Articles tagged with Cognitive Disorders
Research reveals obesity activates microglia, consuming healthy synapses and leading to dendritic spine loss. Microglial activity is causally linked to obesity-induced cognitive decline, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for this condition.
A St. Jude Children's Research Hospital study found that over half of pediatric central nervous system tumor survivors do not achieve complete independence as adults. Cognitive impairment and physical performance limitations are strong predictors of non-independence.
Perinatal exposure to phthalates impairs the development of rats' brains, leading to reduced neurons and synapses. The study also shows deficits in cognitive flexibility, suggesting potential negative effects on behavior. Researchers used environmentally relevant phthalate concentrations to simulate human exposures.
A study found that participants who resisted alcohol-induced impairment were more resilient to sleep deprivation, suggesting a correlation between adenosine A1 receptor changes and cognitive resilience.
A position paper from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends image rehearsal therapy as a useful treatment option for nightmare disorder and PTSD-associated nightmares. Cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, and other interventions may also be effective, while clonazepam and venlafaxine are not recommended.
A study found that damage to brain pathways can lead to attention deficit in patients with subcortical stroke. The research used voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping and diffusion tensor tractography to identify the responsible impaired connections.
Cognitive deficits affect 40-65% of MS patients, impacting daily living and employment status. Cognitive abilities decline when patients convert from RRMS to SPMS, particularly in learning new information and mental processing speed.
A nationwide study found that Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit has only a minimal effect on early identification of cognitive impairment and subsequent care. The visit did lead to increased use of laboratory tests for thyroid dysfunction and vitamin B deficiency, which may be related to reversible causes of cognitive impairment.
Patients with OCD suffer from a severe reduction in quality of life due to the maladaptive strategies they use. The study suggests that teaching children skills such as coping with bullying and emotional turmoil through cognitive training may help improve their daily lives and prevent mental health disorders.
Research found distinct changes in brain structures and concurrent symptoms that differed between men and women with sleep apnea. Women showed more regions of the superior frontal lobe thinning than men or control groups, linked to enhanced cognitive deficits.
A new study found that lower sodium levels in the blood, known as hyponatremia, are related to declines in cognitive function with advancing age. Slightly lower serum sodium levels were associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and decline over time, while high serum sodium was also linked to cognitive decline.
A new study examined the social functioning of 169 middle-aged adults with autism spectrum disorders, revealing unmet needs in areas such as employment, social relationships, and community participation.
Adults with treated HIV experience cognitive decline and smaller brain volumes, but effective therapy may halt progression. Brain changes were observed even after two years of treatment, highlighting the importance of monitoring viral suppression in HIV patients.
Cognivive's video games aim to enhance spatiotemporal cognitive abilities, building underlying capacity that different skills can draw on, improving real-world problem-solving abilities.
A study aims to develop biomarkers for early detection of cognitive and behavioral problems in premature infants, enabling the design of early interventions. The research focuses on identifying structural abnormalities in subcortical brain regions that may predict long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
A study published in JNeurosci found that sleep-deprived rats exhibited rapid transitions between wake- and sleep-like states, disrupting neural activity. The researchers suggest that one function of sleep is to reset the activity of neural networks for optimal information processing while awake.
A new study published in Radiology uses a combination of MRI techniques to identify brain regions associated with cognitive impairment in active professional fighters. The researchers found that lower gray matter volume and white matter tract integrity at baseline measurements were linked to increased risk of cognitive decline over time.
Researchers at King's College London found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improved cognitive performance, particularly in working memory and executive functioning, in individuals with schizophrenia. The study suggests that tDCS may be a promising new treatment for the condition's cognitive deficits.
A study of 3,904 men found no association between high school football participation and later-life cognitive impairment or depression. This challenges previous concerns about the sport's safety, particularly regarding chronic traumatic encephalopathy and concussion risks.
A study found that substance use, particularly binge drinking and cocaine, is associated with cognitive impairments such as attention deficits and executive functioning issues. Cognitive impairments were also linked to daily life difficulties, impeding treatment utilization, and decreased effectiveness of treatment.
A study of cognitively normal individuals found that those with elevated brain amyloid levels were more likely to experience cognitive decline over a median of 3.1 years. The research suggests that preclinical Alzheimer's disease may represent the pre-symptomatic stage of AD.
A recent study found that even moderate drinking is associated with an increased risk of adverse brain outcomes and steeper decline in cognitive skills. Higher alcohol consumption over 30 years was linked to hippocampal atrophy, poorer white matter integrity, and faster decline in language fluency.
Researchers identified brain scans, genetic tests, and CSF analysis as predictive biomarkers for Parkinson's disease-related cognitive decline. Biomarkers associated with dopamine deficiency, beta-amyloid protein, and single nucleotide polymorphisms were found to correlate with cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed patients.
A new study develops an objective tool to rule out a history of mild head traumas in ageing patients with abnormal cognitive decline. The tool combines markers from brain assessments and may help former athletes sue sports associations for alleged long-term effects.
A new theory published in the journal Human Development proposes that adults can learn new skills and combat cognitive aging by adopting broad learning strategies similar to those used in infancy. By embracing open-minded learning, individualized scaffolding, growth mindset, forgiving environment, serious commitment to learning, and le...
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that 72% of patients with concussive blast TBI experienced a decline in disability over five years. Satisfaction with life and psychiatric symptom severity were worse in these patients compared to combat-deployed service members without TBI.
Patients with OCD have difficulty learning which stimulus is safe and vice versa due to impaired brain activity, specifically in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. This cognitive inflexibility affects how they perceive threats under updated circumstances, making current exposure therapies less effective.
Alzheimer's patients have different chemical properties in their 'good' cholesterol, which can lead to inflammation and cognitive impairment. The study found a 5.5 times increase of a dysfunctional HDL subfraction and a decreased protein/lipid ratio, associated with reduced brain function.
A randomized controlled pilot trial found that N-acetylcysteine combined with group cognitive behavioral therapy reduced PTSD symptoms, cravings, and depression significantly more than CBT alone. The treatment showed promising results for a difficult-to-treat population of veterans with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder.
Researchers at SDSU found that brain connections in individuals with autism are more symmetrical across hemispheres, impacting cognitive development. This asymmetry may contribute to difficulties in assembling information into a cohesive narrative.
A meta-analysis of 57 studies representing almost 21,000 patients reveals a pooled prevalence of depression in mild cognitive impairment patients at 32%, varying by source and setting. Further research on depression in MCI patients is warranted to inform clinical decisions and public health policy.
A randomized clinical trial found that individual cognitive processing therapy improved PTSD severity more than group therapy, with patients receiving individual sessions experiencing twice the improvement. Depression and suicidal ideation also improved equally with both forms of therapy.
New technologies can assist in protecting older adults from financial fraud, including transactions via wearable technologies and bank cards with chip-and-signature security features. Professionals should be trained to recognize signs of cognitive decline and help clients plan for the possibility of future impairment.
The new guidelines provide a more precise definition of documented prenatal alcohol exposure and offer guidance on evaluating facial and physical deformities characteristic of FASD. The updated criteria aim to improve the accuracy of diagnoses and lead to early intervention for affected children.
A large-scale study found that individuals with lower vitamin D levels were twice as likely to exhibit significant cognitive decline over time. Vitamin D is also associated with a reduced risk of neuron damage and loss, suggesting its potential role in preventing cognitive decline.
Research found that retained metabolites in the blood are associated with impaired cognitive function in patients with kidney failure. The study suggests that interventions may be necessary to safeguard the mental health of these patients.
Scientists developed a novel peptide that protects cognitive function after mild traumatic brain injury by reducing inflammation, cell death, and cognitive impairments in mice. The peptide, called TXM-peptide, mimics the antioxidant activity of thioredoxin and inhibits the inflammatory pathway.
A dietary supplement containing 30 natural ingredients has shown promise in preventing and reversing massive brain cell loss in mice. The supplement was found to completely eliminate severe brain cell loss and abolish cognitive decline in mice with widespread brain damage.
A study published in Brain Connectivity suggests that pediatric leukemia survivors may experience cognitive impairment due to chemotherapy-induced brain damage. The research used diffusion tensor imaging to analyze the white matter connectome of ALL survivors and healthy young people, revealing significantly lower connectivity and grea...
A new study published in Neurobiology of Aging found that shift workers performed worse on a cognitive test compared to non-shift workers. Those who had quit shift work for more than five years showed similar results to non-shift workers.
A recent study found that older adults experience declining financial literacy, while their self-confidence increases, leading to poor financial decision-making. Researchers recommend finding a reputable financial advisor and conducting regular financial check-ups as part of an annual doctor visit.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports dispels the myth that autistic individuals are cold and unempathetic. In fact, research suggests that people with autism exhibit an empathic response similar to those without autism when faced with moral dilemmas. The study found that individuals with high-functioning autism were more like...
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found a link between traumatic brain injury and mild cognitive impairment, with those who experienced loss of consciousness for over five minutes being at greater risk. The study analyzed data from 3,187 people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment versus a normal-cognition group of 3,244.
Researchers identified complex brain connectivity patterns in individuals with chronic TBI, explaining long-term higher-order cognitive function deficits. Interactions among networks are critical for daily life tasks like planning and problem-solving.
Researchers found associations between CMV, HSV-2, and Toxoplasma gondii exposure and different aspects of cognitive decline in older people. The study suggests that chronic viral infections may trigger neurotoxic effects, leading to age-related cognitive impairment.
A study published in The BMJ found that internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can effectively treat body dysmorphic disorder, reducing symptom severity and depression. Participants who received BDD-NET showed significant improvements compared to those receiving online supportive therapy.
A new review suggests that stopping driving in older adults can contribute to various health problems, including depression. The decision to stop driving is often accompanied by declining cognitive and physical functions, highlighting the need for personalized plans to maintain mobility and social functions.
Researchers found an increase in healthy ageing, with less cognitive impairment and more years lived in good health. However, the proportion of people with mild disability increased, leading to a larger number of unhealthy individuals.
Studies reveal that children with epilepsy show global differences in cognitive network development, but hubs of these networks are functionally similar to those of healthy peers. Graph analysis also suggests that neural networks linking cognitive skills are not well integrated in children with epilepsy.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that the causes of congenital face blindness can be traced back to an early stage in the perceptual process. People with this condition are unable to use facial features to identify others, but their brains respond differently when shown a face.
Breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy experienced lower verbal memory and default mode brain network connectivity compared to non-chemotherapy groups. Cognitive dysfunction was also elevated in both treatment groups, highlighting the need for further research into chemotherapy-related neurotoxic effects.
A study at Georgetown University Medical Center found that HIV+ individuals over 50 years old showed cognitive impairments, even if they scored 'cognitively normal' in standard tests. Brain scans revealed deficits in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex region, a key executive area.
The Kavli HUMAN Project aggregates 20 years of measurements from 10,000 individuals to study the dynamic interplay between biology, behavior, and environment. The project reveals new insights into factors increasing risk for cognitive decline and its impact on daily life, healthcare utilization, and end-of-life decisions.
New Jersey researchers used neuroimaging to investigate reading deficits in patients with subacute left hemispheric stroke. They found associations between phonological deficits and lesions in the anterior temporal lobe and mid-fusiform gyrus. This study may lead to targeted interventions for acquired reading deficits, benefiting indiv...
A University of Miami research team proposes a four-component model of cognitive flexibility, which helps understand autism spectrum disorder and other behavioral/neurological disorders. The study may inform the development of new interventions to improve cognitive flexibility skills in individuals with autism.
Researchers identified a link between cognitive deficits and lesions in areas processing emotions, suggesting a third category of knowledge representation for social groups. This discovery highlights the close relationship between social relations and emotional processing in the human brain.
A systematic evidence review suggests that cognitive decline following invasive heart procedures is unlikely in older adults, with little to no difference found between treatment groups. However, individual study quality was low and more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Research presented at Heart Failure 2015 found that cognitive impairment is common in elderly heart failure patients, occurring in three-quarters of patients. The study also showed that cognitive impairment predicts a worse prognosis, with an increased risk of all-cause death and heart failure readmission.
A new study by Moffitt researchers found that men treated with androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer have a higher risk of cognitive impairment. The study also identified a possible genetic link between the GNB3 gene and cognitive problems during ADT treatment.
Two studies presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes Research 2015 Scientific Sessions found that more than one in four LVAD patients experience notable cognitive decline. Patients with poor overall health, including death, severe stroke, and poor quality of life, are also common outcomes.