BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (Boston)–Incremental physical activity, even at light intensity, is associated with larger brain volume and healthy brain aging. Considerable evidence suggests that engaging in regular physical activity may prevent cognitive decline and dementia. Active individuals have lower metabolic and vascular risk factors and these risk factors may explain their propensity for healthy brain aging. However, the specific activity levels optimal for dementia prevention have remained unclear....
Tag: <span>Mental Health</span>
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Graphic Design Student Jasmine Banovic’s Daydreaming Turns Out To Be Epileptic Seizures
Daydreaming in class is normal for many students, but when Jasmine Banovic spaces out in class, it’s the sign of a serious health condition. Banovic, now 21, was actually having a type of epileptic seizure that’s known as “absence seizures.” Graphic Designer Hides Seizures Under the Guise of ‘Daydreaming’ For five years, the graphic designer from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire kept her seizures a secret from everyone but her family, best friend, and...
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Do minerals play a role in development of multiple sclerosis?
by American Academy of Neurology Some studies have suggested that minerals such as zinc and iron may play a role in how multiple sclerosis (MS) progresses, once people have been diagnosed with it. But little was known about whether zinc, iron and other minerals play a role in the development of the disease. A new study...
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No such thing as ‘sugar rush’! Sugar worsens mood rather than improving it
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK Sugar does not improve any aspect of mood and can even worsen it, according to new research published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews Using data collected from 31 studies, the researchers discovered that sugar consumption does not have a beneficial effect on mood Instead, sugar increases tiredness and lowers alertness within an hour...
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Consider non-surgical brain stimulation for severe depression, say experts
by British Medical Journal Non-surgical brain stimulation should be considered as alternative or add-on treatments for adults with severe forms of depression, suggests a study published by The BMJ today. The findings also suggest that more established techniques should take priority over new treatments with a more limited evidence base. Depression is a common and debilitating illness that is usually treated with drugs and psychological therapies....
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Can music slow mental decline? Rice researchers aim to find out
Can music therapy slow the progression of degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia while promoting well-being? A grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will fund a new lab at Rice University that will explore this possible new inroad in the fight against such disorders. Principal investigator Christopher Fagundes, an...
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5 Things Suicide Loss Survivors Should Know — from Someone Who’s Attempted
How we see the world shapes who we choose to be — and sharing compelling experiences can frame the way we treat each other, for the better. This is a powerful perspective. It was a late January afternoon in 2018, just two days after I had major surgery. Drifting in and out of a painkiller...
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Women can build positive body image by controlling what they view on social media
Social media use is often described as being problematic for mental health and body image. But is all social media use bad? Our new research shows that viewing body positive Instagram content may actually improvewomen’s body image, at least in the short term. With more awareness, social media users might be able to curate a social media environment that promotes positive body image by unfollowing or...
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Adults with autism can read complex emotions in others
Psychologists at the University of Kent used eye-tracking technology to monitor participants as they read stories in which a character made a decision then experienced a positive or negative outcome. New research shows for the first time that adults with autism can recognise complex emotions such as regret and relief in others as easily as those without the condition. The lead author Professor Heather Ferguson,...
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How to live your life to the fullest
Although most people strive to live their lives in a meaningful and purposeful way, they may still question whether they are truly living their lives to the fullest. Baylor College of Medicine’s Dr. Karen Lawson gives her advice on what it can mean to live your life to its full potential. Credit: CC0 Public Domain “Living life to the fullest has different meanings to different people....