Cognitive Function News and Research

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Cognition is a concept used in different ways by different disciplines, but is generally accepted to mean the process of thought. For example, in psychology and cognitive science it refers to an information processing view of an individual's psychological functions.

Shared genetic roots between delirium and Alzheimer’s disease

This study reveals genetic and proteomic risk factors for delirium, offering insights into its etiology and potential biomarkers for prediction and prevention.

26 Nov 2025

Study finds rising sex toy use and masturbation among older women

Although research on sexuality in older adults has been growing in recent years, most of the studies are focused on partnered sexual activity and not on solo sexual behavior, including masturbation or the use of sex toys.

26 Nov 2025

White matter alterations connect coronary artery disease to cognitive decline

Individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) - a constricting or blocking of blood vessels feeding the heart - face increased risks of strokes, cognitive impairment and dementia. However, the link between CAD and cognitive function is not fully understood.

25 Nov 2025

Infection-related hospital stays linked to higher risk of developing dementia

A new research paper was published in Volume 17, Issue 10 of Aging-US on October 13, 2025, titled "Hospitalization with infections and risk of Dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis."

25 Nov 2025

Hearing loss emerges as a key early warning sign for Alzheimer disease

Hearing loss also predicts a significantly higher risk of dementia, especially in APOE ε4 carriers, highlighting its value as an early risk marker.

23 Nov 2025

Does coffee truly boost memory and focus or is it all hype?

Coffee’s bioactive compounds, especially caffeine, show potential cognitive, neuroprotective, and neuroplasticity benefits across animal and human studies. However, most findings are observational, mechanisms remain uncertain, and optimal intake is still unclear.

23 Nov 2025

Astrocyte-driven approach shows potential to reverse cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a natural mechanism that clears existing amyloid plaques in the brains of mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and preserves cognitive function.

21 Nov 2025

Evaluating whether LIT supplementation slows cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline such as memory loss and behavioral disturbances that severely impair quality of life. Despite decades of research, effective disease-modifying therapies remain elusive, underscoring the urgent need for novel neuroprotective strategies.

19 Nov 2025

Coffee protects the brain, metabolism, and immunity at the molecular level

This review uncovers the molecular networks of coffee's compounds, showcasing their antioxidant and neuroprotective effects on immunity and metabolism.

19 Nov 2025

Toward precision diagnosis and treatment of radiation-induced brain injury

Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is a serious and often delayed complication of cranial radiotherapy, which remains a cornerstone in the treatment of brain tumors such as gliomas, metastases, and lymphomas.

18 Nov 2025

Muscle-driven gene therapy shows promise for protecting memory in Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating cause of memory loss and cognitive decline, for which no curative treatment is available.

18 Nov 2025

Reclassifying wine intake reshapes the Mediterranean diet’s cognitive impact

Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was not associated with better cognition when wine was scored as a “beneficial” component. When wine was reverse scored, Mediterranean diet adherence showed a modest positive association with MMSE performance and a borderline link with MoCA in Portuguese older adults at high dementia risk.

17 Nov 2025

Testing nicotinamide riboside as a potential aid for long COVID recovery

Chao-Yi Wu, PhD, OT, from the Department of Neurology and Edmarie Guzmán-Vélez, PhD, of the Department of Psychiatry at Mass General Brigham, are the lead and senior authors of a paper published in eClinicalMedicine, "Effects of Nicotinamide Riboside on NAD+ Levels, Cognition, and Symptom Recovery in Long-COVID: A Randomized Controlled Trial."

14 Nov 2025

Hypertension may induce early gene expression changes in brain cells

Hypertension impairs blood vessels, neurons and white matter in the brain well before the condition causes a measurable rise in blood pressure, according to a new preclinical study from Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.

14 Nov 2025

Hormonal fluctuations shape learning through changes in dopamine signaling

Researchers have long established that hormones significantly affect the brain, creating changes in emotion, energy levels, and decision-making. However, the intricacies of these processes are not well understood.

11 Nov 2025

Newly identified microglia subtype offers protection against Alzheimer’s disease

In Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia, microglia-the brain's immune defenders-can act as both protectors and aggressors, shaping how the disease progresses.

5 Nov 2025

New review illuminates the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation

A comprehensive review published today in Brain Medicine illuminates the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation, establishing the microbiota-gut-brain axis as a critical pathway in understanding and potentially treating sleep disorders.

4 Nov 2025

New WashU center aims to transform disease diagnosis through AI imaging

Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR) at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is establishing a new center dedicated to developing AI-based imaging tools to improve the diagnosis and precision treatment of cancers, cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases and numerous other conditions.

3 Nov 2025

Skipping breakfast has little impact on mental performance, research shows

Skipping breakfast or practicing intermittent fasting is unlikely to cloud most adults' thinking in the short term, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

3 Nov 2025

Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells promote blood vessel growth after stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, affecting 1 in 4 people during their lifetime. Stroke happens when blood vessels in the brain get clogged or damaged, impairing blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain, which leads to death of neurons and other brain cells.

30 Oct 2025