Cognitive Function News and Research

RSS

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.

EnVivo Pharmaceuticals announces initiation and dosing of patients in Phase 2b study of EVP-6124

EnVivo Pharmaceuticals today announced the initiation and dosing of patients in a Phase 2b study of its EVP-6124 compound, a selective alpha-7 nicotinic agonist in patients with schizophrenia. EnVivo is conducting the multi-center, dose ranging, placebo controlled, three-month study in the U.S. and Europe.

6 Jan 2010

FDA approves generic donepezil hydrochloride orally disintegrating tablets

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic versions of Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) orally disintegrating tablets on Dec. 11. Donepezil hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of dementia related to Alzheimer's disease.

5 Jan 2010

Experts release recommendations to help adults bolster their cognitive health

A panel of experts from leading northeastern universities recently reached consensus that proper nutrition, regular physical and mental activity, and adequate sleep can help to maintain and even improve cognitive skills in healthy adults.

30 Dec 2009

Significant limitations in new Ginkgo biloba study published in JAMA, says ABC

New research findings published this week on a standardized Ginkgo biloba extract are very limited and the public should focus on the well-documented cognitive and cardiovascular benefits of ginkgo, said the American Botanical Council (ABC), an independent nonprofit research and education organization.

30 Dec 2009

CRN stands by Ginkgo biloba's effectiveness in improving cognitive function

"It is important to put this study into context and to remember that there is a large body of previously published evidence, which suggests that Ginkgo biloba may help improve cognitive impairment in older adults. There are also additional ongoing clinical trials, the results of which may address some of the limitations of the current study. The results of this single study add to the overall data on Ginkgo biloba, including valuable evidence in support of Ginkgo's safety profile, but should not be viewed as the final word.

30 Dec 2009

Key molecular switch linked to HD identified

Scientists have identified a key molecular switch that may drive the onset of Huntington's disease (HD), an incurable neurodegenerative disorder that leads to severe disruptions in muscle coordination and cognitive function. The research, published by Cell Press in the December 24 issue of the journal Neuron, enhances the understanding of HD pathogenesis and may direct new strategies for treating this devastating brain disease.

24 Dec 2009

Four commonly used chemotherapy drugs disrupt birth of new brain cells, shows study

Researchers have developed a novel animal model showing that four commonly used chemotherapy drugs disrupt the birth of new brain cells, and that the condition could be partially reversed with the growth factor IGF-1.

18 Dec 2009

Pillo1 for chronic neck and back pain

At a time when Americans spend over $50 billion on ways to alleviate neck and back pain, Dr. Raymond Hall is theorizing a painful connection between conventional pillows and neck issues and created a revolutionary solution called Pillo1 (www.pillo1.com) to address the problem.

16 Dec 2009

Study may lead to more targeted research and treatment for memory disorders

The conversations neurons have as they form and recall memories have been decoded by Medical College of Georgia scientists.

16 Dec 2009

Higher leptin levels associated with lower incidence of AD and dementia

Persons with higher levels of leptin, a protein hormone produced by fat cells and involved in the regulation of appetite, may have an associated reduced incidence of Alzheimer disease and dementia, according to a study in the December 16 issue of JAMA.

16 Dec 2009

Participating in social service programs can delay cognitive decline in older adults

Volunteer service, such as tutoring children, can help older adults delay or reverse declining brain function, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

15 Dec 2009

Targacept commences TC-5619 Phase 2 study of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia

Targacept, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as NNR TherapeuticsTM, today announced that it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical proof of concept trial of TC-5619 in cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.

10 Dec 2009

Cell transplants may yield new therapies for dementia patients

Nerve cells transplanted into brain-damaged rats helped them to fully recover their ability to learn and remember, probably by promoting nurturing, protective growth factors, according to a new study.

10 Dec 2009

New study focuses on chronic parental reactive negativity

Any parent knows that sometimes maintaining your cool with misbehaving children is a challenge. We all have times when we get frustrated or angry and lash out at someone without thinking. A new study by psychologists at Virginia Tech and two other universities suggests that parents with poorer working memory skills are less likely to be able to control their emotions with their children.

9 Dec 2009

New findings suggest Ginkgo extract can improve cognitive functions

"Ginkgo biloba not only improves declining memory but offers specific benefits for other cognitive functions as well" that's how Dr. Reiner Kaschel, Clinical Neuropsychologist at the University of Osnabrueck, Germany, summarizes the results of a comprehensive new scientific publication.

9 Dec 2009

National Institute on Aging awards grant to study age-related brain disorders

Dr. Rong Zhang, a researcher at the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, has been awarded a four-year grant from the National Institute on Aging to research the connection between exercise and brain function as people age.

9 Dec 2009

Amino acids can improve cognitive function in patients with severe brain injuries

Neurology researchers have shown that feeding amino acids to brain-injured animals restores their cognitive abilities and may set the stage for the first effective treatment for cognitive impairments suffered by people with traumatic brain injuries.

8 Dec 2009

New research discovers link between HIV-related cognitive deficits and Alzheimer's-related dementia

More than half of HIV patients experience memory problems and other cognitive impairments as they age, and doctors know little about the underlying causes. New research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests HIV-related cognitive deficits share a common link with Alzheimer's-related dementia: low levels of the protein amyloid beta in the spinal fluid.

8 Dec 2009

UCB presents data on Vimpat AED at AES meeting

UCB today announced new findings on its antiepileptic drug (AED) Vimpat® that offer additional clinical evidence supporting the use of this AED as adjunctive therapy in adult patients with partial-onset seizures. Results of presented research demonstrate sustained efficacy in adult patients taking Vimpat® for up to three years, and a consistent long-term tolerability profile.

7 Dec 2009

CCI patients discharged from hospitals on ventilator support fare poorly four months later, says study

Patients, discharged from hospitals on ventilator support and with cognitive impairments, fare poorly four months later. Researchers from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University report these findings in American Journal of Critical Care.

4 Dec 2009

Cognitive Function News and Research

Further Reading

EnVivo Pharmaceuticals announces initiation and dosing of patients in Phase 2b study of EVP-6124

FDA approves generic donepezil hydrochloride orally disintegrating tablets

Experts release recommendations to help adults bolster their cognitive health

Significant limitations in new Ginkgo biloba study published in JAMA, says ABC

CRN stands by Ginkgo biloba's effectiveness in improving cognitive function

Key molecular switch linked to HD identified

Four commonly used chemotherapy drugs disrupt birth of new brain cells, shows study

Pillo1 for chronic neck and back pain

Study may lead to more targeted research and treatment for memory disorders

Higher leptin levels associated with lower incidence of AD and dementia

Participating in social service programs can delay cognitive decline in older adults

Targacept commences TC-5619 Phase 2 study of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia

Cell transplants may yield new therapies for dementia patients

New study focuses on chronic parental reactive negativity

New findings suggest Ginkgo extract can improve cognitive functions

National Institute on Aging awards grant to study age-related brain disorders

Amino acids can improve cognitive function in patients with severe brain injuries

New research discovers link between HIV-related cognitive deficits and Alzheimer's-related dementia

UCB presents data on Vimpat AED at AES meeting

CCI patients discharged from hospitals on ventilator support fare poorly four months later, says study

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

Latest News