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Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are major public health concerns. DNA methylation (DNAm)-based biomarkers such as GrimAge and PhenoAge predict aging and health risk, but were not designed to optimize prediction of cognitive function or decline. Epigenetic g-a DNAm-derived index of general cognitive ability-is a promising marker of cognitive function that has not been assessed in a racially and socioeconomically diverse population. We used data from the 2016 Venous Blood Study of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative cohort of U.S. adults aged ≥ 51 years (N = 3575 with high-quality DNAm). Epigenetic g scores were computed using CpG weights from a BayesR+ model of general cognitive ability developed in Generation Scotland. Cognitive function was measured with a modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) at each interview wave. Linear regression estimated associations with cognitive scores; mixed-effect growth curve models estimated the association with cognitive change. Models were adjusted sequentially for demographics, education, parental education, APOE ε4 status, and blood-based neurodegeneration markers (NfL, GFAP, Aβ42/40, pTau181). Higher epigenetic g was associated with better baseline cognition (β = 2.55, 95% CI 1.80-3.30)) and cognition at the time DNAm was measured (β = 2.30, 95% CI 1.47-3.13) after demographic adjustment. Associations were attenuated but remained significant with education and parental education (β = 1.23-1.89). In growth curve models, Epigenetic g was associated with higher cognitive performance but did not have a statistically significant association with decline over a 6-year period. Results were robust to adjustment for APOE ε4 and neurodegeneration biomarkers. Epigenetic g is a scalable, blood-based marker of cognitive function, and potentially or cognitive reserve, that adds predictive value beyond demographics, socioeconomic indicators, APOE, and neuropathology. Its validation in a diverse, nationally representative U.S. cohort underscores its potential for early risk profiling and for research on social determinants of cognitive aging in cross-national samples.

Circadian disruption, a common consequence of shift work, is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment. However, existing occupational studies lack generalizability and the underlying structural mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between circadian disruption, cognitive impairment and hippocampal white matter integrity, as well as their changes following circadian rhythm restoration. We analyzed UK Biobank longitudinal cohort data, comparing cognitive performance (including reaction time, numeric memory, fluid intelligence, and prospective memory) and structural connectivity derived from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between shift and non-shift workers. Mouse models of chronic circadian disruption and recovery were established to complement the human findings. Compared with non-shift workers, shift workers exhibited cognitive impairment, with a maximum decrease of 14.81% in fluid intelligence scores; notably, their cognitive performance remained lower than that of never-shift workers even after ceasing shift work, with a maximum reduction of 7.73% in fluid intelligence. Higher Criticism analysis indicated alterations in whole-brain structural connectivity in shift workers, including the hippocampus, with approximately 90% of structural connectivity in the bilateral hippocampi showing a decrease (Cohen's d&#x202f;<&#x202f;0). Murine models of 8-week circadian disruption confirmed cognitive impairment and myelin loss; furthermore, mice with 8&#x202f;weeks of circadian rhythm restoration following chronic circadian disruption also displayed hippocampus-related cognitive function inferior to that of controls, as well as slow-to-recover myelin structure. This study indicates that circadian disruption induces slow-to-recover cognitive impairment; this impairment is hippocampus-associated, and the myelin architecture of the hippocampus also exhibits a slow-to-recover pattern.

Pain is highly prevalent among older adults and represents a significant risk factor for cognitive frailty, but the underlying mechanism remains insufficiently understood. To examine the mediating effects of basic, instrumental, and advanced activities of daily living (ADL) in the relationship between pain and cognitive frailty in community-dwelling older adults. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 710 Chinese adults aged 60 and above. Pain was measured using the Revised Faces Pain Scale. Cognitive frailty, defined by the FRAIL scale, subjective cognitive decline, and Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, was subclassified into reversible cognitive frailty (RCF) and potentially RCF (PRCF) subtypes. Katz Index for basic ADL, the Lawton Scale for instrumental ADL, and the advanced ADL scale (AADL). Parallel mediation models were tested using logistic regression, Z-test, and bootstrapping, while adjusting for covariates. Pain was significantly associated with both subtypes of cognitive frailty (RCF: OR = 3.75, 95% CI [2.36, 5.97]; PRCF: OR = 7.60, 95% CI [4.10, 14.06]). AADL, rather than basic ADL and instrumental ADL, partially mediated this association for both RCF and PRCF. Both the Z-test and bootstrapping method confirmed the indirect effect (estimate = 0.316, SE = 0.095, 95% CI [0.157, 0.533]). AADL played a key mediating role in the link between pain and cognitive frailty. Interventions targeting AADL may be crucial for preventing cognitive frailty in older adults experiencing pain.

Heart transplantation (HTx) represents the definitive treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF). Neurological complications, particularly cognitive impairment (CI), may influence prognosis, thereby affecting the overall benefits of HTx. CI in HF is associated with disease severity, extracardiac dysfunction, and peri- or intra-operative factors such as prolonged ventilation, cerebral hypoperfusion, and systemic inflammation. However, existing studies on CI in HTx candidates are highly heterogeneous, limiting comparability and highlighting the need for a clearer understanding of its impact in both candidates and recipients. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024549051) and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched for studies published between 2013 and June 2025. Eligible studies assessed cognitive function in adult HF patients undergoing HTx. Of 1188 records screened, eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Most cognitive studies employed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), while two used comprehensive neuropsychological batteries. Evidence confirmed that CI is common among HF and HTx populations. Incorporating cognitive status into frailty assessments enhanced prediction of adverse outcomes, including prolonged hospitalization and reduced survival. Cognitive decline was frequently observed in the immediate post-transplant period, often linked to high-dose immunosuppressive therapy and anemia, while long-term improvements were reported in attention, memory, and executive function. Cognitive assessment is essential in HTx candidates, as CI has a major impact on survival. Further studies are needed to clarify long-term cognitive trajectories and the role of immunosuppressive therapy in shaping outcomes.

The human thalamus serves as a central integrative hub, facilitating the transmission of information among the cerebral cortex, subcortical structures, and the peripheral nervous system, while supporting a range of higher cognitive functions. Although significant age-related changes in thalamic volume and microstructure have been reported, the specific differences in the volumes of thalamic nuclei and their associations with cognitive functions throughout adulthood remain unclear. T1-weighted MRI scans from 314 cognitively healthy individuals were categorized into four age groups: young (20-35 years), early middle-aged (36-50 years), late middle-aged (51-65 years), and older (>65 years). Thalamus volumes and cognitive function scales were compared across age groups, and associations between thalamic volume and cognitive function with age were further analyzed. Significant atrophy was observed in all ventral thalamic nuclei in older adults, as well as in the paracentral (Pc), mediodorsal medial (MDm), lateral geniculate (LGN), and anterior pulvinar (PuA) nuclei. The volumes of thalamic subnuclei, particularly those in the ventral, posterior, medial and intralaminar groups, were positively correlated with cognitive performance, especially in executive-attentional and working memory during aging. These findings underscore the importance of thalamic subnuclei in maintaining cognitive function during healthy aging.

Nationally representative data are essential for understanding the causes, consequences, and costs of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and for informing policy and care planning. This study aimed to describe methodological considerations in applying the Health and Retirement Study Harmonised Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HRS-HCAP) cognitive domain structure and diagnostic algorithm to the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA-HCAP), and to generate harmonised estimates of the prevalence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a nationally representative sample. A total of 1,037 participants aged&#x2009;&#x2265;&#x2009;65 years completed NICOLA-HCAP. Five cognitive domains were identified, all loading onto a second-order general cognitive performance factor: orientation (0.903), memory (0.855), executive function (0.893), language-fluency (0.962), and visuospatial ability (0.812). Model fit was acceptable (SRMR&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.065; RMSEA&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.047; CFI&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.916; TLI&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.906). Following classification, 6.2% of participants were classified with dementia and 15.8% as MCI. Methodological modifications addressed software differences, normative sample derivation, and cohort-specific adjustments. These findings provide preliminary support for HCAP as a framework for producing harmonised estimates of cognitive status. NICOLA-HCAP will facilitate future investigation of modifiable risk factors for dementia in community-dwelling older adults. Validation studies are required to determine whether resulting classifications are fit for purpose.

Metacognitive theory suggests that maladaptive beliefs about thinking are associated with the cognitive attentional syndrome (CAS), which is characterized by repetitive negative thinking and heightened threat monitoring. This study examined a dual-mediation model in which rumination and anxiety sensitivity were tested simultaneously as mediators of the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and sleep quality in a nonclinical sample. A total of 346 Iranian adults (18-60 years) completed validated self-report measures of metacognitive beliefs, rumination, anxiety sensitivity, and sleep quality. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with bias-corrected bootstrapping (2,000 resamples) was used to test the hypothesized model. The model demonstrated acceptable fit to the data (CFI&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.96, RMSEA&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.074). Metacognitive beliefs were not significantly associated with sleep quality after including the mediators. However, significant indirect effects were observed through rumination (&#x3b2;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.32, 95% CI [0.20, 0.40]) and anxiety sensitivity (&#x3b2;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.28, 95% CI [0.17, 0.37]). The model explained 50% of the variance in sleep quality. The findings indicate that metacognitive beliefs are statistically associated with poorer sleep quality indirectly through rumination and anxiety sensitivity in a community sample. These results support the value of examining transdiagnostic cognitive-emotional processes in sleep research. Due to the cross-sectional design and reliance on self-report measures, causal inferences cannot be drawn. Future longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to clarify the temporal relationships and clinical utility of these pathways.

Emotion regulation is essential for adaptive behavior and mental health. Dominant theoretical frameworks, together with influential neuroscientific accounts, suggest that emotion regulation is closely linked to cognitive control processes; however, behavioral evidence supporting this link remains inconsistent. To quantify these associations, a comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between individual differences in cognitive control (updating, inhibition, shifting) and four emotion regulation strategies: reappraisal (k = 70 studies, N = 10,524), suppression (k = 45, N = 5,104), rumination (k = 109, N = 10,637), and worry (k = 36, N = 3,385). Individuals with stronger cognitive control abilities showed more frequent and more effective use of reappraisal and engaged less in rumination and worry, whereas suppression showed no consistent relation. Component-level analyses suggested associations with inhibition and updating, but not shifting, with stronger effects for regulation ability than for strategy use frequency. While all notable effects were conceptually consistent, their magnitudes (rs < |.15|) were small and substantially lower than those implied by prior theoretical frameworks and influential empirical studies. Moreover, the effects showed considerable heterogeneity and substantial uncertainty. Overall, these results challenge the widely held assumption that cognitive control and emotion regulation are closely linked, indicating instead that their associations are weaker and more specific than commonly assumed. They further suggest that dominant theoretical frameworks may overestimate the strength of this link at the behavioral level, highlighting the need for more ecologically valid assessments of both cognitive control and emotion regulation.

The purpose of the current study was to compare gait characteristics under cognitive dual-tasking and tandem walking in people with and without chronic neck pain. Twenty-one adults with a history of non-specific neck pain and twenty-two matched control adults walked on a motorized treadmill under normal and tandem walking with and without a cognitive task. Gait spatiotemporal variables including cadence, stride length, and stride velocity were obtained using the motion analysis system. In cognitive dual-task condition, people with neck pain had significantly higher dual-task costs (DTC) of cadence (p <.01, &#x3b7;p2=.45), stride length (p <.01, &#x3b7;p2=.67), and stride velocity (p <.01, &#x3b7;p2=.96) compared to controls. The pattern of change was not different between the two groups. All participants showed a shorter stride length, and lower stride length variability in dual-task walking (p <.01, &#x3b7;p2>.10). Tandem walking resulted in lower cadence in the chronic neck pain group compared to controls (p=.02, &#x3b7;p2=.11). This study showed that people with neck pain rely more than healthy subjects on executive-attentional resources to control gait parameters; however, to better understand the dual-task-related gait changes in people with neck pain, further research is required to examine the dual-task gait in more challenging cognitive and walking tasks. Tandem walking should be considered in gait assessment and training of people with neck pain.

Dopaminergic neurons within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is involved in the development of cognitive dysfunction during chronic pain. It is controlling cognitive behaviors via its various projection pathways to different areas in the brain including lateral hypothalamus (LH). The activation of LH induced analgesia during chronic pain. In the current study, we assessed whether D2 dopamine receptors activity within the VTA can change the induced-cognitive responses of LH following its cholinergic stimulation during neuropathic pain in rats. Aditionally, we assessed whether cholinergic stimulation of LH can change firing rate of VTA neurons. Male Wistar rats were implanted with two separate cannulae into the LH and VTA on the same side. After 4 days' recovery of cannulation surgery, animals underwent second surgery for induction of neuropathic pain (chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve, CCI). Citicoline (1 &#xb5;g/1&#xb5;l normal saline), as an acetylcholine precursor, that activates the LH projecting neurons, were microinjected into the LH. In the other groups, D2-like dopamine receptor antagonist, sulpiride (1 &#xb5;g/1&#xb5;l normal saline) or agonist, bromocriptine (1 &#xb5;g/1&#xb5;l normal saline) were microinjected into VTA, 5 min prior intra-LH injection of citicoline. Cognitive and electrophysiology studies were assessed 15-30 minutes after drug injection. Stimulation of LH via citicoline significantly induced analgesic and learning/memory enhancer effects. Additionally, intra-VTA injection of bromocriptine significantly increased analgesic and learning/memory enhancer effects of LH. Interestingly, sulpiride significantly decreased analgesic and learning/memory enhancer effects of LH. Stimulation of LH via citicoline effectively increased firing rate of VTA neurons. Intra-VTA injection of bromocriptine and sulpiride significantly increased and decreased firing rate of VTA neurons, respectively. The present study suggest that the analgesic and memory enhancer effects which produced by LH cholinergic stimulation is mediated by D2-like dopamine receptors of VTA in neuropathic pain. Additionally, the cholinergic stimulation of LH via citicoline can increase firing rate of VTA neurons during neuropathic pain and intra-VTA injection of sulpiride effectively reversed the effects of citicoline on firing rate of VTA neurons.

The evolution toward the industry 5.0, with the applications such as the digital twins and the collaborative robotics, demands the wireless networks that jointly guarantee the ultra reliable connectivity, the fairness aware service, and the energy sustainability. The cognitive radio (CR) enabled high altitude platforms (HAPs) offer the wide area coverage and the flexible spectrum access; and their deployment is constrained by the stringent interference limits toward the terrestrial primary users (PUs), the limited onboard power, and the need for the uniform service among the secondary users (SUs). This paper proposes an energy efficient resource allocation framework for the rate splitting multiple access (RSMA) enabled cognitive HAP networks that addresses these challenges. We formulate a non convex energy efficiency (EE) maximization problem that explicitly couples the RSMA's common and private rate split with the beamforming design under the PU interference thresholds, the SU QoS requirements, and the fairness gap constraints. To solve this problem, we develop the two complementary algorithms: (i) the Dinkelbach SCA Joint Beamforming and Rate Allocation (D SCA JBRA), a high performance iterative scheme based on the fractional programming and the successive convex approximation; and (ii) the MRT NBS, a low complexity heuristic that integrates the maximum ratio transmission with the Nash bargaining based rate splitting to yield the closed form and the real time solutions. The extensive simulations against a comprehensive benchmark suite (including the OMA MRT, the RSMA EPA, the RSMA RBF, the NOMA FPA, and the RSMA WMMSE) show that the D SCA JBRA achieves up to 87 and 105% higher EE than the OMA MRT and the RSMA RBF, respectively, while maintaining the superior fairness. Meanwhile, the MRT NBS delivers the near optimal performance with over 90% lower computational complexity; and this validates its suitability for the real time HAP deployment. The proposed framework provides a scalable and sustainable solution for the interference resilient and the energy aware connectivity demands of the Industry 5.0 such as smart mining.

Mood and thought are tightly coupled, but the mechanisms linking them are not understood. This link is particularly important when considering mood disorders such as depression. We propose the Facilitating Thought Progression (FTP) framework, which characterizes depression as a disorder of thought dynamics, encompassing both the temporal evolution and semantic expanse of mental activity. Five parameters jointly determine the fluency of thought progression: breadth, speed, flexibility, novelty, and scope. Diminished progression, reflected by repetitive, slow, and narrowed thinking, is associated with excessive inhibition, reduced plasticity, blunted reward signalling, and overly deep attractor dynamics. Conversely, interventions that enhance associative expansion, cognitive flexibility, and exploratory behaviour restore adaptive brain dynamics. FTP reframes depression as a disorder of cognitive flow rather than content, and provides a mechanistic, testable model for translational research.

Motivational factors are widely recognized as central to students' engagement in cognitively demanding learning; however, the role of STEM career interest in the development of computational thinking during adolescence remains insufficiently understood. It is also unclear whether this association differs by gender. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory, this study examined the association between STEM career interest and computational thinking among high school students and tested the moderating role of gender. Data were collected from 467 students (Mage = 16.05, SD&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.20; 57.2% female) enrolled in public science high schools in Diyarbak&#x131;r, T&#xfc;rkiye, using a descriptive correlational design. Participants completed the STEM Career Interest Scale and the Computational Thinking Skills Scale. Moderation analysis was conducted using PROCESS (Model 1) with 5,000 bootstrap resamples. STEM career interest was positively associated with computational thinking. Gender showed no significant main effect, and the interaction between STEM career interest and gender was not significant, indicating that the strength of this association was similar for female and male students. These findings suggest that, within academically selective STEM-focused environments, motivational orientations toward STEM are linked to computational thinking in comparable ways across genders. The results highlight the importance of supporting students' motivational engagement, alongside instructional practices, in fostering computational thinking during secondary education.

Diabetes is associated with a number of significant long-term effects. In this study we consider that purslane which possesses numerous of pharmacological properties, and metformin, an antidiabetic drug, may have a therapeutic effects on diabetes-induced memory impairments in rats. Forty male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups. Group I served as control group. The other four groups were first fed on HFD followed by a single interpretonial (i.p.) dose of STZ at a dose of (35) mg/kg then the groups were divided as following Group II diabetic group Group III, PEE group administered with oral dose of purslane ethanolic extract (100&#xa0;mg/kg) for another four weeks. Group IV, MET group administered with oral dose of metformin (100&#xa0;mg/kg) for another four weeks. Group V (PEE&#x2009;+&#x2009;MET) administered with oral dose of combination of both purslane ethanolic extract (50&#xa0;mg/kg) and MET (50&#xa0;mg/kg) for another four weeks. During the treatment rats were tested for memory and learning abilities (Morri's water maze test). Hippocampal samples were collected for biochemical, and histological measurements. Biochemical evaluation included (NO and TBARS) as an oxidative stress marker, (GSH, GPX, SOD, Catalase) as antioxidant, and inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-&#x3b1; and interleukin-1&#x3b2;, interleukin-IL-6). Also, P-tau protein, (dopamine and GABA) as neurotransmitters, and for cholinergic system (acetylcholinesterase) were assessed, in addition to histological examinations of hippocampus. Diabetic rats showed a marked cognitive impairment in the Morris water maze test and alteration in the other biochemical and histological features. Intrestingly, PEE and MET treatments partially dramatically enhanced antioxidant levels. Also, reduced oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory mediators, and, phosphorylated tau levels. In addition, PEE and MET treatments partially modulated neurochemical profiles associated with memory function. The combined PEE&#x2009;+&#x2009;MET treatment showed the most pronounced improvement, reflecting synergistic effects. Individual data points highlighted consistent trends across animals. Also, it exhibited a significant restoration of normal hippocampal architecture, as confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The data obtained indicated that PEE, either alone or in combination with MET, has strong neuroprotective potential against STZ/HFD-induced diabetes. These safeguarding effects are probably because of its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Most youth in routine mental health care do not receive evidence-based treatments, and when implemented in real-world settings, their effects are typically smaller than those observed in controlled efficacy trials. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is one of the most efficacious and widely implemented evidence-based treatments for traumatized youth worldwide, yet little is known about how it is delivered and adapted in routine practice. We examined 25,000 treatment sessions to understand 1) how TF-CBT is implemented in routine care, 2) what delivery adaptations are made based on child age and the presence of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) symptoms, and 3) whether adaptations are associated with outcomes. Data came from an observational study of TF-CBT implementation (2018-24) across Norwegian child and adolescent mental health services. Youth (6-18 years) with clinically significant posttraumatic stress symptoms (N=1,373) received treatment from 357 therapists across 74 outpatient clinics representing 82% of such services in Norway. Overall, 66% completed treatment and 59% showed reliable improvement. Clinicians applied TF-CBT flexibly as prescribed by the model. Patients with CPTSD received more trauma processing but had less caregiver involvement than those without CPTSD. Children received more stabilization and caregiver involvement than adolescents. More trauma experiences predicted higher dropout, while more caregiver sessions predicted lower dropout. CPTSD was associated with reliable improvement. Number of potentially traumatic event types were more strongly associated with dropout for children than adolescents, and caregiver sessions more strongly predicted improvement in CPTSD cases. This study provides the first large scale systematic documentation of TF-CBT delivery in routine care, showing that TF-CBT can be scaled-up in community clinics, with high improvement rates comparable to recent meta-analyses. A majority of the therapists received supervision, and future studies need to dismantle the importance of case consultation when scaling up evidence-based treatments.