All posts tagged: impairment

GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Cognitive Impairment

GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Cognitive Impairment

Published by José Betancourt

Sign up to see the future, today Can’t-miss innovations from the bleeding edge of science and tech Extensive research has shown that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist drugs like semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, appear to have a constellation of different health benefits beyond the treatment of diabetes and weight loss. In addition to cutting the progression kidney disease, lowering the risk of opiate addiction and prolonging life expectancy, studies have shown that the drugs even seem to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. At a first glance, that’s why it’s surprising that a new retrospective study — meaning research that further analyzes existing data — presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in Chicago, just found that the use of GLP-1 agonists may increase the risk of developing cognitive impairment. The study was led by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine epidemiology researcher Isaac Thorman, and analyzed data from a massive dataset of patients from over 100 healthcare organizations across five countries called TriNetX. The team tracked nearly 65,000 type 2 …

Cognitive Impairment After Psychosis | Psychology Today

Cognitive Impairment After Psychosis | Psychology Today

Published by Jenni Sidey

I faced what should have been a difficult decision for me immediately after my first full-blown psychotic break. I had been an inpatient for three weeks and then a partial daytime patient for two weeks. However, I decided without hesitation to still begin a PhD program that started in two months, and I would move to another state all by myself in a month after daytime hospitalization ended. When leaving the daytime program, I was given a Global Assessment Functioning score of 60%. I refused to let anything stop me, even a psychotic break that left me cognitively impaired. I saw getting a full academic scholarship and stipend to a prestigious University as the honor of a lifetime. But in that year, I could not hold a train of thought, focus well, or think on my feet. In my second semester, there was a teaching style that called for me to enroll in disability services and receive accommodations. I made a full cognitive recovery by the one-year mark of the school calendar, after two semesters …

Intrinsic capacity scores predict the risk of mild cognitive impairment in older adults

Intrinsic capacity scores predict the risk of mild cognitive impairment in older adults

Published by José Betancourt

A recent study published in the journal GeroScience suggests that a person’s overall physical and mental reserve can predict their risk of experiencing memory and thinking problems later in life. Scientists found that older adults with a lower baseline of physical and psychological abilities have a higher chance of developing mild cognitive impairment within a few years. These findings suggest that taking a broad approach to health as we age provides evidence for better strategies to protect our brains. The World Health Organization defines intrinsic capacity as the total combination of physical and mental abilities an individual can rely on. This idea focuses on a person’s existing strengths rather than their diseases or deficits. The concept promotes a holistic view of aging that includes movement, emotional wellbeing, senses, vitality, and thinking skills. Traditionally, medicine has often looked at aging simply as the presence or absence of specific diseases. The concept of intrinsic capacity shifts that perspective toward a broader understanding of overall functioning. Measuring these combined strengths provides a complete picture of an individual’s resilience. …

I suddenly went blind 2,000 miles from home – alone, penniless and confused | Blindness and visual impairment

I suddenly went blind 2,000 miles from home – alone, penniless and confused | Blindness and visual impairment

Published by Sam Flores

The first sign that something was wrong was the blurred text in the book Gary Williamson was reading. The problem with his vision had come on suddenly – the day before, it had been normal. Williamson thought perhaps he was tired, or run down. He was 18 and had arrived in Gibraltar after travelling through Europe for two weeks, sleeping rough and not eating or drinking properly. “I’ll go and get some water and something to eat. I thought: maybe it’s nothing. I’ll see how I am tomorrow. The next day, I woke up and it was bad again.” He remembers cautiously getting out his book to test his eyesight: “It’s actually getting worse. I can’t read it now. The lines were starting to blur.” He had relied on a map to get him that far. “I remember thinking: that’s going to become useless very soon. I need to work out what I’m doing.” He needed to get home. It was 1990, and Williamson didn’t think to call home to ask for help. With no …