Brain and Cognitive Health Archive

Simple strategies can help someone fight age-related memory slips. Tips include repeating new information by saying it out loud or writing it down a few times; associating an image with someone’s name, such as thinking of a bouquet of roses after meeting a person named Rosie; grouping information in chunks, similar to grouping digits in a phone number; and writing information out by hand (as opposed to typing), which forces the brain to process and absorb data.

Visual art in paintings, medical illustrations, and modern digital tools has influenced how people understand the human heart. The bridging of art and the heart dates back to Leonardo da Vinci, whose drawings laid the groundwork for modern cardiology. Today, the intersection of art and the heart may also contribute to healing through advocacy (such as art in public health campaigns), education (such as interactive animations to help people understand the heart), and innovation (such as three-dimensional models to illustrate procedures).

A 2025 study suggested that following a green-Mediterranean diet — which includes walnuts, green tea, and the aquatic plant Mankai — may be linked with slower brain aging.

A 2025 study suggests that owning a dog or cat may help slow cognitive decline as people age.

A 2025 study of 250 people found that the brain can tell the immune system to prepare for impending infection even before a microbe enters the body. Scientists asked volunteers to don virtual reality headsets that showed various virtual people approaching them. Some of those approaching appeared to be healthy and others appeared to be sick. Brain scans and blood tests showed that participants’ brains activated their immune systems when a virtual sick person simply came near them.

People who suffer from chronic insomnia are more likely to develop cognitive problems and score lower on thinking and memory tests compared with individuals without chronic insomnia, a 2025 study suggests.

A 2025 study suggested that consuming larger amounts of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and xylitol may be linked to faster declines in memory and thinking skills.

The vast majority of older adults would want to know if they’re in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and would want a blood test to learn for certain, according to a 2025 poll. Advances in testing and treatment may fuel this desire for knowledge. There are pros and cons to knowing this information. People with an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis can plan ahead, seek support, and may feel motivated to maintain their health. But the diagnosis may jeopardize their job or insurance coverage, as well as trigger anxiety or depression.

A 2025 study suggests that sleeping nine or more hours nightly is associated with worse cognitive performance, an effect that’s stronger among people with symptoms of depression.

A 2025 study suggests that women who score highly on a brain health measurement incorporating physical, lifestyle, social, and emotional factors face lower stroke odds.