Latest news with #VanessaYoung
BBC News
7 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Mum and aunt to climb Mont Blanc in honour of 'amazing' Bel
The mum and the aunt of a young woman left paralysed in an accident are preparing to literally climb mountains for Young, from North Yorkshire, broke her neck when she fell from a climbing frame aged eight in 2010, and she was in hospital for nine the challenges she faced, Miss Young completed her full-time education, studied psychology at university and now works for the charity Spinal mother Vanessa and her aunt, Claire Topham, are set to complete a walking challenge in the Alps this week as they raise funds for the charity. Mrs Young, from Bishop Thornton, near Harrogate, said her daughter's accident had been "devastating" for their family, but she described her achievements since then as "amazing"."I'm beyond proud of Bel," she said. "She is an astounding person. She not only inspires us but a lot of people, her friends and the wider family around her as well."Starting on Thursday, Mrs Young and Ms Topham will be scaling three peaks in three days across the Mont Blanc massif on the borders of France, Italy and Switzerland. They will complete the gruelling climb with 14 other walkers, all of whom know someone with a spinal injury, which affects someone new every two hours in the Young, 55, added: "I'm taking one of Bel's headbands with me, which I'll wear every day. Just taking a bit of Bel up with me means she will definitely be with both of us all the time while we're doing it."Spinal Research funds work looking for a cure for paralysis, and Miss Young, who is now 23, told BBC Look North: "It gives me hope that one day there will be research that can improve my function and movement, and maybe even walk again. "It's a big challenge for them to take on. It's not going to be easy and I'm super proud of them for doing their bit to help people like me." Ms Topham, 57, said the walking challenge would be "nothing in comparison to what Bel has already dealt with"."Even I as a close family member don't fully appreciate what she goes through," she said."Doing a walk is a pertinent challenge for Spinal Research because the people affected by these injuries don't get that choice or chance, so we're very much doing it for them." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A New Study Reveals The #1 Sleep Mistake That Harms Brain Health—And It Has Nothing To Do With Your Bedtime
We already know sleep is super important, but new research suggests too much of it can, actually, be a bad thing. The study found that 'long sleepers' were more likely to report symptoms of depression and worse cognitive performance. Here's what you should know about how long you should sleep, with insight from experts. When you're struggling to get the recommended seven-plus hours of sleep each night, logging anything more than that sounds like a dream come true. But new research suggests that there is actually a sleep sweet spot you should aim for—and that making sure you don't sleep *too* much could affect how well your brain works. The study, which was published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, specifically discovered that sleeping too much was linked with worse cognitive performance. Here's why and what the tipping point was, plus how to figure out the best amount of sleep for you. Meet the experts: Vanessa Young, MS, lead study author and clinical research project manager at the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio; W. Christopher Winter, MD, a neurologist and sleep medicine physician with Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and host of the Sleep Unplugged podcast For the study, researchers analyzed data on cognition and how long people slept in more than 1,800 people without dementia who participated in the Framingham Heart Study, a community-based cohort study of residents in Framingham, Massachusetts. The study specifically focused on people between the ages of 27 and 85. The researchers found that people who slept for nine hours or more a night had worse cognitive performance. That was especially pronounced in participants with depression, regardless of whether they used antidepressants. The researchers also discovered that so-called 'long sleepers' were more likely to report symptoms of depression and that sleep might be a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline in people who have depression. This isn't the first study to find a link between sleeping for longer periods and lower cognitive performance. 'Regularly sleeping more than nine hours a night has been linked to lower cognitive performance in some studies—including ours,' says Vanessa Young, MS, lead study author and clinical research project manager at the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio. There is a 'J' curve relationship between sleep and health, points out W. Christopher Winter, MD, a neurologist and sleep medicine physician with Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and host of the Sleep Unplugged podcast. What this means is that more sleep isn't always better. 'Generally, the best health outcomes in adults are at seven hours," he says. As for why that is, Young says sleeping for longer periods of time is likely 'a sign that something else is happening beneath the surface.' That could mean vascular issues, depression, changes in brain health, or something else, she says. 'While we can't say for certain whether longer sleep leads to worse cognition—or if people with emerging cognitive issues start sleeping more—our findings suggest that unusually long sleep might be worth paying attention to, especially if it's a change from your normal routine,' Young says. First of all, everyone is different and requires different amounts of sleep, but research generally suggests that getting between seven and nine hours of sleep a night is best for cognitive performance. Still, Dr. Winter stresses that sleep needs are individual and it's a good idea to pay attention to certain elements of your sleep routine to see what your needs are. He suggests looking at how long it takes for you to conk out at night, along with how you feel during the day. 'If it takes a while to fall asleep, you might be seeking too much time in bed,' Dr. Winter says. 'But if you struggle to stay awake during the day or fall asleep rapidly at night, you may not be sleeping enough.' But Young says you shouldn't automatically assume that more sleep is better. 'Like many things in health, balance is important—and sleep may be just one part of a larger puzzle when it comes to brain health,' she says. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Economic Times
17-05-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
More than 9 hours of sleep? Science says your memory may suffer
NYT News Service The study analyzed data from nearly 2,000 dementia-free adults aged 27 to 85, focusing on sleep duration and cognitive function. The findings indicated that participants who slept longer than nine hours exhibited decreased memory, visuospatial abilities, and executive functions. If you've ever felt proud of clocking in over nine hours of sleep, thinking it's the ultimate health hack, recent research suggests you should reconsider. A study from the University of Texas Health Science Center reveals that excessive sleep, specifically more than nine hours per night, may be linked to poorer cognitive performance, especially in individuals experiencing symptoms of depression. The study analyzed data from nearly 2,000 dementia-free adults aged 27 to 85, focusing on sleep duration and cognitive function. Dementia is a term for several diseases that affect memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily activities. Also Read: War of the Worlds? AI is growing a mind of its own, soon it will make decisions for youThe findings indicated that participants who slept longer than nine hours exhibited decreased memory, visuospatial abilities, and executive functions. These effects were more pronounced in individuals with depressive symptoms, regardless of whether they were on antidepressant medication. Vanessa Young, a clinical research project manager at the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, stated that sleep could be a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline in individuals with depression. This research suggests that those with mental health conditions should be more serious about their sleep; they might need personalized sleep recommendations. While sleep is essential for brain health, both insufficient and excessive sleep can have detrimental effects. The Global Council on Brain Health recommends 7 to 8 hours of nightly sleep for adults to preserve cognitive function. Also Read: 300 years after alchemy failed, CERN scientists finally turn lead into gold It's crucial to pay attention to your sleep patterns and consult healthcare professionals if you experience persistent changes in sleep duration or quality, especially if accompanied by depressive symptoms. People who work shifts might be more vulnerable, as their sleeping cycle is often disrupted by work. Balancing sleep duration could be a key factor in maintaining cognitive health and overall well-being.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
More than 9 hours of sleep? Science says your memory may suffer
If you've ever felt proud of clocking in over nine hours of sleep, thinking it's the ultimate health hack, recent research suggests you should reconsider. A study from the University of Texas Health Science Center reveals that excessive sleep , specifically more than nine hours per night, may be linked to poorer cognitive performance, especially in individuals experiencing symptoms of depression. The study analyzed data from nearly 2,000 dementia-free adults aged 27 to 85, focusing on sleep duration and cognitive function. Dementia is a term for several diseases that affect memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily activities. Also Read: War of the Worlds? AI is growing a mind of its own, soon it will make decisions for you Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Packaging Trends In 2024 - Take A Look Packaging Machines | Search Ads Search Now Undo The findings indicated that participants who slept longer than nine hours exhibited decreased memory, visuospatial abilities, and executive functions. These effects were more pronounced in individuals with depressive symptoms, regardless of whether they were on antidepressant medication. Live Events Vanessa Young, a clinical research project manager at the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, stated that sleep could be a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline in individuals with depression. This research suggests that those with mental health conditions should be more serious about their sleep; they might need personalized sleep recommendations. While sleep is essential for brain health, both insufficient and excessive sleep can have detrimental effects. The Global Council on Brain Health recommends 7 to 8 hours of nightly sleep for adults to preserve cognitive function. Also Read: 300 years after alchemy failed, CERN scientists finally turn lead into gold It's crucial to pay attention to your sleep patterns and consult healthcare professionals if you experience persistent changes in sleep duration or quality, especially if accompanied by depressive symptoms. People who work shifts might be more vulnerable, as their sleeping cycle is often disrupted by work. Balancing sleep duration could be a key factor in maintaining cognitive health and overall well-being.
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
You really can sleep too much, as scientists reveal most ‘dangerous' number of hours slumber to get a night
Plus, exactly how your sleep routine can impact your weight SNOOZE YOU LOSE You really can sleep too much, as scientists reveal most 'dangerous' number of hours slumber to get a night Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WE all know sleep is important - but some new research is making people rethink how much you really need. Sleeping too much has been linked to poorer brain performance, especially for those with depression. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Your lie-ins could be damaging your brain Credit: Getty Scientists from the US, looked at nearly 2,000 adults from the Framingham Heart Study to see how sleep affects brain function. Everyone was free from dementia and stroke, and ages ranged from late 20s to mid-80s. They found that people who slept longer than what's usually recommended did worse on memory and thinking tests. This was even more true for people showing signs of depression. The current National Sleep Foundation guidelines recommend that most adults sleep for between seven and nine hours per night. Countless studies have shown that both too little and too much sleep can harm your health. Not getting enough sleep is linked to problems like poor memory, weakened immune function, and higher risks of heart disease and diabetes. But this new study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia revealed that too much sleep might also hurt your brain. The research, led by the University of Texas Health Science Center, found that long sleep - but not short sleep - was linked to poorer overall thinking skills, including problem-solving. 'Long but not short sleep duration was associated with poorer global cognition and specific cognitive abilities like memory, visuospatial skills and executive functions,' said Sudha Seshadri, founding director of the Biggs Institute and senior author of the study. I spent three days at a sleep retreat - these are the top 7 things I learnt The link between long sleep and cognitive decline was even stronger in people showing signs of depression, no matter if they were taking antidepressants or not. 'Long-sleepers were more likely to report symptoms of depression,' said Vanessa Young, clinical research project manager and first author of the study. 'Sleep may be a modifiable risk for cognitive decline in people with depression.' About 90 per cent of people with depression experience sleep problems, with many of them sleeping longer than people without the condition. This means their sleep patterns could directly affect how well their brain works over time. 'Sleep may be a modifiable risk for cognitive decline in people with depression," Vanessa Young, clinical research project manager, who also worked on the study, added. The experts say more studies are needed to understand how long sleep affects the brain over time, particularly in people with depression. For now, they advise aiming for balanced sleep — not too little, not too much — to keep your brain sharp.
