The AP (8/2, Neergaard) reports research indicates that “even a simple exercise routine just might help older Americans with mild memory problems.” For the study, investigators “recruited about 300 sedentary older adults with…mild cognitive impairment or MCI.” Half of the participants “were assigned aerobic exercises and the rest stretching-and-balance moves that only modestly raised their heart rate.” The study revealed that after one “year, cognitive testing showed overall neither group had worsened,” and brain scans did not “show the shrinkage that accompanies worsening memory problems.”

Medscape (8/2, Brooks, Subscription Publication) also covers the study, mentioning that “the topline results were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.”

Related Links:

— “Even simple exercise may help aging brain, study hints “Lauran Neergaard, AP, August 2, 2022

The New York Times (8/2, Jacobs, Chiarito) reports that in June, the FDA “said that it would move toward slashing nicotine levels in cigarettes in an effort to reduce the health effects of an addiction that claims 480,000 lives a year.” The FDA “set next May as its timetable for introducing a fully developed proposal.” However, “many experts hope regulators will champion an immediate 95 percent reduction in nicotine levels – the amount federally funded studies have determined is most effective for helping smokers kick the habit.”

Related Links:

— “Breaking Nicotine’s Powerful Draw ” Andrew Jacobs, The New York Times, August 2, 2022

Psychiatric News (8/2) reports, “Switching stable” patients with schizophrenia “to a different antipsychotic as a maintenance strategy (for example, to reduce side effects) does not increase the risk of relapse,” investigators concluded in a 98-study systematic review and network meta-analysis, the findings of which were published in the August issue of The Lancet Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Switching Antipsychotics During Maintenance Treatment May Not Increase Relapse Risk, Psychiatric News , August 2, 2022

HealthDay (8/2, Thompson) reports, “More young children may struggle with eating disorders than previously thought, a…study reveals.” The article adds, “Data on nearly 12,000 U.S. children between the ages of 9 and 10 that was collected as part of a federally funded study found that 5% had engaged in binge eating,” and “another 2.5% had taken measures to avoid gaining weight.” Also, the researchers “found that boys are just as at risk for disordered eating as girls, based on the results” published online in a research letter in JAMA Pediatrics.

Related Links:

— “Eating Disorders Can Begin as Early as Age 9 “Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, August 2, 2022

Psychiatric News (8/1) reports, “Smoking throughout pregnancy appears to have lasting effects on the brain development of the offspring,” investigators concluded in a study that “focused on the MRI data from 2,704 children (average age, 10 years) and the information on tobacco use during pregnancy provided by children’s parents.” The study revealed that “continued exposure to maternal tobacco use in utero was associated with lower brain volume.” The findings were published online Aug. 1 in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Smoking Throughout Pregnancy May Have Long-Term Effects on Offspring’s Brain Development, Psychiatric News , August 1, 2022