Mental Health

The newborn is crying – and so is the new mom. A few days after childbirth, it is common for women to feel depressed, anxious, or upset as their hormones fluctuate. But how seriously should mom – and her family members – take these emotional turns? “The biggest difference between postpartum depression and the ‘baby … Read More

Exercise is key for maintaining physical and mental health. Studies show that it positively affects health even if started later in life. Some suggest that exercise improves cognition by inducing long-term changes in the hippocampus, such as increased volume and an increased rate of neuronal formation. How exactly exercise changes the hippocampus, however, remains unknown. Understanding more about how … Read More

“Nature itself is the best physician.” – Hippocrates What writers, poets and ardent lovers of the outdoors have instinctively known – that being in nature is a balm for the stresses of daily life – is a universal message for Earth Day and beyond. Decades of research have shown the vital connection between exposure to green … Read More

Just look at that gorgeous person in the mirror! The one with the infectious smile and inspiring moxie. Don’t see that person? Well, that’s OK. Sometimes it takes a little work to recognize them. “Self-love is not always an easy thing to achieve but fostering a positive self-image can improve your physical and psychological well-being,” … Read More

Spring forward, fall… asleep at your desk? Daylight saving is just around the corner, and Hoag neurologist and renowned sleep specialist Jose Puangco, M.D., suggests preparing your body now for the under-appreciated effect that a shift in time can make. “Sleep is a function of the brain, and the brain needs time to adjust to … Read More

A futuristic vaccine to prevent Alzheimer’s disease is in the works right here in Southern California. And it won’t even involve needles. Researcher Michael Agadjanyan at the Institute for Molecular Medicine in Huntington Beach, along with David Sultzer from UCI MIND and Lon Schneider from USC, received a $12 million grant from the National Institute … Read More

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (March 2, 2023) – Hoag’s Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute has started enrolling participants for a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of a first-of-its-kind Alzheimer’s disease vaccine. The hope is that the vaccine will eventually be used to prevent Alzheimer’s disease in healthy people who are at risk. Hoag … Read More

Actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. Initially, Willis had been diagnosed with aphasia, but when his symptoms worsened it clarified the diagnosis of FTD. “Bruce Willis is such a relatable actor, it is … Read More

If your love runs deep, rich and delectable, let your Valentine know it with a gift of dark chocolate. Unlike its milky cousin, dark chocolate generally contains higher amounts of cacao, which is rich in the kinds of  substances that lets your Valentine know your relationship is a healthy one: Heart disease and blood pressure. … Read More