Tag: Cognition
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Can Brainless Animals Think? Understanding Simple Nervous Systems
Intro: The Question at Hand The phrase “brainless animals” often conjures images of mindless creatures. Yet many animals such as jellyfish, sea stars, sea urchins, and sea anemones display complex behaviors: catching prey, avoiding danger, and reacting to changing environments. If they aren’t wired with a centralized brain, can we still say they think? The…
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Heart checks could flag dementia risk 25 years early, study suggests
New findings link heart health to future dementia risk A growing body of research indicates that indicators normally associated with heart health in midlife may also reveal future cognitive risks. In a recent study, scientists found that higher levels of a protein called troponin in the blood during midlife were associated with an increased likelihood…
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Study reveals the surprising age when your brain is at its sharpest
Introduction: Rethinking the timeline of cognitive peak For decades, the common narrative has portrayed youth as the pinnacle of cognitive performance. But a recent study challenges that view, suggesting that our minds may be reaching their sharpest point later in life. Published in Intelligence and led by Associate Professor Gilles E. Gignac of the University…
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Midlife peak: How turning 60 can be your cognitive and leadership prime
Turning 60 might be your peak, not your fall Worried about turning 60? Science suggests there’s a compelling counter-narrative: for many people, overall psychological functioning actually peaks between ages 55 and 60. This insight isn’t just academic; it reframes how we think about leadership, problem-solving, and the value of experience in the workforce. Beyond raw…
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Smoking Accelerates Huntington’s Progression: Clinical Practice Implications
Overview: Smoking as a Modifiable Factor in Huntington’s Disease Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive, incurable neurodegenerative disorder. While genetic timing largely governs onset, environmental and lifestyle factors can modulate how quickly symptoms emerge and advance. A recent analysis using Periodic Dataset 4 from Enroll-HD examined 2,438 individuals, including 799 presymptomatic carriers, with four consecutive…
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Smoking Tied to Faster Huntington’s Decline: Implications for Clinical Practice
Overview: Smoking as a Modifiable Factor in Huntington’s Disease Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive, incurable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and behavioral decline. While genetics determine risk, researchers are increasingly focused on modifiable environmental factors that might influence when symptoms begin and how quickly they worsen. A recent analysis using Periodic Dataset 4…
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What Your Breakfast Says About Lifespan: A Morning Menu for Brain Power and Longevity
The daily breakfast choice that shapes longevity The breakfast you choose every morning may do more than curb mid-morning hunger. It can quietly signal energy balance, brain health, and even long-term lifespan. A recent randomized crossover study explored how different breakfast types affect blood sugar, hunger hormones, and cognitive function, showing that what you eat…
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The Breakfast You Pick Could Predict Your Lifespan: A Clear Wake-Up Call
The morning choice that quietly shapes your health Every day begins with a choice, and that choice may slowly influence how long and how well your brain stays sharp. Breakfast is not merely the first meal; it signals energy, metabolism, and even longevity. Recent research has explored how different breakfast types impact blood sugar, hunger…
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New findings tie Long COVID brain fog to AMPA receptor changes
Overview: Long COVID brain fog and a search for molecular clues Long COVID has emerged as one of the most persistent health challenges of the post-pandemic era. Among its most troubling consequences is cognitive impairment, commonly referred to as “brain fog,” which disrupts memory, attention, and problem-solving for many patients. While neuroimaging has revealed structural…
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Poor Sleep Health May Accelerate Brain Aging, KI Study Finds
Overview: poor sleep and the aging brain Bad sleep has long been associated with dementia risk, but it remains unclear whether unhealthy sleep habits drive brain aging or simply reflect early disease symptoms. A large study from Karolinska Institutet addresses this question by examining how sleep patterns relate to brain aging in relation to chronological…