#Brainhealth

A global study published in Nature Human Behavior finds that regular use of digital technology, from smartphones to computers, is linked to a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline among older adults. For Thailand’s rapidly aging population, this research offers a hopeful view on how digital engagement can support brain health in later life.

The study analyzed 57 projects worldwide, involving more than 411,000 adults with an average age of 69. The key takeaway: middle-aged and older individuals who frequently use digital devices were about 58% less likely to experience cognitive impairment than peers who avoid technology. The researchers stressed there is no credible evidence of a widespread digital “brain drain” from ordinary use of devices.

A sweeping international study published in Nature Human Behavior has found that using digital technology — from smartphones to computers — is linked with a dramatically reduced risk of cognitive decline among older adults, challenging widespread fears about ‘digital dementia’. For Thailand’s increasingly tech-savvy aging population, this research offers an optimistic perspective on how digital engagement may help preserve brain health well into later life.

The study, summarised in a recent Washington Post report, analysed 57 research projects from around the globe, involving more than 411,000 adults with an average age of 69. Its key finding: middle-aged and senior individuals who frequently use digital devices were 58% less likely to experience cognitive impairment than their peers who shunned technology. Contrary to long-standing concerns about the negative effects of constant screen time, the authors concluded there was “no credible evidence … for widespread digital ‘brain drain’ or ‘digital dementia’ as a result of general, natural uses of digital technology.”

A 2024 analysis in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry highlights a pivotal shift: vigorous physical activity can slow progression and ease both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. For Thai readers facing an aging population and rising chronic conditions, this research offers practical guidance and renewed hope.

Thailand’s demographic shift means more people live with Parkinson’s. The country’s over-60 cohort is expanding rapidly, and neurological disorders are becoming more common, placing strain on families and the health system. Data from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health indicates thousands live with Parkinson’s, with numbers expected to rise as the population ages. While medications remain essential, experts emphasize that exercise adds meaningful, complementary benefits, addressing balance, mood, and cognitive health alongside motor control.

A groundbreaking study reveals that just five minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise daily can significantly improve brain function for older adults, potentially transforming how Thais approach aging and mental wellness. This new insight, led by researchers from the University of South Australia and the U.S.-based AdventHealth Research Institute, suggests that quick, accessible movement routines — even a brisk walk or short cycling session — could help combat age-related cognitive decline.

For decades, scientific consensus has pointed to the benefits of regular exercise on overall health and the reduction of risks associated with dementia and cognitive diseases. However, many older adults remain uncertain about the amount and intensity of exercise required to translate into real brain benefits. The latest study, published in the reputable journal Age & Ageing in April 2025, provides a refreshing answer: as little as five minutes a day of “huff-and-puff” activity can deliver measurable improvements in key cognitive functions, including information processing, focus, multitasking, and short-term memory. In a society like Thailand’s, where an aging population increasingly faces concerns over dementia and independent living, these findings are particularly significant (LA Times).

A new study suggests that just five minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise each day can meaningfully improve brain function for older adults. For Thai readers, this points to a practical path to maintaining mental sharpness as the population ages. Led by researchers from the University of South Australia and AdventHealth Research Institute in the United States, the findings indicate quick, accessible movement routines—like a brisk walk or a short cycling session—could help slow age-related cognitive decline.

A short, daily brisk walk could sharpen mental faculties as people age. Recent international findings from researchers at the University of South Australia and AdventHealth Research Institute show that even five minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity can boost cognitive function in older adults. The study, published in Age and Ageing, analyzed how daily activity patterns relate to cognitive performance, including processing speed, working memory, and executive function.

Thailand is rapidly aging, and experts stress the urgency of practical ways to preserve cognition. The World Health Organization notes that by 2030, one in six people globally will be 60 or older. In Thailand, more than one in five residents are over 60, underscoring the need for accessible health strategies as families manage senior care and public budgets respond to rising demand. The new findings offer a simple path: small, purposeful bursts of activity can yield meaningful brain benefits.

A brisk five-minute walk may be all it takes to give your brain a cognitive boost as you age, according to a groundbreaking international study just released by researchers at the University of South Australia and AdventHealth Research Institute. The findings, published on April 4, 2025, in the journal Age and Ageing, shed light on how even modest bursts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity—such as quick-paced walking or light jogging—can significantly improve mental agility in older adults (source).

A new study indicates that light physical activity can enhance memory by increasing key brain chemicals. Researchers from a Japanese university conducted a study published in May 2025 and summarized by a science news outlet, revealing that even mild movement raises dopamine and noradrenaline levels—neurotransmitters linked to memory formation and brain adaptability. This finding suggests simple, accessible activities could help improve cognitive health for people of all ages in Thailand as well.

Even a gentle jog or a session of yoga could be just what your brain needs to remember more, according to the latest findings from a Japanese research team. In a breakthrough study published on May 18, 2025, and summarized by Neuroscience News, scientists have revealed that light exercise significantly increases levels of key brain chemicals—dopamine and noradrenaline—linked to memory formation and brain adaptability. The discovery uncovers new promise for using easy-to-perform movements to strengthen memory, potentially offering simple lifestyle solutions for Thais of all ages seeking better cognitive health (Neuroscience News).

A growing body of research highlights reading fiction as an affordable, accessible remedy for loneliness. Summaries compiled in a recent Conversation report and coverage by Neuroscience News suggest that immersing in stories boosts empathy, reduces social isolation, and may support long-term brain health. As digital options like AI companions proliferate, experts caution that these tools cannot replace the deep social and cognitive nourishment offered by reading.

Loneliness has become a prominent public health concern, with the World Health Organization recognizing it as a crisis of social isolation. The impact is real: about a quarter of older adults live in social isolation, and a notable share of adolescents report chronic loneliness. While technology firms promote AI-driven companions, researchers warn that digital programs, regardless of sophistication, miss the human nuance essential for well-being. In Thailand, where urbanization and shifting family structures are altering traditional support networks, exploring enduring pathways to connection is especially important.

A growing body of research is spotlighting a powerful and affordable remedy for loneliness—reading fiction. Recent studies summarized in a report from The Conversation and featured by Neuroscience News suggest that immersing oneself in stories not only fuels empathy but meaningfully combats social isolation and even holds protective benefits for the brain. This news arrives as digital solutions like AI companions and chatbots are being marketed as fixes for the world’s growing loneliness epidemic, but experts caution that these technological remedies cannot replace the deep social and cognitive nourishment provided by reading.

Recent findings underscore the critical role of exercise in slowing the progression and managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, according to a 2024 analysis in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. Contrary to earlier beliefs that medication alone is central to the management of Parkinson’s, a growing body of research highlights how regular, vigorous physical activity may significantly reduce both the severity and speed of symptom progression. For Thai readers—with the nation’s ageing society and increased diagnosis of chronic conditions—these findings offer actionable hope and clear guidelines for living with and managing the disease.

A new discovery is sending ripples through the medical world: scientists have identified a gene called PHGDH not just as a bystander but as a direct cause of Alzheimer’s disease, potentially changing the diagnosis and treatment of this devastating condition. Uncovering a previously unknown function of this gene, researchers have also pinpointed a candidate drug-like compound that may one day prevent or slow the disease in its earliest stages – a major leap forward, especially for aging societies like Thailand.

A new study from the University of Tsukuba shows that light physical activity—such as gentle jogging, yoga, or easy cycling—can trigger brain chemicals linked to sharper memory and better brain health. Researchers found that dopamine and noradrenaline, two key neurotransmitters, directly boost activity in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center, during light exercise. The findings help explain why small daily movements can improve thinking and may slow age-related cognitive decline or memory disorders.

A new study reshapes our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers identify the PHGDH gene not just as a marker, but as a driver of brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s. They also spotlight a candidate drug-like compound that could slow the disease in its earliest stages. The finding holds particular relevance for aging societies like Thailand, where dementia care poses rising health and social challenges.

Globally, Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, affecting roughly one in nine people aged 65 and older. In Thailand, the rapidly growing elderly population brings heightened concerns about cognitive decline and dementia care. While rare genetic mutations are known to cause some cases, most Alzheimer’s cases arise spontaneously. This research offers fresh scientific insight and potential hope for families and health systems facing dementia.

A new study from the University of Tsukuba reveals that even gentle exercise—like light jogging, yoga, or leisurely cycling—can set off a cascade of brain chemicals linked to improved memory and brain health. Researchers have found that dopamine and noradrenaline, two powerhouse neurotransmitters, are directly involved in ramping up activity in the hippocampus, the brain’s key memory center, during light physical activity. This discovery shines fresh light on why just a bit of daily movement can sharpen minds and potentially help counter age-related cognitive decline or memory disorders.

A new wave of research is challenging the long-held belief that regular exercise alone is enough to protect the aging brain. The latest findings from a major Vanderbilt University-led study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, reveal that sitting for long hours each day can cause the brain to shrink—regardless of how much you exercise. This discovery has sparked global concern as it highlights the unseen dangers of modern, sedentary lifestyles, even among those who maintain healthy activity levels, and carries special significance for Thailand, a nation witnessing growing urbanization and longer working hours.

A major new study challenges the idea that exercise alone keeps the aging brain healthy. Researchers led by Vanderbilt University found that long daily sitting can lead to brain shrinkage, even among people who meet global exercise guidelines. The findings, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, highlight the hidden risks of sedentary living and are highly relevant to Thailand’s rapidly urbanizing, longer-working society.

Over 400 older adults were followed for up to seven years. Movement was measured with wrist-worn devices, and brain changes were tracked using MRI scans. Participants sat an average of about 13 hours per day. Alarmingly, those who achieved the recommended 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous activity still showed brain changes tied to prolonged sitting. The hippocampus, essential for memory, and the frontal and parietal lobes, which support decision‑making and language, were particularly affected. The study linked more sitting to thinner brain cortexes and faster brain aging, both risk factors for dementia.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to ban a widely used supplement marketed for children over mounting evidence linking its consumption to cases of brain damage, according to several major news outlets including New York Post. The move raises immediate concerns for Thai families, doctors, and educators, as Thailand’s urban middle class has long trended toward American-style supplement use for children, in hopes of boosting learning and health outcomes.

A breakthrough in neuroscience is reshaping how we understand listening to music. Neural Resonance Theory (NRT) suggests our brain’s natural rhythms sync with the beats, pitches, and grooves we hear, offering new avenues for therapy, education, and digital tools in Thailand and beyond. The concept shows that listening to music is not passive—our brain and body actively resonate with musical structure to shape experience.

In Thailand, where mor lam’s pulsating tempo, luk thung’s soothing cadences, and the intricate textures of traditional piphat are central to daily life, NRT provides a both scientific and culturally resonant explanation for music’s emotional power. A multinational team, including a neuroscientist from a leading university, reports that neural oscillations align with both slow rhythms and rapid harmonic elements. This resonance helps explain why music can feel universally moving, even for listeners without formal musical training.

A groundbreaking theory in neuroscience is changing our understanding of what happens in our brains when we listen to music, potentially opening new pathways for therapies, education, and technology in Thailand and worldwide. This emerging insight, known as Neural Resonance Theory (NRT), demonstrates that our brain’s natural oscillations—the very rhythms of our neurological function—sync up with the beats, pitches, and grooves of the music we hear, helping to explain music’s universal appeal and therapeutic power (ScienceAlert).

A new wave of neuroscience suggests that intentional silence for just three days can alter brain chemistry, improving memory, mood, and cognitive performance. Silence isn’t merely the absence of sound; it is an active practice that helps the brain reset and heal, a finding with meaningful implications for Thai readers navigating Bangkok’s hustle and the country’s fast-paced daily life.

In Thailand, where vibrant street life, bustling markets, and temple fairs define daily soundscapes, these findings resonate deeply. Urban noise is a growing health concern, with Bangkok repeatedly ranked among the world’s noisiest cities. Data from global health authorities links chronic noise exposure to stress, learning difficulties, and cardiovascular risk. The new research offers a practical approach: short, intentional periods of quiet may counteract some of these impacts without requiring major lifestyle changes.

A groundbreaking body of neuroscience research has found that just three days of intentional silence can trigger dramatic changes in brain chemistry, reshaping how our minds function and rejuvenate. Contrary to the common idea of silence as merely the absence of noise, the latest studies demonstrate that quiet can act as an active, powerful force transforming memory, emotional regulation, and cognitive performance—offering significant implications for Thai readers navigating the noisy modern world.

A growing body of research suggests that constant observation—whether in person or online—can subtly erode our ability to concentrate and remember. Studies indicate that being frequently watched shifts unconscious brain processes, with potential consequences for work, study, and social interactions. For Thai readers, where CCTV usage is widespread and digital monitoring rises in education and workplaces, these findings carry practical significance.

In a world saturated with cameras, data trackers, and social platforms that encourage sharing, the feeling of being constantly watched is hard to avoid. Bangkok and other Thai cities exemplify high surveillance density, and the shift to remote work and online learning has intensified digital footprints. This modern “panopticon” shapes behavior and mental states in ways that extend beyond mere discomfort.