Latest news with #cognitiveDecline
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
ChatGPT use linked to cognitive decline, research reveals
Relying on the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT to help you write an essay could be linked to cognitive decline, a new study reveals. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab studied the impact of ChatGPT on the brain by asking three groups of people to write an essay. One group relied on ChatGPT, one group relied on search engines, and one group had no outside resources at all. The researchers then monitored their brains using electroencephalography, a method which measures electrical activity. The team discovered that those who relied on ChatGPT — also known as a large language model — had the 'weakest' brain connectivity and remembered the least about their essays, highlighting potential concerns about cognitive decline in frequent users. 'Over four months, [large language model] users consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioral levels,' the study reads. 'These results raise concerns about the long-term educational implications of [large language model] reliance and underscore the need for deeper inquiry into AI's role in learning.' The study also found that those who didn't use outside resources to write the essays had the 'strongest, most distributed networks.' While ChatGPT is 'efficient and convenient,' those who use it to write essays aren't 'integrat[ing] any of it' into their memory networks, lead author Nataliya Kosmyna told Time Magazine. Kosmyna said she's especially concerned about the impacts of ChatGPT on children whose brains are still developing. 'What really motivated me to put it out now before waiting for a full peer review is that I am afraid in 6-8 months, there will be some policymaker who decides, 'let's do GPT kindergarten,'' Kosmyna said. 'I think that would be absolutely bad and detrimental. Developing brains are at the highest risk.' But others, including President Donald Trump and members of his administration, aren't so worried about the impacts of ChatGPT on developing brains. Trump signed an executive order in April promoting the integration of AI into American schools. 'To ensure the United States remains a global leader in this technological revolution, we must provide our Nation's youth with opportunities to cultivate the skills and understanding necessary to use and create the next generation of AI technology,' the order reads. 'By fostering AI competency, we will equip our students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to and thrive in an increasingly digital society.' Kosmyna said her team is now working on another study comparing the brain activity of software engineers and programmers who use AI with those who don't. 'The results are even worse,' she told Time Magazine.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
How A Brain Bleed Decades Ago May Have Affected The Former President
TOPSHOT - US President Joe Biden looks on as he participates in the first presidential debate of the ... More 2024 elections with former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at CNN's studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27, 2024. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Over the past month or so, the media on both sides of the aisle have been filled with reports of concern about President Biden's cognitive decline while in office. This supports the observations of millions of Americans who watched the presidential debate last year. Several tell-all books have also been published pointing out episodes of decreased mental acuity—especially during the last two years of his administration. Several political leaders have been quoted as to the president's declining mental condition the last two years of his term. Many have volunteered episodes of forgetting names of key administration officials. Reports have also stated that the president may have forgotten several executive orders dealing with the environment that he had signed weeks earlier. The key event that may explain much of the cognitive issues being may have been a life- threatening event that occurred in the 1980's, when, then-senator Biden, had emergent brain surgery on a leaking brain aneurysm in February, 1988 repaired by Dr. Eugene George and Dr. Neal Kassell. The leaking brain aneurysm led to a subarachnoid hemorrhage, or bleeding in the space between your brain and a thin membrane that covers and protects it. A CT brain scan reveals a subarachnoid hemorrhage with clear signs of bleeding. getty In May of 1988, President Biden returned to the operating room to have a second smaller aneurysm managed by the same surgical team. Both were 'open procedures' where a clip was placed to manage the aneurysm. However, in the modern era of neurosurgery, brain aneurysms are preferentially managed (when possible) with less invasive procedures commonly referred to as endovascular procedures where coils are placed to prevent blood flow into an aneurysm by threading a thin catheter through an artery in the wrist or groin without the need to open the skull and dissect and potentially compromise brain tissue. There are currently no long-term studies on cognitive dysfunction related to traditional 'open procedures' compared to minimally invasive approaches known such as endovascular procedures. Endovascular coiling of aneurysm. Aneurysm treatment. Endovascular therapy. Vector poster getty Known complications related to leaking aneurysms (weakened or 'ballooning of blood vessels) also include spasm of small blood vessels in the brain. Such spasm of small blood vessels in the brain can also result in cognitive issues related to repairing and stabilizing such blood vessel abnormalities, whether by traditional opening of the skull (craniotomy) or even novel endovascular neurosurgical approaches. However, the risk of complications is generally known to be higher after a traditional or 'open-type' procedure which involves opening the skull in an invasive manner. What's clear is that the President of the United States is also the most observed individual on the planet and that changes in mental sharpness can be observed and reported by thousands of outlets in comparison to a similar patient who might be enjoying retirement. Cognitive dysfunction is a common complication of a brain bleed (such as a subarachnoid hemorrhage), which occurs when an aneurysm leaks or ruptures. This affects most people to some degree. Cognitive dysfunction can take a number of forms, such as problems with retrieval of memories prior to—but also after the bleeding occurrence. Equally concerning are issues remembering new information or facts. Brain damage associated with leaking or ruptured aneurysms may, in some cases, increase your risk of developing dementia. Research has also implicated surgery and the type of anesthesia utilized. Many studies have reported an association between multiple general anesthetics and dementia; this association remains controversial . Contemporary reports from the late 1980's do report some changes in then-Senator Biden. Alzheimer's disease is the most common dementia , followed by vascular dementia. Vascular and Alzheimer's dementia lead to impairment in number of executive functions including word-finding difficulties, deficits in reading comprehension, confusion and impaired focus and attention. The end result are alterations in brain protein structures, the result of the abnormal processing and organization of normal proteins in the brain. Vascular dementia is primarily caused by cerebrovascular disease due to atherosclerosis leading to irregular or abnormal blood flow to critical brain structures. There is also a large amount of research supporting the risks of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from playing football, soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, boxing and other contact sports. According to the Alzheimer's Association, research has provided a link between moderate to severe TBIs and a greater risk of developing some form of dementia years later. The symptoms of vascular dementia depend on the location and amount of brain tissue involved. They may appear suddenly after the acute event or slowly manifest over time. Symptoms of Dementia: Increased trouble doing normal daily activities because of problems with focus, communication or inability to follow directions. Memory problems: short-or long-term memory can be affected. Confusion which can get worse at night (so called sundowning syndrome) Personality changes. Mood changes such as depression or irritability. Stride changes when walking too fast of shuffling steps. Problems with movement, balance or both. Diagnosing dementia or Alzheimer's in any patient begins with evaluation by a skilled neurologist, along with specific blood biomarkers, specialized MRI scans, along with cognitive testing known as the The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Alzheimer's Disease is characterized by the presence of beta-amyloid , an abnormal substance which form sticky plaques on the brain which may result in death of brain cells. Testing for the presence of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain via specific blood biomarkers and MRI scans is critical in determining the extent of functional impairment. Individuals reviewing the last few years of President Biden's term might reflect on some of the events detailed in personal accounts made public in Jake Tapper's new book, Original Sin , that may serve as insight to stratify risk of cognitive impairment in older persons with previous neurologic events, even if they occurred many decades in the past. Dr. Peter J. Papakadakos , Professor of Anesthesiology and Director of Critical Care at University of Rochester Medical Center, contributed to this article.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
How do the new antibody drugs for Alzheimer's disease work?
Two new drugs for Alzheimer's have been rejected for use on the NHS. They slow progression of the disease, but they can have serious side-effects. – What are the medicines? Donanemab and lecanemab are targeted antibody drugs that slow down the early stages of Alzheimer's. They represent a huge step forward in research because they target a known cause of the disease, rather than just treating the symptoms. Both drugs bind to amyloid, a protein which builds up in the brains of people living with Alzheimer's disease. By binding to amyloid, the drugs are designed to help clear the build-up and slow down cognitive decline. – How effective are they? Donanemab has been shown in clinical trials to slow the rate at which memory and thinking get worse by more than 20%. Evidence suggests that people get the most benefit if they are given the treatment earlier in the disease. Results also suggest the drug leads to a 40% slowing in the decline of everyday activities such as driving, enjoying hobbies and managing money. Lecanemab has also been shown to successfully remove protein build-up from the brains of people living with early Alzheimer's disease. For people taking lecanemab, this meant the decline in their thinking and memory skills was slowed down by 27%. It also slowed down the decline in quality of life by up to 56%. – How are the drugs given? Donanemab, developed by the pharmaceutical company Lilly, is given to patients via an intravenous drip once every four weeks. Lecanemab, developed by Eisai, is also given this way but fortnightly. – Are there any side-effects? Side-effects of the drugs can be serious and people undergo monitoring to check for them. In one clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2023, 24% of people receiving donanemab had side-effects including brain swelling and infusion-related reactions. Four people died during the trial, with their deaths thought to be related to the drug's side-effects. Lecanemab resulted in infusion-related reactions in around 26% of people on the trial and followed up, while 14% suffered amyloid-related imaging abnormalities causing brain swelling. Others suffered minor bleeds picked up on scans. Around one in 10 people suffered headaches, according to updated results published in May 2024. Overall, four deaths during the follow-up period were thought to be due to treatment. – How much do the drugs cost? NHS England published a briefing paper last year suggesting the cost of bringing the drugs to the health service could be £500 million to £1 billion per year. Around 50%-60% of the total estimated cost relates to the drug price, with remaining cash spent on patient assessment, diagnosis and administering the treatment. – How many people in England might the drugs have worked for? NHS England estimated between 50,000 and 280,000 patients could be eligible for the new treatments if they were approved for the NHS. To get the drugs, patients need a baseline MRI scan and then either a PET-CT scan or lumbar puncture to confirm Alzheimer's. It is possible that blood tests will be available in the future to diagnose the disease, so NHS England did warn there should be caution about driving a 'massive expansion' in other diagnostics which could become redundant in the longer term. -What do scientists think? Scientists and doctors have been divided on whether the drugs represent a real clinical benefit that is noticeable in patients day-to-day. Some argue the drugs represent a huge advance and people should be given the chance to try them. But others say the benefits are too small. Jennifer Keen, associate director of evidence, policy and influencing at the Alzheimer's Society, has said: 'we remain at an important and exciting moment', adding: 'There are currently 182 active clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease… We are on the cusp of major scientific breakthroughs beginning to improve the outlook for those with the disease.' Professor Rob Howard, from University College London, said: 'Nobody should be surprised that Nice have confirmed their earlier view that the new Alzheimer's disease treatments would not be cost-effective if used within the NHS. 'Well-conducted clinical trials demonstrated that the actual size of benefits experienced by patients were too small to be noticeable, treatment carries risks of side-effects, and the annual cost of the drugs and safety monitoring required would have been close to the cost of a nurse's salary for each treated patient. We need better treatments that can make an appreciable difference to the lives of people with dementia and these can only come from further research and study.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republicans uncover no new intel on Biden during hearing on his cognitive abilities
The Senate Judiciary subcommittee held a hearing Wednesday digging into the cognitive abilities of former President Joe Biden and claims of whether his aides helped what they say was a cover up of his alleged mental decline -- claims the former president and many on his staff have denied. The probe didn't uncover any new information on the former president -- with Democratic members of the subcommittee boycotting the hearing. Democratic senators on the committee walked out of the hearing shortly after it began, with Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin blasting the panel for even holding the hearing, while he says a number of timely investigations should be going on related to President Donald Trump's current actions. "So far this year, the Republican majority on this committee has not held a single oversight hearing, despite numerous critical challenges facing the nation that are under our jurisdiction," Durbin said. MORE: GOP senators plan hearing on Biden's perceived cognitive decline The GOP panel repeatedly accused Democrats -- and the media -- of concealing the former president's alleged real health conditions in order to prevent Trump's 2024 victory. "Today's hearing is about competency, corruption and cover up within the Biden administration. Simply put, the last administration was rudderless from one crisis to another. The Biden Administration failed and folded. The partisan media did their best to cover up those failures," Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley claimed. Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who was among the witnesses, compared his time working under Trump in his first term to his observations of Biden, praising Trump's energy and mental focus. Spicer never worked for the Biden administration. Spicer also criticized "legacy media" for questions raised about Trump's fitness for office in his first term, while he claims they were not questioning Biden the same way. "Many, rightly so, believe the media in this country is culpable in covering up the obvious decline of the 46th president and leaders of the free world -- the president of the United States. The scrutiny that was baselessly directed at President Trump during his first term was wholly absent from the media coverage of the Biden White House," Spicer claimed. Republicans on the committee also focused on Trump -- saying he is in command and makes skillful decisions. "The public is counting on us to ensure this never happens again, because we won't always be fortunate enough to have a leader like President Trump, who is so unmistakably in command," Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt said. In May, Senate Republicans announced their plans to launch the probe into Biden's mental fitness while in office -- including his use of autopen, a mechanical device to automatically add a signature to a document that's been utilized by several past presidents, including Trump in his first term. The hearing also comes after Trump earlier this month ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate whether Biden's administration sought to conspire to cover up his alleged mental state while in office. The move by the White House represents a significant escalation, as it is a directive to the Justice Department to formally investigate. MORE: Trump directs DOJ, White House counsel to investigate Biden's mental state in office Biden responded to the Trump order, saying "Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency." "I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn't is ridiculous and false," Biden said in a statement. In May, House Oversight Chairman James Comer requested Biden's White House physician, Kevin O'Connor, appear for a transcribed interview as part of an investigation into Biden's mental fitness and use of a presidential autopen while in office. Comer asked O'Connor to sit for an interview on June 25. The calls for the probes into Biden also come after the recent release of "Original Sin" by CNN host Jake Tapper and Axios reporter Alex Thompson, claiming the Bidens had a "capacity for denial and the lengths they would go to avoid transparency about health issues." In response to the book's release, a Biden spokesman said "there is nothing in this book that shows Joe Biden failed to do his job, as the authors have alleged, nor did they prove their allegation that there was a cover up or conspiracy." On Wednesday morning, Trump -- who often criticizes Biden -- lambasted the former president's use of autopen and claimed that Biden didn't have control while leading the country. "All these people, all the scum that was around the Oval, you know, the Oval Office, or around the beautiful Resolute desk, telling this guy here, 'Do this,' 'Do that,' and not even tell him. They just go over to the autopen and sign whatever the hell they wanted to sign," he said. Trump claimed that it was aides who were making decisions for Biden -- employing the autopen to carry out an agenda. "He wasn't for open borders, he wasn't for transgender for everybody. He wasn't for men playing in women's sports. But he has no idea what the hell -- he has no idea," Trump claimed.
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The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Jake Tapper gets scolded by C-SPAN caller over Biden book: ‘I really don't like you'
Jake Tapper found himself on the receiving end of a C-SPAN caller's fury on Tuesday, which saw the CNN anchor being scolded by the Virginia woman and apparent Joe Biden fan for 'doing a disservice to Joe' and the 'American people' over his book about the former president's cognitive decline. Over the past few weeks, Tapper has been on a relentless media tour promoting Original Sin, the bestseller he co-wrote with Axios correspondent Alex Thompson that alleges a White House 'cover-up' of Biden's declining mental and physical health during the second half of his presidency. Throughout his media appearances hawking the book, Tapper has claimed that the alleged cover-up of Biden's diminishment could be 'worse than Watergate,' Biden's 'sleazy' son Hunter acted like the 'chief of staff of the family,' and that 'conservative media was right' about the former president's age-related issues. The book, meanwhile, has already been cited by House Republicans to justify and expand an investigation 'into the cover-up of President Joe Biden's mental decline,' which also includes Donald Trump's allegations that Biden aides abused the power of the presidency by using an autopen to sign pardons. Trump, meanwhile, has admitted he has no proof to back up his claims. Appearing on C-SPAN's call-in show Washington Journal on Tuesday to discuss Original Sin, Tapper was soon confronted by a woman named Sarah from Virginia, who let the CNN star know in no uncertain terms that she didn't appreciate his reporting on Biden. 'I watch you on CNN,' she started. 'But right now, I really don't like you. I think you're doing a disservice to Joe and also to the American people.' Sarah then wanted to know when Tapper was going to turn his attention towards the current occupant of the White House, all while demanding that the 79-year-old Trump face the same amount of scrutiny over his age as Biden. 'When are you going to examine what is going on with Trump? Joe Biden conducted himself for four years taking care of the United States. He took meetings. He went overseas. He negotiated with other leaders,' she said. 'This president has been pure chaos, which indicates to me that there is something wrong with him,' the caller continued. 'We will never get a straight answer on his medical examinations, what medication he is on, and yet you have gone after Joe Biden with a vengeance that… I'm very disappointed in you.' While Tapper sat stoically, Sarah let him know that while she used to 'enjoy watching' his CNN show The Lead, those days were over. 'And I think right now you ought to start writing another book examining Trump and how erratic [he is] and what he is doing, calling out the National Guard, the Marines, and everybody<' she concluded. 'When has a president ever done that? It's pure erratic!' Tapper, while making sure C-SPAN viewers knew when his show aired during the weekdays, defended his coverage of the current president while suggesting that his reporting on Biden could be applied to Trump and others down the line. 'Sarah, as you know from watching my show on CNN, we cover President Trump every day for two hours — every day from 5 to 7 Eastern — and we cover all the things you talk about, in terms of the current president's behavior,' he stated. 'We have covered the times that he has confused Nancy Pelosi with Nikki Haley.' Saying that he thinks 'some of the questions about President Trump's behavior have more to do with personality than with cognitive decline,' Tapper noted that 'whatever lessons we've learned from covering President Biden, we would apply to any politician' now or in the future. 'So I'm sorry if I'm disappointing you by covering President Biden,' he declared. 'But journalists, we are supposed to cover stories that we think the American people have a right to know, that we think will enhance their understanding of how the country is run.' After telling Sarah that he and Thompson 'are proud of this book,' he reminded her that if she tuned into CNN 'later today, tomorrow, the next day, you'll see we're continuing to focus on' current events.
