Blood Pressure and Dementia: Are You at Risk?

Mental disorders. It seems like everyone knows someone who suffers from one affliction or another. Some worse than others, though one can attest that dementia associated with brain aging is one of the most painful afflictions to witness. Most frequently characterized by memory loss, personality changes and impaired mental reasoning. Resulting in suffering individuals completely…

The Role of Serotonin Transporters in Tourette Syndrome and OCD

Tourette Syndrome is a disorder characterized by repeating motor movements and/or verbal tics that are not easily suppressed. It is common for people with Tourette Syndrome to have additional conditions such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and anxiety disorder. The simultaneous presence of Tourette Syndrome and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) has been of interest…

Incorporating Exercise and Mindfulness into Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a commonly diagnosed disorder among older adults. Despite its high prevalence, treatment options are limited. Physical exercise is often prescribed as treatment as it has the potential to relieve pain. Although the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood, studies have shown that incorporating mindfulness into an exercise program may also have…

Altering Sharp Wave Ripples Leads to Improved Memory

Recent research has increased our understanding of the mechanics of memory and how the brain can improve memory when needed. The focus of the research was based around sharp wave ripples (SPW-Rs). These ripples can be thought of as waves that activate pathways that store and later form memories. SPW-Rs are found in the region…

The Connection Between GABA and Parkinson’s Disease

To understand Parkinson’s Disease, it is important to understand the brain and its function related to the disease. Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive disease of the Central Nervous System, progressive meaning that symptoms, such as slowness of movement (bradykinesia), stiffness and tremors, and more will progress and worsen overtime. When dopamine producing neurons in a…

Dysfunction of Brain Reward System in People with Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are characterized by irregular eating habits and unhealthy relationships with food. Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is a subtype of eating disorders marked by recurrent episodes of binge eating associated with inappropriate behaviours that compensate for the overeating, such as forced vomiting. Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is also a severe eating disorder, which is differentiated from…

Benefits of Exercise on the Working Memory

As an athlete, I’ve never thought about how working out may affect my brain and cognitive abilities. My focus is always on the physical benefits of working out… losing weight, toning muscles, gaining strength etc. But now I am retired from varsity athletics and it’s safe to say the vigour of my workouts has declined.…