Cognition In Young Adults Research Articles

Allostatic load and cognitive recall among young adults: Racial, ethnic, and sex-specific variations

Abstract Introduction: While factors such as age and education have been associated with persistent differences in functional cognitive decline, they do not fully explain observed variations particularly those between different racial/ethnic and sex groups. The aim of this study was to explore the association between allostatic load (AL) and cognition in a racially diverse cohort of young adults. Methods: Utilizing Wave V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health – a nationally representative, longitudinal survey of adults aged 34–44, this study utilized primary data from 10 immune, cardiovascular, and metabolic biomarkers to derive an AL Index. Cognition was previously recorded through word and number recall scores. Regression analysis evaluated the association between cognitive recall, AL, age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Results: Regression results indicated statistically higher AL scores among Blacks (IRR = 1.09, CI = 1.01, 1.19) compared to Whites and lower AL score among females compared to males (IRR = 0.76, CI = 0.72, 0.81). At zero AL, Blacks (IRR = 1.2399, CI = 1.2398, 1.24) and Other races (IRR = 1.4523, CI = 1.452, 1.4525) had higher recall while Hispanics (IRR = 0.808, CI = 0.8079, 0.8081) had lower recall compared to Whites. Relative to males, females had higher number recall (IRR = 1.1976, CI = 1.1976, 1.1977). However, at higher, positive levels of AL, Blacks (IRR = 0.9554, CI = 0.9553, 0.9554), Other races (IRR = 0.9479, CI = 0.9479, 0.9479) and females (IRR = 0.9655, CI = 0.9655, 0.9655) had significantly lower number recall than Whites and males respectively. Conclusions: Race and sex differences were observed in recall at different levels of AL. Findings demonstrate the need for further exploration of cognition in young adults across diverse populations that includes examination of AL.

A systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis provide evidence for an effect of acute physical activity on cognition in young adults

Physical exercise is a potential intervention for enhancing cognitive function across the lifespan. However, while studies employing long-term exercise interventions consistently show positive effects on cognition, studies using single acute bouts have produced mixed results. Here, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the impact of acute exercise on cognitive task performance in healthy young adults. A Bayesian hierarchical model quantified probabilistic evidence for a modulatory relationship by synthesizing 651 effect sizes from 113 studies from PsychInfo and Google Scholar representing 4,390 participants. Publication bias was mitigated using the trim-and-fill method. Acute exercise was found to have a small beneficial effect on cognition (g = 0.13 ± 0.04; BF = 3.67) and decrease reaction time. A meta-analysis restricted to executive function tasks revealed improvements in working memory and inhibition. Meta-analytic estimates were consistent across multiple priors and likelihood functions. Physical activities were categorized based on exercise type (e.g., cycling) because many activities have aerobic and anaerobic components, but this approach may limit comparison to studies that categorize activities based on metabolic demands. The current study provides an updated synthesis of the existing literature and insights into the robustness of acute exercise-induced effects on cognition. Funding provided by the United States Army Research Office.

Investigating the acute effect of low and moderate intensity aerobic exercise on whole-body task learning and cognition in young adults.

Recent studies have shown that a single bout of exercise has acute improvements on various forms of memory, including procedural motor learning, through mechanisms such as the plasticity-promoting effect. This study aimed to examine (1) the acute effects of timing and intensity of aerobic exercise on the acquisition and retention of motor learning in healthy adults, (2) the effect of sleep quality of the night before and after acquisition on motor learning, and (3) the acute effects of low and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive functions. Seventy-five healthy adults were divided into five groups: Two groups performed low or moderate intensity aerobic exercise before motor practice; two groups performed low or moderate intensity aerobic exercise after motor practice; the control group only did motor practice. Low- and moderate-intensity exercises consisted of 30 min of running at 57%-63% and 64%-76% of the maximum heart rate, respectively. Motor learning was assessed using a golf putting task. The sleep quality of the night before and after the acquisition was evaluated using the Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire. Cognitive function was assessed before and after aerobic exercise using the Paced Auditory Serial Acquisition Task test. Results indicated that all groups demonstrated acquisition, 1-day and 7-day retention at a similar level (p > 0.05). Regression analysis revealed no significant relationship between sleep quality on the night before the experimental day and total acquisition (p > 0.05). However, a positive correlation was found between the sleep quality on the night of the experimental day and both 1-day and 7-day retention (p < 0.05). A single bout of low or moderate acute exercise did not modify motor skill acquisition and retention. Other results showed the importance of night sleep quality on the retention and proved that a single bout of moderate intensity exercise was associated with improved cognitive function.

Medical comorbidities and lower myelin content are associated with poor cognition in young adults with perinatally acquired HIV.

Approximately 40% of adults living with HIV experience cognitive deficits. Little is known about the risk factors for cognitive impairment and its association with myelin content in young adults living with perinatally acquired HIV (YApHIV), which is assessed in our cross-sectional study. A prospective, observational cohort study. All participants underwent an 11-test cognitive battery and completed medical and social history surveys. Cognitive impairment was defined as Z scores falling at least 1.5 SD below the mean in at least two domains. Twelve participants underwent myelin water imaging. Neuroimaging data were compared to age and sex-matched HIV-uninfected controls. Regression analyses were used to evaluate for risk factors of lower cognitive domain scores and association between myelin content and cognition in YApHIV. We enrolled 21 virally suppressed YApHIV across two sites in the United States. Ten participants (48%) met criteria for cognitive impairment. Participants with any non-HIV related medical comorbidity scored lower across multiple cognitive domains compared to participants without comorbidities. Myelin content did not differ between YApHIV and controls after adjusting for years of education. Lower cognitive scores were associated with lower myelin content in the cingulum and corticospinal tract in YApHIV participants after correcting for multiple comparisons. Poor cognition in YApHIV may be exacerbated by non-HIV related comorbidities as noted in older adults with horizontally acquired HIV. The corticospinal tract and cingulum may be vulnerable to the legacy effect of untreated HIV in infancy. Myelin content may be a marker of cognitive reserve in YApHIV.

Differential spatial working memory-related functional network reconfiguration in young and older adults.

Functional brain networks have preserved architectures in rest and task; nevertheless, previous work consistently demonstrated task-related brain functional reorganization. Efficient rest-to-task functional network reconfiguration is associated with better cognition in young adults. However, aging and cognitive load effects, as well as contributions of intra- and internetwork reconfiguration, remain unclear. We assessed age-related and load-dependent effects on global and network-specific functional reconfiguration between rest and a spatial working memory (SWM) task in young and older adults, then investigated associations between functional reconfiguration and SWM across loads and age groups. Overall, global and network-level functional reconfiguration between rest and task increased with age and load. Importantly, more efficient functional reconfiguration associated with better performance across age groups. However, older adults relied more on internetwork reconfiguration of higher cognitive and task-relevant networks. These reflect the consistent importance of efficient network updating despite recruitment of additional functional networks to offset reduction in neural resources and a change in brain functional topology in older adults. Our findings generalize the association between efficient functional reconfiguration and cognition to aging and demonstrate distinct brain functional reconfiguration patterns associated with SWM in aging, highlighting the importance of combining rest and task measures to study aging cognition.

Assessment of the Effect of Smoking on Cognition in Young Adults

Smoking is an action in which the resultant smoke post-burning is breathed in to be gustated and released into the bloodstream. It causes many undesired effects in people. The main aim of the present investigation is to investigate the effect of smoking on cognition in young adults. For this, a questionnaire and some simple tests have been performed for the selected students. A total of 40 students were taken into study, out of which 20 were smokers and 20 were non-smokers. In the digit symbol substitution test, students were asked to draw a circle around even numbers and a triangle over odd numbers. In the digit vigilance test, the students were asked to cut off all 6 and 9 numbers. In the category fluency test, they were asked to list out the animal names in one minute. In attention switching task, a total of 30 slides were displayed and for each condition different sounding patterns should be made on the table. Smokers took more time to perform digit symbol substitution, digit vigilance and attention-switching tasks than non-smokers. Smokers could not write more animal names when compared to non-smokers. In all the tests, the number of errors performed by smokers is greater than that of non-smokers. This indicates reduced psychomotor and brain functioning in smokers when compared to non-smokers. All the results were statistically analyzed. Thus, from the current research, it was concluded that smoking in young adult students has declined cognitive functioning.

THERANAP: AN EDUCATIONAL SLEEP HEALTH INTERVENTION FOR FRAIL OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Napping and other daytime sleep is often overlooked and poorly defined in insomnia research. Studies have shown correlations between older adults’ napping habits and increased medical co-morbidities and risks of dementia, but others report napping enhances memory consolidation and broader aspects of cognition in younger adults. Why is napping recommended for younger adults but considered problematic for older adults? In previous a research study, (18 older adults in an independent living facility: 6 men,12 women, mean age 84, SD= 7.62, range 67-96, who self-reported sleep problems) participants reported napping in qualitative interviews but denied daytime sleep on standard sleep assessments. Participants spoke about napping apologetically and expressed dread of its links to functional and cognitive decline. They stigmatized planned napping, which could potentially benefit their cognitive functioning, but seemed accepting of accidental napping, which could well indicate more serious physical or cognitive issues To address these issues, TheraNap teaches intentional napping as a therapy. This sleep health education intervention empowers sleep-deprived older adults to take control of their sleep habits by practicing intentional napping to improve overall sleep health. TheraNap includes: • Short sleep health training session with recommended napping guidelines • Two-week long planned napping routines • A sleep diary • Supplementary sleep meditations • Follow-session to assess perceptions of sleep health More research is needed into the ways napping can improve physical and cognitive function, and more education is needed for older adults, their families and caregivers, and LTC staff about the importance of sleep for older adults.

Acute high-intensity interval exercise improves food-related cognition in young adults with obesity: An ERP study

Purpose Cognitive function, particularly food-related cognition, is critical for maintaining a healthy weight and preventing the acceleration of obesity. High-Intensity Interval Exercise (HIIE) is an increasingly popular form of exercise and has been shown to improve physical fitness and cognitive function. However, there is limited research on the effects and underlying mechanisms of HIIE on general and food-related cognition among adults with obesity. The aim of the current study was to examine the influence of a single bout of HIIE on food-related cognition among young adults with obesity.Methods Fifteen young men with obesity (BMI = 33.88 ± 4.22, age = 24.60 ± 5.29 years) were recruited. Participants took part in a HIIE condition consisting of 30 minutes of stationary cycle exercise (5-min warm-up, 20-min HIIE and 5-min cool down), and a control session consisting of a time and attention-matched period of sedentary rest in a counterbalanced order. Behavioral (reaction time and accuracy) and event-related potential measures (P3 and the late positive potential, LPP) elicited during a food-related Flanker task were measured after the HIIE and control session.Results Shorter response times were observed following HIIE, regardless of congruency or picture type, with no change in accuracy. Increased P3 and LPP amplitudes were observed following HIIE relative to the control session.Conclusion The findings suggest a single bout of HIIE has a beneficial effect on general and food-related cognition among young adults with obesity, with increased recruitment of cognitive resources to support cognitive control. Future research is warranted to examine the dose-response relationship between acute bouts or longer participation in HIIE on food-related cognition in obesity.

One-week sleep hygiene education improves episodic memory in young but not in older adults during social isolation.

Memory formation is a dynamic process that comprises different phases, such as encoding, consolidation and retrieval. It could be altered by several factors such as sleep quality, anxiety, and depression levels. In the last years, due to COVID-19 pandemic, there was a reduction in sleep quality, an increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as an impairment in emotional episodic memory encoding, especially in young adults. Taking into account the profound impact of sleep quality in daily life a series of rules has been developed that are conducive to consistently achieving good sleep, known as sleep hygiene education. These interventions have been shown to be effective in improving sleep quality and duration and reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms. Here we propose the implementation of a brief sleep hygiene education to improve sleep quality and memory performance as well as to diminish anxiety and depressive scores. For that, participants were divided into two groups: Sleep hygiene education and control group. After that, they were evaluated for anxiety, depression, and sleep quality levels and trained on an episodic memory task. They were tested immediately after (short-term test) and also 1 week later (long-term test). This procedure was also performed before the sleep hygiene education and was taken as baseline level. We found that episodic memory performance for young adults improved for the SHE group after intervention but not for older adults, and no improvements in emotional variables were observed. Despite not observing a significant effect of the intervention for young and older adults regarding the sleep quality scores, we consider that there may be an improvement in sleep physiology that is not subjectively perceived, but would also have a positive impact on memory processes. These results show that even a sleep hygiene education of 1 week could improve cognition in young adults when acute memory and sleep impairment occurs, in this case, due to the isolation by COVID-19 pandemic. However, we suggest that longer interventions should be implemented for older adults who already experience a natural decline in cognitive processes such as episodic memory formation.

0721 Power Nap or Cognitive Trap? Role of Age in Associations Between Napping and Cognition

Abstract Introduction How napping is associated with cognition is currently unclear with past work indicating napping benefits cognition for young adults and inconsistent findings regarding cognition in older adults. The present study improved upon previous literature by examining how age moderates associations between napping behaviors across a full week and both subjective and objective cognition across the adult lifespan. Methods Cognitively healthy adults aged 18-82 (N=134, Mage=41.43, SD=22.14, 115 females) completed assessments of napping habits across 7 days (naps per week, duration), and subjective cognition [Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) total, sub-scores of CFQ-memory, CFQ-distractibility, and CFQ-blunders]. A sub-set of participants (N=105) also completed objective cognitive tasks: Stroop (inhibition, attention, processing speed), Posner Cueing (attentional orienting), Sternberg (working memory), and Wisconsin Card Sorting (executive function). Multiple regression and Johnson-Neyman analyses evaluated the moderating impact of age on associations between napping and cognition, controlling for sex, anxiety and depression symptoms, and sleep and pain medication usage. Results Age moderated the relationship between nap duration and CFQ-total (R2-change=.02, p=.04), CFQ-memory (R2-change=.04, p=.01), and CFQ-blunders (R2-change=.06, p=.01). Specifically, longer nap duration was associated with fewer global cognitive complaints at age 20 and below (B=-.08, SE=.04, p=.049), more memory complaints at age 69 and above (B=.08, SE=.04, p=.05), as well as more blunder complaints at age 47 and above (B=.05, SE=.02, p=.048). Conclusion Findings suggest longer naps are associated with worse subjective cognition in older adults and better subjective cognition in younger adults. Similar patterns were not observed in middle-aged adults or for objective cognition. More work is needed to understand how the potential cognitive restorative impact of napping in younger adults may be disrupted in older adults. Given known associations between subjective cognition and future cognitive impairment, prospective studies should determine if napping is a key indicator of potential future cognitive decline in aging adults and explore underlying age-related mechanisms in this relationship such as systemic inflammation and changes in Support (if any) This work was supported by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation (NCT0282642; AASM Award #: 212-FP-19 PI: Curtis, a foundation of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine).

Effects of Breakfast on Physical Activity, Attentiveness and Cognitive Functions in Young Adults of Islamabad, Pakistan; A Comparative Cross-sectional Study

Background: The prevalence of breakfast skippers among the young population appears to be increasing. Several studies have been conducted on the breakfast routines of children and their effects, but young adults have been neglected. Objective: To compare the impact of breakfast eaters and skippers on physical activity, attentiveness and cognition in young adults of Islamabad, Pakistan. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study, carried out at Shifa Tameer e Millat University Islamabad, Pakistan from August 2020 to January 2021. Healthy young adults of both genders aged 18-25 years were included except those having any active pathology, mental illness, sedative-hypnotics or smokers were excluded from the study. Informed consent was taken from each participant's priory. About 100 participants were enrolled in the study (50 in each group) through non-probability purposive sampling. Respondents were allocated to groups A (Breakfast Eaters) and B (Breakfast Skippers) based on the criteria taken from recent studies. Physical activity and attentiveness were measured through the standard international physical activity questionnaire short form and everyday life attention scale questionnaire respectively whereas cognitive functions were assessed using Stroop and digit span test. Results: The mean age of respondents in groups A (breakfast eaters) and B (breakfast skippers) was 21.6±1.77 and 21.3±1.80 years respectively. Physical activity and cognitive functions statistically showed no significant difference between the two groups (p&gt;0.05). For attentiveness, all components of the everyday life attention scale questionnaire showed no significant difference (p≥0.05) except for the G component (preparing a meal) which showed a significant difference between both groups (p≤0.05). Conclusion: This study concludes that there is no significant difference in breakfast on physical activity, attentiveness and cognitive functions in young adults of Islamabad, Pakistan.

Mental rotation, episodic memory, and executive control: Possible effects of biological sex and oral contraceptive use

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are one of the most common forms of hormonal birth control. A small literature suggests that OC use may affect visuospatial ability, episodic memory, and executive control. However, previous studies have been criticized for small sample sizes and the use of different, single cognitive tests. We investigated the degree to which biological sex and OC use might affect individual mental rotation, episodic memory, and executive control in a large sample of healthy, young adults (N = 155, including 52 OC users, 53 naturally cycling females, and 50 males) tested individually over videoconference. To measure cognition, we used a set of neuropsychological tasks inspired by Glisky and colleagues’ two-factor episodic memory and executive control battery, from which two composite scores (based on principal component analysis) were derived for each participant. Our pre-registered analysis revealed a clear female advantage in episodic memory, independent of OC use. In an exploratory analysis, gist memory was elevated in OC users. Interestingly, we found no significant sex-related differences nor effects of OC use on mental rotation or executive control. Duration of OC use was also not related to any of our cognitive measures. These results suggest that the use of combined, monophasic OCs does not lead to many significant changes in cognition in young adults, although young females overall may have better episodic memory than young males. Additional studies, including longitudinal designs and looking in more detail at the menstrual cycle and OC use history, will further clarify the effects of different types of OCs and their duration of use on different aspects of cognition.

A Comparison of Continuous and Interval Exercise on Cognition in Young Adults

A Comparison of Continuous and Interval Exercise on Cognition in Young Adults

Neurocognitive Functioning of Pediatric and Young Adult Patients with Gaucher Disease, Type 1

This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the cognitive and executive functioning of sixteen pediatric and fifteen young adult (ages 5 through 30) patients with Gaucher disease, Type 1. The neurocognitive functioning of children with Gaucher disease, Type 1 was based on self- and parent-proxy reports while neurocognitive functioning in young adults was based on self-report only. Results showed that pediatric participants with Gaucher disease, Type 1 on self-report demonstrated a trend toward weaker cognitive functioning than healthy children. Parent proxy-reports did not show significantly different cognitive functioning of children with Gaucher disease, Type 1 compared to healthy peers. Young adults with Gaucher disease, Type 1 self-reported no significant differences in cognitive functioning from healthy young adults. No group differences in executive functioning were observed for child or young adult samples. Parent-reported disease severity was not associated with cognitive outcomes among the pediatric or young adult samples. Results suggest possible mild cognitive weaknesses among children with Gaucher disease, Type 1 while cognition in young adults appears relatively well preserved. This is the first independent examination of cognitive functioning among children and young adults with GD1. Additional studies in younger patients with Gaucher disease, Type 1 are needed to identify possible cognitive dysfunction and elucidate underlying mechanisms.

Mind the age gap: A comprehensive examination of apathy, depression, and cognition in young adults.

Mind the age gap: A comprehensive examination of apathy, depression, and cognition in young adults.

Napping characteristics and cognitive function in older adults

AbstractBackgroundBrief naps are considered beneficial for cognition in younger adults, whereas emerging evidence suggests excessive napping may be associated with dementia in older adults. The effects of napping parameters on different cognitive domains remain controversial, and the role of reasons for napping is poorly understood.MethodWe used cross‐sectional data from the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study. Participants reported on naps that lasted more than 5 minutes over the past month, nap frequency and length, and reasons for napping. Participants reported nighttime sleep duration and quality, and completed overnight polysomnography to assess sleep apnea. Six neurocognitive tests measured attention, memory, learning and executive function.ResultOf the 686 participants (mean (SD), [range] age 65.0 (7.1), [50‐85] years; 44% women), 500 (73%) reported a nap &gt;5 minutes during the past month and 184 (27%) napped at least four times per week. The average nap length was 41.4 minutes. 187 (27%) napped due to not getting enough sleep at night, 52 (7.6%) napped due to illness or medical reasons, 256 (37%) napped to feel refreshed, 27 (3.9%) napped because they felt unhappy or unwell, and 139 (20%) napped for other reasons. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, alcohol intake, smoking, depression, and history of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, those with more frequent naps performed worse on three neurocognitive tests (P&lt;0.02): Symbol‐Digit Modalities (SDMT) (b=‐1.9, standard error (SE)=0.7), Oral Word Fluency (b=‐2.3, SE=0.9) and Auditory Verbal Learning Test (b=‐1.9, SE=0.8). Those with longer naps performed worse on Grooved Pegboard (b=11.0, SE=2.8), Trails B (b=8.1, SE=2.3), SDMT (b=‐1.9, SE=0.4) and Digit Cancellation (b=14.4, SE=5.6). Further adjustment for sleep duration, quality and sleep apnea did not appreciably alter results. There were no associations between specific reasons for napping and cognition.ConclusionAmong middle‐ to older‐aged adults, more frequent naps were associated with worse attention and memory and learning; longer naps were associated with worse attention and executive function. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine how napping characteristics predict cognition as individuals age and to further explore reasons for napping during this transition.

Supplemental Material for Mind the Age Gap: A Comprehensive Examination of Apathy, Depression, and Cognition in Young Adults

Supplemental Material for Mind the Age Gap: A Comprehensive Examination of Apathy, Depression, and Cognition in Young Adults

The relationship between testosterone and social cognition in younger and older adults

Testosterone (T) has been linked to poorer social cognition in younger adults. Because social cognition and T both decline with normal aging, a different type of relationship may exist between T and social cognition in late adulthood. To test this possibility, younger and older adults provided a salivary T sample and completed two social cognition tasks. The results showed that age-group was a significant moderator in the relationship between T and theory of mind (ToM) performance for males, such that T was a negative predictor of ToM in younger males and a positive predictor of ToM in older age. No relationships were identified for females. These findings show for the first time that T is differentially related to ToM in the early and later stages of the male adult lifespan, and are discussed in relation to prior work that suggests T may have neuroprotective effects in older age.

Adverse childhood events and cognitive function among young adults: Prospective results from the national longitudinal study of adolescent to adult health

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may have lasting impacts on cognition. ObjectiveTo determine if ACE exposure is prospectively associated with cognition in young adults. We hypothesized that deprivation- and threat-type ACEs as well as higher cumulative ACE exposure predict poorer cognition. Participants & settingParticipants were from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a prospective cohort investigation of U.S. adolescents followed to adulthood. Current study participants were 18−24 years old (Wave III), 24−32 years old (Wave IV), and 31–42 years old (Wave V). The maximum Wave IV sample was 12,288 adults; Wave V was 1277 adults. MethodsHistory of ACEs were assessed at Wave III. Three cognitive indicators were assessed at Wave IV and Wave V using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (immediate and delayed verbal memory) and the Digit-Span Backward Task (working memory). ResultsThe deprivation ACE of not-having-basic-needs met was associated with poorer working (β = 0.14, CI95 -0.26, −0.01), immediate (β=−0.29, CI95 −0.43, −0.15), and delayed memory (β=-0.27, CI95 −0.43, −0.12) at Wave IV; poorer immediate (β=−0.47, CI95–0.79, −0.16) and delayed memory (β=−0.33, CI95 -0.65, −0.01) at Wave V. The threat ACE of sexual abuse was associated with poorer immediate (β=−0.40, CI95 −0.62, −0.17) and delayed memory (β=−0.29, CI95 −0.55, −0.03) at Wave IV. Higher cumulative ACEs predicted poorer delayed memory (β =−0.05, CI95 −0.10, −0.01) at Wave V. ConclusionsHigher ACEs, especially deprivation-type, were prospectively linked to poorer cognition. Early wide-scale screening/tailored treatments addressing ACEs and cognitive function may be warranted.

Transcranial Infrared Laser Stimulation Improves Cognition in Older Bipolar Patients: Proof of Concept Study.

This is the first study to examine if transcranial infrared laser stimulation (TILS) improves cognition in older euthymic bipolar patients, who exhibit greater cognitive decline than is expected for age-matched controls. TILS is a non-invasive novel form of photobiomodulation that augments prefrontal oxygenation and improves cognition in young adults by upregulating the mitochondrial respiratory enzyme cytochrome-c-oxidase. We used a crossover sham-controlled design to examine if TILS to bilateral prefrontal cortex produces beneficial effects on cognition in 5 euthymic bipolar patients (ages 60-85). We measured cognitive flexibility, verbal fluency, working memory, sustained attention and impulsivity with tasks that have been shown to differentiate between healthy older adults and older bipolar adults. We found TILS-induced improvements in cognitive performance on the tasks that measure cognitive flexibility and impulsivity, after 5 weekly sessions of TILS. We concluded that TILS appeared both safe and effective in helping alleviate the accelerated cognitive decline present in older bipolar patients.