Why dementia leads to strange cravings or aversions

Dementia often leads to **strange cravings or aversions** because the disease affects the brain areas responsible for appetite, taste perception, memory, and emotional responses related to food. These changes can cause people with dementia to suddenly desire foods they never…

How to redirect conversations with memory-impaired patients

Redirecting conversations with memory-impaired patients requires patience, empathy, and specific communication strategies tailored to their cognitive challenges. The goal is to maintain dignity, reduce frustration or distress, and foster a sense of connection without focusing on correcting memory lapses or…

What brain inflammation does to decision-making

Brain inflammation, also known as neuroinflammation, significantly disrupts decision-making by altering how the brain processes information, evaluates risks, and controls impulses. When the brain’s immune cells become activated due to injury, infection, or chronic stress, they release inflammatory molecules that…

Why Alzheimer’s affects orientation and sense of space

Alzheimer’s disease affects orientation and the sense of space primarily because it damages specific areas of the brain responsible for processing spatial information, memory, and visual cues. These brain regions include parts of the parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and hippocampus,…

How certain dreams may be early signs of neurological change

Certain dreams can indeed serve as early indicators of neurological changes occurring in the brain, reflecting shifts in brain function that may precede or accompany neurological disorders. Dreams arise primarily during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, a phase characterized by…

What causes cluttering behavior in dementia

Cluttering behavior in dementia is a complex phenomenon rooted primarily in the progressive changes that occur within the brain as the disease advances. Dementia affects various cognitive functions, including memory, attention, spatial awareness, and executive functioning—the mental skills involved in…

Why some seniors stop reading books they used to love

Many seniors stop reading books they once loved due to a combination of cognitive, physical, emotional, and environmental changes that come with aging. These factors can alter how enjoyable or feasible reading feels compared to earlier in life. One major…

How estrogen supports brain cell communication

Estrogen plays a crucial role in supporting brain cell communication by influencing multiple aspects of how neurons interact, grow, and function. It acts as a powerful regulator of brain chemistry, structure, and resilience, which together enhance the brain’s ability to…

Why visual processing slows down in Alzheimer’s

Visual processing slows down in Alzheimer’s disease primarily because the brain regions responsible for interpreting and making sense of visual information become damaged and dysfunctional. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative condition that affects not only memory and cognition but also the…

How hormone fluctuations impact creativity

Hormone fluctuations can have a profound impact on creativity by influencing mood, cognitive function, emotional regulation, and energy levels. These changes occur naturally in various life stages and cycles—such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum period, perimenopause, and menopause—and affect…