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.

BU professor wins RF1 $3.2M grant for age-related neuropathology research

Tara Moore, PhD, professor of anatomy & neurobiology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, has been awarded a five-year, RF1 $3.2M grant from the NIH's National Institute of Aging for her project "Extracellular vesicle treatment and age-related neuropathology in non-human primates."

11 Sep 2025

SLIT2 protein levels in the eye and blood linked to cognitive function

Neurocognitive impairments are classified by pathological changes with potential for destruction of neural tissue. One change known to occur in neurodegenerative disorders is an accumulation of proteins causing pathological damage.

11 Sep 2025

Experts review the evidence on coenzyme Q10 and cognitive decline

Researchers reviewed evidence on coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and cognition, finding strong biological support and positive results in animal models but mixed outcomes in human trials. Larger, high-quality studies are needed to clarify whether CoQ10 can protect against cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.

9 Sep 2025

Berberine improves cognitive function in diabetic encephalopathy mice

A recent study published in Engineering has shed new light on the potential therapeutic effects of berberine (BBR), a natural compound derived from traditional Chinese medicine, in treating diabetic encephalopathy (DE).

9 Sep 2025

Air pollution exposure linked to faster progression of Alzheimer’s disease

Exposure to high concentrations of air pollution may worsen Alzheimer's disease (AD) by accelerating the buildup of toxic proteins in the brain and speeding up cognitive decline.

8 Sep 2025

Sleep medications linked to reduced deep sleep and disrupted memory

Long-term benzodiazepine use in older adults disrupts sleep patterns, leading to lighter sleep and potential cognitive decline due to altered brain activity.

8 Sep 2025

EEG ‘Fastball’ shows promise for spotting early memory loss in Alzheimer’s

This study introduces Fastball, an EEG method that accurately measures recognition memory in MCI, enhancing early dementia diagnosis and cognitive assessment.

8 Sep 2025

Understanding the role of paraventricular thalamic nucleus in bipolar disorder pathophysiology

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of depression and mania.

4 Sep 2025

Why repetitive wrist use in esports could lead to long-term injuries

The study highlights wrist extensor fatigue in esports, emphasizing the role of game genre and the need for preventive measures to combat musculoskeletal risks.

4 Sep 2025

Epigenomic erosion linked to cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients

Most people recognize Alzheimer's from its devastating symptoms such as memory loss, while new drugs target pathological aspects of disease manifestations, such as plaques of amyloid proteins.

2 Sep 2025

$Walking faster may protect your bones and prevent fractures$

Walking faster may protect your bones and prevent fractures

A UK Biobank study links walking pace to osteoporosis risk, revealing brisk walking may protect bones and reduce fracture likelihood, regardless of genetics.

2 Sep 2025

Research reveals molecular details of ME/CFS and long COVID

Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) have heightened innate immune responses to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. While these responses are essential to fight infection, they can cause damage when unchecked.

1 Sep 2025

How plant compounds could target Alzheimer’s disease from multiple angles

This review highlights how dietary polyphenols modulate Alzheimer’s disease biology through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and multi-target mechanisms, supported by in-silico docking analyses. Despite promise, challenges in bioavailability and brain delivery remain key hurdles to clinical translation.

31 Aug 2025

Mediterranean diet lowers dementia risk by altering key metabolites

Researchers linked genetics, plasma metabolites, and Mediterranean diet adherence to dementia risk in two large US cohorts, showing APOE4 homozygotes had distinct metabolic pathways. Diet-related metabolites mediated protection, highlighting precision-prevention opportunities.

26 Aug 2025

Faster biological aging associated with lower cognitive performance in later life

A new research paper was published in Volume 17, Issue 7 of Aging (Aging-US) on July 21, 2025, titled "Association of DNA methylation age acceleration with digital clock drawing test performance: the Framingham Heart Study."

26 Aug 2025

New light-based therapy shows promise for improving cognitive function in Alzheimer’s

Researchers have developed a new light technology that appears to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients in clinical trials.

26 Aug 2025

Research uncovers key role of the brain's blood flow dynamics in Alzheimer’s disease

Over seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the heartbreaking day-to-day battle with the effects of cognitive decline.

25 Aug 2025

Can diet alone slow brain aging? Scientists say evidence is still too weak

Researchers reviewing evidence in the Annual Review of Nutrition find that healthy dietary patterns may support brain aging, but caution that scientific enthusiasm currently outpaces solid proof. Multidomain strategies combining diet with exercise, cognitive training, and vascular health show greater promise.

25 Aug 2025

Mediterranean-style diet may reduce dementia risk in individuals with high genetic risk

A new study led by investigators from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard suggests that a Mediterranean-style diet may help reduce dementia risk.

25 Aug 2025

New 2025 guidelines focus on early intervention and lifestyle to manage high blood pressure

Preventing and managing high blood pressure with healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as following a heart-healthy diet including reducing salt intake, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress—combined with early treatment with medication to lower blood pressure if necessary—are recommended to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, cognitive decline and dementia, according to a new clinical guideline published today in the American Heart Association's peer-reviewed journals Circulation and Hypertension, and in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology.

14 Aug 2025