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.

‘Sleeping sickness’ pandemic offers insight into Parkinson’s

A bizarre disease that caused sufferers to fall into a deep ‘sleep’ while still being aware of their surroundings can offer us insight into the nature of Parkinson’s disease.

21 Mar 2011

Transcranial LED-based light therapy improves cognitive function in traumatic brain injury patients

At-home, daily application of light therapy via light-emitting diodes (LEDs) placed on the forehead and scalp led to improvements in cognitive function and post-traumatic stress disorder in patients with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to a groundbreaking study published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

18 Mar 2011

UCLA researchers identify new biomarker that can help track amyloid beta in Alzheimer's

UCLA researchers have identified a new biomarker that could help them track how effectively the immune system is able to clear the brain of amyloid beta, which forms the plaques considered one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.

18 Mar 2011

Gene therapy for Parkinson’s: It works!

A latest study has shown that gene therapy may be successful in treating the dreaded brain degenerative disease – Parkinson’s disease. Neurologists are hopeful that it could be useful in other neurologic disorders too.

17 Mar 2011

15 million people caring for 5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers: U.S. report card

According to a report released on Tuesday by the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 15 million Americans are now caring for a family member or friend with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. The Association warns that these figures may rise if new therapies for Alzheimer’s are not found.

15 Mar 2011

New UCSD center investigates link between Alzheimer's and Down syndrome

A new center combining academic research with the treatment of adults with Down syndrome - one of the first in the country - has opened at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.

15 Mar 2011

Breast fed babies smarter: Study

Scientists have finally come to a consensus that babies who are breast fed grow up to be more intelligent. A latest study showed that just four weeks on their mothers’ milk can have a ‘significant’ effect on a child’s development in primary and secondary school. These children do better at reading, writing and maths at the ages of five, seven, 11 and 14. It was known till now that breast feeding boosts immunity and helps the children fight ear infections, stomach bugs and even asthma.

14 Mar 2011

Alzheimer's vaccine - First evidence for efficacy

AFFiRiS' Alzheimer's vaccine candidate AD02 showed indicative evidence for potential efficacy in a phase I clinical trial. This was demonstrated by the analysis of the data from secondary clinical study endpoints.

12 Mar 2011

Economic benefits of enabling people to age at home

There are a number of studies that look at the economics of technologies to enable people to age at home rather than in some other kind of accommodation. In 2010, CSES contributed an economic analysis for the ATSE report written by Greg Tegart drawing in part on these studies and using Australian data on demographic trends and healthcare costs.

9 Mar 2011

Psychosocially hazardous neighborhood may influence cognitive function in older age

Residing in a psychosocially hazardous neighborhood is associated with worse cognitive function in older age for persons with the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele, according to a report in the March issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

9 Mar 2011

Study: Moderate drinking can reduce risk of dementia even among older adults

3202 German individuals attending general practitioners , who were free of dementia were studied at baseline, were followed up 1.5 years and 3 years later by means of structured clinical interviews including detailed assessment of current alcohol consumption and DSM-IV dementia diagnoses.

8 Mar 2011

Eisai receives FDA approval for BANZEL Oral Suspension to treat seizures linked with LGS

Eisai Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved BANZEL Oral Suspension, 40 mg/mL, for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in children 4 years and older and adults.

3 Mar 2011

OneWorld Health receives FDA clearance for iOWH032 phase 1 trials to treat secretory diarrhea

The Institute for OneWorld Health (iOWH) announced a major milestone in the fight against cholera. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted iOWH permission to begin phase 1 trials for iOWH032, a drug to treat secretory diarrhea. This is the first submission of an Investigational New Drug application for a completely new chemical entity by a non-profit of this size to receive such rapid FDA clearance, and it could be the first synthetic drug of its kind for diarrheal diseases.

2 Mar 2011

Acupressure improves cognitive function in patients with mild traumatic brain injury

A new University of Colorado Boulder study indicates an ancient form of complementary medicine may be effective in helping to treat people with mild traumatic brain injury, a finding that may have implications for some U.S. war veterans returning home.

1 Mar 2011

AFFiRiS AG - Alzheimer's vaccines generate further cash flow

AFFiRiS AG announced today significant progress in their collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals (GSK) for the development of an active vaccination programme against Alzheimer´s disease. While the lead vaccine candidate AD02 is currently in phase II clinical testing, two additional preclinical programmes have been completed successfully. The second programme was related to alternative vaccine candidates generated by AFFiRiS´ AFFITOME® technology, including candidate AD03. Based on the promising preliminary results of this programme, GSK exercised its option for the alternative vaccine candidates which triggered a EUR 2.5 million payment to AFFiRiS. An additional EUR 1 million payment became due simultaneously for the successful completion of tests of alternative vaccine formulations.

28 Feb 2011

Nation wide aged care deficits surface in report

According to an Access Economics study parts of the country have the worst projected shortfalls in aged care beds and community care packages. The study has predicted that a nationwide shortfall of 279,000 places needed to care for the elderly and infirm in 40 years’ time, with the lack concentrated on the most populous states of NSW and Victoria.

27 Feb 2011

fMRI reveals complexity of consciousness

Using a sophisticated imaging test to probe for higher-level cognitive functioning in severely brain-injured patients provides a window into consciousness -- but the view it presents is one that is blurred in fascinating ways, say researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College in the Feb. 25 online edition of the journal Brain.

25 Feb 2011

UCI study details benefits of physical activity, diet, relationships, fun and spirituality

Getting more exercise, spending time outdoors and helping others are among the activities that can be as effective as drugs or counseling in treating an array of mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety, according to a UC Irvine study.

23 Feb 2011

Middle-age people with cardiovascular issues may have increased risk of developing early memory problems

Middle-age men and women who have cardiovascular issues, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, may not only be at risk for heart disease, but for an increased risk of developing early cognitive and memory problems as well.

22 Feb 2011

Language skills promote cognitive function and delay Alzheimer’s: Study

A new study suggests that bilingual speakers hold Alzheimer’s disease at bay for an extra four years on average compared with people who spoke only one language. Knowing more languages can improve cognitive skills and delay the onset of dementia, according to researchers.

20 Feb 2011