Articles tagged with Cognitive Function
New research suggests that nicotine patches can improve attention and working memory in recovering alcoholics, particularly those who smoke. The study found that these individuals are more sensitive to the effects of nicotine, which may help explain their struggles with quitting nicotine use.
Researchers identified a brain network in the frontal lobe associated with cognitive reserve, which builds through mentally-stimulating activities and provides protection against Alzheimer's disease. The study found that participants with higher levels of cognitive reserve could activate this network while working on difficult tasks.
A six-month study found that a medication initially used for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease improved memory and global function in people with severe Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive tests showed stabilization or improvement in 63% of participants taking the drug compared to 39% on placebo.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that mindfulness training enhanced performance and attention in subjects. Even new meditators saw improvements in just weeks, with benefits extending to executive functioning skills.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that patients with specific gene variants were less likely to experience cognitive decline after heart surgery. These variants were involved in the inflammatory system and may provide a biological basis for the protective effect observed.
A study found that lactulose improved cognitive function and health-related quality-of-life in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy, a condition associated with advanced liver disease. The treatment showed significant improvement in emotional behavior, movement, mobility, sleep/rest, and recreational activities.
A new study published in The Lancet found that folic acid supplementation can improve memory and information processing speed in older adults. Researchers randomly assigned participants to receive either 800 micrograms of folic acid daily or a placebo for 3 years, with significant improvements observed in those receiving the supplement.
A UCL study found that relying on instincts rather than higher-level cognitive processes can lead to more accurate decisions. Participants who were given no time to think performed better, with accuracy rates of 95% compared to 70% when given over a second to scrutinize the image.
A randomized controlled trial found that cognitive training improved cognitive function in well-functioning older adults, with benefits lasting up to 5 years. However, the impact on daily functioning was limited, with only the reasoning group showing significant improvements.
Researchers have developed a new way to track neuropsychiatric symptoms in lupus using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), which measures biochemical changes in the body. The study found that MRS can detect changes in metabolites, such as glutamate and glutamine, that correlate with behavioral tests.
A study by Sharon Inouye found that 39% of hospitalized older adults experience subtle cognitive decline, known as recoverable cognitive dysfunction. The condition can be screened for and prevented or treated with interventions.
Researchers found that internet-accessible computer activities improved cognition in patients with Alzheimer's disease, even after the disease had advanced. The study showed that tasks aimed at increasing or maintaining mental function have a place in treating Alzheimer's alongside pharmacotherapy.
A new study published in Kidney International found that Fosrenol, a phosphate binder used to treat hyperphosphatemia in CKD Stage 5 patients, did not negatively impact cognitive function deterioration. The two-year trial compared Fosrenol with standard therapy and showed similar declines in cognitive function for both groups.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a critical protein player in cell communication, which controls calcium flow into cells. This finding sheds new light on the rare cognitive disorder Williams-Beuren syndrome, associated with overly social behavior and spatial learning defects.
A new study found that long-term abstinence from alcohol can resolve many neurocognitive deficits, including short- and long-term memory, planning, learning, and comprehension. However, spatial processing abilities may be impaired, affecting daily activities like driving.
Research reveals that brief morning exposure to bright white light significantly boosts alertness and modulates brain responses in areas involved in attention and non-visual cognitive processes. The effects are highly dynamic, dissipating within minutes.
Researchers found physical exercise can slow aging's effects and improve cognitive functions in older adults. Fitness training, particularly aerobic exercise, was associated with improved cognition, brain function, and retained brain volume.
Research suggests that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with better mental performance and reduced risk of dementia in older women. Women who reported drinking up to two or three drinks per day performed better on measures of global cognitive function, particularly in verbal skills.
A 12-month study found that testosterone patches improved bone density, body composition, and cognitive function in women with low testosterone levels resulting from hypopituitarism. The patches showed few side effects, making them a potential treatment option for these women.
Researchers found that each year of treatment reduced the risk of developing dementia by about 3 percent. Long-term hypertension can damage brain blood vessels, but this study suggests benefits for cognitive function with proper treatment.
A study of 186 cognitively normal adults aged 70+ found that performance on cognitive tests of executive control and memory predicted walking speed without interference. Gait velocity with interference was also affected by executive control and memory, highlighting the importance of these functions in navigating busy environments.
A study of carotid artery stenting found that the procedure significantly improved cognitive speed and memory function in patients with impaired brain perfusion. The results suggest that stenting may offer benefits beyond reduced stroke risk for these patients.
African-Americans experience more pronounced cognitive decline with higher blood pressure compared to whites, even among non-demented individuals. The study found significant associations between blood pressure and cognitive performance in African-American subjects, particularly in abstract reasoning and visual organization skills.
A recent study found that prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to slower processing speed and efficiency, particularly in tasks requiring working memory. Children exposed prenatally to moderate-to-heavy levels of alcohol may struggle with complex cognition and social interactions as they age.
A study examined the effect of SEROQUEL on cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia, showing improved overall cognition. Another analysis found that patients taking atypical antipsychotics had better treatment compliance compared to those taking conventional antipsychotics.
SEROQUEL demonstrates a higher compliance rate compared to risperidone and olanzapine, with significant improvements in cognitive function, including working and verbal memory, while also offering a superior side effect profile.
Researchers found that mercury levels were not consistently associated with adverse performance on a broad range of tests, except for improved performance on motor speed and eye-hand coordination tests. The study suggests that the aging population may be more sensitive to toxic chemicals.
Research suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may help protect against cognitive decline and dementia in older women. The study analyzed data from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study, which found that women who drank one or two drinks per day scored higher on tests of cognitive function than those who drank less.
Researchers found that patients' neuromotor functions, including problem-solving and motor skills, significantly declined after cancer treatment but recovered within a year. Factors such as chemotherapy type and immune suppressant use lowered the risk of impaired function.
A Yale University study will investigate the effects of marijuana, ecstasy, and teen cognitive deficits in 200 adolescents. The research aims to determine if sustained abstinence leads to recovery of cognitive function in this population.
University of Illinois researchers found a correlation between academic achievement and fitness scores among school-aged children. Fit children showed improved cognitive function, including better attention and working memory, compared to their sedentary counterparts.
A 20-year study found that high blood pressure is associated with a decline in cognitive function in both younger and older adults. The research emphasizes the importance of reducing blood pressure levels in younger individuals to prevent cognitive decline.
A large-scale study found that soy protein supplementation with isoflavones had no effect on cognitive function, bone mineral density, or cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women. The authors suggest that the timing of supplementation may be a key factor in determining its efficacy.
Scientists are investigating the effects of stereotype threat on cognitive function, particularly in women and minority groups. The study aims to understand the physiological processes underlying these impairments and develop strategies to help affected groups cope with social stigma.
The studies confirm SEROQUEL's effectiveness across a range of schizophrenia symptoms, including positive and negative symptoms, and cognitive functioning. Cognitive improvements were seen in patients treated with SEROQUEL.
A study of 97 Parkinson's disease patients found that those with elevated homocysteine levels were more depressed, had worse cognitive functioning, but no difference in physical functioning. High homocysteine levels are likely due to the use of levodopa in these patients.
A long-term study found that people with diabetes are at a 65% increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to those without the condition. The study also showed that cognitive decline in perceptual speed was associated with diabetes, but not other cognitive systems.
Researchers from Rush University Medical Center have discovered that diabetics are at a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study, which followed over 800 Catholic nuns and priests for five years, found a 65% increase in the risk of AD among those with diabetes.
Scientists successfully deleted primary afferent neurons expressing vanilloid receptor 1, leading to potential breakthroughs in pain management. The study aims to provide new avenues for treating chronic pain by targeting the TRPV1 receptor.
Researchers found that alcohol impairs cognitive functioning even when motor functioning appears normal. The study suggests that the motor component of information processing recovers during declining blood alcohol concentrations, but the cognitive effects linger, creating a 'illusion' of sobriety.
A study published in The Journal of Cognitive Rehabilitation found that computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation improved treatment response for individuals with substance abuse. Participants who received the rehabilitation program stayed longer in treatment and had higher graduation rates compared to those who did not receive it.
A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found a strong link between smoking and accelerated cognitive decline in elderly individuals. Smoking was shown to lower MMSE scores by up to .16 points per year, with higher cigarette pack-year exposure leading to greater declines.
A JAMA study validates a new class of drugs for treating advanced Alzheimer's, improving cognitive function and daily life. The combination of memantine and donepezil shows statistically significant benefits for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found a strong link between increased stroke risk and lower cognitive function in individuals who have never had a stroke or dementia. The study suggests that preventing stroke risk factors may also help prevent cognitive decline.
Researchers found that patients with Parkinson's disease performed better when their stimulators were turned off in tasks requiring spatial memory and inhibitory control. The study suggests that adjusting stimulation levels may be possible to minimize cognitive impairment while maintaining motor benefits.
A study found that repeated alcohol detoxifications are associated with increased impairment of cognitive function, specifically frontal-lobe damage. Patients with two or more previous withdrawals performed worse than those with fewer or no experiences in tasks requiring attention and executive function.
Researchers found that executive cognitive functioning is more impaired during the descending limb of the blood alcohol concentration curve, when people no longer feel stimulated by alcohol. This effect lasts much longer than previously believed, with significant ramifications for behaviors like driving and aggression.
A study found that white college students with high racial bias experienced a decrease in executive function after interacting with black people. Conversely, those who interacted with white people showed no subsequent loss of cognitive function.
A new software package called MiniCog is being developed to evaluate cognitive processes and determine mental readiness for tasks. The program uses a series of nine cognitive tasks to assess attention, working memory, problem-solving ability, and other mental functions.
A large randomized trial found no improvement in cognitive function among postmenopausal women with coronary disease after four years of hormone replacement therapy. The study provides no evidence regarding the effect of estrogen-only therapy on cognition, contradicting some previous studies that showed an improvement in younger women
Chicago researchers awarded $9 million NIH grant to investigate the impact of lifestyle experiences on cognitive function and Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to understand how cognitively stimulating activities can increase neural reserve and reduce the likelihood of memory loss and other clinical signs of Alzheimer's.
A study of Peruvian children found that chronic malnutrition in infancy is associated with poor cognitive function in late childhood. Children who were stunted or had Giardia infections performed lower on the Wechsler intelligence scale, highlighting the importance of addressing nutritional deficiencies and parasitic infections early on.
A study found that dopamine transporter levels improved in methamphetamine abusers after prolonged abstinence, suggesting potential for recovery. However, cognitive and motor function did not show significant improvement, highlighting the need for further research.
A 24-week study found consistent benefits of ARICEPT in patient function, cognition, behavior, and activities of daily living. The medication showed statistically significant overall improvement vs. placebo in behavioral disturbances associated with Alzheimer's disease.
A study found that emotional support was a significant predictor of better cognitive function in older adults, independent of other risk factors. Unmarried participants showed better cognitive function than married ones, suggesting that the presence of a spouse may have negative effects on cognition due to care burdens.
A study found that recently detoxified male alcoholics experience significant cognitive and motor deficits, particularly in gait and balance. These impairments can lead to an increased risk of falls and may be linked to the 'premature aging hypothesis,' where the brains of older alcoholics resemble those of non-drinkers.
Researchers found that chronic sleep deprivation can lead to changes in glucose tolerance and hormone secretion, resembling the effects of advanced age or early stages of diabetes. Sleep deprivation also altered thyroid-stimulating hormone production and cortisol levels, with significant consequences for overall health.
A study of 11 young men found that sleep debt increased glucose concentrations in the blood, while altering cortisol levels and thyroid hormone regulation. The research suggests that persistent sleep debt may exacerbate age-related chronic disorders.
A study found that people potentially at high risk for schizophrenia exhibit executive functioning problems before psychosis onset, which could serve as an early warning sign. This discovery may allow mental health professionals to test for and intervene in executive functioning issues.
A recent study by Yale University School of Medicine researchers found that nearly 30% of people over 72 years old regained their ability to perform essential activities of daily living. The strongest predictor of recovery was age, with participants aged 85 or younger being more likely to regain independent ADL function.