Domains Of Cognitive Function Research Articles

Hyperglycemia is associated with poorer cognitive performance in a cohort of middle-aged people in Qatar: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) prevalence in Qatar is among the highest worldwide. DM has been shown to be associated with reduced performance on numerous domains of cognitive function in elderly population. Here, we sought to determine whether such association also exists in a middle-aged cohort. Research design and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 981 participants aged 40–65 years from the Qatar Biobank. We analyzed glycemic indices: HbA1c, serum glucose, insulin levels, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio. Cognitive function was assessed using two domains of CANTAB: the paired episodic memory (visual memory) and reaction time (motor and mental speed). Results We found significant associations between DM and cognitive impairment. Poor reaction speed was linked to DM (beta 36.80, P < 0.01), higher HbA1c levels (beta 10.73, P < 0.05), larger waist circumference (beta 1.70, P < 0.001), and higher waist-to-hip ratio (beta 252.56, P ≤ 0.01). Poor memory performance was also associated with increased waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. Conclusion The negative association between DM, its biomarkers, and cognitive impairment reported previously in elderly populations also exists in middle-aged individuals. Further research is needed to explore the causality and impact of dysglycemia on other cognitive domains.

Effect of serum antioxidants on cognitive dysfunction in first-episode and drug-naïve patients with major depressive disorder.

Effect of serum antioxidants on cognitive dysfunction in first-episode and drug-naïve patients with major depressive disorder.

Association of Year-to-Year Lipid Variability With Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Lipid metabolism in older adults is affected by various factors including biological aging, functional decline, reduced physiologic reserve, and nutrient intake. The dysregulation of lipid metabolism could adversely affect brain health. This study investigated the association between year-to-year intraindividual lipid variability and subsequent risk of cognitive decline and dementia in community-dwelling older adults. ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) was a randomized trial of aspirin, involving 19,114 participants aged 65 years and older from Australia and the United States who were free of dementia and major cognitive impairment. ASPREE-eXTension is the post-trial observational follow-up of participants, currently to a maximum of 11 years. This post hoc analysis included participants who had lipid levels measured at baseline and in years 1, 2, and 3. Year-to-year variability in total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and triglycerides over the first 3 years was quantified using variability independent of the mean. Individuals who initiated or discontinued lipid-lowering therapy during this period were excluded. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyze associations with incident dementia, adjudicated by expert panels, and cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND) confirmed by a battery of cognitive tests, occurring after year 3. A linear mixed model was used for assessing the association with changes in 4 cognitive function domains, including global, memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, and a composite score from baseline to the end of follow-up. The analysis included 9,846 individuals (median [interquartile range] age: 73.9 [71.7-77.3] years, 54.9% female). 509 incident dementia and 1,760 CIND events were recorded over a median follow-up of 5.8 and 5.4 years after variability assessment. The hazard ratios (95% CI) comparing the highest and lowest quartiles of TC and LDL-c variability were 1.60 (1.23-2.08) and 1.48 (1.15-1.91) for dementia and 1.23 (1.08-1.41) and 1.27 (1.11-1.46) for CIND. Higher TC and LDL-c variability was also associated with a faster decline in global cognition, episodic memory, psychomotor speed, and the composite score (all p < 0.001). No strong evidence was found for an association of HDL-c and triglyceride variability with dementia and cognitive change. Tracking variability of TC and LDL-c may serve as a novel biomarker of incident dementia and cognitive decline in older adults.

Association Between the Use of Information and Communication Technology Tools and Each Domain of Cognitive Function Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study.

This study aimed to determine the association between the use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools, such as mobile voice calling, e-mail, and video calling, and cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults. For the 220 included participants aged ≥65 years, baseline surveys conducted from 2017 to 2018 assessed demographics. Additionally, cognitive function domains were evaluated using the Word List Memory Task, Trail Making Test, and Symbol Digit Substitution Task on a tablet PC. Later, in 2021, follow-up mail surveys assessed the use of ICT tools, including mobile voice calling, e-mail, and video calling. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models revealed that a higher Symbol Digit Substitution Task score was significantly associated with the use of mobile voice calling (odds ratio [OR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.13), e-mail (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04-1.15), and video calling (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.003-1.09) after adjusting for covariates. This study's findings suggest that processing speed may be related to the use of the three ICT tools assessed in this study among community-dwelling older adults, regardless of tool type. The use of these ICT tools may be challenging for older adults with decreased processing speed. Therefore, preventive interventions should include early recognition of the decline in processing speed and implementation of strategies to compensate for reduced processing speed, such as simplifying processes and habituation procedures, to enable the use of ICT tools by older adults.

Selective Effects of Substantia Nigra and Locus Coeruleus Degeneration on Cognition in Parkinson's Disease.

The substantia nigra (SN) and locus coeruleus (LC) are among the first brain regions to degenerate in Parkinson's disease (PD). This has important implications for early cognitive deficits because these nuclei are sources of ascending neuromodulators (i.e., dopamine and noradrenaline) that support various cognitive functions such as learning, memory, and executive function. Our aim was to investigate the selective and independent contributions of SN and LC degeneration to cognitive deficits in PD. We ran a cross-sectional study testing patients with PD and older adults on tasks of positive reinforcement learning, attention/working memory, executive function, and memory to measure cognitive performance in domains thought to be related to dopaminergic and noradrenergic function. Participants also underwent neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging as a measure of degeneration. Reduced SN neuromelanin signal in PD was independently associated with impaired positive reinforcement learning (β = 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08, 0.74) controlling for changes in the LC. In contrast, reduced LC neuromelanin signal was independently associated with impairments in attention/working memory (β = 0.20, 95% CI [-0.47, -0.10]) and executive function (β = 0.22, 95% CI: -0.57, -0.24), controlling for changes in the SN. These results suggest that SN and LC degeneration may contribute to different cognitive deficits, potentially explaining the heterogeneity that exists in the cognitive manifestations of PD. These results also highlight the potential value of leveraging brain-behavior relationships to develop performance-based measures of cognition that could be used to characterize the phenotypic differences associated with underlying patterns of neurodegeneration. © 2025 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Positive Childhood Experiences Support Cognition and Counteract Behavior and Emotion Problems During Early Adolescence.

Positive Childhood Experiences Support Cognition and Counteract Behavior and Emotion Problems During Early Adolescence.

Profile of non-invasive physical health indicators associated with cognitive performance in Chinese older adults: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

BackgroundExisting studies have indicated the potential role of non-invasive physical health indicators as an early detector of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults. However, evidence is lacking in determining the appropriate physical health indicators for early screening of cognitive decline in each domain. Therefore, the current study aimed to establish a comprehensive physical health indicators profile in association with cognitive performance.MethodsThe present study utilized a three-year longitudinal cohort design, with data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). 4,869 participants aged 60–97 years from CHARLS wave 2015 and 2018 who were cognitively and physically healthy were included in analysis. Physical functions (BMI, grip strength, blood pressure, balance tests, course walking time, repeated chair stands, and pulmonary function) were objectively measured by physical tasks. Cognitive performance domains (general cognition, episodic memory, executive function, verbal fluency, orientation, and language-and-praxis) were measured through standardised interviews and cognitive tasks. Multiple linear regression models were conducted to explore the association between physical health indicators and cognitive performance. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify sex-specific factors.ResultsPulmonary function was identified as associated with all domains of cognitive performance in older adults (β ranged between 0.05 and 0.08). Right grip strength was also identified as an important factor associated with all cognitive domains except general cognition (β ranged between 0.04 and 0.12). Subgroup analysis revealed that the association between physical health indicators and cognitive performance is more pronounced in males than in females.ConclusionsA profile of non-invasive physical health indicators associated with cognitive performance was established, which warrants future incorporation of non-invasive physical health indicators in early risk screening systems for MCI, enabling timely intervention and prevention in older adults. Future studies can delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying this full-dimensional relationship between physical and cognitive domains.

MIR218 polygenic risk score is associated with cognitive function and neurochemical metabolites among patients with depressed bipolar disorders.

MIR218 polygenic risk score is associated with cognitive function and neurochemical metabolites among patients with depressed bipolar disorders.

The effects of balance training on cognitive function in persons with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The effects of balance training on cognitive function in persons with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cognitive Impairment in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: A Case Control Study.

Cognitive impairment in multiple domains was observed in primary open angle glaucoma patients as compared to age and gender matched healthy controls. Evaluation of cognitive impairment in individuals with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). In this case-control study, individuals with POAG (cases, n=70) were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (controls, n=70) using detailed ophthalmological evaluation, cognitive assessment and serum cortisol level. A multitude of tests were employed to comprehensively assess various domains of cognitive function: Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination (ACE-III; attention/orientation, memory, language, verbal fluency, and visuospatial skills), Post Graduate Institute Memory Scale (PGIMS; verbal and non verbal memory), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST; nonverbal executive functions), Go No-Go task (GNG; inhibitory control), and Trail Making Test (TMT; attention and working memory). Intraocular pressure and cup disc ratio were significantly higher (P <0.001) while retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and mean deviation were significantly lower in cases as compared to controls. Cases had significantly lower scores on ACE-III and PGIMS (P<0.001) and longer test completion time in TMT-A (P=0.001). The performance of cases was also significantly worse on most parameters of the WCST and GNG tasks. Serum cortisol level was significantly higher in cases (11.75±7.41mcg/dl) compared to controls (7.93±2.39 mcg/dl; P=0.02). A significant correlation was observed between serum cortisol level and WCST correct response (P=0.04), WCST error response (P=0.002) and total time taken in TMT-A (P=0.03).Visual field mean deviation also exhibited a significant correlation with serum cortisol level (P<0.001) and total time taken on WCST (P=0.03) and TMT-A (P=0.03). Individuals with POAG exhibited higher cognitive impairment and raised serum cortisol levels than age-matched healthy controls. Early recognition and management of cognitive impairment are pivotal for enhancing the quality of life and implementing comprehensive glaucoma care.

Social Activities and Cognitive Functioning Across Mid- and Late-Life: Evidence from China.

Social engagement is positively associated with cognitive health, yet the role of these activities across the life span and in different contexts remains under-explored. This study investigates the association between social activities and two domains of cognitive functioning among middle-aged and older Chinese individuals, a population with the highest number of dementia cases in the world. We pay particular attention to the unique role of activities in midlife on cognitive decline in the later years. Using longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011-2018), we conducted mixed-effects linear models to determine the intra- and inter- individual variation on the relationship between social activity and cognitive functioning (N = 26,622 observations nested within 8,089 individuals). Across domains (episodic memory, mental intactness, and total cognition), more social activities in a given year are associated with increased cognitive functioning, independent of age. Independent of these within-individual changes, participation in social activities in midlife predicts better cognitive function across mid and later life across all domains, controlling for childhood adversities, friendship, self-rated health. However, midlife social activities do not significantly predict a slower rate of cognitive decline. Midlife social engagement has a lasting association with cognitive health in later life, yet it is important to recognize that changes occurring throughout both midlife and later life are associated with changes in cognition. This highlights the potential for modification and improvement during this period in the lifespan for aging Chinese.

Crystallized and fluid cognitive abilities have different genetic associations with neuropsychiatric disorders.

Cognitive function is associated with risk for multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. Previous research on the genetic relations between cognition and psychopathology has largely treated cognitive function as unitary, in part due to a lack of well-powered genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on specific domains, particularly crystallized knowledge (Gc). Important domains within the hierarchy of cognitive function, especially Gc, have been underexplored regarding their associations with psychiatric disorders. Here, we parse the genetics of cognitive test performance into components representing reaction time, fluid reasoning, and crystallized knowledge. This multivariate approach that allows us to report results from a GWAS meta-analysis of crystallized knowledge (N ~ 438,000). We then test how multiple neuropsychiatric disorders with established links to cognitive function (Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Alzheimer's Disease) are genetically related to these three cognitive domains, and to a noncognitive factor associated with educational attainment (NonCog). We document specific and heterogenous patterns of genetic associations between each neuropsychiatric disorder and the different domains of cognitive function and the noncognitive factor. Previous reports of genetic sharing between neuropsychiatric disorders and GWAS of aggregate cognitive function or educational attainment have failed identify these substantial differences in which cognitive functions drive these relations for which disorders.

Extreme Heat Exposure is Associated with Lower Learning, General Cognitive Ability, and Memory among US Children.

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat exposure is a significant consequence of climate change, with broad public health implications. While many health risks associated with heat exposure are well-documented, less research has focused on its impact on children's cognitive function. This study examines the relationship between extreme heat exposure and various domains of cognitive function in children. Data were drawn from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Key variables included race/ethnicity, age, gender, family socioeconomic status (SES), heatwave exposure, and multiple cognitive domains: total composite score, fluid composite score, crystallized intelligence, reading ability, picture vocabulary, pattern recognition, card sorting, and list recall. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for data analysis. A total of 11,878 children were included in the analysis. Findings revealed significant associations between extreme heat exposure and lower cognitive performance across multiple domains. The strongest adjusted effects were observed in pattern recognition (B = -0.064, p < 0.001) and reading ability (B = -0.050, p < 0.001), both within the learning domain, as well as total composite cognitive ability (B = -0.067, p < 0.001), fluid composite (B = -0.053, p < 0.001), and crystallized intelligence (B = -0.061, p < 0.001), all within general cognitive ability. Weaker but still significant associations were found for list recall (B = -0.025, p = 0.006) and card sorting (B = -0.043, p < 0.001) within the memory domain, as well as picture vocabulary (B = -0.025, p = 0.008) within general cognitive ability. These associations remained significant after controlling for demographic factors, race/ethnicity, family SES, and neighborhood SES. This study underscores the impact of climate change on cognitive function disparities, particularly in learning and general cognitive ability among children exposed to extreme heat. Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the cognitive risks associated with heat exposure in vulnerable populations.

The disencapsulated mind: A premotor theory of human imagination.

Our premodern ancestors had perceptual, motoric, and cognitive functional domains that were modularly encapsulated. Some of these came to interact through a new type of cross-modular binding in our species. This allowed previously domain-dedicated, encapsulated motoric and sensory operators to operate on operands for which they had not evolved. Such operators could at times operate nonvolitionally, while at other times they could be governed volitionally. In particular, motoric operations that derive from the same circuits that compute hand motions for object manipulation could now be retooled for virtual manipulation in a mental workspace in the absence of any physical hand or other effector movements. I hypothesize that the creativity of human imagination and mental models is rooted in premotor simulation of sequential manipulations of objects and symbols in the mental workspace, in analogy with the premotor theory of attention, which argues that attention evolved from "internalized" eye movement circuitry. Overall, operator "disencapsulation" led to a bifurcation of consciousness in humans: a concrete form centered on perception of the body in the physical world and an abstract form focused on explanatory mental models. One of the consequences of these new abilities was the advent of psychotic disorders that do not exist in species possessed solely of the concrete type of consciousness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Effects of diesel exhaust inhalation on cognitive performance in human volunteers: A randomized controlled crossover study.

Effects of diesel exhaust inhalation on cognitive performance in human volunteers: A randomized controlled crossover study.

Cumulative blood pressure load and cognitive decline in older adults: An observational analysis of two large cohorts.

Cumulative blood pressure load and cognitive decline in older adults: An observational analysis of two large cohorts.

Sacubitril/valsartan is associated with improvements in quality of life in adult congenital heart disease patients with systemic right ventricular failure

BackgroundShort-term improvements in quality of life (QOL) have been reported in adult congenital heart disease patients with systemic right ventricle (sRV) failure after treatment with sacubitril/valsartan. This study aimed to...

LONG-TERM OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION CONCENTRATIONS AND COGNITION: FINDINGS FROM THE HCAP SUBSTUDY OF ELSA

Abstract Background Although air pollution has been associated with cognitive impairment, several key details of these relationships remain unknown. This includes understanding how different pollutants and their emission sources impact the brain as well as the particular aspects of cognition that are susceptible to pollution. In this study, we consider the associations between 8 years of exposure to different air pollutants (including total PM2.5 and PM2.5 from different emission sources, and NO2) with different domains of cognitive performance among older people. Methods We used data from the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) sub-study of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (2018, N~1,200). This study measured a range of key cognitive domains affected by cognitive ageing, including attention, memory, executive function, language, and visuospatial function. Outdoor concentrations of each pollutant for all HCAP respondents’ residences were assessed since 2010. Averages and group-based trajectory modelling were then used to summarise long-term air pollution exposures and their relationships with cognition After adjustment for key personal and neighbourhood confounders. Results Preliminary results suggest that respondents with higher residential levels of air pollution reported poorer cognitive function, especially for verbal fluency and executive function. Particularly, we found sustained high levels of NO2 to be associated with poorer cognition, even when baseline levels of cognition were accounted for (B=-1.75, 95%CI=-3.43;-0.06). Regarding PM2.5, our results suggest that emissions from industry are particularly detrimental to cognition. Conclusions Efforts to reduce levels of exposure to air pollution should continue as this is a risk factor for poorer cognitive performance.

지역사회 노인의 연하기능과 인지기능간의 상관관계

Objective : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of dysphagia among community-dwelling older adults and to investigate the correlation between swallowing function and cognitive function. Methods : The study was conducted over eight weeks, from June 1 to July 30, 2024, targeting 108 elderly individuals aged 65 years or older who attended A, B, C, and D Senior Welfare Centers located in W Metropolitan City. Descriptive statistics were derived from the collected data using SPSS 23.0 for Windows. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between swallowing function and cognitive function in this population. Results : Using the EAT-10 assessment, the prevalence and characteristics of dysphagia among community-dwelling elderly people were identified. The number of individuals reporting dysphagia-related difficulties was as follows: K1 (16), K2 (31), K3 (36), K4 (36), K5 (74), K6 (13), K7 (31), K8 (33), K9 (24), and K10 (25). Among the six cognitive function domains, the orientation (OR) domain showed a positive correlation with K5, while the domains of attention, visuospatial function, executive function, memory, and language showed negative correlations with the K-EAT-10 items. Conclusion : The EAT-10 assessment confirmed a significant prevalence of dysphagia among community-dwelling elderly individuals. Many participants experienced issues such as weight loss, avoidance of eating out, and difficulty swallowing due to dysphagia. Analysis revealed that the severity of dysphagia was negatively correlated with various cognitive functions, including attention, visuospatial function, executive function, memory, and language.

RELATIONSHIP OF MULTISENSORY IMPAIRMENT WITH PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN OLDER ADULTS IN SOMMA

Abstract There is growing evidence that various sensory and cognitive functions can impact physical performance but the relationship of multisensory impairment (MSI) and cognition with mobility in older adults is not well understood. We hypothesized that MSI would be associated with worse performance on timed physical mobility assessments, but that the association would be attenuated by controlling for tests of cognitive processing speed. Participants (N=799) were older adults (mean age 76.25+/-4.95 years; 59.82% female; 84.46% Non-Hispanic White) who completed tests of physical performance, cognitive function, and multiple sensory domains (vision, olfaction, peripheral sensation, self-reported hearing). An 8-point MSI scale was created: 1 point for moderate and 2 points for severe impairment in each sense. Separate linear regression models examined the association of MSI with 400-m gait speed, extended short physical performance battery (eSPPB), 4-square step test (FSST) and stair climb test, adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates. Each additional point on the MSI scale was associated with 0.009 m/s slower walking speed (p=0.049), 0.05 lower eSPPB score (p=0.0001), and 0.2 s longer FSST time (p=0.008), but there was no association with stair climb time(p=0.59). After adjusting for DSST and Trails B, the association of MSI with 400-m gait speed and FSST were no longer significant (p&amp;gt;0.05) and the association with eSPPB was partially attenuated (-0.03 units/MSI point, p=0.0037). Older adults with MSI had worse mobility function which may be partially related to cognitive processing speed. Future studies should investigate if older adults with MSI would benefit from interventions to improve mobility.