Brain Health / Cognition

In older adults, differences between depression and dementia may be hard to discern. Memory loss, cognitive dysfunction and other symptoms can be present with either of these afflictions, and it’s not uncommon for an older person to be stricken by both simultaneously.  But it’s important to remember that even though…

Playing a game of cards or even an online computer game is something many of us regularly enjoy. And now we have scientific evidence that such leisure activities are good for cognition as well. In a new study published in JAMA Neurology, researchers followed almost 2000 people over age 70 for…

There is good evidence that those who learn a musical instrument early in their lives may develop cognitive advantages. Researchers from Montreal have determined that playing music as a child has an impact on basic sensory processes as you age, giving you faster reaction times and keeping you more alert….

Perhaps you think you’re too old to learn a second language (although find out why that may be an aging “myth” by Reading Here). But for those of you who speak more than one language, or who have younger people in your life who are contemplating a second language, the…

Still sticking to your new year’s diet resolutions? Well there’s even more evidence to support the Mediterranean diet as your essential path to good health. While we’ve known for a long time that eating lots of fruits, veggies, olive oil, nuts and beans is essential to a healthy heart and…

Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, a distinguished professor of psychology at Northeastern University, has some new year’s advice for those of you who want to stay as healthy and sharp as possible while aging: Do “it” until it hurts. What does that mean? Dr. Barrett and her research colleagues have studied…