Latest news with #CognitiveDecline
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
What are your questions about lifestyle changes and cognitive decline?
Healthy habits like eating a nutritious diet and getting regular exercise can protect your brain as you age. Research shows that it may even help after physical signs of cognitive problems begin. What do you want to know about how your lifestyle might affect your risk of cognitive decline, including conditions such as Alzheimer's disease? Share your questions with CNN below.
CNN
a day ago
- Health
- CNN
What are your questions about lifestyle changes and cognitive decline?
Food & health Chronic diseases Dementia Getting olderFacebookTweetLink Follow Healthy habits like eating a nutritious diet and getting regular exercise can protect your brain as you age. Research shows that it may even help after physical signs of cognitive problems begin. What do you want to know about how your lifestyle might affect your risk of cognitive decline, including conditions such as Alzheimer's disease? Share your questions with CNN below.
Sustainability Times
20-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Humanity Is Doomed': Alarming New Data Exposes Sharp Global Drop in IQ Levels, Sparking Fear and Urgency Worldwide
IN A NUTSHELL 📉 Cognitive decline is a growing concern, affecting focus, problem-solving, and reasoning skills across all age groups. is a growing concern, affecting focus, problem-solving, and reasoning skills across all age groups. 📱 Rising technology use, particularly excessive screen time, is linked to reduced verbal and cognitive abilities. use, particularly excessive screen time, is linked to reduced verbal and cognitive abilities. 🌍 The issue is global , with adults worldwide struggling with basic numeracy and literacy skills. , with adults worldwide struggling with basic numeracy and literacy skills. 📚 Decreased traditional reading habits contribute to the cognitive decline, as fewer people engage in deep, focused activities. The decline in human cognitive abilities has become a pressing concern, with emerging data pointing to a downward trend in skills like focus, problem-solving, and reasoning. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among younger generations who face challenges in maintaining attention and processing information. The implications of this decline are profound, prompting experts to investigate the underlying causes and potential solutions. As we delve into the factors contributing to this cognitive shift, we must consider how societal changes, technological advancements, and lifestyle shifts are reshaping our intellectual capabilities. Declining Cognitive Skills: The Hard Truth Recent research paints a stark picture of declining cognitive skills across various demographics, particularly among younger generations. Studies such as the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) reveal significant decreases in cognitive abilities. Young adults and teens are increasingly struggling with tasks that require sustained focus and effective information processing. This disturbing trend raises questions about the factors contributing to such a decline. 'Unlocking a Cosmic Code': Alien Math Language Reveals Secrets of the Universe in This Groundbreaking 320-Page Report by Top Scientists One major factor is the shift in media consumption habits. As reported by the Financial Times, there is a noticeable decrease in time spent reading traditional literature, with more individuals opting to scroll through digital content. A study by the National Endowment for the Arts found that only 37.6 percent of Americans read a novel or short story in the past year, compared to 45.2 percent in 2012. This shift away from reading may be affecting the development of critical cognitive skills, further exacerbating the decline. 'This Color Shouldn't Exist': Scientists Stunned by Mysterious New Hue 'Olo' That Defies Red, Blue, and Everything Known Technology's Role: The Double-Edged Sword The rise of technology offers both benefits and challenges. While it has revolutionized communication, learning, and entertainment, it also presents potential drawbacks for cognitive function. Excessive screen time, especially on social media, is linked to declines in both verbal and cognitive skills. The constant exposure to screens can hinder concentration and the ability to retain information, crucial skills that are waning among younger populations. 'It Didn't Burn My Eyes!': Scientists Finally Create a Real Tear-Free Onion That Keeps All the Taste Without the Crying Moreover, the digital age appears to be rewiring our brains in ways that complicate deep thinking and sustained focus. Tasks that demand long periods of concentration are becoming challenging for individuals immersed in digital environments. This technological influence poses long-term risks to intellectual potential, especially for those growing up in heavily digitalized settings. Understanding the balance between technology use and cognitive health is vital as we navigate this complex landscape. The Global Scale of the Issue The cognitive decline is not confined to the United States. It spans across the globe, affecting adults in numerous countries. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), adults worldwide struggle with basic numeracy and literacy skills. A 2023 report highlighted that 34 percent of American adults scored at the lowest levels of numeracy, an increase from the previous year. This pattern is echoed internationally, demonstrating a widespread cognitive challenge. The ease of accessing information online without engaging in deep thinking might be reshaping how we process information. While digital devices provide quick access to facts, they might be discouraging thorough analysis and critical thinking. As these trends continue, the global community must address how to encourage environments that foster cognitive development in the face of digital convenience. Read Also: As we consider the implications of these cognitive trends, it's crucial to explore strategies that can counteract the decline. Promoting literacy, encouraging traditional reading habits, and balancing technology use with offline activities are potential solutions. By understanding the root causes and embracing proactive measures, we can work towards reversing this decline. What steps will societies take to ensure that future generations maintain and enhance their cognitive abilities in an increasingly digital world? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (22)
The Independent
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Trump just delivered a word salad speech that would've got Biden impeached
Once upon a time, if the president of the United States stumbled over a sentence, forgot a name, or momentarily glitched mid-speech, it was treated as a national emergency. 'Cognitive decline!' the headlines cried. 'Who's really running the country?' asked Republican attack ads on then-president Joe Biden, implying former vice president Kamala Harris was lurking just offstage with the strings of the puppet in her hands. Twitter (not X, never X) diagnosed poor Joe with dementia. There was talk about invoking the 25th Amendment. Biden's enemies — and then even some of his friends — painted him as a husk of a man: barely lucid, tragically unaware, propelled only by hubris toward a second term. But now Donald Trump is back, and aren't things different? Or wait, are they? During a speech in Pittsburgh Tuesday afternoon for the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, the 47th president certainly had his faculties on full display. To start, the president claimed, without blinking, that he had already secured $16 trillion in investments into the U.S. economy. For reference, the entire GDP of the United States is under $30 trillion. Now, we all know that Donald is prone to exaggeration. We've all heard that his latest idea/bill/haircut is the greatest thing ever, and that some people are saying it's the most incredible idea/bill/haircut the world has ever seen. But this was clearly not delivered for melodramatic effect. This was the president of the United States claiming that he had single-handedly funded half of capitalism, in six months. Moments later, Trump attempted to introduce Republican Rep. Dan Meuser. 'Where's Dan?' he asked, scanning the crowd. Dave McCormick, seated beside him, had to quietly inform him that all the representatives had stayed in Washington. 'Oh, they're in Washington working on our next bill? Good!' Trump replied. 'Now I don't have to mention their names, although they're watching on television, I guarantee.' He laughed nervously as he said it, in quite an uncharacteristic way, and then trailed off while muttering, again, that it was 'good' that 'they' are working on something in D.C. It was oddly difficult to watch. The 79-year-old president then struggled to pronounce the name of one of his own White House aides, before saying, 'They tell me you're doing great.' And, as the spicy dressing on the word salad, he added a bizarre aside about Unabomber Ted Kaczynski being a great student ('It didn't work out too well for him' in the end, however, according to Trump, a conclusion that clearly demands intellectual rigor beyond the everyday man or woman.) If Biden had said any of this, Fox News would have launched a live countdown to impeachment. But it's unlikely we'll see these gaffes dominate the news cycle — even though President Donald J. Trump, supposedly the sparkiest 79-year-old who ever damn lived, began to visibly struggle to stay awake while seated behind the microphone. There's something to be said here about gerontocracy, and the fact that the last election felt like watching two bald grandpas fighting over a comb, and the awfulness of having people on both sides of the aisle (the late Dianne Feinstein and the clearly struggling Mitch McConnell as two examples) hold on to power rather than relinquish it to people who have the mental and physical capacity to wield it. There's something to be said about Republicans sticking together, even in the face of clear dereliction of duty, and Democrats routinely turning on their own. There's even, perhaps, something to be said about how one can sleepwalk (quite literally) into stupid-sounding lies if one is accustomed to just saying whatever one wants all the time, until eventually it becomes clear that the emperor has no clothes. Trump is vulnerable at this moment, writing as he has on Truth Social that he's disappointed in his 'boys' and 'gals' for not letting themselves be gaslit into believing there was no Epstein list after all. Elon Musk is calling for a new party, as Laura Loomer and Tucker Carlson are being periodically, and loudly, more disloyal. Vice President J.D. Vance isn't exactly coming to a resounding defense of his running mate each time controversy rears its head, either. So it really might've been a good idea for Trump to bring his A-game to events right now. Instead, he showed, in a few short remarks, that he has very little knowledge of the reality of the American economy; is incapable of remembering where his own representatives are, to the point that he'll invite one onstage who is literal states away; doesn't appear to have heard of his aide; and cannot stay awake during an early afternoon public appearance. It's hard to sell 'disruptor' and 'firebrand' when you're falling asleep at the table and muttering people's names semi-coherently. But of course, as we know, all of this will simply be absorbed into the MAGA mythos: just another quirk of the ever-evolving, benevolent Trumpian character. The Republicans will carry him, even if they saw ten times less from Biden and called it reprehensible. And they won't do it because they truly think he's sharp. They'll do it because, in the end, they no longer think that matters.
Medical News Today
14-07-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
What are the different types of dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions that result in a loss of memory, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities. There are many different forms of dementia, and they occur due to changes in certain brain regions. Dementia is a general term that refers to a group of conditions that result in a progressive decline of brain functioning. These conditions can cause problems with memory, thinking, language, mood, emotions, and the ability to perform daily typically occurs due to changes in the brain that impact nerve cells or neurons, damaging a person's cognitive abilities. This article explores five different types of diseaseAccording to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for roughly 60% to 80% of cases of dementia in the United are still unsure of the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease. However, it likely relates to changes in the brain, such as shrinking of certain regions, inflammation, and blood vessel damage that results in problems with memory and thinking indicates that many different factors, such as genetics and lifestyle behaviors, contribute to Alzheimer's disease. However, age is the biggest risk factor for the condition, with most people developing Alzheimer's disease at 65 years of age or disease progresses in stages, with worsening symptoms. Common symptoms can include:memory problemsthinking and reasoning difficultieslanguage problemsmood changesvision and hearing changesVascular dementiaVascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Society. It describes a form of dementia that occurs due to restrictions in blood flow to the brain. Inadequate blood flow can damage and eventually kill cells in the brain, resulting in a decline in thinking skills. People over the age of 65 are more likely to develop vascular experts refer to conditions that interrupt the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain as vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia. There are different types of vascular dementia that occur due to different blood supply problems to the brain. For example, vascular dementia can occur following a of vascular dementia can vary depending on the severity of blood vessel damage and the part of the brain it affects. Symptoms may be most obvious following an event that damages blood vessels, such as a stroke. For example, the Alzheimer's Association notes that post-stroke changes in thinking and perception can include:confusiondisorientationdifficulty speaking or understanding speechdifficulty balancing and walking problemsnumbness or paralysis on one side of the face or bodyCommon early signs of damage to blood vessels in the brain may include:impaired planning and judgmentuncontrolled laughing and cryinginability to pay attentionimpaired function in social settingstrouble finding the right wordsLewy body dementiaLewy body dementia is the third most common form of dementia. It occurs due to brain deposits of a protein known as alpha-synuclein, or Lewy bodies. There are two types of Lewy body dementia: dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease are currently unsure why Lewy bodies develop in the brain, or exactly how they cause dementia. However, the Alzheimer's Society notes that these protein deposits appear to disrupt the typical functioning of nerve cells, interfering with communication between brain body dementia usually develops over many years. These protein deposits can develop in the brain for a long time before a person presents with symptoms. Although it is possible for younger people to have Lewy body dementia, it usually begins at age 50 or older. Symptoms of Lewy body dementia can include:changes in thinking and reasoningmemory lossvisual hallucinationsproblems staying awakesleep disruptionParkinsonism, such as slow movement, tremors, or rigidityFrontotemporal dementiaFrontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a form of dementia that tends to occur at a younger age than other dementias. Roughly 60% of people with FTD are 45 to 64 years old. The condition was formerly known as Pick's disease, but health experts changed the name to reflect the brain areas the disease impacts. The Alzheimer's Association notes that while researchers do not fully understand the cause of FTD, many people with this form have proteins, known as tau and TDP-43, inside the nerve cells in their brain. The buildup of these proteins damages the neurons and eventually causes cell deathAccording to the Alzheimer's Society, there are two main types of FTD. Behavioral variant FTD describes when damage occurs to the frontal lobes. These lobes are present behind the forehead and help with processing information. As such, behavioral variant FTD can cause symptoms with behavior and progressive aphasia FTD refers to damage to the temporal lobes. These lobes are present on eitherside of the head and help with the understanding of speech. As such, damage to the temporal lobes can cause difficulty with language. This can cause symptoms like difficulty formulating words in a sentence, or affect a person's dementiaIn some cases, people may develop multiple types of dementia. This is known as mixed dementia. When an older adult develops dementia, it is likely due to a combination of different types, rather than just a single type. According to the Alzheimer's Society, roughly 1 in 10 people with a diagnosis of dementia may receive a diagnosis of mixed it can be difficult to diagnose mixed dementia, as a doctor is likely to base their diagnosis on the main type of disease they think is present and causing symptoms. The Alzheimer's Association notes that a combination of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia is the most common such, there is no fixed set of symptoms for mixed dementia. The symptoms a person experiences can vary depending on the type of dementia they The treatment a person receives will depend on the type of dementia they have. Currently, there is no cure for dementia. However, treatments are available to help slow the progression of the may include a combination of medications and non-medical treatment, such as therapies and person-centered care. These treatments may help to improve or stabilize memory, thinking skills, and behavioral can also help address other issues that may affect everyday tasks, such as problems with mobility, speech, and swallowing.»FIND CARE:Find a dementia specialist in your area is an umbrella term for conditions that cause a gradual decline in thinking processes, such as memory, problem-solving, and speech. There are many different forms of dementia, which develop for different reasons. Some common types of dementia include Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia occurs due to changes in the brain that damage and kill nerve cells. This results in a variety of symptoms, such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and problems with language and who suspects themselves or a loved one is experiencing dementia should speak with a healthcare professional.
