Cognitive Function

Cognitive Function

Perhaps everyone wants to be smart or smarter, but cognition and cognitive function hold many secrets. Some factors, such as exercise, have been said to enhance cognitive function. The purpose of the present short essay is to briefly outline some known facts about cognitive function. For example, cognitive function interacts with mental illness. As such, higher levels of cognitive function have been cited as predicting a better outcome in schizophrenia. Also, higher levels of cognitive function in young people predicted less vulnerability to Alzheimer’s and dementia in their older years.

An interesting study outlines cognitive function in relation to bipolar disorder. Bipolar illness is a mood disorder in which the patient experiences manic, or hypomanic, and depressed states. The exaggerated highs and lows are characterized by excessive talking, spending and promiscuous behaviour, and depressed mood, respectively. Thus, Martinez-Aran et al. (2004) explain the relationship between bipolar disorder and cognitive function.

Alternatively, some factors may decrease cognitive function, for example certain medications. According to a study done by Fox et al. (2011), anticholinergic medication may contribute to cognitive decline in the elderly population. Anticholinergic medications block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and are used for a variety of medical conditions. The authors conducted a longitudinal study and found a direct relationship between anticholinergic medication use and reduced cognitive function.

Cognitive function. Image by Elena

Martinez-Aran (2004) found that cognitive function may be lowered by bipolar illness. The researchers conducted a study on acute and remitted subjects and found that bipolar disorder patients performed worse than the comparison group on verbal memory tests, as well as the WCST (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test). Thus, patients with bipolar disorder scored significantly lower on a variety of tests measuring cognitive and executive function. The study showed that both verbal memory and learning were impaired in patients with the condition. Similarly, and perhaps to a greater degree, cognitive deficits may be seen in other conditions, such as schizophrenia.

References:

• Fox, C., Richardson, K., Maidment, I. D., Savva, G. M., Mattews, F. E., Smithard, D., Coulton, S., Katona, C., Boustani, M. A., and Brayne, C. (2011). Anticholinergic medication use and cognitive impairment in the older population: The medical research council cognitive function and ageing study. The American Geriatric Society.
• Martinez-Aran, A., Vieta, E., Reinares, M., Colom, F., Torrent, C., Sanchez-Moreno, J., Benabarre, A., Goikolea, J. M., Comes, M., and Salamero, M. (2004). Cognitive function across manic or hypomanic, depressed, and euthymic states in bipolar disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161: 262-270.