Cognitive Abilities Research Articles

Study on the age-period-cohort effects of cognitive abilities among older Chinese adults based on the cognitive reserve hypothesis

BackgroundCognitive abilities serves as a critical indicator of healthy aging. As China progresses into a stage of advanced population aging, there has been a significant increase in the number of elderly individuals experiencing age-related cognitive decline. Despite this demographic shift, there is a paucity of longitudinal research examining cognitive abilities among older Chinese adults over extended time periods. This study aims to investigate changes in cognitive abilities and explore group differences among older Chinese adults aged 65 to 110 years, employing a multidimensional temporal approach that encompasses age, period, and birth cohort effects.MethodsThis study utilizes data from eight waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), spanning from 1998 to 2018. The dataset comprises 94,116 observations from 36,157 unique participants. Cognitive abilities are assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores as a proxy measure. To address the issue of perfect collinearity in the temporal dimension, the study employs the Hierarchical Age-Period-Cohort Cross-Classified Random Effects Model (HAPC-CCREM). This model allows for the examination of age effects, period effects, and cohort effects on cognitive abilities among older Chinese adults. In the model specification, age is treated as a fixed effect, while period and birth cohort are incorporated as random effects. Drawing upon the cognitive reserve hypothesis, the study investigates significant factors influencing cognitive abilities in this population.ResultsAt the fixed-effect level, demographic factors, health behaviors, self-rated health, subjective well-being, and childhood adversity significantly influence cognitive abilities among older Chinese adults. The age effects are significant, with cognitive abilities exhibiting an inverted U-shaped curve across the lifespan. At the random-effect level, period effects are significant, revealing a gradual annual increase in overall cognitive levels among older Chinese adults since 2008. Cohort effects are also significant, demonstrating an increasing trend in overall cognitive levels for the earlier-born cohorts in the first six groups. Conversely, later-born cohorts in the latter five groups show a declining trend in overall cognitive levels. Notably, period effects significantly enhance cohort effects.ConclusionsThe cognitive reserve hypothesis supports the significance of the majority of identified influencing factors. Cognitive abilities demonstrate an accelerating decline with increasing age, following an evolutionary trajectory consistent with physiological principles among older Chinese adults. Since 2008, cognitive abilities have shown a monotonic increasing trend annually, further validating the Flynn effect in this population. The cognitive abilities of the six earlier-born cohorts exhibit an increasing trend, supporting the compression of morbidity hypothesis. Conversely, the cognitive abilities of the five later-born cohorts show a declining trend, supporting the expansion of morbidity hypothesis. These findings collectively contribute to our understanding of cognitive aging patterns and their underlying mechanisms among older Chinese adults.

Neuroprotective Effect of Naturally Occurring Flavonoids.

Flavonoids have a wide range of neuroprotective effects on the brain, including the capacity to reduce neuroinflammation, shield neurons from harm caused by neurotoxins, and maybe improve memory, learning, and cognitive function. These functions are most likely a result of two similar mechanisms. Inhibiting neurotoxic substance-induced apoptosis and promoting synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival are achieved by first interacting with key protein and lipid kinase signaling pathways in the brain. Second, they have positive effects on the vascular system that alter cerebrovascular blood flow and can result in angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and morphological alterations in neurons. Through these pathways, eating foods high in flavonoids has the potential to avoid or delay age-related impairments in cognitive abilities as well as neurodegeneration. Due to the high level of interest in creating new pharmaceuticals that might improve the cognitive function of the brain, Flavonoids could be important preparatory substances in the development of a new class of brain-improving drugs.

Making a Difference from Day One: The Urgent Need for Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening

Neonatal hearing screening (NHS) is a critical public health measure for early identification of hearing loss, ensuring timely access to interventions that can dramatically improve a child’s language development, cognitive abilities, and social inclusion. Beyond clinical benefits, NHS provides long-term advantages in education and quality of life. Given that congenital hearing loss affects approximately 1–2 in every 1000 newborns worldwide, the case for universal screening is clear. Countries like the United States and Australia have successfully implemented NHS, leading to earlier diagnoses, improved language development, and better educational outcomes. In Europe, while many nations have adopted NHS, consistency remains a challenge. Countries such as Norway and the United Kingdom stand out for their well-established systems, whereas others, like Greece, have made notable progress but have yet to mandate NHS nationwide. This highlights the need for cohesive national policies across Europe to ensure universal coverage. Screening methods such as Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE) and Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) are established tools for detecting hearing impairments in neonates. Despite their demonstrated efficacy, NHS remains inconsistent globally, particularly in low- and middle-income regions that lack mandatory policies or access to reliable screening technologies. This perspective advocates for the urgent need to make NHS mandatory in all countries, emphasizing its societal benefits and cost-effectiveness. Early diagnosis supports prompt intervention, like hearing aids or cochlear implants, which are most effective when implemented before six months. It also empowers families to make informed decisions, fosters educational inclusion, and mitigates the social and emotional challenges of undiagnosed hearing loss. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and international organizations must prioritize universal NHS to ensure no child is left behind due to unaddressed hearing loss.

Neuropsychology of chronic fatigue syndrome in civilian population in war conditions

This study examines the impact of chronic fatigue on cognitive, neurocognitive, and mental functioning in civilians living in Ukraine under the prolonged stress of the current war. The study involved 487 people aged 27 to 38 years, 63 % women and 37 % men. The Fatigue Assessment Scale was used to measure fatigue, while cognitive activity, passive neurocognitive activity, and mental abilities were evaluated using three validated scales that allow for the analysis of critical aspects of mental functioning. In our study, correlation analysis revealed important gender differences. In women, the strongest relationship was observed between fatigue and mental capacity. Women with higher levels of fatigue also demonstrated a decrease in cognitive abilities. A weaker but still significant correlation was found between fatigue and passive neurocognitive activity, suggesting that passive cognitive processes, such as introspection, are somewhat less affected by fatigue. Men showed a similar pattern, but with slightly different emphases. The correlation between fatigue and cognitive performance was moderate, indicating that men’s cognitive function declines with increasing fatigue, but not as much as women’s. The relationship between fatigue and passive neurocognitive activity was stronger in men than in women. These findings are consistent with previous research on the differential impact of fatigue and stress on cognitive and mental functions, especially in conflict-affected people. Theories of the neuropsychological response to prolonged trauma suggest that the default mode network, which is responsible for passive cognitive processes, is highly sensitive to stress and fatigue, especially in men, while women tend to experience more significant impairments in the frontoparietal network, which supports executive functioning and emotional regulation. These findings emphasize the need for gender-sensitive therapeutic interventions. Our findings suggest that fatigue interventions should be tailored to the unique needs of men and women, with a focus on improving mental resilience and cognitive function. For women, interventions aimed at emotional regulation and stress management may be appropriate, while men may need help maintaining passive cognitive functioning and reflective thinking. Future research should examine the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these gender differences in order to develop more effective therapeutic strategies for populations experiencing chronic fatigue under high stress conditions.

A Hybrid RNN-CNN based Motor Imagery Tasks Classification Approach Using MEG Brain Signals for BCI Applications

<p dir="ltr"><span>Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has become a pioneering technology in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) for neurorehabilitation, which significantly improves communication and motor rehabilitation for people with neurological conditions, especially stroke survivors. MEG-based BCIs allow users to regain control over their motor and cognitive functions by providing precise temporal and spatial resolution for detecting neural activity. The MEG has several benefits including reduced distortion from the skull and scalp, its non-invasive nature, and the ability to capture deep brain activity, all of which enhance the effectiveness of BCI systems. This study focuses on classifying motor and cognitive tasks using various models, including Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), one-dimensional Convolutional Neural Networks (1DCNNs), and a hybrid approach. The effectiveness of the models in classification tasks was evaluated using various metrics such as accuracy, recall, precision, and F1-score. Significantly, the hybrid model exhibited enhanced performance relative to the other models, achieving marked improvements in both classification accuracy and robustness. These results underscore the promise of MEG BCI technology for neurorehabilitation and stress the need for the development of sophisticated classification models to support the recovery of motor and cognitive abilities in people with neurological conditions. This study adds to the expanding research focused on enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals by utilizing innovative BCI solutions, leveraging the unique capabilities of MEG technology to enable more effective neurorehabilitation interventions.</span></p>

Recent Progress in Nanomedicine for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer's Diseases.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes memory loss and progressive and permanent deterioration of cognitive function. The most challenging issue in combating AD is its complicated pathogenesis, which includes the deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) plaques, intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau protein, neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), etc. Despite rapid advancements in mechanistic research and drug development for AD, the currently developed drugs only improve cognitive ability and temporarily relieve symptoms but cannot prevent the development of AD. Moreover, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) creates a huge barrier to drug delivery in the brain. Therefore, effective diagnostic tools and treatments are urgently needed. In recent years, nanomedicine has provided opportunities to overcome the challenges and limitations associated with traditional diagnostics or treatments. Various types of nanoparticles (NPs) play an essential role in nanomedicine for the diagnosis and treatment of AD, acting as drug carriers to improve targeting and bioavailability across/bypass the BBB or acting as drugs directly on AD lesions. This review categorizes different types of NPs and summarizes their applications in nanomedicine for the diagnosis and treatment of AD. It also discusses the challenges associated with clinical applications and explores the latest developments and prospects of nanomedicine for AD.

Active primitive reflexes obstruct tactical and technical skills in football players

ABSTRACT Primitive reflexes (PRs) are involuntary motor responses present at birth, typically replaced by voluntary motor control during development. If PRs remain active beyond infancy, they can impair motor and cognitive abilities. This study investigated the correlation between active PRs and Tactical (TaS) and Technical Skills (TeS) in professional football matches. Fifty-eight male football players (17.5 ± 1.4 years) from a French academy were assessed for PR activity, categorized into inactive or active PR groups. Assessed PRs included asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR), symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR), tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR), and Moro reflex (MR). Analysis of twenty matches showed players with active PRs had significantly lower success rates in TaS and TeS, including 15.5% and 31.8% lower pass success in imbalance and finishing zones (p < 0.01). Players with active PRs also performed worse in defensive actions and duels (p < 0.01). The findings highlight that active PRs hinder football performance, especially in challenging match situations like duels and crowded zones. This suggests the need for training programs to address PR effects and enhance player performance. Further research should refine methods for integrating these RPs.

Urinary Metal Levels, Cognitive Test Performance, and Dementia in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Metals are established neurotoxicants, but evidence of their association with cognitive performance at low chronic exposure levels is limited. To investigate the association of urinary metal levels, individually and as a mixture, with cognitive tests and dementia diagnosis, including effect modification by apolipoprotein ε4 allele (APOE4). The multicenter prospective cohort Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) was started from July 2000 to August 2002, with follow-up through 2018. A total of 6303 MESA participants were included. Data analysis was performed from October 12, 2023, to June 13, 2024. Urine samples were collected at baseline (2000-2002), and arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, tungsten, uranium, and zinc levels were measured in 2020-2022. Digit Symbol Coding (DSC) (n = 3819) (possible score range, 0-133), Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) (n = 3918) (possible score range, 0-100), and Digit Span (DS) (n = 4176) (possible score range, 0-30) cognitive tests were administered in 2010-2012; higher scores of each test indicate increasing levels of positive response. A total of 6303 participants were followed up for dementia diagnosis through 2018. The median age at baseline was 60 (IQR, 53-70) years, and 3303 participants (52.4%) were female. The median cognitive scores were 51 (IQR, 38-64) for DSC, 90 (IQR, 84-95) for CASI, and 15 (IQR, 12-18) for DS. There were 559 cases of dementia through the follow-up period. Inverse associations with DSC were identified: mean differences in z scores per IQR increase in metal levels were -0.03 (95% CI, -0.07 to 0.00) for arsenic, -0.05 (95% CI, -0.09 to -0.004) for cobalt, -0.05 (95% CI, -0.07 to -0.02) for copper, -0.04 (95% CI, -0.08 to -0.001) for uranium, and -0.03 (95% CI, -0.06 to -0.01) for zinc. Among 1058 APOE4 carriers, manganese was also inversely associated with DSC. The joint mean difference of DSC comparing percentile 95th with the 25th of the 9-metal mixture was -0.30 (95% CI, -0.47 to -0.14) for APOE4 carriers and -0.10 (95% CI, -0.19 to -0.01) for noncarriers. Arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, tungsten, uranium, and zinc were individually associated with dementia, with hazard ratios per IQR of metal ranging from 1.15 (95% CI, 1.03-1.29) for tungsten to 1.46 (95% CI, 1.06-2.02) for uranium. The joint hazard ratio of dementia comparing percentiles 95th with the 25th of the 9-metal mixture was 1.71 (95% CI, 1.24-3.89), with no significant difference by APOE4 status. In this study, participants with higher concentrations of metals in their urine, compared with those with lower concentrations, had worse performance on cognitive tests and greater likelihood of developing dementia. The findings of this multicenter multiethnic cohort study might inform screening and potential interventions for prevention of dementia based on individuals' metal exposure levels and genetic profiles.

Individual differences in fluid intelligence moderate the interleaving effect for perceptual category learning

The interleaving effect refers to the finding that repeatedly switching between categories during study or practice enhances learning relative to focusing on only one category at a time. Two studies investigated whether this effect is moderated by individual differences in fluid intelligence (gF), episodic memory (EM) ability, and/or working memory capacity (WMC). In Study 1 (undergraduate students) and Study 2 (adult online participants), higher gF scores were associated with larger interleaving effects for perceptual categories (artists' painting styles). Additionally, higher EM ability was associated with larger interleaving effects for perceptual categories in Study 1, whereas an analogous pattern was observed for WMC in Study 2. There were no indications that the investigated cognitive abilities moderated the interleaving effect for text-based categories (psychological disorders). Overall, these findings suggest that higher-ability learners benefit especially from interleaving in the case of perceptual category learning, with attendant theoretical and pedagogical implications.

Big-fish–little-pond effects on ninth-grade students’ mathematics and language self-concepts: The moderating role of cognitive ability.

Big-fish–little-pond effects on ninth-grade students’ mathematics and language self-concepts: The moderating role of cognitive ability.

Non-invasive scalp recording of electroencephalograms and evoked potentials in unanesthetized horses using a 12-channel active electrode array

Despite the long history of the horse-human bond, our understanding of the brain and mind of horses remains limited due to the lack of methods to investigate their brain functions. This study introduces a novel methodology for completely non-invasive, multi-channel recording of electroencephalography (EEG) and evoked potentials in awake horses to examine equine auditory cortical processing. The new approach utilizes specially designed brush-shaped active electrodes that facilitate stable signal acquisition through the hair coat by penetrating electrode pins and integrated pre-amplifiers. A 12-channel electrode array provided greater scalp coverage than prior work. As a proof of concept, clear cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) were recorded in response to sound onsets and offsets. The equine CAEP waveform morphology resembled the human P1-N1-P2-N2 complex, although the latencies were shorter than typical human values. The CAEP amplitudes were maximal at centroparietal electrodes, contrasting with the frontocentral distribution seen in humans, potentially explained by differences in auditory cortex orientation between species. This non-invasive multi-electrode method enables the evaluation of cognitive abilities, normal and abnormal brain functions, and advances scientific understanding of the equine mind. It offers potential widespread applications for recording EEGs and evoked potentials in awake horses and other medium-to-large mammalian species.

Relationship Between Dietary Diversity, Eating Behavior, and Cognitive Performance in Economically Disadvantaged School Children

The effect of dietary diversity and eating behavior on attention, and concentration among lack-resources children is unclear. We aim to investigate the association between dietary diversity, eating behavior, and cognitive abilities among economically disadvantaged children at high risk of cognitive impairment. This study enrolled 676 children aged 10–12 years from 16 free academic tutoring centers across Taiwan. Demographic and dietary behavior data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Cognitive abilities, specifically attention and concentration, were assessed using the following validated tools: the Attention Test for Elementary School Children and the Concentration Questionnaire. Those who reported poor concentration and attention tend to have a higher prevalence of obesity. After adjustment for confounding variables by general linear model, a significant positive correlation was identified between dietary diversity score (DDS) and classroom concentration score (regression coefficient (β) = 0.24; p < 0.0001). Conversely, the frequency of unhealthy food intake exhibited a negative correlation with concentration (β: −0.09; p = 0.025). Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between the frequency of instant food intake and the attention (β: −0.08; p = 0.04) and concentration scores (β: −0.09; p = 0.026). Thus, enhancing dietary diversity and reducing unfavorable food intake may improve cognitive performance in socioeconomically disadvantaged children.

Effect of hemodynamic suppression on cognitive function in patients after carotid artery stenting.

This study examines the impact of carotid artery stenting (CAS) on cognitive function in stroke patients, particularly in relation to hemodynamic depression (HD). Patients undergoing CAS between January 1, 2019 and June 1, 2023 were included in our study. Depending on whether hemodynamic depression happened, they were separated into two groups: HD and non-HD. Prior to surgery, one month, three months, six months, and a year following surgery, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), and cognitive function scores were compared. 130 patients were included in the study, with an HD incidence rate of 51.54%. The comparison of MMSE and MoCA scores revealed that the HD group showed declining cognitive function post-surgery (P<0.05). Specifically, the MMSE and MoCA scores were significantly lower in the HD group compared to the non-HD group at 3, 6, and 12 months after CAS (P<0.05). Additionally, attention, computation, and memory were significantly lower in the HD group at these time points (P<0.05). The non-HD group demonstrated improvement in MMSE and MoCA scores compared to preoperative levels at 6- and 12-months post-surgery (P<0.05). Following CAS, patients' cognitive ability would briefly drop before returning to baseline and improving even more. Clinical focus should be given to HD prevention because its presence would exacerbate the cognitive function impairment and lengthen the recovery period.

Viability of Superbrain Yoga Practise in Academic Setting: A Systematic Review

Background: Yoga has its roots in India's Vedic era. Practising it enhances the overall health and well-being of students. Superbrain yoga (SBY) is a brief exercise based on the principle of ear acupuncture and repetitive 14 squats. It is practised by many students in India and across other parts of the world. Objective: This systematic review assesses SBY on students' cognitive abilities, academic performance, as well as mental health benefits and discusses if using SBY in academic settings is viable. Methods: The intervention studies of SBY or mixed with other exercises practiced by the student population published in journals and indexed in Web of Science, SCOPUS, and PubMed, are taken into consideration for this review based on PRISMA guidelines. The primary keywords include Superbrain Yoga, Thoppukaranam, and Super Brain Yoga. Studies published in English peer-reviewed journals between 2005 to 2021 were considered. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The review found that SBY practise was feasible in academic settings, with advantages to students' cognitive state (memory, attention, concentration), academic performance, and mental health Additionally, SBY and other yogasana were proven to be beneficial in raising cognitive activity and promoting positive behavioural improvements in students with special needs. Conclusion: More rigorous trials on SBY are needed to substantiate the effectiveness.

Cognitive ability in matching with strategic uncertainty: An experimental study

Strategyproof mechanisms have become the predominant choice for educational institutions. However, both laboratory experiments and empirical evidence highlight the persistent occurrence of strategic misreporting, leading to adverse consequences. This underscores the need to examine the reporting strategies of students, particularly those with varying cognitive abilities, across different decision environments. We present an experimental comprehension test of reporting strategies using computerized opponents to precisely control the levels of strategic uncertainty. The results reveal that removing strategic uncertainty does not significantly affect truth-telling rates. However, subjects with median cognitive ability are more truthful under strategic uncertainty, especially when information is incomplete. Additionally, providing information about priorities has a negative and significant impact on truth-telling rates. The findings of this research demonstrate that constructing a simplified market environment using computerized agents and providing relevant feedback to students can effectively enhance their understanding of the matching mechanism and nudge them to make optimal strategy choices.

Cognitive Process and Information Processing Model Based on Deep Learning Algorithms

According to the developmental process of infants, cognitive abilities are divided into four stages: the Exploration Stage (ES), the Mapping Stage (MS), the Phenomena-causality Stage (PCS), and the Essence-causality Stage (ECS). The MS is a training of the consecutive characteristics of events, similar to a deep learning model; the PCS is a process that symbolizes the input and output of the mapping training, and uses these symbols as the input or output of the mapping training again. After training, the next possible symbol can be predicted, which is equivalent to recognizing the essence. Expressing the essence itself with a function in the ECS represents entering the scope of science. To illustrate the above process, take the evolution journey of an insectoid with only visual and compositional detection capabilities as an example. Without the need for additional learning algorithm programming, the insectoid evolves according to the Cognitive Process and Information Processing Model and can develop its own independent symbol system. The ability to develop its own unique symbolic system actually indicates the birth of an agent.

Good personality traits in bad times: Does conscientiousness mitigate the adverse effects of graduating in a recession?

This paper studies whether and how conscientiousness, a personality trait, helps individuals mitigate the adverse effects of graduating during a recession on early career outcomes. By analyzing college-educated individuals who graduated in the 1980s, we find that conscientiousness reduces the income losses of workers who graduated during a recession. This effect results mainly from workers’ adjustments in the labor supply. When graduating during a recession, college graduates high in conscientiousness are more likely to find full-time jobs and work more hours per week than their counterparts low in conscientiousness. Regarding the other four Big Five personality traits, while agreeableness has a modest effect on mitigating the effects of adverse labor market entry conditions on hourly wages, extraversion, openness to experience, and emotional stability do not appear to buffer against such early career losses. Additionally, cognitive ability does not offset the challenges posed by graduating during a recession.

The Unique Challenges of Treating and Caring for Older Adult Patients With Cancer

In older age, tissue degeneration, decreased cellular competition, and the declining efficiency of clearance mechanisms lead to higher rates of survival and accumulation for cells with adaptive mutations, which increase the risk of cancer cell development (Laconi et al., 2020). Thus, age is a significant risk factor for cancer. It is projected that by 2050, the global population aged 60 and above will rise to 2.1 billion, with those aged 80 and above expected to reach 426 million (World Health Organization, 2024). Taiwan, which became an aging society in 2018, is expected to be a nation in which older adults constitute 46.5% of the total population by 2070 (National Development Council, 2024). As the older adult population increases, the number of patients with cancer will also almost certainly continue to rise. Older adults respond differently to traditional cancer treatments than younger individuals, often experiencing declines in physical function, frailty, and cognitive impairment (Extermann, 2000). Moreover, older adult patients frequently have multiple chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pulmonary, renal, liver diseases) that increase the complexity and risks associated with cancer treatment (Dale et al., 2012). They may also use over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements in addition to prescription drugs (Maggiore et al., 2010), which raises the risk of treatment toxicity and complications, presenting challenges for treatment decision-making. According to a survey by the National Cancer Institute, only 32% of patients with cancer participating in clinical trials were over 65 years old (Murthy et al., 2004). This may relate to the common exclusion of patients with comorbidities, physician attitudes, and/or the lower willingness of older adult patients to participate (Lewis et al., 2003). Thus, existing data may be insufficient to support the development of optimal treatment plans for older adult patients with cancer (Dale et al., 2012; Extermann, 2000). Age discrimination may lead to undertreatment or overtreatment, affecting patients' functional status and quality of life (Extermann, 2000; Hamaker et al., 2022). Currently, most oncology research relies on either the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status scale or Karnofsky Performance Scale to assess health status. However, neither adequately differentiates for the characteristics of older adult patients (Pal et al., 2010). In assessing quality of life in patients with cancer, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire or Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey is commonly used. However, these tools lack targeted assessments for cognitive function, activities of daily living, and autonomy (such as cooking, shopping, making phone calls, and managing finances), which are issues of particular concern in older adult patients (Terret et al., 2011). The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that older adult cancer care should include geriatric assessments (GAs) of key elements such as functional status, mental health, cognitive ability, nutritional status, chemotherapy toxicity risks, life expectancy, comorbidities, fall history, and social support to provide critical reference data for treatment planning (Chapman et al., 2021; Dale et al., 2023; Hamaker et al., 2022). However, a randomized controlled trial showed that GAs do not significantly improve physical function or quality of life for older adult patients with cancer, suggesting the benefits of these assessments remain unclear (Portielje & van den Bos, 2024). Nevertheless, other studies have shown that GAs significantly reduce chemotherapy toxicity and improve satisfaction among patients and their families (Dale et al., 2023). Despite these recommendations, knowledge of geriatric oncology has not been widely integrated into medical training, and GAs have not been incorporated into clinical care processes (Chapman et al., 2021; Diaz et al., 2024), highlighting a global healthcare system lacking the expertise and skills necessary to provide appropriate targeted care for older adult patients with cancer. Given the increasing importance of geriatric cancer care, this column provides an in-depth exploration of the care needs of older adult patients with cancer, treatment decision-making, cognitive impairment issues, and the burdens faced by family caregivers. The four articles within are geared toward enhancing the knowledge and skills of nursing professionals in geriatric oncology care and, ultimately, improving the quality of care provided to older adult patients with cancer.

Evaluating Post-Treatment Quality of Life in Cervical Cancer Patients in Tripura, India

Background: In India, cervical cancer (CC) is the most common gynecological cancer. This harms the patient's physical and psychological health, lowering their quality of life (QOL). The study aimed to compare QOL of healthy women and cervical cancer survivors in Tripura, India. Materials and Methods: With a propensity score matching system, this cross-sectional study compared 384 healthy women with 384 cervical cancer survivors. In order to assess sexual functioning and quality of life, we administered three questionnaires: the EORTC QLQ-C30, the EORTC QLQ-CX24 (the cervical cancer module), and the sociodemographic and clinical record form. Result: Cervical cancer patients had a 64.67±2.68 overall quality of life and global health status. We discovered no statistically significant differences in age, education, economic position, marital status, first pregnancy, or residency between cervical cancer survivors and controls (p 0.05). Cervical cancer survivors reported higher lymphoedema scores than healthy women (p = 0.04). The EORTC QLQ-C30 and CX24 showed significant differences in cognitive ability (p = 0.01) and constipation (p = 0.03) between the two groups. Conclusion: Research indicates that many cervical cancer survivors can maintain an acceptable quality of life despite their condition. Chemoradiotherapy significantly impaired the sexual functioning of cc survivors in comparison to a healthy control group.

Is a body mass index of less than 18.5 kg/m2 associated with an increased susceptibility to mild cognitive impairment? A cross-sectional study conducted in China

ObjectiveInvestigating the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and cognitive decline among elderly people in the Chinese community.DesignA non-random sampling method was employed to conduct a cross-sectional, mixed methods survey...