Although the overall use of benzodiazepines does not appear to increase the risk of dementia, long-term use is associated with a reduction in the volume of critical brain areas, such as the hippocampus and the amygdala, according to new research published in BMC Medicine. This finding supports current medical guidelines that caution against prolonged benzodiazepine use.

Long-term benzodiazepine use linked to shrinkage in two brain regions

Everyday Health

Factors that contribute to poor brain health also include high blood pressure, depression, and air pollution.

Nearly Half of Dementia Cases Could Be Delayed or Prevented by Addressing These 14 Risk Factors

It's natural to experience some cognitive decline as we age, but not all cognitive deficits are a result of dementia. There are a variety of hormonal conditions and nutrient deficiencies that can present similar symptoms. If you’re having trouble concentrating or experiencing some memory loss, don’t panic just yet—rule out...

3 Conditions That Cause Cognitive Decline (But Aren't Dementia)

Cognitive function in adults with Parkinson’s disease either remains stable or progressively declines over time, according to a four-year follow-up study that also found that early problems with several tasks related to visual processing and spatial reasoning were among predictors of eventual cognitive impairments. Among Parkinson’s patients with cognitive...

Researchers find predictors of cognitive impairments over time

NewsNation

A study found COVID-19 could be linked to onset cognitive impairment in patients 65 and older.

COVID linked to 65% of new onset cognitive impairment, dementia

San Francisco, CA

Scientists from the University of California, San Francisco are claiming to have discovered a novel autoimmune disorder that keeps precious vitamin B12 from reaching our brains. The condition seems to explain some people’s previously unexplained neurological symptoms such as tremors and difficulty speaking. There are still many unanswered questions surrounding the disorder, including how commonly it actually sickens people.

Newly Discovered Autoimmune Disorder Saps Vitamin B From Your Brain

Colorado State

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David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Whether you're having a stressful week or are on vacation, we all need a little help getting things moving every now and then. Taking over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives is a quick, popular way to relieve constipation. But what are the side effects?. One study tells us that regularly using laxatives may...

If You Rely On This To Poop, You May Be At Greater Risk Of Dementia

Health

Medically reviewed by Brigid Dwyer, MDMedically reviewed by Brigid Dwyer, MDDementia is a broad term that describes the loss of cognitive abilities like thinking, remembering, using language, and making decisions. Lewy body dementia (LBD) is one type of dementia, named after the scientist who discovered this variation. This type of dementia is thought to be caused by a buildup of a specific protein in the brain.  There are two types of LBD: dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). In general, both types of LBD are caused by the same accumulation of protein in the brain and...

Signs and Symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia

Paleontologists have unearthed fossils of a previously unknown extinct marine mammal species, offering fresh perspectives on the evolutionary history of walruses and their relatives. The discovery highlights the dynamic nature of marine mammal adaptation over millions of years. Ancient Suction-Feeder Emerges from the Depths of Time. The newly identified species,...

Extinct Walrus-Like Species Discovered: New Insights into Marine Mammal Evolution

Ohio State

The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

New York Post

A new study substantiates the link between untreated high blood pressure and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease for adults 60 and older. 

The research, published Wednesday in the online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, is a review of 14 international studies involving 31,250 people.

Participants, who were 72 years old on average, were followed for around four years for cognitive changes and dementia diagnoses.





Of the contingent studied, 1,415 developed Alzheimer’s disease.

Why your body is going through devastating changes at these two ages: Stanford study

Researchers found that participants with untreated high blood pressure had an increased...

Common condition linked to a 36% higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease

Dementia for people with Parkinson’s disease may occur less often, and when it does occur, may develop later, a new study suggests. Two new investigations have found that early understanding of dementia’s inevitability for Parkinson’s patients has been significantly overstated. One of the new investigations found that...

Do people with Parkinson’s always develop dementia?

Aug. 12, 2024 – Researchers have identified two new ways that people can reduce their risk of getting dementia. The pair of risk factors play a role in as many as 9% of all dementia cases, with an estimated 7% of dementia cases linked to high cholesterol and 2% linked to untreated vision loss later in life, according to a panel of 27 experts who recently published their new report as part of the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care.

Dementia Risk: Two Newly Identified Factors You Should Know

Dementia, a syndrome characterized by a cluster of symptoms related to ongoing brain decline, is most commonly associated with individuals over 65. It's often considered an age-related condition. Yet, aging isn't the sole risk factor for dementia. Studies indicate that up to 40 percent of dementia cases could be staved...

Two new Dementia risk factors discovered as millions of Americans suffer from them

Pompano Beach, FL

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Akeena

In a shocking revelation, Kings Mart, a grocery store in Pompano Beach, has been slapped with a series of severe health violations by the Florida Department of Agriculture. The inspection, carried out by Francis Odio, uncovered a disturbing range of problems that have led to the immediate closure of several sections of the store.

An inspection found bugs in the food and rodent poop on the shelves at a Florida grocery store

Denver, CO

In addition to collecting more than 8,000 used needles in the past year from Denver drug users, the Harm Reduction Action Center passed out 10,000 meth pipes and “snort kits,” according to a newsletter sent to its supporters Thursday. They also connected about 1,700 people to medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Denver group hands out 10K meth pipes, ‘snort kits,’ connects 1,700 to treatment annually

J. Souza

A retired military officer who had been struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) tragically died after jumping from the world’s largest cruise ship last month, authorities confirmed.

Cruise Passenger Who Jumped from World's Largest Ship After Dispute Suffered with PTSD

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The Lens

This year’s area of low oxygen in the Gulf of Mexico is larger than average, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday. The “dead zone” is approximately 6,705 square miles , as measured last week. Within NOAA’s 38 years of measuring the dead zone, this year’s assessment marks the 12th-largest area of low to no oxygen, which can kill fish and marine life.

Gulf ‘dead zone’ larger than average, larger than expected for 2024, scientists announce

From coffee to tea, caffeinated beverages are an integral part of morning routines across the globe, but these popular drinks can be harmful when enjoyed in excess. According to a new study being presented at ACC Asia 2024 in Delhi, India, drinking over 400 mg of caffeine per day on most days of the week could increase the susceptibility of otherwise healthy individuals to cardiovascular disease.

Chronic high caffeine consumption ups risk for heart disease

NewsBreak

Study Links Declining Sense of Purpose to Mild Cognitive Impairment

Research Reveals Early Warning Signs of Cognitive Decline. A new study published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry suggests that a declining sense of...

Study Links Declining Sense of Purpose to Mild Cognitive Impairment

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