Stay sharp

Aging is associated with many cognitive dysfunctions such as forgetfulness, inattention or slow processing. Despite the fact that life expectancy is much higher than one hundred years ago, cognitive abilities are becoming less sharp after 65 and are under the risk to advance to dementia.

Recent researches prove that brain functions can be managed during lifetime, modifying the risk factors that affect our genes. Not long ago people still believed that Alzheimer’s disease is an ordinary process of aging. Indeed, dementia cases are proved to be delayed by lifestyle factors that keep our brain in shape.

Alzheimer's and gum

Recent research demonstrated the further relationship between dementia and gum disease bacteria. According to the journal Science Advances, the study discovered the bacteria identified with chronic gum disease known as Porphyromonas gingivalis in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s, which boosted the production amyloid-beta associated with Alzheimer’s. The study progressed to testing new drugs, which are believed to be the basis of a human treatment against Alzheimer’s and are meant to be tested on people later this year.

Physical activity and cognivive functions

Physical activity and an active lifestyle have always been associated with a higher level of a person’s cognition. According to the latest researches, older adults are not an exception, despite the presence of brain lesions attached to dementia. In other words, cognition functions independently of brain pathologies that one may have and improves its performance when the physical activity takes place. Precisely aerobics influences the level growth of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and hippocampal volume, which consequently helps slow cognition decline.