Frontline: Blood test for early-stage Alzheimer’s; cut heart risks; boost mood and fight depression
Study Advances Possible Blood Test for Early-Stage Alzheimer’s
A study published in the January issue of the journal Molecular Psychiatry suggests that blood tests could one day help detect and monitor Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that levels of two brain-related molecules, acetyl-L-carnitine and free carnitine, decline with worsening cognitive symptoms. In women study participants, blood levels of free carnitine decreased progressively in correlation with the severity of their cognitive decline, while in men, noticeable reductions were observed only in acetyl-L-carnitine, not in free carnitine. This discovery could explain why women are more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s, and possibly pave the way for a simple, noninvasive blood test. Currently, identifying biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease progression often requires multiple spinal taps, which carry potential risks of discomfort and infection. In addition to avoiding invasive spinal taps, availability of a blood test might detect the disease early and track its progression, potentially improving treatment options.
Consistent Daily Short Bursts of Vigorous Movement May Cut Heart Risks
Short bursts of intense physical activity—such as vigorous gardening or walking up a flight of steps—can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in those who otherwise don’t exercise. This is particularly true for women, according to a study published in the October issue of British Journal of Sports Medicine. Using the U.K. Biobank database, researchers tracked 22,368 participants—including 13,000 women, who were, on average, about 62 years old. They found that women who got just under 3.5 minutes of vigorous movement a day were found to have a 45 percent lower risk of heart problems than women who didn’t log any vigorous movement throughout the day. One important way brief bursts of physical activity improve heart health is by breaking up lengthy periods of sedentary behavior. Experts say the key takeaway message is that it doesn’t matter how people move, only that they move, and that they do it consistently—even if briefly—throughout the day.
Whole Fresh Foods May Help Women Boost Mood and Fight Depression
Researchers in Queensland, Australia, investigated the relationship between diet and depression in Australian women and found that while diet type (vegetarian, vegan, or omnivorous) was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms, diet quality (fresh versus processed foods) was. In the study, published in the February issue of Journal of Affective Disorders, researchers analyzed data from over 9,000 women included in the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health. They found that women whose diets included fresh, minimally processed foods had fewer symptoms associated with depression. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO 2023) reveal that women are more susceptible to depressive symptoms than men. The Australian research emphasizes the importance of prioritizing fresh, whole foods to support mental health and overall well-being.
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