Arkansas Neuropsychology and Behavioral Health

05/14/2026

Reaching 100 isn’t just luck, new research shows some people age more slowly at the molecular level, with blood markers that stay “younger” for longer. As a board-certified neuropsychologist focused on brain health and performance, I’m interested in how inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolism shape healthy longevity across the lifespan.

Arkansas Neuropsychology and Behavioral Health – www.anbhlr.com | www.arbrainrecovery.com



https://scitechdaily.com/why-some-people-reach-100-new-study-reveals-key-biological-differences/

Centenarians appear to age differently at the molecular level, maintaining unexpectedly “younger” biological signatures in key systems.

05/11/2026

New research reveals why chronic pain leads to depression in some patients but not others. The hippocampus, especially the dentate gyrus, undergoes gradual changes during prolonged pain that determine emotional resilience vs. depression risk. Neuroinflammation in this region marks the turning point.

This has major implications for neuropsych assessments and clinical intervention strategies. Early targeting of hippocampal dysfunction could prevent depression in chronic pain patients.

Arkansas Neuropsychology and Behavioral Health
www.anbhlr.com | Little Rock, AR


https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-uncover-brain-changes-that-link-pain-to-depression/

A hidden process in the brain may quietly decide whether long-term pain results in resilience or depression.

05/07/2026

When children draw what they’re learning, they aren’t just making art, they’re engaging multiple brain systems that strengthen memory, attention, and problem‑solving. Emerging research shows that drawing information can nearly double recall and supports the same visual–spatial and executive skills we measure in neuropsychological testing. In my neuropsychology practice, I often recommend simple, intentional drawing activities as a powerful, evidence‑informed tool to support children’s learning and everyday functioning.

Arkansas Neuropsychology and Behavioral Health – anbhlr.com


https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/04/science-confirms-children-who-draw-frequently-build-powerful-memory-strength-and-learning-skills/

Research reveals how drawing engages working memory and executive functions to build stronger recall, language skills, and school readiness in young children.

04/06/2026

New research has identified a gut–brain pathway that appears to drive age‑related memory decline in animal models, and restoring signaling along the vagus nerve actually reversed memory deficits in older subjects. This supports a systems‑level view of cognition that integrates microbiome, immune, and neural‑circuit mechanisms, opening future avenues for interventions in age‑related cognitive and neurodegenerative conditions.
www.anbhlr.com
www.arbrainrecovery.com



https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-identify-biological-pathway-that-could-reverse-memory-loss/

Gut microbiome changes may drive age-related memory loss via inflammation and disrupted brain signaling, but interventions in mice show this process can be reversed.

04/02/2026

You can sing every word of a 90s song because it’s been repeated, emotional, and stored in durable long‑term networks, but the “why did I walk in here?” thought is a fragile, short‑term intention that gets dumped when your brain updates to a new room. A neuropsychological evaluation helps separate these normal glitches from real memory problems, using objective testing to clarify what’s typical for your age, what’s not, and what you can do about it.
Dr. Garrett Andrews
www.anbhlr.com | www.arbrainrecovery.com

Forgetting why you walked into a room isn’t a sign of cognitive decline. It’s your brain doing exactly what it evolved to do.

03/30/2026

Exercise may protect the brain from Alzheimer’s in a much more specific way than we thought. New research suggests that when you move your body, your liver releases a protein called GPLD1 that helps keep the blood–brain barrier intact, reduces brain inflammation, and supports memory, essentially mimicking some of the cognitive benefits of exercise itself.

Dr. Garrett Andrews, Board-Certified
https://www.anbhlr.com
https://www.arbrainrecovery.com



Exercise Protects Against Alzheimer's, And Scientists May Finally Know Why : ScienceAlert https://share.google/npTRNMOTUFLxkLUE6

Among its numerous health benefits, physical activity reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

03/26/2026

Vision tests can predict dementia up to 12 years early by detecting subtle declines in contrast sensitivity and processing speed, linked to early Alzheimer's brain changes.

Vision decline flags dementia risk 12 yrs before diagnosis, key for early neuropsych screening.
www.anbhlr.com | www.arbrainrecovery.com

The eyes can reveal a lot about the health of our brain.

03/24/2026

Early evidence suggests the insomnia medication suvorexant can produce a modest, short‑term drop (about 10–20%) in Alzheimer’s‑related proteins amyloid‑β and phosphorylated tau in healthy middle‑aged adults over just two nights, highlighting how tightly sleep and neurodegeneration risk are linked but falling far short of proving dementia prevention.

For now, this reinforces the importance of aggressively optimizing sleep as part of midlife brain‑health and neuropsychological care rather than using sleeping pills off‑label as an “Alzheimer’s treatment.”

Learn more about our brain‑health and recovery services at anbhlr.com and arbrainrecovery.com.



A Common Sleeping Pill May Reduce Build-Up of Alzheimer's Proteins, Study Finds : ScienceAlert https://share.google/yZc5s4mVYD6veFi7V

There's still so much we don't know about Alzheimer's disease, but the link between poor sleep and worsening disease is one that researchers are exploring with gusto.

03/12/2026

Emerging evidence suggests that chronic exposure to micro‑ and nanoplastics in our air, food, and water may contribute to Parkinson’s risk by promoting gut–brain inflammation and protein misfolding.


Scientists issue warning on hidden factor that could increase risk of Parkinson's: 'Emerging evidence suggests'

"May intersect with key biological processes."

03/09/2026

The biggest heart‑health win isn’t “low‑carb vs low‑fat” it’s diet quality. A massive new study (~200k people, 30 years) found that both low‑carb and low‑fat diets cut heart disease risk only when they were built around whole, mostly plant‑based foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, healthy fats) and low in ultra‑processed foods, added sugars, refined grains, and processed meats. In other words, you can go lower‑carb or lower‑fat and still protect your heart, as long as it’s a high‑quality, Mediterranean‑style pattern you can stick to.

03/05/2026

Consistently challenging your brain with reading, writing, and learning across your entire life is associated with a 38% lower Alzheimer’s risk and a 5–7 year delay in symptoms.


Simple Lifelong Habits Can Cut Your Alzheimer's Risk by 38%, Study Finds : ScienceAlert

A lifetime of engaging with language and the written word – including reading books, writing, and learning languages – could be one of the best ways to keep your mind sharp and delay or prevent dementia, according to a new study.