What happens in the brain when familiar items feel foreign

When familiar items suddenly feel foreign, the brain undergoes a complex interplay of cognitive and emotional processes that disrupt the usual sense of recognition and comfort. This phenomenon involves how the brain processes familiarity, memory, attention, and emotional responses, often…

Why some Alzheimer’s patients insist on going to work

Some Alzheimer’s patients insist on going to work because their sense of identity, routine, and normalcy is deeply tied to their job, and they may not fully recognize or accept the changes happening in their brain. Work often represents more…

How cognitive decline affects sensitivity to textures and fabrics

Cognitive decline can significantly alter how a person perceives and reacts to textures and fabrics, often changing their sensitivity in complex ways. As cognitive functions deteriorate, the brain’s ability to process sensory information—including touch—can become impaired, leading to either heightened…

What causes the sensation of reliving memories like dreams

The sensation of reliving memories like dreams arises from complex interactions between the brain’s memory systems, emotional processing, and how the mind handles past experiences, especially those tied to strong feelings or trauma. When you feel like you are vividly…

Why seniors start whispering or mumbling instead of speaking

Seniors often start whispering or mumbling instead of speaking clearly for a variety of interconnected reasons, many related to physical changes, health conditions, and social factors that come with aging. These changes affect the voice production mechanism as well as…

How to talk to someone who no longer understands metaphors

Talking to someone who no longer understands metaphors requires patience, clarity, and a shift in communication style. Metaphors rely on shared symbolic understanding—when that connection is lost, the usual figurative language can become confusing or meaningless. To bridge this gap,…

Why some people with dementia develop new fears

Some people with dementia develop new fears because the disease causes changes in the brain that affect memory, thinking, and emotional regulation. These changes can make the world feel unfamiliar, confusing, and threatening, leading to anxiety and fear responses that…

How hormone loss affects how women handle stress

Hormone loss profoundly influences how women handle stress by altering the delicate balance of chemicals that regulate mood, energy, and the body’s stress response. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and oxytocin interact closely with the brain and body systems…

Why seasonal changes may trigger emotional shifts in memory care

Seasonal changes can have a profound impact on individuals receiving memory care, often triggering emotional shifts that affect their behavior, mood, and overall well-being. These shifts arise from a complex interplay of environmental, physiological, and social factors that influence how…

What changes in dream quality say about mental function

Dreams are a fascinating window into the mind, and changes in the quality of dreams can reveal a great deal about mental function. When the nature, vividness, frequency, or emotional tone of dreams shifts, it often reflects underlying changes in…