Exercise May Slow Alzheimer's

Far less clear is how much exercise is best for physical health

(NEWSER) - If the goal of your exercise program is better mental health, a new study shows that even 20 minutes a week of sports, gardening, or housecleaning may be enough to boost your mood. But if you want to improve your cardiovascular fitness, lose weight, or reduce your risk of life-threatening diseases, figuring out the best amount of exercise becomes much trickier, the New York Times reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Researchers have discovered a new link between Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, a condition that often leads to the brain disorder, CNN reports. In a neuroimaging study, more than half of MCI patients showed brain atrophy similar to those with Alzheimer’s; indeed, a year later, 29% of the MCI patients with Alzheimer’s-like scans developed the disease. The other MCI patients were far less likely to see their condition deteriorate. More»

Australian study shows exercise improves 'flawed memory'

(NEWSER) - A little sweatin' to the oldies might help oldsters with mild memory problems, an Australian study suggests. Volunteers who took part in “home-based physical activity” showed a “modest improvement in cognitive function" over those who did not. Results showed that just a few hours of walking per week improved mild cognitive impairment, the BBC reports. More»

Brain plaque spotted in rabbits

(NEWSER) - Researchers are a step closer to early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using conventional MRI scanners. Plaque associated with Alzheimer's has been detected in rabbits by a team in Canada using MRI equipment, Reuters reports. Currently, the disease is diagnosed based on a series of tests, but a diagnosis can only be confirmed by an autopsy. More»