Articles tagged with Cognitive Function
A pooled data analysis of 18 studies found that shift workers performed significantly worse than non-shift workers in five cognitive outcomes. The results suggest that shift work may increase the risk of workplace injuries and errors due to impaired brain function, particularly in impulse control and situational response.
Researchers developed a digital pen tool to measure cognitive function, identifying novel markers of dementia. The study found associations between digital metrics and cognitive functions like processing speed and physical abilities.
In a breakthrough discovery, microglia have been found to play a crucial role in forming critical synapses in the brain, particularly in chandelier cells. This finding suggests that immune cells may not only remove unwanted connections but also nurture their formation, which is essential for cognitive functioning.
A retrospective analysis found that socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults are at a higher risk of decline in function and cognition after an intensive care unit hospitalization. The study highlights the need to prioritize low-income seniors in rehabilitation and recovery efforts after critical illness.
A study by researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that taking a 15-minute walk outside on a hot summer day can impair cognitive performance. This effect was more pronounced in men who slept less than 5 hours, suggesting that heat stress may negatively impact learning and productivity.
A large-scale study aims to understand how individual brains change over time, identifying factors that increase cognitive decline risk and those that confer resilience. The Adult Aging Brain Connectome study will follow 1,000 participants across a decade, collecting brain scans, blood samples, and demographic data.
Research reveals that the brain's electrical rhythms fluctuate between high precision and low precision states several times per second, affecting how relevant information is transmitted. Cross-frequency coupling enables selective attention by modulating the strength of different frequencies, while distinguishing between different type...
A new discovery by VUB professor Ann Massie's research group reveals a strategy that prolongs life expectancy and preserves hippocampal function in the aging brain. The absence of system xc- has positive effects on mouse longevity and cognitive function, challenging current understanding of the aging process.
Researchers from Washington State University found that the optimal time of day for different cognitive tasks does not differ based on task type. Participants who felt sleepy should consider postponing important tasks until a later time to avoid performance impairment.
Researchers at UC San Diego's Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind discovered that fruit flies possess more sophisticated cognitive abilities than previously known. Using virtual reality and real-time brain imaging, they found attention, working memory, and conscious awareness-like capabilities in flies.
A new study by University of Chicago researchers found no evidence that LSD microdosing improves mood and cognitive function. However, the study did confirm that taking small doses of LSD is safe, with participants building a tolerance to the drug over time.
As people age, their brains allocate more space to accumulated knowledge, making memory retrieval challenging. However, this prior experience can also enhance creativity and decision-making skills.
Researchers developed a user-centered virtual reality system to engage stroke survivors with spatial neglect in intensive therapy, showing promising results. The system uses head-mounted displays and hand-tracking technology to deliver standardized treatment in an engaging environment.
Seventy- to eighty-year-olds who train for better fitness demonstrate better problem-solving skills and reduced cognitive decline. Regular physical activity is linked to increased brain health, including faster reaction times and improved working memory.
Researchers discovered that toxic goiter causes shrinkage in central brain regions, such as the hippocampus and amygdala, which can lead to mental symptoms. The study provides key insights for patients with Graves' disease, a common form of hyperthyroidism.
The study establishes a link between real-life creativity and semantic memory structure, predicting individual differences in brain functional connectivity. Participants' creative activities and achievements were found to be related to the efficiency of their semantic memory networks.
A study examining national data of adults aged 60 and older found that smoking is strongly linked to poor brain health, independent of other medical conditions. Smoking was associated with lower cognitive test scores in this population.
A study in rats found that mothers with sleep apnea during pregnancy may have an increased risk of their male offspring developing autism-like behaviors, including impaired cognitive and social function. The findings suggest a potential mechanism for the link between maternal sleep apnea and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers found a significant association between higher body fat levels, particularly visceral fat, and lower cognitive performance scores among adults. The study of 9,100 participants showed that individuals with higher levels of body fat were more likely to experience cognitive decline.
A new study found that excess body fat is a risk factor for reduced cognitive function in adults, including processing speed. The association remained even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Maintaining healthy weight and physical activity may help preserve cognitive function and prevent dementia.
Researchers found that brain waves travel in rotating patterns across the prefrontal cortex during working memory tasks, potentially aiding information storage. These waves provide a regularly recurring stimulation with precise timing, promoting strengthening connections between neurons and possibly facilitating predictions.
A new study found that daily physical activity increases executive function performance in people aged 50-74, while decreased activity leads to lower cognitive performance. The correlation held even after adjusting for various co-morbidities.
A virtual reality 'Shopping Task' has been developed to measure cognition and assess age-related decline. The study found that the immersive environment engaged key brain structures, including the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex.
A study found that subtle changes in heart structure and function between early adulthood and middle age are associated with declines in thinking and memory skills. The research, published by the American Academy of Neurology, suggests that a single echocardiogram may help identify people at higher risk of cognitive impairment.
Researchers found that moderate aerobic cycling improved auditory verbal learning and processing speed, as well as increased volumes of the hippocampus and cerebellar cortex. The study suggests exercise interventions may be an attractive option for improving cognitive function in individuals with traumatic brain injury.
A systematic review of 43,000 participants found cannabis use leads to acute cognitive impairments that persist beyond intoxication. Cannabis intoxication impairs areas including concentration and memory, with potential consequences for daily life, education, and work performance.
Researchers found elevated protein levels and unexpected antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with post-COVID cognitive symptoms, suggesting inflammation and a systemic response. The study suggests an activated immune system may be the cause of brain fog, a common after-effect of COVID-19.
A new study demonstrates that playing a child-friendly action video game can improve reading skills, including speed, accuracy, and comprehension. Children who played the game showed significant long-term improvements in attentional control and literacy compared to those who played a coding game.
A new study suggests that a behavioral marker in preterm infants can indicate potential development problems. Researchers used digital eye tracking to test the infants' visual motor coordination and found that those who struggled with this task were more likely to face cognitive and social difficulties later on.
A new study found that reducing air pollution can lower dementia risk among older women by decreasing their likelihood of developing dementia. The benefits were consistent despite differences among participants in age, geographic area, socioeconomic background, and other factors.
New research published in JNeurosci reveals that impaired cognition can be part of normal aging, rather than an early sign of Alzheimer's. Cognitively frail adults showed brain structure and activity similar to healthy controls, suggesting lifestyle factors like physical activity and education may play a role.
Researchers found that astrocytes regulate cognitive flexibility by releasing D-serine and glutamate, which integrates synaptic plasticity. Heterosynaptic long-term depression is mediated by astrocytes, critical for memory modification.
Researchers found that distributed codes among larger populations of neurons in the prefrontal cortex make information more reliable and robust. This discovery could support advanced cognitive abilities and potentially treat disorders of memory and cognition.
A Dutch study of over 1,800 adults found that repeated general anaesthetics have little impact on long-term cognitive decline compared to patient factors such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, smoking, and educational level. Cognitive decline was more strongly linked to these factors than to the number of surgeries under general...
A recent study by SISSA and University of Padua shows that occupation influences the course of cognitive decline. Work activity is found to be a protective factor for cognitive reserve, contributing to brain's resistance to damage caused by illness or aging.
A dental device to reduce snoring improves cognitive function in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The maximum breathing rate during uninterrupted periods of sleep can differentiate healthy individuals from those with Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment. Improved sleep may slow the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that false information in both native and second languages equally contribute to the formation of false memories. The researchers used an online experiment with participants speaking Russian and English to assess the influence of misinformation and source misattribution on memory recall.
A long-term study has revealed that drinking higher amounts of coffee may make you less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The study found an association between coffee and several important markers related to Alzheimer’s disease, including executive function and amyloid protein accumulation in the brain.
A new study found that children with persistent, distressing PLEs show impaired cognition, higher levels of psychopathology, and delayed developmental milestone achievement compared to those without these experiences. The researchers highlight the need for early intervention and support for youth who report these experiences.
A new study suggests that the brain uses a mechanism called 'repulsion' to differentiate between similar environments. Researchers found that when participants were asked about stores shared between two cities, their brains showed surprisingly different patterns of activity, indicating that they were treating these familiar locations a...
A five-year study from Columbia University found that a single dose of ketamine improved thinking and reasoning, independent of depressive symptoms, making those in suicidal crisis less likely to harm themselves. The study also showed greater cognitive improvements in those given ketamine compared to midazolam.
A new study by Baycrest and York University found that studying Spanish improves working memory and executive function in older adults, similar to brain training. The participants reported greater enjoyment of the language learning experience.
A new study found that Long COVID can cause symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and cognitive impairment lasting over a year. The study also showed that more than 60% of patients experienced some level of cognitive impairment, with significant impacts on employment and quality of life.
A new study reveals that high-performing AI next-word prediction models resemble the function of language-processing centers in the human brain. The models' activity patterns closely match those seen in the brain during language tasks, suggesting a potential connection between AI and human language processing.
Researchers discovered a significant impact on executive functioning, processing speed, and memory encoding in patients treated for COVID-19. Cognitive impairments persisted several months after the initial infection.
A multi-year study found that both short and long sleepers experience greater cognitive decline than those who slept a moderate amount. Researchers separated out the effects of poor sleep and Alzheimer's disease on cognition, suggesting a middle range or 'sweet spot' for total sleep time where cognitive performance is stable over time....
A new study found that retired male elite rugby union players aged 50+ who suffered three or more rugby-related concussions during their career have no worse average cognitive function than those with no, one, or two concussions. However, over-75s with a history of multiple concussions showed significantly worse cognitive function on a...
A pilot study examines graph-theoretical properties of brain networks in traumatic brain injury and controls, showing association with balance impairment and structural damage. The study uses EEG-based functional connectivity measures during a balance perturbation task to explore underlying neural mechanisms.
A University of Kansas study examined three key cognitive functions in teaching writing to Hispanic English learners, revealing word retrieval skills, verbal language skills, and working memory are crucial for success. The research highlights the negative effects of a lack of bilingual education on these students' writing abilities.
Researchers found that poorly controlled type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing preclinical dementia, which can progress to full-blown dementia. The study also suggests that controlling blood glucose levels may be key to preventing cognitive decline.
A Brazilian study examines the causal relationship between outdoor air pollution and students' cognitive performance in Brazil. The findings suggest that an increase of 10 micrograms per cubic meter of PM10 decreases students' scores by 6.1 points, with poorer students more susceptible to air pollution's effects.
Researchers create detailed atlas of mouse cerebrum, revealing distinct cell types and gene regulatory elements. The study provides insights into brain organization and function, with potential implications for human neurological diseases and traits.
A new study found that ketone supplements enhanced blood flow to the brain and improved aspects of cognitive function, such as working memory and processing speed, in adults with obesity. This suggests that ketone supplements may be a novel therapeutic strategy for protecting and improving brain health in people with obesity.
A meta-analysis of tDCS studies found that applying tDCS during tasks improved reaction times, particularly in learning and memory tasks and executive function/complex attention tasks. The improvement was more pronounced in older individuals, suggesting that tDCS may increase with age.
A systematic review found spatial neglect to be prevalent among 29% of unilateral stroke survivors, with higher rates in right brain strokes and ecological assessments. This condition impairs cognitive and motor functions, slowing rehabilitation progress and increasing risk for injury.
A study of over 2,000 European retirees found that internet usage after retirement is associated with better cognitive scores. Specifically, female retirees who regularly surfed the internet recalled more words on a word recall test compared to their non-internet-using counterparts.
A two-hour glucose tolerance test is linked to cognitive decline in a 10-year follow-up study. Higher blood glucose levels measured in the test were associated with weaker performance in a memory test and a greater decline in results.
A large study found that education and income have varying relationships with brain volume and cognitive scores across different populations. The associations were strongest in childhood development, suggesting socioeconomic status may not specifically protect the brain from aging effects.
A one-year study found that increased concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and lower ventilation rates were associated with slower response times and reduced accuracy on cognitive tests, affecting employees' productivity.
A study led by Ruixue Zhaoyang found that frequent and pleasant social interactions can boost cognitive performance in older adults. Participants who reported more social interactions had better cognitive performance on the same day and for days following.