Alzheimer's Archive

The Brain Care Score is a quiz developed to help people identify proven, actionable steps to lower their risk of stroke, dementia, and depression. It includes four physical components (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and body mass index); five lifestyle components (nutrition, alcohol intake, smoking, aerobic activities, and sleep); and three social-emotional components (stress management, social relationships, and meaning in life). Each response is given a point value, with the highest possible score totaling 21. Higher scores mean better brain care.

A recent study found that engaging in high-intensity interval training may be better for brain health than other less vigorous routines.

Caring for a person with dementia is physically, emotionally, logistically, and financially demanding. Caregivers can benefit from numerous services, such as caregiver support groups; respite care; and dementia care navigators, such as the local Area Agency on Aging (which can provide a long list of resources) or a local hospital dementia care program. It can also help to speak to doctors about consolidating appointments for the person with dementia and to reach out to family and friends to ask for assistance.

A 2024 Harvard study of more than 92,000 healthy men and women (average age 56) found that consuming about half a tablespoon of olive oil per day was associated with a 28% reduction in the risk for dementia-related death, regardless of diet quality.

As people age, cognitive skills wane and thinking and memory become more challenging, so they need to build up the brain's reserve. Embracing a new activity that requires thinking, learning, ongoing practice can be one of the best ways to improve cognitive skills like memory recall, problem solving, and processing speed.

Although less known and less understood than other types of dementia, Lewy body dementia is the second most common cause of neurodegenerative disease following Alzheimer's. How do its symptoms differ, who is at risk, and how is it diagnosed and treated?

A 2023 study suggests a blood test that looks for a specific biomarker may help identify people with Alzheimer's disease who may benefit from anti-amyloid therapy long before the disease is evident.

A 2024 study found that dietary supplements of galantamine-which is used to treat Alzheimer's symptoms-had an inaccurate amount of the plant extract listed on the label, ranging from less than 2% to 110% of the labeled quantity.