Explore research on cognitive fitness

This study explored the impact of musical instrument learning on cognitive, behavioral, and socio-emotional development in children aged 7-9. It compared those receiving extracurricular music training (EMT) with those taking statutory school music lessons. Results showed EMT children had a greater increase in IQ and gross motor skills (e.g., aiming and catching) compared to the other group. Musical aptitude was linked to intelligence, but no significant effects were found for memory or socio-emotional behaviors. This research highlights how learning music can boost specific cognitive and motor abilities, contributing to holistic child development.

This study evaluated 31 melatonin supplements, revealing significant inconsistencies in melatonin content, ranging from -83% to +478% of labeled amounts. Some products also contained serotonin, an unlisted ingredient with potential health risks. Variability was observed across product types and brands, raising concerns about supplement quality. These findings emphasize the need for stricter manufacturing and labeling standards to ensure consumer safety and reliable use of melatonin for sleep and cognitive health.

This systematic review examines the neural correlates of video gaming, focusing on structural and functional brain changes observed in studies using neuroimaging. It identifies consistent findings in areas such as attention, visuospatial skills, and cognitive control. Video gaming appears to enhance activity in regions like the prefrontal cortex, parietal lobes, and hippocampus, depending on the game genre and exposure. However, variability in study design and participant characteristics complicates conclusions about universal effects. While gaming shows promise for cognitive enhancement and rehabilitation, the review emphasizes the need for standardized methodologies and more robust studies to validate the broader implications of these findings.

This review explores the extensive impact of chronic stress on the brain and body. Chronic stress alters brain regions like the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala, impairing memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation. It disrupts the balance of stress hormones, causing long-term health problems like cardiovascular diseases, immune dysfunction, and even dementia. Positive stress can promote growth and resilience, but toxic stress, particularly from early adverse experiences, leads to significant allostatic overload. The study underscores the importance of lifestyle changes and therapeutic interventions to manage stress and improve health outcomes.

This study investigated how video game experience affects executive function in older adults using fMRI. It compared video game players (VGPs) aged 60+ with non-video game players (NVGPs). VGPs outperformed NVGPs in the flanker task, which measures attention and conflict resolution, and showed higher brain activation in regions associated with executive function, such as the prefrontal and parietal cortices. Functional connectivity between these regions was also stronger in VGPs. The findings suggest that playing video games enhances cognitive abilities like multitasking and decision-making in older adults, potentially offering a way to combat age-related cognitive decline.

This systematic review analyzed studies on the health impacts of nuts, highlighting benefits such as improved heart health, weight management, and reduced inflammation. Nuts, including almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, provide nutrients like unsaturated fats, antioxidants, and fiber. They support glycemic control, reduce oxidative stress, and improve lipid profiles without promoting weight gain. Emerging evidence links nut consumption to better cognitive health, especially in aging populations, by mitigating inflammation and enhancing blood flow. However, more research is needed to clarify long-term cognitive effects and benefits for specific populations.

This study linked nighttime temperature anomalies with insufficient sleep using data from 765,000 U.S. residents between 2002–2011. A 1°C increase in nighttime temperature resulted in approximately three additional nights of insufficient sleep per 100 individuals monthly. Effects were most pronounced in summer, among elderly and low-income populations, highlighting vulnerability to heat. Projections suggest climate change may significantly increase sleep loss by 2050 and 2099, affecting cognitive function and health on a large scale.

This review examines the role of probiotics and prebiotics in brain development and neurological health through the gut-brain axis. The gut microbiota, influenced by diet, affects neurotransmitter production, inflammation, and neurodevelopment, particularly in early life. Probiotics (e.g., Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) and prebiotics show potential to improve conditions like depression, anxiety, and neurodevelopmental disorders by enhancing microbiota composition and reducing inflammation. While animal and some human studies highlight promising effects on cognitive function, results vary, and more targeted clinical trials are needed to confirm their benefits.

This comprehensive report reviews strategies for preventing cognitive decline and dementia. It identifies three areas with encouraging but inconclusive evidence for slowing age-related cognitive decline: cognitive-training, managing blood pressure in midlife hypertension, and increased physical activity. It emphasizes the need for rigorous research, noting limitations in current evidence. While interventions are promising for brain health, they cannot yet justify public health campaigns but can inform personal strategies for aging populations.

This research explores how running impacts brain health, specifically neurogenesis in the hippocampus, a region vital for memory. It demonstrates that voluntary running increases the growth of new neurons, enhances synaptic plasticity, and improves memory and learning in both rodents and humans. Exercise triggers neurotransmitter changes, elevates growth factors like BDNF, and boosts neural connections in critical brain regions. These changes contribute to better spatial navigation, memory discrimination, and potentially delay age-related cognitive decline. The findings highlight the dynamic interaction between physical activity and brain adaptability.

This report by the Global Council on Brain Health explores how social-engagement benefits cognitive health in older adults. It emphasizes that meaningful social interactions, such as participating in group activities or volunteering, are linked to slower cognitive decline and enhanced emotional well-being. While the evidence is primarily observational, studies suggest social-engagement reduces stress, builds cognitive reserve, and may help protect against dementia. Recommendations include fostering connections and engaging in purposeful, enjoyable activities to maintain brain health.

This review investigates the ketogenic diet (KD) in psychiatric conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and ADHD. KD improves symptoms in animal models, showing reductions in anxiety and depression-like behaviors, mood stabilization, and decreased social deficits. However, human evidence is limited, mostly anecdotal or from small uncontrolled studies. Mechanisms involve enhanced energy metabolism, reduced neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter regulation, but adherence and standardization pose challenges.

This randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of zinc supplementation on the sleep quality of ICU nurses over one month. Participants who received zinc supplements showed significant improvements in total sleep quality, subjective sleep experience, and reduced time to fall asleep compared to the placebo group. Zinc also increased serum zinc levels, suggesting a connection between zinc status and sleep improvements. This finding is significant as better sleep quality can enhance cognitive performance, alertness, and overall well-being in a high-stress profession.

This study investigated how meal timing during simulated night shifts affects performance, sleepiness, hunger, and gastrointestinal discomfort in healthy young men. Participants eating at night showed impaired attention and reaction times during late-night hours, particularly around 4:00 AM, compared to those who avoided meals at night. Although skipping nighttime meals improved cognitive performance, it increased feelings of hunger and mild stomach discomfort. These findings highlight the importance of meal timing in mitigating the adverse effects of night shifts on cognitive performance and digestive health.

This study investigated how daytime exposure to circadian-effective light affects sleep and mood in 109 office workers over winter and summer. Workers exposed to higher levels of morning light experienced better sleep quality, shorter sleep onset latency, and lower rates of depression compared to those with low light exposure. Full-day high light exposure also improved circadian synchronization and mood. The study highlights the importance of proper light exposure in indoor work environments to support sleep health and emotional well-being, particularly in seasons with less natural daylight.

This review highlights the role of zinc in brain function and its potential to address psychiatric disorders like depression and psychosis. Zinc deficiency, linked to stress, poor diet, or genetic factors, can disrupt neurotransmission and neuroplasticity. Zinc supplementation has shown promise as an adjunctive treatment for depression, enhancing the effects of antidepressants, and may help modulate psychotic symptoms by regulating NMDA receptor activity. These findings suggest zinc’s importance in maintaining mental health and as a possible therapeutic tool.

This study, using data from the Health and Retirement Study, examined whether book reading offers a survival advantage over other types of reading or no reading. Tracking 3,635 adults over 12 years, results showed that book readers had a 20% lower risk of mortality compared to non-book readers, even after adjusting for age, education, health, and other factors. Those who read books lived about four months longer at 80% survival. Cognitive function completely mediated the relationship, suggesting that mental engagement from book reading contributes to longevity. This highlights the unique benefits of reading books for cognitive and overall health.

This review explores how learning a second language may enhance cognitive abilities in aging individuals. It highlights that bilingualism could delay dementia and improve executive functions, such as attention and task-switching, by engaging brain regions that are vulnerable to aging. The authors argue that even late-life language learning can positively impact neuroplasticity, offering a potential strategy for mitigating cognitive decline. Future research aims to refine interventions for maximum cognitive benefit.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines how sleep problems, such as poor sleep quality, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia, increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cognitive impairment. The analysis of 27 studies involving 69,216 participants found a 68% higher risk for cognitive decline or AD in those with sleep issues. Notably, OSA doubled the risk. Poor sleep may disrupt brain processes like amyloid clearance, exacerbating AD pathology. The findings emphasize the importance of sleep health in preventing cognitive decline and reducing AD risk, with about 15% of AD cases potentially attributable to sleep disturbances.

This systematic review examined the effects of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) on cognitive function and dementia risk. The MD emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and moderate alcohol intake. Across 32 studies, the MD was associated with better cognitive performance, reduced cognitive decline, and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The MD's benefits may stem from reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular risks. However, most evidence comes from observational studies, limiting conclusions about cause-and-effect relationships. Controlled trials are needed to confirm the MD’s role in brain health.

This longitudinal study analyzed data from over 66,000 observations in the UK to explore how volunteering affects mental well-being across different life stages. Findings suggest that volunteering significantly enhances mental health, but benefits are age-dependent. Positive effects were most evident after age 40, continuing into old age. Frequent volunteers showed better mental health than non-volunteers, as measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The study highlights the role of volunteering in fostering purpose, social connections, and resilience, supporting cognitive and emotional health in later life.

This paper examines how physical and cognitive activities can build cognitive reserve, which helps the brain resist damage and delays dementia onset. Physical activities, particularly aerobic exercises, preserve brain volume and improve neural health, while cognitive activities strengthen brain networks and enhance mental flexibility. These activities may slow age-related brain changes and reduce dementia risk, although they should be combined for optimal benefits. Long-term lifestyle changes that include regular physical and mental stimulation could improve brain resilience and cognitive performance.

The article "The Mind and Mental Health: How Stress Affects the Brain" from Touro University Worldwide examines the physiological impact of stress on the brain. It explains that stress triggers the amygdala to send distress signals to the hypothalamus, initiating the "fight-or-flight" response. This leads to the release of cortisol, a hormone that, in chronic excess, can impair synaptic regulation, reduce sociability, kill brain cells, and shrink the prefrontal cortex, which is vital for memory and learning. Simultaneously, chronic stress can enlarge the amygdala, heightening the brain's receptivity to stress and potentially creating a cycle of persistent stress responses.These changes can adversely affect brain health and cognitive performance, leading to issues such as memory impairment and decreased learning capacity. To mitigate these effects, the article suggests stress-management techniques like regular physical activity, meditation, and maintaining social connections. Given Touro University Worldwide's educational focus and the supporting evidence cited, these recommendations are credible and practical for enhancing brain health.

This study explored how exercise increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein crucial for memory, learning, and mental health. Using animal models, researchers found that prolonged physical activity elevated BDNF expression in the hippocampus. This was linked to the production of β-hydroxybutyrate (DBHB), a molecule created during exercise, which inhibits enzymes (HDAC2 and HDAC3) that typically suppress BDNF. Elevated BDNF also enhanced neurotransmitter activity, improving brain plasticity and potentially protecting against conditions like depression and neurodegenerative diseases. These findings highlight the molecular link between physical-exercise and brain health, emphasizing its role in improving cognition and emotional well-being.

This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of chess instruction on children's academic performance and cognitive skills, analyzing 24 studies. The findings revealed moderate benefits in mathematics, reading, and cognitive abilities, with the strongest effects seen in mathematics. Longer durations of chess instruction (over 25 hours) produced greater improvements. However, the review cautioned that most studies lacked rigorous control designs, raising concerns about placebo effects or other confounding factors influencing results.

This editorial summarizes research on the cognitive effects of video games and game-like training, emphasizing their potential to enhance brain plasticity. It identifies mechanisms like adaptive difficulty, feedback, and motivation that make games effective for learning and rehabilitation. Games can improve attention, memory, and multitasking, but the benefits often remain task-specific and depend on individual differences like baseline cognitive abilities. Importantly, long-term benefits are unclear, as transfer to unrelated tasks is limited. Integrating game elements with evidence-based training techniques may optimize their effectiveness. This research highlights the promise of games as tools for cognitive development but stresses the need for rigorous methodology to validate their broader applications.

This meta-analysis investigates the impact of alcohol consumption on the day of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on cognitive, psychological, and medical outcomes. It found that individuals with alcohol in their system at the time of injury (positive blood alcohol level) generally performed slightly worse on cognitive tests and showed subtle memory impairments. However, psychological and functional outcomes such as mortality rates and hospital stays were not significantly affected. The findings highlight alcohol's complex role in TBI outcomes, with both protective and harmful effects suggested.

This study investigated how a one-week intensive Gaelic language course affected attentional functions in adults aged 18–78. Participants showed significant improvements in attentional switching, as measured by tasks requiring focus and flexibility, compared to control groups who engaged in non-language activities or no structured courses. Results indicated that even a short period of language learning can enhance cognitive functions. These benefits were maintained in participants who practiced Gaelic for at least five hours per week after the course, emphasizing the importance of continued engagement.

This study explored how different types of exercise affect adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) in male rats. Sustained aerobic exercise, like running, significantly enhanced AHN, which supports learning, memory, and stress resilience. In contrast, high-intensity interval training (HIT) and resistance training showed minimal or no benefits for AHN. Genetic predisposition played a role: rats bred for high aerobic response benefited more from exercise. These findings highlight that aerobic activities, especially sustained ones, can boost brain health by promoting new neuron growth in the hippocampus.

This study shows that short-term calorie restriction (CR) enhances the production of new neurons in the hippocampus, a brain region critical for memory and learning, by activating the ghrelin receptor (Ghsr). CR also improved the ability to retain fear-based memories in mice. These benefits were tied to increased levels of the neurogenic transcription factor Egr-1, which helps integrate new neurons into brain circuits. This research suggests that CR promotes brain plasticity and memory via specific molecular pathways.

This systematic review examines how stress influences neuroinflammation, focusing on the role of microglia, the brain's immune cells. Stress activates microglia, increasing inflammation in brain regions like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which are critical for memory and decision-making. This activation contributes to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. Stress during early life "primes" microglia, making them overreactive to later stressors, supporting the "two-hit" hypothesis for mental illness. These findings highlight the importance of managing stress to prevent long-term brain inflammation and mental health disorders.

This study examined the impact of room acoustics on sleep quality by comparing sleep in three environments: a sleep lab, an acoustically isolated room, and participants’ homes. Results showed that sleeping in an acoustically isolated room significantly increased deep sleep and reduced arousals compared to other settings. However, subjective sleep quality ratings were highest at home. These findings highlight the importance of noise reduction and soundproofing to enhance the restorative aspects of sleep, especially deep sleep, which is critical for brain recovery and health.

This study examined how different types of sleepwear and bedding (cotton vs. wool and polyester vs. wool) affected sleep quality under ambient temperatures of 17°C and 22°C. Wool sleepwear significantly reduced sleep onset latency (time to fall asleep) compared to cotton at cooler temperatures (17°C), promoting better sleep efficiency. However, at warmer temperatures (22°C), cotton led to slightly better deep sleep. Bedding type had no significant impact. These findings suggest that thermal properties of sleepwear play a role in sleep quality by influencing body temperature regulation.

This theoretical review explores the therapeutic potential of laughter in mental health. Laughter therapy, as a non-invasive and cost-effective treatment, reduces stress hormones like cortisol and enhances mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. It also improves immunity, promotes better interpersonal relationships, and mitigates symptoms of depression, anxiety, and tension. Laughter’s ability to positively affect both mind and body positions it as a complementary therapy to improve quality of life and mental health resilience.

This study analyzed handgrip strength across different age groups and sexes in the U.S. population using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012. The study included 3,497 men and 3,400 women and found that grip strength peaks in the 30s before declining with age. Men exhibited higher grip strength than women, but their rate of decline was steeper. The study categorized individuals into Health Benefit Zones (HBZ) to assess fitness levels. The study was cross-sectional, limiting causal conclusions, but it provides a valuable benchmark for assessing muscular fitness, which has been linked to cognitive performance and metabolic health.

This review highlights the relationship between sleep dysfunction and gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, showing that poor sleep can exacerbate conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). sleep disturbances also worsen GI inflammation via increased cytokine activity. Conversely, GI diseases can disrupt sleep due to pain and symptoms. Treatment for sleep issues, such as managing GI symptoms and using therapies like melatonin, may improve sleep quality and reduce disease flare-ups. This research emphasizes the bidirectional link between sleep and GI health.

This study evaluated the effects of alcohol consumption on sleep quality among 393 adults using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Korean revised version (AUDIT-KR) and Pittsburgh sleep Quality Index-Korean version (PSQI-K). It found that men with higher alcohol use had worse sleep quality, including shorter sleep duration and more disturbances. Snoring frequency also increased with alcohol use. The correlation was weaker in women, likely due to lower alcohol consumption. These findings show how alcohol impairs sleep, potentially contributing to health risks like fatigue and cardiovascular problems.

The article "The Neuroprotective Aspects of sleep" explores how sleep contributes to brain health by enhancing memory recall, regulating metabolism, and reducing mental fatigue. It emphasizes that during sleep, the brain reorganizes, recharges, and eliminates toxic waste products accumulated throughout the day, processes facilitated by the glymphatic system. The authors highlight that each sleep phase plays a role in restoring the brain for optimal function, and that both total sleep deprivation and sleep restriction can impair cognitive abilities, behavior, and judgment.This information underscores the critical role of sufficient sleep—at least seven hours per night—in maintaining cognitive performance and overall brain health. To support these processes, individuals are advised to prioritize consistent, quality sleep. Given the article's publication in a peer-reviewed journal and the evidence presented, these recommendations are credible and practical for enhancing brain health.

As people age, some cognitive functions decline, like processing speed, working memory, and decision-making, while skills based on cumulative knowledge remain stable. Aging causes structural and functional brain changes, such as synapse loss and slower neuronal communication. Diseases like Alzheimer’s accelerate cognitive decline. However, healthy lifestyle habits—exercise, a balanced diet, cognitive stimulation, and managing health issues—can slow decline and support brain health. This research is significant as it highlights the potential to maintain cognitive abilities and delay dementia through modifiable lifestyle factors, improving the quality of life for the aging population.

This review explores how multisensory integration, the interaction of sensory inputs like sight and sound, shapes working memory. It highlights that memory for objects combining multiple sensory inputs (e.g., an image with a sound) is stronger than for single-sense inputs. Multisensory integration happens at both early and advanced brain processing stages, enhancing memory and decision-making. These findings emphasize that leveraging multiple senses may optimize cognitive function, improve learning, and maintain brain health.

This study investigated how playing action video games (AVGs) affects brain structure and function, focusing on the insula—a brain region crucial for attention and sensorimotor control. Comparing AVG experts and amateurs, the research found that experts had higher functional connectivity between the insula's subregions and larger gray matter volume in specific areas of the left insula. These enhancements were associated with better integration of attentional and sensorimotor networks, reflecting neuroplasticity driven by gaming experience. The findings suggest that AVGs may enhance cognitive skills by improving brain network efficiency, particularly in regions critical for multitasking and coordination.

This study evaluated the cognitive and physiological impacts of yoga in 30 young healthy adults over five months. Participants practiced yoga for 90 minutes daily, six days a week, including postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. Results showed significant improvements in cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and executive function, linked to changes in brain activity (EEG band power) and heart rate variability (HRV). The findings suggest yoga enhances autonomic nervous system balance, boosting parasympathetic activity while reducing sympathetic stress responses, supporting mental alertness and relaxation. This highlights yoga's potential for improving cognitive performance and stress regulation.

This study examined the association between blood zinc levels and sleep quality in Chinese children aged 3–15 years. Higher zinc levels in adolescence were linked to better sleep quality, longer duration, and fewer disturbances. Longitudinally, low zinc levels at preschool age predicted poorer sleep efficiency and quality during adolescence. Zinc's role in neurotransmitter function may influence these outcomes. These findings highlight zinc's potential importance in sleep regulation, which is crucial for cognitive development and overall brain health.

This research explores how lifelong bilingualism can contribute to cognitive reserve, a concept describing the brain's ability to cope with damage while maintaining function. The findings suggest that bilingual individuals exhibit a delayed onset of Alzheimer's symptoms compared to monolinguals, potentially due to more efficient brain resource utilization. Bilingualism enhances executive functioning (e.g., attention, task-switching) and may increase neural efficiency or compensation. The study emphasizes bilingualism's potential to protect cognitive health, particularly in aging populations, offering a non-pharmacological avenue to bolster brain resilience.

This paper discusses the significant effects of exercise on brain health and cognitive function. Exercise boosts neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections—by increasing blood flow, stimulating growth factors like BDNF, and enhancing synaptic activity. These changes improve memory, attention, and overall learning capacity. It also highlights exercise's protective role against cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and anxiety. Aerobic and resistance exercises are especially effective for brain volume growth and faster neural communication. The paper emphasizes exercise as an accessible, low-cost intervention to improve mental and physical health across all ages.

This review highlights how chronic stress affects brain health, linking it to structural and functional changes in critical areas like the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. Stress can impair memory, emotional regulation, and decision-making by reducing neurogenesis, shrinking brain structures, and altering the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Emerging evidence also explores intergenerational effects through epigenetics. Strategies such as mindfulness, exercise, and pharmacological interventions can mitigate stress impacts. Understanding these mechanisms aids in developing better treatments and preventive measures for stress-related disorders, including PTSD and depression.

This study investigated the effects of a therapeutic laughter program (TLP) on anxiety, depression, and stress in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Sixty-two participants were randomized into a TLP group or a control group. The TLP group attended four 60-minute sessions involving laughter exercises and education. Results showed significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and stress after just one session, with greater improvements after four sessions. The findings highlight laughter’s potential as a noninvasive, low-cost, and effective complementary therapy for managing psychological stress in cancer patients, improving their overall quality of life.

This randomized clinical trial assessed whether mindfulness meditation improves sleep quality in older adults with moderate sleep disturbances. Participants (mean age 66) engaged in either mindfulness meditation or sleep hygiene education for six weeks. The mindfulness group showed greater improvements in sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, depression, and fatigue. These findings highlight the potential of mindfulness meditation as a low-cost, community-accessible intervention for better sleep, which is crucial for maintaining cognitive health and emotional well-being in aging populations.

This theoretical framework explores how yoga-based practices (YBP)—involving movement, breath regulation, and attention—affect brain health and cognitive performance. Evidence suggests YBP reduces stress and improves body awareness, emotional regulation, and cognition by modulating neural circuits, including the insula, prefrontal cortex, and basal ganglia. Yoga's slow, deliberate movements enhance interoception, coordination, and neuroplasticity, while controlled breathing promotes vagal tone and stress resilience. These findings highlight yoga's potential as a holistic approach to mental and physical well-being, though precise mechanisms need further study.

This review highlights the potential of musical training as a tool for neuro-education and neuro-rehabilitation. It shows that music enhances brain plasticity, benefiting motor, auditory, and cognitive systems. Long-term training can aid children with language impairments and improve speech processing, while therapeutic techniques like Music-Supported Therapy help stroke and Parkinson’s patients recover motor function. Listening to music is linked to emotional regulation and improved cognitive outcomes. The study underscores music's multimodal, low-cost value for both education and rehabilitation.

This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of three self-help stress-reduction methods—physical activity (PA), mindfulness meditation (MM), and heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BF)—over five weeks. All three significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and depression and improved sleep quality and psychological well-being, with no significant differences between methods. Participants practicing physical activity reported the highest adherence. These findings support PA, MM, and HRV-BF as equally effective, accessible tools for managing stress and enhancing mental health.

This review investigates resilience—the brain's ability to adapt positively to stress—and its impact on health. Chronic stress alters brain structures, particularly the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, affecting memory, emotion regulation, and decision-making. Resilience depends on early-life experiences, gene expression, and epigenetic changes, which influence lifelong adaptability. Interventions such as exercise, mindfulness, and enriched environments promote brain plasticity and mitigate stress effects. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing therapies for stress-related disorders like depression and PTSD.

This study investigated the effects of blueberry and strawberry supplementation on aging-related motor and cognitive decline in rats. Over eight weeks, aged rats fed diets with 2% berry content showed significant improvements in motor skills and working memory compared to controls. Enhanced neurogenesis and increased insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels in the hippocampus were observed. These findings suggest that berry consumption supports brain health by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, promoting neuronal regeneration, and improving cognitive performance.

This study explored a computerized cooking task (CT) to measure executive functions like planning, memory, and multitasking in a real-world context. Participants completed tasks of varying difficulty that required managing cooking times and setting tables, mimicking everyday activities. Results showed the CT effectively captured executive functions such as strategy, flexible thinking, and rule adherence, which standard neuropsychological tests often miss. The findings suggest the CT could be a more accurate tool for assessing executive function deficits in both healthy and clinical populations.

This study examined how bilingualism impacts brain structure, focusing on the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) in elderly individuals. Using neuroimaging, the researchers found that bilingual seniors had greater gray matter volume in the IPL compared to monolinguals, suggesting a neuroprotective effect. Unlike younger adults, where the age of learning a second language matters, proficiency and usage were the key factors for older adults. This is significant as it shows bilingualism could help delay cognitive decline and preserve brain health in aging populations.

This longitudinal study explored how video gaming affects the brain's reward system, focusing on the ventral striatum (VS), which is central to processing rewards and motivation. Fifty participants were split into a training group (played "Super Mario 64" for two months) and a control group. Functional MRI revealed that VS activity remained stable in gamers during reward anticipation tasks but declined in non-gamers. This suggests gaming enhances or preserves reward sensitivity over time, possibly due to its engaging and rewarding nature. The findings highlight video games' potential in cognitive-training and therapeutic interventions by sustaining motivation and reward responsiveness in non-gaming contexts, like learning or rehabilitation.

This study examined whether expertise in video gaming or specializing in game genres (action vs. strategy) improves cognitive performance. Ninety-two participants completed two tasks: the Flanker Task, testing attention, and a Change Detection Task, testing visual memory. Despite earlier claims in video game research, this study found no significant cognitive advantage for frequent or expert gamers in either task. The results challenge the notion that playing video games significantly enhances transferable cognitive skills. The authors suggest prior positive findings may involve methodological biases or limited real-world applicability. This study highlights the need for replication and stricter methodologies in video game cognition research.

This literature review explores the cognitive benefits of nuts and berries, emphasizing their neuroprotective properties. Regular consumption of nuts, particularly walnuts, and berries like blueberries and strawberries, is linked to improved memory, reduced cognitive decline, and better overall brain health. These foods are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and anti-inflammatory compounds, which counteract oxidative stress and inflammation—key factors in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The findings suggest potential dietary strategies for preserving cognitive function.

This study evaluated the effects of three types of pillows—orthopedic, memory foam, and feather—on sleep quality factors like cervical spine support, pillow temperature, and comfort. Using 20 healthy participants, the researchers found that orthopedic pillows provided the best cervical support, maintained a cooler surface temperature, and were rated the most comfortable. Proper neck support and lower pillow temperatures are linked to improved sleep quality, which is vital for cognitive function, mood, and physical health.

This study explored the effects of fatty fish consumption on sleep, daily functioning, and biomarkers such as vitamin D and heart rate variability (HRV) in a group of forensic patients. Participants consuming Atlantic salmon three times per week experienced improved daily functioning and stable sleep latency compared to a control group. Improved vitamin D levels and HRV were observed in the fish group, suggesting a potential link to better sleep efficiency and cognitive functioning. While promising, seasonal and dietary variations were influential, indicating the need for further research.

This study explored how regular exercise influences emotional and physiological responses to acute stress in healthy adults. Using a standardized stress test (Trier Social Stress Test), the researchers found that regular exercisers maintained higher levels of positive mood compared to non-exercisers, who showed a significant decline in positive affect. While both groups exhibited similar cortisol and cardiovascular responses, exercisers had lower resting heart rates. These findings suggest that regular physical activity enhances emotional resilience to stress, which may reduce the long-term health impacts of stress-related conditions.

This longitudinal study used data from identical twin pairs to examine the effect of reading ability on intelligence development from ages 7 to 16. Researchers found that differences in reading ability predicted later differences in both verbal and nonverbal intelligence, independent of genetic and shared environmental factors. The results suggest that reading ability fosters cognitive development, potentially enhancing problem-solving and general reasoning skills. Interestingly, the association was stronger for reading ability than for reading exposure. These findings highlight reading as a key nonshared environmental factor that can influence intellectual growth.

This longitudinal study explored whether owning a pet protects older adults from loneliness or is a response to it, using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Results showed pet ownership was more common among women who experienced consistent loneliness, suggesting pets might be acquired as a response to loneliness rather than a preventive measure. For some, pets offered companionship and a path out of loneliness. However, no significant protective effects were found in men, indicating a gender-specific dynamic.

The research explores how dietary factors, including calorie restriction, intermittent fasting, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, influence brain plasticity in both animals and humans. These interventions improve markers like neurogenesis, synaptic function, and expression of neurotrophic factors, which are critical for learning, memory, and mood regulation. While animal studies show promising mechanisms, such as enhanced hippocampal function, human applications remain limited by translational gaps. This highlights diet as a modifiable tool for cognitive health.

This study investigated the effects of using light-emitting eReaders versus printed books before bedtime. Participants who read eReaders took longer to fall asleep, experienced a delay in their circadian clock, and had suppressed melatonin levels. This also reduced the amount of REM sleep and left participants feeling groggier and less alert the next morning compared to reading printed books. These findings highlight the adverse impact of blue light emitted by eReaders on sleep quality, circadian rhythm alignment, and next-day cognitive performance, emphasizing the need for mindful use of electronic devices at night.

This paper explores how environmental noise, particularly from transportation, negatively impacts sleep and overall health. Nocturnal noise disrupts sleep quality and structure by increasing wakefulness and reducing restorative deep sleep stages. It triggers stress responses, with elevated cortisol levels and heart rate, contributing to long-term risks like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and impaired cognitive performance. Noise exposure at night is particularly harmful as it causes fragmented sleep, leading to daytime fatigue, mood changes, and reduced productivity.

This opinion article discusses the potential of neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize—to improve cognitive function through targeted interventions like cognitive-training, video games, and other neurotherapeutics. It highlights successful studies using adaptive and feedback-driven tasks, such as the game "Neuroracer," which showed significant gains in multitasking and working memory in older adults. Key principles for effective interventions include continuous feedback and task adaptivity tailored to individual performance. The paper emphasizes the need for rigorous, controlled studies to assess long-term benefits and broader applications, envisioning future advancements in personalized, tech-based cognitive rehabilitation tools that leverage real-time brain activity.

This research explores how musical training impacts brain development and cognitive skills. It highlights that learning music enhances brain plasticity, improves memory, language abilities, and executive functions, such as attention and planning. Benefits are observed across ages but are more significant when training starts early due to sensitive developmental periods. Mechanisms like rhythmic entrainment and the rewarding nature of music may contribute to these effects. These insights underline music's value for fostering cognitive and social skills, which extend to broader learning and life domains.

This case-control pilot study examined the impact of natural light exposure in office environments on sleep quality and overall health. Office workers with access to windows had significantly better sleep quality, longer sleep duration (46 minutes more per night), and greater physical activity compared to those in windowless environments. Increased light exposure was associated with reduced sleep disturbances and higher vitality. These findings emphasize the importance of natural light in workplaces for enhancing sleep, mood, and cognitive function, benefiting both individual well-being and workplace productivity.

This randomized controlled crossover trial investigated the effects of 16 weeks of soy nut consumption (67 g/day, high in protein and isoflavones) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cognitive performance in 23 healthy older adults. Soy nut intake increased regional CBF in brain areas linked to psychomotor speed, which improved significantly. However, no changes were found in memory or executive function. These findings suggest soy nuts may support brain health and psychomotor performance, possibly by enhancing cerebrovascular function through bioactive compounds like isoflavones.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined 47 randomized controlled trials involving over 3,500 participants to evaluate meditation programs' effects on psychological stress and well-being. Mindfulness meditation showed moderate evidence for reducing anxiety, depression, and pain, with smaller improvements in stress-related quality of life. However, effects on positive mood, attention, or behavioral outcomes like sleep and substance use were minimal. The findings suggest mindfulness meditation is a valuable tool for managing negative emotional states, but it is not a replacement for other therapies.

This systematic review examined the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for managing stress in healthy individuals. Across 17 studies conducted between 2009 and 2014, MBSR consistently reduced stress, anxiety, and depression while improving mindfulness and self-compassion. The standard MBSR program, consisting of an 8-week training in meditation, yoga, and body awareness, was most effective. While some studies had small sample sizes and design limitations, the overall findings suggest MBSR is a promising, evidence-based strategy for reducing stress and promoting emotional well-being in nonclinical populations.

This narrative review highlights the relationship between nut consumption, vascular health, and cognitive function. Nuts are nutrient-dense, containing unsaturated fats, polyphenols, and arginine, which improve endothelial function and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. These effects enhance vascular health, potentially improving cerebral blood flow and supporting cognitive performance. Epidemiological studies link regular nut intake to reduced risks of cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline, particularly in aging populations. However, evidence on direct cognitive benefits is limited and requires further research to confirm mechanisms and outcomes.

This review discusses the neuroprotective effects of various berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries, on brain health and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Rich in polyphenols, these berries combat oxidative stress and inflammation, critical factors in brain aging. Animal and cellular studies show improved memory, reduced neuronal damage, and better motor skills after berry supplementation. The potential to enhance cognitive function and delay brain aging highlights their value in brain health.

This study examined how engaging in cognitively stimulating activities, particularly games and puzzles, affects brain structure and cognitive function in adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Participants who frequently played games showed better memory and cognitive flexibility and had greater gray matter volume in brain regions affected early in AD. These findings suggest that such activities may strengthen brain health and cognitive function, potentially delaying or preventing AD-related changes.

This study explored how training with the video game "Space Fortress," which challenges working memory, attention, and motor control, impacts brain activity and cognitive performance. Participants trained for 15 sessions and showed changes in brain activation, particularly in the superior parietal lobe (SPL) and related regions linked to working memory. Increased plasticity in these areas predicted better performance in an untrained memory task (Sternberg Memory Search). The findings support the idea that brain changes induced by video games can transfer to similar cognitive tasks, highlighting the potential of targeted gaming for cognitive-training. However, improvements were task-specific, with no benefits for unrelated tasks.

This randomized controlled trial studied the effects of prebiotics (B-GOS and FOS) on stress and emotional processing in 45 healthy adults over three weeks. Participants taking B-GOS had lower cortisol levels upon waking, indicating reduced stress. They also showed less attentional focus on negative emotions in a task compared to those taking FOS or a placebo. However, no changes in subjective stress or anxiety scores were observed. These findings suggest B-GOS prebiotics may positively influence stress and emotional regulation through gut-brain interactions.

This review highlights the role of resistance exercise in reducing anxiety, examining both short-term and long-term effects. Low-to-moderate intensity resistance training (50–70% of maximum effort) was most effective at lowering anxiety levels, with single sessions offering immediate relief and long-term programs providing sustained benefits. Resistance training reduces anxiety by influencing stress-regulating systems, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. It also improves mood and cognitive resilience across diverse populations. While results are promising, more research is needed to understand the mechanisms and benefits in clinical anxiety disorders.

This review explores the bidirectional relationship between exercise and sleep. Exercise is a proven non-drug option for improving sleep, particularly in conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea, enhancing sleep quality, efficiency, and daytime alertness. Conversely, poor sleep can reduce physical activity levels, creating a feedback loop. Evidence highlights exercise's potential to improve sleep while better sleep can support adherence to an active lifestyle. More research is needed to identify optimal exercise types, intensities, and timing to maximize sleep benefits, which are crucial for brain health, memory, and recovery.

This review critically examines claims surrounding cognitive-training and brain games, highlighting mixed evidence for their effectiveness. While users often improve at the specific games they practice, evidence of broader cognitive benefits that transfer to real-world skills remains inconsistent. Studies suggest that structured activities like exercise, learning new skills, or volunteering may offer similar or greater cognitive benefits without relying on brain-training programs. The research emphasizes the need for more rigorous methodologies and real-world impact evaluations.

This systematic review analyzed 35 randomized controlled trials to evaluate melatonin's effectiveness in improving sleep. The findings indicate that melatonin can help reduce sleep onset time, improve sleep duration slightly, and aid in aligning circadian rhythms for conditions like jet lag and insomnia. Effects were modest and variable, depending on dosage and formulations. While melatonin is considered safe with few adverse effects, the evidence is mixed regarding its effectiveness for shift workers or general sleep improvement in healthy populations.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 20 studies on Tai Chi's effects on cognitive performance in older adults, including those with and without cognitive impairment. Results showed significant improvements in executive function, global cognition, and memory for both groups. Tai Chi outperformed non-intervention controls and, in some cases, active interventions like walking or other exercises. The cognitive benefits are linked to Tai Chi's combination of aerobic, meditative, and coordinated movement elements, which promote neuroplasticity and stress reduction. However, variations in study quality, intervention types, and outcome measures suggest the need for more robust, long-term trials.

This study explored the relationship between emotional sensitivity (a trait linked to shyness) and gaming-related friendships among online video game players. High emotionally sensitive (ES) players reported forming more online friendships and transferring more real-world friendships into online gaming spaces compared to their low-ES counterparts. The study highlights online gaming as a socially accommodating space for shy individuals to expand and strengthen their social networks, providing emotional and social support. These findings underscore the role of online gaming in promoting social connections for those who may struggle with face-to-face interactions.

This review investigates how video games influence spatial abilities, focusing on mental rotation and visual-spatial reasoning. Studies reviewed suggest that video game training modestly improves these skills, particularly in games emphasizing 3D navigation or visual problem-solving. However, results vary widely due to inconsistent methods, small sample sizes, and statistical limitations. Improvements often occur in trained tasks with limited evidence of generalization to broader cognitive domains. Gender-specific benefits were noted, as certain games helped reduce the spatial ability gap for women. While promising, these findings highlight the need for rigorous designs and better controls to draw stronger conclusions about video games' cognitive benefits.

This study examined whether low levels of vitamin D are linked to increased risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Tracking 1,658 older adults for an average of 5.6 years, researchers found that individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency had over twice the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s compared to those with sufficient levels. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased neurodegenerative and vascular risks, potentially due to its role in reducing brain inflammation and supporting neural health. These findings highlight the importance of adequate vitamin D levels in maintaining brain health as we age.

This study examined the effectiveness of a virtual audio-based environment simulator (AbES) for teaching spatial navigation to blind individuals. Participants either explored the virtual environment via a game-based approach or received guided instructions from facilitators. Both methods led to successful navigation of the corresponding real-world environment, but gamers demonstrated superior flexibility, such as finding alternative routes. This suggests video game-based training fosters better spatial understanding and mental map manipulation, potentially aiding orientation and mobility training for the blind.

This meta-analysis examined the effects of Tai Chi on cognitive function in older adults across eight studies, including intervention and cross-sectional research. Tai Chi significantly improved global cognitive function (measured by MMSE) and memory tasks like verbal and visual working memory (DSB, VSB). Improvements in executive function were less consistent but showed potential. The findings highlight Tai Chi as a beneficial mind-body exercise for enhancing cognitive health and slowing cognitive decline in aging populations. However, variability in study quality, sample sizes, and Tai Chi styles limits generalizability. Tai Chi’s focus on mindful movement and coordination may support cognitive and memory functions.

This study examined how reading a novel affects brain connectivity using resting-state fMRI scans over 19 days. Participants read sections of the novel "Pompeii" for nine consecutive evenings, with scans taken each morning. Results showed enhanced connectivity in brain areas linked to story comprehension and perspective-taking, such as the angular gyrus and temporal gyri. Notably, these changes persisted for several days after reading ended, particularly in somatosensory regions associated with "embodied semantics"—the neural representation of sensory experiences tied to the narrative. The findings suggest that reading a compelling story may foster both short-term and lasting neural adaptations, enriching cognitive and sensory processing.

This study examined how caffeine consumption at different times before bed affects sleep in 12 healthy adults. Caffeine (400 mg) taken 0, 3, or 6 hours before bedtime significantly reduced total sleep time by over an hour and increased wakefulness, even at the 6-hour mark. These effects were observed objectively through sleep monitoring. Caffeine disrupted slow-wave sleep but had no significant impact on REM sleep. This research underscores the importance of avoiding caffeine late in the day to preserve sleep quality and cognitive recovery.

This cohort study explored the link between glucose levels and dementia risk in older adults, including those with and without diabetes. Over a 6.8-year follow-up, higher glucose levels were associated with an increased risk of dementia in both groups. For non-diabetics, glucose levels of 115 mg/dL raised dementia risk by 18% compared to 100 mg/dL. Diabetics with levels of 190 mg/dL had a 40% higher risk than those at 160 mg/dL. The findings emphasize that glucose management may be crucial for reducing dementia risk, even in non-diabetic individuals, due to potential impacts on brain vascular health and metabolic function.

This review explores how cognitive reserve (CR) helps people with multiple sclerosis (MS) resist cognitive decline despite brain damage. CR combines genetic factors like maximal lifetime brain growth (MLBG) and lifestyle factors such as intellectual enrichment from education, reading, and hobbies. MS patients with higher CR can better maintain cognitive efficiency and memory. Brain imaging shows that intellectual enrichment improves neural efficiency, allowing patients to perform cognitive tasks with fewer resources. The study highlights the importance of building CR to mitigate MS-related cognitive challenges and suggests that activities promoting intellectual engagement may be protective against disease-related cognitive decline.

This study investigated the link between blood and brain levels of dietary antioxidants, like carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene), and cognitive performance in very old adults, including centenarians. It found that higher levels of certain carotenoids, particularly lutein and β-carotene, were associated with better cognitive performance and less dementia severity. Brain carotenoid concentrations mirrored serum levels, suggesting diet influences brain health. The study highlights the potential role of diets rich in green leafy vegetables and colorful fruits in preserving cognitive function as we age.

This study examined how a single yoga session compares to aerobic exercise in improving cognitive performance among 30 female college students. Participants completed tasks assessing attention and working memory after yoga, aerobic exercise, and baseline conditions. Results showed yoga significantly improved reaction times and accuracy on demanding tasks, especially for working memory and inhibitory control, compared to the other conditions. Aerobic exercise showed no significant cognitive benefits. Yoga's meditative and focused nature may enhance executive functions, suggesting it as a practical option for boosting mental performance, even after short sessions.

This review highlights the role of sleep in memory consolidation, particularly how it transforms short-term memories into long-term storage. Slow-wave sleep (SWS) is critical for reactivating and stabilizing recently learned information, allowing integration into pre-existing knowledge networks, while rapid eye movement (REM) sleep further strengthens and refines these memories. These processes enhance learning, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Disruptions in sleep patterns impair these functions, affecting cognitive performance and emotional health. Understanding sleep's active role in memory underscores its importance for overall brain health and daily cognitive abilities.

The National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements provides a comprehensive overview of valerian (Valeriana officinalis), an herb commonly used as a dietary supplement in the United States. Valerian is often included in products marketed as mild sedatives and sleep aids for conditions like nervous tension and insomnia. However, clinical studies on its effectiveness for sleep disorders have yielded inconclusive results. While certain constituents of valerian exhibit sedative effects in animal studies, the precise mechanisms of action in humans remain unclear. Notably, few adverse events have been reported with valerian use, but data on its long-term safety are lacking.Regarding brain health and cognitive performance, the potential sedative properties of valerian might aid individuals experiencing sleep disturbances, thereby indirectly supporting cognitive functions that depend on adequate rest. However, due to the inconclusive evidence of its efficacy and the absence of long-term safety data, it is advisable to consult healthcare professionals before incorporating valerian supplements into one's regimen. This recommendation aligns with the cautious stance presented in the NIH fact sheet, underscoring the importance of personalized medical advice.

This study examined whether different genres of video games—action, spatial memory, match-3, hidden-object, and life simulation—improve cognitive skills after 20 hours of training over four weeks. Results showed that action games enhanced attentional control and multiple-object tracking, while match-3 and hidden-object games improved visual search and spatial memory. Life simulation games had minimal impact on cognitive tasks. These findings suggest that video game benefits are task-specific, with each game genre fostering unique cognitive skills, depending on their demands. The study highlights the potential for video games to target specific cognitive abilities, though benefits may not transfer to unrelated tasks.

This paper hypothesizes that learning a new language could act as a cognitive therapy for age-related decline. Language learning engages widespread brain networks that overlap with regions affected by aging, potentially building "cognitive reserve," a mental resilience that can delay cognitive decline. Studies suggest cognitive benefits from bilingualism, such as slower aging-related decline and a delay in dementia onset. The authors argue that foreign language programs for older adults could promote brain health through cognitive and social stimulation.