Dementia risk could be tied to your mindset and outlook on life, study suggests

New research has identified a possible link between a person’s outlook on life and their risk of developing dementia.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, examined whether having higher levels of optimism could reduce the chances of cognitive decline over time.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 9,000 adults who were cognitively healthy at the start of the study. Participants were followed for up to 14 years, with more than 3,000 developing dementia during that period.

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Those who reported higher levels of optimism on a questionnaire had about a 15% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with less optimism, even after adjusting for factors such as age, education, depression and major health conditions, according to a study press release.

The findings were consistent across demographic groups and remained largely unchanged after accounting for health behaviors and mental health status.

The results suggest that emotional and psychological factors may play a role in brain health as people age, the researchers noted.

"Our personal emotional and social resources — like how hopeful and positive we feel about the future — may be related to keeping our brains healthy," said lead study author Säde Stenlund, a social and behavioral sciences researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in the release.

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The findings align with previous research linking optimism to other health benefits.

People with a more positive outlook were shown to have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and may be more likely to live longer.

The researchers noted that the study was observational, meaning it only shows an association and cannot prove that optimism directly reduces the risk of dementia.

Other factors not measured in the study may have influenced the results, and changes in mood might be an early sign of dementia rather than a cause of it, they added.

Still, the findings point to a potential area for future research.

"Since optimism may be increased through relatively simple, low-intensity programs, it is helpful to understand how it is related to health in aging," Stenlund said.

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More studies, including clinical trials, are needed to determine whether boosting optimism could have a measurable impact on long-term dementia risk.

Fox News Digital previously reported that while dementia cases are rising, certain lifestyle habits may help reduce risk.

New York neurologist Dr. Joel Salinas previously told Fox News Digital that factors such as diet, exercise and social engagement play a key role in brain health.

"It’s about putting the odds in your favor that you'll be less likely to develop one of these conditions, or at least delay the onset of symptoms," he said.

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Experts also recommend addressing conditions such as hearing loss, limiting alcohol consumption and quitting smoking, as these factors have been linked to cognitive decline.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

Melissa Rudy of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

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More patients demand ‘unvaccinated’ blood, doctors warn of growing health risks

An increasing number of patients are requesting "unvaccinated" blood for transfusions, which can delay care and pose risks to patients’ health, experts warn.

There is no evidence that unvaccinated blood presents any safety benefit, according to a new study published in the journal Transfusion.

There is currently no process for checking whether donated blood comes from vaccinated or unvaccinated donors, experts say.

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Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, which conducted the research, received 15 requests for unvaccinated blood between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2025. The median age of patients was 17 years old and more than half were children, the university reported.

Thirteen of the patients received blood donated specifically for them by family members, which is known as "direct donation." This can be risky, because most direct donors are giving blood for the first time, and their donations are more likely to contain "potentially harmful pathogens," the authors noted. 

"Despite being framed as ‘safer,’ directed donations may paradoxically increase risk."

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Among the studied patient group, two became much sicker after refusing a standard blood transfusion. 

One patient developed anemia, a condition where the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen. The other developed hemodynamic shock, a serious condition in which there is insufficient blood flow and oxygen to the body’s tissues, potentially leading to organ failure.

Requests for unvaccinated blood spiked after the approval of COVID-19 vaccines, posing a "recurring challenge for transfusion services and clinicians," the researchers stated.

"These requests were associated with care delays, escalation and inefficiencies," they indicated.

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The researchers recommend that health systems create standardized policies to handle these types of requests.

"Regulatory and professional organizations have opposed these non-evidence-based policies, emphasizing that blood centers do not record or convey donor COVID-19 vaccination status and that evidence demonstrates transfusion from vaccinated donors poses no unique risk."

The Vanderbilt study had some limitations, the researchers noted. It looked at a small number of cases and only included situations where special blood donations made it to the blood bank, so it doesn’t show how often people made this request overall. 

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It also didn’t include cases where concerns were resolved through conversations with doctors or ethics teams, the team noted.

As this was an observational study and not a controlled experiment, it only showed an association and could not prove that refusing standard blood directly caused any specific patient outcomes.

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Several states have introduced proposals aimed at allowing patients to receive blood specifically from donors who have not received COVID-19 vaccines.

In Oklahoma, one such proposal called for the creation of a state-run blood bank dedicated to collecting and distributing blood from unvaccinated donors. Despite these efforts, none of the measures have been enacted into law.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, was not involved in the research, but said these types of requests are "part of an ongoing fear culture."

"It is also very difficult to test for, because the antibodies may be positive from COVID itself as well as the vaccine, and it can be difficult to tell the difference," he told Fox News Digital.

The notion that receiving blood from someone who had the vaccine would be harmful is not based on any scientific studies, the doctor reiterated.

"If people want to group up to get blood from other unvaccinated people, I respect that choice, though it will be expensive and will limit options," Siegel added.

Diane Calmus, vice president of government affairs for America’s Blood Centers in Washington, D.C., said that requests for direct donations are "exceedingly rare" – representing about 0.06% of the U.S. blood supply.

"Requests for unvaccinated blood are something we've seen wax and wane since the introduction of the COVID vaccine," Calmus, who also was not involved in the Vanderbilt study, told Fox News Digital. "The challenge is that there's no way to tell whether someone’s blood has been vaccinated – there's no test that exists."

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Any situation where someone requires a blood transfusion is most likely a "very scary time," she noted.

"Family members want to be cautious, and this is why it's so important that people talk to a transfusion medicine-trained doctor," the expert advised. "These are physicians who have a specialty in blood transfusions … and who can answer those questions that any individual will have."

Calmus pointed out that it takes some time to facilitate a direct donation, and that there is a specific process in place. 

"Blood has to be prescribed. You can't just show up at the blood center and say, ‘I would like my sister to donate for me,’" she said. "There needs to be a prescription. It needs to go through the hospital … they need to make sure it is the right blood for the right patient."

Calmus emphasized that the U.S. blood supply is "meticulously tracked," and that there have been no indications of a lack of safety. She also stressed the ongoing need for blood donors.

"We need people – vaccinated or not vaccinated – to show up and donate blood, because it is the blood on the shelves that saves lives."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Vanderbilt researchers for comment.

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Doctors expose ‘buffalo hump’ as potential sign of hidden health conditions

A fatty bulge at the base of the neck — commonly known as a "buffalo hump" — isn’t always just a cosmetic concern, as experts say it can sometimes signal an underlying condition.

As more Americans grapple with poor posture, obesity and chronic conditions requiring long-term medications, experts warn that these factors can contribute to the development of "buffalo humps." 

There are a range of possible causes and treatments for the commonly misunderstood condition, Health.com recently reported.

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"A buffalo hump is a fullness at the base of the neck or upper back area," Dr. Dahlia Rice, a Chicago-based plastic surgeon and founder of DMR Aesthetics, told Fox News Digital.

Posture can make a hump appear more pronounced, even if someone does not have much excess fat, Rice said. A forward head posture or rounding of the upper spine can contribute to this effect.

"Depending on the pattern and timing, it could also signal an underlying medical issue," the expert said.

The condition is often linked to weight, according to Dr. Rachel Mason, a Las Vegas-based plastic surgeon and founder of La Femme Plastic Surgery, though that is not always the case.

"In some cases, it can be associated with medical conditions like Cushing's syndrome or long-term use of steroids," she told Fox News Digital.

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Elevated levels of cortisol — the body's primary stress hormone — can also lead to fat deposits in the neck and upper back, experts say. Certain medications, including some HIV treatments, may also play a role, according to Health.com.

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Experts emphasize the importance of distinguishing between a true buffalo hump and other conditions. The buffalo hump is often confused with a posture-related "dowager’s hump," which is caused by spinal curvature rather than fat buildup.

"A true buffalo hump will feel soft and fatty," Mason said. "Structural, posture-related issues require a completely different approach than fat reduction."

If the lump appears suddenly, continues to grow or is accompanied by other symptoms, medical evaluation is recommended, according to doctors.

"If it's paired with fatigue, muscle weakness or changes in blood pressure, patients should seek medical evaluation," Rice advised.

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Mason added that symptoms such as easy bruising, hormonal changes or purple stretch marks could point to an endocrine disorder rather than a cosmetic issue.

Treatment options depend largely on the underlying cause. In cases tied to posture, physical therapy and strengthening exercises may help. When medications are involved, doctors may adjust treatment.

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For patients with localized fat and no underlying condition, cosmetic procedures may be considered.

"Liposuction is often the effective option for contouring this area, as it directly removes excess fat and improves the profile of the upper back and neck," Mason said, noting that more extensive cases may require surgical removal of dense tissue.

Lifestyle changes — such as maintaining a healthy weight, improving posture and monitoring long-term medication use — may help to manage or reduce the condition, experts say.

Although a buffalo hump itself is not usually dangerous, untreated underlying conditions can lead to more serious complications, including high blood pressure or sleep issues, according to Health.com.

"Identifying the cause early is important in ensuring the right treatment path is taken," Mason said.

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Early Parkinson’s symptoms misdiagnosed for years, Terry Crews’ wife reveals

Parkinson’s disease most commonly affects older adults, with the average age of onset in the early to mid-60s. However, a smaller subset of patients develop early-onset symptoms before age 50.

Former NFL linebacker Terry Crews' wife, Rebecca King Crews, 60, recently announced that she’s been battling Parkinson's disease for over a decade. She first began noticing symptoms in 2012 and was diagnosed in 2015.

During an appearance on Monday's episode of "Today," King Crews got candid about living with the disease and shared how a newly approved procedure has helped manage her symptoms.

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King Crews detailed how she had "some slight numbness" in her left food at first. Her trainer also noticed a lack of swing in her arm when she walked.

"Then I woke up one morning and my hand was shaking," she recalled. "I said, 'Now that's a tremor,' because my grandmother had tremors. So I went to the doctor, and he told me, 'Oh, you're having anxiety, you'll be fine.'"

King Crews, who is also a breast cancer survivor, said she visited multiple doctors before receiving her Parkinson’s diagnosis.

It is not common to see Parkinson’s disease in people under 50 years old, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, with only 2% of people diagnosed earlier than age 40.

The Parkinson’s Foundation has reported that about 4% of all cases begin before age 50, with the incidence of disease increasing with age.

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An estimated 1.1 million Americans are living with Parkinson's, and that number is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030.

Symptoms tend to develop slowly over time, usually including tremors, muscle stiffness, slow movement and balance problems, according to Dr. Zachary Jordan, a neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Patients with young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) are more likely to experience involuntary muscle contractions called dystonia, which occurs in different parts of the body, Jordan told Fox News Digital.

People with YOPD also report more involuntary body movements, but less frequent dementia-related symptoms. These patients tend to experience a slower progression over time, usually staying functional and "cognitively intact" for much longer.

Dr. Joel Salinas, a Harvard-trained behavioral neurologist and chief medical officer at Isaac Health, shared that Parkinson's "often announces itself subtly."

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"Many people don't realize how many non-motor symptoms can appear early, sometimes even before the movement issues: changes in handwriting (getting smaller and more cramped), reduced sense of smell, sleep disturbances, constipation, and a soft or monotone voice," he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Since early signs are so varied, Parkinson's is frequently misdiagnosed in its initial stages, Salinas said, just as King Crews' early symptoms were dismissed.

The cause of Parkinson's is unknown, although YOPD cases are "slightly more likely" to be genetic, Johns Hopkins reports.

Growing research has linked early-onset Parkinson's to environmental exposures, such as pesticides and certain chemicals, as well as head trauma, according to Salinas.

Although there is no proven prevention for Parkinson's, Salinas pointed to "strong evidence" that regular exercise may help slow disease progression.

There are some medications and therapies for Parkinson's, including the new FDA-approved treatment King Crews has undergone, called bilateral-focused ultrasound.

The treatment uses a device called Exablate Neuro to "deliver ultrasound waves to targeted areas on both sides of the brain involved in Parkinson's movement symptoms, all guided by MRI," Salinas shared.

The FDA approved the therapy in July 2025 to treat both side of the brain, six months apart. Salinas called it a "meaningful advance for the right patients."

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"It is non-invasive (no incisions, no risk of surgical bleeding), which makes it an appealing option compared to deep brain stimulation for patients who qualify," he said.

While focused ultrasound is not a cure, it represents a "category of intervention," according to Salinas.

The procedure, which is currently indicated for patients with advanced Parkinson’s motor symptoms, is expensive – and is not consistently covered by insurance.

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"I would encourage patients to ask their movement disorder specialist if they are a candidate and to advocate for insurance coverage, because this technology deserves to be broadly available," Salinas advised.

Given the ongoing research into neuroprotective therapies for Parkinson's, "there is real reason for optimism," said Salinas.

"Don't suffer in silence – get to a specialist and stay engaged with what's coming, because the landscape is changing fast."

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Fox News Digital’s Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.

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Americans wait overnight for access to free healthcare as costs soar ‘out of reach’

The Trump administration’s recent pullback on health insurance has left fewer Americans with coverage.

For the uninsured, being treated for certain conditions may be out of the question due to high costs.

This has led some Americans to wait multiple days, some even sleeping overnight in their cars, to seek free free healthcare from volunteer clinics like Remote Area Medical (RAM).

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The Tennessee-based nonprofit organization, founded in 1985, employs volunteer healthcare professionals to treat Americans without insurance at no cost.

In a recent episode of CBS News’ 60 Minutes, host Scott Pelley spoke with people waiting to be brought into the clinic.

In February, Sandra Tallent drove 200 miles from Huntsville, Alabama, to RAM’s pop-up clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee, to have her teeth examined.

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She arrived at the clinic site at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and spoke to Pelley from her car at 5 a.m. Friday, after sleeping for two nights in the parking lot.

Pelley asked, "If you didn't have RAM, how would you get your teeth taken care of?" Tallent responded, "I wouldn’t."

Tallent was later seen by a dental expert and had dentures created in RAM’s 3D denture-printing lab.

Connor Gibson, a 22-year-old engineer, uses computer design to get the job done in just about an hour, according to the report. This is a process that can typically take weeks.

"We see grown men cry sitting in the chair," Gibson told 60 Minutes, describing what it’s like for patients to see themselves with a new set of teeth for the first time.

This includes Tallent, who looked in the mirror and smiled with tears in her eyes, expressing her gratitude.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, RAM CEO Chris Hall shared how their clinics pop up and move across the country to expand access for more Americans.

"All of our services are provided free of cost to patients on a first come, first serve basis," he said. "And we do that through our team of dedicated volunteers and professionals that come from all around the county."

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RAM provides cleanings, fillings and extractions, as well as comprehensive eye exams and access to an eyeglass lab that can manufacture eyewear and dentures, according to Hall.

About 60% of patients seek dental care, he said, and about 30% to 35% seek vision care.

RAM has recently expanded its services to include women’s health exams, general wellness check-ups and sports physicals. 

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In 2008, RAM held about 10 to 12 events per year. Today, it has grown to 90 full-scale operations, with events happening nearly every weekend, Hall shared.

Hall said the demand for medical care has been consistent for the last 20 years. Even for some patients who have insurance, the out-of-pocket premiums and deductibles can be "out of reach."

"The communities that we go into, the patients who are coming through our door, these are working-class people," Hall said.

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"Whether we're doing events in rural Appalachia or downtown Los Angeles, the patients who are coming … they're just isolated and do not get the care that they need," he added.

Hall said he's heard "heartbreaking" stories from patients who have put off medical care to keep the lights on in their homes and provide food for their families.

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What is butt microneedling? Behind the 'desperate' procedure Kelly Ripa tried

Talk show host Kelly Ripa recently revealed she receives a niche procedure to enhance the appearance of her behind.

During a recent episode of her podcast, "Let's Talk Off Camera," the 55-year-old opened up about getting microneedling done "on my a-- cheeks," after her guest, actor Lukas Gage, shared that he had also undergone the treatment.

"I’m going to tell you something … just as old as before," she said after Gage asked her if she saw an improvement. "Desperate times call for desperate measures."

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Dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman, MD, of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Indiana, described the cosmetic dermatologic procedure during an interview with Fox News Digital.

"Butt microneedling is where a device with very fine, sterile needles is used to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin of the buttocks," she said.

"This process stimulates the body’s natural wound healing response, which boosts collagen and elastin production over time."

Microneedling is often used to improve skin texture concerns like acne scarring, stretch marks or uneven tone, especially in the rear end area, according to Spearman.

The treatment can be performed in an office by a trained professional and is sometimes paired with topical serums to enhance results.

"While the concept may sound trendy, the underlying technology is the same as traditional microneedling used on the face and body," Spearman said.

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Microneedling the buttocks can lead to smoother, firmer and more even-looking skin after a series of treatments.

An increase in collagen production over time can "subtly improve skin laxity," Spearman said, with results building gradually over multiple sessions.

"Consistency and realistic expectations are key," the dermatologist said.

As with any procedure that disrupts the skin barrier, there are potential risks, according to Spearman, especially if it’s performed improperly or in a non-sterile environment.

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These potential side effects include irritation, infection and prolonged redness. In some cases, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur in patients with deeper skin tones.

"There is also a risk of worsening acne or folliculitis if the area is not properly assessed beforehand," Spearman said. "Overly aggressive treatments can lead to scarring rather than improvement, which is why technique and needle depth matter significantly."

"It’s important that patients seek care from a qualified medical professional to minimize these risks."

Although this treatment is gaining viral popularity on social media, it should still be regarded as a medical procedure requiring proper training and safety standards, Spearman emphasized.

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"It is not a quick fix, and multiple sessions are typically needed to achieve meaningful results," the dermatologist told Fox News Digital. "Patients should also be cautious about at-home devices for this area, as improper use can increase the risk of infection or skin damage."

"A thorough consultation is essential to determine whether someone is a good candidate, especially if they have active skin conditions or a history of keloid (raised) scarring."

Fox News Digital's Lori A. Bashian contributed to this report.

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