Posted on 08/12/2025 8:11:51 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Forty-five percent of dementia cases are potentially preventable, and simple lifestyle choices including exercise, diet and social connection all contribute to your risk score. But what if these risk factors were leaving chemical warning signs of decline in your brain—long before any symptoms of dementia played out?
Researchers believe they've found just that.
The study used magnetic resonance imaging and MR-spectroscopy to measure the brain chemical levels of 79 healthy older adults.
All participants had normal memory, thinking skills and cognitive function. What varied was their modifiable-dementia risk score—calculated from health and lifestyle factors such as physical activity, sleep, social engagement, and diet.
Dr. Jacob Levenstein said the research team discovered specific patterns in individuals' brain chemistry relating to that risk score.
"We examined the concentration levels of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)—which you can think of as the brain's 'brake system," he said.
"GABA is a neurochemical messenger that helps calm down brain activity and keep neural networks balanced.
"We found that with higher modifiable dementia risk scores, individuals had lower GABA concentrations in movement and sensory brain regions.
"In the prefrontal cortex—a brain region that handles complex thinking and decision-making—we also found that with higher modifiable dementia risk, individuals had lower concentrations of total N-acetylaspartate (tNAA) and total choline (tCho).
"These two neurochemicals play important roles in brain tissue health and cell-to-cell communication."
"Crucially, these three neurochemical markers were identified in healthy older adults," Dr. Levenstein said.
Dr. Sophie Andrews points out, "These are modifiable factors. You can make simple everyday choices that will improve your brain's health trajectory," she said.
"We've shown that simple things like improving physical activity levels and sleep quality, looking after your mental health, and moving toward a Mediterranean-style diet, can significantly improve your outlook."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I take phosphatidylcholine or CDP Choline (also known as citicoline), every day, if I don’t have an egg yolk.
Phosphatidylcholine is in lecithin granules.
(moving toward a Mediterranean-style diet)
Can I substitute Taco Bell?
There are almost no Long John Silvers
left in my area
If you like Long John Silver’s, you’d love Captain D’s, a fast food sea food chain in the southeast.
I haven’t been to a Captain D’s in a loooong time.
For sure in the mid-to-late 1970s. Maybe also in the 1980s.
That being said I just checked locations and there’s one not too far from me along a path I often go.
Maybe one of these days! Thanks!
Bkmk.
I used to eat at Cap Ds all the time, but when I was in the KC area the two I tried were terrible.
Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips
Bookmarked.
Oh yeah I’ve been there too probably more that Captain D’s.
In fact I think the one location I remember from the 1970s was in fact actually an Arthur Treacher’s.
A girl from my high school class...her family owned the McDonald’s nearby.
She said they sold it to her sister. She told me that last year. But I met another guy in December that seemed to indicate he was involved. He told me that in late December 2024. I even remember the day of the week and the date 📅 we talked.
He and his family owned several McDonald’s in my area. Two of his are my favorites.
“GABA can be found naturally in various foods, including tea, tomatoes, soybeans, germinated rice, and some fermented foods. “
I don’t love femented foods but do drink tea every day, eat tomatoes every day and eat Tofu, made from soybeans, three times a week. Saaute sliced tofu in EVOO until lightly browned, pile on plate and pour Trader Joe Sweet Chili Sauce on it to make it taste pretty good.
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