Summary: A new study demonstrates that some highly gifted dogs can categorize objects not just by appearance, but by how they are used. When taught words like “pull” or “fetch,”…
Tag: cognition
Artificial Sweeteners Tied to Faster Cognitive Decline
Summary: A large study of nearly 13,000 adults found that consuming high levels of certain artificial sweeteners is linked to faster declines in memory and thinking over eight years. The…
Tiny Brain Region Orchestrates How We Segment and Remember Life Events
Summary: Our memories don’t flow like a continuous stream—they’re divided into meaningful events, thanks to a tiny brain region called the locus coeruleus. New research shows this region acts like…
Facial Expressions Reveal Hidden Cognitive States
Summary: New research shows that facial expressions can reveal internal cognitive states, accurately predicting task performance across both macaques and mice. By analyzing facial features during a foraging task in…
Older adults with dementia misjudge their financial skills – which may make them more vulnerable to fraud, new research finds
Older adults diagnosed with dementia lose their ability to assess how well they manage their finances, according to a recent study I co-authored in The Gerontologist. In comparison, people of…
‘Grit’ and relentless perseverance can take a toll on brain health − particularly for people facing social stresses like racism
For many people, grit – the perseverance and passion for long-term goals – is a virtue. It is also a key ingredient in overcoming challenges, achieving success and maintaining resilience.…
What Are Thoughts? Exploring the Mystery of the Mind
Summary: The nature of thought remains one of philosophy’s greatest mysteries, with deep implications for neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Two main theories compete: materialism, which sees thoughts as brain states,…
Verbal Fluency Might Predict Human Longevity
Summary: A recent study reveals a surprising link between longevity and verbal fluency—the ability to effectively recall and utilize vocabulary. Researchers analyzed cognitive data from the Berlin Aging Study, involving…
Low-Normal B12 Levels Linked to Slower Brain Processing
Summary: Even when within the normal range, lower levels of vitamin B12 may contribute to cognitive decline, according to a new study. Researchers found that older adults with lower biologically…
Long COVID Impairs Exercise Capacity and Cognition for Years
Summary: A study of nearly 1,000 people with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) revealed that two-thirds still experienced significant symptoms, including reduced exercise capacity and cognitive performance, two years after infection. Persistent…
