A review of behavioral methods for the evaluation of cognitive performance in animal models: Current techniques and links to human cognition

2021 ◽  
pp. 113652
Author(s):  
Maryam Ghafarimoghadam ◽  
Roya Mashayekh ◽  
Mina Gholami ◽  
Pardis Fereydani ◽  
John Shelley-Tremblay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Behavioral Methods

scholarly journals Effect of Cocoa and Cocoa Products on Cognitive Performance in Young Adults

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3691
Author(s):  
María Angeles Martín ◽  
Luis Goya ◽  
Sonia de Pascual-Teresa
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies ◽  
Cocoa Products ◽  
Cocoa Flavanols

Increasing evidence support a beneficial role of cocoa and cocoa products on human cognition, particularly in aging populations and patients at risk. However, thorough reviews on the efficacy of cocoa on brain processes in young adults do not exist precisely due to the limited number of studies in the matter. Thus, the aim of this study was to summarize the findings on the acute and chronic effects of cocoa administration on cognitive functions and brain health in young adults. Web of Science and PubMed databases were used to search for relevant trials. Human randomized controlled studies were selected according to PRISMA guidelines. Eleven intervention studies that involved a total of 366 participants investigating the role of cocoa on cognitive performance in children and young adults (average age ≤25 years old) were finally selected. Findings from individual studies confirm that acute and chronic cocoa intake have a positive effect on several cognitive outcomes. After acute consumption, these beneficial effects seem to be accompanied with an increase in cerebral blood flow or cerebral blood oxygenation. After chronic intake of cocoa flavanols in young adults, a better cognitive performance was found together with increased levels of neurotrophins. This systematic review further supports the beneficial effect of cocoa flavanols on cognitive function and neuroplasticity and indicates that such benefits are possible in early adulthood.

Neuroprotective effects of phytosterol esters against high cholesterol-induced cognitive deficits in aged rat

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1323-1332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Rui ◽  
Li Wenfang ◽  
Cheng Jing ◽  
Chen Meng ◽  
Ding Chengcheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
High Cholesterol Diet ◽  
Cholesterol Diet ◽  
High Cholesterol ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Aged Rat ◽  
Phytosterol Esters

Accumulating epidemiological and experimental studies have confirmed that a high-cholesterol diet is detrimental to cognitive performance in animal models.

Infection, nutrition and cognitive performance in children

Parasitology ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 107 (S1) ◽  
pp. S187-S200 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Connolly ◽  
J. D. Kvalsvig
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Information Processing Model ◽  
Speculative Hypothesis

SUMMARYThe paper considers briefly the nature of cognition and its relationship to intelligence. The information processing model of human cognition is outlined and IQ and DQ are explained. The literature dealing with the effects of malnutrition and parasitic infection on cognitive performance and development in children is selectively reviewed. A speculative hypothesis concerning the psychological effects of parasitic infection is sketched and brief consideration is given to models and measures in research on development.

scholarly journals Dietary Lutein and Cognitive Function in Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (19) ◽  
pp. 5794
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Li ◽  
El-Sayed M. Abdel-Aal
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Complex Attention

Emerging literature suggests that dietary lutein may have important functions in cognitive health, but there is not enough data to substantiate its effects in human cognition. The current study was intended to determine the overall effect of lutein on the main domains of cognition in the adult population based on available placebo randomized-controlled trials. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, AGRICOLA, Scopus, MEDLINE, and EMBASE on 14 November 2020. The effect of lutein on complex attention, executive function and memory domains of cognition were assessed by using an inverse-variance meta-analysis of standardized mean differences (SMD) (Hedge’s g method). Dietary lutein was associated with slight improvements in cognitive performance in complex attention (SMD 0.02, 95% CI −0.27 to 0.31), executive function (SMD 0.13, 95% CI −0.26 to 0.51) and memory (SMD 0.03, 95% CI −0.26 to 0.32), but its effect was not significant. Change-from-baseline analysis revealed that lutein consumption could have a role in maintaining cognitive performance in memory and executive function. Although dietary lutein did not significantly improve cognitive performance, the evidence across multiple studies suggests that lutein may nonetheless prevent cognitive decline, especially executive function. More intervention studies are needed to validate the role of lutein in preventing cognitive decline and in promoting brain health.

What’s Wrong with Their Mice?

Neuro ◽  
2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolas Rose ◽  
Joelle M. Abi-Rached
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Human Brain ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Psychiatric Research ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Laboratory Situation

This chapter discusses the use of animals to explore issues relating to human cognition, emotion, volition, and their pathologies. Researchers who use animal models in their work point to similarities in the genomes of the two species, in the structure of mouse and human brain, in patterns of brain activation, in neural mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level, in responses to drugs and so forth, perhaps with reference to evolution and the principle of conservation across species when it comes to the most basic aspects of living organisms, including their brains. The chapter then examines four interconnected themes: the question of the artificiality of the laboratory situation within which animal experiments are conducted; the idea of a model in behavioral and psychiatric research; the specificity of the human and the elision of history and human sociality; and the problem of translation.

Optimizing Cognitive PerformanceGenetic and Epigenetic Techniques

2019 ◽  
pp. 287-301
Author(s):  
Valerie E. Martindale
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
High Probability ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Genetic Enhancement ◽  
Medical Genetic ◽  
Direct Gene ◽  
Genetic Techniques ◽  
Cognitive Trait

Optimizing human cognitive performance by genetic and epigenetic means requires consideration of the goal and context of the desired cognitive performance. This chapter considers two examples to illustrate how optimization will depend on deciding what qualities are desired, defining such traits or phenotypes, and then considering the environment in which genes are expressed. The warrior/worrier gene provides a way to explore the alteration of a single gene with simple dominance. The most commonly desired genetic cognitive trait, intelligence, is considered as an example of a multigenic trait. The genetic techniques for optimization of human cognition are described using plasmid introduction, direct gene editing, and genetic alteration of the microbiome. The approval of three medical genetic therapies in 2017 indicates a high probability that genetic enhancement will become possible in less than 20 years.

scholarly journals Possible future impacts of elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 on human cognitive performance and on the design and operation of ventilation systems in buildings

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 698-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J Lowe ◽  
Gesche M Huebner ◽  
Tadj Oreszczyn
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Design Management ◽  
Indirect Impacts ◽  
Management Operation ◽  
Ventilation Systems

This paper brings together a rapid evidence assessment of impacts of elevated CO2 concentrations on human cognition with IPCC projections of atmospheric CO2 concentration by the end of the present century, and an analysis of potential consequences of increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations for ventilation systems in buildings and other enclosed spaces. Whilst only limited research has been done on the effect of CO2 on cognition (as opposed to air quality in general), half of the studies reviewed indicate that human cognitive performance declines with increasing CO2 concentrations. Hence, given the likelihood of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration by the end of the 21st century, direct impacts of anthropogenic CO2 emissions on human cognitive performance may be unavoidable. Attempts to minimise these direct impacts are likely to result in significant indirect impacts on the engineering of ventilation systems and associated energy use in all enclosed spaces including buildings and transport systems. Practical application: This paper concerns what may well be one of the most important long-term drivers of the design, management, operation and regulation of ventilation systems over the remainder of the 21st century. It will be relevant to professionals, particularly at senior levels in the building industry.

Drugs for cognitive disorders

2012 ◽  
pp. 1240-1242
Author(s):  
Leslie Iversen
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
International Agreement ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Made In

Cognitive disorders are among the most difficult of all nervous system illnesses to treat as they affect the most complex and least clearly understood aspects of brain function. Animal studies cannot accurately mirror the complexities of human cognition, and there are few, if any, animal models of human cognitive illnesses. As so few drugs have been found to exert clinically significant effects, animal models for testing novel cognition-enhancing agents have unknown predictive value. However, progress has been made in recent years with improved international agreement on the criteria used to approve new cognition-enhancing drugs, and the introduction of new drugs for the treatment of dementia.

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