Articles tagged with Cognitive Development
A study funded by NIH found no association between antiseizure drugs used during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental problems in children at age 6. Higher folate doses during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy were associated with better cognitive outcomes.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found the 'lizard brain' is connected to newly evolved social cognitive network regions, which are involved in thinking about other people. This link helps shape the function of the social cognitive network by giving it access to the amygdala's role in processing emotionally important content.
Adolescents who snore frequently exhibit behavior problems like inattention and rule-breaking, but not cognitive decline. The study tracked nearly 12,000 children from age 9-10 to age 15, finding no correlation between snoring and reduced cognitive abilities.
A study found that maternal immune activity during pregnancy affects offspring's long-term memory circuitry and function in childhood and midlife. Elevated levels of IL-6 and TNF-a in mothers were linked to adverse brain activity in memory circuitry, particularly in postmenopausal women.
Research finds that adults outperform children in learning new motor skills, with older individuals improving faster and retaining skills longer. Better sleep appears to benefit children's learning and memory more, but other factors like sleep deprivation may also play a role.
A new study found that significant year-to-year fluctuations in cholesterol levels without medication changes could indicate an increased risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline. Researchers suggest that reducing cholesterol variability could potentially be a promising therapeutic target for dementia prevention.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that a special protocol of hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve the condition of PTSD sufferers, reducing typical symptoms such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, and irritability. The study showed improvements in brain connectivity and clinical symptoms, offering new hope for millions of PTSD suff...
Researchers found that chimpanzees complete more difficult tasks when watched by multiple people, while performing worse on easier ones. This 'audience effect' suggests a unique bond between chimps and humans, influencing task performance.
A study found that people with excessive daytime sleepiness and a lack of enthusiasm are more likely to develop motoric cognitive risk syndrome, a condition that can lead to dementia. The study suggests that addressing sleep issues may help prevent cognitive decline.
A study of over 2.4 million individuals born in Canada found that preterm birth is associated with lower employment income, university enrollment, and educational attainment through age 28. The findings suggest that long-term supports are vital to mitigate the effects of preterm birth on socioeconomic outcomes.
A new study found that people from more affluent backgrounds are less likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia. Those with higher education levels, managerial occupations, and wealth were also more likely to recover from mild cognitive impairment and improve their health.
A Michigan Medicine study of over 18,500 adults found that obstructive sleep apnea was associated with a higher risk of dementia symptoms or diagnosis at every age level. Women were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than men, especially as they aged.
Researchers at EPFL have created a unique experimental setup combining non-invasive deep-brain stimulation, virtual reality training, and fMRI imaging to improve spatial memory. The study shows that targeted electric impulses to the hippocampus can temporarily increase brain plasticity, leading to better navigation and recall.
The partnership aims to create, study, and implement digital health solutions to address mental and behavioral health conditions. Researchers will use ecological momentary assessment and digital sensors on a patient's mobile phone to monitor cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Scientists use modern technology to analyze ancient ochre samples, revealing the material's origin and history. This helps them understand how human cognition and social networks developed alongside early technological innovations.
Researchers at UCLA Health found an association between childhood attention problems and increased psychosis risk, with genetic variants acting as a middleman. The study used data from over 10,000 children to explore the relationship between attention span variability and psychotic-like symptoms.
A study in mice reveals that individualistic reward-seeking strategies predict responses to nicotine, with profiles influenced by personality traits and dopamine activity. The findings suggest environmental adaptations shape behavioral traits and sensitivity to nicotine, potentially contributing to addiction susceptibility.
A cohort study examines how traumatic and adverse childhood experiences influence developmental changes in psychiatric risk and cognitive ability. The findings suggest targeted early prevention and intervention strategies for at-risk youth.
A recent study by Virginia Tech's Abecedarian Project found that early childhood education significantly improves skills for disadvantaged children, particularly girls. However, long-term benefits for Black boys dwindle as they enter adulthood due to societal pressures and biases in the education system.
Researchers found that female mouse models of Rett syndrome have a mosaic-like distribution of cells expressing wild-type and mutant MeCP2 protein, leading to dysregulated genes. The study also discovered an unusual disease progression, with females having more dysregulated genes at the pre-symptomatic stage than later on.
A new study by MIT researchers found that debunking election misinformation is not always effective, but can be successful if people are less certain of their beliefs and believe the authority is unbiased or motivated by accuracy. The model analyzed over 200 scenarios and identified factors that make debunking efforts more successful.
Researchers found TBI increases hyperphosphorylated tau, astro- and microgliosis, synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairments linked to developing Alzheimer’s. BAG3 overexpression ameliorates tau hyperphosphorylation, synaptic dysfunction and cognitive deficits through the enhancement of the autophagy-lysosome pathway.
Researchers aim to develop small molecule drugs to target neuroinflammation in the brain, which contributes to cognitive decline. The goal is to slow or even cure Alzheimer's disease, offering a potential game-changer for the therapeutic landscape.
A new study found that brain endurance training (BET) improves attention and executive function, as well as physical endurance and resistance exercise performance in older adults. BET outperformed exercise-only training in terms of cognitive and physical performance improvements.
Researchers found increased whole-brain connectivity in bilingual participants, particularly those who learned their second language early in life. This increased connectivity was stronger between the cerebellum and left frontal cortex, indicating a more efficient brain organization in terms of functional connectivity.
New research suggests parenting programs that address both mental health and parenting skills can improve children's development. However, these programs often fall short in providing effective mental-health support for parents, who may struggle with depression during the perinatal period.
A new University of Colorado Boulder study sheds light on why paternal mitochondrial DNA is eliminated during development. The research found that delaying this process can lead to lasting neurological and behavioral problems in adults. Treatments such as Vitamin K2 may offer new hope for preventing or treating these disorders.
Researchers have developed a peptide inhibitor called RI-AG03 that effectively prevents Tau protein aggregation in lab and fruit fly studies. The breakthrough targets both major aggregation-promoting 'hotspots' of the Tau protein, potentially paving the way for more effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Research from Trinity College Dublin found that lower sustained attention in adolescence can predict a larger increase in cigarette and cannabis use by age 23. The study suggests using early biomarkers like sustained attention to identify vulnerable adolescents and guide targeted interventions.
Researchers identify a homozygous SPAG9 gene mutation associated with intellectual disability, progressive cognitive decline, and heterogeneous brain abnormalities. The study provides a unique model for understanding disruptions in cellular transport mechanisms leading to neurodevelopmental and degenerative brain conditions.
A team of scientists has identified a new genetic mutation in the SGIP1 gene that may cause early-onset Parkinsonism. The mutation affects brain cell communication, leading to synaptic dysfunction and recessive Parkinsonism. This discovery provides new insights into the disease's development and potential treatment strategies.
A recent study found that pregnant women who get less than 7 hours of sleep per night are at higher risk of having children with neurodevelopmental delays. This can affect social, emotional, behavioral, motor, cognitive, or speech skills in the child.
A new large-scale longitudinal study will investigate the environmental, lifestyle, social, and clinical factors affecting brain development in children with type 1 diabetes. The five-year study aims to refine clinical guidelines and targeted treatments for children with diabetes.
Aging brains struggle to clear out outdated information, leading to slower processing and more frequent forgetfulness. Beta-band neural oscillations play a crucial role in regulating working memory, with older adults showing a stronger link between these oscillations and their ability to delete irrelevant information.
A new study finds that excessive social media use is associated with a higher risk of eating disorder symptoms in 9-14-year-olds, including binge eating and distress over weight gain. Problematic screen use may contribute to unhealthy behaviors and addictive tendencies.
A comprehensive review of genetic and population studies challenges conventional wisdom about the relationship between genetic risk and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Premorbid cognitive impairment is largely explained by non-familial factors rather than inherited genetic variants.
Researchers aim to develop a voice assistant delivering customized cognitive stimulation therapy to improve the quality of life for persons living with dementia and their care partners. The project has the potential to positively impact a large population, including those in remote areas.
A cross-sectional study of 170 former football players found a strong association between repeated head impacts and increased perivascular space volume, as well as worse cognitive test performance. The findings suggest that PVS volume may contribute to the link between RHI exposure and neurodegeneration.
Children's brains cannot focus on tasks because their working memory is not fully developed, according to a new study. Researchers found that even with rewards, children still 'over explore' and gather unnecessary information. This suggests that kids are naturally curious and unsure of retaining information in their memory.
The new ERC EARTH research center will focus on developing sustainable refrigerant technologies and practices to improve quality of life and combat climate change. Lehigh University's team, led by David Vicic, will work on reclamation and repurposing of high-GWP legacy refrigerants.
A scoping review from the University of Gothenburg found that music-based movement therapy, known as the Ronnie Gardiner Method, can improve rehabilitation outcomes in individuals with brain disorders. The method has been shown to be challenging, motivating, and enjoyable for participants, leading to improved recovery and quality of life.
A new AI model developed by Karolinska Institutet can predict autism in young children with an accuracy of almost 80% for those under two years old. The model uses a combination of limited information to identify patterns and strong predictors of autism, such as age of first smile and eating difficulties.
Stroke survivors experience a range of psychosocial symptoms, including depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue, and decreased quality of life. Nurses can help identify and manage these conditions through education, therapy, and evidence-based interventions.
A study published in iScience has uncovered significant findings related to the early sensorimotor features and cognitive abilities of toddlers who are later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The research suggests that a higher IQ may confer resilience to atypical sensorimotor functioning, highlighting the need for more pr...
A study published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry suggests that psychological wellbeing noticeably declines 2-6 years before mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis. Key findings include lower levels of purpose and personal growth among participants with MCI, even without apparent cognitive impairment.
A recent study analyzing over 1.5 million patients' electronic health records found that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is significantly underdiagnosed in rural areas of West Michigan. Researchers discovered a higher rate of MCI skippers, where patients progress directly to dementia without a prior diagnosis, in these communities.
Parents who struggle with alcohol use disorders can pass along symptoms of early aging to their children, affecting them well into adulthood. These accelerated aging effects include high cholesterol, heart problems, arthritis, and early onset dementia.
A novel study finds that monitoring cortical microstructural change in the brain using diffusion weighted MRI scans may help identify individuals at risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Tracking these changes over time could provide precious time for disease-modifying treatments.
Researchers found that combining plasma p-tau217 and Aβ42/40 levels could predict early brain Aβ accumulation in people with subthreshold Aβ accumulation. These biomarkers may help screen participants for primary prevention trials.
A new national study found that leaving phone notifications on leads to less sleep compared to turning the phone off or keeping it outside the bedroom. Adolescents are highly sensitive to phone notifications, which can disrupt their sleep patterns.
A UNIGE team studied a cohort of patients with a 22q11.2DS microdeletion and found unique «coupling» between structure and activity of their brain regions, leading to either over- or under-coupling. This specificity paves the way for identifying reliable risk markers.
A new study found that increased exposure to residential greenery during midlife can help stave off cognitive decline. Higher average exposure to greenness was linked to higher levels of cognitive function and slower cognitive decline, particularly among people living in low-socioeconomic status and highly populated neighborhoods.
Mayo Clinic scientists have established criteria for a memory-loss syndrome in older adults that specifically impacts the brain's limbic system. The syndrome, called Limbic-predominant Amnestic Neurodegenerative Syndrome (LANS), progresses more slowly and has a better prognosis than Alzheimer's disease.
A new study introduces a novel hypothesis that digital technologies affect human sociality and mental health, particularly among youth. The Disembodied Disconnect Hypothesis suggests cultivating rich personal relationships in face-to-face communities to counterbalance disembodied digital interactions.
Researchers at Amsterdam UMC have developed a prediction model that can forecast cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The model provides an indication of the disease course over 5 years and has potential for use in a user-friendly app, aiding doctors in discussing prognosis with patients.
Researchers have discovered a new diagnostic method for PSP by analyzing protein biomarkers in spinal fluid, which could lead to earlier diagnosis and targeted therapies. The high-throughput technology allows for the measurement of thousands of proteins in a tiny drop of fluid, providing a promising solution for identifying the condition.
A new study creates a framework to reduce confusion around fish consumption during pregnancy and provide clearer guidance on risks and benefits. The research found that consuming low-mercury fish was beneficial, while high-mercury fish was detrimental to neurodevelopment.
New research suggests that neighborhoods with more educational and socioeconomic opportunities can improve infants' brain activity and cognitive development. Infants in such neighborhoods show greater brain function at six months of age and better cognition at 12 months old.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that pandemic stress can affect brain development in babies, with reduced volumes in the left amygdala and right hippocampus. The research highlights the need for ongoing assessments of developmental or mental health support for children born during the pandemic.
This study reveals that thalamocortical connectivity plays a vital role in the formation of functional brain networks. The researchers used advanced neuroimaging techniques and computational models to map changes in thalamocortical connectivity across different age groups, from infancy to adulthood.