Articles tagged with Cognitive Disorders
Researchers have discovered the amygdala's role in pre-attentive mechanisms, shedding light on its connection to schizophrenia and other disorders. The study found that activating brain stem inhibitory neurons via the amygdala is crucial for startle inhibition.
Researchers found that cardiometabolic abnormality, such as hypertension and high cholesterol, were more strongly associated with cognitive function and decline than obesity alone. Individuals with obesity and cardiometabolic abnormality had lower performance results on testing and greater cognitive decline.
A new study found that eating a diet rich in flavonoids may lower the risk of cognitive decline. Flavonoid-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and spices may have a protective effect on brain health.
Researchers discover that cytotoxic CD8+ T cells contribute to aging-related degeneration in the central nervous system, leading to motor and cognitive decline. The study provides a potential therapeutic target for mitigating age-related decline.
Damage to densely-packed white matter regions is strongly associated with cognitive impairment compared to gray matter regions; this suggests that white matter hubs are crucial for cognition. The study's findings provide insights into how brain damage affects cognitive abilities and may help explain differences in cognitive decline.
A new study presented at the AATS 101st Annual Meeting found that severely ill COVID-19 patients treated with ECMO did not suffer worse long-term physical, psychological, and cognitive deficits than other mechanically-ventilated patients. The multidisciplinary team followed patients for up to five years after hospital discharge.
A new study found a marker of PTSD in brain regions associated with emotional regulation, particularly in those with impaired executive function. The researchers suggest that this subgroup may respond best to specific treatments targeting cognitive and brain functioning.
A comprehensive study combining 27 research studies and 10,000 participant data reveals strong associations between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive impairment in individuals with schizophrenia. The findings suggest that managing cardiovascular conditions is essential to mitigate cognitive decline in these patients.
A pooled analysis of five studies reveals significant differences in cognitive decline between men and women, with women experiencing a more rapid decline. The study suggests that women's brains may be more susceptible to age-related cognitive changes, with potential implications for gender-specific interventions.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) had a higher risk of mortality in procedural units and during follow-up, compared to those without AD. However, elective revascularisation procedures showed similar outcomes for both groups.
Researchers from UNIGE discovered that when the neuronal fibres connecting the hemispheres are missing, the brain reorganises itself and creates new connections. Intra-hemispheric connections increase, enabling communication between the two hemispheres to be maintained.
Researchers found abnormalities in brain areas including caudate that normalized after four weeks of CBT, but not in those who didn't receive treatment. Pre-treatment HRF patterns can predict individual patient response to CBT with high accuracy.
A new software tool can accurately predict motor development disorders in preterm infants based on early MRI scan data. The tool quantifies diffuse white matter abnormality (DWMA) volume, which serves as a biomarker for brain developmental issues.
Researchers found an association between shorter sleep duration and accelerated cognitive decline in older adults. The study suggests that addressing sleep deprivation could be a key factor in preventing age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers developed a complex physical exercise protocol to stimulate different motor and cognitive skills simultaneously, restoring brain regions associated with freezing of gait in advanced-stage Parkinson's disease patients. The protocol reduced symptoms by 60% and improved brain plasticity, providing new hope for treatment.
Researchers found that a Mediterranean ketogenic diet can alter specific gut fungi associated with higher Alzheimer's disease risk. The study suggests that this dietary approach may help reduce harmful fungi in the gut, potentially leading to improved mental health outcomes.
A new study reveals that children with developmental and cognitive impairments are more likely to receive CT scans for appendicitis diagnosis, which increases radiation risk. These children also experience higher rates of postoperative emergency room visits and hospital readmissions compared to neurologically normal peers.
A randomized clinical trial found Kundalini yoga and cognitive behavioral therapy to be more effective than stress education in treating generalized anxiety disorder. Yoga was shown to be noninferior to CBT for the treatment of the disorder, suggesting a potential alternative or complement to traditional therapies.
A study by University of Copenhagen found that prolonged exposure to sunlight on the head significantly impairs cognitive functions and motor skills, leading to decreased productivity and safety. The researchers emphasize the need for protection against sunlight to mitigate these effects.
Cognitive dysfunction is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis, affecting two-thirds of patients. Researchers recommend cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training as promising strategies for treating cognitive deficits in MS.
Researchers found that active bilingualism protects against cognitive decline in older adults, improving executive control abilities. Bilingual individuals showed more efficient neural organization at language control regions, associated with better performance in goal maintenance and conflict monitoring tasks.
A Baylor University researcher suggests that clinicians should be aware of their misconceptions about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and educate themselves about the program to integrate it into their work with clients. Both AA and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aim to help individuals accept personal responsibility for their actions.
Researchers have mapped out cell types behind various brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease, indicating that the disease may start in the gut. Oligodendrocytes were found to be affected early on, suggesting they play a key role in the early stages of the disease.
Probiotic intervention has been found to have a positive impact on neurologic manifestations of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression and cognitive impairments. Regular intake of probiotic bacteria has been shown to improve gut health and strengthen the brain-gut axis.
An observational study examines the association between cumulative blood pressure levels and racial disparities in cognitive decline risk. The findings suggest that high blood pressure may contribute to these racial differences, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention strategies.
The TAILORx trial found that women on hormone therapy also experienced cognitive decline, which leveled off over time. Cognitive function did not return to pre-treatment levels in either group, and hormone therapy may play a role in this impairment.
A new study led by NUI Galway researchers provides insights into the neural basis of general cognitive ability (IQ) and its relationship with brain structure and schizophrenia. The research used diffusion tensor imaging to analyze brain scans and measures of cognitive function in over 1,700 participants.
Researchers discovered that Epo increases nerve cell production and connections in the brain, leading to improved cognitive performance. Cognitive challenges trigger oxygen deficits, stimulating Epo production, which drives neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.
A new study found that widowhood can lead to a sharper cognitive decline in older adults, particularly those with high beta-amyloid levels. This effect was observed even after controlling for other factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
A study of nearly 20,000 participants found that living in the Stroke Belt as a child or young adult increased the risk of cognitive impairment later in life. Moving away from the region at middle age may provide some protection against cognitive decline linked to stroke.
A functional MRI study found that social anxiety characterized by fear of making others uncomfortable is associated with weakened connectivity in the cognitive-empathy brain network. This suggests impaired cognitive processing during embarrassing situations may contribute to social anxiety.
A two-year study examined the effect of walnut consumption on cognitive function in nearly 640 free-living elders. While healthy adults showed little change, those who had smoked more and had lower baseline scores benefited from walnut intake.
Researchers found associations between sensory difficulties, cognitive impairments, and disease severity in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Sensory processing deficits also affected functional performance of everyday life activities.
A study of over 200 patients with bipolar disorder found that high levels of inflammation, as measured by C-reactive protein, were significantly linked to poor cognitive performance. This suggests a potentially modifiable risk factor for cognitive deficits, and highlights the importance of addressing inflammation in treatment.
Studies of autism spectrum disorder have identified new features of the condition in the brain, including the role of placental hormones and gene editing technologies. These findings may contribute to the development of therapeutic treatments for individuals with ASD.
A new study suggests that measuring how quickly a person's pupils dilate during cognitive tests may be a viable method for detecting Alzheimer's disease risk before symptoms appear. The study links pupillary dilation responses to identified AD risk genes, providing proof-of-concept for this screening tool.
A study found that major surgery is associated with a small long-term decline in cognitive functioning, equivalent to less than five months of natural brain ageing. The odds of substantial cognitive decline also increase after surgery, approximately doubling.
Higher levels of daily physical activity may slow cognitive decline and brain tissue loss in people with high amyloid plaque in the brain. The study suggests that physical activity might reduce b-amyloid-related cortical thinning and preserve gray matter structure.
Researchers propose a personalized model to study age-related cognitive decline, considering individual risk factors, genetic variants and lifestyle. The goal is to maintain brain health throughout the entire adult lifespan.
A new University of Michigan study found that fall-related injuries are a leading cause of hospital readmissions among people 65 or older. Hospitals can improve patient recovery and mobility by emphasizing personalized fall prevention before discharge, especially for at-risk patients.
Research suggests that childhood affluence may hinder cognitive development in adulthood, as those with the most advantageous conditions experience stronger cognitive decline over time. This study analyzed data from 24,066 individuals and found a paradoxical relationship between socioeconomic status and cognitive aging.
A new study found that hearing impairment accelerates cognitive decline with age, but higher education reduces the impact of milder hearing losses. The researchers tracked 1,164 participants over 24 years and discovered that social engagement did not affect the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline.
A meta-analysis of 242 studies reveals common neurocognitive network alterations across psychiatric disorders, including reduced gray matter and disrupted functional connectivity. These findings suggest that neuroimaging may be providing a measure of symptom-related pathology, rather than directly related to the disease process.
US diplomats experienced sudden-onset symptoms including dizziness and cognitive impairment after exposure to a high-frequency noise at the Havana embassy. Researchers found an inner ear abnormality and evidence of cognitive dysfunction in affected individuals, with symptoms persisting even after treatment.
A new digital software tool, THINC-it, evaluates cognitive functions of severely depressed people and provides an accurate measure of patients' cognitive difficulties. The research assessed the tool's effectiveness in checking the cognitive function of 127 life-long sufferers of MDD.
A study of 3,112 community-dwelling adults aged 60+ found distinct risk factors for falls in men and women. Injurious falls were more commonly associated with low blood pressure and balance issues in men, while underweight and cognitive impairment were key risks for women.
A study of 17 healthy adults found that smoked and vaporized marijuana produced different cognitive and psychomotor effects. Vaporized cannabis resulted in stronger psychoactive effects and higher blood concentrations of THC compared to equal doses of smoked cannabis.
Researchers at the University of Zurich found that people who take cocaine cut with levamisole show impaired cognitive performance and a thinned prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that drug-checking programs should be expanded to protect users from the toxic effects of levamisole.
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.