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.

BWH researchers explore newer approaches to treat Alzheimer's disease

A team of Alzheimer's disease (AD) researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) has been able to study the underlying causes of AD and develop assays to test newer approaches to treatment by using stem cells derived from related family members with a genetic predisposition to (AD).

7 Mar 2014

New study uses Lumosity games to detect subtle cognitive impairments in patients with cirrhosis

A new study from the University of Washington has found that performance on Lumosity games can distinguish between patients with cirrhosis of the liver, pre-cirrhotic patients, and healthy controls. The study used Lumosity games as psychometric tests to detect subtle cognitive impairments in patients with cirrhosis. The study is published in the March issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

6 Mar 2014

Study links carbohydrate calorie-rich diets to greater risk for brain shrinkage, dementia and AD

Even small increases in blood sugar caused by a diet high in carbohydrates can be detrimental to brain health. Recent reports in medical literature link carbohydrate calorie-rich diets to a greater risk for brain shrinkage, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, impaired cognition, and other disorders.

24 Feb 2014

Resolution of inflammation is altered in Alzheimer's disease

New research from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden shows that the final stage of the normal inflammatory process may be disrupted in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

17 Feb 2014

Final stage of normal inflammatory process may be disrupted in patients with Alzheimer's disease

New research from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden shows that the final stage of the normal inflammatory process may be disrupted in patients with Alzheimer's disease. A study published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia shows that levels in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid of the molecules necessary for tissue recovery through the clearance of harmful inflammatory substances are lower than normal in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The study also showed association between the lower levels of these molecules with impaired memory function.

14 Feb 2014

Exposure to common infections linked to memory and brain function

Exposure to common infections is linked to memory and brain function - even if the infections never made you ill, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2014.

13 Feb 2014

Researchers examine link between gender and genetic disorder

A genetic disorder that affects about 1 in every 2,500 births can cause a bewildering array of clinical problems, including brain tumors, impaired vision, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, heart defects and bone deformities. The symptoms and their severity vary among patients affected by this condition, known as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

9 Feb 2014

Hot flashes, depression and anxiety affect thinking skills of midlife women with HIV

Hot flashes, depression, and most of all, anxiety, affect the thinking skills of midlife women with HIV, so screening for and treating their anxiety may be especially important in helping them function, according to a study just published online in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

9 Feb 2014

Blood pressure lowering linked with reduced risk for cognitive decline in patients with T2DM

Intensive blood pressure and cholesterol lowering was not associated with reduced risk for diabetes-related cognitive decline in older patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus, according to a study by Jeff D. Williamson, M.D., M.H.S., of the Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C., and colleagues.

4 Feb 2014

Increased inflammation following infection impairs brain's ability to form spatial memories

Increased inflammation following an infection impairs the brain's ability to form spatial memories - according to new research. The impairment results from a decrease in glucose metabolism in the brain's memory centre, disrupting the neural circuits involved in learning and memory.

25 Jan 2014

Schizophrenia cognition tool promising in bipolar disorder patients

The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia may be an appropriate tool for measuring cognition in elderly patients with bipolar disorder, a pilot study suggests.

22 Jan 2014

EnVivo Pharmaceuticals starts encenicline Phase 3 study in patients with Alzheimer's disease

EnVivo Pharmaceuticals, a company dedicated to developing a broad range of novel therapies for central nervous system diseases, today announced it has initiated COGNITIV AD, a Phase 3 clinical program evaluating its novel alpha-7 (α7) potentiator, encenicline-hydrochloride (EVP-6124), in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The program is being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment agreement with the FDA.

22 Jan 2014

Higher vitamin D levels linked with better cognition and less depression in PD patients

A new study exploring vitamin D levels in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) opens up the possibility of a new avenue of early intervention that may delay or prevent the onset of cognitive impairment and depression. The findings are published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease.

16 Jan 2014

Heavy drinking associated with faster decline in cognitive function in middle-aged men

Middle-aged men who drink more than 36 grams of alcohol, or two and a half US drinks per day, may speed their memory loss by up to six years later on, according to a study published in the January 15, 2014, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

16 Jan 2014

At-home paper test can help spot early symptoms of cognitive issues

The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE test), which takes less than 15 minutes to complete, is a reliable tool for evaluating cognitive abilities. Findings by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center confirming the feasibility and efficiency of the tool for community screening large numbers of people are published in the January issue of The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences.

13 Jan 2014

Cognitive Function News and Research

Further Reading

BWH researchers explore newer approaches to treat Alzheimer's disease

New study uses Lumosity games to detect subtle cognitive impairments in patients with cirrhosis

Study links carbohydrate calorie-rich diets to greater risk for brain shrinkage, dementia and AD

Resolution of inflammation is altered in Alzheimer's disease

Final stage of normal inflammatory process may be disrupted in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Exposure to common infections linked to memory and brain function

Researchers examine link between gender and genetic disorder

Hot flashes, depression and anxiety affect thinking skills of midlife women with HIV

Blood pressure lowering linked with reduced risk for cognitive decline in patients with T2DM

Increased inflammation following infection impairs brain's ability to form spatial memories

Schizophrenia cognition tool promising in bipolar disorder patients

EnVivo Pharmaceuticals starts encenicline Phase 3 study in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Higher vitamin D levels linked with better cognition and less depression in PD patients

Heavy drinking associated with faster decline in cognitive function in middle-aged men

At-home paper test can help spot early symptoms of cognitive issues

Negative symptoms and cognition ‘relatively independent’ in schizophrenia

Treating depression fails to reverse cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder

Most dementia people living at home have multiple unmet health and welfare needs

Toddlers’ bedtime resistance may contribute to sleep problems

Self-affirmation can improve cognitive function, behavioral outcomes of people in poverty

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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