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.

Testosterone’s role in schizophrenia

Researchers from Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) have presented new results about the role of testosterone in schizophrenia at the International Congress on Schizophrenia Research being held in Orlando, Florida.

26 Apr 2013

Animal models of Huntington's disease allow better insights into disease's genetics

Scientific progress in Huntington's disease (HD) relies upon the availability of appropriate animal models that enable insights into the disease's genetics and/or pathophysiology.

23 Apr 2013

Working-memory training can improve range of skills, new study reveals

A brain-training task that increases the number of items an individual can remember over a short period of time may boost performance in other problem-solving tasks by enhancing communication between different brain areas.

16 Apr 2013

Researchers use brain-imaging tool and stroke risk assessment to detect signs of cognitive decline

UCLA researchers have used a brain-imaging tool and stroke risk assessment to identify signs of cognitive decline early on in individuals who don't yet show symptoms of dementia.

4 Apr 2013

New born neurons as a therapeutic strategy: an interview with Mi-Hyeon Jang, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota

There are two regions in the brain that continue to produce new neurons well into adulthood. One of these regions is the hippocampus and as we converse this region is actively involved in memory formation, mood regulation and cognition.

2 Apr 2013

Physical, mental activities improve cognitive function in older adults, study finds

A randomized controlled trial finds that 12 weeks of physical plus mental activity in inactive older adults with cognitive complaints was associated with significant improvement in cognitive function but there was no difference between intervention and control groups, according to a report published Online First by JAMA Internal Medicine, a JAMA Network publication.

2 Apr 2013

Study: Cognitive dysfunction in patients who undergo CABG surgery disappears within 8 weeks

The cognitive dysfunction observed in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting surgery usually disappears within 8 weeks following surgery, according to a study published in the April 2013 issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

1 Apr 2013

New evidence shows older adults with dementia can be taken off antipsychotic medications

Most older adults with dementia can successfully be taken off antipsychotic medications, which have negative side effects and increase the risk of death, finds a new evidence review from The Cochrane Library.

29 Mar 2013

Norwegian study shows patients with Parkinson disease have increased risk for dementia

Mild cognitive impairment at the time of Parkinson disease diagnosis appears to be associated with an increased risk for early dementia in a Norwegian study, according to a report published Online First by JAMA Neurology, a JAMA Network publication.

26 Mar 2013

Konzo's harm goes beyond devastating physical effects

The harm done by konzo - a disease overshadowed by the war and drought it tends to accompany - goes beyond its devastating physical effects to impair children's memory, problem solving and other cognitive functions.

25 Mar 2013

Study reveals role of SNX27 protein in brain function

What is it about the extra chromosome inherited in Down syndrome-chromosome 21-that alters brain and body development? Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have new evidence that points to a protein called sorting nexin 27, or SNX27.

25 Mar 2013

Fibromyalgia: an interview with Dr Frederick Wolfe, University of Kansas School of Medicine

Fibromyalgia is a common disorder that is diagnosed in people who have pain in many areas of their body together with important symptoms such as...

22 Mar 2013

Dementia diagnostic panel for treatable forms of cognitive impairment launched by Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced the availability of the first clinical test panel for aiding the diagnosis of suspected dementia due to treatable forms of cognitive impairment. The test panel is believed to be the first commercial service from a clinical laboratory to combine several guideline-recommended tests for identifying secondary, treatable causes of dementia as a single blood test and report.

From Quest Diagnostics 19 Mar 2013

Study challenges role of serotonin in depression, opens possibilities for new therapies

A new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine suggests that depression results from a disturbance in the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other.

19 Mar 2013

Luminex collaborates with Merck to design companion diagnostic device for Alzheimer’s disease

WHITEHOUSE STATION known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Luminex Corporation have signed a collaboration and license agreement to develop a companion diagnostic device that will be evaluated to help screen patients for recruitment into Merck's clinical development program for MK-8931, a novel oral beta amyloid precursor protein site cleaving enzyme (BACE) inhibitor and Merck's lead investigational candidate for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

From Luminex 15 Mar 2013

Prescribing attention-boosting drugs for healthy kids is misguided

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the world's largest professional association of neurologists, is releasing a position paper on how the practice of prescribing drugs to boost cognitive function, or memory and thinking abilities, in healthy children and teens is misguided.

14 Mar 2013

Researchers turn concepts about head injuries in sports upside down

In the British Medical Journal, concepts about head injuries in sports are now being turned upside down by a group of researchers at Umeå University: Impaired brain function is rather a risk factor for incurring such injuries than a result of them.

14 Mar 2013

Stimulating brain using magnetic stimulation may improve cognitive function, say scientists

Cognitive impairments are disabling for individuals with schizophrenia, and no satisfactory treatments currently exist. These impairments affect a wide range of cognition, including memory, attention, verbal and motor skills, and IQ.

14 Mar 2013

New computer-based process helps diagnose conditions that lead to concussion-related injuries

Concussions can occur in sports and in combat, but health experts do not know precisely which jolts, collisions and awkward head movements during these activities pose the greatest risks to the brain. To find out, Johns Hopkins engineers have developed a powerful new computer-based process that helps identify the dangerous conditions that lead to concussion-related brain injuries.

13 Mar 2013

Combination of INF and glatiramer acetate does not reduce MS progression

A recent clinical trial found that interferonβ-1a (INF) and glatiramer acetate (GA), two of the most commonly prescribed drugs for multiple sclerosis (MS), provide no additional clinical benefit when taken together.

12 Mar 2013

Cognitive Function News and Research

Further Reading

Testosterone’s role in schizophrenia

Animal models of Huntington's disease allow better insights into disease's genetics

Working-memory training can improve range of skills, new study reveals

Researchers use brain-imaging tool and stroke risk assessment to detect signs of cognitive decline

New born neurons as a therapeutic strategy: an interview with Mi-Hyeon Jang, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota

Physical, mental activities improve cognitive function in older adults, study finds

Study: Cognitive dysfunction in patients who undergo CABG surgery disappears within 8 weeks

New evidence shows older adults with dementia can be taken off antipsychotic medications

Norwegian study shows patients with Parkinson disease have increased risk for dementia

Konzo's harm goes beyond devastating physical effects

Study reveals role of SNX27 protein in brain function

Fibromyalgia: an interview with Dr Frederick Wolfe, University of Kansas School of Medicine

Dementia diagnostic panel for treatable forms of cognitive impairment launched by Quest Diagnostics

Study challenges role of serotonin in depression, opens possibilities for new therapies

Luminex collaborates with Merck to design companion diagnostic device for Alzheimer’s disease

Prescribing attention-boosting drugs for healthy kids is misguided

Researchers turn concepts about head injuries in sports upside down

Stimulating brain using magnetic stimulation may improve cognitive function, say scientists

New computer-based process helps diagnose conditions that lead to concussion-related injuries

Combination of INF and glatiramer acetate does not reduce MS progression

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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