How to protect your aging brain

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-protect-your-aging-brain/

By Jessica Firger CBS News April 14, 2015

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The report highlights several specific actions and interventions scientifically proven to make a difference in keeping the brain healthy:

Stay physically active.

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Take control of your cardiovascular health. Health risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking impact an aging brain.

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Check your medications. There are a number of medications that can impact cognitive function, both in the long- and short-term. Some antidepressants and antipsychotic medications such as risperidone and thioridazine are known to impact cognition. So can some over-the-counter medications such as Benadryl, Dramamine, and Excedrin PM.

Stay socially and intellectually active.

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Get adequate sleep. "It's very, very important to get that 7 to 8 hours we always recommend," Narula said. Plenty of research shows that getting enough sleep is a cornerstone of good health. Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders have been linked to higher risk for dementia. Research conducted by the Mayo Clinic in 2013 found patients with sleep disorders were five times more likely to have a form of dementia called Lewy Body dementia than those who did not.