Articles tagged with Cognitive Function
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are studying biometric data from Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hikers to identify patterns of biological and cognitive markers that may precede serious health events. The study, R2R WATCH, aims to improve preventive education and treatment for exercise-associated hyponatremia.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a Processing Speed Training Game (PSTG) that significantly improved processing speed and inhibition among healthy older adults. Regular playing of PSTG also reduced depressive moods compared to a Knowledge Quiz Training Game (KQTG).
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that patterns of white matter microstructure present at birth and after birth predict cognitive function in children at ages 1 and 2. The study used diffusion tensor imaging to identify 12 white matter fiber tracts important for cognitive function, which wer...
Research reveals that endurance running alters brain structure and function in ways similar to complex tasks like playing a musical instrument. The study found greater functional connectivity in the brains of young adult cross country runners compared to sedentary individuals.
A study of Israeli adolescents found that higher BMI in late adolescence and long-term cumulative burden of BMI predict poorer cognitive function later in life. Taller stature was associated with better global cognitive function, independent of socioeconomic position.
A new research letter published online by JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that walking fewer than 900 steps per day is associated with hospitalization-associated functional decline in older hospitalized patients. The study included 177 older patients who walked less than 900 steps per day, with 55.4% experiencing functional decline.
A study of 9,119 men and women found that participating in civic activities was associated with better cognitive function at age 50. The researchers also found that low socio-economic status as a child and worse mental well-being in adulthood were linked to poorer cognitive outcomes.
Research links kidney damage to impaired cognitive function, including memory and attention, as well as structural brain changes. Higher albumin in urine, indicative of poor kidney function, was associated with worse cognitive performance.
A new study has identified a group of brain structural networks linked to loss of cognitive function, highlighting the importance of cerebral small vessel disease. The research found that certain networks are less affected by age, while others show decreased expression and correlation with impaired cognitive functioning.
A study found that regular physical activity, consuming more fruits and vegetables, and being normal weight or overweight are associated with improved cognitive function. Higher levels of physical activity may mediate the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and better cognitive performance.
Research at York University found that eating more fruits and vegetables daily, combined with regular exercise, improves cognitive functioning and may delay dementia. The study, which analyzed data from over 45,000 participants, showed a significant relationship between physical activity and better cognitive performance.
A recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that DHA supplementation improved Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ) by 10% and increased scores on Information and Digit Span sub-tests, indicating significant improvements in long-term and short-term memory.
A new study finds that older adults consistently improve their psychological well-being over time, with lower levels of stress and depression compared to younger adults. The researchers attribute this to increased wisdom with age, better coping mechanisms, and fewer negative emotions.
Researchers found that adding a ketone ester to a rat's diet increased treadmill run times and maze-solving speed, as well as energy production in the heart. The study suggests that ketone esters may hold benefits for people with debilitating metabolic and neurological diseases.
A new study by Florida State University researcher Joseph Grzywacz found that both a dirty working environment and a lack of stimulation in the workplace can have a long-term cognitive effect on employees. The study showed that men and women who had jobs that exposed them to a dirty working environment saw a cognitive decline.
Late-term infants born at 41 weeks showed improved cognitive performance, including higher test scores and a lower risk of poor cognitive outcomes. However, they also had a higher rate of physical disabilities compared to full-term infants.
Researchers have discovered three new compounds that inhibit insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP), showing promise in improving cognitive functions in animal models. The inhibitors block human IRAP at low concentrations with rapid reversibility.
New research from Texas A&M University finds that standing desks can increase productivity in adults by 46%, with workers completing more successful calls per hour. Standing for shorter periods also reduces body discomfort and improves cognitive functioning.
Higher blood pressure fluctuations are associated with faster declines in brain and cognitive function among older adults. Average blood pressure readings were not linked to changes in brain function, suggesting that controlling blood pressure instability may be key to preserving cognitive function.
A new study finds that busier lifestyles are associated with better processing speed, working memory, and episodic memory in older adults. The research suggests that busyness may stimulate learning and improve cognition, but more experimental work is needed to confirm this association.
Research showed that even snoring alone can negatively impact cognitive functioning in young children. A large study found moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea increased the likelihood and magnitude of cognitive deficits, including problems with attention, memory, and language.
A study published in The BMJ found that hip fracture surgery is inconsistent and inequitable, with patients from higher socioeconomic backgrounds more likely to receive it. The use of total hip arthroplasty (THA) also varies by day of week, with weekends seeing lower rates.
Researchers aim to determine if enhancing cognitive functioning through speed of processing training can improve quality of life in middle-aged and older adults with HIV. The study will compare the effects of varying amounts of specialized speed of processing training on cognitive ability and everyday functioning skills.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published by the International Association for Dental Research reveals an association between tooth loss and reduced cognitive function in adults. Individuals with less than 20 teeth were found to be at a 20% higher risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia compared to those with more teeth.
A new study found that Taser shocks can impair cognitive functioning, including memory and processing information. The research suggests that suspects may not be able to waive their Miranda rights after being Tased, leading to questions about the timing of police interrogations.
A study of over 3,400 participants found that long-term marijuana use was associated with poorer verbal memory, but not other areas of cognitive function. The study suggests that young adults may be skeptical about the risks of marijuana use and highlights the need for effective health advice.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that older adults who stop driving face accelerated declines in cognitive function and physical health. This cessation is linked to a higher risk of depressive symptoms, reduced social networks, and increased dependence on caregivers.
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.
A new study found that pre-adolescent children who have sustained sports-related concussions have impaired brain function two years following the injury. The research suggests that childhood concussions may have a lasting impact on cognitive performance, with potential lifelong academic and vocational consequences.
The Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg is launching a new consultation model called 'Beratung für gesundes Altern' (BegA) in January 2016. This non-clinical project aims to provide prevention-oriented advice and support to older adults, helping them prepare for potential losses of function due to aging.
A study of 3,247 adults found that high TV viewing and low physical activity during young adulthood were associated with worse cognitive function in midlife. Participants with the least active patterns of behavior had poorer cognitive performance, including slower processing speed and executive function.
The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends against screening older community-living adults for cognitive impairment if they are asymptomatic. However, physicians should investigate patients or their family members expressing concern about possible memory loss.
A study published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke found that bilingual patients were twice as likely as those who spoke one language to have normal cognitive functions after a stroke. The research also showed that bilinguals performed better on post-stroke tests measuring attention and information retrieval.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a technique to measure an individual's visual processing speed, which can predict executive cognitive functioning. The study used a simple test of visual flicker to evaluate brain function quality, and found that older adults had slower visual processing speeds.
A study found that workers in well-ventilated offices with low indoor pollutants and CO2 have significantly higher cognitive functioning scores than those in typical offices. The researchers identified green building design attributes that influence cognitive function, suggesting improved air quality could greatly increase productivity.
Attention plays a critical role in structuring the internal world, prioritizing relevant thoughts and emotions for goal-oriented processing. The integrated theory proposes that attention is a cascade of effects beginning with stimulus detection, suppressing competing stimuli, and resetting upon completion.
Two studies found that moderate-intensity physical activity did not improve cognitive function, while oral supplementation with nutrients had no significant effect on cognitive decline. However, participants over 80 or with poor baseline physical performance showed better changes in executive function composite scores.
A study of nearly 24,000 participants found that stroke survivors experienced a faster rate of incident cognitive impairment after the event, as well as accelerated and persistent declines in global cognition and executive function. Cognitive decline is a major cause of disability in stroke survivors.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that vitamin B12 supplements offer no benefits for neurological or cognitive function in older people with moderate vitamin B12 deficiency. Researchers tested 201 participants aged over 75 years who received either a vitamin B12 supplement or a placebo, and found...
Researchers will investigate how early childhood influences versus recent influences affect cognitive and physical health in middle age. The study will analyze data from over 1,600 participants, including adoptees and twins, to better understand the role of genetic and environmental factors on cognition.
A study from the University of Rochester found that stress in low-income families can affect children's learning. Children with family instability or harsh caregivers had elevated or low cortisol levels, leading to lower cognitive ability at age 4.
A new study identifies how specific patterns of cortisol activity may relate to the cognitive abilities of children in poverty. Children's cortisol levels remained relatively stable over three years, but exposure to family adversity predicted notable differences in cognitive functioning at age four.
A study analyzing data from over 8,000 married couples found that the physical health and cognitive functioning of a person's spouse can greatly affect their own quality of life. The research suggests that targeting both partners' health and cognition is crucial for improving overall well-being in older adults.
A large study has found that whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) significantly worsens cognitive function compared to radiosurgery, and should no longer be used in the adjuvant setting after radiosurgery. WBRT's side effects include hair loss, fatigue, and significant interruptions in systemic therapy.
Researchers found that air pollution directly impacts cognition, with particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide affecting the central nervous system via the sense of smell. Impaired lung function was also linked to cognitive decline in elderly women, regardless of air pollution exposure.
A randomized clinical trial found that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil or nuts improved cognitive function in older adults, particularly in memory composite. The study suggests that this dietary approach may counteract age-related cognitive decline and offer preventive strategies for dementia.
Research found that long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution, particularly at low levels, can cause subtle structural changes in the brain and increase the risk of covert brain infarcts. This association was strongest among older adults and those with relatively healthy brains.
A study by San Diego State University scientists found that children with autism have overdeveloped connections between the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, affecting brain function. This early development leads to muscle in on brain real estate for higher cognitive functions.
A clinical trial found that targeted temperature management at 33°C or 36°C did not significantly impact cognitive function and quality of life in patients with cardiac arrest. However, many patients reported impairment despite similar scores on outcome scales.
A new study by UCLA researchers found that walnut consumption was associated with improved cognitive function in adults, regardless of age or ethnicity. The study suggests that eating a handful of walnuts daily could help improve cognitive health.
A new study of 52 young women found that regular exercise increases oxygen availability in the brain and enhances cognitive performance. The results suggest that physical activity may improve brain functioning even in young adulthood, benefiting both blood supply and cognitive function.
A recent study published in AJCN found that consuming cocoa flavanols can improve cognitive function in individuals aged 61-85 years. The researchers observed significant improvements in overall cognitive function after only eight weeks of regular consumption.
A new study from Indiana University finds that a patient self-reporting version of the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor is reliable and valid. The tool measures 27 items on a four-point scale to assess cognitive, functional and psychological symptoms, providing valuable information for busy physicians.
Regular internet use and engaging in civic, leisure, and cultural activities may help maintain health literacy skills among older adults. Health literacy scores fell by one or more points in around a fifth of people over six years, regardless of initial score.
A St. Jude Children's Research Hospital study found that adult survivors of retinoblastoma, particularly those diagnosed in infancy, have normal cognitive function and fulfill milestones of adult life. The brain may compensate for early visual loss by reorganizing areas responsible for processing verbal and auditory information.
A new study demonstrates a significant association between atrial fibrillation (AFib) and lower cognitive function, particularly executive and verbal skills. The study, which used iRhythm Technologies' ZIO Patch to track AFib burden, found that participants with high AFib burden had lower scores in cognitive tests.
Research suggests that genetic factors, including those affecting hearing and cognitive function, contribute to individual differences in music perception. Moderate aptitude is the norm among the population, with extreme capacities being rare.
A new study published in CMAJ found that people with cognitive impairment have a significantly increased risk of stroke, with a 39% higher risk than those with normal cognitive function. The study analyzed data from 18 studies and observed a higher rate of stroke in individuals with cognitive impairment.
Researchers found a 40-year-old man with no apolipoprotein E had normal cognitive function despite being at high risk for Alzheimer's. The study suggests reducing apoE levels may be beneficial in treating neurodegenerative disorders like AD.
Research found that cognitive decline before a stroke increases the risk of stroke five-fold in African-Americans, while slower brain function is linked to higher chances of stroke and death. Examining mental health may help prevent future strokes in older adults.