Newsbriefs: Media Multitasking; Dementia; Depression; Grief
Simultaneous Use of Multiple Media May Change the Brain
Researchers interviewed 75 adults about their use of TV, print media, and personal media, and used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to observe their brains. They found that study participants who reported most frequently using media to multitask had lower density in the gray matter of a brain region called the anterior cingulate cortex, a region involved in emotional control and thinking. The study supports prior research, which suggested an association between media multitasking and anxiety, depression, and greater difficulty focusing attention. “The exact mechanisms of these changes are still unclear,” said the lead author of the study, which was published Sept. 24, 2014 in PLoS One. “Media multitasking is becoming more prevalent in our lives today and there is increasing concern about its impacts on our cognition and social-emotional well-being.”
Increase in Memory Lapses Linked to Higher Dementia Risk
Increasingly frequent memory lapses with age may be an indication of greater risk for AD, according to research published online Sept. 24, 2014 in the journal Neurology. Scientists recruited 500 healthy seniors with an average age of 73, and followed them for about a decade, questioning them yearly about memory changes, and administering annual cognitive tests. Postmortem examinations were also conducted on the brains of 243 of the participants. The study found that participants who complained of memory slips were almost three times more likely than were those who reported no memory problems to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) within nine years. About 80 percent went on to develop dementia within 12 years. People who are noticing memory changes should consider lifestyle changes to improve sleep quality and diet, and increase levels of exercise and participation in stimulating intellectual activities, according to experts. If memory changes are significant or consistent, it’s best to discuss them with a health care provider.
New Blood Test Can Identify Depression
Researchers have come up with the first test that can objectively identify major depression in adults, according to a paper published online Sept. 16, 2014 in Translational Psychiatry. Currently, the delay between the initiation of symptoms and making a firm diagnosis is usually two months or more, but with the new blood test, the mood disorder can be identified almost immediately. The test analyzes a patient’s blood sample for a series of biomarkers known as RNA markers, comparing these markers to those of non-depressed individuals. Abnormalities in the concentration of RNA markers in a person who displays symptoms of depression can confirm that the person has the mood disorder so that treatment can be initiated. Among patients treated with therapy, the test is able to confirm recovery from major depression by looking for RNA changes before and after treatment. The accuracy of the new test in diagnosing major depression is comparable to that of standard psychiatric diagnostic interviews, the researchers say.
Grief May Weaken Seniors’ Immune Systems
Reaching out to older friends who are experiencing grief may help strengthen their immune system. A new study compared the effects of grief on adults 65 years and older and younger adults 28 to 45 coping with the loss of a loved one. Researchers found that older bereaved adults are more likely to produce higher levels of stress hormones and fewer white blood cells called neutrophils than younger adults. Since neutrophils help the body combat infections and illness, older people may experience weaker immune systems and greater vulnerability to infections in the weeks and months following bereavement. The research, which was published in Aug. 29, 2014 in Immunity and Ageing, is the first to look at the relationship between immune function and stress hormones across different generations. The study authors said that while it’s possible that hormonal supplements and similar products might help older individuals weather their grief in better health, “there is, quite simply, no substitute for a strong support network of family and friends to help manage the risks during a period of grieving.”
The post Newsbriefs: Media Multitasking; Dementia; Depression; Grief appeared first on University Health News.
Read Original Article: Newsbriefs: Media Multitasking; Dementia; Depression; Grief »
Powered by WPeMatico
