Matters of the Mind

Dive into the forefront of cognitive science as we unveil a revolutionary way of measuring brain activity, developed at the University of Bath. This method allows us to measure someone’s subconscious memory and visual capabilities from their brain waves, without them having to respond, in under five minutes. The work proposed has huge implications for how we detect dementia, potentially bringing diagnosis forward by five years.

Originally, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease were regarded as two distinct diseases. However, modern research has shown that Type 2 Diabetes increases the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Today, we know both diseases involve resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels.  With increasing evidence, Alzheimer’s disease has been termed ‘Type 3 Diabetes’ because insulin resistance in the brain occurs independently to diabetes. This insensitivity leads to impaired brain function and memory loss. This highlights the importance of maintaining glucose levels and insulin sensitivity beyond diabetes, but also for Alzheimer's prevention. 

A rapid run through on what may help to keep your brain healthy and what doesn’t. Some thoughts on the latest developments in detecting and treating Alzheimer’s disease.