Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Does stress make your memory worse?






A third of the brain's volume is composed of blood vessels. Maintaining a healthy blood flow to those blood vessels is critical to keeping the brain young. Here are six ways you can keep your mind sharp: A third of the brain's volume is composed of blood vessels. Maintaining a healthy blood flow to those blood vessels is critical to keeping the brain young. Here are six ways you can keep your mind sharp:

<strong>Exercise </strong><!-- --> </br><!-- --> </br>Research has shown exercise improves brain health, and it's never too early or too late to begin. Even moderate exercise has been shown to increase memory, mental processing speed and the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming new memories, even in previously sedentary adults. Simply walking three times a week has been shown to produce significant gains in memory and mental processing speed. Exercise Research has shown exercise improves brain health, and it's never too early or too late to begin. Even moderate exercise has been shown to increase memory, mental processing speed and the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming new memories, even in previously sedentary adults. Simply walking three times a week has been shown to produce significant gains in memory and mental processing speed.

<strong>Eat right</strong><!-- --> </br><!-- --> </br>Neurologists agree a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes will help keep the brain healthy. They also advocate eating fish, walnuts, flax seed or other sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Curcumin, found in the spice curry, may also be protective against Alzheimer's. Conversely, a high-fat diet and obesity raise the risk for dementia. So do high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure if left untreated. Eat rightNeurologists agree a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes will help keep the brain healthy. They also advocate eating fish, walnuts, flax seed or other sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Curcumin, found in the spice curry, may also be protective against Alzheimer's. Conversely, a high-fat diet and obesity raise the risk for dementia. So do high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure if left untreated.

<strong>Watch your levels</strong><!-- --> </br><!-- --> </br>Research has shown high levels of the amino acid homocysteine is associated with a poor memory and doubles the risk of Alzheimer's. Vitamin B12 and folic acid lowers the level of homocysteine, which is also associated with heart disease and strokes. Green, leafy vegetables and fruits contain folic acid; meat, fish, yogurt and fortified cereals contain vitamin B12. Watch your levelsResearch has shown high levels of the amino acid homocysteine is associated with a poor memory and doubles the risk of Alzheimer's. Vitamin B12 and folic acid lowers the level of homocysteine, which is also associated with heart disease and strokes. Green, leafy vegetables and fruits contain folic acid; meat, fish, yogurt and fortified cereals contain vitamin B12.

<strong>Ease stress</strong><!-- --> </br><!-- --> </br>Lowering the amount of stress in your life lowers the risk for dementia. A glass of wine (or other moderate alcohol consumption), laughter and meditation are all considered beneficial. A Harvard Medical School study showed 30 minutes of meditation a day for eight weeks even increased the size of the hippocampus. Studies at Loma Linda University have shown laughter reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which is toxic to the hippocampus. Ease stressLowering the amount of stress in your life lowers the risk for dementia. A glass of wine (or other moderate alcohol consumption), laughter and meditation are all considered beneficial. A Harvard Medical School study showed 30 minutes of meditation a day for eight weeks even increased the size of the hippocampus. Studies at Loma Linda University have shown laughter reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which is toxic to the hippocampus.

<strong>Stay social</strong><!-- --> </br><!-- --> </br>Maintaining an active social life provides mental stimulation and lowers stress. It also lowers the risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The more social activities, the better, and people who choose mentally challenging leisure pursuits such as playing cards with friends or joining a community organization do better in general than those whose activities are primarily physical or social. Living alone or avoiding social ties raises the risk of dementia. Stay socialMaintaining an active social life provides mental stimulation and lowers stress. It also lowers the risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The more social activities, the better, and people who choose mentally challenging leisure pursuits such as playing cards with friends or joining a community organization do better in general than those whose activities are primarily physical or social. Living alone or avoiding social ties raises the risk of dementia.

<strong>Learn</strong><!-- --> </br><!-- --> </br>More formal education is associated with lower rates of dementia and Alzheimer's, but "use it or lose it" applies at any age -- and more with the brain than the muscles, neurologists say. To keep the brain sharp, experts recommend learning new and fun mental activities. Crossword puzzles or sudoku, once mastered after a month or so, may not stimulate the brain the way learning a new language, picking up a musical instrument or joining a book club might. LearnMore formal education is associated with lower rates of dementia and Alzheimer's, but "use it or lose it" applies at any age -- and more with the brain than the muscles, neurologists say. To keep the brain sharp, experts recommend learning new and fun mental activities. Crossword puzzles or sudoku, once mastered after a month or so, may not stimulate the brain the way learning a new language, picking up a musical instrument or joining a book club might.









  • Studies show that chronic stress can trigger long-term changes in your brain

  • Memory recall is worse with low vs. high levels of anxiety

  • Stress helps encode traumatic memories as a defense against future threats




(CNN) -- Do you tend to forget things when you're stressed? Like when you're late for a meeting and can't remember where you left your car keys? Or when you have to give a big presentation and suddenly forget all your talking points seconds before you start?


There's nothing like stress to make your memory go a little spotty. A 2010 study found that chronic stress reduces spatial memory: the memory that helps you recall locations and relate objects.


Hence, your missing car keys.


University of Iowa researchers also found a connection between the stress hormone cortisol and short-term memory loss in older adults. Their findings, published in the Journal of Neuroscience this week, found that cortisol reduced synapses -- connections that help store and recall information -- in the pre-frontal cortex.


But there's a difference between how your brain processes long-term job stress, for example, and the stress of getting into a car accident. Research suggests low levels of anxiety can affect your ability to recall memories; acute or high-anxiety situations, on the other hand, can actually reinforce the learning process.


Trust your memory? Maybe you shouldn't





How addiction changes your brain




We may soon be able to upload memories




Generation stressed: teens boiling over

Acute stress increases your brain's ability to encode and recall traumatic events, according to studies. These memories get stored in the part of the brain responsible for survival, and serve as a warning and defense mechanism against future trauma.


If the stress you're experiencing is ongoing, however, there can be devastating effects.


Neuroscientists from the University of California, Berkeley, found that chronic stress can create long-term changes in the brain. Stress increases the development of white matter, which helps send messages across the brain, but decreases the number of neurons that assist with information processing.


The neuroscientists say the resulting imbalance can affect your brain's ability to communicate with itself, and make you more vulnerable to developing a mental illness.


Defects in white matter have been associated with schizophrenia, chronic depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Research on post-traumatic stress disorder further shows that it can reduce the amount of gray matter in the brain.


The Berkeley researchers believe their findings could explain why young people who are exposed to chronic stress early in life are prone to learning difficulties, anxiety and other mood disorders.


To reduce the effects of stress, the Mayo Clinic recommends identifying and reducing stress triggers. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting enough sleep and participating in a stress-reduction activity such as deep breathing, massage or yoga, can also help.


Stress may harm the brain, but it recovers



Tracy Morgan upgraded to fair condition






Actor Tracy Morgan is in critical condition after a six-vehicle accident in New Jersey early Saturday, June 7, authorities said. The former "Saturday Night Live" cast member and "30 Rock" star was riding in a limo bus when the accident occurred. Actor Tracy Morgan is in critical condition after a six-vehicle accident in New Jersey early Saturday, June 7, authorities said. The former "Saturday Night Live" cast member and "30 Rock" star was riding in a limo bus when the accident occurred.

Morgan got his start as a stand-up comedian, working at Harlem's Apollo Theater before landing his gig with "Saturday Night Live." He was a cast member from 1996 until 2003. In the October 3, 1998 "Big Bernard" skit, Morgan performs with basketball star Shaquille O'Neal.Morgan got his start as a stand-up comedian, working at Harlem's Apollo Theater before landing his gig with "Saturday Night Live." He was a cast member from 1996 until 2003. In the October 3, 1998 "Big Bernard" skit, Morgan performs with basketball star Shaquille O'Neal.

Tracy Morgan with Maya Rudolph in the "On The Subway" skit on April 13, 2002. Tracy Morgan with Maya Rudolph in the "On The Subway" skit on April 13, 2002.

In 2003, Morgan left SNL to start "The Tracy Morgan Show," but it ran for only one season before it was canceled. In 2003, Morgan left SNL to start "The Tracy Morgan Show," but it ran for only one season before it was canceled.

Morgan's acting career branched out from television to include movie titles such as "30 Years To Life." Director Vanessa Middleton, left, appeared with Allen Payne and Morgan at the premiere on March 27, 2002. Morgan's acting career branched out from television to include movie titles such as "30 Years To Life." Director Vanessa Middleton, left, appeared with Allen Payne and Morgan at the premiere on March 27, 2002.

Actor Tracy Morgan and his wife Sabina pose on the red carpet during the premiere of "Are We There Yet?" at the Mann Village on January 9, 2005 in Los Angeles. The couple divorced in 2009 after 23 years of marriage. Actor Tracy Morgan and his wife Sabina pose on the red carpet during the premiere of "Are We There Yet?" at the Mann Village on January 9, 2005 in Los Angeles. The couple divorced in 2009 after 23 years of marriage.

Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey worked together after SNL on the show "30 Rock." Morgan played Tracy Jordan, a character that was loosely based on himself. Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey worked together after SNL on the show "30 Rock." Morgan played Tracy Jordan, a character that was loosely based on himself.

Members of the cast of "30 Rock" joke around with their award for outstanding comedy series backstage at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 21, 2008. Morgan was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Members of the cast of "30 Rock" joke around with their award for outstanding comedy series backstage at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 21, 2008. Morgan was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Morgan starred with Bruce Willis in the 2010 movie "Cop Out."Morgan starred with Bruce Willis in the 2010 movie "Cop Out."

Morgan has stirred up controversy with some of his comments in his comedy acts. "I hurt people with this, so from the bottom of my heart I apologize to everybody who I offended with my words on stage," he said in 2011 after an anti-gay rant in one of his shows. Stand-up comedy should "heal people, not hurt."Morgan has stirred up controversy with some of his comments in his comedy acts. "I hurt people with this, so from the bottom of my heart I apologize to everybody who I offended with my words on stage," he said in 2011 after an anti-gay rant in one of his shows. Stand-up comedy should "heal people, not hurt."

Tracy Morgan promotes his new book "I Am The New Black" at Barnes &amp; Noble Union Square on October 22, 2009 in New York City.Tracy Morgan promotes his new book "I Am The New Black" at Barnes & Noble Union Square on October 22, 2009 in New York City.









  • Tracy Morgan seriously injured in a collision June 7

  • He has been upgraded to fair condition

  • A Walmart truck slammed into the limo bus he was riding in

  • Comedian James McNair died in the crash




(CNN) -- Comedian Tracy Morgan, who was badly injured in a collision June 7, has been upgraded from critical to fair condition, his publicist said.


"Happy to pass along that Tracy has been upgraded to fair condition, which is a great improvement," publicist Lewis Kay said. "His personality is certainly starting to come back as well."





Driver pleads not guilty in Morgan crash




Truck driver defends himself via Twitter




Crash passenger: Tracy was on top of me

The actor-comedian was seriously injured after a Walmart truck slammed into a limo bus occupied by Morgan and four others on the New Jersey Turnpike. The collision killed comedian James McNair and injured the others. Morgan was hospitalized with broken ribs, a broken nose, a broken femur and a broken leg.


Another of the passengers in the limo, Jeff Millea, has also improved to fair condition, Kay said.


The truck driver, Kevin Roper, turned himself in to police the night of the crash and has pleaded not guilty to charges that include vehicular homicide and assault by auto. In a criminal complaint, police said Roper had been awake for more than 24 hours at the time of the crash.


Morgan was a regular on "Saturday Night Live" for seven years and later received an Emmy nomination for his role in the comedy series "30 Rock."


Tracy Morgan showing signs of improvement


Trucker in Tracy Morgan crash pleads not guilty amid sleep deprivation reports


Funny man Tracy Morgan has known fame and foibles


CNN's Deborah E. Bloom contributed to this report.