Latest news with #cognitiveissues
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025: DECADES-OLD LEAD POLLUTION LINKED TO MEMORY PROBLEMS IN OLDER ADULTS, STUDY FINDS
Key Takeaways TORONTO, July 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Historic lead levels from the era of leaded gasoline may be contributing to cognitive issues 50 years later, suggests research reported for the first time at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® 2025 (AAIC®), in Toronto and online. Americans are about 20% more likely to experience memory problems if they lived in areas with high levels of atmospheric lead between 1960 and 1974, according to the analysis of more than 600,000 adults 65 and older. ' Research suggests half the U.S. population — more than 170 million people — were exposed to high lead levels in early childhood. This research sheds more light on the toxicity of lead related to brain health in older adults today,' said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead. 'Other studies reported at AAIC 2025 suggest that (a) lead exposure at any point in life may cause cognitive problems, (b) it may be more likely to affect certain populations and reflect disparities, and (c) there is a biological connection between lead exposure and Alzheimer's.' Historic levels of lead air pollution are associated with memory problems 50 years later In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers examined how exposure to airborne lead from 1960-1974 — when leaded gasoline use was at its highest — may affect brain health later in life. They determined that older adults who grew up in areas with moderate to extremely high historical atmospheric lead levels (HALL) were about 20% more likely to report memory problems as adults 50 years later. The researchers calculated the average HALL by area and linked it to self-reported memory problems from the American Community Survey from 2012-2017 (368,208 people) and 2018-2021 (276,476 people). They didn't analyze the source of the lead but believe that the higher the density of automobile traffic, such as in urban areas, the higher the atmospheric lead. Factoring in both time periods, the researchers determined that 17-22% of people living in areas with moderate, high or extremely high atmospheric lead reported memory issues. 'Our study may help us understand the pathways that contribute to some people developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease,' said Eric Brown, M.D., MSc, FRCPC, lead author of the study, associate scientist and associate chief of geriatric psychiatry at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto. Lead was originally added to gasoline to increase performance until researchers determined it posed serious risks to health and the environment. The more than 20-year-long phase-out of leaded gas began in 1975 when all new cars sold in the U.S. were required to have catalytic converters. 'When I was a child in 1976, our blood carried 15 times more lead than children's blood today,' said Esme Fuller-Thomson, Ph.D., senior author of the study and a professor at the University of Toronto's Factor-Ientash Faculty of Social Work and director of the Institute for Life Course and Aging. 'An astonishing 88% of us had levels higher than 10 micrograms per deciliter, which are now considered dangerously high.' While the risk of atmospheric lead has decreased, other sources of exposure remain, such as old lead paint and pipes. Those who have been exposed to atmospheric lead should focus on reducing other risk factors for dementia, including high blood pressure, smoking and social isolation, said Brown. Living near lead-polluting sites may affect memory Another study reported at AAIC found that older adults who live about three miles from a lead-releasing facility — such as glass, ready-mixed concrete or computer and electronics manufacturers — are more likely to have memory and thinking problems than those who live farther away. This research, which focused on a racially and ethnically diverse group of older adults, reinforces concerns about the long-term cognitive impact of environmental lead exposure, especially in communities already facing health disparities. Researchers assessed 2,379 patients (average age ~74 years) from two studies: the Kaiser Health Aging and Diverse Life Experienced study (KHANDLE, 1,638 patients) of a diverse group of Kaiser Permanente insurance plan members who live in northern California, and the Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR, 741 patients) study of Black adults age 50 and older who live in the San Francisco and Sacramento areas. They evaluated the participants' proximity to the nearest lead-releasing facility and compared the distance to participants' Neuropsychological Assessment Scales results at baseline and two years later. Compared to two years earlier, the KHANDLE participants who lived within 5 km (just over three miles) of a lead-releasing facility scored 0.15 times lower on verbal episodic memory tests (recall of personal experiences), and 0.07 times lower on overall cognitive ability compared to those living farther away. Every 5 km farther a participant lived from a lead-releasing facility was associated with 5% higher memory scores two years later. Among STAR group participants living within 5 km of a lead-releasing facility, researchers observed a 0.20 times lower score on semantic memory (general knowledge) two years later, compared to those who lived farther away. 'Our results indicate that lead exposure in adulthood could contribute to worse cognitive performance within a few years,' said Kathryn Conlon, Ph.D., MPH, senior author and associate professor of environmental epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis. 'Despite tremendous progress on lead abatement, studies have shown there is no safe level of exposure, and half of U.S. children have detectable levels of lead in their blood. Additionally, there are regions and neighborhoods that have more exposure.' According to Conlon, there were 7,507 lead-releasing facilities in the U.S. in 2023. To reduce exposure, Conlon said people living near lead-producing facilities should keep their homes clean to avoid the accumulation of lead-contaminated dust, remove their shoes when coming inside, and place dust mats inside and outside to avoid tracking lead-contaminated dust indoors. Use the Environmental Protection Agency's TRI Toxics Tracker to identify lead-releasing facilities near you. Study reveals how lead exposure may set the stage for Alzheimer's Even low levels of lead exposure can create permanent changes in brain cells, including increased buildup of abnormal tau and amyloid beta, which are proteins associated with Alzheimer's, suggests a third study reported at AAIC 2025. The researchers exposed human brain cells to lead concentrations of zero, 15 and 50 parts per billion (ppb), simulating the kind of lead exposure people might experience through contaminated water or air. The EPA's action level for lead in drinking water is 15 ppb. They ran molecular, genetic, biochemical and functional tests on the cells and determined that (a) the 15-ppb and 50-ppb lead-exposed neurons were more electrically active (suggesting early dysfunction) than those that had no exposure, (b) energy-producing cells were damaged, and (c) there was an increase in tau and amyloid beta. Even after the lead was removed, the cells remained primed for damage, responding more severely to additional stressors such as tau. 'These findings help explain how lead exposure, especially in early life or from occupational and environmental sources, might leave a lasting molecular imprint on the brain making it more vulnerable to age-related diseases like Alzheimer's,' said Junkai Xie, Ph.D., lead author of the study and post-doctoral research associate in chemical engineering at Purdue University. 'Our results show that lead exposure isn't just a short-term concern; it may set the stage for cognitive problems decades later.' About the Alzheimer's Association International Conference® (AAIC®) The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world's largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer's and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer's Association's research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research community. AAIC 2025 home page: AAIC 2025 newsroom: AAIC 2025 hashtag: #AAIC25 About the Alzheimer's Association® The Alzheimer's Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia®. Visit or call 800.272.3900. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Alzheimer's Association
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ambien under scrutiny amid claims Joe Biden had been taking sleep drug
Doctors are chiming in after Hunter Biden claimed that sleeping pills could have contributed to his father's apparent cognitive struggles during the 2024 presidential debates. Former President Joe Biden's son made the statements during an interview with YouTube host Andrew Callaghan that was released on Monday. When discussing his father's performance in the first presidential debate on June 27, 2024 — which was widely described as "disastrous" and ultimately led to Joe Biden dropping out of the race — Hunter Biden pointed to his father's alleged use of the sleep aid Ambien. Doctors Express Concern About Biden's Apparent Cognitive Issues During Debate: 'Troubling Indicators' "I'll tell you what, I know exactly what happened in that debate. He flew around the world, basically, and the mileage that he could have flown around the world three times," Hunter Biden said during an appearance on "Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan." "He's 81 years old. He's tired as s---. They give him Ambien to be able to sleep. He gets up on stage and he looks like he's a deer in the headlights. And it feeds into f------ story that anybody wants to tell." Read On The Fox News App Ambien (generic name zolpidem) is a prescription medication for insomnia. It is intended only for short-term use, according to GoodRx. Some of the most common side effects of Ambien include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle and joint pain, and double or blurry vision, the above source stated. After Biden Drops Out Of Race, Doctors Reveal Why The Decision May Have Been Best For His Health The medication can also cause memory problems and grogginess during the day. More serious and rare side effects can include hallucinations, "abnormal thinking and behavior" and "possible increased risk of dementia in older adults," according to GoodRx. "By itself, zolpidem can cause a higher risk for falls, altered behavior and oversedation. If combined with other substances, the risks are even higher," the same source states. "Zolpidem can cause daytime sleepiness, dizziness, confusion and slowed brain activity, especially when combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids or tricyclic antidepressants." It is recommended that people age 65 and older "use extra care" after taking the drug, as it can increase the risk of falling. Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News, agreed that Ambien can lead to confusion, hallucinations or out-of-body experiences. "Ambien is not a great drug for the elderly for these reasons," Siegel, who has not treated Biden, told Fox News Digital. However, the doctor continued, "We don't have a verifiable source to be sure that this is true about the Ambien … He could have been taking anything." Siegel also pointed out that Ambien is not a sedative, and if Biden took it the night before, it should have worn off by the time of the debate. "And taking it right before the debate makes no sense whatsoever – no doctor would recommend that," Siegel said. Dr. Michaela Robbins, a board-certified nurse practitioner in New York and founder of East x West Med, a hormone and longevity practice, has not been involved in Biden's care but commented on Ambien's possible role in his alleged condition. "It is hard to say without providing a full medical assessment, but generally Ambien use can absolutely cause the type of confusion that Biden appeared to experience," she told Fox News Digital. "Studies have suggested that even short-term use of Ambien may cause delirium and confusion, and long-term use has been associated with an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline, especially in the geriatric population." She added, "It is less likely to cause that type of impact in a younger, healthier individual — but for someone Biden's age, medication-induced confusion is common, especially with sedatives." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Overall, Robbins said, Ambien is recognized as a "problematic and inappropriate medication" when prescribed to older individuals. "Ambien can be a really dangerous drug in older adults, especially when or if combined with other medications," she said. Every time Ambien is prescribed, it is recommended that the patient receives a thorough medical assessment and discusses the pros and cons with a doctor. "From a longevity perspective, I believe there are better interventions to prevent or treat insomnia that have fewer health risks and lead to less mental impairment," Robbins advised. For more Health articles, visit Fox News Digital reached out to Joe Biden's representatives and to Cosette Pharmaceuticals, the current manufacturer of Ambien, for article source: Ambien under scrutiny amid claims Joe Biden had been taking sleep drug Solve the daily Crossword
The Herald
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald
'Half SA's Covid-19 patients suffered long-term mental problems'
Researchers have found that more than half of South Africans infected with Covid-19 experienced lasting mental and cognitive health issues long after their recovery — some for as long as up to two years later. The research, conducted by the University of Cape Town and published in the journal Brain, Behaviour & Immunity — Health , followed 97 people who tested positive for Covid-19 during the first three waves of the pandemic. These people — ranging from those who had no symptoms to those who were critically ill — were interviewed at least six months after they were infected to assess ongoing neuropsychiatric symptoms like anxiety, fatigue and memory problems. Lead researcher Prof Jonny Peter said they found that illness severity didn't necessarily predict who would go on to experience these long-term effects. Even people who had mild or no symptoms reported problems months later. 'Nearly half of the participants showed signs of cognitive or memory difficulties on standard screening tests, and over 50% reported ongoing fatigue or mental health challenges,' he said. 'The team also looked for early warning signs in the blood — specific proteins or markers taken during the patients' illness that might help predict who would develop these persistent symptoms.' Peter said no clear patterns emerged.
