Tag: Cognition
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Love dancing? Here’s why it is so powerful for your brain
Move, groove, and unlock your brain Most people see dancing as a joyful hobby or a social pastime. But new research suggests that dancing does something deeper: it powers your brain in ways that can improve memory, attention, and overall cognitive health. When you move to music, your body and brain form a tight, synergistic…
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ADHD Meds Boost Alertness, Not Just Focus — New Findings
Understanding ADHD Medications and Their Usual Purpose Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications have long been prescribed to help people manage symptoms that interfere with daily life. Traditionally, these drugs are understood to enhance attention, impulse control, and the ability to sustain focus on tasks. The latest research, however, suggests a more nuanced story: these…
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Video Games as a Cognitive Boost: How Your Play Style Drives the Benefits
The Surprising Link Between Video Games and Cognition Video games are often misunderstood as mere distractions, but growing research suggests they can offer real cognitive benefits. Far from dulling the mind, well-chosen and well-played games may sharpen attention, enhance problem-solving skills, and improve mental flexibility. The key, researchers say, lies in how we engage with…
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Video Games May Boost Cognition: How Play Shapes Brain Health
How video games can sharpen the brain Recent discussions about video games often focus on their potential downsides, but a growing body of research suggests they can offer meaningful cognitive benefits when engaged thoughtfully. Rather than simply serving as entertainment, well-chosen games challenge the brain in ways that resemble real-world skill development. Experts emphasize that…
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What to Do in Every Decade of Your Life to Reduce Dementia Risk
Introduction: Why Decade-Specific Brain Health Matters Brain health isn’t built in a day; it’s the result of daily choices across life. While age and genetics influence dementia risk, research suggests a large portion could be shaped by midlife habits and lifelong lifestyle. Here’s a practical guide to what to focus on in each decade to…
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Astrocyte-Driven Therapy Shows Promise for Reversing Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s
New Astrocyte-Driven Mechanism Clears Amyloid Plaques and Preserves Cognition Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a natural, brain-immune process that can clear amyloid plaques and protect cognitive function in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. By harnessing the activity of astrocytes, a type of glial cell that supports and modulates neurons, researchers demonstrated a…
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Fluoride in Water and Kids’ IQ: Do Studies Find Effects?
Overview: What current research says about fluoride and child cognition Public health measures often target dental health, with fluoride in drinking water being a common strategy. A persistent question in scientific and public discourse is whether such exposure could influence children’s cognitive development or IQ. Over the past two decades, large, well-designed studies and systematic…
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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…