cognitive function
Refers to mental processes such as memory, attention, perception, and reasoning. Common in medical, psychological, and everyday contexts.
Cognitive function can decline with age.
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.
higher cognitive functions
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'.