Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
A new study published in Neurology found that greater mental activities are associated with greater thinking speed reserve for both men and women. However, the study also revealed a significant difference in the effects of physical activity on cognitive reserve between men and women.
Kessler Foundation researchers will conduct studies on brain injury, knee osteoarthritis, and pediatric cerebral palsy using mixed-reality technology, robotic exoskeletons, and cycling feedback systems. The grants aim to improve safety and mobility for elderly individuals with cognitive impairments and those with neurological disorders.
A new study finds that racial discrimination affects brain microstructure, increasing the risk for health disorders in Black women. Traumatic experiences lead to changes in brain white matter tracts, which may enhance risk for negative health outcomes.
A new study from Tel Aviv University found a promising treatment for long-term COVID-19 symptoms using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Patients treated with HBOT showed significant improvement in cognitive function, attention, and executive functions.
Researchers analyzed data from wearable activity monitors on nearly 600 participants to identify changes in movement patterns that may predict cognitive decline. The study found significant differences in activity during waking hours and afternoons, with fragmented activity being a key indicator of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheime...
Researchers at University of California - San Diego launch nationwide clinical trial to investigate benfotiamine as a metabolic treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease. The trial aims to determine the effectiveness of high doses of benfotiamine in benefiting people with mild AD or mild cognitive impairment.
Researchers found reduced levels of Histone Deacetylase I (HDAC I) in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, linked to deleterious effects of misfolded beta-amyloid and tau proteins. HDAC inhibitors, currently being tested against mild Alzheimer's disease, may be harming patients rather than helping them.
A new study suggests that a unique gene variant supporting cognitive health in older humans may have first emerged to protect against infectious pathogens like gonorrhea. This variant, linked to CD33, allows brain immune cells to break down damaged brain cells and amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.
A new study has identified neurogliaform cells as key regulators of information flow between brain areas. These cells help separate current perception from past experiences, enabling smooth communication between brain regions.
Researchers found evidence of how destructive proteins attack human brain cells and destroy surrounding tissue. The study identified a pivotal mechanism that could be a potential therapy for the disease.
Researchers found that rats can learn spaces just by observation, without needing physical exploration. They outperformed naive rats in finding a reward location, suggesting that a stable cognitive map can be formed through observation alone.
Researchers at Boston University developed an AI-powered computational model that can detect cognitive impairment from audio recordings of neuropsychological tests. The model was trained on over 1,000 individuals and accurately distinguished between healthy individuals and those with dementia.
Research finds that preschoolers' brain maturation improves inhibitory control abilities, with 4-year-olds outperforming 3-year-olds in tasks requiring stopping actions. The cognitive control network's distinct regions and white matter connections are associated with different aspects of self-control development.
A long-term high-fat diet has been shown to cause significant weight gain and metabolic disorders in mice, leading to anxiety, depression, and worsening Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a clear link between chronic obesity and diabetes with cognitive decline.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a low-cost ultrasound imaging method to study the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and the brain's vascular system. The technique, which provides high-resolution images of animal microvasculature, may aid in early detection of the disease.
The July issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services feature new neuroscientific advances addressing major depression, anhedonia, and cognitive deficits. Research reports highlight the provision of care among underserved populations, including Hispanic communities with declining mental health services.
Research reveals that brain responses to stories change dramatically between childhood and adulthood, with different brain regions activated in each age group. Children as young as seven show similar patterns of brain activity to adults when watching a story, but their brains are less synchronized and more focused on sensory details.
The Nutrition for Dementia Prevention Working Group recommends improving clinical nutrition trials by considering biomarkers, genetic testing, and microbiome analysis. The group suggests utilizing a wider variety of study designs and more personalized approaches to guide future research.
Researchers from Kessler Foundation found that virtual reality (VR) technology can strengthen the effects of traditional cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training in individuals with MS. By increasing sensory input and promoting multisensory integration, VR may increase the effectiveness of these therapies.
A study by Emmanuelle Volle's group at the Paris Brain Institute has identified two semantic memory search processes involved in creativity: clustering and switching. Clustering is linked to divergent thinking, while switching relates to combining distant associations between concepts.
A study found that men exhibiting mild behavioural impairment symptoms are at risk of faster cognitive decline compared to women. Researchers identified key behavioral changes, such as apathy and false beliefs, which may help identify people at higher risk of developing dementia.
Researchers elucidated the molecular mechanisms of acetylcholine in learning and memory, revealing a signaling cascade involving protein kinase C. The study opens doors to new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
A research team has developed supernumerary robotic arms that users can feel as part of their own body, expanding the possibilities for human augmentation. The study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that users can embody artificial objects and perceive them as extensions of their own body.
A study from Japan's University of Tokyo reveals that users can form a strong sense of ownership with virtual robotic arms, expanding their perceived personal space. The research aims to inform the design of real-life supernumerary robotic limb systems that people can use naturally.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies involving 76,373 participants found a significant association between visual impairment and cognitive decline in older adults. The study highlights the need for further research on the effectiveness of treating sight problems to prevent cognitive impairment and dementia.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have proposed three guiding principles for improving AI, inspired by infant learning. The new approach aims to enhance machine learning with in-built preferences and developmental trajectories, using richer datasets that capture multiple senses.
Researchers found hyperactive amygdala-pons connectivity in individuals with major depressive disorder, associated with severity of psychological symptoms. The pons interacts with the amygdala to process sad affective information, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for mood regulation.
Researchers found that people with higher grit scores showed different patterns of cognitive performance, characterized as cautious control, but not necessarily enhanced cognitive ability. Grit was linked to low impulsivity and high mindfulness, related to self-regulation.
Researchers found that walking enhances performance on cognitive tasks in 14 participants by increasing frontal brain function, while 12 others showed no improvement. This discovery highlights the flexibility of a healthy brain and has implications for understanding aging and neurological disorders.
A new study reveals that inhaled fine particles can take a direct route from lungs to brain through blood circulation, potentially contributing to brain disorders. The particles were found to stay longer in the brain than in other organs, raising concerns about the long-term effects of air pollution on cognitive function.
A study published in Psychological Science found that our brains treat some emotions as wrong and react as if there was an error. The research, conducted by Ben-Gurion University psychologists, used experiments to assess emotion responses and discovered similarities between counter-normative emotion reports and perceptual errors.
A study from the University of California, Davis, shows how humans use cognitive maps to infer indirect outcomes, allowing for accelerated learning and faster decision-making. The researchers found activity linked to inferential learning in the prefrontal cortex and midbrain, implicating dopamine in updating beliefs through inference.
A new study from Keck School of Medicine of USC suggests that willingness to give away money may be linked to the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease. Participants who gave more money scored significantly lower on cognitive tests known to be sensitive to Alzheimer's disease.
A UC San Diego longitudinal study found that most COVID-19 long-haulers continue to suffer from neurological symptoms six months after infection, with memory impairment and decreased concentration being the most prevalent. Researchers identified a new subgroup with advanced symptoms, including tremor and difficulty balancing.
A study found that older Latinos who participated in a culturally relevant Latin dance program for eight months significantly improved their working memory compared to those in a control group. The program used four types of Latin dance styles and incorporated elements of social engagement, increasing physical activity levels.
A new study published in Nutrients found that individuals with higher red blood cell DHA levels have a 49% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study, conducted on 1,490 participants aged 65 and older, suggests that increasing dietary omega-3 DHA levels may slow the development of the disease.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that individuals who had contracted COVID-19 reported significantly more cognitive failures at work, including memory and attention problems. The study suggests that returning to work after contracting COVID-19 may require accommodations such as reduced workloads or flexible arrangements.
A recent study published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science has shed new light on the mysterious process of soothing a distressed infant. The research found that mothers' heart-rate changes precede those of their infants, creating a 'soothing dance.' However, for mothers with postpartum depression, it is the infant'...
Researchers will track changes in the blood-brain barrier, neurovascular function, and cognition in over 850 participants with genetic variants at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study aims to improve understanding of the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and identify effective interventions.
A study found that the brain uses data compression to eliminate irrelevant information and adopt temporary 'tunnel vision' for optimal performance. This principle extends beyond sensory processing to cognitive functions.
A groundbreaking cognitive science study at Stevens Institute of Technology shows how rare digital collectibles, like NFTs, can lose their value over time due to distorted information landscapes. Researchers found that a focus on rarity can become self-defeating, leading collectors to assign less value to unique features.
A new neurobiological model provides a unified framework for understanding various forms of creativity, including abstract thinking, improvisation, and divergent problem-solving. The model suggests that different brain areas are activated depending on the type of creativity, with dopamine playing a crucial role in controlling and optim...
A meta-analysis by Dr. Maggi Price and colleagues found that Black youth living in communities with high levels of anti-Black racism are less likely to benefit from psychotherapy. The study suggests that addressing stigma and incorporating advocacy into treatment is crucial for improving mental health outcomes. Training programs must e...
Researchers applied machine learning to MRI brain scans and found that autism does not cluster into distinct subtypes but rather exists as continuous variation in brain structure. The study's findings suggest that dimensional approaches can provide a better account of individual variation than discrete diagnostic categories.
A new MIT study finds that noradrenaline helps the brain learn from surprising outcomes by stimulating behavior that leads to a reward, particularly in uncertain situations. The researchers also discovered that noradrenaline promotes taking a chance on getting a reward, even when the outcome is unknown.
Researchers are assessing cognitive decline in aging Latinos, exploring the long-term impact of COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease on brain function and impairment. The study will gather data to develop real-world therapies and potentially lessen the disease burden of dementia affecting Latinos.
Research suggests that during deep sleep, neurons representing related items fire in close temporal order, triggering synaptic plasticity and forming strong connections. This process strengthens or creates new relational memories, which can be essential for learning connections between objects or people.
A naturalistic study using eye-tracking technology found that intensive care unit nurses experience a higher level of mental workload, especially during the start of shifts, with shorter fixation and more sporadic gaze behavior in stressed nurses.
Kessler Foundation researchers use signal detection theory to characterize cognitive fatigue in multiple sclerosis. The study reveals an association between subjective 'state' fatigue, response bias, and brain activation patterns in both MS and control groups. This finding supports the use of signal detection metrics as an objective me...
Researchers found that care coordinators identifying illnesses early and providing timely care allowed most residents to 'age in place,' reducing need for nursing home care. Exercise and socialization opportunities also improved physical and mental health outcomes.
Researchers will investigate neural mechanisms during learning in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with and without clinical depression. The study aims to identify new knowledge about the effect of depression on the injured brain, which may lead to interventions for rehabilitation.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found a significant association between breastfeeding duration and cognitive test scores in children up to age 14. After adjusting for socioeconomic position and maternal cognitive ability, the researchers discovered that longer breastfeeding durations were linked to higher cognitive scores.
A Columbia University study found that altered thalamic activity in adolescence can lead to long-lasting cortical abnormalities, which may contribute to cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia. Boosting thalamic function during adolescence could potentially treat these symptoms.
A randomized controlled trial found that consuming cranberries for 12 weeks improved participants' memory of everyday events and neural functioning. The study also showed a significant decrease in LDL or 'bad' cholesterol levels, contributing to improved vascular health and brain perfusion.
A new study suggests that oxidative stress overactivates a glucose metabolism enzyme in the developing hippocampus, impairing learning and memory. However, inhibiting this enzyme can reverse cognitive deficits, paving the way for treatment of neonatal brain injuries.
Internet addiction parallels other addictive behaviors, driven by pleasure and reduced negative moods. Evaluating the root cause may help identify vulnerable individuals and prevent problematic use.
Research at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that cannabis vaping is the most popular method of cannabis delivery among all adolescents, with frequent use rising faster than occasional use. The study also highlights disparities in vaping use among different demographic groups and its link to nicotine use.
A research team developed a model that mimics human judgment to distinguish between reflective and transparent materials. The model outperformed humans in accuracy but struggled to identify image clues.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge used ultra-high strength '7T' MRI scanners to measure changes in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease, PSP, or good health. The study found that damage to the locus coeruleus region correlates with severe cognitive symptoms and apathy.
A study found that high blood adenosine levels at 15 days of life correlated with white matter lesions and brain injury in very low birth weight premature infants. Adenosine may play a role in oligodendrocyte maturation and neuronal development, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for complications of prematurity.