As with most doctors, I would always measure a person’s blood pressure in one arm, and one arm only. However, new research reveals that I’d be missing around one in 10 cases of high blood pressure by not measuring the … Read More
Learning to play a musical instrument as a child boosts your brain function
First it was playing Mozart to babies to improve brain development – which was never really proved. And now Edinburgh University researchers in psychology and music are proposing that music in childhood boosts the adult brain. Taking up a musical … Read More
Ground-breaking Parkinson’s treatment being developed that targets cause of disease
Conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s that first affect the brain before attacking other crucial body systems are difficult to stop – and many new drugs have failed to fulfil their promise. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting more … Read More
The inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds linked to higher risk of death
As a rule of thumb, I’ve always thought three simple physical tests can forecast longevity – the ability to rise from a chair without using your arms, to take eight steps in six seconds, and to be able to balance on … Read More
An expectant mother’s gut bacteria can help to support her unborn child
The relationship between an unborn baby and its mother’s placenta is indivisible, I’ve always thought. But research suggests something can come between them: the mother’s gut bacteria. Indeed, her gut microbes could help in the development of the placenta and … Read More
Being attacked by your partner raises your risk of self-harm and suicide
The figures make for terrifying reading: one in three women and one in six men have experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their lives, meaning twice as many women are living with a violent partner. People who’ve experienced intimate partner … Read More
Just 20 minutes of daily exercise works wonders for teenagers
The World Health Organisation recommends young adults should do moderate to vigorous exercise for about an hour a day – but this goal isn’t being met by four out of five adolescents. And researchers have also found less intense exercise … Read More
How a single MRI brain scan could help to identify the signs of Alzheimer’s
There’s no doubt that getting a diagnosis quickly at an early stage can help Alzheimer’s patients. It allows them to access help and support, get treatment to manage their symptoms, and plan for the future. Being able to accurately identify … Read More
Babies who play together and socialise with other kids have better mental health
By the age of 18 months I’ve always said a child needs the company of other babies. Why? Because this playing promotes their development of social skills, personality, curiosity, self-belief and emotional resilience. These qualities are all crucial to make … Read More
Parkinson’s could be detected earlier through use of artificial intelligence
For years we have been looking for a way to diagnose Parkinson’s early – the degenerative disease that affects the brain. Now, researchers at Leicester University may have succeeded, by creating the world’s first artificial intelligence system capable of detecting … Read More