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… older can bring many changes, both physically and mentally. Even when you’re healthy, your brain and body start slowing down. Maintaining your cognitive health—the ability to clearly … you’re developing Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. “I like to think about the brain as a computer disk for memory and thinking,” explains Dr. Marie Bernard, an aging expert at … adults might feel that ‘well, I’m old now, it’s OK for me to drink,” Sullivan says. But older brains and bodies are especially vulnerable to the effects of alcohol, she adds. A recent study …

… is the chemical that causes these sensations. But does caffeine have other effects on the brain? Caffeine is found naturally in tea and coffee. But it is added to energy drinks and many … “The sleepiness you feel at the end of the day—that’s adenosine,” explains Dr. Sergi Ferre, a brain scientist at NIH. Its buildup tells your brain when it’s time to rest. Caffeine blocks … “When you drink caffeine, your attention is greater,” she says. “That contributes to our brain’s ability to retain information. That might lead to improvements in long-term cognitive …

… Brain imaging advances are helping doctors better treat patients who have a stroke. The most common types of strokes are caused by a clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. These are called ischemic strokes. Strokes are a medical emergency. When blood can’t …

… relearn skills affected by the stroke and overcome losses in ability. Strokes happen when the brain doesn’t get enough blood flow. This can be caused by blood vessels getting blocked or rupturing. Not enough blood flow means the brain doesn’t get the oxygen it needs. And that can damage the brain. Depending on how much damage there is, a stroke can lead to life-long disabilities or even …

… the veins. But sometimes, the blood vessels don’t grow quite right. When blood vessels in the brain form in an abnormal way, it’s called a vascular malformation. Several types of vascular … two types can be at increased risk of leaking or breaking open. This can cause bleeding in the brain, which can lead to brain damage or death. These are arteriovenous malformations, or AVMs, and cerebral cavernous …

… legs syndrome, also known as RLS. RLS is caused by problems with the way the nerves in the brain and body communicate with each other. These problems result in a strong, sometimes … may bring some relief. The medications used for RLS affect different chemicals in the brain. It may be necessary to try different ones to see which work for you. Drugs used to treat seizures can help rebalance the brain chemicals involved in RLS. Other drugs mimic the effect of a brain chemical called …

… painkillers and illegal drugs like heroin. They work by blocking pain signals sent from the brain to the body. At the same time, they release large amounts of dopamine—a chemical in the brain that can make the user want to repeat the experience. Opioids are among the most addictive drugs. Over time, they can lead to brain changes that cause a strong need to take the drug again. These changes explain why some …

… Both volunteers had spinal cord injuries that harmed nerve communication between the brain and hand. The researchers placed tiny electrodes into the participants’ brains. They targeted a region that manages complex touch information from the hand. Researchers created specific electrical patterns in the brain. In response, participants reported different touch sensations. These included simple …

… Some medications affect your brain and nervous system. Side effects can include an increased risk of confusion, falls, and hospitalization. This risk is higher for people with dementia—a brain disorder that causes memory loss and difficulty thinking clearly. A new study showed that … 65 and older. They looked at how many people took at least one medicine that can affect the brain and nervous system for at least 28 days. The medicines included certain drugs that treat …

… “To understand the mechanisms, I think it will be crucial to understand the underlying brain circuits.” By using brain imaging, Davidson and others have found that positive emotions can trigger “reward” … Falk says. But if people reflect on the things they value before the health message, the brain’s reward pathways are activated. This type of self-affirmation, Falk’s research shows, can …