Category Archives: Cognition

L-Dopa Improves Decision-Making In Older Adults

Posted on March 26, 2013 by rkennedy

A study published online  in Nature Neuroscience has demonstrated that a drug widely used to treat Parkinson’s Disease can help to reverse age-related impairments in decision making in some older people.  Researchers from Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging describe the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cognition, Genetics, Imaging, Memory, Neuroscience | Comments Off

We Stlil Can Raed Words Wehn Teh Lettres Are Jmbuled Up?

Posted on March 16, 2013 by rkennedy

Researchers have taken an important step towards understanding how the human brain ‘decodes’ letters on a page to read words. [More...]

Posted in Cognition, Neuroscience, News | Comments Off

Magnetic Stimulation Can Improve Memory in Schizophrenia

Posted on March 13, 2013 by rkennedy

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry provides new evidence that stimulating the brain using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may be an effective strategy to improve cognitive function. A randomized, 4-week controlled trial (n=27) evaluated whether rTMS can improve … Continue reading →

Posted in Cognition, Cognitive Stimulation, Neuroscience, Schizophrenia, Transcranial magnetic stimulation | Comments Off

First Guidelines for Amyloid Imaging in Alzheimer’s Released

Posted on January 28, 2013 by rkennedy

Published today, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the Alzheimer’s Association have jointly published the first criteria for the appropriate use of this imaging technology to aid in the diagnosis of people with suspected Alzheimer’s disease. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's Disease, Brain Scan, Cognition, Dementia, Diagnosis, Guideline, Imaging, MCI, PET, Radiology | Comments Off

Research Shows How the Human Brain Adapts to Injury

Posted on January 17, 2013 by rkennedy

A study published in Cerebral Cortex, demonstrates that when one brain area loses functionality, a “back-up” group of secondary brain areas immediately activate, replacing not only the unavailable area but also its collateral areas. Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University’s Center … Continue reading →

Posted in Brain Scan, Cognition, MRI, Neuroscience | Comments Off

Nature Nurtures Creativity Without Electronic Devices

Posted on December 18, 2012 by rkennedy

Adults and children have been spending more time interacting with media and technology and less time participating in activities in nature. There are ramifications of such a  life-style change not only for our physical well-being, but what impact does this … Continue reading →

Posted in Cognition, Creativity, Nature | Comments Off

Schizophrenia and Sleep Problems

Posted on November 21, 2012 by rkennedy

The possible link between poor sleep and schizophrenia is being studied by researchers from the University of Bristol. Scientists are exploring the impact of irregular sleep patterns on the brain by recording electrical brain activity in multiple brain regions during … Continue reading →

Posted in Cognition, Schizophrenia, Sleep | Comments Off

Regular Physical Activity Can Reduce Risk of Dementia in Older People

Posted on November 3, 2012 by rkennedy

A new study published in the journal Stroke reports that older,  non-disabled individuals who engage in regular physical activity reduced their risk of vascular dementia by 40 percent and risk of any type of cognitive impairment by 60 percent. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's Disease, Cognition, Dementia, Diabetes, Imaging, Physical exercise | Comments Off

The Effects of General Medical Health on Alzheimer’s Progression Revisited

Posted on August 30, 2012 by rkennedy

For several years, studies have suggested that there is a link between health status or lifestyle and rate of progression in Alzheimer’s disease. Research on published in International Psychogeriatrics studied 335 individuals diagnosed with dementia for 11 years in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's Disease, Biomarker, Cognition, Dementia, Medical health | Comments Off

Therapy in Virtual Environments: Are the Rights and Responsibilities the Same as in the Real World?

Posted on August 28, 2012 by rkennedy

There has been a steady increase in the use of therapy for psychological disorders in virtual environments (VE) and using computer-assisted treatment over the last decade. Do the same guidelines and ethical standards apply as they do in the in-person … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Cognition, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Diagnosis, Guideline, Internet, Mental health, Pain, Phobia, Practice guideline, Psychological interventions, PTSD, Technology, Treatment, Virtual Environments | Comments Off