New Study Links Constipation Drug to Better Cognitive Function in Depression

 Can your competent? doctor put two and two together? NO? Get them fired then!

 The incidence of constipation for stroke was 48%.  June 2017

New Study Links Constipation Drug to Better Cognitive Function in Depression

Restricted Eating Windows Aid Cognitive Function

 

Do you prefer your doctor, hospital and board of director's incompetence NOT KNOWING? OR NOT DOING? Your choice; let them be incompetent or demand action!

I basically do one meal a day, 4-5 pm. That calorie restriction allows me to consume alcohol at my social connections. There will be no naysaying of my habits!

Restricted Eating Windows Aid Cognitive Function

Summary: A pilot clinical trial suggests that combining time-restricted eating with calorie reduction yields cognitive benefits for older, overweight, or obese women beyond weight loss alone.

The six-month trial evaluated 47 women aged 50 to 79. While both groups lost an average of 15 pounds via a daily 500-calorie deficit, participants who restricted their eating to an 8 to 9 hour daily window demonstrated significant improvements in spatial planning and problem-solving compared to those adhering to a standard 12-hour window.

The findings indicate that aligning nutrient intake with circadian rhythms may protect executive function and spatial memory in populations at elevated risk for dementia.

Key Facts

• Target Cohort Parameters: The pilot study enrolled 47 women aged 50 to 79 classified as overweight or obese, a demographic with elevated statistical risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Caloric Deficit Baseline: All trial participants underwent nutritional counseling to maintain a continuous 500-calorie daily deficit over a six-month intervention period, achieving an average weight loss of approximately 15 pounds across both arms.
• Eating Window Protocol: The time-restricted eating group constrained consumption to an average window of 8.2 hours per day (typically 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM), stopping food intake at least 4 hours prior to sleep, while the control group maintained a standard 12.3-hour eating window.
• Selective Cognitive Gains: Participants in the restricted window cohort showed statistically significant improvements in spatial planning and problem-solving tests, along with a trend toward fewer errors on learning and memory tasks.
• Cognitive Domain Specificity: Time-restricted eating did not produce significant differences in multitasking or reaction time tests, pointing toward domain-specific executive function benefits.

Source: American Society for Nutrition

Results from a small clinical trial suggest it may be possible to reduce your risk of dementia by eating during fewer hours of the day. The pilot study, which involved a weight-loss program for older women with overweight or obesity, showed modest cognitive improvements in those who limited their daily eating window instead of just reducing their calorie intake.

“Losing weight alone will ward off some of the aging-related cognitive decline, and these data suggest that there may be additional benefits if you stop eating 4 hours prior to going to sleep and reduce food intake to 8-9 hours per day, compared to the usual eating window of 12 hours per day,” said Sue Shapses, PhD, RD, DFASN, professor at Rutgers University and Rutgers-RWJ Medical Center, the study’s Principal Investigator.

Shapses’ group will present the findings at NUTRITION 2026, the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, held July 25–28 in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia have become more prevalent as populations age, and women and people who are overweight or obese tend to face a higher likelihood of developing these conditions. Diet and other lifestyle factors have been linked to dementia risk, but few studies have examined whether modifying these factors can reduce that risk.

The trial enrolled 47 women aged 50-79 who were overweight or obese. All participants were counseled to reduce their calorie intake by 500 calories per day. Twenty-six participants were asked to restrict their eating to a window of less than 9 hours per day, while the rest maintained a typical eating window of about 12 hours per day. In the time-restricted eating group, participants generally ate only between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with an average daily eating window of 8.2 hours, compared to 12.3 hours per day on average among those asked to maintain the standard eating window.

After six months, participants had lost about 15 pounds, on average, which was about the same in both groups. Compared with participants who maintained a 12-hour eating window, those who consumed food for only 8-9 hours per day had significant improvements on spatial planning and problem-solving tests at the end of the weight-loss program. They also showed a trend toward fewer errors on memory and learning tests, but there was no significant difference in performance on multitasking or reaction time tests. 

“There was a modest effect of time-restricted eating to improve spatial planning and problem-solving and on reducing errors related to memory and learning,” said Shapses. “These outcomes suggest a better ability to remember information during everyday tasks and reducing mistakes related to memory, attention and problem-solving. Reductions in the eating window predicted greater improvements.”

The researchers said that further studies would be needed to confirm the findings in a larger group of participants. They also plan to investigate mechanisms that might explain the possible benefits of time-restricted eating, such as the interactions between circadian rhythm, nutrient-sensing pathways, inflammation and metabolic health.

Key Questions Answered:

Q: How did time-restricted eating differ from standard weight loss in this study?

A: While both groups lost equal weight (around 15 pounds) by cutting 500 calories daily, participants who ate within an 8 to 9 hour window gained additional cognitive benefits in spatial planning and problem-solving that were not seen in the standard 12-hour eating group.

Q: What specific eating schedule was used in the time-restricted group?

A: Participants in the time-restricted group ate between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM (an average window of 8.2 hours per day), effectively stopping food intake at least four hours before going to sleep.

Q: What biological mechanisms might explain these cognitive improvements?

A: Researchers suggest that narrowing the eating window aligns nutrient intake with natural circadian rhythms, modulating nutrient-sensing pathways, reducing systemic inflammation, and improving overall metabolic health in ways that directly support brain function.

Editorial Notes:

• This article was edited by a Neuroscience News editor.
• Journal paper reviewed in full.
• Additional context added by our staff.

About this neurotech and memory research news

Author: Nancy Lamontagne
Source: American Society for Nutrition
Contact: Nancy Lamontagne – American Society for Nutrition
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: The findings will be presented at NUTRITION 2026

The Everyday Habits That Quietly Improve Cognitive Function

 Did your competent? doctor get you recovered enough to do these? Or was the focus on just shipping you out the door as fast as possible, regardless of recovery?

The Everyday Habits That Quietly Improve Cognitive Function

You may be familiar with lifestyle changes that support physical health, like exercise, sleep, and nutrition. These same healthy habits (and more) can boost your brain health, too.

1. Doing Regular Physical Activity

Physical activity supports both your body and mind. Research shows that physical activity can improve your learning ability, memory, decision-making, and more.

Aerobic activity, such as walking, swimming, running, cycling, or dancing, has been shown to be particularly beneficial as you age. Studies show aerobic activity during midlife can reduce your risk of dementia and cognitive impairment later in life. To make sure you’re getting enough aerobic activity, aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and at least two days of strength training per week.1

Related Stories

The #1 Daily Habit To Do for Longevity, According to Experts

Is walking or running better for your health?

2. Getting Enough Sleep

Getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night can help preserve your attention, memory, decision-making, and more. It’s normal to experience sleep disruptions as you age, but maintaining habits to support your sleep can help you sleep better. Some helpful sleep habits may include:

• Go outside in the sunlight during the day
• Use bright light therapy lamps indoors to mimic sunlight 
• Keep a sleep routine each night

If you’re still having trouble sleeping, you may find relief from napping during the day, if you are able. However, try to keep your afternoon naps short to avoid affecting your nighttime sleep.1

3. Eating a Balanced Diet

This tells you absolutely nothing, NO PROTOCOL, SO FUCKING USELESS!

Eating a variety of foods that support your physical health can also help your brain. Balanced diets with a range of protein, fat, and carbohydrates are important.

Certain nutrients may help support cognition in particular. These include, but are not limited to:

• Poly- and monounsaturated fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids
• B-group vitamins 
• Iron 
• Dietary fibers and probiotics

Coffee and caffeinated tea have also been shown to improve short-term cognition and reduce cognitive decline.

If you’re looking for additional guidance, specific diets shown to reduce cognitive decline include the Mediterranean, Nordic, DASH, Okinawan, and MIND diets. All of the diets are different, but in general, they emphasize produce, whole grains, and lean proteins and limit sugar and salt. Below is a brief overview of each diet:213

Types of Diets that Support Cognitive Function
Diet	Priority Foods	Limited Foods
Mediterranean	Extra virgin olive oil and other monounsaturated fats Vegetables Fruits Plant proteins Whole grains Fish	Red meat  Refined grains Sweets
Nordic	Fruits Vegetables Fish Rapeseed (canola) oil Legumes Whole grains Low-fat dairy Low-fat meat, like game and poultry	Salt Sugar-sweetened foods
DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)	Small portions Nuts Low-fat and non-fat dairy Lean meats Whole grains	Salt
Okinawan	Yellow, orange, and green vegetables Soy Legumes Sweet potato Small amounts of fish Small amounts of rice	Refined grains Sugar Salt Dairy
MIND (Combination of Mediterranean and DASH)	Vegetables, especially green leafy ones Berries Nuts Beans Poultry Fish	Butter Cheese Fried food Fast food

4. Volunteering

Not for me.

Volunteering is another evidence-based way to support your cognitive function as you age. A 2019 study looked at older adults who participated in a volunteer program. The researchers found that the more time someone spent volunteering, the better the impact. A follow-up trial showed that the volunteers had an increase in the volume of their hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory.1 However, more research is needed to understand which volunteer opportunities can most support cognitive function.4

If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities, you may find that local organizations, such as non-profits, libraries, and animal shelters, can use your support. Finding a cause you care about can make it all the more enjoyable.

5. Practicing Your Hobbies

Participating in hobbies you enjoy can also improve your cognitive function. A 2019 study found that people who participated in groups related to photography and quilting had better episodic memory than those who joined either social clubs or participated in passive activities, like watching TV or reading magazines.1

Other research shows that engaging in hobbies can reduce your risk of severe cognitive decline as you age.5

6. Taking Care of Animals

Nope, creates lots of problems when you want to travel spontaneously. As a friend puts it; 'Pets are furry anchors!'

Being a pet owner might support your brain, too. Research shows that people who have interactions with animals have more social contact and lower levels of depression, anxiety, and social isolation than those without.1 Another 2023 study found pet owners older than age 65 scored higher on cognitive tests in research than those without pets.6

If you aren’t able to or don’t want the responsibility of having a pet, you could consider volunteering at your local animal shelter, which combines two of these cognitive-boosting habits. 

How To Build These Habits Into Your Everyday Life

It’s not always simple to make lifestyle changes to support your health. If you’re looking to improve your cognitive function, maybe pick one or two habits to try first, and make small, incremental changes towards your goal. For example, if you’d like to meet the physical activity guidelines but don’t exercise at all right now, try making a habit of walking around your neighborhood after dinner, and gradually build on it. Once you’ve worked one habit into your routine, you can start to add another.

Low Vitamin C Levels Linked to Poorer Brain Health in Older Adults

 

Has your competent? doctor ensured that the dietician has created the proper Vitamin C protocol at the hospital and for home use? NO? So, you DON'T have a functioning stroke doctor, do you?

Low Vitamin C Levels Linked to Poorer Brain Health in Older Adults

• A new study found that older adults with lower vitamin C levels showed signs of poorer cognitive function.
• Vitamin C may support brain health by protecting brain cells from oxidative stress and helping them communicate more effectively.
• While the study only found an association, experts say vitamin C-rich foods can be part of a brain-healthy diet.

You might associate vitamin C with immune system support, but new research suggests it may play a key role in brain health. The study, published in PLOS One, found that older adults with lower vitamin C levels showed brain changes associated with cognitive decline.1

Exploring the Link Between Vitamin C and Brain Health

Previous studies have linked diets rich in vitamin C to a lower risk of cognitive decline.2 But little research has measured vitamin C levels in participants’ blood, and no studies have explored whether vitamin C levels affect the default mode network (DMN), a network of brain regions involved in internal thought processes such as memory and self-reflection.3

Declines in DMN connectivity have been linked to neurological conditions, including mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.45

In the new study, researchers gathered data from about 2,000 Japanese adults aged 65 and older. Participants had MRI scans to measure their DMN connectivity and brain structure, including gray matter, white matter, and total brain volume. Researchers compared the results with vitamin C levels in participants’ blood samples.

People with lower vitamin C levels tended to have reduced DMN connectivity and less gray matter, which plays a key role in memory, decision-making, and other everyday functions.6

“Decreased gray matter and lower DMN connectivity are closely linked to age-related cognitive decline and are early signs of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease,” explained study author Tomohiro Shintaku, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of radiology at Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine.

The link between low vitamin C levels and signs of cognitive decline held true even after accounting for factors such as age, education level, lifestyle, and conditions like diabetes and hypertension. However, the research only found an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship, Shintaku told Health.

He also noted that the study relied on a single blood draw from each participant, which may not reflect long-term vitamin C levels. And while the researchers controlled for many variables, they did not account for factors like BMI and socioeconomic status that could influence the results.

Why Might Vitamin C Support Brain Function?

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant throughout the body, helping neutralize free radicals that contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation. “The brain is highly vulnerable to oxidative stress, and vitamin C’s potent antioxidant properties likely help protect neurons from damage,” Shintaku said.

Lynette Gogol, DO, a board-certified neurologist and lifestyle medicine physician, who was not affiliated with the study, also noted that vitamin C helps enzymes carry out important functions in the brain and may support communication between brain cells, which could improve cognitive function.7

Although, Gogol told Health that many mechanisms could be behind vitamin C’s link to brain health, and further research may shed more light on the connection.

Should You Up Your Vitamin C Intake for Brain Health?

While the new study can’t prove that vitamin C protects brain health directly, experts said foods rich in vitamin C can contribute to a brain-healthy diet—and a nutritious diet overall.

The recommended daily intake of vitamin C for adults is 90 milligrams (mg) for men and 74 mg for women.8 “Most people can get enough vitamin C through their diet, as long as they eat a variety of fruits and vegetables,” Anne Danahy, MS, RDN, an Arizona-based dietitian and founder of Craving Something Healthy, told Health.

However, older adults are more likely to have insufficient vitamin C levels, Danahy said, since aging bodies absorb the nutrient less efficiently. People with certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, may also want to aim for a higher amount of vitamin C.

Danahy recommended citrus fruits, sweet peppers, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts as excellent sources of vitamin C. If you’re considering a vitamin C supplement, Danahy advised taking less than the safe upper limit of 2,000 mg per day.

“It’s in a wide range of fruits and vegetables,” Danahy added, “so the best way to cover your needs is to eat a few servings of fruits and vegetables each day.”

Brain, benefit, or burden? Revisiting statins and cognitive function in older adults

 In case you were worried about the statins you are taking.

Brain, benefit, or burden? Revisiting statins and cognitive function in older adults

• Yiwen Liu & 
• Setor K. Kunutsor 

• 53 Accesses

• Explore all metrics 

Abstract

Statins are among the most widely prescribed medications for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, particularly in older adults. However, concerns regarding their potential adverse cognitive effects, including memory loss and dementia, have generated substantial debate and regulatory attention. This narrative review critically appraises current evidence on the relationship between statin use and cognitive outcomes in older adults, exploring both potential risks and benefits. We synthesized findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational cohort studies, meta-analyses, and Mendelian randomization studies. We also examined biological mechanisms, subgroup differences by statin type, and clinical considerations specific to older populations. Most RCTs have not demonstrated a harmful effect of statins on cognition, while observational studies have shown mixed results, including possible protective associations. Mechanistically, statins may exert both neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects, depending on their type, dose, and ability to cross the blood–brain barrier. Mendelian randomization analyses, including those involving over 100,000 individuals from the Danish general population, have largely found no causal effect of genetically proxied statin targets on dementia or neurodegenerative diseases. Importantly, older adults remain underrepresented in trials with cognitive outcomes, and real-world evidence is limited by confounding. Two large-scale randomized trials, PREVENTABLE and STAREE, are currently underway and poised to provide definitive evidence regarding the cognitive effects of statins in older populations. Current evidence does not support discontinuing statin therapy in older adults based solely on concerns about cognitive decline. Instead, decisions should be individualized, weighing cardiovascular benefit against cognitive risk, particularly in those with pre-existing cognitive impairment, polypharmacy, or frailty. Future research should prioritize cognition as a primary outcome in studies involving older populations.

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Screening for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Cognitive Function in Individuals With History of Stroke

 Screening DOES NOTHING TO GET SURVIVORS RECOVERED! Useless. 

Screening for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Cognitive Function in Individuals With History of Stroke

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT06615973

SponsorNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Information Provided byRebecca F Gottesman, M.D.

Study Start (Estimated)2025-12-03

Primary Completion (Estimated) 2026-02-01

Study Completion (Estimated)2026-02-01

Enrollment (Estimated)450

Study TypeObservational

Last Update Posted2025-12-01

Study Overview

Brief Summary

Background:

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. It is also a leading cause of disability. More than 70% of people who survive strokes have mental impairment or dementia. Medical factors, such as the severity of the stroke, affect whether a person will have mental impairment afterward. But social factors, such as education and ethnicity, seem to play a role as well. Researchers want to learn more about how social and lifestyle factors affect a person s chances of maintaining mental functions after a stroke.

Objective:

To better understand how social and lifestyle factors affect the risk of mental impairment after a stroke.

Eligibility:

People aged 18 years and older who had a stroke and a brain scan while they were enrolled in NIH Study 01N0007 (Natural History of Stroke Study).

Design:

Participants will have 1 study visit, by telephone. The call will last about 45 minutes. Participants will talk about their health since their stroke. They will answer questions about themselves. Topics will include:

• Their race
• Education
• Ethnicity
• Employment
• Marital status
• Residence address
• Recent health history
• Medical insurance

They will have tests of their memory, attention, and language skills. They will repeat numbers and words forward and backward.

Researchers will look at the data and imaging scans collected during participant s enrollment in NIH Study 01N0007. This data will include:

• The hospital that first saw the participant at the time of their stroke.
• The type of imaging that was first used then.
• The primary diagnosis at admission.
• Other medical details.

Detailed Description

Study Description:

Clinical health outcomes and the likelihood of post stroke cognitive impairment and dementia (PSCID) can greatly vary following stroke incidence. Thus, developing a better understanding of what characteristics might provide resilience and enrich post-stroke recovery is of utmost importance. The NINDS Natural History of Stroke study (01N0007) was designed with the intention to generate natural history data of participants with or at-risk for acute stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and other disturbances of cerebrovascular circulation. Through use of participants enrolled in the Natural History of Stroke study within the past six years, we aim to characterize social determinants of health (SDOH) and present-day cognitive function in this cohort. Following the collection of these data, we will examine how the core volume of acute supratentorial infarcts relates to post-stroke function as measured by the NIHSS, and how this association is modified based upon SDOH features and independent of treatment.

Objectives:

• To characterize SDOH and assess if such characteristics modify the relationship between MRI core infarct volume and post-stroke function (i.e., NIHSS) at baseline and/or discharge. Resilience will thus be assessed by evaluating how specified SDOH modify the correlation between MRI core infarct volume and NIHSS.
• To assess present cognitive function and assess if SDOH modify the relationship between MRI core infarct volume and present-day cognition. Resilience will thus be assessed by evaluating how SDOH modify the correlation between infarct volume and present-day cognition.
• To assess if SDOH modify the relationship between poststroke function (i.e. NIHSS) at baseline and/or discharge with present-day cognition. Resilience will thus be assessed by evaluating how SDOH modify the correlation between NIHSS and present-day cognition.

Endpoints:

The primary purpose of this study is to assess SDOH and cognitive function in participants who have had a stroke in the past six years. To this end, the primary study outcomes will be post-stroke function as defined by NIHSS and present-day cognitive function.

• Primary Endpoint: Association between MRI core infarct volume and post-stroke function (i.e. NIHSS) as modified by SDOH.
• Secondary Endpoints: Association between MRI core infarct volume and present-day cognitive function as modified by SDOH.
• Exploratory Endpoint: Association between post-stroke function (i.e. NIHSS) and present-day cognitive function as modified by SDOH.

Official Title

Screening for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Cognitive Function in Individuals With History of Stroke