Dementia

A nationwide study of more than 1.2 million older U.S. veterans found notable regional differences in dementia incidence, with the highest rates in the Southeast and the lowest in the Mid-Atlantic, even after accounting for demographics, health factors, and rurality.

A year-long study suggests vortioxetine may offer greater improvements in both cognition and mood for people with Alzheimer’s disease and depression compared to other antidepressants, potentially making it a promising treatment option alongside standard Alzheimer’s therapies.

A new study suggests that older adults who consume more copper-rich foods—such as shellfish, nuts, and dark chocolate—tend to perform better on memory and attention tests, highlighting a possible link between dietary copper and cognitive health.

Scientists have discovered two distinct brain-based explanations for why memory declines in some older adults but not others. Attention network activity and early signs of Alzheimer’s disease each contribute independently to the brain’s ability to encode new memories.

New research reveals that greater muscular strength and higher testosterone levels are associated with fewer brain white matter abnormalities. The findings highlight potential strategies for preventing stroke and dementia through physical fitness.

A new review finds that people with dementia are diagnosed an average of 3.5 years after symptoms first appear, with even longer delays for early-onset cases. The findings highlight widespread challenges in achieving timely diagnoses across healthcare systems.

Scientists have discovered that excess sugar stored in brain cells may worsen Alzheimer’s disease. Clearing this buildup in lab models reduced cell damage and extended lifespan, pointing to a surprising new target for slowing or preventing dementia.

Tooth loss may speed up cognitive decline in aging Hispanic adults, according to research based on data from over 23,000 people. The study reveals how oral health disparities could contribute to broader racial and ethnic differences in brain aging.

A new study finds that women living in neighborhoods surrounded by poverty during midlife experience faster memory decline over time, with Black women most affected. The research suggests neighborhood conditions may shape brain health years before signs of dementia appear.

What if a protein we thought caused dementia is actually essential for building a healthy brain? New research shows a key Alzheimer's protein is abundant in newborns, flipping our understanding of the disease and its biological triggers on its head.

In a large longitudinal study, researchers identified apathy as the most consistent predictor of functional decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that this often-overlooked symptom may play a more central role in disease progression than previously recognized.

Older adults who ate more than one egg per week had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia and showed fewer Alzheimer’s-related brain changes. About 39% of this association was explained by higher dietary choline intake from eggs.

Researchers identified four common disease pathways—centered on mental health, brain disorders, cognitive decline, and vascular issues—that often precede Alzheimer’s, showing that the sequence of conditions may better predict risk than individual diagnoses alone.

A recent study shows a staggering 42% of Americans may develop dementia, with women and Black adults at even higher risk. Researchers say what's missing from prevention efforts is a focus on the pervasive role of chronic stress.

A large observational study found that sedentary time in older adults predicted worsening memory, shrinking brain structures, and slower mental processing over seven years, regardless of how physically active participants were.