Cognitive Enhancement

Intranasal Insulin for Mild Cognitive Impairment: Enhancing Social Skills, Memory, Grey Matter Volume (2024 Case Report)

by

Extended intra-nasal insulin (INI) treatment in an insulin-resistant early Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patient improved grey matter volume, reduced beta-amyloid levels, and enhanced cognitive and pragmatic capacities, suggesting potential to slow neurodegenerative disease progression. Highlights: Grey Matter Volume: After 9 months of INI treatment, the patient experienced an increase in grey matter volume. Beta-Amyloid Levels: …

Read more

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Cognitive Enhancement: What the Research Suggests

by

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is emerging as a revolutionary tool in enhancing cognitive functions, with over sixty studies indicating significant improvements in various tasks. Unlike traditional pharmaceutical approaches, TMS offers a non-invasive alternative to modulate brain activity, potentially benefiting healthy individuals and those with neurological conditions. Key Facts: Over 60 Studies Show TMS Enhancement: Research …

Read more

Examining the Effects of Methylphenidate, Modafinil, Caffeine as Cognitive Enhancers in Healthy Adults

by

Stimulants like caffeine, methylphenidate, and modafinil have repeatedly been shown to boost cognitive abilities such as attention, focus, and memory in healthy individuals. A new study provides insight into the underlying brain mechanisms of this cognitive enhancement effect. Key Facts: All three stimulants (caffeine, methylphenidate, modafinil) enhanced performance across different memory tasks Stimulants increased functional …

Read more

Cognitive Enhancement: Hidden Costs & Trade-Offs To Consider

by

Cognitive enhancement techniques hold great promise for boosting our mental abilities, but they may also come with hidden costs according to new research. Key Facts: Cognitive enhancement aims to improve mental functioning in healthy people through methods like brain stimulation, smart drugs, and cognitive training. While benefits have been the main focus, researchers argue that …

Read more

Estradiol for Cognitive Enhancement: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Research

by

Estradiol enhances memory and other aspects of cognition in animals and humans, but translating the research into effective hormone replacement therapies (HRTs) has faced challenges. Recent developments indicate multiple mechanisms, along with some key facts: Estradiol enhances memory consolidation via genomic and rapid signaling cascades acting minutes-to-hours after learning. Synaptic plasticity and spine remodeling appear …

Read more

Cognitive Enhancement with Smart Drugs to Optimize Brain Performance? Exploring the Potential

by

Researchers explore various drug compounds and their potential to enhance human cognition, including attention, learning, and higher-order thinking. While some progress has been made, many questions remain. Key Facts: Several drug compounds show potential to mildly enhance some cognitive functions like attention, learning, and memory. These include stimulants, wakefulness agents, and compounds that affect memory …

Read more

Neurofeedback for Cognitive Enhancement & Neuroplasticity?

by

Neurofeedback is a promising technique that allows people to voluntarily control their own brain activity with the goal of improving cognitive functions or relieving symptoms. Key Facts: Neurofeedback provides real-time feedback on brain activity, allowing a person to learn to control activity in specific brain regions. It has shown clinical benefits for disorders like ADHD, …

Read more

Nicotine: Cognitive Enhancement or Normalization of Deficits?

by

Smoking remains a major public health issue. Nicotine, the primary addictive component of tobacco, may enhance cognition but also drives continued use. Understanding nicotine’s effects on the brain is key for developing better interventions. Key facts: Nicotine enhances functions like attention, motor skills, and memory but mechanisms remain unclear. Genetic variations predict responses to nicotine’s …

Read more

Dual N-Back Training & Neuroplasticity: Robust Connectivity Changes in the Inferior Frontal Gyrus

by

Working memory training has been shown to provide widespread cognitive benefits, but how exactly does it change our brains? New research reveals that a demanding “dual n-back” training program alters functional connectivity even during rest, shedding light on the neural mechanisms underlying training-induced plasticity. Key Facts: Dual n-back training increased connectivity of the ventral default …

Read more

Dual N Back Training Improves Working Memory Function

by

A new study published in Scientific Reports provides insight into which memory training techniques are most effective at improving working memory. The research compared an adaptive n-back training task to the memory palace technique over 20 days of training. Both groups improved on trained tasks, but n-back training showed greater transfer to untrained working memory …

Read more

+ Load more