Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
A new study by MIT neuroscientists provides a mathematical model showing how the brain overcomes unpredictable disturbances to produce reliable computations. The model describes an inclination toward robust stability built into neural circuits due to connections between neurons.
A new UCL study using brain imaging found that paying attention increases energy use in the brain, while diverting energy from unattended tasks. The brain has a hard limit on energy supply, which can lead to feelings of overwhelm and neglect of important information.
A meta-analysis of 54 studies found no significant effect of music training on non-music cognitive skills and academic achievement in children. However, certain elements of music instruction may be beneficial for social skills and self-esteem.
A study from Binghamton University found that each additional year of school equates to an earnings increase of 18-20% in South Africa. Cognitive skills also play a significant role in determining wages, with memory and orientation being more important in rural areas.
A new CSU study found that physical stress at work is linked to faster brain aging and poorer memory in older adults. Those who reported high levels of physical stress had smaller hippocampal volumes and performed poorly on memory tasks.
Research at SNMMI 2020 Annual Meeting found super-agers have lower tau and amyloid pathology associated with neurodegeneration. This enables them to maintain their cognitive skills even at advanced ages. The study suggests a potential pathway for successful aging and developing novel treatments to tackle age-related diseases.
A recent review in the Journal of Intelligence identifies two main problems hindering research in comparative psychology: anthropocentrism and a narrow view of cognition. The authors argue that studies should take a biocentric approach, considering each species in its own right, and focus on cognitive abilities unique to each species.
Researchers found that brain activity and perception of sensory stimuli change with the cardiac cycle, suppressing heartbeat perception but affecting other stimuli perception. The study may provide insight into anxiety conditions associated with heart rate changes.
A study by MIT scholars reveals that social media sharing interferes with assessing news accuracy, but participants who think critically or have scientific knowledge share fewer false headlines. Rating non-Covid-19 headlines before sharing Covid-19 news increases accuracy significantly.
A systematic review led by McMaster University found that electronic cognitive behavioral therapy is more effective than face-to-face sessions in treating depression. The study revealed no difference in patient satisfaction or function between the two methods.
Research on brain-damaged patients with distorted perception reveals neural processing can occur despite lack of awareness. The study's findings have significant implications for theories of human visual awareness and suggest a reevaluation of the relationship between complex cognitive processing and awareness.
A systematic review of multiple sclerosis treatments found no effective interventions for cognitive symptoms, despite over half of affected individuals experiencing cognitive dysfunction. Researchers emphasize the need for future studies focusing on cognitive outcomes and standardized criteria to inform optimal treatment choices.
Cognitive dysfunction is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis, affecting two-thirds of patients. Researchers recommend cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training as promising strategies for treating cognitive deficits in MS.
Researchers found that neurons in a specific brain region can switch between reference frames depending on the task, allowing for more efficient information transfer. This flexibility could be used in neural prosthetics and therapies to treat brain disorders.
A team led by Christos Papadimitriou proposes a new computational system, the Assembly Calculus, that encompasses operations on assemblies of neurons involved in cognitive processes. The system is consistent with recent experimental results and has been demonstrated to be plausibly realizable at the level of neurons and synapses.
A new study by McGill University explores the wide-ranging, negative consequences of social isolation on human psychology and physical health. The research reveals that strong interpersonal relationships are critical for survival across the lifespan, while social isolation is a significant predictor of mortality and morbidity.
Researchers used cognitive science methods to test philosophical question: Can people see the world objectively? They found that people can't separate an object's true identity from their own perspective, even when certain it's round. This challenge our understanding of perception and the brain's role in shaping reality.
A study of 524 adults aged 65+ found that openness was linked to a 6% reduced risk of motoric cognitive risk (MCR), while neuroticism increased the risk of non-amnestic MCI. Personality traits played an independent role in pre-dementia syndromes, emphasizing their importance in dementia risk assessment.
The Center for BrainHealth provides online cognitive training modules, video series, and live sessions to help front line workers mitigate stress and boost cognitive performance. The program aims to empower participants with tools and practices to impact their capacity for stress resilience.
Researchers analyzed child brain activity using fMRI to predict working memory abilities during development. The study found that brain network activity in the frontoparietal network was unique to working memory and reflected individual capabilities.
Adding CBT to standard medical care gives patients with dissociative seizures longer periods of seizure freedom and a greater quality of life. This study suggests that CBT combined with specialist care can improve symptoms and satisfaction for those affected by this condition.
Researchers discovered that Synaptotagmin 7 (SYT7) constrains neurotransmitter release at synapses, acting as a volume dial to regulate signal output. The study found that reducing SYT7 increases neurotransmitter release, while increasing it reduces release significantly.
Researchers found that pupil features correlate with cognitive processes involved in mental arithmetic and decision-making. The study used pupil-tracking technology to measure changes in pupil size over time, revealing two distinct influences: a rapid, transient effect and a longer-lasting, sustained influence.
A small but concerning number of former NFL players report receiving clinical diagnoses of CTE, raising concerns of inappropriate diagnosis and overlooking of treatable conditions. Players with sleep apnea, heart disease, and depression are more likely to receive a CTE diagnosis, which could downplay the effects of these conditions.
A new grant will support a collaboration to investigate the link between arterial, brain, and cognitive integrity in healthy older adults. The researchers aim to show that actively engaging areas of the brain can improve arterial function.
Research reveals that long-term experience of gaming improves cognitive development, particularly in allocating brain resources to individual visual stimuli. Expert players outperform beginners in tasks requiring rapid processing and attentional control.
A recent study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found a strong association between mild behavioral impairment (MBI) and amyloid plaque deposits in the brains of elderly individuals. MBI may potentially serve as an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease, allowing for earlier diagnosis and intervention.
A recent study published in Neurology found an association between long-term air pollution exposure and a steeper rate of cognitive decline in individuals living in urban areas. Participants who lived in areas with higher levels of air pollution scored lower on thinking and memory tests and experienced faster declines in cognitive skills.
A new family of molecules with high affinity to join imidazoline I2 receptors has been discovered, improving cognitive skills and biomarkers in murine models. The study presents a novel structure-activity relation for these receptors.
A recent NIH study has identified a genetic mutation that improves cognitive flexibility in mice by modifying a protein regulating potassium channels. The mutation was found to enhance the ability of mice to adapt to changing situations, such as finding a relocated platform.
Researchers from UNIGE used a database of over 100,000 people to study the relationship between physical and cognitive abilities after 50 years of age. They found that cognitive decline precedes physical activity, suggesting prioritizing brain exercise may slow down an inevitable decline.
Researchers at Skoltech discovered that non-invasive magnetic stimulation of the brain can enhance human working memory. The effects of magnetic stimulation weaken as the brain works on a cognitive task under stimulation. Cognitive activity can even reduce the efficiency of TMS, suggesting new protocols may be needed for optimal results.
A standardized dementia test has been adapted for use in seven Indian languages, enabling accurate diagnosis and mild cognitive impairment detection. The study found high diagnostic accuracy, making it a valuable tool for future cross-national research studies.
A 12-week study found that daily avocado consumption improved attention in adults with overweight or obesity, as measured by the Flanker task. However, there was no significant impact on other cognitive tests or lutein levels
Researchers discovered a key molecular mechanism mediating GABAergic synaptic development and function, with somatostatin peptide found to regulate synaptic transmission between nerve cells.
Research in mice finds that targeting overactive immune cells can improve TBI recovery, reducing inflammation and neurodegeneration. Quelling chronic inflammation may offer a new treatment option for long-term recovery from traumatic brain injuries.
The study validated the use of the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery in individuals with a mental age of 5 or above, measuring cognitive skills and executive function. The test proved to be feasible and reliable for a high percentage of participants, offering a standardized metric for assessing this population.
Researchers adapted the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery to assess cognitive ability in people with intellectual disabilities aged 5 years and above, providing objective measures. The validated battery produces reliable and valid results, paving the way for further research on its adaptation for lower mental ages and older adults.
Researchers found that bumblebees can create mental images of objects using information from multiple senses and form sophisticated mental representations of their surrounding world. Bumblebees successfully recognized objects cross-modally in both directions, sight-to-touch and touch-to-sight.
A pilot study found that the Spanish adaptation of the modified Story Memory Technique improved learning and life satisfaction in Mexicans with multiple sclerosis. The intervention, which teaches imagery and context to facilitate learning, may be an effective rehabilitative tool for Spanish-speaking populations with MS.
Two studies from University of Miami researchers show that mindfulness training programs tailored for firefighters and soldiers improve attention, mood, and resilience. The Mindfulness-based Attention Training (MBAT) program provides tools to succeed under VUCA circumstances.
Researchers found that B cells migrate to multiple brain areas after a stroke, targeting regions critical for motor and cognitive recovery. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic avenues for stroke patients.
Researchers found that subtle differences in cognitive performance can predict the progression of Alzheimer's disease, even before abnormal levels of beta-amyloid plaques accumulate. Low-cost, non-invasive cognitive testing can identify at-risk individuals, making them ideal candidates for therapeutic intervention and clinical trials.
A functional MRI study found that social anxiety characterized by fear of making others uncomfortable is associated with weakened connectivity in the cognitive-empathy brain network. This suggests impaired cognitive processing during embarrassing situations may contribute to social anxiety.
A Japanese study found increased traffic injuries among older drivers who lost their licenses after undergoing cognitive tests, as they became unprotected road users. The research suggests that the policy may not adequately consider the dangers facing those who lose a main mode of transport.
A Tufts University team won a grand prize in the NSF Idea Machine Competition with their project 'From Thinking to Inventing,' focusing on what machines can invent and how. They aim to create resilient robots that can creatively solve problems, addressing pressing issues like climate change and wealth inequality.
A new study found that a single bout of intense cardiovascular exercise can improve video game performance. The research, led by Dr. Marc Roig, challenged the idea that video gaming and physical activity are antagonistic activities. Exercise was shown to benefit players regardless of their fitness level or emotional response.
Researchers at the University of Liège developed a novel algorithm based on neuromodulation, enabling intelligent agents to efficiently solve new tasks. The innovative architecture was successfully tested on navigation problems with variable wind directions, showcasing its potential for multi-tasking applications.
A new study by researchers at the University of Limerick found that men and women employ different strategies to solve spatial cognition tasks. The research used eye-tracking technology to investigate cognitive proficiency in individuals and gamers, with results showing no male advantage in mental rotation abilities.
Research finds that brain iron levels increase during childhood and adolescence, correlating with improved cognitive abilities. Decreased iron levels in certain brain regions are associated with impaired performance on cognitive tasks, highlighting the importance of iron for healthy brain development.
A University of Exeter study found that grey squirrels with strong left-right preferences performed poorly on a learning task, suggesting a negative relationship between laterality and cognitive performance. The researchers measured the speed of learning among over 30 squirrels to assess both learning and lateralization.
Research shows that children aged 3-6 consider dominant individuals to be boys, with a power-masculinity association observed in both boys and girls. However, in some situations, particularly when considering power relations with the opposite gender, girls do not significantly identify with the dominant character.
Researchers found that individuals with objective subtle cognitive difficulties accumulated amyloid protein faster than cognitively normal individuals, even before symptoms appeared. This suggests that sensitive neuropsychological measures can detect subtle cognitive changes earlier in the disease process.
Research found that high fat diets limit newborn and developing neurons in adult female mice, but not males, potentially linking metabolic disorders to brain disorders like Alzheimer's disease. The study may inspire metabolism-based preventions and treatments.
A new study suggests that individuals with psychotic disorders experience persistent cognitive impairment across all areas of ability measured. Cognitive decline in these individuals may exceed expected age-related changes in some areas, particularly those related to symptoms and employment.
The mind composes meanings from separate words through a dynamic interaction between brain regions, using multi-modal cues. Humans and artificial intelligence systems differ in representing meaning, with humans using contextual knowledge and emotional cues.
A Penn State study found that hydration levels among women are associated with lower scores on tests measuring motor speed, sustained attention, and working memory. The researchers suggest that being 'in the sweet spot' of hydration is best for cognitive function, particularly for tasks requiring sustained attention.
A recent study by University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that the presence of meaning in life is associated with better physical and mental well-being, while the search for meaning in life may be associated with worse mental well-being and cognitive functioning. The researchers also discovered an inverted U-shaped ...
Researchers identified key brain areas linked to limited sense of touch, including somatosensory cortex and prefrontal cortex. The study supports findings from previous research on body awareness and discovers new brain regions associated with touch perception.
Researchers used virtual reality to test how humans remember positions in space with distorted grid cell patterns. In trapezoidal environments, participants were worse at learning positions than in square environments, and their memories remained distorted even when no longer in the environment.