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.

Scientists uncover how a sugar shield in brain blood vessels protects against aging and disease

Researchers reveal that the loss of mucin-type O-glycosylation in the brain endothelial glycocalyx weakens the blood-brain barrier, leading to increased permeability, neuroinflammation, and cognitive decline in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

27 Feb 2025

Preschoolers with better fitness have sharper brains, study finds

A study in Pediatric Research found that preschoolers with higher physical fitness levels perform significantly better in memory, attention, and problem-solving tasks, emphasizing the role of movement in early cognitive development.

26 Feb 2025

Pilot study explores potential of senolytics in Alzheimer's prevention

A new pilot study known as STAMINA (Senolytics To Alleviate Mobility Issues and Neurological Impairments in Aging), that focused on the effects of senolytic medications, Dasatinib and Quercetin (DQ), which remove old (senescent) cells from the body, suggests that intermittent treatment may hold promise for improving cognitive function in older adults at risk of Alzheimer's disease.

26 Feb 2025

New AI tool measures brain aging speed and predicts cognitive health

A new artificial intelligence model measures how fast a patient's brain is aging and could be a powerful new tool for understanding, preventing and treating cognitive decline and dementia, according to USC researchers.

24 Feb 2025

Can chili peppers improve ADHD symptoms? Scientists explore their gut-brain connection

Chili peppers may influence ADHD symptoms by modulating the gut microbiome, with capsaicin, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids showing potential effects on neurotransmitters and inflammation. However, clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy.

20 Feb 2025

New review sheds light on links between Alzheimer's and metabolic syndrome

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, continues to remain one of modern medicine's greatest challenges.

18 Feb 2025

Do probiotics enhance sports performance?

Researchers found that probiotics may enhance endurance, recovery, and immune function in athletes, but the evidence for strength and power performance remains limited.

17 Feb 2025

Obesity and cognition: Surprising study links higher BMI to better memory

Higher BMI in early adulthood and midlife is linked to better memory performance, particularly in men and Black Americans, challenging traditional views on obesity and cognition.

16 Feb 2025

Diabetes drugs may boost brain health but experts warn of risks

Researchers reviewed 374 studies to explore how GLP-1RAs, originally for diabetes, may impact brain health, finding potential benefits for dementia and addiction but inconsistent results for mood disorders.

16 Feb 2025

How immune cells and neurons secretly shape brain health, behavior, and disease

Scientists explore how the immune and nervous systems constantly communicate, influencing brain diseases, behavior, and repair while shaping responses to environmental factors like sleep, diet, and pollution.

13 Feb 2025

UCLA study reveals key role of mismatch repair genes in Huntington’s disease

A new UCLA Health study has discovered in mouse models that genes associated with repairing mismatched DNA are critical in eliciting damages to neurons that are most vulnerable in Huntington's disease and triggering downstream pathologies and motor impairment, shedding light on disease mechanisms and potential new ways to develop therapies.

11 Feb 2025

Air pollution harms cognition just hours after exposure, study finds

New research shows that inhaling polluted air for just an hour can impair cognitive abilities like attention and emotional recognition within four hours, highlighting the urgent need for cleaner air policies.

11 Feb 2025

Alzheimer’s escape: How one man defied his genetic fate for nearly two decades

A groundbreaking study reveals how a rare combination of genetics, proteomics, and environmental factors may hold the key to delaying or preventing Alzheimer's, challenging long-held assumptions about the disease.

11 Feb 2025

Novel biomarker for early prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

New serine biomarkers show promise for early Alzheimer's detection, linking tau assemblies to cognitive decline and offering potential for timely intervention.

11 Feb 2025

Daily fruit and vegetable extracts may boost brain power

A study reveals polyphenol-rich nutraceuticals enhance cognitive performance and boost neuroprotective biomarkers, offering a dietary approach to brain health.

11 Feb 2025

Does obesity affect intelligence? Study finds the answer hasn't changed

A decades-long study of Danish conscripts finds that despite the rise in obesity, the inverse relationship between intelligence and BMI has remained unchanged.

10 Feb 2025

Mediterranean diet boosts quality of life—here’s how

A systematic review finds that following the Mediterranean diet is linked to better physical, mental, and social well-being, particularly in aging populations and those with chronic conditions.

10 Feb 2025

Classical music influences fetal heart rhythms, enhancing predictability and stability

Research shows that classical music in the third trimester enhances fetal heart rate stability, potentially influencing neurodevelopment and movement patterns.

7 Feb 2025

Experimental drug shows promise in restoring memory in Alzheimer's model

A paradigm-shifting study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows an experimental drug, GL-II-73, has the potential to restore memory and cognitive function in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

4 Feb 2025

International trial aims to prevent Alzheimer’s in high-risk young adults

The first participants in an international clinical trial aimed at preventing Alzheimer's disease in young adults at high risk of the disease have been enrolled.

4 Feb 2025