搜索结果：Memory & cognition

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are well-documented for their impact on memory. Fluoxetine has both positive and negative effects on memory depending on the dose used, the length of administration, and the specific memory context. Conversely, escitalopram has been shown to enhance memory parameters. However, both compounds have the ability to modulate synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis. We selected compounds with these specific mechanisms of action to test our hypothesis. We postulate that changes in memory parameters induced by SSRIs may result from changes in lipid composition, which affect the physicochemical properties of cell membranes and, consequently, the functional dynamics of memory. Memory tests were conducted using modified Barnes maze (MBM) following chronic SSRI administration to evaluate our hypothesis. Subsequently, brain tissue samples were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) measurement for lipid changes detection, and atomic force microscopy to measure cell membranes' elastic modulus. Chronic treatment with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg i.p.) possesses a negative impact on the general learning possibilities of mice and a positive impact on spatial learning in MBM. Influences wiping memory traces and working memory. Escitalopram (2 mg/kg i.p.) has a positive impact on memory parameters in MBM. Simultaneously, the prefrontal cortex (pFCx), hippocampus (Hc) and amygdala (Am) tissue revealed under the influence of chronic administration of SSRIs showed differences in lipid composition, which correspond with elastic modulus modifications. Our findings indicate that chronic administration of SSRIs induces region-specific alterations in lipid composition and membrane elasticity, which parallel changes in memory performance. These results support the hypothesis that SSRI-related modulation of memory may be mediated, at least in part, by lipid-dependent regulation of neuronal membrane properties and synaptic plasticity.

Tactile working memory limits the amount of information that can be processed through touch, with important implications for the design of haptic communication systems. Although visual and auditory working memory have been extensively investigated, tactile working memory, particularly for spatial and spatiotemporal sequences, remains less well understood. The present study examined tactile working memory capacity in two psychophysical experiments. Participants reproduced sequential vibrotactile stimuli delivered to the forearm via a 3 × 3 array of voice-coil actuators by entering responses through keypresses. Both experiments employed an adaptive 3-up/1-down staircase procedure, in which sequence length was adjusted according to response accuracy, and thresholds were estimated from reversal points. In Experiment 1 (Ordered Recall), participants reproduced both the spatial locations and the temporal order of stimulation, yielding a memory capacity threshold of approximately four items. In Experiment 2 (Unordered Recall), participants recalled only the set of stimulated locations without regard to order, resulting in a higher threshold of approximately five items. These results demonstrate that incorporating temporal sequencing demands into spatial recall substantially increases cognitive load and reduces effective tactile memory capacity. The findings clarify fundamental limits of tactile working memory and provide practical guidance for the development of haptic interfaces, wearable feedback systems, and sensory substitution technologies that must balance information complexity with human cognitive constraints.

Speech sound disorder (SSD) is common in childhood and can persist, adversely affecting language, literacy, and social functioning. Yet consonant error patterns in school-age children, particularly in non-English-speaking populations, remain insufficiently characterized. Short-term memory (STM) supports phonological processing and speech learning, but its relationship with SSD severity in school-age children is not well established. This study profiles consonant errors and short-term memory in school-age Chinese children with SSD and examines short-term memory correlates and predictors of disorder severity to inform targeted interventions. A total of 142 Mandarin-speaking school-age children with SSD were recruited. For the short-term memory analyses, we randomly selected 70 children with SSD and recruited 70 typically developing controls. Speech was assessed using a word-level picture-naming task to derive consonant accuracy and characterize error types/patterns, and short-term memory was measured with the WISC-IV Digit Span (forward and backward). Substitutions predominated for most consonants, and individual phonemes often exhibited co-occurring error patterns. In addition, school-age children with SSD showed significantly poorer short-term memory than typically developing peers across multiple indices. Notably, backward digit span was positively associated with consonant accuracy and remained an independent predictor of consonant accuracy. These results advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying SSD and provide an evidence-based rationale for future interventions that combine speech-focused therapy with cognitive training to enhance clinical outcomes.

(1) Background: This study investigates the development of spatial navigation and long-term memory in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) to address gaps in understanding reptilian cognitive ontogeny. We aimed to determine if early-life training enhances long-term memory retention and to evaluate the repeatability of individual cognitive performance over time. (2) Methods: Using a modified Morris Water Maze with visual landmarks, we tested 39 individuals across three life stages: juveniles (20 trials), subadults, and adults (10 trials in each later phase). Long-term memory retention was assessed after four and fourteen months. (3) Results: A strong learning effect was observed during the juvenile stage, with geckos significantly improving speed and navigational efficiency. Spatial memory remained stable at the subadult stage (four months post-training), but declined significantly by adulthood (fourteen months post-training), returning to baseline levels. Individual success rates were significantly repeatable during juvenile (R = 0.192) and subadult phases (R = 0.071), although this consistency disappeared in adulthood. (4) Conclusions: These findings indicate that leopard geckos possess substantial spatial learning abilities early in life and exhibit individual cognitive differences. However, spatial memory decays over time without reinforcement. The results highlight the importance of considering developmental stages when evaluating the evolutionary and ecological constraints of reptilian cognition.

BackgroundThere is an evident interrelationship between stroke and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a frequently encountered and potentially disabling outcome of stroke. Memory impairment is an important component of the post-stroke cognitive syndrome, and high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) has been widely used for memory in patients with PSCI.ObjectiveIn this study, we systematically evaluated the therapeutic effects of HF-rTMS on memory function in patients with PSCI, offering insights that may also inform the treatment of AD.MethodsAll relevant publications in Chinese and English were systematically searched from ten databases up to March 20, 2025. Retrieved articles were carefully screened. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. The Review Manager 5.4 software was adopted for meta-analysis.ResultsTwenty-one studies of 1746 participants with PSCI were included. Meta-analysis revealed that HF-rTMS ameliorated memory of PSCI patients according to several outcome indicators: Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test [mean difference (MD)&#x2009;=&#x2009;2.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) (2.08, 3.11), p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.00001], forward digit span [MD&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.79, 95% CI (1.36, 2.22), p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.00001] and backward digit span [MD&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.18, 95% CI (0.77, 1.59), p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.00001] of digit span test, Delayed Recall of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MD&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.53, 95% CI (0.47, 0.59), p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.00001]; all p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05.ConclusionsThe HF-rTMS might enhance memory in patients with PSCI, with the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex being the most common stimulation site.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathological changes can be detected with blood-based biomarkers during the long preclinical phase that precedes clinical diagnosis. Tau phosphorylated at threonine 217 (p-tau217) has been found to closely correlate with brain A&#x3b2; burden. A recent large-scale cross-sectional study showed elevated p-tau217 concentrations in older individuals (Aarsland et al., 2025). This increase was higher in those with AD dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and lower in those with intact cognition and higher educational attainment. Thus, intact cognition and higher education may be associated with lower levels of AD neuropathological changes. Here we tested this hypothesis using longitudinal data from the population-based Betula study (n=1005; 1531 samples). The results revealed increases with increasing age over 10 years in p-tau217, where individuals with accelerated episodic-memory decline had the strongest increase. There were no differences in p-tau217 trajectories between individuals with lower or higher education or with well-maintained or age-typical decline in episodic memory. The lack of association with education was further replicated in the independent BioFINDER-2 cohort. These findings underscore the value of plasma p-tau217 for detecting early pathological changes in population-based settings but provide no support that individuals with well-maintained episodic memory or high educational attainment are spared from neuropathological changes.

The present study sheds light on effects of similarity-based interference due to phonological overlap, as well as working memory during silent reading in native and nonnative speakers. While prior research has mainly focused on syntactic complexity or ambiguity to gain insight into nonnative language processing and the role of working memory, the effects of phonological overlap have remained poorly understood. Using multiline texts with varying degrees of phonological overlap, we examined whether increased amounts of overlap disrupt online reading and offline recall, and whether effects differ across native and nonnative groups or vary as a function of working memory capacity. Results revealed that greater phonological overlap caused delays during online processing, but without impacting offline recall. Crucially, native and nonnative speakers experienced online interference similarly, and working memory modulated these effects in comparable ways across both groups. These results suggest convergence both in overt behavior and in how underlying cognitive resources are used. Findings are discussed with respect to their implications for theories of native-nonnative language processing differences and possible directions for further research.

Challenges remain in developing a comprehensive understanding of spatial cognition, including gender and developmental differences, partly due to limitations of well-established spatial measures. Many traditional tasks face accessibility constraints and are not well suited for use across broad age ranges, populations, or ability levels. The present study introduced two game-based tasks, Q-bitz&#xae; and Spot it!&#xae;, designed to assess mental rotation and object location memory, respectively. We examined whether these game-based measures meaningfully complement established spatial tests, the Mental Rotation Test (MRT) and the Object Location Memory (OLM) task, across a wide age range (7-79 years, N = 114). Results indicated that MRT scores were strongly related to Q-bitz performance, whereas OLM scores were strongly related to Spot it! performance, supporting the convergent validity of the game-based tasks. Notably, gender-specific patterns emerged in the relationships among spatial measures, suggesting differences in spatial function. Age was associated with performance on speeded tasks (Q-bitz and Spot it!) but not with accuracy-based MRT or OLM performance. Together, these findings demonstrate that game-based assessments capture meaningful spatial constructs and reveal gender-specific patterns across the lifespan, providing a practical and ecologically valid approach for advancing research on spatial cognition.

With expanding global cannabis legalization and rising usage rates, elucidating the specific neurocognitive impact of acute cannabis intoxication across biological sexes is critical. Using a 2 &#xd7; 2 factorial design, we examined 154 adults: 77 individuals who use cannabis regularly (&#x2265; 5 days/week for &#x2265; 1 year; 46 males, 31 females) and 77 matched controls (32 males, 45 females). Participants completed standardized Wechsler Memory Scale subtests assessing four distinct memory domains during the peak pharmacokinetic window (45 min post-consumption of medical-grade cannabis: 16.1% THC, < 1% CBD). Results demonstrated notable neuropsychological specificity: visuospatial working memory was selectively impaired, whereas auditory-verbal and short-term memory domains remained completely intact-a pattern strongly implicating disruption of fronto-parietal networks rich in CB1 receptors. Crucially, a significant Group &#xd7; Sex interaction, F(1, 150) = 9.74, p < 0.01, &#x3b7;p 2 = 0.061, revealed differential vulnerability: males exhibited a disproportionately larger deficit relative to male controls (Cohen's d = -0.87, p < 0.001)-nearly double the impairment magnitude observed in females (d = -0.48, p < 0.05). These findings advance our understanding of cannabis neuropharmacology by demonstrating that cognitive vulnerability is both domain-specific and sex-dependent, with direct implications for precision medicine approaches to cannabis therapeutics and sex-informed harm reduction strategies.

Stroke is a significant risk factor for cognitive impairment. Women face a heightened risk due to their longer life expectancy and the greater prevalence of stroke-related disability. To compare the trajectory of cognitive decline in women with and without a stroke diagnosis and assessed demographic differences. The study employed a longitudinal, observational cohort design. The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation interviewed women in their 40s and 50s from seven U.S. cities approximately yearly to collect information on their physical, biological, psychological, and social health. Cognitive assessments were conducted between 2000 (Wave 4) and 2008 (Wave 10) that were designed to examine information processing speed, working memory, immediate memory, and delayed memory. Adjusting for baseline age, race/ethnicity, income, education, marital status, comorbidities, and insurance, generalized linear mixed models were used to compare cognitive decline between women who had experienced a stroke and those who had not. Among the 3302 women in the sample, age was 49.52 (SD&#x2009;=&#x2009;2.64) years old at baseline and 53.74 (SD&#x2009;=&#x2009;3.94) in the final wave. In Wave 4, only 0.67% (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;22) reported having been diagnosed with a stroke, but 8.39% (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;277) had been diagnosed by Wave 10. Compared to stroke-free women, the multivariable-adjusted changes in cognitive performance were -0.18 information processing, -0.09 working memory, -0.15 immediate memory, and -0.17 delayed memory. Compared to White women, Black women who suffered a stroke saw multivariable-adjusted annual changes in information processing, working memory, immediate memory, and delayed memory of -0.08, -0.03, -0.08, and -0.09, respectively. These findings underscore the persistent impact of stroke on multiple cognitive domains in midlife women, with a more significant decline observed among Black women. Targeted prevention and rehabilitation efforts are needed to address both the cognitive consequences of stroke and the demographic differences in post-stroke outcomes.

Background: Scientific interest has grown in naturally derived compounds capable of supporting or enhancing cognitive performance. Tanacetum vulgare L. is an abundant source of secondary metabolites and has been associated with a broad range of biological activities; however, its potential influence on cognitive function remains largely unexplored. Methods: The present study explored the effects of T. vulgare essential oil (EO) on cognitive performance, hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, and histomorphological alterations in a rat model. Animals were administered T. vulgare EO at doses of 0.5 and 1.5 mL/kg for 28 days and were subjected to a series of behavioral tests after one week of pretreatment. Results: Both doses of EO facilitated the formation of short- and long-term memory traces in the inhibitory avoidance tasks, with a more pronounced effect observed at the lower dose, whereas improvement in passive learning was evident only at the higher dose. Spatial and recognition memory were enhanced at both doses. EO treatment significantly increased hippocampal BDNF expression without inducing pathological alterations. Conclusions: These findings suggest that T. vulgare EO may improve specific hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions, with upregulation of hippocampal BDNF representing a potential underlying mechanism.

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality; however, no therapeutic target has yet been identified. We hypothesized that the neural circuit underlying this surgical complication involves corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). Using optogenetics, chemogenetics, electrophysiology, and behavioral tests, we demonstrate that surgery activates PVN CRH neurons. These neurons, via CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1), innervate glutamatergic (Glu) neurons in the hippocampal subiculum (Sub), ultimately leading to memory impairments. The PVN CRH receive projections from Glu neurons in the parabrachial nucleus (PBN), a brain region involved in processing peripheral sensory stimuli. Postoperative memory deficit is associated with activation of the PBN Glu-PVN CRH-Sub Glu circuit; chemogenetic inhibition of this circuitry rescues the memory deficit. Additionally, surgery-induced upregulation of circulating interleukin-1&#x3b2; (IL-1&#x3b2;) mediates activation of the PBN Glu-PVN CRH-Sub Glu circuit. This provides direct evidence linking peripheral inflammation to central cognitive dysfunction via a defined neural pathway. These findings advance our understanding of brain-body interactions in neurocognitive disorders and identify an anatomical target for potential intervention in PND.

Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are early markers of cognitive decline. This systematic review, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, synthesizes the psychometric properties and clinical utility of the Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (SMCQ) using data from 2009 to 2025. From 407 records, 163 studies were analyzed across categories including diagnostic accuracy, intervention outcomes, and pathological associations. The SMCQ demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's &#x3b1;: 0.82 to 0.92) and robust screening performance, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.84 for self-reports and 0.92 for informant reports regarding dementia. While validated in 15 languages across 25 countries, research remains heavily concentrated in Korean Alzheimer's disease (AD) cohorts, with limited evidence for non-AD dementias. Despite these geographical limitations, the SMCQ is a reliable, globally adapted tool for identifying individuals requiring further cognitive assessment. This study received no specific funding and was not preregistered.

Episodic future thinking (EFT) has been confirmed as a promising cognitive intervention for enhancing prospective memory (PM), yet emerging evidence suggests its effects may depend on the specificity of induction. The current study investigated this issue by dichotomizing EFT into two distinct methods: specific (researcher-guided detailed mental simulations) versus non-specific (participants' self-guided imagination), implemented through differentially structured future thinking instructions. We also analyzed the distinct cognitive strategies mainly employed under each EFT condition based on the Dynamic Multiprocess Framework. The latent profile analysis (LPA) was further conducted to characterize individual variability in responsiveness to EFT manipulations. Behavioral results revealed comparable PM accuracy improvements across both EFT methods relative to the control group; moreover, specific EFT uniquely accelerated response times for both PM and ongoing task execution. The LPA further identified three distinct EFT response patterns-self-competent, proactive, and reactive-each exhibiting unique state-dependent cognitive characteristics. These findings provide a refined understanding of the EFT-PM relationship: (1) specific EFT facilitates more automatic retrieval of PM intentions, whereas non-specific EFT predominantly engages strategic monitoring; (2) individual differences in baseline mental images influence the effectiveness of EFT methods, suggesting the potential benefits of personalized intervention approaches for PM enhancement.

Although zero-phase lag between cortical regions has been generally regarded as the optimal state, it has also been suggested that a non-zero phase delay of electroencephalography (EEG) signals in the gamma frequency band between bilateral parietal areas may have a significant meaning. Indeed, the phase delays of the gamma band between the cortical regions are reportedly associated with the direction of communication between the regions. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate synchrony with phase lag between cortical regions involved in visuospatial working memory (VWM) performance. We used EEG to compute the weighted phase lag index (wPLI) from the EEG signals concurrently recorded during the VWM task. An increase in wPLI value between the electrodes positioned over the bilateral parietal areas was observed during the VWM task. The wPLI values positively correlated with the lateralization index (LI) between the left and right visual hemifields. Furthermore, event-related desynchronization of gamma band activity is observed when wPLI peaked. Our findings suggest that phase lagged synchronization of high gamma band over bilateral parietal areas may reflect which information to prioritize during processing of VWM.

Cognitive reserve (CR) refers to the brain's ability to maintain cognitive performance despite neurodegeneration. Studying CR in semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) may clarify variability in disease progression and identify protective factors. We examined whether education and occupational attainment-two common CR proxies-moderated relationships between gray matter brain volume and cognitive performance in 58 individuals with svPPA. Multiple linear regression models assessed baseline and longitudinal change across five semantic and non-semantic tasks. Greater brain volume related to better cognitive performance across all tasks. However, CR moderated this relationship only for semantic tasks. At baseline, higher education/occupation was linked to better semantic performance when brain volume was lower. Longitudinally, higher education/occupation was associated with faster decline in semantic performance when brain volume was lower. CR influences language performance in svPPA, suggesting its effects are domain-specific and aligned with the progression pattern of this syndrome.

Background/Objectives: Circadian rhythm disruption is linked to cognitive decline, yet it remains unclear how behavioral and physiological rhythm markers are differently associated with cognition in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The primary aim of this study was to compare sleep-wake timing, rest-activity rhythm (RAR), and dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) between patients with aMCI and cognitively normal controls. Exploratory analyses further examined their associations with domain-specific cognitive performance. Methods: Eighteen aMCI patients and 21 cognitively normal controls (NC) enrolled. Cognitive function was assessed using the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Neuropsychological Battery (CERAD-K). Participants underwent 5-day actigraphy to assess sleep-wake timing and non-parametric RAR variables, including interdaily stability (IS), intradaily variability (IV), and relative amplitude (RA). DLMO was determined from hourly salivary melatonin samples collected over five hours before sleep onset under dim-light conditions. Group comparisons of circadian markers were conducted as the primary analyses, and generalized linear models were used for exploratory analyses of associations between circadian markers and cognitive outcomes. Results: Groups did not significantly differ in sleep-wake timing, RAR parameters and DLMO. Sleep-wake timing variables and DLMO were not significantly associated with cognitive performance. Higher IS was associated with better visuospatial memory and executive function, whereas higher RA was associated with poorer verbal memory among aMCI patients. Conclusions: Although sleep-wake timing and melatonin phase did not differ between groups nor predict cognitive performance, higher daily rhythm stability was linked to better non-verbal memory and executive functioning. In contrast, high RA may relate to poorer verbal memory in aMCI, suggesting that elevated RA may not reflect true circadian robustness required for optimal cognition.

Advancing age, the APOE&#x25b;4 allele, and female sex are the top nonmodifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Female-specific experiences, such as parity and hormone therapy (HT) affect aging biomarkers such as metabolism and immune signaling, and may affect AD risk. Estradiol (E2), a component of many HTs, affects cognition and brain health in aging females although studies suggest the effects can vary depending on parity, genotype, and metabolic status which may account for some of the inconsistencies in the literature. We hypothesized that prior parity influences brain and metabolic health, including response to E2, depending on APOE genotype. Middle-aged female (10 month) wildtype (WT) or humanized (h) APOE&#x25b;4 expressing rats, with different reproductive experience (nulliparous or primiparous) were fed a Western (WD) or standard diet (SD) for 2 months. In the second month, rats were given E2 or vehicle (oil) injections daily. Fear associative learning, plasma metabolic hormones, hippocampal inflammatory cytokine expression, and neuroplasticity (neurogenesis, synaptic protein) were assessed. Females fed a WD gained weight and displayed metabolic dysregulation, regardless of genotype. E2 treatment reduced WD-induced weight gain and reduced metabolic hormones, with stronger effects in WT rats. E2 treatment increased dorsal hippocampal inflammatory cytokine expression selectively in primiparous hAPOE&#x25b;4 females fed a WD. Previous parity increased neurogenesis and reduced certain cytokine expression in the hippocampus of middle-aged WT rats under a SD. Both E2 treatment and previous parity decreased dorsal neurogenesis in hippocampus of hAPOE&#x25b;4 rats. In hAPOE&#x25b;4 females, higher weight was associated with reduced contextual fear memory, an effect driven by primiparous females. In the cued fear conditioning task, hAPOE&#x25b;4 females displayed better cued fear memory than WT, however, WD exposure reduced cued fear memory only in this group. Together, this indicates that diet and weight gain may be more detrimental to associative memory in hAPOE&#x25b;4 females and that E2 treatment has more favourable outcomes in WT rats. Previous parity alters how females respond to E2 and metabolic stress in midlife. Primiparous hAPOE&#x25b;4 females were especially vulnerable to the effects of WD and E2, exhibiting more inflammation, impaired memory, and reduced weight-loss. These findings highlight the importance of considering parity and genotype when evaluating midlife metabolic and cognitive risk.

Saccadic eye movements allow us to sample the world sequentially, but pose challenges to the visual system, which must integrate information across successive fixations. The mechanisms subserving the integration may share properties with "serial dependence," the assimilative bias caused by previous sensory experience on current perception. We investigated serial dependence during saccadic eye movements by measuring ERP responses from participants during visually driven saccadic eye movements while they viewed a brief Gabor patch, presented at various orientations (&#xb1;&#x2009;35&#xb0;,&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;45&#xb0;, or&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;55&#xb0;), and then reproduced its orientation. Our findings demonstrate that both alpha and beta oscillations are synchronized by the saccades. Importantly, we found that the strength of alpha oscillations correlates (negatively) with the magnitude of serial dependence, particular in the right parietal cortex, while that of beta oscillations does not. These results provide evidence that pre-saccadic alpha oscillations contain information to be carried across saccades, probably fundamental for integration of visual information across saccades, and trans-saccadic perceptual stability.