The Brain Health Bulletin - July Edition
Welcome to the July edition of Holly’s monthly newsletter!
We’re right in the heart of summer, a time for sunshine, socializing, and soaking up everything this vibrant season has to offer. Whether you’re heading to the lake, tending your garden, or spending time with loved ones, one thing is certain: a healthy, energized brain helps you enjoy it all even more.
This month, we’re focusing on ways to keep your brain active, balanced, and supported during these longer days. From hydration tips and movement ideas to sleep habits and mindset shifts, small changes can make a big difference in how you think, feel, and connect.
So, while you're making the most of summer, don’t forget to nourish your brain along the way. We’re here to help you do just that.
Did You Know?
A recent study presented at the SLEEP 2025 conference reveals a fascinating link between sleep quality and emotional reactions in relationships. Researchers found that poor sleep quality correlates with increased jealousy, but only in individuals with high attachment anxiety—those who already struggle with insecurity and low self-esteem in their relationships.
Here’s what they discovered:
Participants with anxious attachment styles reported significantly worse sleep quality
Among these individuals, a bad night’s sleep led to more feelings of jealousy the next day. This pattern wasn’t seen in those with secure attachment styles.
The study underscores that attachment style moderates how sleep influences our emotions, implying that personalized sleep or relationship support could be especially beneficial for some
Quick Tip: If worry or insecurity keeps you up at night, try a bedtime check-in—write down thoughts that are on your mind before sleep. This journaling ritual can help reduce emotional reactivity and promote more restful sleep.
Taking care of your brain starts with small, consistent choices.
Read the full article to learn more about this intriguing sleep–emotion connection
Boosting Cognitive Reserve to Prevent Dementia
A comprehensive review published in Frontiers in Psychiatry (accessed via PMC) investigates how modifiable lifestyle factors, particularly physical activity and mentally stimulating pursuits, contribute to cognitive reserve—the brain's resilience against age-related decline and dementia.
Key Highlights:
Cognitive reserve refers to the brain's ability to compensate for age- or disease-related changes by using alternative neural networks. Building cognitive reserve helps maintain function despite pathology .
Top lifestyle factors supporting cognitive reserve:
Regular physical exercise—even moderate activity—improves blood flow, supports brain plasticity, and creates new neural connections.
Engaging cognitive activities—such as reading, puzzles, learning a new language or skill—challenge the brain and foster resilience.
Protective impact: Individuals with high levels of physical and mental engagement show slower cognitive decline, a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and delayed onset of dementia symptoms.
Early adoption matters: Establishing these habits midlife or earlier has a stronger impact than starting late. However, it’s never too late—benefits are seen even with later life engagement .
Holistic recommendation: Combining physical exercise with regular cognitive challenges appears more effective than focusing on either alone.
This review reinforces that simple, everyday behaviors are powerful tools in preserving brain health. Regular movement and consistent mental stimulation aren’t just enriching—they’re a long-term investment in your cognitive well-being.
🌍 Update from Italy: Sharing Brain Health Research on the Global Stage
We’re thrilled to share that Dr. Holly Bardutz is currently in Italy, presenting our Brain Health and Fitness Class research at the prestigious European Congress of Sport Science (ECSS)!
Holly is representing Canada, the University of Regina, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority as she shares findings from our study on how brain health education can increase feelings of subjective hope in developing adults (our preferred term for “older adults”).
This international conference brings together top researchers from across Europe and beyond, exploring the latest in neuroscience, aging, exercise, and wellness. Holly’s presentation is part of a global conversation about how simple, community-based interventions can have powerful impacts on mental well-being and cognitive resilience.
We’re proud to see Holly and her team’s work recognized on such a meaningful platform, and we’re looking forward to the new knowledge and fresh ideas she’ll bring home to our community. Stay tuned for insights from her time in Italy in next month’s newsletter!
Recent Research & Recognition
Investigating Parkinson’s Disease Through fMRI and the Default Mode Network
We're proud to highlight new research coming out of the Brain Health and Wellness Lab ([insert website link]) and authored by Holly Bardutz, along with three of her research assistants—now all proud medical students (congratulations to the team!)—and Dr. Rehman, a neurologist with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
The article was recently published in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences (May 2025). This comprehensive review examines how resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) reveals changes in the Default Mode Network (DMN) in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
The DMN is a key brain network involved in memory, self-reflection, and social cognition. In people with PD, researchers found disrupted connectivity in core regions of the DMN, such as the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and precuneus. These changes are linked not only to motor symptoms but also to cognitive decline, including challenges with memory and executive function.
The review also explores how dopamine loss, along with other neurotransmitter imbalances and neuroinflammatory processes, may contribute to these disruptions. Importantly, some studies indicate that dopaminergic treatments may partially restore DMN function, offering insight into how fMRI could serve as a biomarker to track disease progression and treatment response.
Another key takeaway is the variability in DMN connectivity across PD subtypes, which points to the importance of personalized approaches in both research and care.
Why It Matters: This research strengthens the case for using advanced imaging tools to better understand the full scope of Parkinson’s, beyond movement symptoms. It opens up new avenues for diagnosis, monitoring, and individualized interventions in neurological health.
From Holly and all of us at Community & Company, we hope you’ve enjoyed this month's edition of The Brain Science Bulletin!
If you know someone who would find this newsletter helpful, feel free to share it with them. They can also join our mailing list by signing up at the bottom of our website’s Contact Page.
Thank you for being part of our community—we appreciate you! See you in the next edition.
Warm regards,
Holly Bardutz and the Community & Company Team
“You make your brain, then your brain makes you!”
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns or treatment.
