noun
cognitive function
Refers to mental processes such as memory, attention, perception, and reasoning. Common in medical, psychological, and everyday contexts.
加齢とともに認知機能が低下することがある。
Cognitive function can decline with age.
このゲームは認知機能の維持に役立つと言われている。
This game is said to help maintain cognitive function.
認知症 refers to dementia, a condition involving severe cognitive decline, while 認知機能 is the broader concept of cognitive abilities.
Compound of 認知 (にんち, 'recognition; cognition') and 機能 (きのう, 'function'). The term is a modern calque from English 'cognitive function'.