All articles tagged with #executive function
Research shows that subtle features in everyday speech, analyzed using AI, can predict executive function and early cognitive decline, offering a scalable, non-invasive tool for monitoring brain health and potentially detecting dementia risk earlier than traditional methods.
The article discusses the rise of executive function coaching as a way for stressed professionals to improve skills like organization and self-control, helping to combat burnout and workplace stress, especially in the context of increased digital distractions and recent societal changes. It highlights how this coaching, initially linked to ADHD support, is now becoming a mainstream tool for managing mental health and productivity in the modern work environment.
A study suggests that what is commonly called 'executive function' in children may be more influenced by formal schooling and cultural context than innate cognitive abilities, challenging traditional views in psychology and cognitive science.
A young woman writes to Dear Prudence about her struggles with executive function and procrastination, suspecting she has ADHD but unable to afford a second opinion. Prudence and readers offer support, suggesting seeking alternative medical care, exploring school mental health services, and utilizing practical tips and strategies. Many share their own experiences and recommend resources like the "How to ADHD" YouTube channel, emphasizing that she is not weak-willed and encouraging her to seek the help she deserves.
Fox News's Outnumbered panel discussed President Biden's recent gaffes, with a focus on his mental and physical health. The segment included a clip of Fox White Correspondent Peter Doocy questioning White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about Biden's recent mix-up of French presidents. Former Trump press secretary Kayleigh McEnany expressed concern over Biden's mental acuity, citing polls showing public doubts. Fox News doctor Dr. Siegel argued that Biden's executive function is eroding and that he has become "meaner," suggesting a decline in leadership skills. The panel also discussed the importance of Biden's performance and mental acuity for the American people.
Combining aerobic exercise with groove rhythm (GR) music can enhance executive function in the brain, according to a study conducted with 48 healthy participants. Exercising to GR not only increased enjoyment but also activated the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) more than standard exercise. Participants who felt their bodies resonate with the GR experienced an elevated sense of excitement and demonstrated improved attention, concentration, and judgment. This research suggests that GR-enhanced exercise could offer a more enjoyable and cognitively beneficial approach to fitness, particularly in countries with low exercise rates like Japan.
A new study has found that hearing loss causes structural changes in the brain, specifically in areas associated with attention, executive function, and auditory processing. While the exact relationship between hearing loss and dementia is still unclear, previous research has shown an association between the two. The study suggests that hearing aids may help slow down these brain changes, but further research is needed. Protecting one's hearing is crucial, and individuals should get their hearing checked and wear hearing aids if prescribed. With the global population aging, the number of people with hearing loss is expected to increase significantly by 2050.
A new "big data" study has revealed when adolescents begin to think like adults. The study analyzed the performance of nearly 10,800 individuals aged between 8 and 35 years on 23 different measures of executive function. The results showed that executive function improves with age, with the biggest improvements occurring between 10-15 years and smaller improvements from 15-18 years. Performance on all measures stabilized to adult levels between 18 and 20 years of age. The findings confirm that adolescence is a distinct transitional phase during which goal-directed executive functioning reaches maturity. However, brain maturation continues into the third decade of life, suggesting that cognitive performance alone may not fully determine when adolescents reach adulthood.
A new study involving over 10,000 participants has determined that executive function, a set of cognitive skills crucial for planning, task-switching, and focus, typically matures by the age of 18. The study provides a comprehensive chart of cognitive development in teenagers, showing rapid growth in executive function during late childhood to mid-adolescence, with stability achieved by late adolescence. These findings have important implications for education, psychiatry, and the judicial system, as they can aid in early diagnosis of mental illnesses and help define the boundaries of the adolescent period.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Kansas has found that adding milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and lactoferrin to infant formula can lead to long-term cognitive benefits in children. The study showed that children who were fed formula enriched with MFGM and lactoferrin for a year had a 5-point increase in IQ at age 5 ½. The enriched formula also improved children's executive function and visual-spatial skills. This discovery offers a promising alternative for families who face challenges in breastfeeding.
Mild forms of exercise, such as walking, have been found to improve mood and enhance executive function, which involves the brain's prefrontal cortex and the ability to control behavior to achieve goals. Researchers have discovered that pupil dilation during light exercise is linked to an improvement in executive function. Pupillometry, a non-invasive technique that measures pupil size, could serve as a biomarker for the brain's response to exercise and predict its effects on cognitive function.
Volunteering has been found to significantly improve cognitive function, particularly executive function and episodic memory, in older adults, according to a study involving 2,476 seniors. Those who volunteered several times a week had the highest levels of executive function. While volunteering also showed a trend towards slower cognitive decline, this finding was not statistically significant. The study highlights the potential benefits of volunteering for cognitive and brain health in late life and encourages individuals of all ages to engage in local volunteering.
A recent study published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry Clinical Neuroscience aimed to investigate the differential effects of various sleep health domains on executive functions among older adults. The study findings suggest that higher levels of daytime sleepiness and fatigue were associated with decreased cognitive flexibility, while global cognition and sleep efficiency were identified as important predictors of response inhibition performance. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia is an intervention approach that can target specific sleep problems and potentially improve cognitive control and efficiency in older adults.
A new study published in the JAMA Neurology journal found that people who have had a heart attack experience a rapid decline in global cognition, memory, and executive function compared to those who have not. The decline in brain function is not immediate but impacts long-term brain health. The study analyzed a pool of more than 30,000 people from six studies based in the United States and found that the rate of decline in global cognition could depend on someone's race or gender.