The Checkup Archive: Alzheimers/Dementia
Does mental activity prevent dementia?
We've heard a lot about the idea that one way to protect against Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia is to stay mentally active. In fact, an entire industry has cropped up offering programs of mental exercises that will supposedly keep us sharp. But does doing crossword puzzles, learning...
By
Rob Stein
|
September 1, 2010; 4:00 PM ET |
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Comments (3)
Categories:
Aging
,
Alzheimers/Dementia
,
Neurological disorders
,
Prevention
,
Seniors
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Big study questions 'brain training'
Millions of people spend lots of time and money on computer games that supposedly will make them smarter. But a big new study is questioning the value of these so-called "brain training" games. In the largest study of its kind, Adrian Owen of the Medical Research Council's Cognition and Brain...
By
Rob Stein
|
April 21, 2010; 7:00 AM ET |
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Comments (8)
Categories:
Alzheimers/Dementia
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Mental Health
,
Neurological disorders
,
Psychology
,
Seniors
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Genetic screening: Can we handle the truth?
If genetic testing were to reveal that you were at increased risk of breast cancer or Alzheimer's disease, how would you cope with that knowledge? Two news items appearing in my inbox recently made me think hard about the value of blood tests for scary diseases. The University of Michigan...
By
Jennifer LaRue Huget
|
January 18, 2010; 7:00 AM ET |
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Comments (10)
Categories:
Alzheimers/Dementia
,
Cancer
,
Prevention
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The dangers of walking and talking
Remember the old joke about walking and chewing gum at the same time? Well, there's new evidence out today about what might be the modern equivalent: Walking and talking on a cell phone. And it's no laughing matter. Researchers at the University of Illinois studied 36 college students as they...
By
Rob Stein
|
November 18, 2009; 7:00 AM ET |
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Comments (5)
Categories:
Alzheimers/Dementia
,
Family Health
,
Prevention
,
Seniors
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Brain Exercises Can Delay Dementia
There's new evidence that exercising one's brain with mental activities can help keep dementia at bay. Charles Hall of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and colleagues studied 488 people ages 75 to 85 who did not have dementia when the study began. The subjects reported how...
By
Rob Stein
|
August 6, 2009; 7:00 AM ET |
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Comments (8)
Categories:
Alzheimers/Dementia
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Can Cutting Calories Boost Memory?
Here's another reason to cut back on your calories--it may help you remember where you left your keys. A new study has found that elderly people who significantly reduced their caloric intake appeared to significantly improve their memory. Previous research has found the severe caloric restriction might extend longevity, though...
By
Rob Stein
|
January 29, 2009; 7:00 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (2)
Categories:
Alzheimers/Dementia
,
Neurological disorders
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