Search Results (1,163)

Background/Objectives: Guibi-tang (GBT) and its variant Kami-guibi-tang (KGBT) are traditional East Asian multi-herb formulas prescribed for memory loss, insomnia, and fatigue. Preclinical data suggest multimodal neuroprotective actions, including cholinergic signaling modulation and activation of the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway; however, clinical evidence for cognitive disorders remains scattered. This scoping review aimed to map the breadth, design characteristics, efficacy signals, and safety profile of GBT and KGBT across the full spectrum of cognitive impairment. Methods: Following the Arksey–O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, seven databases were searched (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, ScienceON, Scopus, Citation Information by the National Institute of Informatics) from inception to 31 January 2025, for human studies evaluating GBT or KGBT in subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia, or post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). Two reviewers independently screened, extracted, and charted data on study design, participants, interventions, outcomes, and adverse events. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria—nine randomized controlled trials, one crossover trial, and five observational reports—enrolling 555 participants (age range, 59–87 years). All were conducted in the Republic of Korea, Japan, or China. GBT or KGBT, given as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy for 4 weeks to 9 months, produced modest but consistent improvements in global cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination/Montreal Cognitive Assessment), memory domains, activities of daily living, and neuropsychiatric symptoms across MCI, Alzheimer’s disease, and PSCI cohorts. Reported adverse event rates were comparable to or lower than those of placebo, usual care, or conventional drugs, and no serious treatment-related toxicity was identified. Conclusions: Current evidence—although limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous formulations, short follow-up durations, and regional concentration—indicates that GBT and KGBT are well tolerated and confer clinically meaningful cognitive and functional benefits. Standardized, multicenter, placebo-controlled trials with biomarker end points are warranted to confirm long-term efficacy, clarify mechanisms, and guide integrative clinical use. Full article

Febrile seizures (FS) are a common childhood neurological event associated with an increased risk of long-term cognitive and emotional deficits, though the precise mechanisms remain elusive. Using a rat model, we investigated the long-term effects of FS induced on postnatal day 10, assessing outcomes in young adulthood (P45-55). We report region-specific neuronal loss in the hippocampus, more extensive in the ventral segment. Molecular analysis revealed a broad downregulation of genes encoding ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors and excitatory amino acid transporters. These alterations were most severe and persistent in the ventral hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. Behaviorally, rats with neonatal FS exhibited a hyperanxious phenotype, characterized by reduced locomotor and exploratory activity and impaired habituation to a novel environment. In contrast, spatial working memory and social behavior remained intact. Our results provide the first comprehensive evidence that neonatal FS trigger long-term, region-specific disruptions of the glutamatergic system within hippocampal–prefrontal circuits. These findings identify vulnerable molecular targets and precise neurobiological mechanisms that may underlie the heightened risk of anxiety-related disorders following early-life FS, suggesting new avenues for therapeutic intervention. Full article

People with intellectual disability and visual impairment often have difficulties in accessing leisure events, engaging in cognitive activities, and performing physical exercise. The present study assessed a program aimed at helping six adults with moderate or moderate-to-mild intellectual disability and blindness in each of the aforementioned areas. The program relied on the use of a technology system involving a smartphone, which was supplied with Internet connection and fitted with the Live Transcribe and MacroDroid applications. These applications were set up to (a) enable the participants to use verbal utterances to successfully access preferred songs and comic sketches (leisure events) and answer series of verbal questions (cognitive activity) automatically presented to them, and (b) enable the smartphone to verbally guide the participants’ performance of series of body movements (physical exercise). The program was introduced according to a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across participants. The intervention was divided into two phases, which included 17–33 and 39–48 sessions, respectively. The results showed that the participants’ baseline performance (without the support of the system) was generally poor. During the intervention with the system, all participants succeeded in accessing the music or comic events available, satisfactorily answering series of questions, and performing series of body movements. The Percentage of Nonoverlapping Data and the Tau (novlap) methods used to compare baseline and intervention performance produced indices of 1 for all participants (confirming the strong impact of the intervention). These results, which need replication to establish their generality, suggest that the technology system might represent a useful tool for helping people like the participants of this study. Full article

Background: Modulation of the gut–brain axis using probiotics present a promising approach for enhancing cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In prior non-clinical research, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis CKDB001 (LL) exhibited potential to enhance cognitive function. We therefore conducted a clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of LL supplementation in MCI. Methods: A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial was performed in 100 participants aged 55–80 years. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive LL (n = 50, 5.0 × 10⁹ CFU/day) or placebo (n = 50). Efficacy and safety were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: LL supplementation resulted in significantly greater improvements than placebo in the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale–Cognition 13 total score, the memory sub-score, reaction time for Part A of the Trail Making Test, and word/color reaction times on the Stroop test. Taxonomic and metabolomic profiling of fecal samples showed significantly greater changes in the relative abundance of beneficial microorganisms in the LL group, with the most pronounced shifts at the family (Lactobacillaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae) and genus (Lactobacillus) levels. In addition, the LL group exhibited significantly higher fecal levels of indole-derived metabolites, including 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-lactic acid, and indole-3-glycol. Safety assessments indicated LL was safe and well-tolerated, with no clinically relevant changes in laboratory findings or adverse events. Conclusions: These findings suggest that LL supplementation may enhance cognitive function in MCI by modulating the gut–brain axis through effects on gut microbiota and related metabolites, and could serve as a safe functional food to support cognitive health. Full article

The increasing availability of User-Generated Content during large-scale events is transforming spectators into active co-creators of live narratives while simultaneously introducing challenges in managing heterogeneous sources, ensuring content quality, and orchestrating distributed infrastructures. A trial was conducted to evaluate automated orchestration, media enrichment, and real-time quality assessment in a live sporting scenario. A key innovation of this work is the use of a cloud-native architecture based on Kubernetes, enabling dynamic and scalable integration of smartphone streams and remote production tools into a unified workflow. The system also included advanced cognitive services, such as a Video Quality Probe for estimating perceived visual quality and an AI Engine based on YOLO models for detection and recognition of runners and bib numbers. Together, these components enable a fully automated workflow for live production, combining real-time analysis and quality monitoring, capabilities that previously required manual or offline processing. The results demonstrated consistently high Mean Opinion Score (MOS) values above 3 72.92% of the time, confirming acceptable perceived quality under real network conditions, while the AI Engine achieved strong performance with a Precision of 93.6% and Recall of 80.4%. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dysregulated gamma oscillations are associated with cognitive dysfunction. Auditory stimulation at 40 Hz enhances neural activity in brain regions associated with learning, attention, and memory. This study assessed the safety and acceptability of 40 Hz amplitude-modulated auditory stimulation in healthy older people. Auditory stimuli were created using popular songs, where vocals and background music were separated and independently amplitude-modulated at 40 Hz with different modulation depths to generate periodic 40 Hz gamma waveforms. Methods: In this open-label, single-arm study, healthy participants aged ≥65 years received 40 Hz amplitude-modulated auditory stimulation daily via a smartphone for 28 days through earphones/headphones. Safety was assessed through adverse event (AE) monitoring and changes in clinical scores for depression, cognitive function, and hearing thresholds. Acceptability was evaluated by adherence rates, listening time, dropout reasons, volume levels, intent for future use, and subjective impressions of the sound source on a 7-point Likert scale. Results: Among 28 participants (mean age 69.1 years, 53.6% female), six reported 12 AEs, with six considered device-related (e.g., ear discomfort, jaw pain, musculoskeletal stiffness). The AEs observed were mild or moderate. Scores for cognitive function, depression, and hearing thresholds did not worsen during the study period. Adherence was observed in 96.4%, with 85.7% expressing interest in continuing. Most participants rated the sounds’ unnaturalness between 2 and 3 and discomfort between 1 and 3 on the 7-point Likert scale. Conclusions: The intervention was well tolerated and acceptable in study participants, with no major safety concerns identified. Auditory stimulation did not cause severe discomfort or reduce acceptability. Further studies should explore the long-term effects and broader clinical applications. Full article

Fulfilling the demand for functional food with cost safety and environmental sustainability, our novel anthocyanin-enriched functional drink containing the purple waxy corn cob-derived functional ingredient “MP1” showed cognitive enhancing effects with safety in bilaterally ovariectomized rats, a validated model of menopause. Since no clinical evidence that confirms the mentioned effect was available until now, we conducted a two-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to confirm the benefits mentioned above. A total of 32 menopausal participants were divided into placebo and MP1 (400 mg) groups, and were subject to a 2-month study period. Safety parameters, working memory and brain components, especially N100 and P300, the negative and positive potentials derived from the event-related potential (ERP) which indicated attention and cognitive processing, together with oxidative stress markers acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO), were assessed at baseline and every month. No serious side effects or toxicity signs were observed. Subjects who consumed MP1 also had decreased N100 and P300 latency, improved working memory and decreased oxidative stress status. Therefore, a byproduct of purple corn can successfully serve as a novel functional ingredient for developing a cognitive enhancer drink with the qualities of safety, cost reduction, and environmental sustainability promotion. Full article

While sadness and anger are distinct emotional states, the cognitive traits that differentiate people prone to one versus the other are not well understood. This research tested whether the cognitive signatures of state emotions extend to the trait level. Across two studies, we developed and validated a new Trait Sadness Scale (TSS) and used it to compare the cognitive responses of a sadness-prone group (high sadness, low anger) and an anger-prone group (high anger, low sadness) to ambiguous negative events. Contrary to predictions from state emotion theories, the groups did not differ in their causal attribution patterns (i.e., who they blamed). However, key cognitive differences did emerge: the sadness-prone group reported significantly greater helplessness, an effect specific to interpersonal contexts, and appraised the causes of negative events as more stable and global. These findings reveal a dissociation between state- and trait-level cognition, suggesting that emotional dispositions are differentiated not by simple patterns of blame, but by a more complex interplay of context-dependent appraisals of control and a pessimistic explanatory style. Full article

The use of neurophysiological data to acquire product image avoids the inherent subjectivity in the empirical design process. In this paper, we use eye tracking–electroencephalography (ET-EEG) to study mapping among user behaviour, eye movements, EEG features and image decisions in the process of product form cognition. First, we designed an ET-EEG experiment using hair dryer stimuli, with morphology rated on a Likert scale. Then, ET-EEG data were categorized according to image category: “unambiguous (matching)”, “unambiguous (mismatching)”, “ambiguous (positive)”, or “ambiguous (negative)”. Finally, the behavioural data, eye movement indicators, and event-related potentials (ERPs) were analysed to parse the cognitive features. The behavioural, ET and ERP data were highly consistent, and their values increased as the cognition resources devoted to decision-making increased. ET-EEG physiological data thus objectively and effectively reflected users’ image cognition of products, providing theoretical support for design research on the origin of cognition. Full article

Background: Insomnia is strongly associated with stimulant use across various populations and for a wide range of substances. It represents a significant clinical problem among individuals with stimulant use disorders, yet treatment guidelines for this specific population are limited. This gap underscores the need for a systematic review to analyze the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for insomnia in individuals with stimulant use disorders. The aim of this review is to determine the efficacy, safety, and limitations of these approaches and their impact on psychiatric symptoms, stimulant use, and adverse events. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted through January–July 2025 using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The review focused on the management of chronic insomnia associated with stimulant use, including substances such as amphetamines, methylphenidate, nicotine, caffeine, and cocaine. The systematic review was structured in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, and identified studies were assessed by title/abstract and full-text evaluation. Results: A total of twenty studies were included in the systematic review. Seven studies examined pharmacological interventions, including modafinil, naltrexone/buprenorphine-naloxone, varenicline, combination NRT, and ramelteon. Thirteen studies investigated non-pharmacological approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), Electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS), maximal strength training, electroacupuncture (EA), and probiotics. The majority of interventions demonstrated positive outcomes in reducing insomnia severity, with some participants achieving non-clinical levels. Commonly reported clinical symptoms related to insomnia included difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, early morning awakening, and sleep dissatisfaction. Conclusions: Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions showed promise. However, the lack of validated guidelines underscores the need for integrated therapeutic approaches that address the complex comorbidity of insomnia, stimulant use, and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. Full article

The P300 evoked potential, recorded via electroencephalography, serves as a relevant marker of attentional allocation and cognitive workload. This work extracts and analyzes event-related potentials that reflect variations in the cognitive state of military pilots during a complex simulated flight scenario coupled with simultaneous mental arithmetic tasks. The experiment was conducted at the Academia General del Aire (Spain) with 14 military pilots using a high-fidelity flight simulator. The experimental protocol involved dynamic flight instructions combined with arithmetic tasks designed to elicit varying cognitive loads. The results revealed a significant decrease in P300 amplitude across successive sessions, indicating a progressive reduction in attentional engagement due to task habituation and increased cognitive automaticity. Concurrently, P300 latency for correct responses decreased significantly, demonstrating enhanced efficiency in cognitive stimulus evaluation over repeated exposure. However, incorrect responses failed to yield robust results due to an insufficient number of trials. These findings validate the use of P300 as an objective indicator of cognitive workload variations in realistic aviation contexts. Full article

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in a cascade of neuropathological events, which can significantly disrupt synaptic integrity. This review explores the acute, subacute and chronic phases of synaptic dysfunction and loss in trauma which commence post-TBI, and their contribution to the subsequent neurological sequelae. Central to these disruptions is the loss of dendritic spines and impaired synaptic plasticity, which compromise neuronal connectivity and signal transmission. During the acute phase of TBI, mechanical injury triggers presynaptic glutamate secretion and Ca²⁺ ion-mediated excitotoxic injury, accompanied by cerebral edema, mitochondrial dysfunction and the loss of the mushroom-shaped architecture of the dendritic spines. The subacute phase is marked by continued glutamate excitotoxicity and GABAergic disruption, along with neuroinflammatory pathology and autophagy. In the chronic phase, long-term structural remodeling and reduced synaptic densities are evident. These chronic alterations underlie persistent cognitive and memory deficits, mood disturbances and the development of post-traumatic epilepsy. Understanding the phase-specific progression of TBI-related synaptic dysfunction is essential for targeted interventions. Novel therapeutic strategies primarily focus on how to effectively counter acute excitotoxicity and neuroinflammatory cascades. Future approaches may benefit from boosting synaptic repair and modulating neurotransmitter systems in a phase-specific manner, thereby mitigating the long-term impact of TBI on neuronal function. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of sanda sports experience on cognitive control using electroencephalography (EEG). Methods: The study involved 38 male participants, including 19 sanda athletes with over 5 years of training and 19 ordinary college students. A 2 × 4 mixed experimental design was used, with group (sanda athletes vs. ordinary college students) as the between-subjects variable and four experimental conditions (consistent in the previous and current trials, consistent in the previous but inconsistent in the current trials, inconsistent in the previous but consistent in the current trials, and inconsistent in both previous and current trials) as the within-subjects variable. The classic color-word Stroop task was employed to measure cognitive control function through reaction time, accuracy, and event-related potential (ERP) amplitude. Results: Sanda athletes exhibited significantly shorter reaction times than ordinary college students across all conditions (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in accuracy between the two groups (p > 0.05). ERP results showed that sanda athletes had significantly larger amplitudes for the N200 and P300 components in incongruent trials compared to congruent trials (p < 0.05), and significantly larger N400 amplitudes in incongruent trials than ordinary college students (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Sanda athletes demonstrated faster response speed and enhanced cognitive control abilities, as indicated by ERP components, without sacrificing task accuracy. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. Its key pathological hallmarks include extracellular amyloid plaques composed of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles formed by hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Although numerous studies have investigated the complex pathology of AD, its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The amyloid cascade hypothesis continues to be the leading model of AD pathogenesis. It suggests that Aβ aggregation is the initial trigger of neurotoxicity, setting off a cascade of pathological events including inflammation, oxidative stress, tau hyperphosphorylation, synaptic dysfunction, and, ultimately, dementia. Molecular dynamics (MD) is a powerful tool in structure-based drug design (SBDD). By simulating biomolecular motions at the atomic level, MD provides unique insights into molecular properties, functions, and inhibition mechanisms—insights often inaccessible through other experimental or computational techniques. When integrated with experimental data, MD further deepens our understanding of molecular interactions and biological processes. Natural compounds, known for their pleiotropic pharmacological activities, favorable safety profiles, and general tolerability (despite occasional side effects), are increasingly explored for their potential in both the treatment and prevention of various diseases, including AD. In this review, we summarize current findings from MD simulations of natural compounds with anti-amyloidogenic potential. This work builds upon our previous publication, which focused on endogenous compounds and repurposed drugs. The review is structured as follows: an overview of the amyloid cascade hypothesis; a discussion of Aβ oligomeric structures and their stabilizing interactions; a section on molecular dynamics, including its challenges and future directions; and a comprehensive analysis of the inhibitory mechanisms of natural compounds, categorized by their shared structural features. Full article

Climate change is transforming energy use at the residential level by increasing temperature fluctuations and sustaining extreme weather events. This study proposes a climate-reactive, multi-objective approach to integrate the demand response (DR) with distributed generation (DG) and power quality improvement under a multi-objective framework of an integrated climate-adaptive approach to residential energy management. A cognitive neural network combination model with bidirectional long short-term memory networks (bidirectional) and a self-attention mechanism was used to successfully predict temperature-sensitive loads. The hybrid deep learning solution, which applies convolutional and bidirectional long short-term memory (LSTM) networks with attention, predicted the temperature-dependent load profiles optimized with an enhanced modified grey wolf optimizer (MGWO). The results of the experimental studies indicated significant gains in performance: in energy expenditure, the studies reduced it by 32.7%; in peak demand, they were able to reduce it by 45.2%; and in self-generated renewable energy, the results were 28.9% higher. The solution reliability rate provided by the MGWO was 94.5%, and it converged more quickly, thus providing better diversity in the Pareto-optimal frontier than that of traditional metaheuristic algorithms. Sensitivity tests with climate conditions of +2 °C and +4 °C showed strategy changes as high as 18.3%, thus establishing the flexibility of the system. Empirical evidence indicates that the energy and peak demand are to be cut, renewable integration is enhanced, and performance is strong in fluctuating climate conditions, highlighting the adaptability of the system to future resilient smart homes. Full article