The Chicago Tribune interviews Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S., for an article on how participation in an improvisational comedy group may improve the lives of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Verghese notes that these activities, like other mentally stimulating pastimes, might build "cognitive reserve," or resilience in the brain. People with large amounts of cognitive reserve might, for instance, begin showing symptoms of Alzheimer's at 75, instead of at 70. Dr. Verghese is professor in the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology and the Murray D. Gross Memorial Faculty Scholar in Gerontology.


AARP The Magazine interviews Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S., on his research that found frequent dancing was the only physical activity of the nine studied that appeared to lower the risk of dementia. He notes that dancing, unlike other physical activities, involves significant mental effort and social interaction, which have both shown to reduce the risk of dementia. Dr. Verghese is professor in the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology and the Murray D. Gross Memorial Faculty Scholar in Gerontology at Einstein.


United Press International highlights a recent study by Joe Verghese, M.D., which showed that computer brain games might help the weak elderly stay mobile. Frail seniors who participated in a brain fitness program three times a week for eight weeks improved their speed of walking. The findings could have important implications for preventing disability and improving quality of life. Dr. Verghese is professor in the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology and the Murray D. Gross Memorial Faculty Scholar in Gerontology at Einstein.


Los Angeles Times interviews Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S., about a recent study that found that the hardening of the aging brain's blood vessels reduces their ability to respond to changes in blood pressure, increasing the risk of falls among the elderly. Dr. Verghese notes that treating high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes to reduce the stiffening would help reduce the incidence of falls. Dr. Verghese is associate professor in The Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology and the Louis and Gertrude Feil Faculty Scholar in Neurology.


Reuters Health interviews Charles Hall, Ph.D., on his study that finds stimulating brain activities delay the onset of dementia. The research, led by Dr. Hall and Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S., was published in the August 4 online edition of Neurology. Dr. Hall is professor of epidemiology & population health and of neurology. Dr. Verghese is associate professor of neurology and director of the division of cognitive & motor aging.

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Time interviews Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S., on the connection between social activity and the mental and physical health of the elderly. Dr. Verghese is associate professor of neurology. In 2002, he published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine showing that changes in walking patterns could be an early sign of dementia.