These fat-filled brain cells may be making multiple sclerosis worse

Scientists have uncovered a surprising clue that may help explain why multiple sclerosis (MS) progresses rapidly in some people but not others. In brain tissue from patients with severe MS, researchers found large numbers of “foamy” immune cells packed with fat droplets after absorbing damaged myelin. These overloaded cells appear to switch from helping repair the brain to fueling ongoing damage and inflammation.


http://dlvr.it/TTpCpx

Are People with Advanced Alzheimer’s Aware of Their Surroundings?

Even among medical experts, you will find differing opinions on how much someone with advanced dementia of any type understands. Alzheimer’s disease...


The post Are People with Advanced Alzheimer’s Aware of Their Surroundings? appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TTnfDc

This common vitamin deficiency can mimic normal aging

Vitamin B12 is needed in microscopic amounts, but a shortage can have major effects on health and energy. The vitamin was first linked to a lifesaving liver treatment for pernicious anemia nearly 100 years ago. Today, researchers are finding that B12 may also help keep cellular powerhouses called mitochondria functioning properly. This could explain why some people experience fatigue and brain fog even before traditional signs of deficiency show up.


http://dlvr.it/TTnP7C

Sandwich Generation Help

Feeling Sandwiched? You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone. Why Aging Life Care Professionals Are More Important Than Ever By Anne Sansevero, RN, MA, GNP, CCM, Fellow, Aging Life Care Association® If I could describe today’s sandwich generation in one word, it would be stretched. Stretched between Zoom meetings and doctor’s appointments. Between helping their … Continue reading Sandwich Generation Help →


The post Sandwich Generation Help appeared first on Aging Life Care Association.


http://dlvr.it/TTnBNh

Classic Time Management Strategies for Caregivers

Don’t let the title scare you, folks. I’m not presenting a “system” here. Personally, I’ve never seen a chart or graph designed...


The post Classic Time Management Strategies for Caregivers appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TTmncD

Scientists discover a hidden heart valve risk linked to gum disease

Researchers found that bacteria linked to gum disease may help drive the development of calcific aortic valve stenosis by triggering inflammation and calcium buildup in the heart valve. The early findings suggest that keeping gums healthy could play a role in reducing the risk of this serious heart condition.


http://dlvr.it/TTmTSw

Your gut may help your brain decide what to remember

Signals traveling from the gut to the brain may help turn meals into lasting memories. Rats showed stronger memory activity after consuming nutritious foods, but not after drinking sweet liquids with little or no nutritional value. Blocking the vagus nerve erased this effect and made it harder for the animals to remember where food had been located. Over time, diets high in fat and sugar also weakened this memory system.


http://dlvr.it/TTm9Gz

Confabulation in Dementia Can Feel Like Hurtful Lies

When a person develops any form of dementia, it is difficult for family and friends to witness their diminishing capacity and the...


The post Confabulation in Dementia Can Feel Like Hurtful Lies appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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A hidden Alzheimer’s tipping point may decide who gets dementia

Scientists have identified a possible tipping point that helps determine whether Alzheimer’s-related brain changes lead to dementia. The key may lie in how the brain’s immune cells respond to plaques and tau, offering a promising new target for treatments designed to extend cognitive resilience.


http://dlvr.it/TTlht8

The billion-dollar problem keeping Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound from patients

Ozempic, Wegovy, and similar drugs may deliver excellent health value, but covering them for millions of eligible patients could overwhelm insurance budgets. Researchers say better long-term support is needed and warn that low-cost compounded versions may carry serious safety risks.


http://dlvr.it/TTlcgS

Rebel Creamery Ordered To Pay Van Leeuwen Ice Cream $23M for Trade Dress Infringement

A federal court in New York has ordered Rebel Creamery to pay Van Leeuwen Ice Cream $23 million in disgorged profits after finding Rebel liable for trade dress infringement under the Lanham Act and New York state law....
By: Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.


http://dlvr.it/TTlQVC

APOE2 may protect the brain from Alzheimer’s and aging

The longevity-linked APOE2 gene appears to protect brain cells by reducing DNA damage and helping neurons recover from stress. The finding could open a new path toward treatments that mimic APOE2’s defenses in people at higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s.


http://dlvr.it/TTkqsW

Exercise doesn't just strengthen the heart. It rewires it

Exercise doesn't just make the heart stronger. It also rewires the nerves that regulate it, a discovery that could pave the way for more personalized treatments for common heart conditions such as arrhythmias and angina.


http://dlvr.it/TTkhnq

Being an Effective Care Partner May Mean Stepping Back

In healthy partnerships, a relationship is built on our ability to trust that the other person has our best interests in mind....


The post Being an Effective Care Partner May Mean Stepping Back appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TTkDNP

Superagers keep youthful memories but their DNA does not explain why

Scientists expected SuperAgers might simply inherit fewer Alzheimer’s-related risks, but their genes looked much like those of typical older adults. Their extraordinary memories may instead come from still-unknown protective forces involving the brain, body, lifestyle, and environment.


http://dlvr.it/TTjvLJ

New calculator reveals whether you should really worry about statin side effects

Scientists at the University of Oxford have created a calculator that predicts a person's individual risk of serious muscle disorders from statin medications. Their analysis found that more than 98% of people who qualify for statins are at low risk for these rare complications, despite widespread concerns about side effects. The study also revealed that most eligible patients are not taking statins, potentially missing important protection against heart attacks and strokes.


http://dlvr.it/TTjtmS

A hidden Alzheimer’s tipping point may decide who gets dementia

Scientists have identified a possible tipping point that helps determine whether Alzheimer’s-related brain changes lead to dementia. The key may lie in how the brain’s immune cells respond to plaques and tau, offering a promising new target for treatments designed to extend cognitive resilience.


http://dlvr.it/TTjqyp

Caregiver Asks How to Politely Refuse Unhelpful Visitors

Dear Carol: I’m an only child providing care for my dad, who has PTSD from military service, exacerbated by dementia. Before this,...


The post Caregiver Asks How to Politely Refuse Unhelpful Visitors appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TTjbpS

Lab-grown mini brains may predict which Alzheimer’s treatments will work

Miniature brain models grown from patients’ cells revealed striking differences in how Alzheimer’s-related tissue responds to an antidepressant. The organoids and the particles they release could eventually guide more personalized treatments and provide new clues for diagnosing the disease.


http://dlvr.it/TTjMNs

Superagers keep youthful memories but their DNA does not explain why

Scientists expected SuperAgers might simply inherit fewer Alzheimer’s-related risks, but their genes looked much like those of typical older adults. Their extraordinary memories may instead come from still-unknown protective forces involving the brain, body, lifestyle, and environment.


http://dlvr.it/TTjDJJ

10 Common Causes of Caregiver Guilt

Wouldn’t it be nice to be a family caregiver who never gets frustrated and is an eternal optimist? Maybe there are some...


The post 10 Common Causes of Caregiver Guilt appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TTj3RD

Colorectal cancer warning signs younger adults should never ignore

Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death among people under 50, and cases in younger adults continue to rise. Warning signs can include persistent bowel changes, recurring rectal bleeding, dark or narrow stools, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms often have harmless causes, but they should not be dismissed, especially when they are new or ongoing. Early detection can greatly improve treatment outcomes.


http://dlvr.it/TThmtQ

Scientists discover how colon cancer cells change identity to spread

Scientists have identified a molecular switch that may help explain how colorectal cancer becomes deadly. When levels of a gene-regulating factor called GATA6 drop, cancer cells can shed their normal identity and transform into highly adaptable, fetal-like cells capable of spreading through the bloodstream and establishing new tumors in the liver. The study suggests that this dangerous transition is driven less by new genetic mutations and more by changes in how genes are switched on and off.


http://dlvr.it/TThhkW

APOE2 may protect the brain from Alzheimer’s and aging

The longevity-linked APOE2 gene appears to protect brain cells by reducing DNA damage and helping neurons recover from stress. The finding could open a new path toward treatments that mimic APOE2’s defenses in people at higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s.


http://dlvr.it/TThRxh

How to Cope with Alzheimer’s Caregiver Burnout

You watch your once mentally sharp loved one decline before your eyes. Their uncontrollable behaviors, mood swings, outbursts, confusion, and memory loss...


The post How to Cope with Alzheimer’s Caregiver Burnout appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TThJf0

Mediterranean diet may activate tiny proteins that protect the heart and brain

The Mediterranean diet may influence aging through tiny proteins produced inside the cell’s mitochondria. Older adults who followed the diet most closely had higher levels of humanin and SHMOOSE, which have been linked to heart and brain protection. Olive oil, fish, legumes, and fewer refined carbohydrates appeared especially important. The findings could eventually help scientists develop more personalized nutrition plans for healthy aging.


http://dlvr.it/TTgx9n

One injection reversed osteoarthritis in weeks

A Colorado research team has created experimental osteoarthritis treatments that appear to regenerate damaged joints rather than just relieve pain. In animal studies, a single injection restored arthritic joints to a healthy state within weeks, while a second therapy repaired cartilage and bone defects by harnessing the body’s own healing cells.


http://dlvr.it/TTgs6Q

Lab-grown mini brains may predict which Alzheimer’s treatments will work

Miniature brain models grown from patients’ cells revealed striking differences in how Alzheimer’s-related tissue responds to an antidepressant. The organoids and the particles they release could eventually guide more personalized treatments and provide new clues for diagnosing the disease.


http://dlvr.it/TTftkl

Top 3 Excuses from Siblings who Don’t Help With Caregiving

Unfair as it may seem, even in families with many adult children, one sibling usually becomes the primary caregiver for their aging...


The post Top 3 Excuses from Siblings who Don’t Help With Caregiving appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TTfZBV

Nearly half of kidney transplant patients never even get started

A massive national study found that nearly half of Americans with kidney failure who are referred for a transplant never even begin the evaluation process, and only 19% make it onto the transplant waitlist. Researchers discovered that factors such as where a person lives, whether they are married, their income level, language, age, and even which transplant center they use can dramatically affect their chances of moving forward.


http://dlvr.it/TTf0vT

Scientists discover a protein that protects the brain from Alzheimer’s damage

A protein called SORLA may act as a powerful defense against the toxic tau tangles involved in Alzheimer’s disease. Mice with extra SORLA had less tau accumulation, less brain atrophy, and healthier connections between neurons, while mice without it experienced more severe damage. The findings also revealed a possible drug target that could help control harmful activity in supporting brain cells.


http://dlvr.it/TTf0rn

Watching too much TV in midlife may shrink the brain

Watching television very often in midlife may be linked to troubling brain changes decades later. In a study of about 1,700 adults, frequent TV viewers later showed smaller brain regions involved in memory, decision-making, and visual processing, along with more signs of damage in the brain’s white matter. Surprisingly, sitting itself did not appear to be the main issue, since people who spent long hours seated at mentally engaging jobs often showed healthier brain patterns.


http://dlvr.it/TTdzzz

Alzheimer’s breakthrough: Scientists restore two hours of sleep without clearing brain plaques

Researchers have uncovered a surprising culprit behind sleep loss in Alzheimer’s disease: the brain’s own immune cells. In mice with amyloid plaques, overactive microglia triggered inflammation that kept the brain from getting enough deep, restorative sleep. Temporarily removing most of these cells restored more than two hours of sleep per day, even though the plaques remained unchanged.


http://dlvr.it/TTd7F5

Alzheimer’s breakthrough: Scientists restore two hours of sleep without clearing brain plaques

Researchers have uncovered a surprising culprit behind sleep loss in Alzheimer’s disease: the brain’s own immune cells. In mice with amyloid plaques, overactive microglia triggered inflammation that kept the brain from getting enough deep, restorative sleep. Temporarily removing most of these cells restored more than two hours of sleep per day, even though the plaques remained unchanged.


http://dlvr.it/TTd218

Coping with the Stigma of Dementia

People stare. Most are not unkind; they are just curious. But when someone “different” from the norm becomes part of their environment,...


The post Coping with the Stigma of Dementia appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TTcrM8

Scientists discover why ozempic may not work for some people

Scientists have identified genetic variants that may make some people less responsive to GLP-1 drugs used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Roughly 10% of the population carries these variants, which appear to cause a mysterious form of "GLP-1 resistance." In several clinical trials, carriers were significantly less likely to reach healthy blood sugar targets while taking GLP-1 medications.


http://dlvr.it/TTcHfq

Popular sugar substitutes linked to faster brain aging

Several popular sugar substitutes may not be as harmless as they seem. Adults who consumed the most artificial sweeteners showed substantially faster declines in memory and thinking, especially if they were under 60 or had diabetes. The highest intake was linked to cognitive aging roughly 1.6 years faster than the lowest intake. Researchers stressed that more studies are needed before concluding that sweeteners are the cause.


http://dlvr.it/TTcHc1

Mediterranean diet may activate tiny proteins that protect the heart and brain

The Mediterranean diet may influence aging through tiny proteins produced inside the cell’s mitochondria. Older adults who followed the diet most closely had higher levels of humanin and SHMOOSE, which have been linked to heart and brain protection. Olive oil, fish, legumes, and fewer refined carbohydrates appeared especially important. The findings could eventually help scientists develop more personalized nutrition plans for healthy aging.


http://dlvr.it/TTbf4B

New Alzheimer's drug repairs DNA damage and reduces brain inflammation

A drug originally developed for spinal cord injury may offer a fresh approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease. In mouse studies, KCL-286 repaired dangerous DNA damage, reduced inflammation, and targeted multiple disease-related pathways instead of focusing on just amyloid or tau. Since it has already cleared an initial human safety trial, researchers believe it could move more quickly into Alzheimer’s clinical testing.


http://dlvr.it/TTbcGB

How to Cope If an Older Adult Is Always Complaining and Being Negative

You took your mom to the doctor, and she’s upset with you because the appointment took too long. You helped Dad with...


The post How to Cope If an Older Adult Is Always Complaining and Being Negative appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TTbQzV

Your brain can keep improving into your 90s, study finds

A three-year study of nearly 4,000 adults ranging from age 19 to 94 found that brain health can improve at any age, challenging the common belief that mental sharpness must decline as we get older. Participants spent just a few minutes a day on brain-training activities, and researchers found measurable gains across multiple aspects of brain health, including thinking clarity, emotional well-being, and sense of purpose.


http://dlvr.it/TTZxS5

This drug could help millions keep their kidneys working longer

An international study found that finerenone slows kidney function decline and reduces the risk of serious kidney and cardiovascular complications in people with chronic kidney disease who do not have diabetes. The results could open the door to a much-needed new treatment option for the majority of CKD patients who have long had limited choices.


http://dlvr.it/TTZt25

New Alzheimer's drug repairs DNA damage and reduces brain inflammation

A drug originally developed for spinal cord injury may offer a fresh approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease. In mouse studies, KCL-286 repaired dangerous DNA damage, reduced inflammation, and targeted multiple disease-related pathways instead of focusing on just amyloid or tau. Since it has already cleared an initial human safety trial, researchers believe it could move more quickly into Alzheimer’s clinical testing.


http://dlvr.it/TTZngj

Summer Safety for Older Adults

Summer Safety Tips for Older Adults There are two priorities to keep our community’s older adults safe: 1. avoiding the dangers of excessive summer heat and humidity, and 2. preventing falls, a year-round need, but one where summer presents some special challenges. Keeping Cool During Our Hot Summers – Older adults are at greater risk … Continue reading Summer Safety for Older Adults →


The post Summer Safety for Older Adults appeared first on Aging Life Care Association.


http://dlvr.it/TTZLpL

Scientists found a cannabis compound that relieves pain without the high

Compounds responsible for the aroma of cannabis and many other plants may offer a surprising new way to relieve chronic pain. Researchers found that several cannabis-derived terpenes significantly reduced pain in mouse models of fibromyalgia and post-surgical pain, with one terpene, geraniol, showing especially strong effects. Unlike THC, these compounds are not associated with psychoactive effects, making them a potentially attractive alternative for pain treatment.


http://dlvr.it/TTZ429

8 Ways to Mitigate Caregiver Stress

Many of us belong to the sandwich generation; we are caring for aging parents while raising our own children. Back in my...


The post 8 Ways to Mitigate Caregiver Stress appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TTYzlJ

Where you live could shape your dementia risk, massive study finds

Researchers analyzing data from more than 214,000 people found that dementia risk factors differ widely across countries, challenging the idea of a one-size-fits-all prevention strategy. At the same time, they uncovered surprisingly consistent patterns that could help shape smarter, more targeted public health efforts.


http://dlvr.it/TTY3yK

Brain scans reveal two distinct types of autism

Scientists have uncovered evidence that autism may include at least two biologically distinct subtypes, each marked by a different pattern of brain communication. By combining brain scans from nearly 1,000 people with autism with insights from 20 genetically engineered mouse models, researchers identified a “hyperconnectivity” subtype, where brain regions communicate more than usual, and a “hypoconnectivity” subtype, where communication is reduced.


http://dlvr.it/TTY0XM

How often should I Visit Once They Move to Assisted Living?

Dear Carol: How often should I visit Mom in the nursing home when she first moves in? I heard some facilities limit...


The post How often should I Visit Once They Move to Assisted Living? appeared first on Minding Our Elders.
             

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http://dlvr.it/TTXmMg

Popular weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy may slow biological aging

Researchers found that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, slowed biological aging markers in adults with HIV, marking the first clinical evidence that the drug may influence human aging. Although the findings are encouraging, scientists say larger studies are needed before concluding that the medication can help people age more slowly.


http://dlvr.it/TTX7t6