Featured Topics: Brain Health
Chi3l1/YKL-40 Controls Astrocyte Circadian Clock and Alzheimer’s Disease Progression
Written by Joyce Smith, BS. This study demonstrated YKL-40 is both regulated by clock genes and involved in clearing away the potentially toxic build-up of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) proteins in the brain and that AD patients who carry a genetic variant that reduces...
Sleep Quality Predicts Beta-Amyloid Accumulation Across Subsequent Years
Written by Joyce Smith, BS. This study demonstrates that reduced slow-wave activity and low sleep efficiency at baseline are both associated with accelerated rate of cortical b-amyloid (Aß) plaque deposition. Study data show that self-reported daytime sleepiness 1 and...
Trajectories of Centenarian Cognitive Health are Associated with Risk Factors for Cognitive Decline
Written by Joyce Smith, BS. Cognitively healthy centenarians maintained high levels of cognitive performance even when exposed to risk factors of cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease and associated neuropathologies. Studies have shown that during the aging...
Napping Associated with Improved Cognitive Functioning in Elderly Chinese Population
Written by Joyce Smith, BS. This study demonstrates that afternoon napping is associated with better cognitive function in the Chinese aging population. Dementia is increasing due to a longer life expectancy 1 and currently has no effective treatment. Changes in sleep...
Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity Associated with Amyloid Beta Plaque in Brain Hippocampus?
Written by Joyce Smith, BS. Study finds that amyloid beta (Aß) plaques in the hippocampus and brainstem of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) does not correlate with OSA severity. OSA affects up to 30% of adults 1,2 and often leads to decreased attention,...
Vitamin D Supplementation Protects Against Dementia Risk
Written by Joyce Smith, BS. This study suggests that in a multiethnic cohort of older adults higher vitamin D intake was associated with decreased risk of dementia. Vitamin D deficiency, even at low levels, is prevalent worldwide 1,2 and a known risk factor for...
Evening Primrose Oil for Psychological Symptoms of Menopause
Written by Jessica Patella, ND. This study found evening primrose oil to be safe and effective for treating the psychological symptoms associated with menopause in women. An estimated 1.3 million women in the United States enter menopause each year. Menopause is...
Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Written by Joyce Smith, BS. This study suggests new diagnostic biomarkers for the identification of major depressive disorder (MDD). MDD is a common and debilitating mental disorder 1,2 that is difficult to diagnose. Because of a lack of biomarkers and an...
Dietary Flavanols for Better Brain Oxygenation and Cognition in Healthy Adults
Written by Joyce Smith, BS. The study results showed that the brains of healthy adult participants recovered faster when drinking a flavanol-enriched cocoa beverage prior to a mild vascular challenge, and performed better on complex cognitive tests. Flavanols are a...
Vitamin D and the Stress Response
Written by Jessica Patella, ND. This study suggests that Vitamin D supplementation during the winter months may support the body’s ability to recovery from psychophysiological stress. A recent study found eating fatty fish during the winter improved stress resilience...
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