News by Subject Medicine & Health

In a new study, researchers focused on one of the most common caregiving arrangements: daughters between the ages of 40 and 70 who were likely to need to provide informal care to their mothers at some point in the near future. Participants were identified using the Health and Retirement Study, a survey conducted by the University of Michigan since 1992. Findings from this new analysis were published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Researchers learn more about the relationship between sexual behavior, function, and cognition (people's ability to think and make decisions).

New research from USC has uncovered a previously unknown genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The study provides insights on how these conditions, and other diseases of aging, might one day be treated and prevented.

A new Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute study assesses the effect of receiving an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) between 2011 and 2013 on the annual rate of eight preventive services recommended for the Medicare population following the AWV. The study is published online in Preventive Medicine.

The oldest group reported the lowest levels of depressive symptoms and the highest levels of Physical QOL. 'These results were unexpected,' said Dr. Strober, 'given the functional limitations, disease progression, and neurological lesions seen in the aging MS population. Contrary to our hypothesis, the trend by age paralleled the general population. Younger individuals with MS are at greater risk for depression and poor QOL. If confirmed, targeted screening for depression by age may be warranted in this population.'

Highlighting how geroscience paves the way for therapeutic interventions and extending healthspan at large, three articles co-authored by five AFAR experts will appear in the October 2, 2018 print edition of JAMA and are now available online.

Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) of McGill University examined the effects of aging on neuroplasticity in the primary auditory cortex, the part of the brain that processes auditory information. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to modify its connections and function in response to environmental demands, an important process in learning.

The most disagreeable individuals, who are also the least likely to be kind, can benefit most from behaving more compassionately, a York University study has found. Disagreeable participants who performed acts of kindness in close relationships showed the greatest reductions in depression and greatest increases in life satisfaction.