Mind & Mood Archive

Articles

Exercise protects against age-related brain shrinkage

A study published in the journal Neurology finds that walking and other physical activity can protect the brain from age-related cognitive changes.

Alzheimer's drug update

Harvard researchers help test new drugs that could strike at the root of Alzheimer's disease. Here's where things stand.

In October 2012, scientists at the American Neurological Association (ANA) meeting in Boston presented the latest findings on a new generation of Alzheimer's medications. These drugs are designed to fight the build-up of abnormal amyloid protein in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. Experts hope that blocking amyloid will delay or possibly even stop the progression of the illness.

Regular exercise reduces the risk of mental decline

Physically active older adults are less likely to decline mentally, even if they already have brain changes that could put them at higher risk, according to a study in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

The study involved 638 people ages 65 to 84. As shown by MRI scans, the participants already had developed changes to the underlying circuitry of the brain. Such "white matter changes" can be a warning sign of future mental decline. The study participants were all still living independently.

Can we reverse Alzheimer's?

New approaches from Harvard offer hope.

Finding a way to prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD), or to reverse the damage it does, is one of medicine's great challenges as we enter 2013. Over the past 20 years, great progress has been made in understanding the changes in brain chemistry that lead to AD. Yet translating this knowledge into treatments has been difficult. Witness the collapse of two major AD drug trials this past autumn (solanezumab and bapineuzumab). But two Harvard doctors are forging ahead with entirely new approaches that offer hope for meaningful treatment in the near future.

In Neuro AD treatment, when the person responds
to a question (A), the physician is able to see the
brain activity associated with that response (B).

Depression and obesity: Confirming the link

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Thinkstock
Start small. Find a walking buddy.

Small effort can lead to big changes.

Being overweight is a risk factor for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and even certain kinds of cancer. Now a study from France that followed more than 9,000 older adults for 10 years confirms that obesity is also associated with depression. "Yes, obesity and depression are linked. And the causation probably goes in both directions," says Dr. Michael Craig Miller, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Miller explains that depression and obesity feed each other. "Obesity affects the parts of the brain that regulate your mood. When you're depressed, low energy and motivation can translate into less activity and exercise. The result may be weight gain," he says. "If both problems have a hold on you, it's hard to break their grip." Excess weight has adverse effects on the health of your heart, knees, and hips.

Why it's hard to change unhealthy behavior -- and why you should keep trying

Adopting healthier lifestyle habits doesn't happen at once, but is a process that happens in stages. Setbacks along the way are normal, but they provide opportunities for growth and learning.

Losing your sense of smell?

How to know when it signals a bigger health issue.

You may take it for granted that a loss of smell is just part of aging. And to some degree, you're right. "After age 65, many people lose some sense of smell, and we don't know exactly why," says Dr. Eric Holbrook, assistant professor of otology and laryngology of Harvard Medical School. But if loss of smell lasts longer than a few weeks, it may indicate an underlying problem.

Ask the doctor: Can migraines lead to memory loss?

Q. I have frequent migraine headaches. Does this increase my risk of memory loss or dementia?

A. This is a logical question, given that some studies have linked migraine headaches to an increased risk of symptomatic stroke as well as "silent" stroke. As we wrote in June, multiple "silent" or unnoticed strokes may lead to progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and dementia. Your question is particularly important for women, since we are more likely to have migraine headaches than men, and we also have a higher prevalence of dementia.

Mind and memory supplement scorecard

Reliable evidence that supplements actually work is lacking, but exercise and a Mediterranean-style diet support healthy brain aging.

Can taking a pill improve your memory or boost your brain function? Never has one question launched so many health newsletter articles—not to mention so many purchases online and at the drugstore. "My patients and their families ask a lot about supplements, and I try to point them to whatever evidence we have," says Dr. Gad Marshall, an assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. He also helps to run clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Dr. Marshall's list of supplements that people ask about include B vitamins (folic acid, B6, and B12), antioxidants (vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10), herbal supplements (huperzine A, ginkgo biloba), and nutraceuticals (fish oil, curcumin, coconut oil). For now, you can cross most of these products off your shopping list for lack of evidence. "There are a lot of things out there for which we have no data on whether they are safe or do anything to help," Dr. Marshall says.

Healthy brain aging: No strain, no gain

To keep your mental skills and memory in tip-top shape, take on new challenges, get out of your comfort zone, and be social.

Use it or lose it: How many times have you heard that timeworn principle of healthy brain aging? Scientists say that living a mentally active life is as important as regular physical exercise. Just as your muscles grow stronger with use, mental exercise keeps your mental skills and memory in tone.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss...from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.

BONUS! Sign up now and
get a FREE copy of the
Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.