Beth Newcomb

WKMG-TV mentioned USC Leonard Davis research that indicated that ultrafine particles and nitrogen dioxide can pass into the bloodstream and even the brain, causing inflammation in regions that regulate sleep and breathing and potentially accelerating cognitive decline.

The Times (UK) quoted Valter Longo in an article on the aftereffects of GLP-1 medications. “The literature on GLP-1 receptor agonists and depression is mixed, with some studies suggesting GLP-1 makes things worse, some that it has neutral effects and some that it improves symptoms,” Longo said, adding that other recent research indicates that GLP-1 drugs could increase depressive behaviour. “They propose that while GLP-1 drugs could help those with high levels of dopamine [alcohol, drug addictions] they may be detrimental in patients with low dopamine levels, potentially leading to increased suicide rates. This is just one paper and one computational hypothesis, but I think they are on the right track proposing that some people may benefit, some may not be affected and some may have major side-effects, potentially by altering dopamine signaling.”

WorkingNation podcast Work in Progress interviewed Paul Irving about the rising need for support for caregivers as the population ages. “They are under-compensated, under-recognized, operate in lonely environments without the kinds of services, and supports, and encouragement, and recognition that they so deserve for taking on these incredibly important roles. It’s easy for any of us to brush this off and say this is somehow unimportant until it affects us and our families, and it inevitably does. So, this is an issue that every single one of us, democrats, republicans, independents, those from all regions of the country, every religion, every race, every gender, you name it, we should all be thinking about it, all be striving to try to address and to address quickly.”

AARP featured research by Eunyoung Choi and Jennifer Ailshire that showed living in regions with more days of extreme heat correlated with faster biological aging in older adults. Times of India, Bisnis.com (Jakarta), and Yahoo (via the CoolDown) also covered the study.

Men’s Health (Italy) discussed the details and potential benefits of the fasting-mimicking diet developed by Valter Longo.

DeMorgen (Netherlands) quoted an earlier LA Times interview with Jennifer Ailshire in an article on older action movie stars. “These people have trainers and physical therapists and other people with a lot of experience who can help keep them in great shape. … If you have the resources to do regular physical activity, you age better in general, whether it’s in terms of cognitive function, psychological well-being or delaying disease and disability.”

Brain & Life podcast interviewed Francesca Falzarano about what the future of caregiving should look like and how technology could aid caregivers.

New York Times quoted Mara Mather and Roberto Vicinanza discussing how becoming pope can have surprising health benefits, including cognitive stimulation, a sense of purpose, and social engagement, which can reduce the risk of dementia and late-life depression.