All articles tagged with #cognitive impairment
A large study from Drexel University suggests that voice disorders, such as changes in pitch or volume, may be an early indicator of future dementia or cognitive impairment. The research found that individuals with both voice and hearing issues faced a 104% higher risk, while those with only voice issues had a 58% higher risk. Researchers note that treating voice problems may also support brain health by encouraging social engagement.
A Boston University study of 33 former NFL players diagnosed postmortem with advanced CTE found they often showed cognitive impairment in life but still received the lowest impairment rating under the NFL Concussion Settlement’s baseline assessment, suggesting the program’s criteria miss cases linked to confirmed CTE and may deny compensation; the study, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights a need to reassess diagnostic criteria as the settlement has paid about $1.7 billion through August 2026.
A small randomized trial in 15 adults with obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-maintenance difficulties found that taking 50 mg of quetiapine before bed increased total sleep time and reduced apnea events, but tripled morning attention lapses and worsened driving performance in a simulator. Researchers caution against driving for about 9.5 hours after dosing and note the study’s small size and single-night design, with sex-based differences in drug metabolism potentially influencing effects. Larger studies are needed to confirm the trade-offs between sleep benefits and daytime functioning.
A Johns Hopkins-led retrospective analysis of TriNetX data from ~65,000 older adults with type 2 diabetes found higher rates of cognitive impairment among GLP-1 agonist users (2.6%) versus non-users (1.3%). The authors caution the finding may reflect a survival effect—GLP-1 users live longer and thus have more time to develop cognitive issues—and that causality cannot be inferred from retrospective data; more research is needed to clarify any true risk.
In a Phase II trial with 86 chemotherapy patients, a home-based exercise program (EXCAP) significantly improved attention and perceived cognitive function, while low-dose ibuprofen offered some benefits but with inconsistent effects and possible short-term memory drawbacks; combining both showed added improvements, but exercise was the more robust intervention. Phase III trials are recommended.
Measuring neurofilament light chain (NfL) 48 hours after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest predicts long-term cognitive function (MoCA scores) more accurately than the current NSE biomarker, potentially guiding early rehab and family counseling; findings need further validation.
A 2025 study suggests that having a sense of purpose in life is associated with a 28% reduced risk of developing dementia, likely due to healthier behaviors and improved mental and emotional well-being, though causality has not been established.
A study suggests that 'chemo brain', the cognitive difficulties following chemotherapy, may be caused by damage to the brain's lymphatic system, specifically the meningeal lymphatics, due to chemotherapy drugs like taxanes, which impair the brain's waste drainage and are linked to memory and behavioral changes.
Researchers led by Prof. Takuya Takahashi have discovered that increased AMPA receptor density in the brain correlates with cognitive impairment in Long COVID patients, providing a potential biomarker and target for treatment of brain fog associated with the condition.
Scientists have identified increased AMPA receptor levels as a biological basis for Long COVID brain fog, using advanced PET imaging to correlate receptor density with cognitive symptoms and inflammation, paving the way for new diagnostic and treatment options.
Consuming green tea regularly may help protect against cognitive decline and reduce white matter lesions in the brain of older adults, potentially lowering the risk of dementia and supporting brain health after age 60.
A large autopsy study found that consuming eight or more alcoholic drinks per week is associated with brain vessel damage and cognitive decline, highlighting the long-term risks of moderate to heavy drinking on brain health.
A UC Davis study found that having a strong sense of purpose reduces the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia by about 28%, with benefits seen across racial and genetic groups, suggesting that psychological well-being plays a vital role in healthy aging.
Research indicates that reduced lithium levels in the brain are associated with Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline. In mouse models, low-dose lithium orotate reversed memory loss and decreased amyloid plaques and tau tangles, suggesting potential for lithium replacement therapy. Further clinical trials are planned to explore its safety and efficacy in humans.
A new three-minute EEG-based test called the Fastball EEG could enable early detection of Alzheimer's disease by measuring brain responses to images, potentially allowing for earlier intervention and better management of the disease.