What happens to older adults who do not have close family when they develop dementia? The truth is, we hardly know. Population aging together with changing patterns of marriage and childrearing mean that growing numbers of people in North America reach advanced ages without a living spouse or children. This matters because the incidence of […]
4 min read
The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea Social ballroom dancing can improve cognitive functions and reduce brain atrophy in older adults who are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. That’s the key finding of my team’s recently published study in the Journal of […]
3 min read
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. Yet, given the central role that dreaming plays in our lives, we […]
4 min read
Dogs get dementia too. But it’s often difficult to spot. Research published today shows how common it is, especially in dogs over ten years old. Here are some behavioural changes to watch out for in your senior dog and when to consult your veterinarian. What is doggy dementia? Doggy dementia, or canine cognitive dysfunction, is […]
4 min read
Research Checks interrogate newly published studies and how they’re reported in the media. The analysis is undertaken by one or more academics not involved with the study, and reviewed by another, to make sure it’s accurate. No matter your age, we all pick our nose. However, if gripping headlines around the world are a sign, […]
4 min read
Chris Hemsworth, famous for his role as the god Thor in Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, has announced he will be taking a break from acting after being told he has two copies of the APOE4 gene, increasing his risk of Alzheimer’s. Having one copy of the APOE4 gene increases your risk for Alzheimer’s 2-3 times. […]
4 min read