Brain health Archive

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

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.

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.

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.

Everyone should learn what to do if a heart attack or stroke occurs, beyond calling 911. It helps to become familiar with heart attack and stroke symptoms, so they can be recognized. It's also important to speak with one's own doctor in advance, to find out if he or she advises taking an aspirin in one of those emergencies. Other precautions include keeping emergency contact and medication lists updated and handy, and talking about emergency plans with family and friends, especially one's health care proxy.

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.

A 2025 study suggests that women who score highly on a brain health measurement incorporating physical, lifestyle, social, and emotional factors face lower stroke odds.

There are currently nine trials of vaccines for Alzheimer's disease under way. All of them are in people with mild Alzheimer's or with the pre-Alzheimer's condition called mild cognitive impairment. All of the vaccines are designed to encourage the immune system to remove protein deposits from the brain. Most experimental vaccines are given by injection; one being tested at Harvard Medical School uses a nasal spray. It will be several years before we know if any of them will work.