https://medicalxpress.com/gerontology-geriatrics-news/ en-us Latest medical news and research in Geriatric Palliative Care In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, U.S. researchers found that people with agitation and dementia in late life who took a special medical formulation of two active ingredients found in marijuana—THC and CBD—had significantly less agitation than people who received a placebo. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-cannabis-derived-treatment-eases-agitation.html Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:02 EDT news703143805 Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have identified clear links between the composition of gut bacteria and frailty in older women. In cases of high frailty, with an increased risk of illness and death, gut bacterial diversity is lower and function is impaired. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, is based on a population of 2,081 Swedish women ages 75–80. The study demonstrates that frailty is linked to lower diversity and poorer functional capacity of the gut microbiota. These results are largely confirmed by an independent Chinese cohort comprising 1,448 older men and women. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-diversity-poorer-function-gut-bacteria.html Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:00:07 EDT news702724275 People are living longer than they did at the turn of the 20th century, but living well into old age depends on more than a healthy lifestyle. Scientists say it is also shaped by how we think, adapt and connect with others. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-sardinia-blue-zone-elders-differently.html Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:20:01 EDT news702704426 Cognitive decline in very old adults has been considered for decades to be an almost inevitable consequence of aging. In clinical practice, this has contributed to many memory problems in patients over age 80 being interpreted as a natural part of aging, without further investigation into their cause. However, this view is increasingly being challenged as knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases advances and more accurate tools for their detection become available. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-alzheimer-biomarkers-dementia-people-older.html Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:00:06 EDT news702122882 The quest to prolong life has gone on for as long as human existence itself, from the mythical Fountain of Youth to quick-fix fads like intermittent fasting, supplements and injections. But if you take a look in your medicine cabinet, you may unwittingly come across a drug that holds a key to longevity. Could that nasal spray for your stuffy nose be repurposed to reverse one or more of the processes of aging? https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-drugs-repurposed-longevity-network-aging.html Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:20:04 EDT news701683864 A new USC-led study finds Alzheimer's disease and related dementias will cost the United States an estimated $818 billion this year, driven largely by often-overlooked costs to persons living with dementia and family and friends providing their care. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-dementia-billion-unpaid-burden.html Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:20:01 EDT news701510984 Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) have found that how quickly an older adult can execute a voluntary step—especially when distracted (concurrently performed cognitive task)—may serve as a valuable clinical predictor of survival. The exploratory study suggests that dynamic balance assessments capture an integration of neuromuscular vitality and central cognitive processing, offering a window into an individual's long-term functional health. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-quickly-older-adults-longevity.html Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:40:07 EDT news701353880