Articles tagged with Cognitive Function
A tiny worm called C. elegans is enabling scientists to explore the emerging theory that Parkinson’s disease starts in the gut, where a sticky protein causes neurons to die. The worms have a digestive tract and neurotransmitters similar to humans, making them a great model for studying cognitive problems associated with Parkinson's.
A long-term study found that regular leisure time physical activity at any age is associated with better brain function in later life. Maintaining an exercise routine throughout adulthood was particularly beneficial for preserving mental acuity and memory. The study, which included over 1,400 participants, showed that being physically ...
Researchers found a significant link between chronic pain and dementia, with multisite chronic pain increasing the risk of neurocognitive abnormality by up to eight years.
A study of 15,000 individuals with prior COVID-19 infection found that those with post-COVID condition (PCC) were less likely to work full-time and more likely to be unemployed. Cognitive symptoms were also associated with reduced employment likelihood.
Researchers from New York Institute of Technology have made significant findings on how the sense of smell is impacted in individuals with autism. The study analyzed a mouse model of autism and found that scent processing was impaired at a later step, after signals were processed at the olfactory bulb input.
A study conducted in Colombia found that online storytelling improved cognitive functions and boosted motivation among people with dementia. The program, adapted from the 'TimeSlips' method, increased appreciation for resilient capacities, leading to greater participation and agency.
A new analysis of 7,068 elderly Americans found that only 41% of cognitive decline can be statistically accounted for by dementia. Personal education, race, household wealth and income were the biggest contributors to population-level variation, but all factors accounted for only 5.6% of age-related change.
A new study suggests that childhood mental health problems resulting from early-life adversity drive poorer cognitive performance in adolescence. Researchers found that addressing mental health difficulties when children are young can alleviate the effects of early-life adversity on later cognition.
A national study found that common risk factors for cognitive decline, such as socioeconomic status and education, explained a modest 38% of the variation in mental abilities among older Americans. Health behaviors like exercise had a small effect on functioning, with only 5.6% explaining the rate of cognitive decline.
A study of 160 urban preteen students found no association between video game play and their performance on the Cognitive Ability Test 7, evaluating verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal/spatial skills. The researchers also discovered that certain types of games claiming to improve cognitive skills showed no measurable effects.
A recent study found that nearly half of older adults receive no dental care and half lack dental insurance. After becoming eligible for Medicare, the percentage of people receiving restorative dental care decreased by 8.7%, while complete edentulism increased by almost 5 percentage points among those aged 65 and above.
A UCF cancer researcher is studying the molecular causes of Alzheimer's disease by examining a protein deficiency in the brain. His research may lead to new targets for therapy and earlier diagnosis. The study focuses on KLF8, a protein important for brain function that has been recorded as deficient in patients with Alzheimer's.
A new study published in Games for Health Journal found that a virtual reality boxing game called BOXVR reduced adolescent stress and improved cognitive function compared to a guided YouTube-guided boxing exercise. The VR group also reported greater enjoyment after each session.
New research from Center for BrainHealth demonstrates the positive impact of online Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Tactics (SMART) training on mental health symptoms. The study found improvements in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in healthy adults, with lasting effects six months post-training.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation are conducting a double-blind randomized clinical trial to evaluate the impact of their strategy-based cognitive training program on new learning and memory in individuals with multiple sclerosis. The study aims to assess the efficacy of this protocol, which is based on the KF-STEM protocol.
Research found that experiencing three or more concussions is linked with worsened brain function in later life. Participants who reported multiple concussions showed significant cognitive decline, particularly in attention and complex task completion.
A decade-long study found that a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet, regular exercise, and cognitive activity, slows memory decline in older adults. Participants with the APOE gene, associated with Alzheimer's disease, also experienced slower memory loss.
A large Danish population study found that premature birth before 34 weeks is linked to lower scores in maths and language tests as a teenager. However, the researchers noted that cognitive outcomes are not predetermined at birth but are heavily influenced by social circumstances.
Researchers found that wildfire exposure led to difficulty in sensory interference processing and increased frontal cortex activity, similar to PTSD symptoms. Cognitive deficits persisted 6-12 months post-wildfire, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address climate trauma.
Researchers found that abnormal methylation processes lead to disruption of gene expression essential for brain development in people with Williams syndrome. The study suggests targeting treatments to correct these disruptions.
A landmark study found a strong genetic correlation between higher education and protective causal association with several gut disorders. The research reveals that better education reduces the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer's and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
A study by Plamen Nikolov and Shahadath Hossain found that access to retirement plans can lead to significant adverse effects on cognitive functioning among the elderly. The researchers discovered that pension benefits and retirement resulted in reduced cognitive performance, particularly among females.
A recent study found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to cognitive decline and depression in middle-aged and older Chinese women. The researchers identified associations between ACEs, depression, and poor mental intactness in old age, highlighting the importance of health intervention strategies to prevent cognitive...
A new study finds epigenetic aging is associated with aberrant neural oscillatory dynamics serving visuospatial processing in people with HIV. Participants showed accelerated biological age and different brain activity patterns compared to controls, suggesting a link between biological aging and neural function in PWH.
Regenstrief Institute Research Scientist Sikandar Khan received the prestigious Paul Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award to study the role of reactive oxygen species in cognitive impairment. The award supports his work on delirium, a common complication in ICU patients with acute respiratory failure, which can lead to post...
A 16-year longitudinal study found associations between DNA methylation-based measures and neuropsychologically-validated cognitive decline in midlife. The results suggest that these measures may serve as biomarkers for a molecular aging mechanism, potentially identifying individuals at risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.
A Northwestern University study found that as people age, their cerebrospinal fluid immune system becomes dysregulated, leading to cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. The discovery provides a new clue to the process of neurodegeneration and may potentially be used to treat inflammation of the brain.
A large study found that exercise and mindfulness training did not improve cognitive function in healthy older adults, with no measurable benefits after 6 or 18 months. The researchers plan to continue studying the group to see if these practices may help prevent future cognitive declines.
A study published by Tufts University has found a link between higher levels of vitamin D in brain tissue and improved cognitive function in adults. The research, which analyzed brain tissue from over 200 participants, suggests that vitamin D may play a role in protecting the aging brain against diseases such as Alzheimer's.
A new study found that obeticholic acid can reverse cognitive impairment in patients with cholestatic liver disease, improving short-term memory and restoring brain function. The study used a rodent model of bile duct ligation-induced cholestasis and found that the drug significantly improved cognitive deficits.
Researchers found a strong association between consuming more ultraprocessed foods and cognitive decline in adults. The study, which included over 10,700 participants, suggests that limiting such food intake may support current public health recommendations to protect cognitive function.
Research suggests that long COVID patients share similar lingering negative effects on physical, mental, and social well-being with individuals who have other illnesses. The study found moderate-to-severe residual symptoms in 40% of COVID-positive participants and 54% of those who tested negative.
Researchers discovered that synchronized neural oscillations in the right hemisphere of the brain induce empathic behavior in mice, allowing them to perceive and share each other's fear. The study identified the causal relationship between 5-7 Hz oscillations in the cingulo-amygdala circuit and empathic responses.
A Finnish study found that cumulative adverse psychosocial factors in childhood are associated with poorer learning and memory in midlife. Specifically, poor self-regulatory behavior and social adjustment in childhood linked to poorer learning ability and memory decades later.
Recent studies from the University of Eastern Finland found that lower education levels and previous traumatic brain injuries may increase the risk of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FTD patients were more likely to have cardiac disease and develop the condition earlier if they had a history of head injury.
Scientists at Texas A&M University found that transplanting intestinal epithelial stem cells can repair the gut and reduce inflammation, potentially preserving cognitive function after a stroke. The study suggests that targeting gut health may be key to developing more effective stroke therapies.
A study published in Current Biology found that children exhibit rapid boosts of GABA during visual training, stabilizing new learning and making it more efficient. This discovery suggests that children may acquire new knowledge and skills faster than adults, with implications for teaching and learning strategies.
Researchers observed a wild chimpanzee showing an object to its mother to share attention, a social behavior previously thought to be unique to humans. The study suggests that in certain social conditions, primates can engage in referential gestures to comment or remark on the world.
A new study shows that a simple nutrition care program can improve nutritional status, physical functionality, cognitive function, and psychological well-being in older adults. The program reduced hospitalizations by 40% and associated costs.
A team of researchers at USC is launching a comprehensive study to investigate the connection between type 2 diabetes and dementia in adults with Hispanic ancestry. The five-year study will examine brain structure and activity, blood flow, blood glucose and insulin levels, and cognitive functioning in 200 participants.
Researchers found that the brain's defense system is activated during selfless helping behavior, contrary to the long-held idea that empathy drives such actions. The study used fMRI scans to measure brain activity in 49 healthy volunteers who were asked to decide whether to help another person avoid discomfort.
A new study found that gestational exposure to the flame retardant FM 550 resulted in altered brain development in newborn rats, with effects more pronounced in male offspring. The study also showed evidence of mitochondrial disruption and dysregulated choline and triglyceride levels in brain tissue.
The study found that human neocortical pyramidal neurons have a more elaborate structure than other mammals, with larger and more complex dendritic trees. This enhancement may contribute to the brain's increased processing power. The research has implications for understanding how the brain is affected in diseases such as epilepsy.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin discovered that quantum computation may be used by the human brain, correlating with short-term memory performance and conscious awareness. This finding could enhance our understanding of brain functions and potentially lead to innovative technologies.
Research suggests widely-used assessment tools measuring executive functions in US students from high-poverty communities are inaccurate. The study highlights the need for culturally representative assessments to provide effective support and understanding of diverse student needs.
A team of researchers demonstrates a nonconscious cognitive system that enables humans to make intuitive judgments striking a balance between conflicting moral duties. The study's findings contradict an influential dual process model, proposing instead a system capable of making tradeoffs in an optimal way.
A study published in Neurology found that eating omega-3 fatty acids can protect the brain from aging and cognitive decline in midlife. The research, conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, suggests that even small amounts of omega-3s can have a significant impact on brain health.
A long-term study of over 300 breast cancer survivors found a link between chronic inflammation and cognitive problems. Higher levels of CRP were related to lower reported cognitive function, suggesting that this common test for inflammation may also indicate risk for cognitive concerns.
A Kessler Foundation study found a relationship between rate of cognitive fatigue in MS and microstructural brain changes, particularly in white matter tracts and basal ganglia. The study's findings hold promise for advancing clinical interventions for disabling fatigue.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
Researchers developed an in-home wireless device that monitors a patient's movement and gait speed to track Parkinson's disease progression. The device uses machine-learning algorithms to analyze over 200,000 data points collected from 50 participants, showing that it can effectively track the severity of the disease.
A cohort study of Chinese older adults found that sleeping for more than 8 hours increases dementia risk by 69% and going to bed before 9 PM doubles the risk. The study suggests monitoring cognitive function in those with prolonged sleep timing.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center used fMRI to study how the brain processes complex audiovisual speech. The study found that watching a narrator tell a story activates an extensive network of brain regions involved in sensory processing and cognitive functions associated with comprehension. This finding has pot...
Neflamapimod, a p38α kinase inhibitor, demonstrates reversible neurodegeneration in animal models and improves clinical endpoints associated with cholinergic neuronal function in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. The findings support the initiation of a confirmatory Phase 2b clinical trial for neflamapimod.
Researchers found that stressed mice exhibited decreased neuron excitability in the dorsal hippocampus, which may drive social avoidance, while resilient mice showed increased excitability. This difference was linked to changes in stress hormone receptors and HCN1 protein expression.
Researchers have mapped four new areas of the human anterior prefrontal cortex that play a major role in cognitive functions, including attention selection and decision making. The newly identified areas show significant inter-subject variability, with two being relatively larger in females than males.
A recent study published in Life Metabolism found that maintaining balanced energy intake throughout the day may improve cognitive function. The study analyzed data from over 3,300 participants and discovered that those with unbalanced eating patterns, such as skipping breakfast, were at higher risk of cognitive decline.
Researchers found that blood metabolites related to sugars were linked to older adults' global cognitive health, while a Mediterranean diet was associated with higher levels of beta-cryptoxanthin. This study expands on previous work and highlights the importance of diet in safeguarding cognitive function across different populations.
Research findings suggest that aerobic fitness, cognitive processing speed, and walking endurance are strongly associated in individuals with thalamic atrophy. Aerobic exercise training may be beneficial in restoring function for those with this biomarker of neurodegeneration.
A new study has found associations between plasma miRNAs and cognitive function among cognitively normal men, including those with higher MMSE scores and slower rates of cognitive decline. These findings suggest that extracellular microRNAs may play a role in the early stages of cognitive decline.