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The Fifth Vital Sign

Measuring Cognitive Function

Dementia
Living a Purposeful Life With Dementia

Mylea Charvat, Ph.D. on November 9, 2020

Just diagnosed with dementia or know someone with a diagnosis? A misconception is that meaningful life can't be lived with dementia. Mark and Geri dispel this common myth.

Just diagnosed with dementia or know someone with a diagnosis? A misconception is that meaningful life can't be lived with dementia. Mark and Geri dispel this common myth.

Women's Equality Day
Dementia
Gender Inequality in Dementia

Mylea Charvat, Ph.D. on August 26, 2020

On Women’s Equality Day, we honor the women who have fought for equality by examining health disparities for women in dementia, why it happens, and what we can do to address this.

On Women’s Equality Day, we honor the women who have fought for equality by examining health disparities for women in dementia, why it happens, and what we can do to address this.

Dementia
Why are Minorities Disproportionately Impacted by Dementia?

Mylea Charvat, Ph.D. on June 29, 2020

African Americans and Latinos are more likely to develop Alzheimer's and other dementia. What will you do to intervene to eliminate the racial and ethnic disparities in dementia?

African Americans and Latinos are more likely to develop Alzheimer's and other dementia. What will you do to intervene to eliminate the racial and ethnic disparities in dementia?

The Cycle of Poor Sleep and Plaques
Sleep
Can Sleep Deprivation Cause Alzheimer’s?

Mylea Charvat, Ph.D. on July 15, 2019

Sleep isn't just important for day-to-day functioning–it's vital for your lifetime brain health.

Sleep isn't just important for day-to-day functioning–it's vital for your lifetime brain health.

Diet
Mom Was Right, You Are What You Eat

Mylea Charvat, Ph.D. on April 1, 2019

Pharmaceuticals aren't the only medicine. Food is medicine too–and the Mediterranean Diet is some of the best medicine for your brain.

Pharmaceuticals aren't the only medicine. Food is medicine too–and the Mediterranean Diet is some of the best medicine for your brain.

Health
Why Exercise Is Good for Your Brain

Mylea Charvat, Ph.D. on January 7, 2019

How does exercise help your brain? Exercise raises your heart rate which pumps more blood, carrying oxygen and nutrients, to your brain.

How does exercise help your brain? Exercise raises your heart rate which pumps more blood, carrying oxygen and nutrients, to your brain.

Media
How to Tell the Difference Between Good and Bad Science

Mylea Charvat, Ph.D. on December 18, 2018

You don't need a STEM degree to have high scientific literacy. You just need to know what to look for in a scientific article.

You don't need a STEM degree to have high scientific literacy. You just need to know what to look for in a scientific article.

Neuroscience
What Are the Differences Between Psychology Specialties?

Mylea Charvat, Ph.D. on September 19, 2018

What exactly is the difference between psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, neuroscientists, and neuropsychologists?

What exactly is the difference between psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, neuroscientists, and neuropsychologists?

Sleep
How to Stay Healthy and Sane with an Insane Travel Schedule

Mylea Charvat, Ph.D. on June 20, 2018

Anyone who regularly travels for business knows that these trips can take a toll. But a recent study suggests that it’s worse than we thought.

Anyone who regularly travels for business knows that these trips can take a toll. But a recent study suggests that it’s worse than we thought.

Health
Humans: Wired for Touch

Mylea Charvat, Ph.D. on May 15, 2018

Most of us touch a device perhaps hundreds of times in a day, but how many times a day do we have physical contact with another human being?

Most of us touch a device perhaps hundreds of times in a day, but how many times a day do we have physical contact with another human being?

Cognition
Why Cognition Should Be the Fifth Vital Sign

Mylea Charvat, Ph.D. on November 9, 2017

Cognition should be a key vital sign and is as important to measure on a regular basis as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature.

Cognition should be a key vital sign and is as important to measure on a regular basis as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature.