Our Most Read Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Brain Health Stories of 2023

As 2023 comes to a close, we’re looking back on the stories you read and spent the most time with. From science-backed deep dives into which brain health supplements actually work, to easy-to-understand explanations of 2023’s groundbreaking Alzheimer’s and dementia studies, millions of readers from around the world tuned in to our coverage this year.

Thanks for reading, and for helping us make this year Being Patient’s biggest year yet.

Alzheimer’s headlines heard around the world

• Hollywood actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023 (Feb 17)
• Experts look at the Alzheimer’s symptoms of Jack Hanna, celebrity animal expert (June 26)
• Tony Bennett dead at 96 – despite Alzheimer’s his musicianship carried on (July 21)

Our most read stories dementia caregiving stories of 2023

• Driving and dementia: How can you tell when it’s time for an older adult to retire from the roads? Here’s how to talk to your loved one about driving and dementia (Oct. 5)

• Alzheimer’s and dementia expert Teepa Snow hosts a “Ask Me Anything” chat (Feb. 16)

Science-backed guidance on supplements

• Turmeric: Do turmeric supplements work? Dietician Duane Mellor authors a piece that dives into the research behind turmeric health claims (Nov. 27)
  
• Taurine: Does taurine, a nutrient found in energy drinks like Red Bull, really slow down aging? We asked scientists (Sep. 21)
  
• Neuriva Plus: Does Neuriva Plus work? Despite celebrity endorsements, the makers of this pricey brain supplement have been barred by law from claiming its benefits are backed by science (Apr. 30)

• Serine: Have you ever wondered if serine supplements work? One study says ‘exercise caution’ (Mar. 30)

New research on dementia risk and prevention

• The secrets of superagers: Scientists are hoping “super-agers” can help them answer this question: What is it that protects some people in their 80s, 90s and even 100s from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s? (Aug. 2)
• Preventing dementia through exercise: A ground-breaking 2015 study showed that some cases of dementia are preventable with the right exercise. We sat down with the study’s lead researcher about the findings (Feb. 27)
• Lewy body, frontotemporal dementia, and genetics: Can you inherit dementia? Study pinpoints new genes involved in Lewy Body and FTD. (Oct. 10)
• Alzheimer’s and hormone therapies: Study finds early hormone replacement therapy is linked to higher scores on cognitive tests in women with the ‘Alzheimer’s Gene’ (Mar. 8)
• Scientists on diet and dementia: Could an anti-inflammatory diet help people living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia? Health and wellbeing researcher Lauren Ball and dietician Emily Burch set the record straight.
• Neurologist Gregory Jicha explains the role of cholesterol in brain health and shares insights into how certain cholesterol medications could be key to preventing dementia (May 16)

Intel on early Alzheimer’s and dementia signs and symptoms

• Early signs and symptoms: Learn to spot dementia’s early signs – specifically, five behavior changes that show up as early as age 50 (Oct. 6)
• What is MCI?: Forgetfulness or mild cognitive impairment? Two brain health researchers at Bond University share when your lapses in memory could be more concerning (Jan 3)

Popular stories from our Live Talks series

Interested in more stories like those on our talks with Teepa Snow and Dr. Gregory Jicha? We inteviewed 40 different Alzheimer’s, dementia, and brain health experts — patients, caregivers, scientists and doctors — in this years Live Talk series. Check out our top 10 most popular Live Talks of 2023 here, and sign up for 2024 live talks on our events page.