Article 1 - Worsening Memory Associated With Later Alzheimers Disease
Summary - This article briefly discusses how memory loss is associated with Alzheimer's disease, particularly, the way it progresses from mild to moderate towards severe. Studies have revealed that even though memory loss is connected to age it could be exclusive to certain predisposing conditions since everyone beyond 75 yrs of age is not affected by memory issues. (“Worsening Memory Associated,” 2011)
Precisely, it was discovered that memory impairment trends were related to worry rather than the sequel of aging. More in-depth research based on discussions found in this article is suggestive that memory impairment does not necessarily mean cognitive impairment even though they may be interrelated.
Cognitive Psychological Relevance - The obvious relevance of memory impairment to cognitive psychology is depicted in the authors’ analysis of findings. They attribute memory loss to neuropsychological tests, which must create supporting evidence in determining the impact of memory loss on the psycho-social behavior of the individual.
These tests determine the degree to which sensory, short-term or working memory as well as long-term memory is functioning in relation to the client’s age and sociology while evaluating the psychology of memory. (“Worsening Memory Associated,” 2011)
Article 2 - Self-Administered Light Therapy May Improve Cognitive Function After Traumatic Brain Injury.
Summary - This article discloses studies conducted by Dr. Margaret Naeser in photomedicine whereby groundbreaking discoveries have been made in the use of light via light-emitting diodes (LED) in memory loss or impairment due to brain injury. (“Self-Administered Light Therapy,” 2011). Light was found to be very effective after surgery when there is a prognosis of loss of memory.
Light is usually placed on the forehead. Two significant case reports were submitted. One patient was able to return to regular occupation after continuous application of this therapy; whereas the other one who discontinued treatment experienced a relapse.
Cognitive Psychological Relevance - This article specifically confirms that memory defects have psycho- social implications. The impact of this treatment on long -term memory was remarkable as demonstrated by the client who was able to return to work. Also, short -term effects were exemplified by the client who did not continue light treatment and experienced a relapse.
Researchers have admitted to limitations regarding total recovery of cognition after stroke or neurologic injuries among more serious diseases. In direct relevance to cognition the experiment is expected to stimulate more research to ensure greater relevance in the future.
Article 3 - Plasma Beta-Amyloid Levels Associated With Cognitive Decline.
Summary - This article relates studies revealing that if a person’s body cannot metabolize glycoproteins, which are precursors to amyloid; Beta-amyloid 40 and beta-amyloid 42 can accumulate and be the initiators for the development of Alzheimer's disease. (“Plasma Beta- Amyloid levels,” 2011).
Further clarifications project that these very high plasma beta-amyloid levels directly intensify cognitive decline in multiple domains. The cognitive domain element of this discovery was associated with clients who did not develop any immediate noticeable signs of dementia. (“Plasma Beta- Amyloid levels,” 2011)
Despite these alarming and historical declarations the researchers are encouraging subsequent investigations into Plasma Beta-Amyloid Levels Association with Cognitive Decline since some of these findings are not empirically accurate enough to generalize towards adjacent populations
Cognitive Psychological Relevance - The cognitive relevance clearly lies in the different domains affected by this physiological dysfunction. Psychology accounts for six cognitive domains. They are knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
A patient affected by Alzheimer’s disease at the onset finds it difficult to even operate at the comprehension domain level. Also, the research revealed that cognitive domain dysfunction was greatly influenced by memory decline
Article 4 - Walking Slows Progression of Alzheimer's, Study Suggests
Summary - “Walking Slows Progression of Alzheimer's, Study Suggests,” that cognitive retardation is drastically delayed if people do more walking in a day or even during their lifetime. Precise, findings are that by merely walking five miles a week protects the brain structure of people affected with Alzheimer’s disease for approximately ten years. (“Walking slows Progression, “2011).
In clarifying this discovery researchers emphasized that areas, which showed marked improvements were memory and learning centers, which consisted of the cognitive domains. According to this research, Alzheimer’s disease affects between 2.4 to 5.1 million Americans. (“Walking slows Progression, “2011).
Cognitive Psychological Relevance - While this research did not specify the effects of walking on cognition in people not affected by Alzheimer’s disease it is heartening to realize that walking is beneficial to cognitive psychology.
The emphasis is on restoring or postponing memory loss in people who already have some degree of damage to their cognitive domains. Learning is a huge difficulty in Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers hope that with continuing studies they can find solutions in neuropsychology to alleviate memory impairment and learning deficiencies in people affected with this debilitating condition.
Article 5 - Psychosocially Hazardous Neighborhoods Associated With Worse Cognitive Function in Some Older Adults
Summary - From this research finding articulated in this report it is revealed that neighborhoods can be psychosocially hazardous enough to affect cognitive functions adversely. People who are vulnerable are those with apolipoprotein E ε4 allele an alternative gene. (“Psychosocially Hazardous Neighborhoods,” 2011).
Apolipoprotein E has been discovered to be extremely important in regulating neurological processes related to non-demented neurological health. Researchers tested the hypothesis “that living in psychosocially hazardous neighborhood environments may interact with APOE genotype to influence cognitive function.” (“Psychosocially Hazardous Neighborhoods,” 2011). The study was conducted in Baltimore, Maryland community on 1,124 residents between the ages of 50-70. (“Psychosocially Hazardous Neighborhoods,” 2011).
Cognitive Psychological relevance - The research revealed that 30.4 percent of participants had a minimum one ε4 allele. Interestingly, there were ethnic differences in the presence of APOE ε4 with 37.3 percent of African Americans ε4 positive compared with 24.7 percent of non-African- American (“Psychosocially Hazardous Neighborhoods,” 2011).
Therefore, the conclusion derived in relation to the Cognitive Psychological relevance is that people residing in most psychosocially hazardous communities their cognitive domain functions are greatly compromised.
References
Plasma Beta-Amyloid Levels Associated With Cognitive Decline. (2011). Science daily.
Retrieved April 23, 2011 from http://files.writerbay.com/files?sessionId=rm2j4tufk5tofjmbnkk3nsrdk0&getfile=1&case=114479&sys_name=894713032544577300.htm&name=Plasma%20beta-amyloid%20levels%20associated%20with%20cognitive%20decline.htm
Psychosocially Hazardous Neighborhoods Associated With Worse Cognitive Function in
Some Older Adults. (2011). Science daily. Retrieved April 23, 2011, fromhttp://files.writerbay.com/files?sessionId=rm2j4tufk5tofjmbnkk3nsrdk0&getfile=1&case=114479&sys_name=459513032544383317.htm&name=Psychosocially%20hazardous%20neighborhoods%20associated%20with%20worse%20cognitive%20function%20in%20some%20older%20adults.htm
Self Administered Light Therapy May Improve Cognitive Function After Traumatic Brain
Injury. (2011). Science daily. Retrieved April 23, 2011 from http://files.writerbay.com/files?sessionId=rm2j4tufk5tofjmbnkk3nsrdk0&getfile=1&case=114479&sys_name=298213032544682570.htm&name=Self-administered%20light%20therapy%20may%20improve%20cognitive%20function%20after%20traumatic%20brain%20injury.htm
Walking Slows Progression of Alzheimer. (2011). Science daily. Retrieved April 23,
2011from http://files.writerbay.com/files?sessionId=rm2j4tufk5tofjmbnkk3nsrdk0&getfile=1&case=114479&sys_name=837313032544481969.htm&name=Walking%20slows%20progression%20of%20Alzheimer's,%20study%20suggests.htm
Worsening Memory Associated With Later Alzheimer‘s Disease. (2011). Science daily.
Retrieved April 23, 2011, from http://files.writerbay.com/files?sessionId=rm2j4tufk5tofjmbnkk3nsrdk0&getfile=1&case=114479&sys_name=665313032544813840.htm&name=Worsening%20memory%20associated%20with%20later%20Alzheimer's%20disease.htm
