cognitive function

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation and multi-component cognitive stimulation of the prefrontal cortex on cognitive function and quality of life in the elderly. The present study was a quasi-experimental investigation using a pretest-posttest and follow up and a control group design. The statistical population of the research was all elderly people living in Tabriz city from 2023. A sample of 90 elderly people over 60 years of age, were randomly assigned to in three groups of transcranial direct current stimulation and multi-component cognitive stimulation and control groups. Experimental group received Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on the prefrontal cortex, for the second group, multi-component cognitive stimulation software was used for three months and control group did not receive any intervention. The CANTAB test was used to evaluate cognitive function as well as  QOL-SF 36 questionnaire. The data  analysis were used by analysis varainces with repeated measure. The results indicated that tDCS and multi-component cognitive stimulation were effective on the cognitive function and quality of life of the elderly.

The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness training on pain perception, cognitive function, and mental well-being in migraine patients in Tabriz. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test–post-test design and separate groups. The statistical population included all migraine patients in Tabriz during the first four months of 2024. To determine the sample, 30 participants were non-randomly selected through purposive sampling and assigned to experimental and control groups. Pain perception was measured using the Revised Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2), cognitive function was assessed using the Cognitive Ability (Performance) Questionnaire by Najati (2013), and mental well-being was evaluated using the Cantril Ladder (1965). Prior to the intervention, both groups completed pre-tests on pain perception, cognitive function, and mental well-being. The experimental group received 8 sessions of Williams' (2002) mindfulness training through an educational protocol, while the control group received no educational intervention. After the intervention, both groups completed the same post-test measures. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results showed that mindfulness training was effective in the subscales of pain perception, cognitive function, and mental well-being in migraine patients (p < 0.05). Based on the effectiveness of mindfulness training on pain perception, cognitive function, and mental well-being in migraine patients, it can be concluded that mindfulness training, alongside treatment of physiological components, can reduce pain perception and, through this, enhance cognitive function and mental well-being.

The present investigate was conducted with the aim of the effect of cognitive fatigue on working memory and executive functions in female students.

The present study was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design with a control group,The statistical population of this research includeds the female students of the first secondary school in Urmia city in the academic year of 1400-1401,which is available by random sampling method 30 students selected and were simple randomly divided into two experimental (n=15) and control groups (n=15). The experiment consisted of second phases.In the first stage, the participants were exposed to cognitive tasks and then in the second stage, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive and N-Back working memory test was performed to compare the groups based on the amount of cognitive fatigue.The data were analysed by analysis of Covariance.

The results of data analysis using covariance analysis showed decrease in working memory and executive functions in the experimental group compared to the control group.

In general, the findings of the current research on the role of cognitive fatigue variables, which reduces the amount of working memory and executive functions And on the other hand, this type of fatigue is related to cognitive and brain functions.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors hold profound importance in shaping an individual’s mental and physical health. These receptors, forming heterotetrametric complexes, play a pivotal role in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Dysfunction in NMDA receptors has been associated with a spectrum of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, depression, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The intricate regulatory mechanisms of these receptors, involving subunit diversity, allow for fine-tuning of synaptic transmission. Therapeutically, drugs targeting NMDA receptors, such as ketamine for depression, underscore their crucial role in mental health. Ongoing research explores their involvement in physical health, with potential implications for conditions like ADHD. Understanding and modulating NMDA receptor function emerge as critical endeavors for promoting comprehensive well-being, highlighting the intricate interplay between molecular processes and overall health outcomes.In this context, the present research aims to unravel the specific interplay between NMDA receptor subunits NR1 and NR2 and ADHD. It aims to elucidate the potential role of NR1 and NR2 receptors in the pathophysiology of ADHD and contribute valuable insights that may pave the way for more targeted therapeutic interventions in ADHD and potentially other neuropsychiatric disorders.

The study involved 70 male participants aged 6 to 15 years, comprising 50 individuals diagnosed with mixed ADHD and 20 age-matched healthy controls. Participants meeting DSM-IV criteria for mixed ADHD were recruited from the rehabilitation clinics in Tehran, Iran. Inclusion criteria specified ages between 6 and 15 years. Exclusively male participants were selected to minimize potential gender-related confounding factors. Additionally, individuals with a history of neurological or neuropsychological problems and severe physical illness were excluded from the research. Healthy controls were recruited through advertisements targeting children in some schools, screened, and matched for age and gender.ADHD participants underwent a comprehensive diagnostic assessment conducted by an expert clinician involving pre-assessment questionnaires, semi-structured interviews aligned with DSM-5 criteria, and administration of the K-SADS-PL and IVA2 tests for enhanced diagnostic validity. The K-SADS-PL screening interview focused on ADHD symptoms, with responses rated on a scale. The IVA2 assessed attention and impulsivity through responses to auditory and visual stimuli and total attention quotient. Blood samples drawn without specific timing or fasting requirements were collected from both study and control groups, processed, and stored at -80°C. Serum samples were later used to quantify NR1 and NR2 receptor expression through western blotting, with fluorescence visualization and computer-assisted analysis software for relative abundance determination. All analyses were performed using SPSS software version 26.

The investigation revealed noteworthy distinctions in the mean expression levels of NR1 and NR2 receptors between the experimental group (ADHD) and the healthy control group. Specifically, the mean expression of NR1 receptors in the ADHD group was found to be 97.7, significantly lower than the corresponding mean expression of 124.25 observed in the healthy control group, as indicated by the p-value of P<0.00001, denoting statistical significance at P<0.05. Similarly, the mean expression of NR2 receptors in the ADHD group, quantified at 154.6, demonstrated a significant variance from the mean expression of 173.25 in the healthy control group, corroborated by a p-value of P<.00001, thereby establishing statistical significance at P<0.05. These findings underscore the substantial disparities in the expression profiles of NMDA glutamate receptors in individuals with ADHD compared to their neurotypical counterparts, providing valuable insights into the molecular underpinnings of this neurodevelopmental disorder. The decrease in the expression of these proteins in the ADHD group causes a decrease in cognitive symptoms, including attention quotient, in this group compared to healthy people.

The current study revealed a significant link between ADHD and abnormal expression of NMDA glutamate receptors, particularly the NR1 and NR2 subunits, in the blood plasma of individuals with ADHD compared to healthy controls. This suggests a potential role for NMDA receptors in ADHD’s pathophysiology, implying that impaired NMDA receptor function may contribute to the disorder’s development. Dysfunctional NMDA receptors can impact dopamine and epinephrine levels in the brain, influencing ADHD symptoms. Notably, disruptions in NMDA receptors can lead to excessive and insufficient dopamine levels, contributing to hyperactivity, impulsivity, attention regulation difficulties, motivation, and focus issues. The findings highlight the need for a more comprehensive understanding of ADHD’s neurobiological foundations and suggest potential therapeutic avenues targeting NMDA receptor function. Additionally, the study contributes to personalized medicine in ADHD and has broader implications for understanding brain function in neuropsychiatric disorders influenced by glutamatergic signalling, offering insights that deepen our comprehension of ADHD, provide therapeutic potential, and contribute to a broader understanding of brain function in neuropsychiatric contexts.

The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in improving the cognitive and psychological performance of people with diabetes who have recovered from Corona. The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population of the present study included all patients with diabetes who recovered from the Coronavirus in Roshangaran Center in Tehran in 1401. 30 people from the community were selected by purposeful sampling and were randomly divided into two experimental (15 people) and control (15 people) groups. Depression, anxiety, and stress scale Questionnaire (DASS) (Lovibond and Lovibond, 1995) Daneman and Carpenter Working Memory Test (DCWMT) (1980) were used to collect data. To analyze the data, the analysis of covariance was used. The results of covariance analysis showed that by controlling the effect of the pre-test, there is a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of cognitive and psychological performance (P<0.05). Based on the findings of this research, it is possible to use the capacity of cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat and improve cognitive and psychological function in improved Corona diabetes.

The purpose of the present research was Comparison the effects of sports vision and SPARC training on academic achievement and cognitive function of overweight female students.

The present study is a quasi-experimental research. The population of this research has consisted of overweight female students in third grade and fourth of district 5 of Isfahan (N=1000). 36 students aged 9 to 10 years were selected through purposeful sampling and randomly divided into three groups of 12. For Measure of cognitive function Revised Wechsler IV Intelligence test was used and the math test and dictation were used to measure academic achievement. To analyze the data, Univariate analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc test were used using SPSS software at a significant level of five hundred.

 results showed that sports vision training had a statistically significant effect on the cognitive function of participants (p≤0/05). But, these exercises training did not have a significant effect on academic achievement (p≥0/05). Spark's exercise training did not statistically significant effect on cognitive function and academic achievement (p≥0/05). There was no significant difference between the two methods of training on academic achievement achieved (p≥0/05). However, there was a significant difference in cognitive function between these two training methods (p≤0/05).

to improve cognitive function, the use of a sports vision training program for the target community is recommended.

The present study's purpose was to determine the effect of practice variability on cognitive function and motor performance in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The present study was applied in terms of purpose and quasi-experimental in terms of the method with pre-test-post-test design and control group. The statistical population of the study included all hyperactive boys aged 9 to 12 years in Tehran in the academic year 2019-2020, from which 36 children were selected in a purposeful and accessible manner and randomly were divided into three groups consisting of constant practice (12 people), variable practice (n = 12), and control (n = 12. The tools of this study included the Conners Parent Scale Questionnaire (CPSQ) and the Stroop Test (SCWT). One-way ANOVA and repeated measures were used to analyze the data. Findings showed practice in a variable method had a positive effect on cognitive function (strop task) and motor performance (throwing over the shoulder) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (P> 0.05 According to the findings, it can be concluded that constant and variable practice is one of the interventions that can be effective in improving the performance of children with ADHD. Among these, the effectiveness of variable exercise is higher.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of women's sexual cycles on executive functions and emotional recognition.

The present study is a descriptive causal-comparative study that studied a group of women in three sexual stages (bleeding, follicular, and luteal). The research sample consisted of 30 healthy female volunteers aged 20 to 40 years from the city of Isfahan who were selected from Isfahan by available means and according to the inclusion criteria. Data collection tools included Wisconsin Card Classification Test software, Stroop Test software, NBK test software, and Montania et al. (2007) Emotion Recognition Scale.

According to the results of repeated measures analysis of variance, there was no difference in executive functions and recognition of facial emotion in different sexual cycles in healthy Iranian women aged 20 to 40 years.

Given that recent findings with brain imaging technologies have shown that hormone levels in the brain affect both brain structure and function, further studies with more accurate tools to determine the effects of hormones on cognitive and executive functions And face processing is necessary. Because, these differences seem to be so subtle that tools such as the tests used in this study, could not detect it.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder in which positive and negative symptoms play an important role in its prognosis. Exercise-based interventions as a non-pharmacological treatment play a crucial role in rehabilitation and treatment management of negative symptoms and cognitive function of these patients due to its positive mental and physical effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different sport and exercise training on improving the negative symptoms and cognitive deficiences of patients with schizophrenia.

To find documents related to the effect of exercise on improving the negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, keywords were created and searched in the databases of Google, Yahoo, Science Direct and SID. They were then divided into three areas: "The effect of exercise on schizophrenia," Improving cognitive function through exercise "and treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia with exercise program".

Fidings: 

The results showed that different exercise programs such as aerobic, strength and yoga exercises are effective in improving the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and cognitive function. Also, the results showed that drug treatment has no effect on improving the negative symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Aerobic exercise improves attention, processing speed, memory and performance. Aerobic exercise plays an important role in combating cognitive impairment, memory, hippocampal volume, and nerve flexibility. Yoga, in particular, improves long-term memory.

Exercise can improve clinical signs, global functioning, quality of life and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia. In particular, the greatest effect has been observed with the improvement of negative symptoms, which has promising consequences for the future performance outcomes of these patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on cognitive function in the elderly with Alzheimer's. The research method was semi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all elderly patients with Alzheimer's who were referred to Tehran neurology clinics. Among them, 22 patients entered the study by the convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group received 14 sessions of TDCS over the prefrontal cortex, whereas those in the control group received no intervention. The Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE) was used for data collection. The data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance. The results showed that TDCS over the prefrontal cortex had a significant effect on cognitive function (attention/orientation, memory, language, verbal fluency, and visuospatial ability) in elderly patients with Alzheimer's (p<0.05). According to the present study, TDCS over the prefrontal cortex can be considered as a way to improve cognitive function in the elderly with Alzheimer's​​​​.

Cognitive rehabilitation is considered as an effective intervention in promoting the cognitive functions of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation on improving the cognitive functions of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.

For this purpose, all articles published in the period 2000 to 2020 were reviewed, to find related English studies, Google Scholar Databases, Science Direct, Scopus, Academia, Cochrane Database, Research Gate, and biomedical databases include PubMed, Medline, Psych Info, and rehabilitation databases including PEDRO , OTseeker, Rehab data and to find related studies in Persian, Google Scholar (Persian), SID, Magiran, IranDoc, MedLib, NoorMags, IranMedex databases, to Search with English and Persian keywords.

930 articles published in English and Persian were retrieved, and finally 12 related articles were reviewed. In this study, most studies focused on a limited range of cognitive functions.

The results indicate the improvement of cognitive functions (memory, executive function and attention) in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder after cognitive rehabilitation. According to the results of studies, it can be stated that cognitive rehabilitation as an intervention can be effective along with other therapeutic interventions in promoting of cognitive functions in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of aerobic on preschool children’s cognitive function. The subjects were 40 preschool children who were selected through cluster random sampling method and assigned to experimental (20 subjects) and control groups (20 subjects). The experimental group participated in 12 sessions (3 sessions per weekly) aerobic trainings. Research data was collected by Goodenough IQ test (DAP) and Analysis of covariance was used for data analysis. The findings showed that the effect of kids aerobic training in cognitive function was significant (p<0/05). According to the results, it’s likely that kids aerobic is one of the ways that help to increase cognitive function in preschool children.

The purpose of this study was to provide a model for the relationship between domestic violence and cognitive functions by examining the mediating role of psychological distress and emotion-regulation strategies in female victims of violence through a path analysis. The statistical population of this study consisted of female victims of violence who visited different branches of Tehran Forensic Medicine Center in 2018. Considering the relationship between research variables in such sample, the research method was descriptive-correlative type. The relationship between the variables was analyzed according to the research goals. After obtaining subjects’ informed consent, 200 abused women were selected by a purposive sampling method, based on entry-exit criteria. Then they were asked to fill out questionnairs including Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) (Gross and John 2003), Domestic Violence Questionnaire (Pournaghash Tehrani, 2005), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (2005) and the short-form version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (1995). Results showed that the proposed modified empirical model has good fit indices. According to this model, domestic violence has direct and indirect effects on cognitive functions. In addition, psychological distress, reappraisal emotion-regulation strategy and suppression emotion-regulation strategy had a mediating role in the relationship between domestic violence and cognitive functions.

Cognitive impairment is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the information processing speed in patients with MS and non-affected individuals. 38 patients with MS(Twenty-25 patients with Relapsing- Remitting of MS and 13 patients with Progressive- Relapsing MS). And 38 non-affected individuals with the Stroop test performed with the patient group. For data analysis, independ t-test was used. The results of this study showed that patients with MS had a weaker performance in the Stroop test than in the healthy group. In other words, patients spent more time to take the test and showed more error. Also, the group of MS patients with Relapsing- Remitting had a weaker performance in the Stroop test than those with Progressive- Relapsing MS. Regarding the damage to cognitive domains of patients with MS And its significant impact on their quality of life, Examine and accurate identification of cognitive rehabilitation programs should be one of the priorities of experts.

The aim of the present study was to investigate of the efficacy of bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive function in patients with bipolar depression. In a single-blind experimental trial, 20 patients with bipolar depression who had been referred to Atieh clinical neuroscience center were selected randomly from April to September 2015. The patients received bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (10Hz) and right dorsolateral prefrontal (1Hz) during 10 sessions. The subjects were evaluated through verbal fluency test, Rey Auditory-Verbal learning Test, Stroop Test, Wisconsin Card sorting Test, Beck depression inventory before and after the treatment. The data were analyzed by paired t test. Bilateral rTMS was caused to significant changes in executive function and verbal memory and depressive symptoms. No significant changes were observed in selective attention and verbal fluency (p>0/05). Bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is caused to significant improvement in cognitive symptoms and reduces the symptoms of depression in patients with bipolar depression.

Music and melodious sounds are one of the most important and common communicative tools among nations and also one of the factors of healing personal disorders. As Alzheimer causes disorder in individual's lives, this study aims to examine the effect of traditional Persian music on improving the working memory and cognitive function of 50-65 year-old females who suffered Alzheimer and referred to the Iran Alzheimer Association for help. This study was conducted in an experimental research method with pre-test and post-test designs allocated to an experimental group and to a control group. Through a convenience sampling procedure, a sample of 30 females, 50-65 years of age, sufferring from Alzheimer was selected to participate in this study and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups, 15 persons in each group. Two kinds of tests, the Luria- Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery test (LNNB-I) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used. After pre-test the experimental group were given a total of 10 sessions, 3 times a week of training music at home and practicing with CDs and Daff or tambourine ( an Iranian traditional music instrument,). In order to analyze data, in addition to descriptive statistics method, covariance analyses in SPSS 18 statistical software were used.
Findings: According to one-way analyses of covariance (ANCOVA), there were differences among the experimental group before interaction and after the elimination of pre-test effect via covariance analyses procedure, the effect of interaction on the experimental group was significant.
It is concluded that teaching traditional music to people suffering Alzheimer improves the performance of working memory (p=0.04), and the cognitive function (0.002). Moreover it causes the enhancement of central execution processes of music (p=0.002), speech (p=0.001), and visual (p=0.003), in females aged 50-65 suffering from Alzheimer.

Studies have shown that overweight and obesity are associated with poor executive function and cognitive abilities. This can be due to changes in the structure and function of the brain, the aim of the study was to investigate executive functions, particularly inhibition control system and problem - solving in groups of overweight and obese children compared with normal weight children.
design study is causal- comparative. 41 primary school students, in 7 to 12 year age, Of the population of primary school of Tehran were selected as samples available in 1395. 21 students with excess weight and 20 students with normal weight were measured in Strop test, the Tower of London tools and BMI.
The results of T-test showed significant differences in the ability in inhibitory system function between two groups
According to the findings, it seems the obese children and adolescents have poorer inhibition control system than normal weight peers. This deficiency can reduce the other cognitive abilities in long term and have an impact on children's academic and social success.