Dementia risk more than quadruples among adults with common disorder

A common neurodevelopmental disorder could be linked to dementia risk, a new study suggests.

Research led by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, involving more than 187,000 adults aged 50 and older, found that ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) was associated with a substantially increased risk of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

The observational study looked at electronic health records and genetic information of participants who were enrolled in the U.S. National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program.

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Cognitive impairment was observed in 6.7% of participants with ADHD versus 3.4% without the disorder — nearly twice the rate.

After researchers adjusted for age, gender and other health conditions, those with ADHD had more than four times the risk.

The findings — which were published Oct. 7 in JAMA Psychiatry — only show an association and cannot determine that ADHD increases dementia risk, the researchers acknowledged.

"This doesn’t prove that ADHD causes dementia, but seeing the same pattern show up independently in medical records and in people’s genes gives us greater confidence that the association is not simply an artifact of how ADHD gets diagnosed," said senior author Tharick A. Pascoal, associate professor of psychiatry and of neurology at Pitt, in a press release.

"Two different kinds of evidence are pointing in the same direction."

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Meanwhile, those with the highest genetic susceptibility to ADHD were found to have a 35% greater risk of dementia than those with the lowest susceptibility.

"Analyzing genetic information alongside years of health records allows us to identify patterns that might not be visible in a smaller or more traditional study," said Guilherme Bauer-Negrini, co-first author and postdoctoral associate in biomedical data science at Pitt, in the release.

"With this kind of data, we can start to investigate what may be driving this association and whether any of those factors could be modified to support healthier cognitive aging."

Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk, a geriatric medicine and dementia expert with over 20 years of experience treating patients with Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline, noted that people with ADHD can have more difficulty with organization, which could contribute to the higher risk of cognitive impairment, although neurological differences may also play a role.

"It might [be] that keeping on top of health issues and getting to the doctor is more difficult for them," Landsverk, a California-based doctor who is not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

The study also found that people with ADHD had a 20% higher incidence of utilizing health resources, she pointed out.

"Having just signed up for Medicare, I know that it's really complicated — if you have trouble with focusing and getting things done, you may not be able to get the resources that you need," Landsverk said. "You may not be able to go to the doctor. You may not get your blood pressure taken care of. So there's probably a correlation."

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"It goes back to nature versus nurture — particularly if we're starting at age 50, as opposed to starting at 20."

It can be challenging to distinguish between ADHD and cognitive decline, as some of the symptoms may overlap, according to Landsverk.

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"I imagine it can look similar," she said. "You know, you don't remember why you went into a room. You don't know where your keys are, you don't remember the name of an actress."

It is cause for concern if the individual struggles to take care of day-to-day tasks, the expert noted.

"You can't pay your bills, you can't get your medications right, you can't get to your appointments, you tell people that you're going to do stuff and then you don't — that's when you need to get checked."

Changes in judgment, mood or social behavior may be more suggestive of dementia than ADHD, Landsverk noted.

Although the study found an association between ADHD and cognitive impairment, Landsverk emphasized that some lifestyle behaviors can help people reduce their overall dementia risk.

She pointed to maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, and staying physically active as important modifiable factors, along with controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.

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"There's a lot we can do," Landsverk said, recommending a largely plant-based diet and at least 30 minutes of daily exercise.

Physical activity can also help improve mood and focus, she added.

Anyone experiencing persistent problems with memory, focus, organization or managing everyday tasks should consider seeing an expert for an evaluation, Landsverk advised.

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Ryan Seacrest's secrets for staying ripped at 51 without giving up wine, pizza or sweets

Getting a shredded physique is apparently all about balance.

Last week, longtime "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest showed off his flawless physique in an Instagram post, highlighting what a typical "day off" looks like for him.

The viral post, which showed him shirtless next to his bike, was met with applause and celebrity feedback. "Dancing with the Stars" pro Gleb Savchenko commented, "Let’s goo!!! Shredded."

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Actor and singer Nick Rashad Burroughs wrote, "This is what Ryan Seacrest looked like with a shirt off the whole time?!?"

In a response on Sunday, Seacrest posted a video to social media with the text, "What’s your idea of a perfect day?"

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The video shows Seacrest gearing up for a scenic bike ride on the beach, featuring music and coffee. He then stops to curl and squat heavy rocks on the route.

After his morning workout, Seacrest visits a local bakery, commenting that cinnamon buns are "kind of my weakness."

Seacrest wrote in the caption of the post, "When I get free time away from work, it looks a lot like this. It’s health and enjoyment wrapped into one."

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The radio host shared how he aims to strike a balance in his lifestyle, like cycling 30 miles and stopping at the bakery on the way home.

"It’s gardening the produce and homemaking the pizza," he said. "It’s drinking the wine, and still making my workout the next day. Balance is not always a given, but it’s created."

Seacrest has previously shared his affinity for wellness and fitness, often posting photos and videos at the gym and on a bike.

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Last month, he shared a video of himself working out with a variety of dumbbells and weight plates during a beach vacation.

The video featured resistance training combos, like squats paired with overhead dumbbell presses, and another including skull crushers with a barbell and reverse crunches.

Seacrest has shouted out his personal trainer, Dodd Romero, who famously trains other A-list celebrities like Lenny Kravitz and Jennifer Lopez.

Fox News Digital reached out to Seacrest and Romero for comment.

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Ryan Seacrest reveals how he stays ripped at 51 without giving up wine, pizza or sweets

Getting a shredded physique is apparently all about balance.

Last week, longtime "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest showed off his flawless physique in an Instagram post, highlighting what a typical "day off" looks like for him.

The viral post, which showed him shirtless next to his bike, was met with applause and celebrity feedback. "Dancing with the Stars" pro Gleb Savchenko commented, "Let’s goo!!! Shredded."

NIGHTLY GLASS OF WINE MAY NOT BE AS HARMLESS AS MANY PEOPLE THINK, STUDY SUGGESTS

Actor and singer Nick Rashad Burroughs wrote, "This is what Ryan Seacrest looked like with a short off the whole time?!?"

In a response on Sunday, Seacrest posted a video to social media with the text, "What’s your idea of a perfect day?"

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

The video shows Seacrest gearing up for a scenic bike ride on the beach, featuring music and coffee. He then stops to curl and squat heavy rocks on the route.

After his morning workout, Seacrest visits a local bakery, commenting that cinnamon buns are "kind of my weakness."

Seacrest wrote in the caption of the post, "When I get free time away from work, it looks a lot like this. It’s health and enjoyment wrapped into one."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The radio host shared how he aims to strike a balance in his lifestyle, like cycling 30 miles and stopping at the bakery on the way home.

"It’s gardening the produce and homemaking the pizza," he said. "It’s drinking the wine, and still making my workout the next day. Balance is not always a given, but it’s created."

Seacrest has previously shared his affinity for wellness and fitness, often posting photos and videos at the gym and on a bike.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Last month, he shared a video of himself working out with a variety of dumbbells and weight plates during a beach vacation.

The video featured resistance training combos, like squats paired with overhead dumbbell presses, and another including skull crushers with a barbell and reverse crunches.

Seacrest has shouted out his personal trainer, Dodd Romero, who famously trains other A-list celebrities like Lenny Kravitz and Jennifer Lopez.

Fox News Digital reached out to Seacrest and Romero for comment.

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'Helicopter brain' could be making you feel sick: How to spot it and what to do

A new analysis of 44 studies has linked "doomscrolling" to higher levels of anxiety and psychological distress — but for some, information overload may also contribute to a phenomenon one neurologist calls "helicopter brain."

The research, published in Frontiers in Psychology, found associations between excessive consumption of negative online content and poorer mental health, although it did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

Board-certified neurologist Dr. Steven Resnick uses the term "helicopter brain" to describe a nervous system that remains constantly on high alert, much like a "helicopter parent" who constantly hovers over a child to protect them from harm.

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"Imagine your own helicopter — that is your nervous system," Resnick, chief of the Division of Neurology and medical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, told Fox News Digital. "Your nervous system’s job is to protect you from harm."

Information overload, overstimulation and uncertainty can keep the brain on high alert, activating the autonomic nervous system, the neurologist said.

"The brain is scanning for danger," Resnick said. "When it scans for danger, then you have that autonomic nervous system pushing the accelerator."

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The neurologist, who also hosts "The Healthy Mind" podcast, said he often sees patients experiencing symptoms they struggle to explain, including headaches, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, sleep problems, tingling and dizziness.

In some cases, patients undergo evaluations by multiple specialists before identifying a potential explanation.

"They end up going to see a neurologist, who sends them to the gastroenterologist, who sends them to the cardiologist, then the rheumatologist," he said.

"They don't understand what they're feeling is actually authentic, it's real — it's the nervous system that is actually activated."

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Although constant information overload can contribute to this heightened state of alertness, Resnick said the same patterns can emerge in response to everyday stressors and deeply ingrained habits.

The neurologist outlined the following five strategies for recognizing these patterns, calming the nervous system and developing healthier responses to stress.

When seeing patients, Resnick said his first step is to listen to them, to ensure that he understands what they’re feeling.

"I hear patients say, ‘I'm scared, I'm fearful, I'm concerned, I'm worried,’ and then you start to realize what their nervous system is telling you," he told Fox News Digital. "I would never have done that by just fixing the problem right away."

The nervous system can begin to calm when patients feel truly heard, safe, secure and connected, the neurologist said.

"The solution can be done later," Resnick said. "And we have to stop using the word ‘fixing,’ because a lot of things cannot be fixed — but over time, you can start feeling better."

Recognizing recurring patterns — in thoughts, behaviors and reactions — is an important first step toward changing them, Resnick said.

"Mindfulness is not just about meditation; it's about noticing," he said.

That could mean recognizing the same conflict happening repeatedly with a co-worker, lying awake each night with racing thoughts, or turning to food or cigarettes during periods of stress, according to Resnick.

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When those behaviors repeat, people can begin operating on "autopilot," he said.

"The brain wants to resort to what is familiar, what is safe and what is known," Resnick said. "It keeps going back to that because the brain understands it, retrieves it and does the same thing over and over again."

Breaking that cycle requires recognizing the pattern and making a conscious effort to respond differently, he added.

Next, the neurologist said it’s important to "catch the cue," or trigger, that kick-starts the pattern.

"It's a stimulus," he said. "It's something that is very sneaky. It goes under your level of consciousness."

"It could be your boss' face. It could be a telephone. It could be a chair or a couch in a room. It could be a smell or a feeling."

That cue can trigger an almost automatic behavior, Resnick said, such as procrastinating, eating, reaching for a drink or lashing out.

If the behavior provides pleasure or helps someone avoid an uncomfortable feeling or situation, the brain can become more likely to repeat it.

Even worrying can become part of that cycle. If the feared outcome doesn’t happen, Resnick said, the brain may interpret the worry as protective, reinforcing the habit.

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Breaking the pattern starts with identifying the specific cues that set it in motion, according to the neurologist.

Rather than viewing anxiety or overthinking as something that happens "all the time," Resnick encourages patients to pinpoint a specific episode, consider what triggered it and recognize the behavior and potential reward that followed.

The next step is replacing the unwanted behavior with a healthier habit that provides a noticeable reward, Resnick said.

"Give your new habit a reward you can feel," he advised.

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That reward does not have to be significant. After an early-morning workout, for example, it might be a sense of accomplishment or an improved mood. A healthy shake after the workout could provide another small reward.

"Even checkboxing something on a piece of paper feels good," Resnick said.

These immediate, positive reinforcements can help the brain begin associating the healthier behavior with something rewarding.

"Rewards are very important," the neurologist said. "Even the small ones are important."

Finally, when anxiety or panic strikes, Resnick recommends taking a counterintuitive approach: "Float instead of fight."

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In many cases, he said, people are not only afraid of a particular situation, but of the anxious feelings that may result.

Someone with claustrophobia, for example, may fear getting an MRI because they anticipate the physical sensations of anxiety that could arise inside the machine.

"Don’t fight it," Resnick advised. "You want to allow it. You want to feel it."

Avoiding a situation can reinforce the brain’s perception that it poses a threat, he said, while safely experiencing it can help create a new association.

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"After you have that experience where you felt safe, and you went toward it, then your brain and body … pair it as being safe," Resnick said.

The goal, he added, is "to teach the brain safety through your body and through your brain and mind."

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While these strategies may help people better manage stress and anxiety, Resnick emphasized the importance of recognizing the patterns behind the symptoms.

People experiencing persistent or unexplained physical symptoms should seek medical evaluation to rule out underlying health conditions.

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New belly fat injection cuts dangerous fat surrounding organs by 12% in early human trial

Early human trials of an experimental injection called CBL-514 have shown the potential for reducing deadly visceral fat.

Visceral fat, which sits deep inside the abdomen wrapped around internal organs, affects metabolism and influences insulin resistance. It can impact the development of type 2 diabetes.

Research published in March by the American Heart Association found that visceral fat had a stronger association with the risk of heart failure than body mass index (BMI).

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The trials tested whether the injection could diminish visceral fat deposits. They were conducted by Dr. W. Timothy Garvey of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Yu-Fang Ling of Caliway Biopharmaceuticals in New Taipei City, Taiwan.

Previous phase 2 trials had already shown that the drug could reduce subcutaneous fat, the layer of fat directly beneath the skin.

MRI scans from two phase 2 trials exhibited a decrease in visceral fat in participants who received the CBL-514 drug, while the visceral fat increased in those who received a placebo drug.

Participants who were given CBL-514 received injections into their lower abdomen every three weeks for up to 12 weeks, with doses of up to 600 milligrams.

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The number of injections given to participants depended on the thickness of their abdominal fat.

As the fat layer decreased in volume, the number of injections also decreased.

The CBL-514 injection selectively sparks apoptosis — a process that causes cells to self-destruct — but only in fat cells, leaving nearby cells unharmed.

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Four weeks after the final treatment, the average volume of fat had lowered by 12.01% in the group given CBL-514, while it had increased by 5.68% in the group that received a placebo, SciTechDaily reported.

The potential cosmetic effects, such as a flatter stomach due to subcutaneous fat loss, are appealing to patients, Garvey acknowledged.

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What’s even more important, he noted, however, is the decrease in body weight, improved blood pressure and cholesterol, and the loss of visceral fat that the injection can cause — as these factors impact overall health.

Liposuction, a common surgical cosmetic procedure, cannot remove visceral fat, and thus cannot reduce the health risks caused by a high amount of visceral fat.

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Hidden clues could help predict a woman’s breast cancer risk years in advance

An artificial intelligence (AI) tool could help doctors predict a woman's risk of developing breast cancer years in advance, according to new research.

In a new study, published in the American Journal of Roentgenology, researchers at NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center tested an AI model designed to estimate a woman's risk of developing breast cancer within five years.

The tool looks at several years of a woman's 3D mammograms to track changes in breast tissue over time, rather than looking only at the latest scan, according to the researchers.

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The model was developed using more than 313,000 mammograms from more than 161,000 women, according to the study.

Connie Lehman, a Massachusetts-based breast imaging specialist and professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital that AI could help identify women whose increased risk might otherwise go unnoticed.

"For decades, as a doctor and breast imaging specialist, I have cared for women who were shocked by a breast cancer diagnosis," Lehman said. "Again and again, I heard: 'How can this be? No one in my family has had breast cancer.'"

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Traditional risk assessments can consider factors such as family history and genetic mutations, while AI can look for additional clues within a woman's breast tissue, according to Lehman.

"A mammogram can tell us more than whether cancer is visible today — it can also provide information about a woman's risk of developing cancer in the years ahead," she said.

That information could eventually help doctors tailor breast cancer screening to a woman's individual risk, Lehman said.

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Women identified as being at increased risk could discuss additional screening, such as MRI, with their health care providers, while women at average risk may continue with routine mammograms, according to Lehman.

The technology could also analyze mammograms a woman has already had, meaning the added risk information would not require another imaging exam or additional radiation, she noted.

Lehman cautioned that an AI risk score is not a cancer diagnosis and cannot predict with certainty whether a woman will develop the disease.

"A higher score can prompt a conversation with your health care provider about additional screening and risk-reduction options," she said. "A lower score does not eliminate risk or replace regular mammography."

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The NYU model remains a research tool and is not FDA-authorized for clinical use, according to Lehman.

The researchers also noted that more testing is needed. The study used mammograms from NYU Langone hospitals and imaging equipment from one manufacturer.

The team plans to test the model using data from other medical centers and different 3D mammography systems, according to NYU Langone.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

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Silent inflammation could be damaging your body — and 5 habits may help keep it in check

Inflammation is a natural immune response that helps protect the body from injury and infection, but when it becomes chronic, it can pose a health threat, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Over time, chronic inflammation can contribute to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disease.

Keeping the condition in check can help protect healthy tissues and support overall health, experts say.

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Jim LaValle, a clinical pharmacist and metabolic medicine expert based in Texas, told Fox News Digital that inflammation can be influenced by a variety of factors beyond injury or infection.

LaValle first pointed to the gut-immune-brain connection — the communication between gut microbes, the immune system and the central nervous system — as one pathway that can influence the body's inflammatory response.

Beyond gut health, he said several everyday lifestyle factors can play a role in preventing chronic inflammation.

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Managing stress and anxiety can help support the gut-brain connection and keep inflammation in check, according to LaValle.

He pointed to cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress, which he said can "wreak havoc on your chemistry" when levels remain elevated.

Chronic stress can also affect the intestinal barrier, potentially allowing substances that would normally remain inside the gut to pass through more easily, LaValle said.

This increased intestinal permeability is sometimes called "leaky gut."

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"So, it turns out that if I'm stressed out a lot, I can be more prone to irritable bowel," LaValle said, as stress can trigger or worsen digestive symptoms in some people.

Diets high in sugar, fat and ultraprocessed foods can also affect gut health.

Paying attention to which foods trigger certain symptoms may help identify potential food sensitivities or intolerances, LaValle noted.

Symptoms such as bloating, rashes or discomfort after eating certain foods may signal a food-related reaction, although they can have other causes.

Certain medications, including antibiotics, may also alter the gut microbiome, but their effects vary depending on the drug and the individual, the expert said.

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is another important factor in managing inflammation, according to LaValle.

LaValle noted that conditions such as diabetes and insulin resistance are often associated with chronic inflammation.

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Research suggests that GLP-1 medications, commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, may have anti-inflammatory effects, while scientists are investigating other potential benefits beyond weight loss and blood sugar control.

The "exposome," or the environmental exposures people experience throughout their lives, can influence inflammation and the risk of chronic disease, according to the National Institutes of Health.

LaValle pointed to emerging research on how environmental exposures — including "forever chemicals," microplastics, metals and pesticides — may affect weight, blood sugar regulation and other aspects of health.

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"A lot of us don't think about that kind of impact on our health and how that could trigger inflammation signaling," he added.

Regular exercise supports overall health, but intense workouts without adequate recovery time can put additional stress on the body, LaValle cautioned.

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"You’re not getting a good enough recovery," he said. "You’re training hard. And, in fact, you might be training hard every day to lower that cortisol, but you're not getting good recovery. And that could lead to silent inflammatory signaling as well."

Anyone who is concerned about chronic inflammation or is experiencing persistent symptoms should consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

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