Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia are associated with the presence of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide and tau protein deposits within neural fibers. These deposits form plaques in the brain’s vascular network and cause tangles in neural fibers, both of which hinder brain function. Aβ plaque reduction therapies have been rather unsuccessful. As a result, scientists and […]
Clinical Precision Medicine – Does it work?
Personalized medicine is a rapidly advancing field in which an individual’s personal information (such as variations in their genetic, blood, phenotypic or psychosocial profiles) is utilized to identify the most efficacious path for disease prevention or treatment for that individual or a group of individuals with shared traits. Classic examples of personalized medicine include phenylketonuria, […]
Let’s get physical… and improve brain health!
It is no secret that physical activity can reduce the risk of cognitive decline due to both normal aging and dementia [1–3]. Being active enhances metabolic, structural, and functional elements of the brain, thereby improving cognition [4]. At the recent Alzheimer’s Association meeting, we had the pleasure of learning more about just how effective physical activity […]
Feeding the brain
In discussing health, fat is often considered detrimental. The brain, however, relies on fats for correct structure and function. In fact, the brain is composed of 60% fat, making it the fattiest organ in the body [1]. Thus, in order to maintain optimal brain health, we must provide our brains with the fatty nutrients it […]
Lifestyle intervention for dementia prevention
Dementia is a progressive syndrome in which memory, behavior and the ability to perform daily activities declines over time. Dementia onset typically occurs in those 60 years of age and older when our health habits, or lack thereof, begin to catch up with us. These health habits, such as diet and exercise, greatly impact our […]
From 50 to 100: stages of memory and cognitive learning
Brain Stride has been created to help you track your brain health using data-driven and research validated tools. We follow the latest research on possible disease interventions and measurement strategies in order to develop brain health tracking tools for the general population. One such approach is to use cognitive tests that not only measure decline […]
What is executive function?
Executive function Overview of executive function Executive function can be described as the exertion of free will over more reflexive attentional mechanisms (Posner, 1990). It enables us to make plans and use selective attention. We can also use executive function to manage emotions and modify thought patterns. Many view executive function at it’s core to […]
How are blood tests used to track brain health?
Why use blood tests? Blood tests are a great way to measure biomarkers. Most of the biomarkers associated with dementia are also associated with cardiovascular health and metabolism. We focus on 30 different compounds to measure your body’s function. Blood tests allow the levels of these compounds to be assessed rapidly. Most of the biomarkers […]
What is a gene risk-score calculation, and what does it have to say about the chances of getting Alzheimer’s?
What is a gene? It is well-known that our DNA has the required structure to allow for life to exist. The proteins that make up life’s processes and the concentrations of those proteins are determined by the makeup of our DNA. A portion of the most prominent health complications that people face result from an […]
Gut flora and brain health
Overview The human microbiome, also known as gut flora, is a hot scientific topic as of late. This post examines recent findings from primary scientific literature to explain how microorganisms can raise or lower our risk of disease. Microorganisms can be bacteria, protists, fungi, or viruses. Since most of them are smaller than the cells […]