Brain Exercises Ward off Alzheimer's

This Columbus Dispatch article entitled "Brain Exercises Might Ward off Alzheimer's" discusses research that indicates individuals who participate in life-long cognitive exercises have lower amounts of the protein that contributes to Alzheimer's disease in their brains. It also discusses several local programs and local research (to Central Ohio) that are looking at cognitive exercise as a preventative factor against cognitive impairment. How do you think brain exercises might ward off Alzheimer's? What types of brain exercises would you be willing to do?

Doctors See More STD's in Older Adults

This Columbus Dispatch article entitled "Doctors See More STD's in Older Patients" discusses the increasing numbers of STD's diagnosed in older adults (including HIV) in recent years. The article states that in recent years, individuals over 50 have accounted for 11% of new HIV cases, and numbers diagnosed with other types of STD's are growing. What are some of the variables impacting this increase in statistics? How do you talk about safe sexual behavior with people above 50?

Non-Gender Conforming Children At High Risk for Abuse

This CNN article entitled "Kids who Veer From Gender Norms at Higher Risk for Abuse" reports on recent research indicating that children who do not conform to gender norms in their culture are more likely to be abused and demonstrate symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) by their 20's. The perpetrators of the abuse were both within and outside the family. How could people be more supportive of children who do not fit the traditional gender roles? What could be done to stop the abuse?

Willpower

Willpower, or self-control, is a virtue that many of us wish we had more of and used more often. Psychologists have been spending more time studying willpower (and lack thereof). Here are some educational links for those of you who may be interested in learning more.

This is Psychology Video Series: Willpower (features Norman Anderson, Ph.D. and CEO of APA)

What you need to know about willpower: The psychological science of self-control.

The power of self-control: Recent research on willpower

Lack of Willpower May Be Obstacle to Improving Personal Health and Finances

The APA Help Center also has more articles and resources on Willpower. 

Overeating Linked to Memory Loss

This CNN article entitled "Overeating May be Linked to Memory Loss" describes a recent study of over 1200 people and reveals that if you eat over 2143 calories/day (versus 1526/day), it raises your risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI; often seen as a precursor to Alzheimer's disease). What other factors might contribute to memory loss beyond overeating? Could you follow a 1500 calorie/day diet?

Alzheimer's: Trouble sleeping could affect memory

This Chicago Tribune article, entitled "Alzheimer's: Trouble Sleeping Could Affect Memory Later on, Study Finds" reports on a small study of 100 patients that found that those who had significant difficulty staying asleep (e.g., multiple awakenings during the night) also demonstrated the brain changes that are consistent with Alzheimer's-type dementia. This study is correlational -- do you think that lack of sleep impacts brain disease, or that brain diseases causes impairment in sleep? How could correcting sleep disturbance possibly impact cognitive impairment in late life?

Mindful Eating

This NY Times article entitled "Mindful Eating as Food For Thought" provides an intriguing look at using mindfulness techniques to reduce obesity by having people pay attention and be mindful about their food. One theory behind rising rates of obesity is that people eat fast, and therefore eat "past" their satiety cues. Do you think mindful eating would help you with weight? What type of effort would it take to be more mindful while eating?

Infants at Greatest Risk for Abuse

This CNN article entitled "Infants at Greatest Risk for Child Abuse" discusses the recently-released statistics on child abuse in the U.S. It indicates that for children under the age of 1, the incidence of abuse is 8 times higher than other ages. For children on Medicaid, they were 6 times more likely to be abused than children not on Medicaid (therefore higher risk is linked to SES). What are the underlying reasons behind these higher rates of abuse? How might someone create anti-abuse program that would be targeted towards these two more vulnerable populations?