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Brain Sciences
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Advances in Memory and Cognitive Decline Associated with Aging and...
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Advances in Memory and Cognitive Decline Associated with Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurodegenerative Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 7732

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Pavan Kumar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
Interests: Alzheimer's disease; memory; neurogenesis; aging; neurodegeneration; neuroinflammation; cognition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive memory impairments. Deficits in hippocampal neurogenesis, altered neuroinflammatory events, Tau pathology, loss of neuronal connection, and vascular senescence have been observed in human patients as well as in mouse models of familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). 

Understanding the role of different risk factors associated with AD pathology is still warranted. Recent advancements in the scientific community are empowering us to reach milestones each day. Tracing the engram ensemble through calcium imaging and manipulating it through optogenetics/chemogenetics in freely moving animals during different behavioral tasks enable us to understand how AD pathology affects cognition. In addition, techniques such as spatial transcriptomics give us in-depth information on how gene profiles change in each cell in a healthy vs. AD brain. We invite the scientific community to participate in our Special Issue, "Advances in Memory and Cognitive Decline Associated with Aging and Alzheimer's Disease", in order to share their valuable research and ideas. 

Dr. Pavan Kumar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neurodegeneration
  • neuroprotection
  • neurogenesis
  • learning and memory
  • engram
  • neuro-vascular

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 656 KiB  
Article
The Contribution of the Face-Name Associative Recognition Test to Objectifying the Impairment of Associative Memory in Subjective Cognitive Decline
by Joël Macoir, Pascale Tremblay and Carol Hudon
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14111129 - 8 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1216
Abstract
Objective: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is defined as a self-reported perception of cognitive decline that occurs without clear objective signs of cognitive impairment. There is still uncertainty in the literature about the reliability of SCD as an accurate indicator of the early stages [...] Read more.
Objective: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is defined as a self-reported perception of cognitive decline that occurs without clear objective signs of cognitive impairment. There is still uncertainty in the literature about the reliability of SCD as an accurate indicator of the early stages of major neurocognitive disorders. Furthermore, objectifying cognitive impairment in SCD is difficult, mainly due to the insensitivity of the assessment instruments. The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential contribution of the face-name associative recognition test (FNART) to the objective identification of memory impairment in SCD. Method: A research sample of 69 adults with SCD and 69 healthy controls (HCs) recruited in the community were administered in the FNART, which included 32 photographs of neutral faces associated with 32 first names. Results: The total score of the HC group in the FNART was significantly better than that of the SCD group. Moreover, analyses based on the serial position of the stimuli showed that the SCD group performed significantly worse than the HC group only for the middle items (stimuli placed at the beginning or end of learning lists are more likely to be recalled than those presented in the middle), while no primacy and recency effects were found in the HCs. Conclusions: These findings indicate that associative episodic memory is more vulnerable in individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) compared to those without cognitive complaints. Additionally, they suggest that the FNART may be effective in identifying cognitive decline in the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Memory and Cognitive Decline Associated with Aging and Alzheimer's Disease)
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Review

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22 pages, 1278 KiB  
Review
Murine Non-Transgenic Models of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology: Focus on Risk Factors
by Maricarmen Hernández-Rodríguez, Juan Manuel Vega López, Martín Martínez-Rosas, María Inés Nicolás-Vázquez and Elvia Mera Jiménez
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(3), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15030322 - 19 Mar 2025
Viewed by 368
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents a significant challenge among neurodegenerative disorders, as effective treatments and therapies remain largely undeveloped. Despite extensive research efforts employing various methodologies and diverse genetic models focused on amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology, the research for effective therapeutic strategies remains inconclusive. The [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents a significant challenge among neurodegenerative disorders, as effective treatments and therapies remain largely undeveloped. Despite extensive research efforts employing various methodologies and diverse genetic models focused on amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology, the research for effective therapeutic strategies remains inconclusive. The key pathological features of AD include Aβ senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and the activation of neuroinflammatory pathways. Presently, investigations into AD and assessing potential treatments predominantly utilize Aβ transgenic models. Conversely, non-transgenic models may provide valuable insights into the multifaceted pathological states associated with AD. Thus, these models may serve as practical complementary tools for evaluating therapeutic and intervention strategies, since the primary AD risk factors are most frequently modeled. This review aims to critically assess the existing literature on AD non-transgenic models induced by streptozotocin, scopolamine, aging, mechanical stress, metals, and dietary patterns to enhance their application in AD research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Memory and Cognitive Decline Associated with Aging and Alzheimer's Disease)
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13 pages, 1079 KiB  
Review
Photobiomodulation as a Potential Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review Paper
by Miaomiao Wang, Deeba Dinarvand, Clement T. Y. Chan, Anatol Bragin and Lin Li
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14111064 - 26 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3748
Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is a leading neurodegenerative disorder currently affecting approximately 55 million individuals globally, a number projected to escalate to 139 million by 2050. Despite extensive research spanning several decades, the cure for AD remains [...] Read more.
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is a leading neurodegenerative disorder currently affecting approximately 55 million individuals globally, a number projected to escalate to 139 million by 2050. Despite extensive research spanning several decades, the cure for AD remains at a developing stage. The only existing therapeutic options are limited to symptom management, and are often accompanied by adverse side effects. The pathological features of AD, including the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles, result in progressive neuronal death, synaptic loss, and brain atrophy, leading to significant cognitive decline and a marked reduction in quality of life. Objective: In light of the shortcomings of existing pharmacological interventions, this review explores the potential of photobiomodulation (PBM) as a non-invasive therapeutic option for AD. PBM employs infrared light to facilitate cellular repair and regeneration, focusing on addressing the disease’s underlying biomechanical mechanisms. Method: This paper presents a comprehensive introduction to the mechanisms of PBM and an analysis of preclinical studies evaluating its impact on cellular health, cognitive function, and disease progression in AD.The review provides a comprehensive overview of the various wavelengths and application methods, evaluating their efficacy in mitigating AD-related symptoms. Conclusions: The findings underscore the significant potential of PBM as a safe and effective alternative treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, emphasizing the necessity for further research and clinical trials to establish its therapeutic efficacy conclusively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Memory and Cognitive Decline Associated with Aging and Alzheimer's Disease)
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14 pages, 454 KiB  
Review
Tailoring Semantic Interventions for Older Adults: Task-Focused and Person-Centered Approaches
by Vasiliki Folia and Susana Silva
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(9), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14090907 - 7 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1330
Abstract
In this narrative review, we explore the latest evidence on semantic interventions for older adults, including both prevention and rehabilitation/remediation efforts, discussing them particularly in the context of dementia. Cognitive interventions vary in their level of structure, encompassing standardized (task-focused tasks) and unstandardized [...] Read more.
In this narrative review, we explore the latest evidence on semantic interventions for older adults, including both prevention and rehabilitation/remediation efforts, discussing them particularly in the context of dementia. Cognitive interventions vary in their level of structure, encompassing standardized (task-focused tasks) and unstandardized tasks (person-centered tasks). These interventions also differ in their target: rehabilitation or prevention. Addressing semantic knowledge/semantic memory/semantics is important, primarily because its efficiency impacts other cognitive domains. Semantic tasks are commonly included in preventive and rehabilitation programs, typically as standardized tasks with pre-defined semantic referents. On the other hand, person-centered approaches introduce personally relevant semantics, allowing patients to share thoughts and experiences with expressive language. Although these approaches offer benefits beyond cognitive improvement, their lack of structure may pose challenges. Our question club (CQ) program blends structured activities with personally relevant semantics, aiming to harness the advantages of both methods. Additionally, in this narrative review, we discuss future challenges and directions in the field of semantic interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Memory and Cognitive Decline Associated with Aging and Alzheimer's Disease)
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