If you’ve ever wondered whether the food on your plate could shape your brain’s future, the science is starting to say: yes, it might. While healthy eating has long been linked to better brain health, new research is getting more specific about which diets help, and when you should start following them.At this year’s annual Nutrition conference in Orlando, Florida, researchers presented findings that add weight to the growing link between diet and dementia. According to a news release, study author Song-Yi Park of the University of Hawaii at Manoa said, “Our study findings confirm that healthy dietary patterns in mid to late life and their improvement over time may prevent Alzheimer’s and related dementias. This suggests that it is never too late to adopt a healthy diet to prevent dementia.”The research focused on nearly 93,000 U.S. adults from the long-running Multiethnic Cohort Study. Participants were between 45 years and 75 years old when they entered the study in the 1990s. Over time, more than 21,000 developed Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias — but those who closely followed a specific eating plan, the MIND diet, were significantly less likely to be among them.Combining the Mediterranean Diet and DASH DietThe MIND diet (short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) blends the best elements of two established eating plans: the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet.The Mediterranean diet is inspired by the traditional cuisines of countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain. It focuses on plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains), healthy fats like olive oil, and moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and dairy, with red meat eaten sparingly. It’s been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and is also environmentally friendly.The DASH diet, originally designed to lower blood pressure, shares many similarities but puts extra emphasis on limiting sodium and increasing intake of nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. It includes low-fat dairy and lean protein sources and doesn’t rely on any hard-to-find foods.The MIND diet specifically promotes brain-healthy foods like leafy greens, berries, nuts, and olive oil, combining benefits of both approaches with a focus on protecting cognitive health.Read More: Is the Mediterranean Diet Healthy?The MIND Diet Over TimeAccording to Park and her team, people who scored highest in MIND diet adherence at the study’s start had a 9 percent lower risk of developing dementia. That number was even higher with around 13 percent for African American, Latino, and White participants. Looking at those who improved their adherence to the MIND diet over time, showed a 25 percent reduction in dementia risk compared to those whose dietary habits declined, which was consistent no matter the age or racial background.“We found that the protective relationship between a healthy diet and dementia was more pronounced among African Americans, Latinos, and Whites, while it was not as apparent among Asian Americans and showed a weaker trend in Native Hawaiians,” Park said in the press release. “A tailored approach may be needed when evaluating different subpopulations’ diet quality.”Interestingly, Asian Americans also tend to have lower dementia rates overall, which researchers believe could mean other cultural eating patterns might offer similar protection than the MIND diet for that group.The Best Time to Start Is NowOne of the most encouraging findings was that starting late still helped. Participants who began following the MIND diet more closely over a 10-year period, regardless of how old they were when they began, saw benefits. This suggests that even if you didn’t grow up eating brain-boosting foods, it’s not too late to change course.It’s worth noting that the study is observational, so, by itself, it can’t prove this specific diet causes better brain health. Study author Park notes that the next step is conducting interventional studies to verify these promising results.Still, the evidence is mounting. Whether you're 45 or 75, choosing greens over greasy snacks could make a real difference when it comes to aging with or without dementia.This article is not offering medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:National Institute of Aging. What Do We Know About Diet and Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease?Harvard Health Publishing. A practical guide to the Mediterranean dietNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Following the DASH Eating PlanHaving worked as a biomedical research assistant in labs across three countries, Jenny excels at translating complex scientific concepts – ranging from medical breakthroughs and pharmacological discoveries to the latest in nutrition – into engaging, accessible content. Her interests extend to topics such as human evolution, psychology, and quirky animal stories. When she’s not immersed in a popular science book, you’ll find her catching waves or cruising around Vancouver Island on her longboard.

June 2, 20253 min readThe World Isn’t Ready for the Mental Health Toll of Extreme HeatTemperatures are rising, and so are mental health risksBy Madhusree Mukerjee edited by Dean VisserA man walks with an umbrella to protect himself from the heat as a yellow alert is issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) due to increasing temperatures in London, United Kingdom on June 25, 2024. Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty ImagesThe coming summer is forecast to be a scorcher across the U.S. And climate scientists predict that at least one of the next five years will beat 2024 as the hottest year ever recorded globally. As heat waves are getting more intense and prolonged, their effect on the mind and body are also becoming more dire. Children and older people, as well as those who work outdoors, are most at risk. So are those with mental health disorders.Heat waves are the single highest cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S., where an estimated 1,300 fatalities from heat stroke and other temperature-related complications occur every year. Even those who survive a period of extreme heat may suffer serious neurological or other mental-health-related disorders.A new study published in Current Environmental Health Reports finds that the world is startlingly unprepared to deal with the mental health consequences of climate change. Of 83 action plans for heat-related health problems that were reviewed for the study, fewer than a third acknowledged the mental health effects of extreme or prolonged high temperatures. And only a fifth of these plans outlined specific actions to deal with contingencies such as increased hospitalizations for mental health disorders.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.How does extreme heat affect the brain?The human body operates optimally at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). If a person doesn’t drink enough water when the weather is hot and dry, the body becomes dehydrated, the blood thickens, and the heart may not be able to pump enough oxygen to the brain. Additionally, the human brain burns up 20 percent of the body’s energy and therefore needs to dissipate heat efficiently. In hot and humid conditions, sweating cannot cool the body and brain enough. This can lead to heat exhaustion, which has symptoms such as weakness, dizziness and headaches and, in extreme cases, heat stroke—which can then trigger delirium and loss of consciousness. A significant fraction of heat stroke survivors suffer neurological complications.Exposure to extreme heat can also increase the risk of suicide and can worsen schizophrenia, epilepsy, anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, neurodegenerative disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease) and negative emotions such as fear and anger. It may worsen sleep, which, in turn, can increase fatigue and impair cognition. Alcohol and recreational drugs, as well as certain medications used to treat mental illness, such as antidepressants, tranquilizers and antipsychotics, also appear to increase mental health vulnerability to heat.Studies find an increased risk of suicide and epileptic seizures during heat waves, as well as an increase in hospitalizations and emergency-room visits for mental health disorders. Heat can also disorient thinking, making people slow to realize that they need to seek shelter or help.Who is most at risk?The most vulnerable are those with existing mental health disorders. Disturbingly, prolonged heat waves also appear to worsen the risk among young children—and even the unborn—of developing mental health ailments in the future. Older people may also be particularly affected, such as by accelerated dementia and Alzheimer’s.At particular risk are vast populations around the world who live without air-conditioning, including poor or homeless people and those who work outdoors, such as on farms.What can be done?The authors of the new Current Environmental Health Reports study point to interventions at several levels to help communities and individuals most at risk of climate mental health impacts. These can include public awareness campaigns, such as warning people about the mental health risk of consuming alcohol or other drugs during heat waves. Other interventions include establishing community cooling shelters for heat emergencies and increasing monitoring of mental health patients during heat waves. Extreme heat is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. We need to prepare people and communities to reduce the risk of mental health emergencies.IF YOU NEED HELPIf you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, help is available. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use the online Lifeline Chat.

Last Surviving Grandson of President John Tyler, Who Took Office in 1841, Dies at 96 When Harrison Ruffin Tyler’s grandfather was born 235 years ago in 1790, George Washington had just become the nation’s first president John Tyler was 63 when his 13th child was born in 1853. That child, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr., was 75 when Harrison Ruffin Tyler was born in 1928. Heritage Art / Heritage Images via Getty Images Harrison Ruffin Tyler, grandson of the tenth American president John Tyler, died on May 25 at age 96. Though the cause of death has not been revealed, his health had deteriorated in recent years. He had been diagnosed with dementia and suffered several small strokes starting in 2012, reports the New York Times’ Robert D. McFadden. He died at his home in a retirement community in Richmond, Virginia, according to the Washington Post’s Andrew Jeong and Brian Murphy. After the death of his brother, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., in September 2020, Harrison Ruffin Tyler was the last surviving grandson of John Tyler, who was born in 1790 and led the nation between 1841 and 1845. But how could someone born in 1790 still have—until very recently—living grandchildren? Even the president’s grandson acknowledged that the time frame was difficult to comprehend. “When you talk about my grandfather born in the 1700s, there is a disconnect there,” he told WTVR’s Scott Wise and Greg McQuade in 2012. The unusual timeline was the result of second marriages and late-in-life fatherhood for the former president and, later, one of his sons. John Tyler was 63 when his 13th child, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr., was born in 1853. Then, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr. was 75 when Harrison Ruffin Tyler was born in 1928. “Both my grandfather—the president—and my father were married twice,” he told New York magazine’s Dan Amira in 2012. “And they had children by their first wives. And their first wives died, and they married again and had more children.” With so many relatives to keep track of, he added, “it does get very confusing.” “When I was a child, I did know most of the descendants, but as you get more generations down the line, it’s hard to keep track of everybody,” he said.John Tyler was born just after George Washington became the fledgling nation’s first president. He pursued a career in politics, serving as Virginia’s governor, as well as a United States representative and senator. He became America’s vice president when William Henry Harrison was elected president in 1840. When Harrison died of pneumonia a month into his term, John Tyler became the first vice president to succeed a president who died in office. His ascension was controversial, with some federal lawmakers questioning the legitimacy of his claims to the presidency. Some detractors even took to calling him “His Accidency.” The issue was not officially settled until 1967, with the ratification of the 25th Amendment. As president, one of John Tyler’s biggest accomplishments was pursuing the annexation of Texas, which officially joined the Union in 1845 under President James K. Polk. After his stint in the White House, he retired to his plantation on Virginia’s James River. During the Civil War, he was elected to the Confederate legislature, but he died in 1862 before he could take office. During his lifetime, he had a record-setting 15 children—the most of any U.S. president. He was married twice: first to Letitia Christian, who became the first president’s wife to die in the White House in 1842, followed by Julia Gardiner, who also served as First Lady. Their fifth child was Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr., who later fathered Harrison Ruffin Tyler. Born in 1928, Harrison Ruffin Tyler studied chemistry at the College of William & Mary and chemical engineering at Virginia Tech before founding a water treatment company called ChemTreat. He and his wife, Frances Payne Bouknight, who died in 2019, also spent many years restoring the family’s ancestral home, Sherwood Forest Plantation. The 1,600-acre property, built around 1730 and purchased by his grandfather during his presidency, is a National Historic Landmark. The couple also worked to preserve a nearby Union supply depot called Fort Pocahontas that had been constructed by a regiment of Black soldiers during the Civil War. They had three children together: Harrison Ruffin Tyler Jr., William Bouknight Tyler and Julia Gardiner Tyler Samaniego. Harrison Ruffin Tyler “will be missed immeasurably by those who survive him,” Annique Dunning, the executive director of Sherwood Forest, said in a statement, as reported by the Associated Press. “He will be remembered for his considerable charm, generosity and unfailing good humor by all who knew him.” Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

The probability of any American having dementia in their lifetime may be far greater than previously thought. For instance, a 2025 study that tracked a large sample of American adults across more than three decades found that their average likelihood of developing dementia between ages 55 to 95 was 42%, and that figure was even higher among women, Black adults and those with genetic risk. Now, a great deal of attention is being paid to how to stave off cognitive decline in the aging American population. But what is often missing from this conversation is the role that chronic stress can play in how well people age from a cognitive standpoint, as well as everybody’s risk for dementia. We are professors at Penn State in the Center for Healthy Aging, with expertise in health psychology and neuropsychology. We study the pathways by which chronic psychological stress influences the risk of dementia and how it influences the ability to stay healthy as people age. Recent research shows that Americans who are currently middle-aged or older report experiencing more frequent stressful events than previous generations. A key driver behind this increase appears to be rising economic and job insecurity, especially in the wake of the 2007-2009 Great Recession and ongoing shifts in the labor market. Many people stay in the workforce longer due to financial necessity, as Americans are living longer and face greater challenges covering basic expenses in later life. Therefore, it may be more important than ever to understand the pathways by which stress influences cognitive aging. Social isolation and stress Although everyone experiences some stress in daily life, some people experience stress that is more intense, persistent or prolonged. It is this relatively chronic stress that is most consistently linked with poorer health. In a recent review paper, our team summarized how chronic stress is a hidden but powerful factor underlying cognitive aging, or the speed at which your cognitive performance slows down with age. It is hard to overstate the impact of stress on your cognitive health as you age. This is in part because your psychological, behavioral and biological responses to everyday stressful events are closely intertwined, and each can amplify and interact with the other. For instance, living alone can be stressful—particularly for older adults—and being isolated makes it more difficult to live a healthy lifestyle, as well as to detect and get help for signs of cognitive decline. Moreover, stressful experiences—and your reactions to them—can make it harder to sleep well and to engage in other healthy behaviors, like getting enough exercise and maintaining a healthy diet. In turn, insufficient sleep and a lack of physical activity can make it harder to cope with stressful experiences. Stress is often missing from dementia prevention efforts A robust body of research highlights the importance of at least 14 different factors that relate to your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, a common and devastating form of dementia and other forms of dementia. Although some of these factors may be outside of your control, such as diabetes or depression, many of these factors involve things that people do, such as physical activity, healthy eating and social engagement. What is less well-recognized is that chronic stress is intimately interwoven with all of these factors that relate to dementia risk. Our work and research by others that we reviewed in our recent paper demonstrate that chronic stress can affect brain function and physiology, influence mood and make it harder to maintain healthy habits. Yet, dementia prevention efforts rarely address stress. Avoiding stressful events and difficult life circumstances is typically not an option. Where and how you live and work plays a major role in how much stress you experience. For example, people with lower incomes, less education or those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods often face more frequent stress and have fewer forms of support—such as nearby clinics, access to healthy food, reliable transportation or safe places to exercise or socialize—to help them manage the challenges of aging As shown in recent work on brain health in rural and underserved communities, these conditions can shape whether people have the chance to stay healthy as they age. Over time, the effects of stress tend to build up, wearing down the body’s systems and shaping long-term emotional and social habits. Lifestyle changes to manage stress and lessen dementia risk The good news is that there are multiple things that can be done to slow or prevent dementia, and our review suggests that these can be enhanced if the role of stress is better understood. Whether you are a young, midlife or an older adult, it is not too early or too late to address the implications of stress on brain health and aging. Here are a few ways you can take direct actions to help manage your level of stress: Follow lifestyle behaviors that can improve healthy aging. These include: following a healthy diet, engaging in physical activity and getting enough sleep. Even small changes in these domains can make a big difference. Prioritize your mental health and well-being to the extent you can. Things as simple as talking about your worries, asking for support from friends and family and going outside regularly can be immensely valuable. If your doctor says that you or someone you care about should follow a new health care regimen, or suggests there are signs of cognitive impairment, ask them what support or advice they have for managing related stress. If you or a loved one feel socially isolated, consider how small shifts could make a difference. For instance, research suggests that adding just one extra interaction a day—even if it’s a text message or a brief phone call—can be helpful, and that even interactions with people you don’t know well, such as at a coffee shop or doctor’s office, can have meaningful benefits. Walkable neighborhoods, lifelong learning A 2025 study identified stress as one of 17 overlapping factors that affect the odds of developing any brain disease, including stroke, late-life depression and dementia. This work suggests that addressing stress and overlapping issues such as loneliness may have additional health benefits as well. However, not all individuals or families are able to make big changes on their own. Research suggests that community-level and workplace interventions can reduce the risk of dementia. For example, safe and walkable neighborhoods and opportunities for social connection and lifelong learning—such as through community classes and events—have the potential to reduce stress and promote brain health. Importantly, researchers have estimated that even a modest delay in disease onset of Alzheimer’s would save hundreds of thousands of dollars for every American affected. Thus, providing incentives to companies who offer stress management resources could ultimately save money as well as help people age more healthfully. In addition, stress related to the stigma around mental health and aging can discourage people from seeking support that would benefit them. Even just thinking about your risk of dementia can be stressful in itself. Things can be done about this, too. For instance, normalizing the use of hearing aids and integrating reports of perceived memory and mental health issues into routine primary care and workplace wellness programs could encourage people to engage with preventive services earlier. Although research on potential biomedical treatments is ongoing and important, there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, if interventions aimed at reducing stress were prioritized in guidelines for dementia prevention, the benefits could be far-reaching, resulting in both delayed disease onset and improved quality of life for millions of people. Jennifer E. Graham-Engeland is a professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State. Martin J. Sliwinski is a professor of human development and family studies at Penn State. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

05/26 — 2025 by abduzeedo Explore the award-winning "Bike For Brain Health" project. See how dynamic art direction and branding create a powerful visual identity for a cause. Every so often, a design project comes along that truly resonates. It's more than just aesthetics; it's about conveying a powerful message. The "Bike For Brain Health" conceptual system is one such example. This annual event supports dementia research and care. Its visual identity, crafted by designers Zoë Boudreau and Jesse Shaw, offers a masterclass in thoughtful art direction and branding. A Dynamic Visual Concept The core of this system is a bike. But not just any bike. This one "shifts and morphs," adapting to its environment. This dynamic quality is key. It reflects the disorientation dementia can cause. Yet, it also shows the determination needed to find a path forward. This clever visual metaphor is instantly recognizable. It forms the backbone of the entire brand. Branding in Action: Posters and Beyond Great branding extends across all touchpoints. Boudreau and Shaw's work shines here. The morphing bike graphic is not static. It transforms into a framing device. This highlights participants in photos. It also serves as a wayfinding element during the event. Consider the poster series. Each poster features a different configuration of the bike. The consistent messaging, "Help us slow the race against dementia," ties them together. This repetition reinforces the cause. It also showcases the versatility of the core visual. This thoughtful art direction ensures brand recognition. Engaging Across Platforms In today's world, digital presence is vital. The "Bike For Brain Health" system translates seamlessly. Social media mockups show the bike graphic framing real participants. This personalizes the cause. It makes the abstract concept relatable. The visual identity adapts, maintaining its impact on smaller screens. This demonstrates strong UI/UX thinking, even in a conceptual stage. Beyond social, the system considers practical applications. Wayfinding signage, like the "Check in Here" poster, uses the bike graphic. It guides attendees. A mobile app screen also features "The 50KM Route" outlined by the bike's morphing lines. This shows how illustration and graphic design can serve functional purposes. It's about more than just looking good; it's about guiding and informing. The Power of Thoughtful Design This project, which won gold in the Young Lions competition's design category, proves a point. Effective art direction and branding can elevate a cause. It connects with people emotionally. The "tangled yet recognizable" bike reflects complex themes. It speaks to both struggle and hope. This human-centered approach is what makes design truly powerful. It's a reminder that visual identity isn't just about a logo. It's about a story, a feeling, and a call to action. To explore more about this inspiring project and the designers behind it, visit Zoë Boudreau and Jesse Shaw's portfolio at https://boudreaudesigns.com/bike-for-brain-health-design-system. Art direction and branding artifacts

The FDA recently cleared the Lumipulse blood test for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in ... More people 55 and over with memory loss. The noninvasive Lumipulse blood test measures the levels of two proteins—pTau 217 and β-Amyloid 1-42—in plasma and calculates the ratio between them. This ratio is correlated with the presence or absence of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, in the brain.getty Whether you’re noticing changes in your memory that are affecting your daily life, caring for a loved one recently diagnosed with dementia, evaluating a patient as a physician, or simply worried about someone close to you, the recent FDA clearance of the Lumipulse blood test for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is a significant development that you should be aware of. Here’s what you need to know about this Breakthrough Alzheimer’s blood test. The Lumipulse G pTau217/β-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio test is designed for the early detection of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease in adults aged 55 years and older who are showing signs and symptoms of the condition. If you’ve witnessed a loved one gradually lose their memories due to the impact of amyloid plaques in their brain, you understand how important a test like this can be. The Lumipulse test measures the levels of two proteins—pTau 217 and β-Amyloid 1-42—in plasma and calculates the ratio between them. This ratio is correlated with the presence or absence of amyloid plaques in the brain, potentially reducing the need for more invasive procedures like PET scans or spinal fluid analysis. Benefits of testing with Lumipulse Dr. Phillipe Douyon, a neurologist and author of “7 Things You Should Be Doing to Minimize Your Risk of Dementia,” notes that the Alzheimer’s Association has reported that 50-70% of symptomatic patients in community settings are inaccurately diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In specialized memory clinics, this misdiagnosis rate drops to 25-30%. “Having a test that provides early and accurate insights into the cause of someone’s dementia could be a massive game changer,” says Dr. Douyon. Alzheimer's disease. Neurodegeneration. Cross section of normal and Alzheimer brain, with Atrophy of ... More the cerebral cortex, Enlarged ventricles and Hippocampus. Close-up of neurons with Neurofibrillary tangles and Amyloid plaques. Vector illustrationgetty This new test follows the recent FDA approval of two medications, lecanemab and donanemab, which are highly effective in removing amyloid from the brain. Clinical trials have shown that these treatments can slow the progression of dementia. Currently, to qualify for these medications, patients must undergo expensive examinations, such as a brain amyloid PET scan or a lumbar puncture to analyze their spinal fluid. Many patients, however, do not have access to PET imaging or specialist care. “A blood test makes diagnostic procedures more accessible and benefits underserved populations,” says Dr. Haythum Tayeb, a neurologist at WMCHealth. “It also enables earlier and more personalized care planning, even before formal treatment begins. This empowers patients and their families to make informed decisions sooner,” Dr. Tayeb adds. Who Should Be Tested With Lumipulse While this blood test may improve access to care for patients from communities lacking neurology and other specialty services, it is recommended to use it only for individuals experiencing memory problems, rather than for those who are asymptomatic. “Given that there is no specific treatment indicated for asymptomatic persons, there is a risk of introducing psychological harm at this stage,” warns Dr. James Noble who is Professor of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and author of Navigating Life With Dementia. “Healthy approaches to lifestyle will remain central in adulthood whether or not someone has a positive test, and that advice will not really change,” adds Dr. Noble. Living a healthy lifestyle can significantly enhance brain health, regardless of whether a person has an abnormal accumulation of amyloid in their brain. Key factors include regular exercise, following a healthy diet such as the Mediterranean diet, getting adequate sleep, engaging in social and cognitive activities. These practices are all essential for maintaining cognitive function. Additionally, taking steps to protect your hearing may help reduce the risk of developing dementia.To reduce your risk of dementia, you can do regular exercise, consume a healthy diet such as the ... More Mediterranean diet, get adequate sleep, and engage regularly in social and cognitive activities.getty Anyone experiencing memory loss should consult their medical provider for an evaluation. The provider can conduct basic cognitive testing and determine if a referral to a specialist is necessary. If the individual meets the criteria for testing, the lumipulse blood test should also be considered. Future Of Alzheimer’s Testing “Looking across the wide landscape of medicine, many other conditions benefit from early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. There is no reason to believe that Alzheimer’s disease will be any different” says Dr. Noble. Indeed, screening for diseases like colon cancer, breast cancer, and high blood pressure has significantly extended the average American lifespan. Imagine how much our lives could change if we could screen for Alzheimer’s dementia in the same way. This would be particularly useful for patients at higher risk due to age or family history. Providing earlier intervention for Alzheimer’s disease could potentially reduce amyloid buildup in the brain, help preserve memories, and allow individuals to live more independently at home, rather than in nursing homes. Another advantage of using a test like the Lumipulse blood test is the ability to inform a patient that their memory loss is not linked to Alzheimer’s disease. While a negative blood test does not entirely rule out an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, it does make it less probable. This could prompt the medical provider to conduct further testing to identify a more accurate cause for the patient’s memory loss. In some instances, the medical provider may conclude that the patient’s memory loss is related to normal aging. This is also important so that patients are not unnecessarily placed on medications that may not help them. It is reasonable to anticipate that additional blood-based biomarkers for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will be available in the future. Perhaps one day, there will be a dementia panel blood test that can be sent off to provide early diagnosis of a wide range of dementias. Alzheimer’s blood testing is not only beneficial for individuals, but it also represents a significant advancement for research. Doctors and scientists can more easily identify individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, which accelerates clinical trials for new medications. This increased diagnostic accuracy can enhance the effectiveness of Alzheimer’s clinical trials, as it ensures that patients enrolled have more reliable diagnoses. Consequently, new and more effective treatments could be developed and made available more quickly. The Lumipulse Alzheimer’s blood test marks a pivotal moment in our approach to this disease. While patients may still need confirmatory testing through brain imaging or spinal fluid analysis, this blood test enables the medical community to adopt a more proactive, precise, and personalized strategy for diagnosing and treating patients with dementia. This simple blood test brings us one step closer to earlier answers, better care, and renewed hope for millions of people facing the uncertainty of dementia.

Like the alluring mythological creatures from which it draws its name, Netflix's Sirens wears a tempting facade, but conceals something darker at its core.That facade draws on the pleasures of shows like Big Little Lies and The White Lotus: great actors — Julianne Moore! Meghann Fahy! Milly Alcock! — facing off against a backdrop of picturesque mansions and beaches. As in those series, showrunner Molly Smith Metzler (Maid) also looks to tackle thornier topics of class and trauma. Yet these subjects rarely get the depth they deserve, brushed over by a haphazard plot that delivers soapy fun, if not much else.What's Sirens about? Meghann Fahy and Milly Alcock in "Sirens." Credit: Macall Polay / Netflix Sirens kicks off with the world's most misguided edible arrangement. Devon (Fahy), fresh off her second DUI and learning her father (Bill Camp) has early-onset dementia, has appealed to her absent younger sister Simone (Alcock) for help. Simone's response? A basket of melon and berries, and a card telling Devon to "keep your chin up." The subpar gift and empty platitude are enough to make Devon travel several hours, rotting fruit in hand, to the luxurious island where Simone works as assistant to wealthy philanthropist Michaela "Kiki" Kell (Moore). You May Also Like Simone doesn't just manage the staff who run Michaela's lavish Cliff House estate. The working relationship between the two is deeply personal — and frankly, creepy. Boundaries don't exist for them: Simone drafts Michaela's sexts to her husband Peter (Kevin Bacon). The pair share gum in order to have fresh breath. If this is raising red flags for you, you're not alone: Devon is horrified by Simone's bond with her boss, and she's ready to drag her sister kicking and screaming from Michaela's grasp. But as a scrappy working-class interloper in Michaela's wealthy world — over the all-important, party-filled Labor Day weekend, no less — Devon is at a major disadvantage. As she attempts to protect her sister, dark secrets about their past (and dark rumors about Michaela's) come to light, prompting a whirlwind of dramatic revelations that ultimately don't hold the weight they should. Mashable Top Stories Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news. Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up! Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, and Milly Alcock are great in Sirens, but is it enough? Julianne Moore in "Sirens." Credit: Macall Polay / Netflix Sirens is at its best when it's a dark comedy with a touch of soap opera, and much of that comes down to Moore, Fahy, and Alcock's performances. Moore and Alcock make a perfect pair, channeling Stepford Wives creepiness in their pastel getups and matching athleisure sets. Alcock's Simone simpers and preens for her boss, while Moore commits fully to Michaela's frigid cult leader vibes. (Whether Michaela's bird preservation society is actually a cult is one of the mysteries Sirens presents, even if the resolution isn't particularly satisfying.)Fahy's Devon, meanwhile, is a wonderfully prickly contrast to Simone and Michaela's rich girl acts. She's raw and unapologetic, unafraid to call out Michaela's bizarro rituals. When she and Simone are together, that rawness rubs off on Simone, too, highlighting their sisterly connection and the pain the two shared during their traumatic upbringing. Related Stories Discussion of that trauma results in some of Sirens' biggest tonal swings, as the show ranges from send-ups of the superficial rich — Glenn Howerton excels as Michaela and Peter's sleazeball neighbor, for example — to clichéd explorations of mental health, like Simone's panic attacks. Also predictable? Sirens' examination of unbalanced, predatory power dynamics within relationships. As soon as Bacon's Peter shows up on the scene, it's clear what will play out between him, Michaela, and Simone. The show treats this arc as culminating in a revelatory plot twist, but it feels more tired than anything.Sirens isn't without interesting ideas. In keeping with the "sirens" motif, all three women are treated as monstrous at some point in the show's five-episode run, even though they're often at a disadvantage. (Especially Devon and Simone.) The mythological theme extends to a solid running joke in which two of Devon's loser suitors follow her around, as if lured by her siren song, despite her annoyed rejections of them. These contrasts between people perceiving Sirens' leads as near-mythic beings versus their actual, unfulfilling realities result in the show's most fascinating moments. But with only five episodes, Sirens fails to probe these contrasts as much as it could, and its song ultimately falls flat.Sirens is now streaming on Netflix. Topics Netflix

Image by Getty / FuturismNeuroscience/Brain ScienceEach of our brains is swimming in enough microplastics to form a plastic spoon, scientists discovered earlier this year. Since then, medical researchers have been scrambling to understand how that could affect our neurological health.Now, ominous data is starting to trickle in, with new research comprising four papers published in the journal Brain Medicine suggesting that microplastics could be contributing to rising rates of depression, dementia, and other mental health ailments across the globe. And for exposing us to these brain-invading microplastics, a clear culprit emerged in the work: ultra-processed foods, or junk food, which make up a huge part of many Americans' diets."We're seeing converging evidence that should concern us all," said Nicholas Fabiano from the University of Ottawa, who led one of the studies, in a statement about the work. "Ultra-processed foods now comprise more than 50 percent of energy intake in countries like the United States, and these foods contain significantly higher concentrations of microplastics than whole foods."If true, it would mean that microplastics were the missing link in the correlation between junk food consumption and brain disorders. One study cited by the researchers found that people who ate ultra-processed meals had a significantly higher risk of depression, anxiety, and poor sleep. On the flip side, randomized control trials have demonstrated that weaning someone off junk food led to significant improvements in mental health.Implicating the role of microplastics in this, other research has revealed that junk foods are absolutely riddled with plastic particles. Meals like chicken nuggets, for example, have been shown to contain 30 times more microplastics per gram than chicken breasts, likely absorbed as a result of how they're manufactured and packaged."This hypothesis is particularly compelling because we see remarkable overlap in biological mechanisms," Wolfgang Marx from Deakin University's Food & Mood Center who coauthored one of the studies, said in a statement. "Ultra-processed foods have been linked to adverse mental health through inflammation, oxidative stress, epigenetics, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disruptions to neurotransmitter systems. Microplastics appear to operate through remarkably similar pathways."These findings are the latest to illustrate the potential grim health effects caused by microplastics, which have been found everywhere from human bone marrow to clouds to the most remote regions on Earth.So far, though, there's no definitive evidence, including human trials, that prove they're harmful to our health. But the fact that microplastics can easily bypass the blood-brain barrier — our gray matter's last line of defense against harmful substances — has unsettled medical experts. Beyond mental ailments, some research has found that microplastics could cause blood clots in the vessels of the brain, potentially inducing a stroke."What emerges from this work is not a warning. It is a reckoning," wrote Ma-Li Wong, a distinguished professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Upstate Medical University, in an accompanying editorial. "The boundary between internal and external has failed. If microplastics cross the blood-brain barrier, what else do we think remains sacred?"It's impossible not to intake some amount of microplastics every time we eat, but you can take steps to reduce your exposure. And the evidence so far, the researchers argue, makes an increasingly compelling case for cutting ultra-processed junk out of your diet."After all," said Fabiano, "you are what you eat."Share This Article