017 -- Healthy aging of the brain relies on the health of your heart and blood vessels when you're younger, a new study reports.

People with risk factors for heart disease and stroke in middle age are more likely to have elevated levels of amyloid, a sticky protein known to clump together and form plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease, the researchers said.

Past Psychiatric Ills Don't Raise Alzheimer's Risk: Study

MONDAY, April 10, 2017 -- Having a mental health disorder doesn't mean a person will develop Alzheimer's disease later in like, a new study suggests.

Researchers examined long-term data from nearly 60,000 people in Finland with and without Alzheimer's disease.

Xanax, Valium May Boost Pneumonia Risk in Alzheimer's Patients

MONDAY, April 10, 2017 -- Alzheimer's patients given sedatives such as Valium or Xanax may have an increased risk for pneumonia, a new study warns.

People with Alzheimer's disease are often given these drugs, called benzodiazepines, over the long term, the researchers said.

Study: Gene Test Needed Before Using Alzheimer's Drug 'Off-Label'

TUESDAY, March 7, 2017 -- A drug used to treat Alzheimer's disease should not be prescribed to people with milder mental impairment without first giving them a genetic test, a new study urges.

The drug is donepezil (brand name: Aricept).

Annual Death Toll From Alzheimer's Nearly Doubles in 15 Years

TUESDAY, March 7, 2017 -- Alzheimer's disease claims nearly twice as many American lives annually as it did just 15 years ago, a new report shows.

"And that's frankly alarming," said Keith Fargo, director of scientific programs and outreach at the Alzheimer's Association, which produced the report.

Unhealthy in Middle Age, Dementia in Old Age?

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 22, 2017 -- Middle-aged men and women at risk for heart disease may also face a higher chance of dementia later in life, a new study suggests.

Risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes might boost the odds of dementia almost as much as carrying the gene that raises the risk of Alzheimer's disease, the researchers reported.