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.

Sleep improves memory

The next time you want to remember what you were taught, take a nap and dream about it. You may just remember it better. That is what scientists at the Center for Sleep and Cognition at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts had to say after a new study. Robert Stickgold the lead author confirmed that a nap would improve the chances of your remembering stuff if you dream it.

23 Apr 2010

OPAL study: Fish oil supplements offer no benefits for cognitive function in older people

The largest ever trial of fish oil supplements has found no evidence that they offer benefits for cognitive function in older people.

22 Apr 2010

Posit Science challenges BBC study on cognitive training programs

Posit Science, the leader in clinically proven brain fitness programs, contests the interpretation and methodology used in a British Broadcasting Corporation-sponsored study published in the journal Nature.

21 Apr 2010

Mental exercises: do they work?

It has been long believed and aggressively drilled into our brains that computer programs and games that are targeted towards memory enhancement improve memory, mental health, intelligence and prevent age related memory loss and dementia. In a new study such claims have been found to be empty.

21 Apr 2010

Study identifies protective relationship between gene variant and cognitive function in older people

New research shows a gene variant may help protect the memory and thinking skills of older people. The research will be published in the April 20, 2010, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

20 Apr 2010

Study shows beneficial impact of TYSABRI on QoL in MS patients

Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc today announced results from a one-year, longitudinal health outcomes studys 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 - 17, 2010. The AAN Annual Meeting is the world's largest gathering of neurologists.

17 Apr 2010

Foods that protect from Alzheimer’s

In a recent study researchers have revealed what we always knew - salads, fish, fruits and nuts are good for us. It says that these food combinations are related to a reduced risk of getting the dreaded brain and memory disease called Alzheimer’s disease. This study published in the online edition of the reputed journal Archives of Neurology also says that lesser the amount of high-fat dairy foods like butter etc. and red meats, the lesser is the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

13 Apr 2010

MS drug TYSABRI to be highlighted at 62nd AAN Annual Meeting

Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc today announced 15 company-sponsored platform and poster presentations at the American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 - 17, 2010. The AAN Annual Meeting is the world's largest gathering of neurologists.

13 Apr 2010

Role of beta defensins in development of chronic inflammatory response in the brain

Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and School of Medicine will look for evidence within the brain for human beta defensin peptide function-proteins important to the peripheral body's natural defense system against infection from the outside environment.

8 Apr 2010

HeartWare's ADVANCE bridge-to-transplant clinical trial: FDA approves additional enrollment under CAP

HeartWare International, Inc., a leading innovator of less invasive, miniaturized circulatory support technologies revolutionizing the treatment of advanced heart failure, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an IDE Supplement that allows HeartWare to enroll up to an additional 54 patients in its "ADVANCE" bridge-to-transplant clinical trial under a Continued Access Protocol (CAP).

8 Apr 2010

Entry to aged-care facilities largely preventable

Lifestyle, social and health factors, such as being underweight, having inadequate nutrition or having low social activity, have been shown to be significant contributing factors to the entry of older people into residential aged care.

8 Apr 2010

Researchers commence Phase 2 research study to test CERE-110 for AD

Researchers at Banner Sun Health Research Institute are about to start the first Phase 2 research study to test a gene transfer agent for Alzheimer's disease. AD is a degenerative and ultimately fatal disorder affecting as many as five million Americans and that number is expected to soar to more than 11 million by 2040.

7 Apr 2010

ChromaDex signs agreement for commercial development of pterostilbene from University of Mississippi and USDA

A natural products chemistry company has licensed the rights for a promising botanical compound from the University of Mississippi and the Agricultural Research Service, which is the principal intramural scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

2 Apr 2010

BELLUS Health initiates Phase I clinical study for NRM8499

BELLUS Health Inc. announced today that, on March 30, 2010, the Company initiated a Phase I clinical study for NRM8499, a prodrug of tramiprosate. NRM8499 is intended for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

1 Apr 2010

Hepatic encephalopathy drug XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets receives FDA marketing approval

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing approval for XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence in patients 18 years of age or older. HE is a serious disorder caused by chronic liver failure, resulting in cognitive, psychiatric and motor impairments. This approval was supported by findings from the largest randomized trial of maintenance therapy in HE conducted to date, which assessed the efficacy and safety of XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets and demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the risk of overt HE recurrence.

25 Mar 2010

New, portable EEG-based device for people with motoric disabilities

Imec, Holst Centre and the lab of Neuro- and Psychophysiology at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven today present the Mind Speller, a portable, easy-to-wear, intelligent textual and verbal communications prototype device enabling people with motoric disabilities (suffering from for example brain paralysis or speech or language disorders) to communicate.

24 Mar 2010

New software may help improve safety among senior drivers

Psychologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Center for Research in Applied Gerontology are testing software to determine if it could help senior adult drivers avoid car crashes by improving their reflexes and reaction time

24 Mar 2010

Role of structured physical activity in preventing or delaying mobility disabilities in older adults

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, together with Wake Forest University, will play a key role in a new study that seeks to determine whether a program of structured physical activity can prevent or delay major mobility disabilities in older adults.

19 Mar 2010

FDA approves Somaxon Pharmaceuticals' Silenor for treatment of insomnia

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the New Drug Application (NDA) for Silenor® (doxepin) for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep maintenance.

19 Mar 2010

CogniFit Personal Coach brain training software improves cognitive function of MS patients

CogniFit™, Inc., a leading maker of Brain Fitness Software (www.cognifit.com), announced a new, independent study that shows CogniFit Personal Coach brain training software improves the cognitive function and skills of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients.

16 Mar 2010

Cognitive Function News and Research

Further Reading

Sleep improves memory

OPAL study: Fish oil supplements offer no benefits for cognitive function in older people

Posit Science challenges BBC study on cognitive training programs

Mental exercises: do they work?

Study identifies protective relationship between gene variant and cognitive function in older people

Study shows beneficial impact of TYSABRI on QoL in MS patients

Foods that protect from Alzheimer’s

MS drug TYSABRI to be highlighted at 62nd AAN Annual Meeting

Role of beta defensins in development of chronic inflammatory response in the brain

HeartWare's ADVANCE bridge-to-transplant clinical trial: FDA approves additional enrollment under CAP

Entry to aged-care facilities largely preventable

Researchers commence Phase 2 research study to test CERE-110 for AD

ChromaDex signs agreement for commercial development of pterostilbene from University of Mississippi and USDA

BELLUS Health initiates Phase I clinical study for NRM8499

Hepatic encephalopathy drug XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets receives FDA marketing approval

New, portable EEG-based device for people with motoric disabilities

New software may help improve safety among senior drivers

Role of structured physical activity in preventing or delaying mobility disabilities in older adults

FDA approves Somaxon Pharmaceuticals' Silenor for treatment of insomnia

CogniFit Personal Coach brain training software improves cognitive function of MS patients

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