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.

Can natural supplements backfire? Review explains how and why

A new review uncovers how common natural supplements can both protect and endanger health, depending on dose, duration, and delivery—and points to next-gen technologies as the key to unlocking their full therapeutic power.

31 Mar 2025

Can brain-healthy eating improve your quality of life? This study tested it

A 12-week feasibility trial tested the MIND diet in midlife adults, showing improved diet quality, mood, and physical quality of life but no significant cognitive gains.

30 Mar 2025

Exercise of any kind boosts brainpower at any age

Whether it’s an early morning jog, or a touch of Tai Chi, groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia shows that any form of exercise can significantly boost brain function and memory across children, adults, and older adults.

26 Mar 2025

The best diet for aging well, backed by a 30-year study of 100,000 people

A 30-year study of over 100,000 U.S. adults found that consistent adherence to healthy dietary patterns, especially the AHEI, was strongly linked to successful aging. Diets rich in plant-based foods and healthy fats, with some low-fat animal products, improved physical, mental, and cognitive health.

25 Mar 2025

Targeting brain’s waste removal system may help combat cognitive decline

As aging bodies decline, the brain loses the ability to cleanse itself of waste, a scenario that scientists think could be contributing to neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, among others.

21 Mar 2025

Dance emerges as a powerful tool for stress relief

A narrative review highlights dance's unique role in stress regulation, enhancing mental well-being through social interaction and creative expression.

21 Mar 2025

Deep sleep may protect against neurodegeneration

Sleep disturbances may accelerate neurodegeneration, but whether they cause or result from disease remains unclear. Improving sleep quality could help protect against cognitive decline and brain aging.

20 Mar 2025

Eating more fruits and vegetables may help prevent falls in older adults, especially women

Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake significantly increases the risk of injurious falls in older adults, particularly in women, with cognition, affect, and sleep/energy as partial mediators.

19 Mar 2025

Strawberries enhance brain speed and heart health, but cognitive benefits remain unclear

Strawberries may modestly enhance processing speed and lower systolic blood pressure in older adults, but they do not significantly improve overall cognitive function or vascular health.

19 Mar 2025

Experimental drug shows promise in reducing risk of Alzheimer's-related dementia

An experimental drug appears to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's-related dementia in people destined to develop the disease in their 30s, 40s or 50s, according to the results of a study led by the Knight Family Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network-Trials Unit (DIAN-TU), which is based at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

19 Mar 2025

Probiotic drink kefir shows promise in preventing Alzheimer’s

Kefir, a probiotic-rich fermented milk, shows potential in reducing neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and beta-amyloid buildup, suggesting a role in Alzheimer’s prevention and management. However, more clinical trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness in human patients.

17 Mar 2025

How is academic achievement linked to wellbeing?

This comprehensive study explores the connection between anxiety, cognitive function, and academic success, advocating for holistic educational strategies.

13 Mar 2025

Could a keto diet replace diabetes meds? New research explores the possibilities

A review published in Nutrients finds that ketogenic diets (KD) may offer superior benefits for weight loss, blood sugar control, and inflammation compared to other diets. Researchers also highlight potential mental health improvements but call for more clinical trials.

11 Mar 2025

Cordycepin helps tired mice run longer and think better, study finds

Researchers show that cordycepin, a compound from Cordyceps militaris, can boost endurance and protect brain function in mice exhausted by excessive exercise.

10 Mar 2025

Online reaction time tests provide insights into women's cognitive health

Online tests of women's reaction times offer insights into cognitive function and could help fill data gaps on early cognitive problems, potentially shedding light on dementia development later in life, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL and other universities.

7 Mar 2025

Eating ultra-processed foods harms your gut—here’s how inflammation takes hold

Ultra-processed foods disrupt gut microbiome balance, causing inflammation, reduced microbial diversity, and increased gut permeability. This microbiome imbalance contributes to chronic diseases including diabetes, IBD, cancer, and neurological disorders.

6 Mar 2025