Latest news with #neurology
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Scanned the Brains of Hardcore Gooners and Found Something Ominous
Watching a whole bunch of smut has some major side effects — and no, we're not just talking about stained bedsheets. In a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, researchers at the Chengdu Medical College in China found that people who watch a lot of pornography had lower cognitive performance and showed signs of neurological arousal akin to opioid addiction. It's new data in a swirling debate over whether watching porn — or how much — affects cognition, emotional regulation, and our relationships. The battle has raged on for years in academic journals, but has gained increasing prominence as a divisive political and social issue in recent years (complicating matters further, there's a broad medical consensus that masturbation is healthy.) The Chengdu researchers are squarely in the "porn sucks" category with this study. Using an experimental cohort of 21 heterosexual, mostly male college students — 16 who said in a survey they only watch adult content on occasion, and five who were described as having a "severe" internet porn addiction — the team used a brain imaging technique to measure how the habit was affecting cognition. Known as functional near-infrared spectroscopy or fNIRS, this imaging method looks at brain activity by shining a near-infrared light through the scalp and seeing how much of its light is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the brain. Using a fitted fNIRS cap and additional instruments that recorded facial expressions and vital signs, the researchers looked at the brain and body feedback coming from those 21 college students while they watched a 10-minute-long X-rated clip. Before and after the viewing session — in which the participants were asked to not masturbate, we should note — the students performed tests designed to measure cognitive function. The brain readings of the two groups turned out to be vastly different. The occasional porn watchers exhibited stronger neural connectivity in brain regions related to language, movement, and sensory processing. And the "gooners," to use cultural parlance for people who are seriously hooked on erotica, had heightened connectivity in regions related to executive function, addiction, and emotional regulation. The gooner squad also showed higher emotional and physiological arousal than their less-porn-watching counterparts, and their facial expressions when watching the clip showed a wide variety of emotions ranging from happiness to anger — though strangely, the study also found they appeared more "numb" than the lower-frequency group. In sum, the study suggests, the effects were similar to opioid users who experience intense calm, euphoria, and blurry perception. Physiologically, there were similarities between both groups during the viewing sessions — but the changes exhibited were often more dramatic in the gooners. Both groups had lowered heart rates during the session, but the effect was more pronounced in the more dedicated smut consumers. The same was true for the lowered cognitive performance both groups showed post-porn, which declined more steeply in the high-frequency porn watchers. These results aren't entirely surprising. A 2021 study found that problematic porn watchers suffer deficits in everything from working memory and decision-making to inhibition control and attention span; a 2014 paper found reductions in gray matter volume associated with consuming adult content. Though there will obviously need to be more and larger studies to figure out what's going on physically and neurologically with gooners, this research seems to demystify porn's effects on frequent watchers — not to mention an interesting new datapoint in the debate over the seriousness of porn addiction, too. More on porn: Government Website Caught Hosting "Gay Impregnation" Content
Health Line
a day ago
- Health
- Health Line
ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
Key takeaways Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It causes a worsening loss of voluntary muscle control, which affects movements like talking, swallowing, and walking. There is currently no cure for ALS. However, treatments are available that can reduce symptoms and may help people with ALS to live longer. ALS eventually results in loss of life. People typically live with ALS for 2 to 5 years. Some people will live longer. There is currently no cure for ALS. However, treatments are available that can reduce symptoms and may help people with ALS to live longer. The famous baseball player Lou Gehrig developed symptoms of the condition in the 1930s, and that's why it's also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. What are the causes of ALS? ALS can be classified as either sporadic or familial. Most cases are sporadic. That means no specific cause is known. Familial ALS happens when the condition is inherited from a parent. Only about 5% to 10% of ALS cases are familial. Other causes of ALS aren't well understood. Some factors that scientists think might contribute to ALS include: free radical damage imbalances in the chemical messenger glutamate protein abnormalities, like misfolding nerve inflammation Military veterans are thought to be at higher risk for ALS, though the reasons for this are unclear. Some research suggests that smoking is a risk factor for ALS. Research on other possible environmental triggers is ongoing. Demographic factors Age: The likelihood of receiving an ALS diagnosis increases with age. The onset of symptoms in ALS usually occurs between the ages of 55 and 75, although symptoms can occur earlier. Sex: According to statistics that group people into male and female categories, ALS is more common among males than females. Race and ethnicity: Research suggests that white people are more likely to receive an ALS diagnosis than people of other racial or ethnic groups. According to the National Organization for Rare Diseases, more studies are needed to understand who's affected by ALS globally. How often does ALS occur? Every year, about 5,000 people in the United States receive an ALS diagnosis. Around 30,000 people in the U.S. are currently living with the condition. ALS affects people in all racial, social, and economic groups. A 2016 study suggests that ALS is becoming more common. This may be because the population is aging. What are the symptoms of ALS? Both sporadic and familial ALS are associated with a progressive loss of motor neurons. As motor neurons become damaged, a person with ALS will start to have difficulty with voluntary movements in their limbs, mouth, or throat. There are two main types of ALS. Each one is associated with a different set of symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Limb onset Around 70% of people with ALS have what's known as 'limb onset' ALS. This means that symptoms first appear in the arms or legs. Symptoms in the arms (upper limb onset) include: weakness in hands stiff arms or hands cramps in arms or hands loss of dexterity, fumbling, or dropping objects Symptoms in the legs (lower limb onset) include: trouble with walking or running tripping or stumbling difficulty lifting the front half of the foot when walking, known as foot drop Early symptoms are usually in either the arms or the legs, not both. Limb onset ALS usually progresses more slowly than other types. Bulbar onset 'Bulbar onset' ALS is less common. In this type, ALS first affects a part of the brainstem known as the corticobulbar area. Symptoms include difficulty with speech and swallowing and muscle spasms in the face or throat. There are also rare sub-types of ALS that are defined by other symptoms present at the time of diagnosis. These include respiratory onset ALS when difficulties with the breathing muscles are the earliest sign of illness. Upper and lower motor neurons You have two main types of motor neurons in your body: upper motor neurons and lower motor neurons. They work together to allow your brain to communicate with your muscles to make voluntary movements possible. For example, when you decide to move your finger, your upper motor neurons first send signals from your brain to your spinal cord. Then, lower motor neurons carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles that move your finger. By definition, ALS affects both upper and lower motor neurons. But the condition may start by affecting one type more than the other, either the upper or the lower. Each type can result in different symptoms. Symptoms of upper motor neuron disease include: involuntary rhythmic muscle contractions, known as clonus rigid muscles (spacticity) overactive reflexes Symptoms of lower motor neuron disease include: limp (flaccid) muscles muscle atrophy spontaneous twitching Weakness happens with both types of motor neuron disease. Progression The earliest symptoms of ALS may include small muscle twitches in your: mouth throat face limbs But it's typical to notice muscle twitches from time to time. They're usually not a cause for concern. In early ALS, muscle twitches are likely to become more frequent over time. Other early signs of ALS may include difficulty performing some everyday tasks. This could mean difficulty climbing stairs or getting up from a chair. It's also possible to have difficulty speaking or swallowing, or weakness in the arms, hands, or legs. You may also notice cramping. Early symptoms tend to be asymmetrical, which means they only happen on one side. As the condition progresses, the symptoms generally spread to both sides of the body. Muscle weakness, weight loss, and muscle atrophy are common. In the late stages of ALS, paralysis of the muscles occurs. Paralysis means the complete loss of voluntary movements. ALS doesn't affect your senses, like seeing or hearing. Bowel and bladder control can be affected in later stages of the disease. ALS is a terminal illness, which means that it eventually results in loss of life. People typically live with ALS for 2 to 5 years. Some people will live longer. Approximately 20% of people live with ALS for over 5 years, and 10% for more than 10 years. The most common life-ending event in ALS is respiratory failure. What body systems are affected by ALS? While ALS specifically affects the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord, other body systems that rely on these neurons will be impacted as the disease progresses. As the ability to control voluntary muscles declines, functions like breathing, speaking, and moving are affected. ALS progresses differently for everyone. A doctor or neurologist who specializes in the condition can help those with ALS understand what to expect. ALS complications ALS can affect many aspects of daily functioning. These include: Respiratory system and breathing ALS causes the muscles controlling breathing to weaken over time. Breathing is likely to become more laborious. As the respiratory system weakens, the risk of pneumonia increases. Eventually, as the condition progresses, a ventilator may be required to assist breathing. Speaking Muscles in the mouth, jaw, and throat tend to lose strength and mobility. Because of this, it can become hard for a person with ALS to make themselves understood when speaking. In severe cases, some people lose the ability to produce speech. Eating ALS usually affects chewing and swallowing, making eating more difficult. Choking is a possible complication. Weight loss and malnutrition Because eating can become challenging and ALS may cause people to burn calories more quickly, it's common to experience rapid weight loss and undernutrition. Moving Standing and walking will generally become more difficult over time. Some people will have trouble moving their arms. The changes will happen differently for each person. But in general, more muscles will be affected, and the loss of function will become more severe as ALS progresses. Pressure sores are a possible complication as moving becomes harder. Cognition ALS causes cognitive changes in up to 50% of cases. These changes can affect language and executive function. Dementia is possible but less common. In ALS, physical changes to the brain can also cause uncontrollable laughing and crying, known as emotional lability. Some variants of ALS are more commonly associated with cognitive changes, like ALS-frontotemporal spectrum disorder. Mood It's typical to feel a range of emotions when coping with a serious illness. Managing symptoms and life changes caused by ALS can be emotionally difficult. For some people with ALS, these changes can result in anxiety and depression. If you're living with ALS and notice changes in your daily functioning, talk with your doctor and healthcare team. Medication and support can help maintain quality of life, even as symptoms progress. Does ALS affect thinking? Cognitive changes are common among people with ALS, affecting between 30% and 50% of those with the disease. The changes are usually classified as mild to moderate. Difficulty with reasoning, planning, and slowed thinking are among the most common cognitive symptoms of ALS. Behavioral changes like emotional lability (uncontrollable laughing and crying) are also possible, even if cognition is otherwise unaffected. It's less common, but ALS-related dementia can also occur if there's cell degeneration in the frontotemporal regions of the brain. How is ALS diagnosed? ALS is usually diagnosed by a neurologist. There's no specific test for ALS. The process of establishing a diagnosis can take anywhere from weeks to months. An ALS diagnosis may be considered if someone has nerve and muscle health concerns that get worse over time. A doctor will watch for increasing symptoms like: muscle weakness muscle atrophy twitching cramps rigid tissue, known as contracture These symptoms can also be caused by a number of other conditions. Therefore, a diagnosis requires your doctor to rule out other health concerns. This is done with a series of diagnostic tests, including: an EMG test to evaluate the electrical activity of your muscles nerve conduction studies to test your nerve function an MRI scan that shows which parts of your nervous system are affected blood tests to evaluate your general health and nutrition Genetic tests may also be useful for people with a family history of ALS. How is ALS treated? Many different areas of functioning can be affected as control over voluntary movements declines. Treatments and supports are available to address most symptoms. A team of doctors and specialists often work together to treat people with ALS. Specialists involved in the ALS team might include: a neurologist who is skilled in the management of ALS a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation (physiatrist) a dietitian a gastroenterologist an occupational therapist a respiratory therapist a speech therapist a social worker a psychologist a pastoral care professional a doctor who specializes in palliative care Family members should talk with people with ALS about their care. As the condition progresses, some people may need support when making medical decisions. Connecting with a local ALS society can help people with ALS and their families access resources and support. Assistive devices Assistive devices like braces, mattresses, and wheelchairs can reduce pain by supporting the body in a more comfortable position. Some people may need nutritional support, like a feeding tube (enteral feeding). As speech becomes more difficult, communication tools provide another way to express thoughts and needs. Options include communication boards and electronic assistive communication devices. If you're considering assistive devices, it's best to consult with your healthcare team to find the right options for you. Medications Two medications — riluzole (Rilutek, Tiglutik, Exservan) and edaravone (Radicava) — are approved for the treatment of ALS. Riluzole appears to reduce a particular kind of nerve damage called glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. It can slow the progression of respiratory symptoms and prolong life by several months. Edaravone (Radicava) appears to help with ALS symptoms by reducing oxidative stress. It can slow the progression of ALS, especially for those in the early stages of the condition. Other medications may be used to treat the symptoms of ALS. Some of these medications include: mexiletine and baclofen, for muscle cramps and spasms nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and morphine, for pain management dextromethorphan/quinidine (Nuedexta), for emotional lability As of 2020, more than 40 potential new medications for ALS are being studied. Clinical trials for stem cell therapy are also underway. But stem cell therapy hasn't yet been proven to be an effective treatment for ALS. Nonmedical treatments Your doctor may recommend therapies like heat treatments, exercise, and physical therapy to reduce ALS symptoms. These should only be undertaken as directed by your healthcare team. Massage, meditation, and other complementary and alternative therapies may also help with relaxation and comfort. Before starting any nonmedical treatment, it's important to discuss it with your doctor. What is the long-term outlook for people with ALS? There's currently no cure for ALS. But medication and supportive care can improve quality of life. Make it a priority to discuss new or changing symptoms with your healthcare team. Proper treatment and support can help those with ALS live happily and comfortably for as long as possible.
Medscape
2 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Comorbidities Intensify Rare Neurologic Diseases
Comorbidities, especially cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, were frequent in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), correlating with worse clinical outcomes, including more frequent optic neuritis relapses, greater disability, and retinal layer thinning. METHODOLOGY: The CROCTINO study was a retrospective, multicentre cohort study that analysed data of 442 patients with AQP4-NMOSD, MOGAD, and double seronegative NMOSD (DN-NMOSD) across 22 centres worldwide between 2000 and 2018, focusing on retinal pathology using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Researchers assessed comorbidities (classified into 14 categories) and their impact on disease severity, optic neuritis relapse rates, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and retinal integrity using OCT. They compared the prevalence and types of comorbidities across disease groups, evaluated associations with clinical outcomes, and analysed changes in retinal layer thickness. TAKEAWAY: Comorbidities were present in 43.5% of patients with AQP4-NMOSD, 40.8% of those with MOGAD, and 36.4% of those with DN-NMOSD. Those with AQP4-NMOSD had more multiple comorbidities than those with MOGAD (50% vs 25%; P = .03). = .03). EDSS scores were higher in patients with MOGAD and comorbidities than in those without (3.0 vs 2.0; P = .006) and in those with DN-NMOSD and comorbidities than in those without (5.0 vs 2.0; P = .008), but not significantly different between those with AQP4-NMOSD and those without. = .006) and in those with DN-NMOSD and comorbidities than in those without (5.0 vs 2.0; = .008), but not significantly different between those with AQP4-NMOSD and those without. Among patients with AQP4-NMOSD, those with cardiovascular comorbidities exhibited higher annual optic neuritis relapses than those with autoimmune comorbidities (mean, 1.06 ± 3.33 vs 0.49 ± 0.98; P < .001). < .001). Retinal changes showed reduced inner nuclear layer thickness in patients with AQP4-NMOSD having comorbidities, especially cardiovascular conditions ( P = .009). IN PRACTICE: "Comorbidities are frequent in AQP4-NMOSD and MOGAD and are associated with ON [optic neuritis] frequency and disability. These findings highlight the need for proactive comorbidity management to improve patient care," the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study, led by Sara Samadzadeh, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, was published online on June 09, 2025, in the European Journal of Neurology . LIMITATIONS: This study's retrospective design may have led to inaccuracies in comorbidity documentation, including unrecorded risk factors (eg, smoking) and inconsistent data recorded. Some comorbidities could independently affect OCT or EDSS outcomes, potentially confounding the results. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by the Lundbeck Foundation; the University of Southern Denmark, Slagelse Hospital Research Fund, and Region Zealand Health Sciences Research Fund; and the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation. Some authors reported receiving support from several other organisations.
Medscape
3 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Hand vs Hand: The Strange World of Alien Limb
A 55-year-old patient who was right-handed consulted a neurologist for episodes of inter-manual conflict due to uncontrolled movements of his left hand, marked by involuntary movements of his left hand that interfered with the right hand. Each time he reached for a door handle with his right hand, his left hand counteracted the movement. He reported similar interference during other manual tasks. The patient was anxious and feared the persistence of these movements. A brain MRI prescribed by the neurologist allowed the diagnosis of infarction of the corpus callosum. This rare case of alien hand syndrome reported by Léonard Kouamé Kouassi, MD, and colleagues at Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, recommends brain imaging in case of unusual clinical manifestation or prompt referral of the patient to a neurologist. The Patient and His History The right-handed patient had episodes of uncontrolled movements of his left hand. According to him, this phenomenon had been developing for 8 days, preceded by a numbness sensation in his left upper limb 6 days earlier. He is right-handed. Whenever he moves his right hand to perform an activity, his left hand interferes. He has the impression that his left hand is being controlled by someone else, preventing him from performing his activities. These symptoms made him anxious, and he kept asking the neurologist if this hand behaviour would ever stop. His medical history included high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes for at least 5 years. There was no history of alcohol or tobacco use and no family history of hypertension or diabetes. Findings and Diagnosis On admission, neurologic examination was normal, blood pressure was 160/100 mm Hg, temperature was 37.2 °C, pulse was 84 beats/min and was regular, weight was 93 kg, and height was 1.76 m. A scheduled neuropsychological evaluation could not be performed. Complete blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, urea, and creatinine levels were within the reference range. Only low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was elevated at 1.37 g/dL. The retroviral serology results were negative. The immunological and thrombophilia test results were normal. Cerebral MRI showed well-systematised signal anomalies within the corpus callosum splenium, extending anteriorly to its trunk, with a discrete mass effect on the corpus callosum body. These anomalies appeared in hyposignal on the T1 sequence, hypersignal on the T2 sequences, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery in diffusion 1000, without restriction on the apparent diffusion coefficient and without haemorrhagic stigmata in gradient echo, corresponding to images of a relatively recent corpus callosum ischaemic stroke in the territories of the left pericallosal and posterior cerebral arteries. An old punctuated vascular lesion of the left caudate nucleus and acquired leukoencephalopathy of old vascular origin were also noted. ECG showed sinus tachycardia associated with an incomplete right branch block with a V5-V6 late S-wave. A Holter ECG could not be performed. Transthoracic echocardiography showed concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricular walls and no intracavity thrombus. Transoesophageal echocardiography was non-specific. Doppler ultrasound of supra-aortic trunks showed marked bilateral atheromatosis, with the presence of a non-stenotic heterogeneous plaque at the ostium of the right internal carotid artery. On the basis of these findings, the patient was diagnosed with alien hand syndrome. The management was that of ischaemic stroke. Medications prescribed to the patient included an antidiabetic by a diabetologist, an antihypertensive (perindopril arginine/amlodipine besylate), a statin (Rosuvastatin EG), an antiplatelet aggregator (aspirin), and an anxiolytic (prazepam). Around 21 days after the onset of the stroke, the patient noted a significant improvement in the behaviour of his left hand, which became less and less troublesome, with the disappearance of the inter-manual conflict. However, the patient reported difficulties in deciding which of the two opposite actions to initiate. Discussion Alien hand syndrome is a rare manifestation of stroke. The diagnostic workup followed standard stroke protocols. There is no approved or recommended therapy, and its management is based on anecdotal reports of pharmacological interventions using botulinum toxin and clonazepam, as well as behavioural interventions. In this case, in addition to the usual treatment of cerebral infarction, prazepam is an anxiolytic. Clonazepam and prazepam belong to the same therapeutic group and have similar actions, which may explain the improvement seen in our patient. 'We hope, by updating this syndrome, to attract the attention of physicians to avoid diagnostic delays. In addition, this case report could contribute to enriching data on alien hand syndrome in sub-Saharan Africa,' the authors wrote.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The Silent Symptom Most People Don't Realize Could Be a Dementia Sign, According to Neurologists
The Silent Symptom Most People Don't Realize Could Be a Dementia Sign, According to Neurologists originally appeared on Parade. Neurologists frequently hear patients say they chalked up early dementia signs to something else entirely."Many early cognitive changes—such as slower processing speed [and] reduced comprehension—are often dismissed as natural aging rather than indicators of dementia," reports Dr. Adel Aziz, MD, a neurologist with JFK University Medical Center.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊However, symptoms like memory loss (that are more frequently linked to dementia) aren't the only ones to know about."Understanding lesser-known signs of neurodegenerative disorders can help with earlier recognition and diagnosis by a medical provider," says , a behavioral neurologist at there's no cure for dementia, sometimes, cognitive decline can be slowed, especially when caught early. Here, neurologists reveal the silent dementia sign that's often Neurologists warn that apathy is a silent sign of dementia. "Apathy, or the loss of goal-directed thought and behavior, is one of the earliest signs in some types of dementia, especially frontotemporal dementia, but it's often overlooked because it doesn't manifest as active distress," Dr. Aziz says. Unlike forgetting how to get home, Dr. Aziz explains that people often mask apathy as preference for solo time, tiredness, shyness or natural aging. "A person who once planned outings or made social calls may simply stop engaging," he sadly, loved ones may feel silently hurt by the changes. "It can appear that the person does not care or is depressed when this is not the case," points out , an assistant professor of neurology at New York Medical Neurologists report that there are several potential reasons why a person with dementia can become apathetic. Dr. Amodeo shares that the chemical changes and cell losses in parts of the brain associated with motivation can impact a person's desire to participate in activities they once loved., a board-certified neurologist at Remo Health, says situational factors may also contribute to apathy. "Individuals may feel that everything is so much harder, making it seem 'not worth the effort,'" he explains. "Additionally, they might feel 'useless' or like 'a burden.'" According to Dr. Amodeo, apathy is associated with several types of dementia, including: Alzheimer's Disease Lewy body dementia (LBD) Vascular dementia Frontotemporal dementia Apathy's place as a symptom of that fourth one, frontotemporal dementia, has gotten more attention lately. Frontotemporal dementia is often diagnosed early (between the ages of 45 and 65). A 2020 study indicated that apathy could predict frontotemporal dementia years before symptoms start."It may be more commonly associated with frontotemporal dementia because those with this disease typically show changes in personality or mood as an early feature [because of] the function of the frontal lobe of the brain—the part of the brain disproportionately impacted in frontotemporal dementia," Dr. Amodeo also note that apathy predicted a faster decline. "Apathy may be associated with a faster decline in function, because it reduces the person's ability to adapt and cope with their decreased function," Dr. Lesley explains. "Also, it takes away some of the situations that tend to support cognitive health—social activities, exercise, cognitive activities like reading, and getting adequate nutrition and good sleep."Related: Dr. Lesley explains that apathy is not a condition but rather a description of a feeling, or lack thereof. He reveals that common signs of apathy include: Loss of interest or joy in things that used to be fun Less motivation to do things (even those that are important for survival, like paying bills or eating) Less Goal-directed activity can all be associated with apathy Loss of motivation to participate in self-care, including personal and home hygiene (not brushing teeth or cleaning the home) However, neurologists say it's important to understand that apathy has numerous triggers. If you or a loved one is experiencing apathy, it may not be dementia. Related: "Just because a person seems apathetic, they may not necessarily have dementia or be at risk for dementia," Dr. Amodeo says. "It can be observed in other [conditions], such as depression. A diagnosis of dementia would not be based on having this one feature alone."According to Dr. Amodeo, additional symptoms that signify that the apathy might be connected to dementia include: Gradual and progressive changes in cognitive function, including memory, language, attention and focus Hallucinations or delusions Sleep changes, such as insomnia or dream enactment Changes in confusion or alertness (Dr. Amodeo explains a person might be confused later in the day, which is called "sundowning") Mood or personality changes Related: Experts say speaking to a primary care physician is a great start. If they're concerned about cognitive decline, they'll order testing to learn Carlisle notes that there is no cure for dementia, but there is hope. "There are medications aimed at treating the symptoms," she explains. "There are a number of lifestyle modifications that can slow cognitive decline." She shares that these shifts include: Regular moderate-level exercise Following a Mediterranean-style diet Participating in socially and cognitively engaging activities Reducing stress Getting high-quality sleep Treating vision and hearing issues A dementia diagnosis can be hard on someone (and worsen apathy). Additionally, apathy may be a sign of a mental health condition exclusively. Either way, Dr. Amodeo shares that you deserve support for your mental well-being. "I would recommend reaching out to their provider, such as their primary care provider, who may refer them to a psychiatrist or psychologist," she says, adding that Psychology Today is a good resource for finding therapists. Up Next:Dr. Adel Aziz, MD, a neurologist with JFK University Medical Center Dr. Tara Carlisle, MD, a behavioral neurologist at UCHealth Dr. Katherine D. Amodeo, MD, an assistant professor of neurology at New York Medical College Dr. Daniel Lesley, MD, a board-certified neurologist at Remo Health Apathy in presymptomatic genetic frontotemporal dementia predicts cognitive decline and is driven by structural brain changes. Alzheimer's & Dementia. The Silent Symptom Most People Don't Realize Could Be a Dementia Sign, According to Neurologists first appeared on Parade on Jun 15, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
