Each year, millions of people suffer from seasonal influenza, which is often called the flu. Flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Flu is a mild illness for some people. But for others, including older adults and those with chronic (long-lasting) health conditions, the flu…
The likelihood of hospitalization for, treatment of, and death by heart attack is not the same for men and women in a large-scale study of six countries, including the United States. Men were more likely to be hospitalized with a heart attack, while hospitalized women were less likely to receive treatment and more likely to…
Exercise and physical activity are good for just about everyone including older adults. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity — working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat — each week. You don’t have to accomplish this all at once, rather, you can break up your activity over the…
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and often changes a person’s behavior. This video covers common types of challenging behaviors in Alzheimer’s and provides tips to help caregivers manage these behaviors. For more information, visit https://go.nia.nih.gov/4b9p6EK.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, it may be difficult to think beyond the day to day. However, taking steps now can help prepare for a smoother tomorrow with your geriatric care manager. Over time, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and related dementias will make it…
Experiencing a negative wealth shock, defined as a sudden loss of 75% or more in total wealth, was linked to cognitive decline among older adults in the United States and China, but not in England or Mexico, according to an NIA-funded study. The results, published in Lancet Healthy Longevity, suggest that factors such as government policies…
Many people wonder if Alzheimer’s disease runs in their family. Is it in your genes? This question isn’t easy to answer. Researchers have identified several genetic variants that are associated with Alzheimer’s and may increase or decrease a person’s risk of developing the disease. What does that mean? Let’s first learn about the role of…
An NIA-funded study found that regular online conversations show potential for helping prevent cognitive decline in socially isolated older adults. The Internet-Based Conversational Engagement Clinical Trial (I-CONECT) connected socially isolated older adults with trained conversationalists for regular 30-minute video chats. During these chats, team members guided participants through conversations designed to stimulate brain regions associated…
Disruption of a specific molecular pathway may lead to the degeneration seen in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, the non-familial and most common form of the disorder. A team headed by NIA scientists found when a signaling pathway called ApoER2-Dab1 malfunctions in human brain neurons, the neurons accumulate phosphorylated tau — the form that leads to tau…
Older adults may be even more vulnerable to fraud and scams than previously thought, according to an NIA-funded study that mimicked a real-world government imposter scam. The results suggest that a sizable minority of older adults, including those without cognitive impairment, are vulnerable to fraud and scams. The study results were published in JAMA Network Open.…