#Cognitive

A groundbreaking study from Yale University reveals that infants can form and encode memories earlier than previously thought. Using advanced imaging, researchers found that even before speaking, babies show memory-related brain activity when viewing familiar images. Published in Science, the work challenges the long-held belief that infant memories are inaccessible due to a still-developing hippocampus. For Thai educators and parents, the finding underscores how early experiences can shape learning trajectories.

Creatine, once mainly associated with bodybuilding, is gaining attention among middle-aged women in Thailand for physical and cognitive well-being. A recent feature in mainstream media highlighted how this supplement is reaching a broader audience, including women who report stronger muscles and clearer thinking. The narrative resonates with Thai women approaching menopause, who often seek practical strategies to maintain energy and vitality during this life phase.

Creatine is naturally produced in the body and helps generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of cells. However, natural production may fall short for individuals with active lifestyles or age-related metabolic changes. Medical experts note that supplementation can help bridge this gap, supporting muscle performance and brain energy, particularly during periods of stress or increased cognitive demand.

A small, cutting-edge study suggests the brain may temporarily convert its own myelin into fuel during extreme endurance events like marathons. This unexpected mechanism could help protect overall brain function when glucose supply drops during intense exercise.

Researchers in Spain followed 10 marathon runners, scanning their brains with MRI before and after the races. They found that 24 to 48 hours after finishing a grueling 42-kilometer run, myelin levels in key brain regions—those governing movement, coordination, sensation, and emotion—decreased noticeably. Importantly, these changes were not permanent. By two weeks post-race, myelin began to recover, and most participants returned to baseline within about two months.

A small pilot study suggests the brain may tap its own energy reserves during intense endurance efforts. Spanish researchers observed changes in brain white matter among marathon runners, hinting at a form of neuroplasticity that could help preserve function under extreme physical stress.

Researchers conducted MRI scans on ten endurance runners (eight men and two women) before and after a 42-kilometer race. The scans showed a measurable drop in myelin, the fat-rich sheath around nerve fibers that facilitates rapid signaling. The decrease was most evident in brain regions responsible for movement, balance, sensory processing, and emotion. Notably, myelin levels began to recover within 24 to 48 hours after the race and largely returned to baseline within two months for the six participants who had follow-up scans.