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.

Prenatal lead exposure linked to lower cognition six decades later

Exposure to lead before birth is associated with lower performance 60 years later on tests of thinking and memory skills in female participants, according to a study published on February 18, 2026, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

18 Feb 2026

Does Ginkgo biloba help dementia? New review examines the evidence

A major Cochrane review examines whether a widely used herbal supplement truly supports cognitive function, revealing modest dementia benefits but limited evidence for prevention or early impairment.

18 Feb 2026

A simple handgrip test reveals how strong your working memory may be

Grip strength correlates with working memory performance and prefrontal activation, highlighting its potential as a cognitive health marker in older adults.

18 Feb 2026

Review compares surgical and neurostimulation outcomes in temporal lobe epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of focal epilepsy, affecting a significant proportion of patients who develop drug-resistant epilepsy.

13 Feb 2026

Early cognitive stimulation preserves memory in Alzheimer’s

A team from the Institute of Neurosciences of the University of Barcelona (UBneuro) has discovered that early and sustained cognitive stimulation can help preserve brain connectivity and memory in Alzheimer's disease, even in advanced stages of the pathology.

12 Feb 2026

Adjunctive brexpiprazole boosts schizophrenia patients' information processing speed

Cognitive impairment, including decreased attention and memory, remains one of the most disabling aspects of schizophrenia, affecting social life of patients.

12 Feb 2026

Study links eye movements to real-time memory retrieval

The eyes may reveal how experiences are recalled according to new Baycrest research that suggests that shifts in eye movements play a critical role in memory retrieval.

9 Feb 2026

Does motherhood influence brain aging? New research suggests a positive cognitive association

Longitudinal data from postmenopausal women suggest that cumulative pregnancy duration and breastfeeding history are associated with modestly better cognitive performance later in life. These associations reflect higher cognitive trajectory levels rather than proven slowing of decline, and causality remains uncertain.

5 Feb 2026

Carotid artery procedures do not improve cognitive performance

Improving blood flow to the brain by opening a narrowed neck artery may not improve patients' cognitive skills, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

4 Feb 2026

Neurological Long COVID hits harder in some countries than others

A global study reveals significant variations in neurological Long COVID symptoms, highlighting the need for tailored healthcare responses across countries.

4 Feb 2026

Breastfeeding and pregnancy linked to improved postmenopausal cognition

Female brains have historically evolved to adapt to pregnancy, undergoing structural and functional changes.

3 Feb 2026

Advancing brain microphysiological systems for in vitro neurotoxicity and cognitive function testing

Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling.

From Yokogawa Life Science 3 Feb 2026

Aging brains struggle to recycle synaptic proteins

As we age, we begin to lose the connections that wire up our brains-and neuroscientists aren't sure why.

2 Feb 2026

Study reveals a link between oral microbiota and cognitive performance in schizophrenia

An association between oral microbiota and cognitive performance in schizophrenia has been reported by researchers at Science Tokyo.

29 Jan 2026

Sharing thoughts and feelings may enhance recovery in stroke survivors

Stroke survivors who were uncomfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings about their condition and future had slower physical and cognitive recovery after their stroke, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

29 Jan 2026

Older adults' driving habits may provide early warning signs of cognitive decline or dementia

Older adults' driving habits revealed clues about their brain health and may provide early warning signs of cognitive decline or dementia, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

29 Jan 2026

Nitrate source matters more than nitrate amount

Findings suggest that plant-sourced nitrates may reduce dementia risk, while animal and water sources are linked to increased risk, emphasizing diet quality.

29 Jan 2026

Olive oil type matters for cognition and gut health in older adults

Higher intake of virgin and total olive oil was associated with modest but significant improvements in cognitive performance over two years in older adults with metabolic syndrome. These associations were partly linked to gut microbiota composition, with specific taxa such as Adlercreutzia contributing a small mediating effect.

26 Jan 2026

Brain structure changes linked to adaptability decline in aging adults

As people age, structural brain changes influence their ability to adapt to the environment. New from eNeuro, Tatiana Wolfe and colleagues at the University of Arkansas characterized changes in the brain across two periods of adulthood that may correspond to changes in adaptive behavior.

19 Jan 2026

Super agers' resilience against Alzheimer's disease linked to protective gene variant

The gene variant posing the greatest genetic risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) is called APOE-ε4. A different variant of the same gene, APOE-ε2, is thought to confer protection against AD.

19 Jan 2026