Neurologists use cognitive imaging to look closely at the brain’s structure and function to understand how well it is working, especially when there are concerns about memory, thinking, or behavior. When they examine cognitive imaging scans, such as MRI or…
Can diet really prevent Alzheimer’s? While no diet can guarantee complete prevention, growing evidence suggests that what we eat plays a significant role in lowering the risk and slowing cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Certain nutrients appear especially important…
Alzheimer’s disease affects dreaming and REM sleep in significant ways. People with Alzheimer’s often experience changes in how quickly they enter REM sleep—the stage of sleep where most dreaming happens. Normally, after falling asleep, the brain moves into REM sleep…
When a loved one insists that someone is in the room, it can be confusing and even unsettling. The best approach is to respond with calmness, kindness, and understanding rather than confrontation or dismissal. A gentle way to start is…
Creating a quiet space for someone with dementia involves thoughtful attention to their unique needs, focusing on safety, comfort, and calmness. The goal is to design an environment that reduces confusion and anxiety while promoting a sense of security. Start…
In late-stage dementia, common noises that most people barely notice can become overwhelming and unbearable. This happens because the brain, which is already struggling to process information, becomes even more sensitive to sounds. The parts of the brain responsible for…
Brain shrinkage, or the loss of brain volume, is not something you can directly feel like a pain or ache inside your head. Instead, what it feels like from the inside is more subtle and often described as a gradual…
During menopause, the brain undergoes noticeable changes largely due to fluctuating and declining estrogen levels. Estrogen is a hormone that plays an important role not only in reproductive health but also in brain function. It affects areas involved in memory,…
Recent research is revealing exciting connections between GLP-1 drugs—originally developed for diabetes and weight loss—and brain health. These drugs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, appear to offer protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s, as well as reducing…
Dementia makes bedtime more unpredictable because it disrupts the brain’s natural sleep-wake cycle and alters sleep patterns in several complex ways. People with dementia often experience fragmented sleep, meaning they wake up frequently during the night and have trouble staying…