From Ram Rao
Ph.D., Principal Research Scientist
September 19, 2024•From Ram Rao, News
Sleep is crucial for brain function as it plays a key role in memory consolidation and cognitive performance. Adequate sleep also helps maintain mood stability and reduces the risk of mental health disorders. In his blog, Sleep Quality and Moods, Dr. Rao points out that discontinuous sleep may be worse for mood than reduced hours of sleep. Read More »
August 14, 2024•From Ram Rao, News
The Assyrians, Babylonians, Palestinians, and Romans used zinc as coinage, to forge weapons of war, in daily tools, or as jewelry. Zinc was used historically in medicine as well. The Persians used zinc for burning related health issues. In his blog, Zinc and Cognitive Health, Dr. Rao discusses the vital role of zinc in brain health and cognitive function. Read More »
July 23, 2024•Behavior Change, From Ram Rao, Insider Strategies, News
LONELINESS – A Risk Factor for Dementia
In his blog, LONELINESS — A Risk Factor for Dementia, Dr. Ram Rao explains that loneliness is linked not only to poor physical health and cardiovascular disease but also to rapid cognitive decline and dementia. Read More »
June 14, 2024•From Ram Rao, News
Fats in your Food: Striking a Brain-Smart Balance
Brain researchers are exploring novel ways of reducing the risk of dementia. While there is conflicting research about how the things you eat affect the risk of developing dementia, there is a unanimous opinion that diets containing olive oil may have immense potential benefits for cognitive health. In his blog, Fats in your Food: Striking a Brain-Smart Balance, Dr. Rao discusses a recent study that shows that consuming about half a tablespoon per day of olive oil might reduce the risk of dementia-related death. Read More »
May 16, 2024•Behavior Change, From Ram Rao, Insider Strategies, News
Mindful Breathing for Brain Health
In addition to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-associated dementia, researchers are also exploring novel ways of reducing the risk. In his blog Mindful Breathing for Brain Health, Dr. Rao discusses Deep Slow Breathing (DSB) — a simple technique that provides immense cognitive benefits. Read More »
April 17, 2024•From Ram Rao, Insider Strategies, News
GFAP: Another Promising Blood-Based Biomarker for AD
In his blog GFAP: Another Promising Blood-Based Biomarker for AD, Dr. Rao discusses glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astrocytic cytoskeletal protein whose levels in the blood can be used to detect very early-stage AD. Read More »
March 18, 2024•From Ram Rao, Insider Strategies, News
Sharpen the Brain: Try Retro Walking
In his blog, Sharpen the Brain: Try Retro Walking, Dr. Ram Rao discusses a novel form of physical activity that puts the three most important types of exercise for cognition together. If you’re ready to try to increase your neuroplasticity with a new exercise challenge that uses multiple mechanisms, read on to learn more. Read More »
February 15, 2024•From Ram Rao, News
P-Tau: A Promising Blood-Based Biomarker
In P-Tau: A Promising New Blood-Based Biomarker, Dr. Rao explains the role of tau in a healthy brain and contrasts that with hyperphosphorylated tau, associated with dementia. He discusses a new blood test that can identify antibodies that bind to this dysfunctional tau and are able to predict those who may develop Alzheimer’s disease, providing a novel means of tracking progress on the protocol. Read More »