Bacteria in your mouth may hold clues to your brain health and dementia risk – new study: Could the bacteria in your mouth predict whether you are at risk of dementia? Emerging research suggests that the bacteria living on your tongue and gums may affect how the brain works and how it changes as we …
More than a third of people don’t know they have dementia – what to do if you suspect your partner has the condition: LightField Studios/Shutterstock Around 36% of people in England with dementia are unaware they have the condition, according to a new report from the Dementia Commission. The report suggests things health and care …
4 tips to help your loved one with dementia enjoy the festive season: Ground Picture/Shutterstock The festive season is fast approaching, and if you’re organising celebrations with family or friends, you might be grappling with a seemingly endless to-do list. But as you make these plans, it’s important to consider how you can best include …
Nanoplastics linked to Parkinson’s and some types of dementia – new study: meeboonstudio/Shutterstock Since it was first produced at the start of the 20th century, synthetic plastic – and especially plastic packaging – has been an ever-present fixture in everyday life. Yet all the convenience plastic has given us comes at a price. When plastic …
New blood tests for dementia announced, but what can they tell us and who will benefit?: Pickadook/Shutterstock A five-year, £5 million initiative has just been launched to investigate the feasibility of using new blood tests in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Society are working with the National Institute for …
Frontotemporal dementia: we discovered a brain fold that may delay onset of symptoms: Bruce Willis's frontotemporal diagnosis was revealed earlier this year. Featureflash Photo Agency/ Shutterstock Few people had probably heard of frontotemporal dementia until earlier this year, when the family of actor Bruce Willis announced the 68-year-old had been diagnosed with the condition. Frontotemporal …
Your biological age predicts dementia and stroke regardless of your actual age – new study: tomertu/Shutterstock As we journey through life, the risk of developing chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease and neurological disorders, increases significantly. However, while we all grow older chronologically at the same pace, biologically, our clocks can tick faster or slower. …
People with dementia in care homes aren’t getting enough help with their hearing loss – new survey: wave break media/Shutterstock Most care home residents have both dementia and hearing loss, which can leave them feeling lonely and depressed. Hearing loss and dementia both cause difficulties with listening, understanding and communicating. This can lead to breakdowns …
Wegovy and Ozempic: could the new weight-loss drug also treat dementia?: Over 55 million people worldwide have dementia. This mind-robbing condition has a huge impact on society and the economy, so scientists are working hard to find ways to treat or prevent it. One of the avenues being explored is the new weight-loss jab, Wegovy. …
Bad dreams in children linked to a higher risk of dementia and Parkinson’s disease in adulthood – new study: Pressmaster/Shutterstock Can children’s dreams foretell events that will happen nearly 40 years into the future? Yes, according to the results of my latest study published in The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine journal. More specifically, it showed that children …
Bruce Willis has frontotemporal dementia – here’s what we know about the disease: American actor Bruce Willis has frontotemporal dementia, his family has announced. In 2022, the 67-year-old action movie star was diagnosed with aphasia – difficulty with language and speech. Aphasia can occur for a variety of reasons (most commonly stroke) but for Willis, …
Unlocking new clues to how dementia and Alzheimer’s work in the brain – Uncharted Brain podcast series: This week on The Conversation Weekly podcast we’re running a three-part series called Uncharted Brain: Decoding Dementia, which delves into new research searching for answers to how dementia works in the brain and the damage it leaves behind. …
Families of athletes with dementia linked to brain trauma on watching somebody you love disappear – Uncharted Brain podcast part 2: Traumatic brain injury from sports such as American football is linked with a form of dementia called chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Steve Jacobson/Shutterstock Dementia doesn’t just affect older people. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a …
Uncharted Brain: Decoding Dementia – introducing a new podcast series: Uncharted Brain: Decoding Dementia is a new podcast series from The Conversation. Uncharted Brain: Decoding Dementia is a new podcast series from The Conversation examining new research unlocking clues to the ongoing mystery of how dementia works in the brain. Listen to the trailer now …
Nightmares are a good predictor of future dementia – new study: Ollyy/Shutterstock We spend a third of our lives asleep. And a quarter of our time asleep is spent dreaming. So, for the average person alive in 2022, with a life expectancy of around 73, that clocks in at just over six years of dreaming. …
Alzheimer’s theory undermined by accusations of manipulated data – but does not bring dementia research to its knees: LightField Studios/Shutterstock A scientist-cum-detective has presented evidence that images used to support the case for amyloid protein being the main protagonist in Alzheimer’s disease appear to have been fabricated. It began as an investigation into an experimental …
Dementia: the quality of your night’s sleep can affect symptoms the next day – new research: It hasn't been known until now to what extent your night's sleep affects short-term dementia symptoms. 1113990/ Pixabay, CC BY We’ve probably all experienced how a poor night’s sleep can make us feel tired, irritable and have difficulty concentrating …
Alzheimer’s disease: measuring brain waves could diagnose dementia early – new study: The author and a trial participant using Fastball. University of Bath, Author provided Our visual memory system has a phenomenally large capacity. Flick through the image gallery on your phone, or fast forward through a previously watched movie, and notice how the briefly …