Brain health Archive

Many memory lapses are part of aging and don't signal Alzheimer's disease. Types of forgetfulness that usually aren't symptoms of dementia include forgetting names or details temporarily, misplacing objects but retracing steps to recover them, and occasional word retrieval problems. Signs of dementia include repeating questions and stories, getting lost on familiar routes, challenges with planning or solving problems, difficulty completing familiar tasks, new problems with words in speaking or writing, and withdrawing from social activities.

A 2025 study suggested that following a green-Mediterranean diet - which includes walnuts, green tea, and the aquatic plant Mankai - may be linked with slower brain aging.

A 2025 study suggests that owning a dog or cat may help slow cognitive decline as people age.

A 2025 study of 250 people found that the brain can tell the immune system to prepare for impending infection even before a microbe enters the body. Scientists asked volunteers to don virtual reality headsets that showed various virtual people approaching them. Some of those approaching appeared to be healthy and others appeared to be sick. Brain scans and blood tests showed that participants' brains activated their immune systems when a virtual sick person simply came near them.

In a 2025 study, adults 45 and older with a strong sense of purpose were 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia compared with individuals who had a low sense of purpose.

People who suffer from chronic insomnia are more likely to develop cognitive problems and score lower on thinking and memory tests compared with individuals without chronic insomnia, a 2025 study suggests.

A 2025 study of over 5,600 women and men followed for over 30 years found that following a Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and improve cognitive function. The effect is strongest in people who carry two copies of the Alzheimer's risk gene APOE4.

A 2025 study suggested that consuming larger amounts of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and xylitol may be linked to faster declines in memory and thinking skills.

The vast majority of older adults would want to know if they're in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and would want a blood test to learn for certain, according to a 2025 poll. Advances in testing and treatment may fuel this desire for knowledge. There are pros and cons to knowing this information. People with an early Alzheimer's diagnosis can plan ahead, seek support, and may feel motivated to maintain their health. But the diagnosis may jeopardize their job or insurance coverage, as well as trigger anxiety or depression.

A 2025 study suggests that sleeping nine or more hours nightly is associated with worse cognitive performance, an effect that's stronger among people with symptoms of depression.