Nine things that can affect whether you get dementia – and what you can do about them
Many case of dementia can be avoided, and it's never too early to start taking preventative action.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Dementia
Displaying 1 - 20 of 120 articles
Stressed? Running on empty? It’s not compassion fatigue
The myth of compassion fatigue suggests that compassion is a finite resource. The reality is that health-care providers are over-worked and need better institutional support.
How we discovered that brain connections shape memories
Neuroscientists have struggled to explain whether certain types of memory involve distinct parts of the brain. Now a study suggests it's mainly down to pathways in the brain's white matter.
How being friends with someone who has dementia can be good for you both
A recent study finds that friends ought not let friends with dementia be lonely. The surprising part? Why staying friends is good for the friend without dementia as well as for the one who has it.
A new way to think about dementia and sex
The sexuality of persons living with dementia is demonized by media and ignored by clinical guidelines. But sexuality is fundamental to being human and vital to a humane culture of residential care.
What is ‘cognitive reserve’? How we can protect our brains from memory loss and dementia
Activities that engage your brain, such as learning a new language and completing crosswords, as well as having high levels of social interaction, can reduce your risk of dementia.
What causes Alzheimer’s disease? What we know, don’t know and suspect
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, but treatments are still far from successful in clinical trials. Here is what we know about the disease, and what is yet to be uncovered.
How to settle social care funding once and for all
Theresa May's U-turn on social care funding shows how hard it is to fix. But there is a logical solution.
What it’s really like to live with dementia
What does dementia feel like?
How to rein in the widening disease definitions that label more healthy people as sick
More of us are labelled as sick with the constantly changing diagnostic cut-offs for diseases. Now an international expert panel has drafted a list of things to consider before setting new thresholds.
The strange science of odour memory
Studying odour memory is more than just an interesting diversion, it has practical uses too.
The power of ‘our song’, the musical glue that binds friends and lovers across the ages
For couples, families or friends who share a significant song, the effects of music can be powerful and persistent, lasting well into old age, even piercing through dementia.
Air pollution exposure may increase risk of dementia
New research shows that exposure to fine particulate air pollution may double the risk of dementia in older women by increasing growth of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain.
Some brain training programs are backed by evidence. Here’s how to pick them
Many brain training programs are based on the principles of neuroplasticity. But a new study shows that less than 40% are backed by proof of efficacy.
Robot revolution: why technology for older people must be designed with care and respect
Perhaps communication robots can one day help people express their views on having a robot in their life.
Are you getting enough vitamin B1 to help fend off Alzheimer’s?
Vitamin B1 can reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer's disease, but some groups, such as the elderly, aren't getting enough.
Five common myths about the ageing brain and body
There are a number of myths associated with what happens to our brain and bodies as we age.
What’s happening in our bodies as we age?
Cells and processes in our body have existed for longer and longer periods of time.
High blood pressure may protect over-80s from dementia
High blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, but now researchers have found that it may be protective in the very old.
How GPS devices can help find people with dementia when they get lost
People with dementia are prone to getting lost. Thankfully, there's technology to help find them.
Top contributors
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Professor emeritus, University of Stirling
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Senior research fellow, University of Sydney
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Postdoctoral research associate, University of East Anglia
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Conjoint Professor of Psychiatry, UNSW
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Senior Research Fellow, Bond University
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Director of Aged Psychiatry, Caulfield Hospital (Alfred Health) & Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Monash University
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Professor & Leader of Regenerative Neuroscience Group, Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney
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Scientia Professor of Neuropsychiatry, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), School of Psychiatry, UNSW
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Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of South Australia
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Associate Professor in Ageing and Health, University of Sydney
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Senior Research Fellow in Public Health and Wellbeing, Northumbria University, Newcastle
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PhD Candidate, University of Bath
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Professor of Psychiatry, University of Sydney
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Research Fellow and Lecturer, Monash University
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Emeritus Professor La Trobe University, La Trobe University
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