Articles tagged with Cognitive Function
Researchers have discovered that COVID-19 patients experience worse cognitive function 12-18 months after hospitalization, with reduced brain volume and abnormal protein levels. This affects global cognitive deficits equivalent to twenty years of normal aging.
Researchers have found that ultra-short heart rate variability measures can accurately capture autonomic function in severe TBI survivors using 30-60 second recordings. The study validates the reliability of these ultra-short HRV measures, which may provide an objective marker for post-TBI autonomic health.
Researchers found that SSRI antidepressants improve cognitive functions like verbal memory by reducing a specific serotonin receptor. The study suggests that stimulating this receptor may be a promising target for optimizing antidepressant treatment outcomes.
UTHealth Houston researchers are exploring new pathways to treat Alzheimer's disease through multiple projects funded by the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium. Studies aim to investigate ACSL4 gene, delirium's impact on disease progression, biological aging, and noninvasive diagnosis methods.
A randomized clinical trial shows that transitioning insomnia care away from long-term sedatives to cognitive behavioral therapy can be achieved through a mailed, direct-to-patient approach. This method reduces sedative use and improves sleep outcomes in older adults.
A recent review suggests that artificial intelligence can learn by thinking, similar to humans, through processes such as explanation, simulation, analogy, and reasoning. This finding has implications for understanding the similarities and differences between human and artificial cognition, and could lead to improvements in AI systems.
Aging brains struggle to clear out outdated information, leading to slower processing and more frequent forgetfulness. Beta-band neural oscillations play a crucial role in regulating working memory, with older adults showing a stronger link between these oscillations and their ability to delete irrelevant information.
Researchers discovered a novel treatment that extends ovarian function in older mice by improving maintenance of the ovaries and preventing key age-related changes. The treatment also fixes hormone production and overall health, alleviating symptoms such as bone loss, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline.
Newly developed tools enable selective labeling and manipulation of synapses, advancing understanding of learning, memory, and neurological disorders. The review highlights promising molecular actuators and optogenetic approaches to unravel synaptic function mysteries.
A new study using SWAN data found that physical intimate partner violence accelerates working memory performance decline in midlife women. Women who experienced violence showed a statistically significant greater decline in working memory over time.
Researchers have developed an integrated optical sensor capable of detecting dopamine directly from unprocessed blood samples. This breakthrough enables low-cost and efficient screening tools for various neurological conditions and cancers.
A research team discovered an evolutionarily distinct variant of the Hmgn2 gene, oHmgn2, which influences shape preference in medaka fish. The study found that medaka lacking functional oHmgn2 had difficulty distinguishing between shapes.
A small group of dopamine neurons in the striatum plays a crucial role in balancing essential brain functions, including reward, cognition, and movement. This discovery could lead to new treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders.
A recent study from Waseda University found that short-duration, light-intensity exercises significantly increase oxy-Hb levels in the prefrontal cortex of children, indicating improved cerebral blood flow. This breakthrough suggests potential benefits for children's executive functions and brain development.
A new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) may slow down cognitive decline in dementia with Lewy bodies over five years. ChEIs were also associated with a reduced risk of death in the first year after diagnosis.
A Leipzig study found that chronic kidney disease (CKD) activates microglial cells, disrupting potassium balance in nerve cells and leading to cognitive impairment. Researchers identified a mechanism involving the blood-brain barrier and potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers have discovered a new type of brain cell in the medial entorhinal cortex that accurately predicts future locations as an animal travels. This discovery helps explain how planned spatial navigation is possible and has important implications for understanding mechanisms of spatial navigation and episodic memory formation.
A study found that older age, female sex, and irregular heart rhythms can predict Alzheimer's cognitive decline over two years. The results also showed strong correlations between caregiver load and various patient-related measures.
A new study published in Menopause suggests that severe menopause symptoms such as hot flashes can negatively affect cognitive function in postmenopausal women. The study found a link between hot flashes and cognitive impairment in memory, attention, and executive function.
A study published in Neuron reveals that neurons are wired to connect seemingly unrelated concepts, enhancing the brain's ability to predict what we see based on past experiences. Visual experience influences the organisation of feedback projections, which store information about the world.
The researchers argue that accurate assessment of driving skills in older adults is crucial to mitigate harm and improve safety on the road. Comprehensive driving evaluations are estimated to cost $500-$800, a significant expense that may deter those who need it most.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine used intracranial EEG to study co-rippling in the cortex, finding synchronized activity between neurons enables integration of information and conscious thought. This breakthrough has potential implications for understanding neurological and psychiatric disorders and human experience.
Researchers have discovered a non-memory-based mechanism for animals to cache and retrieve food, challenging long-held beliefs about animal cognition. The proposed mechanism uses neural networks similar to hash functions, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of cache locations.
A UCLA researcher identified a compound that effectively jumpstarts the brain's memory circuitry, restoring cognitive functions in mice with Alzheimer's disease symptoms. The molecule, DDL-920, works by targeting specific neurons to enhance gamma oscillations, which are critical for memory and cognition.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found that Ecklonia cava polyphenols can protect against neurodegeneration and improve motor function in Parkinson's disease model mice. The antioxidants activate the AMPK enzyme and inhibit reactive oxygen species production, reducing neuronal cell death.
A study of nearly 150,000 young people found a strong association between breakfast consumption and life satisfaction. Regularly eating breakfast was associated with higher levels of life satisfaction, while skipping breakfast was linked to lower life satisfaction scores.
Research found mothers carry a 73% share of cognitive household labor compared to partners' 27%, contributing to mental health issues. The study highlights the invisible dimension of household labor that affects women's well-being and relationship quality.
Viji Santhakumar, a UCR professor, has been awarded a $3.5 million NIH grant to study brain circuit function and its impact on memory formation and cognitive deficits in diseases like epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists successfully mapped transcriptomes from 1.3 million brain cortex cells to gain molecular insights into Alzheimer's vulnerability and resilience. The resulting atlas holds promise for gene and molecular discovery across pathways affecting brain health.
Oligodendrocyte-derived amyloid beta produces toxic peptide that promotes neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Selective suppression of oligodendrocyte Aβ production rescues abnormal neuronal hyperactivity, suggesting targeting these cells as a promising therapeutic strategy for AD.
A UC Riverside-led research team found that obesity causes chronic changes in the brain, leading to reduced connections between neurons and lower testosterone levels. The study suggests that the primary site of obesity's effects on reproductive function is the brain, rather than the testes or pituitary gland.
A new study found that increased exposure to residential greenery during midlife can help stave off cognitive decline. Higher average exposure to greenness was linked to higher levels of cognitive function and slower cognitive decline, particularly among people living in low-socioeconomic status and highly populated neighborhoods.
Researchers have developed Nano-MIND technology, which uses magnetism to selectively activate specific deep brain neural circuits, modulating complex brain functions such as cognition and emotion. The technology has been successfully tested in animals, demonstrating its potential to regulate feeding behaviors and maternal instincts.
Researchers created a new cortical surface template called 'OpenNeuro Average' that provides greater accuracy and efficiency in analyzing neuroimaging data. The template is based on the geometric shape of the brain and can be used for studies on cognition, clinical neuroscience, autism, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers used advanced brain imaging techniques to identify key regions and networks involved in creative thinking. The Default Mode Network (DMN) was found to play a crucial role, with activity originating from the DMN before being evaluated by other brain regions.
A recent study found that the cerebellum plays a crucial role in regulating thirst, with the hormone asprosin activating Purkinje neurons to enhance water intake. This discovery has significant implications for managing thirst disorders such as polydipsia and hypodipsia, for which current treatments are scarce.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that smoking is a key lifestyle factor contributing to cognitive decline among older adults. Non-smokers who engaged in healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, moderate alcohol consumption, and social activity experienced significantly slower cognitive decline compared to smokers.
Researchers discovered that young adults with higher levels of inflammation were more likely to experience reduced cognitive function in midlife. Higher inflammation was associated with lower performance on skills testing and differences in executive functioning.
Researchers have identified a cellular mechanism that detects when the brain needs an extra energy boost to support its activity. This discovery could lead to new therapies for maintaining brain health and longevity by targeting impaired brain energy metabolism, a process accelerated in ageing and neurodegenerative diseases.
A pilot study found that remote cognitive rehabilitation using TELE-Self-GEN improved memory performance and daily life functionality in individuals with MS. The virtual intervention demonstrated high levels of participant satisfaction and effectiveness.
Researchers explored Cognizin Citicoline's effects on neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, revealing its potential as a supplement for cognitive decline. The study's findings suggest that Cognizin Citicoline may support brain health and cognitive function.
Researchers found associations between childhood cognition, adolescent crystalized intelligence, and midlife fluid intelligence with DNA methylation age acceleration. A 1-unit increase in adolescent PPVT was associated with a 0.048-year decrease in aging.
Researchers identified changes in gene activity underlying cognitive decline in older nematode C. elegans, providing evidence for neuroprotective genes that may preserve cognition later in life. Reducing expression of certain genes improved memory performance in aged animals.
A study from Aarhus University and the University of Oxford reveals that listening to music sets off a complex chain reaction in the brain, involving areas for sound, emotions, and memory. This understanding could lead to new interventions for improving cognitive function in individuals with neurological conditions.
A new University of Cincinnati study reveals that a signaling pathway in the brain helps maintain health and prevent inflammation and cognitive deficits. Microglia cells produce their own TGF-β ligand to regulate local states of inflammation.
Researchers at OIST have discovered a novel treatment that effectively reverses the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in mice. The treatment, PHDP5, targets the dynamin-microtubule interaction and restores communication between neurons inside synapses.
This study reveals that thalamocortical connectivity plays a vital role in the formation of functional brain networks. The researchers used advanced neuroimaging techniques and computational models to map changes in thalamocortical connectivity across different age groups, from infancy to adulthood.
A new review paper explores the mechanistic links between peripheral vascular dysfunction, cerebral vascular dysfunction, and reduced brain health with aging. The study suggests that targeting fundamental aging mechanisms may be a promising strategy to reduce dementia risk.
A study by Åsa Winzell Juhlin from the University of Gothenburg found that all participants over 90 had hearing loss, with 80% requiring hearing aids. The research emphasizes the importance of addressing hearing health in this age group for physical and mental well-being.
Researchers led by Dr. Victor Luna aim to develop new treatments for late-life depression and Alzheimer's disease by understanding how synapses function in the aging brain. They will investigate the role of a synaptic protein called mGluR2 in memory formation and emotion.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have discovered that controlling the precise timing of electrical pulses can rebalance synaptic connections between nerve cells, selectively up- or down-regulating those connections. This finding suggests potential avenues for more effective treatment strategies for mild traumatic brain injuries.
Research finds that Huntington’s disease damages microscopic blood vessels in the brain, affecting coordination between neuronal activity and oxygenation. The study uses non-invasive measurement techniques to monitor disease progression and evaluate potential treatments.
Researchers found a significant reduction in serine racemase protein levels in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampal subfields of aged rats compared to young rats, suggesting a role in age-associated decline of NMDA receptor function. No sex differences were observed in serine racemase expression.
A new study published in Nature Neuroscience found that training exercises designed to improve cognitive control in children do not lead to any brain changes or improvements in related behavioral measures. The study tested 235 children aged six to 13 and found that while they improved on specific tasks, these gains did not carry over i...
A Finnish study found that adolescents with higher blood pressure and arterial stiffness exhibit poorer cognitive functions, particularly attention and learning. The study also reveals interesting sex differences in the associations between blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and cognition in adolescents.
Researchers at OIST used a novel technique to study how activating the brain's serotonin center affects awake animals. They found that serotonin from the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) activates brain areas influencing behavior and motivation, including the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia.
A new multimodal approach has been developed to predict recovery in patients with disorders of consciousness, combining PET scans, multivariate EEG analysis, functional MRI, and cognitive evoked potentials. The approach shows improved prognostic performance and accuracy compared to standard measurements.
A new study shows how the brain processes phrases with negation, revealing that it mitigates rather than inverts meaning. Researchers found participants took longer to interpret negated phrases, initially perceiving them as more extreme, but later shifting to a nuanced understanding.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a novel non-invasive technique to target deep brain regions involved in neurological disorders. By applying low-level electrical stimulation on the scalp, they can selectively stimulate key brain regions without invasive procedures.
In a proof-of-concept study, USC researchers used functional ultrasound imaging to collect high-resolution brain imaging data through a transparent skull implant in a patient. The results suggest that this approach could open new avenues for patient monitoring and clinical research.