Cognitive Decline Tied to Dental Health; Monkeypox and the Brain; What Is Brain Fog?

Poor periodontal health and tooth loss were linked with higher risks of cognitive decline and dementia. (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society)

The 1-year incidence of cognitive decline was lower among long-term care residents in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic than before it, which may be due to competing risk of death. (JAMA)

Exposure to pollutants from petroleum refineries was tied to stroke rates across the Southern U.S. (Environmental Research Letters)

The European Insomnia Network issued practical recommendations about how to deal with sleep problems during heatwaves. (Journal of Sleep Research)

Another review provided preliminary evidence for a range of neuropsychiatric presentations in monkeypox patients, including encephalitis, seizure, confusion, headache, and myalgia. (eClinicalMedicine)

Additional research also confirmed the distinct presentation of atypical tics during the COVID-19 pandemic period. (Neurology Clinical Practice)

Embedded closed-loop deep brain stimulation was feasible and had an outcome comparable to conventional deep brain stimulation for treatment for medication-refractory Tourette syndrome. (JAMA Neurology)

Modern humans may have more neocortex to work with than the ancient Neanderthals did. (Science)

Why does fasting reduce seizures? (Cell Reports)

A small study suggested objective EEG markers may reflect cognitive recovery independent of motor function after pediatric brain injury. (Neurology Clinical Practice)

The Atlantic looks at how brain fog — a common long COVID symptom — often is misunderstood.