Brain stimulation at any age may slow memory decline

Brain stimulation at any age may slow memory decline: Reading, writing and participating in other brain-stimulating activities at any age may protect your memory later in life, according to the research. The study, which tracked 294 individuals, is published online in the July 3 issue of Neurology.

"Our study suggests that exercising your brain by taking part in activities such as these across a person's lifetime, from childhood through old age, is important for brain health in old age," said the study's lead author, Robert Wilson.

8 Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease - ABC News

8 Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease - ABC News: It's never too late to make smart lifestyle changes that will protect your health in years to come. Boost brainpower and keep your mind fit for a lifetime with research-backed tips from the book, The Anti-Alzheimer's Prescription

New drug reverses loss of brain connections in Alzheimer's

New drug reverses loss of brain connections in Alzheimer's: The first experimental drug to boost brain synapses lost in Alzheimer's disease has been developed by researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute. The drug, called NitroMemantine, combines two FDA-approved medicines to stop the destructive cascade of changes in the brain that destroys the connections between neurons, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline.

Olive oil helps protect brain from Alzheimer's and related dementias: study - NY Daily News

Olive oil helps protect brain from Alzheimer's and related dementias: study - NY Daily News: Want to keep Alzheimer’s disease at bay? A new study suggests upping your intake of olive oil.

While the Mediterranean liquid gold has long been touted for its multiple health benefits, a team of scientists from the University of Louisiana identified a specific component in olive oil that they say protects nerve cells from damage brought on by Alzheimer’s disease.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Protects Against Alzheimer's Disease - Study

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Protects Against Alzheimer's Disease - Study: Consumption of extra virgin olive oil has been linked to reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its benefit may lie in one component of olive oil that helps shuttle the abnormal AD proteins out of the brain.

Balancing mitochondrial dynamics in Alzheimer's disease

Balancing mitochondrial dynamics in Alzheimer's disease: Many diseases are multifactorial and can not be understood by simple molecular associations alone. Alzheimer's disease (AD)is associated with toxic transformations in two classes of protein,amyloid beta and tau, but they do not explain the full underlying pathology. On the cellular scale, much of the real-time morphological changes in neurons can be attributed to their underlying mitochondrial dynamics—namely fission, fusion, and the motions between these events. Last year, researchers from Harvard Medical School made the intriguing discovery that alterations in tau could lead to a doubling in the length of mitochondria. This week, they published a review article in Trends in Neuroscience, in which they seek to explain the primary features of AD in terms of mitochondrial dynamics.

7NEWS - Couple inspire study of coconut oil, Alzheimer's disease - Staying Healthy Story

7NEWS - Couple inspire study of coconut oil, Alzheimer's disease - Staying Healthy Story: Taking coconut oil is a scientifically untested and unproven treatment for Alzheimer's, dismissed by much of the scientific community. But Dr. Newport's collection of positive anecdotes about nearly 275 patients who used coconut oil intrigued researchers at the University of South Florida's Byrd Alzheimer's Institute.

Byrd researchers recently received a $250,000 grant from a private foundation to conduct what is thought to be the first clinical trial of the effects of coconut oil on mild to moderate cases of Alzheimer's disease.

"There are people who, when I tell them we're running a coconut-oil study, they chuckle," said David Morgan, the chief executive officer of Byrd. "But there's a rational basis for it."

Commonly prescribed drugs may influence the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease

Commonly prescribed drugs may influence the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease: Multiple drug classes commonly prescribed for common medical conditions are capable of influencing the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. The findings are published online in the journal PLoS One.

Can cinnamon prevent Alzheimer's?

Can cinnamon prevent Alzheimer's?: The paper, as summarized in a research note, examines two compounds found in cinnamon: cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin. Based on experiments, these two compounds have been shown to prevent the development of the filamentous "tangles" found in the brain cells that characterize Alzheimer's. This means that the compounds prevent the breakdown of certain proteins, seen critical to the onset of the disease.

Yummy foods that also help your brain

Yummy foods that also help your brain: 8. Spices. Some spices are loaded with antioxidants and can be an easy way to improve diet without much effort. Oregano, cinnamon, curry, ginger, turmeric and black pepper are your best options.

Remember that at the end of the day, a healthy diet combined with weight control and exercise are the best things you can do to shield and protect your brain as you age.