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.

Mount Sinai School of Medicine to participate in Phase 2 clinical trial to test gene therapy treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Mount Sinai School of Medicine is one of 12 sites nationwide participating in the first Phase 2 clinical trial to test gene therapy treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The study is the first multicenter neurosurgical intervention in Alzheimer's research in the U.S.

17 Nov 2009

Ketamine use increasing faster than any other drug in the UK, shows research

The first ever large-scale, longitudinal study of ketamine users has been published online today in the journal Addiction. With Ketamine (K, Special K) use increasing faster than any other drug in the UK (British Crime Survey, 2008) this research showing the consequences of repeated ketamine use provides valuable information for users and addiction professionals alike.

16 Nov 2009

Individuals with weaker muscles face higher risk for Alzheimer's disease

Individuals with weaker muscles appear to have a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease and declines in cognitive function over time, according to a report in the November issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

10 Nov 2009

Low-fat diet improves mood and memory skills, says new study

After one year, a low-calorie, low-fat diet appears more beneficial to dieters' mood than a low-carbohydrate plan with the same number of calories, according to a report in the November 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

10 Nov 2009

CABG completed "off-pump" has no advantages in patient outcomes: Study

A study of 2,203 cardiac surgery patients from Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers nationwide revealed that coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) completed "off-pump," meaning without a heart-lung machine, had no advantages in patient outcomes compared to the traditional "on-pump" procedure.

6 Nov 2009

New study to assess preventative brain radiation therapy for lung cancer patients

A new study is taking a closer look at the benefits versus risks for lung cancer patients to undergo preventative brain radiation therapy as a means to stop cancer from spreading to the brain.

3 Nov 2009

Seaside Therapeutics commences STX107 Phase 1 clinical trial for Fragile X Syndrome

Seaside Therapeutics LLC today announced that the Company has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of STX107, a highly potent, selective mGluR5 antagonist, in development for the treatment of Fragile X Syndrome. The single ascending dose study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of STX107 in healthy volunteers. Fragile X Syndrome is the most common inherited form of mental impairment and the most common known cause of autism.

3 Nov 2009

Study: Gene therapy can reduce symptoms of Huntington's disease

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have shown that a highly specific intrabody (an antibody fragment that works against a target inside a cell) is capable of stalling the development of Huntington's disease in a variety of mouse models.

31 Oct 2009

VIVUS presents additional data on Qnexa Phase 3 trials

VIVUS, Inc. today announced that additional data on Qnexa(TM), an investigational drug candidate for obesity, was presented at the 27th annual scientific meeting of The Obesity Society (TOS) in Washington D.C. Wesley W. Day, PhD, vice president of clinical development at VIVUS, presented the additional data from the company's two year-long phase 3 obesity trials during the Pharmacotherapy Update portion of the pre-conference on October 24, 2009.

30 Oct 2009

NIH launches randomized trail to determine whether lower BP goal cuts the risk of heart and kidney diseases

The National Institutes of Health is launching a large multicenter randomized clinical trial to determine whether maintaining blood pressure levels lower than current recommendations further reduces the risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, or age-related cognitive decline.

30 Oct 2009

No scientific proof that patients with Alzheimer's disease benefit from drugs containing the agent memantine

There is no scientific proof that patients with moderate or severe Alzheimer's disease benefit from drugs containing the agent memantine. This is the conclusion in the final report that the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) published in September 2009.

29 Oct 2009

Gene variant may be the cause for bad driving: UC Irvine neuroscientists

Bad drivers may in part have their genes to blame, suggests a new study by UC Irvine neuroscientists.

29 Oct 2009

Discovery of molecular pathway in brain may reverse cognitive impact of sleep deprivation

A research collaboration led by biologists and neuroscientists at the University of Pennsylvania has found a molecular pathway in the brain that is the cause of cognitive impairment due to sleep deprivation.

27 Oct 2009

Tru-flo urinary catheter valve from ProtekMed

ProtekMed has launched the Tru-flo(TM) urinary catheter valve, an innovative and economical alternative to the standard tube and bag system prescribed by most urologists today.

26 Oct 2009

Internet training can improve brain activity in older adults

You can teach an old dog new tricks, say UCLA scientists who found that middle-aged and older adults with little Internet experience were able to trigger key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning after just one week of surfing the Web.

26 Oct 2009

Nutri5, an effective natural product for the relief of menopausal symptoms

Earlier this year, the BBC reported that "HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy - can shrink women's brains"1, after a study was published which showed that brain volume in women taking HRT was smaller in two key areas involved in thinking and memory.

23 Oct 2009

Internet training could potentially enhance brain function and cognition in older adults: Study

20 Oct 2009

Multilingual capability has a positive impact on cognitive functions

For a considerable time already there has been discussion within scientific circles about whether knowing and using multiple languages could possibly have positive effects on the human brain and thinking. There have been a number of international studies on the subject, which indicate that the ability to use more than one language brings an individual a considerable advantage.

20 Oct 2009

Cochlear implant inventor chosen for neuroscience research

Dr. Michael Merzenich, PhD - renowned neuroscientist, university professor, cochlear implant inventor, brain plasticity expert and tech entrepreneur - was formally inducted in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) today in Washington, D.C.

13 Oct 2009

Holistic care needed for people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Whilst cognitive function can be improved by the medicines currently available for the treatment of dementias, the positive effects of improved socialibility, initiative and motivation on the patient and their carer as well as their capability of coping with everyday life should not be overlooked says a research report published by the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust (the Trust).

12 Oct 2009