New study suggests the aging brain is adapting, not declining

 My occupation for 38 years was a mainframe programmer in Assembler and COBOL; damned difficult problems were solved. My social connections are extensive. My aging brain at 70 is working great!

New study suggests the aging brain is adapting, not declining

 Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you’re there? Or struggled to recall where you left your keys? These memory lapses aren’t unusual, especially as we age, but a new paper published this month in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science suggests there may be an overlooked biological reason for it. 

A call for more research

 “I think it’s provocative,” said Patricia Reuter-Lorenz, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Michigan who conducted some of the studies cited in the new paper. “It’s taking a new step that’s building on ideas that have been in the literature on aging for several decades, including the idea that aging involves adaptive processes,” she said. Reuter-Lorenz’s work has pointed to older adults using their frontal cortex to compensate for the weakening of the hippocampus. But she said she is interested in the silver linings of old age and is currently studying emotion later in life. She said her work is “trying to understand the tendency for older adults to have a more positive outlook and better emotion regulation.” It is advancing existing research showing that older adults tend to focus more on the positive aspects of a situation, and remember them more than negative ones. Both Reuter-Lorenz and Fernandez say the idea of brain aging as an adaptive phase more than a declining one needs more study. 

How to help your brain age well

Regardless of whether scientists believe that the older brain is adapting to a new phase of life or compensating for decline, they suggest that there are ways we can all age better. In Fernandez’s paper, he and his colleagues write that older people who “engage in lifelong learning,

complex occupations

, or

high social activity

” tend to have more flexible brains. That means they can continue to navigate complicated tasks even as the hippocampus shrinks. Reuter-Lorenz agreed that

lifestyle factors are key

. “Solid fitness, a good diet and sleep are all very important. And maintaining an active social network and cognitive engagement,” she said. “Those are the pillars.”Reuter-Lorenz also emphasized that the upsides of aging should continue to be acknowledged by researchers, especially since having a positive view of aging seems to help people age better.“There are treasures in aging that can be cherished,” Reuter-Lorenz said. “And that may only come with age.”

Personality trait that lowers risk of dementia revealed

 

 I'd rather be an optimist and die joyfully than be miserable and live longer. I make sure I don't engage with pessimists and whiners. 

Pessimists May Live Longer 

The latest here:

Personality trait that lowers risk of dementia revealed

A recent study conducted by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health showed that the personality trait of optimism can lower the risk of dementia.

“Together with previous studies, our findings provide support for the possibility that optimism causally contributes to cognitive health and may be considered an asset for brain health,” the researchers recently wrote in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Optimism was previously linked to better cognitive function, slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of dementia among elderly patients in past studies. The Harvard researchers used data from the Health and Retirement Study, a sample of U.S. adults age 50 or older, which showed that 9,000 dementia-free adults said they felt optimism by filling out the questionnaire, and their optimism was then assessed within the next two years as their cognitive function was measured.

An estimated 3,000 participants comprised the group, whose average age was 74, and the individuals who reported to have higher optimism scores were at a lower risk of developing dementia during the follow-up period, according to researchers. Every six-point score increase was linked to a 15% lower risk of dementia after researchers adjusted factors including age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, depression and chronic health conditions. 

Related video:  The daily habits that lower dementia risk, and the ones that barely help (Talking With Docs) 

“Although optimism is a complex construct, and it is not clear exactly how it might translate in terms of future dementia prevention initiatives, this is an area which merits future research,” the researchers wrote. More than 6 million Americans are diagnosed with dementia, which is the progressive decline in memory ability and has no cure.

This Is What Science Says About Optimism & Your Health

 So has this longer life from pessimism been refuted then?

 I make sure I don't engage with pessimists and whiners. My optimism is extremely high, don't know how to measure it.

Pessimists May Live Longer 

The latest here:

This Is What Science Says About Optimism & Your Health

Optimism is more than a mindset — new studies suggest it may tangibly improve healthspan.

The glass-half-full people might be onto something after all. Optimism is more than a worldview. There’s mounting momentum behind the idea that an optimistic outlook may be a legitimate health factor. Most recently, a study published this year in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society contained a startling finding:

The more optimistic you are, the lower your likelihood of developing dementia in old age. Can you truly smile your way to sidestepping dementia? Maybe. But this paper is more than one point of data. The clinical case for optimism has been building for more than two decades.

What You Should Know About Optimism

Optimism is the belief that favorable outcomes are possible, that’s nothing new. It’s also not revelatory to suggest that your worldview can influence your behavior — what’s different here is the clinical backing. In fact, researchers have conducted long-term studies for decades to test the impact of optimism on real-world health outcomes.

The result? Consistent and clear: People who report higher scores on optimism scales tend to have better health outcomes across chronic disease, longevity, and mortality risk. 

Going Deeper on Optimism

Stenlund & colleagues looked at how optimism scores relate to developing dementia over a 14-year period.

• More than 9,000 participants were assessed eight times between 2006 and 2020.
• Every standard deviation increase in optimism was “associated with a lower hazard of developing dementia.”
• Make no mistake: This study doesn’t say that being more optimistic cures dementia. The authors emphasized how this finding might contribute to preventative care for neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, which are particularly insidious once symptoms begin to escalate. 

While compelling, the Stenlund team’s findings aren’t the first of its kind. Several other papers have drawn links between looking on the bright side and actually living there:

• 2004: In a 9-year study of nearly 1,000 older adults, optimists had much lower all-cause mortality — and their cardiovascular mortality risk was especially low.
• 2009: Optimists have lower cardiovascular mortality risk.
• 2017: High optimism is associated with a lower risk of dying from heart disease and cancer.
• 2019: There’s a positive correlation between optimism and extended lifespan.
• 2022: Lifestyle factors are only part of the puzzle on optimism’s tangible effects.

The Takeaway

Optimism consistently bolsters your odds of a better quality of life — tangibly, not conceptually. Studies show optimists live longer, better, and suffer fewer chronic diseases. 

It may be tempting to look at the relationship from the other side: People with an optimistic outlook are more likely to engage in health-conscious behaviors, sure. But the 2022 paper splashes cold water on that being the only reason. 

Bottom Line

There’s more going on here, but you don’t have to wait for the lab coats to figure it out to start reaping the benefits. Worth remembering: these are observational studies, so they show optimism and better health traveling together, not proof that one causes the other. But adopting an optimistic outlook is something you can start working on today, whether on your own or by taking a mindset course.

Optimism tied to lower dementia risk in long-term study

 I'd rather be an optimist and die joyfully than be miserable and live longer. I make sure I don't engage with pessimists and whiners. 

Pessimists May Live Longer 

The latest here:

Optimism tied to lower dementia risk in long-term study

Optimism tied to lower dementia risk in long-term study

©Getty Images

Long-term findings: Older adults with above-average optimism had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia over 14 years of follow-up.

Why mindset matters: Optimism may reduce chronic stress, encourage physical and social activity, and enhance brain adaptability.

Holistic prevention: Combining mental outlook with cardiovascular health, cognitive challenges, and social ties may offer the best defense.

Distinction between normal forgetfulness and dementia-related memory loss

Normal age-related forgetfulness, such as occasionally misplacing keys, is different from dementia-related memory loss. Dementia is characterized by memory loss that disrupts daily life, indicating a more serious cognitive decline than typical aging.

Neurologist guidance on recognizing dementia-related memory loss

A neurologist provides information on how to identify when memory loss may indicate a risk of dementia. The guidance focuses on distinguishing between normal forgetfulness and symptoms that could signal the onset of dementia.

Proactive brain health monitoring as a preventive strategy

Proactive monitoring of brain health, similar to early detection methods used for heart disease, could influence long-term cognitive outcomes. Early identification of risks allows for timely interventions that may alter the progression toward dementia. This approach emphasizes prevention through regular assessment.

Social connection as a protective factor for brain health

Neurologists recommend staying socially connected as a way to support cognitive reserve and overall brain health. Social engagement is considered a modifiable habit that can help lower dementia risk.

Study shows some people actually get stronger and sharper with age—here's what they all have in common

 You'll just have to positively assume that this research on pessimism is COMPLETELY WRONG!

Your competent? doctor will then also confirm that this earlier research is totally wrong! Oh NO, your doctor doesn't know about it, does s/he?

Pessimists May Live Longer

My positive outlook is over the top; having fun the rest of my life! Currently in Rome, heading towards the Amalfi coast tomorrow.

Study shows some people actually get stronger and sharper with age—here's what they all have in common

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer

• A new study found that adults 65 and older can improve both their physical and cognitive function.
• People with a positive attitude toward aging were more likely to experience these health improvements.
• A rosier outlook on growing older makes you more likely to engage in habits that support health.

One of the most powerful influences on how well you age may be how you feel about it. A recent study that tracked thousands of older adults for over a decade suggests that physical and cognitive improvement is indeed possible with age—and one factor stood out in predicting who might boost functioning over time: mindset. Participants who held more positive views of aging were more likely to improve as they got older, researchers reported in the journal Geriatrics.

A Deeper Look at the Findings

Examples of people accomplishing remarkable feats later in life aren’t hard to find. The study points to Diana Nyad, who completed a 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida at age 64, and Joseph Turner, who produced some of the most influential paintings later in his career.

The researchers wanted to know whether these kinds of stories are outliers—or part of a broader pattern, according to study author Martin Slade, MPH, PhD, a lecturer in occupational medicine at Yale School of Medicine. They also wondered whether attitude might help explain the difference.

To answer these questions, the team followed about 11,300 adults ages 65 and older from the Health and Retirement Study over 12 years. They assessed physical and cognitive health using measures like walking speed and cognitive tests, and asked participants about their beliefs around aging.

By the end of the study, 45.15% of participants showed improvement in cognitive function, physical function, or both. Notably, more positive beliefs around aging were associated with a higher likelihood of improvement. “There are two take-away messages from the study,” Slade said. “First, that the cognition and physical health of older people can improve and, in fact, a significant portion of older people do improve. Second, that positive age beliefs increase the likelihood that an older person’s cognition and physical health will improve over time.”

The findings come with some caveats, though. Slade noted that the researchers didn’t measure muscle and brain neuron plasticity, making it difficult to know exactly what caused the improvements. And the study didn’t examine which specific behaviors might have resulted from participants’ beliefs, which could help explain the link, pointed out Rosanne M. Leipzig, MD, PhD, a geriatrician and professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

Why Would a Positive Attitude Translate to Better Aging?

On a basic level, having a positive attitude means you’re more likely to try new things, experts said. “Aging beliefs are self-fulfilling prophecies,” Leipzig said. “What you do is related to what you expect.” In other words, if you don’t see age as a limitation, you’re probably more likely to sign up for a challenging dance class, make new friends, or travel—boosting your physical and mental fitness along the way. It’s that physical movement that’s key, noted Nir Barzilai, MD, a professor of genetics and medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, director of the Institute for Aging Research, and co-founder and president of the Academy for Health and Lifespan Research. Having a positive attitude without positive habits may not make much of a difference, he added.

The same goes for a doom-and-gloom attitude about aging, which experts said often leads to fewer health-promoting activities. Leipzig has seen this pattern in his own patients. “In my practice, I have seen those with negative age beliefs withdraw, stop engaging, refuse to try adaptations like hearing aids or medical care that might help them have lives that are less isolated and more enjoyable,” he said.

Optimistic beliefs about aging may even change the brain’s structure, Slade added, increasing the rate at which neurons form new connections later in life. His previous research showed that negative aging beliefs can affect the brain, linking them to biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

How to Have a Rosier Outlook on Aging

If you take anything away from this study, Barzilai said, it should be that the trajectory of aging is not set in stone. “There’s a flexibility [to it],” he added. 

Having a positive outlook on your ability to get out into the world, challenge your brain, stay social, and move your body can influence how likely you are to keep doing these things—helping you adopt behaviors that may support a longer, healthier life, experts said.

So how do you flip a negative outlook into a more rosy one? What’s crucial, Leipzig said, is to try to view the last third of life as a time of possibility rather than inevitable decline. “It can be a time of continuing ability and even improvement for many people,” she noted. “Don’t sabotage yourself with your age beliefs.”

Barzilai, for his part, practices what he preaches. He recently moved with his wife from a suburban home to bustling Manhattan, where there’s more access to activity and culture. “I’m so busy, and Manhattan is so exciting,” he said.

Read the original article on Health

The Surprising Mindset That Influences How Fast You Age

 Your competent? doctor will then also confirm that this earlier research is totally wrong! Oh NO, your doctor doesn't know about it, does s/he?

Pessimists May Live Longer

My positive outlook is over the top; having fun the rest of my life!

The Surprising Mindset That Influences How Fast You Age

It’s normal to feel frustrated with getting older when you need to go through an intense recovery process after a workout just to feel like a functioning human the next day. But stressing about the impact of aging on your health can actually work against your goal of having a longer health span, according to new research.

The study, which was published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology, found a shocking link between the way women view aging and the actual pace at which they age. Ultimately, researchers found that worrying about your health as you get older can impact you on a cellular level.

Sure, there’s a big difference between being a little annoyed that your 5K time isn’t what it used to be and actually stressing about your future health. But psychologists say the findings make a solid case for trying to do what you can to turn a negative mindset around, especially when it comes to your future health. Here’s why.

Fears about health can ultimately worsen your future health.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from 726 women who took part in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. As part of the research, the participants were asked how much they worried about common fears that tend to surface with aging, including how much they stressed about becoming less attractive with age, having more health issues, and being too old to have children.

The study also collected blood samples to track aging using two epigenetic clocks. One, called the DunedinPACE biological marker, looked at a person’s pace of biological aging while the other, called the GrimAge2, estimated biological damage that built up over time. After crunching the data, the researchers found that women who reported having higher levels of anxiety about getting older also had faster epigenetic aging. (In case you’re not familiar with it, epigenetic aging looks at a person’s biological age based on chemical changes to their DNA.)

When they dove a little deeper, the researchers found that fears about declining health in particular were the most strongly linked with a faster pace of epigenetic aging. However, worries around a decline in attractiveness and fertility weren’t strongly linked with epigenetic aging. The researchers ultimately concluded that “fears about declining health may manifest biologically and contribute to accelerated aging processes.”

What’s going on here?

It’s important to point this out: The study didn’t definitively prove that women who had more anxiety around aging actually aged faster. Instead, it found a link between fears around aging and signs of accelerated aging. “More research is needed to determine whether these concerns directly cause these changes,” Mariana Rodrigues, lead study author and a PhD student in the department of social and behavioral sciences at the NYU School of Global Public Health, tells SELF.

Still, psychologists say it’s not shocking to think that worries about your well-being may lead to worse health. Fears around health can spark a chain reaction that ultimately has an impact on your physical health, Thea Gallagher, PsyD, clinical associate professor at NYU Langone Health and cohost of the Mind in View podcast, tells SELF. “Worry and anxiety causes stress and strain on your body,” she says. “It takes up a lot of mental resources, which then take up physical resources.”

Stressing about your future health can impact your sleep, heart rate, and your nervous system, and all of those can contribute to worse health outcomes, Dr. Gallagher says.

It can also do a number on your heart health, Hillary Ammon, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at the Center for Anxiety and Women’s Emotional Wellness, tells SELF. “The body reacts to anxiety in similar ways to how it reacts to fear,” she says. “When we are experiencing these emotions, the body releases [stress hormones] cortisol and epinephrine, along with neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and glutamate. So if someone is constantly worrying about their physical health, it may put these hormones and neurotransmitters in overdrive.”

This can even cause your blood sugar to fluctuate and fuel chronic inflammation in your body, Dr. Ammon adds. Unfortunately, chronic inflammation is linked to a range of serious health conditions, including autoimmune diseases, heart disease, and cancer. “By chronically worrying about their health, individuals unfortunately create more health problems, leaving them more susceptible to additional health issues,” Dr. Ammon says.

One more thing to consider, per Dr. Ammon: When you have health anxiety, you tend to be hypersensitive to what’s happening with your body. “You may notice minor changes, which in turn, likely makes their anxiety worse,” she says. “It is a cyclical pattern.”

How to navigate health fears around aging

It’s normal and okay to worry sometimes about your health, Dr. Gallagher points out. But the big concern is when you regularly stress about it.

“People worry naturally, but often don't pause to consider whether the worry is helping anything,” Jessica Bodie, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania, tells SELF. “By not giving the anxious thought as many follow-up behaviors—scanning, Googling—the brain registers the anxious thought as less valid.”

Worrying “keeps out of the present and in the future,” Dr. Gallagher points out. That’s why she recommends doing what you can to focus on what’s in front of you. Are you in generally good health now and doing all you can to stay healthy? Great—focus on that.

“We also have to be really careful that if your friend is diagnosed with cancer, that you feel like it’s happening everywhere and will happen to you,” Dr. Gallagher says. “Sometimes we’re just more attuned to the negative things happening with people’s health versus thinking about how another friend who just ran a marathon is in great health.”

Dr. Gallagher stresses the importance of differentiating your own health status from those of people around you and trying to remind yourself of the things you can and can’t control. And, of course, try not to worry about the potential impact stressing about your health will have on your health—that’s not solving any issues either.

Of course, if you’re struggling with health anxiety and it’s impacting your day-to-day, Dr. Ammon says it’s a good idea to talk to a mental health professional. They can help you navigate your concerns as well as go over strategies to deal with those fears when they pop up.

But Dr. Gallagher also recommends trying to keep something very important in mind when it comes to worries about your future health. “You don’t want to live your life worrying about what could happen,” she says. “It’s either going to happen or not, and worrying won’t change anything.”

Related:

• How Your ‘Resilience Response’ Can Make or Break Your Heart Health

• This Everyday Ingredient Could Be Aging Your Skin Faster

• Having Insomnia Can Age Your Brain By Years, a New Study Shows

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Originally Appeared on Self

Optimism Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Older Adults: Study

 

My positive outlook is over the top; having fun the rest of my life!

My outlook on life is great. What does your doctor say? Should you be an optimist or a pessimist?

Pessimists May Live Longer

positive outlook (5 posts to September 2017)

Optimism Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Older Adults: Study

Dementia Risk May Be Linked to One's Outlook, Study Suggests

 My positive outlook is over the top; having fun the rest of my life!

My outlook on life is great. What does your doctor say? Should you be an optimist or a pessimist?

Pessimists May Live Longer

positive outlook (5 posts to September 2017)

Dementia Risk May Be Linked to One's Outlook, Study Suggests

Optimism reduces stroke severity, inflammation

 

The only way to have optimism post stroke is for your competent? doctor to have EXACT 100% RECOVERY PROTOCOLS! Doesn't have them, your doctor, hospital and board of directors ARE COMPLETELY FUCKING INCOMPETENT! They have all known since medical school that stroke recovery is a complete shitshow and HAVE DONE NOTHING! In my opinion, that doing nothing to get to 100% recovery is the biggest fucking failure out there!

Optimism reduces stroke severity, inflammation

American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference – Poster Presentation WP466

Research Highlights:

• Optimistic stroke survivors had lower inflammation levels, reduced stroke severity and less initial physical disability after three months compared to less optimistic survivors, according to the findings of a small study.  
• Previous studies have associated optimism with improved health outcomes for other medical conditions, however, no studies previously assessed if this association exists among stroke patient.

Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020  

DALLAS, Feb. 12, 2020 — Stroke survivors with high levels of optimism had lower inflammation levels, reduced stroke severity and less physical disability after three months, compared to those who are less optimistic, according to preliminary research presented at the Nursing Symposium of the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2020 – Feb. 18-21 in Los Angeles. The conference is a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health.

In a small study of 49 stroke survivors, researchers examined the relationship among optimism, inflammation, stroke severity and physical disability for three months after a stroke. Researchers said that understanding how these elements relate to or impact one another may provide a scientific framework to develop new strategies for stroke recovery.

“Our results suggest that optimistic people have a better disease outcome, thus boosting morale may be an ideal way to improve mental health and recovery after a stroke,” said Yun-Ju Lai,  Ph.D., M.S., R.N., the study’s first author and a postdoctoral fellow in the neurology department at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Post-stroke inflammation is detrimental to the brain and impairs recovery. Optimism has been associated with lower inflammation levels and improved health outcomes among people with medical conditions, however, no prior studies assessed if this association exists among stroke patients.

This pilot study is a secondary analysis of data collected from a repository of neurological diseases. Outcomes included optimism levels from the revised Life Orientation Test, a standard psychological tool for measuring optimism; stroke severity evaluation through the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and levels of inflammatory markers—interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

As optimism levels increased, stroke severity and the inflammatory markers IL-6 and CRP decreased even after considering other possible variables. However, this was not true of TNFα.

“Patients and their families should know the importance of a positive environment that could benefit the patient,” Lai said. “Mental health does affect recovery after a stroke.”

The list of study authors and disclosures are available in the abstract. The study was funded by NIH/NINDS and the American Heart Association.

Additional Resources:

• Video interview: AHA/ASA past president, Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., M.S., FAHA, offers perspective (via Skype) and researcher photo may be downloaded from the right column of the release link (click through thumbnails to select). https://newsroom.heart.org/news/optimism-reduces-stroke-severity-inflammation?preview=278409c58953cc4b3bd80e609533b04b
• Emotional & Behavioral Effects of Stroke
• Being more optimistic linked to better cardiovascular health among Hispanics/Latinos
• For more news at ASA International Stroke Conference 2020, follow us on Twitter @HeartNews  #ISC20.

Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Stroke Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect Association policy or position. The Association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/aha-financial-information.

The American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference (ISC) is the world’s premier meeting dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health. ISC 2020 will be held February 19-21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. The 2 ½-day conference features more than 1,600 compelling scientific presentations in 21 categories that emphasize basic, clinical and translational science for health care professionals and researchers. These science and other clinical presentations will provide attendees with a better understanding of stroke and brain health to help improve prevention, treatment and outcomes for the more than 800,000 Americans who have a stroke each year. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the U.S. Worldwide, cerebrovascular accidents (stroke) are the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability, according to the World Health Organization. Engage in the International Stroke Conference on social media via #ISC20.

About the American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is a relentless force for a world with fewer strokes and longer, healthier lives. We team with millions of volunteers and donors to ensure equitable health and stroke care in all communities. We work to prevent, treat and beat stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for the public’s health, and providing lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based association was created in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit strokeassociation.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Optimism reduces stroke severity, inflammation

 

The only way to have optimism post stroke is for your competent? doctor to have EXACT 100% RECOVERY PROTOCOLS! Doesn't have them, your doctor, hospital and board of directors ARE COMPLETELY FUCKING INCOMPETENT! They have all known since medical school that stroke recovery is a complete shitshow and HAVE DONE NOTHING! In my opinion, that doing nothing to get to 100% recovery is the biggest fucking failure out there!

Optimism reduces stroke severity, inflammation

American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference – Poster Presentation WP466

Print

Research Highlights:

• Optimistic stroke survivors had lower inflammation levels, reduced stroke severity and less initial physical disability after three months compared to less optimistic survivors, according to the findings of a small study.  
• Previous studies have associated optimism with improved health outcomes for other medical conditions, however, no studies previously assessed if this association exists among stroke patient.

Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020  

DALLAS, Feb. 12, 2020 — Stroke survivors with high levels of optimism had lower inflammation levels, reduced stroke severity and less physical disability after three months, compared to those who are less optimistic, according to preliminary research presented at the Nursing Symposium of the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2020 – Feb. 18-21 in Los Angeles. The conference is a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health.

In a small study of 49 stroke survivors, researchers examined the relationship among optimism, inflammation, stroke severity and physical disability for three months after a stroke. Researchers said that understanding how these elements relate to or impact one another may provide a scientific framework to develop new strategies for stroke recovery.

“Our results suggest that optimistic people have a better disease outcome, thus boosting morale may be an ideal way to improve mental health and recovery after a stroke,” said Yun-Ju Lai,  Ph.D., M.S., R.N., the study’s first author and a postdoctoral fellow in the neurology department at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Post-stroke inflammation is detrimental to the brain and impairs recovery. Optimism has been associated with lower inflammation levels and improved health outcomes among people with medical conditions, however, no prior studies assessed if this association exists among stroke patients.

This pilot study is a secondary analysis of data collected from a repository of neurological diseases. Outcomes included optimism levels from the revised Life Orientation Test, a standard psychological tool for measuring optimism; stroke severity evaluation through the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and levels of inflammatory markers—interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

As optimism levels increased, stroke severity and the inflammatory markers IL-6 and CRP decreased even after considering other possible variables. However, this was not true of TNFα.

“Patients and their families should know the importance of a positive environment that could benefit the patient,” Lai said. “Mental health does affect recovery after a stroke.”

The list of study authors and disclosures are available in the abstract. The study was funded by NIH/NINDS and the American Heart Association.

Additional Resources:

• Video interview: AHA/ASA past president, Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., M.S., FAHA, offers perspective (via Skype) and researcher photo may be downloaded from the right column of the release link (click through thumbnails to select). https://newsroom.heart.org/news/optimism-reduces-stroke-severity-inflammation?preview=278409c58953cc4b3bd80e609533b04b
• Emotional & Behavioral Effects of Stroke
• Being more optimistic linked to better cardiovascular health among Hispanics/Latinos
• For more news at ASA International Stroke Conference 2020, follow us on Twitter @HeartNews  #ISC20.

Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Stroke Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect Association policy or position. The Association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/aha-financial-information.

The American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference (ISC) is the world’s premier meeting dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health. ISC 2020 will be held February 19-21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. The 2 ½-day conference features more than 1,600 compelling scientific presentations in 21 categories that emphasize basic, clinical and translational science for health care professionals and researchers. These science and other clinical presentations will provide attendees with a better understanding of stroke and brain health to help improve prevention, treatment and outcomes for the more than 800,000 Americans who have a stroke each year. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the U.S. Worldwide, cerebrovascular accidents (stroke) are the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability, according to the World Health Organization. Engage in the International Stroke Conference on social media via #ISC20.

New research links optimism to a longer, healthier life

 4:35 video at link

But this? 

Pessimists May Live Longer Feb. 2013

I'm definitely an optimist, will live to 100 because of these two quotes assuming I'm not too reckless. Pessimism is way too fucking boring, never having any fun.

Part of my Hunter S. Thompson journey;

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

"Your body is not a temple: It's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride." Anthony Bourdain

The latest here:

New research links optimism to a longer, healthier life

How To Rewire Your Brain for Optimism

 I guess you'll have to ask your competent? doctor if pessimism is better for you or optimism! Optimism is fun, pessimists are incredibly boring to be around, and I will not associate with them, I'd have to spend a lot of my happiness just surviving their presence.

Optimism is associated with exceptional longevity in 2 epidemiologic cohorts of men and women

 But this? 

Pessimists May Live Longer Feb. 2013

I'm definitely an optimist, will live to 100 because of these two quotes assuming I'm not too reckless; 

Part of my Hunter S. Thompson journey;

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

"Your body is not a temple: It's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride." Anthony Bourdain

The latest here:

How To Rewire Your Brain for Optimism

People with a more optimistic outlook don’t just feel better; They live longer, bounce back faster, and age more vibrantly. Research shows that optimistic people tend to take better care of their health, manage stress more effectively, and stay more socially connected, all of which contribute to a longer, healthier life. The best part? Optimism is trainable.

One research-backed practice has been shown to boost positive emotions, reduce negative future expectations, and rewire the brain to focus more on growth, possibility, and joy. It’s neuroplasticity in action.

Try this optimism-boosting practice →

Cardiovascular health in middle age strongly associated with brain health in later years

 3 years post stroke at a physical I had a resting heart rate of 54 at age 53, level of an athlete. My doctor asked what exercises I was doing; 'I've done no exercises for the past 3 years'.  

Still had a stroke because my dad's doctor didn't tell him to have his children tested for carotid plaque when he was found to have 80% blockage in his 80's. I'm not going to get either dementia or late life depression, there is too much fun yet to be had.

I'm definitely an optimist, will live to 100 because of these two quotes assuming I'm not too reckless; 

Part of my Hunter S. Thompson journey;

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

"Your body is not a temple: It's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride." Anthony Bourdain

The latest here:

Cardiovascular health in middle age strongly associated with brain health in later years

Key takeaways:

• Lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise were linked to a higher risk for stroke or dementia later in life.
• More research is needed, including how factors such as race and ethnicity influence the association.

Cardiovascular health of middle-aged adults was significantly associated with the risk of poor brain health later in life, according to a study published in Neurology.

“Brain health is paramount for the optimal well-being of every person, enabling us to function at our highest level and constantly adapt in the world,” Santiago Clocchiatti-Tuozzo, MD, MHS, study author and postdoctoral fellow in geriatric clinical epidemiology and aging-related research in the department of neurology at Yale University, said in a release related to the study.

The latest research into brain and heart health found that ardiovascular health of middle-aged adults was significantly associated with the risk of poor brain health later in life. Image: Adobe Stock

The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) is a compilation of factors that determine cardiovascular health, although its cumulative effect on metrics related to brain health is unknown. The score encompasses eight modifiable cardiovascular risk factors: blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, BMI, smoking, physical activity, diet, sleep duration. The factors are organized into 3 subcategories: optimal, intermediate and poor.

Clocchiatti-Tuozzo and colleagues investigated the supposition that worse LE8 profiles in middle-aged adults are associated with higher overall risk of the most relevant clinical factors that contribute to poor brain health.

The researchers engaged in a two-stage prospective study that culled data from the U.K. Biobank (UKB) and All of Us (AoU), the former from the United Kingdom that enrolled more than 500,000 individuals between 2006 and 2010 and the latter an ongoing U.S. cohort study being conducted by the NIH since 2018 with 400,000 people currently enrolled. The discovery stage included 316,127 UKB participants (mean age, 56 years; 52% women), while the replication stage included 68,407 AoU participants (mean age, 56 years; 60% women).

LE8 score was calculated for each individual component, then again for overall score for each participant as an unweighted average of the eight component scores; researchers subsequently divided the overall LE8 scores into three subcategories based on total score (less than 20 meaning poor cardiovascular health; 20 to 80 as intermediate and more than 80 representing optimal cardiovascular health).

The study’s primary outcome was a composite of stroke, dementia or late-life depression, with additional covariate analysis including demographic information collected at each study’s baseline interviews.

According to results, over a mean follow-up time of 4.9 years in the discovery stage, the unadjusted risks for composite outcomes were 0.7% (95% CI 0.61–0.74) for optimal, 1.2% (95% CI 1.11–1.22) for intermediate and 1.8% (95% CI 1.70–1.91) for poor cardiovascular health, respectively.

Data further showed that, over a follow-up of 2.9 years for the replication stage, unadjusted risk of composite outcomes was 2.8% (95% CI 2.49–3.05) for optimal, 6% (95% CI 5.76–6.22) for intermediate and 9.7% (95% CI 9.24–10.24) for poor cardiovascular health.

The association remained in comparative analysis of intermediate vs. optimal cardiovascular health (HR = 1.35; 95% CI, 1.21–1.51) and poor vs. optimal cardiovascular health (HR =1.94; 95% CI, 1.72–2.18).

“Our findings highlight the potential brain health benefits of using these eight cardiovascular and brain health factors to guide healthy lifestyle choices,” Clocchiatti-Tuozzo said in the release. “More research is needed to understand this link between lifestyle habits and brain health, as well as how social factors like race and ethnicity can influence this connection.”

Reference:

Live well, think well: Research shows healthy habits tied to brain health. https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5208. Published Oct. 24, 2024. Accessed Oct. 28, 2024.

Sources/Disclosures

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Source:

Clocchiatti-Tuozzo S, et al. Neurology. 2024;doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000209990.

Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures. The study was supported by the NIH.       

This Is How to Build a More Optimistic Brain from Debbie Hampton

 I guess you'll have to ask your competent? doctor if pessimism is better for you or optimism! Optimism is fun, pessimists are incredibly boring to be around, and I will not associate with them, I'd have to spend a lot of my happiness just surviving their presence.

Optimism is associated with exceptional longevity in 2 epidemiologic cohorts of men and women

 But this? 

Pessimists May Live Longer Feb. 2013

I'm definitely an optimist, will live to 100 because of these two quotes assuming I'm not too reckless; 

Part of my Hunter S. Thompson journey;

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

"Your body is not a temple: It's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride." Anthony Bourdain

The latest here:

This Is How to Build a More Optimistic Brain from Debbie Hampton