Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
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A new study tracked how the brain processes visual information from simple sensory inputs to meaningful categories, finding a continuum of activity across multiple cortical regions. The research challenges classic beliefs about separate regions playing distinct roles, suggesting a more integrated network of functional similarities.
A recent in-vivo study published in Nature Communications found that the nucleus accumbens, a part of the brain with weak connections, plays an unexpectedly influential role in enhancing the memory network. This research has implications for understanding diseases like Alzheimer's and brain cancer affecting cognitive functions.
Researchers found distinct daily cycles in our thinking patterns, with analytical thinking peaking at 6 am and becoming more emotional and existential in the evenings. The study analyzed 800 million tweets to identify variations in language associated with specific words and psychometric indicators.
A pilot study found that a simple problem-solving task activated the region responsible for memory function in athletes with concussions, potentially improving symptoms of depression and anxiety. The research challenges current guidelines recommending total inactivity after a brain injury.
Researchers have discovered that neurons use the duration of silence between electrical pulses to encode information. This breakthrough, known as Neural Self-Information Theory, suggests that groups of neurons work together to enable real-time thinking and action despite ongoing variability in their responses.
Research reveals that adolescent binge drinking can disrupt the brain's ability to form short-term memories, affecting the prefrontal cortex and behavior-management abilities. This link may help scientists develop better treatments for alcohol-related negative effects on the brain.
Researchers found that expert poker players maximize information without revealing too much themselves, using public and private information sources to inform their wagering behavior. The study, published in Cognitive Science, offers insights into strategic uncertainty and information processing complexity.
Researchers propose a new approach to studying chemobrain, focusing on brain systems and cellular level causes. They aim to develop better diagnostic tools and strategies for patients to mitigate or prevent long-term cognitive difficulties.
Highly empathic individuals process familiar music with greater involvement of the brain's reward system and areas responsible for processing social information. They also experience increased pleasure and activation of the social circuitry, indicating that music functions as a proxy for human interaction.
A new analysis reveals that task-based fMRI experiments with typical sample sizes of about 30 participants are only modestly replicable. Larger sample sizes may be needed to improve replicability in neuroscience studies.
A study found that individuals with greater volume in the dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortex tend to exhibit improved dietary self-control. This suggests that brain anatomy plays a crucial role in making healthier food choices.
Researchers have identified a protein 'off-switch' in the brain that regulates memory and learning. The Arc protein needs to be rapidly switched off after new information is received to remember and retain it.
Researchers found cognitive training reduced depressive symptoms and improved brain health in individuals with chronic traumatic brain injury. The study showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms, increased cortical thickness, and improved neural network connectivity.
A comprehensive study published in Psychological Medicine found a strong link between depression and cognitive decline in older adults. The research, which analyzed data from over 71,000 participants, revealed that people with depression experienced a greater decline in cognitive state than those without depression.
A team of researchers at Drexel University has successfully measured the brain activity of pilots in real-time using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, or fNIRS. The study shows that pilots who flew a real aircraft committed more errors and had higher cognitive load than those who operated a flight simulator.
A WSU research study seeks to understand how sleep deprivation affects cognitive flexibility and develops new treatments for improved decision-making. The study uses a combination of human and animal experiments to identify brain processes involved in cognitive flexibility deficits.
A team of researchers proposes a hypothesis on how REM and non-REM sleep might help us solve problems. Non-REM sleep helps organize information into useful categories, while REM sleep enables the discovery of unexpected connections.
Researchers discovered a brain network that gives rise to feelings of gratitude, identifying the medial prefrontal cortex and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) as key regions. These areas process relevant social information and integrate it into complex emotions, such as gratitude.
A new study by MIT researchers found that children can learn grammar up to age 17 or 18, while adults struggle to achieve native speaker-level proficiency unless they start learning before age 10. The study analyzed data from nearly 670,000 people and suggests a longer critical period for language learning.
Researchers discovered changes in tiny blood vessels linked to cognitive symptoms in patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The study may lead to tailored therapies by pinpointing specific types of TBIs.
A study found that starting tackle football before age 12 can lead to earlier onset of cognitive, behavior, and mood symptoms in athletes diagnosed with CTE. The average onset was 13 years earlier than expected. Participants were compared to those who started playing later.
MIT researchers have developed a new MRI sensor that can detect direct signals of neural activity by tracking calcium ions, allowing for more precise mapping of brain function. The sensor can detect subtle changes in calcium concentrations outside of cells and respond in a way that can be detected with MRI.
A study of a majority-black cohort found no clear upward trend in cognitive abilities among older adults, contradicting previous observations. Cognitive performance differed significantly by race and function, with black participants scoring lower than their white counterparts.
Researchers analyzed 40,000 speeches from the National Constituent Assembly to track word-use patterns and find that the revolution's principles emerged and evolved over time. Committees played a significant role in proposing and disposing legislation, reducing the effectiveness of charisma in direct debate.
A study found that individuals with higher cognitive flexibility were more likely to support EU membership, immigration, and free movement of labour. In contrast, those with lower cognitive flexibility displayed more conservative and nationalistic attitudes, predicting support for Brexit.
Researchers discovered that patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia use different brain regions to process language, compensating for damaged areas. This finding holds hope for targeted treatments and earlier disease assessments.
A 7-year follow-up study found that intensive meditation training maintains cognitive gains in sustained attention, with potential implications for human cognition and brain function. Regular meditators who practiced an hour a day on average maintained cognitive gains and resisted age-related decline.
A Carnegie Mellon University team has received a three-year grant to refine a custom EEG system that can identify early markers for worsening brain injuries. The team will use the high-density EEG to detect cortical spreading depolarizations, or brain tsunamis, which are biomarkers for worsening brain injuries.
Researchers propose a new concept to uncover connections between brain regions and cognitive functions, using a bottom-up approach. Recent advances in statistical methodology and brain imaging data provide the basis for this new method, which could help reveal the core functions of brain areas.
Research reveals that kindergarteners start caring about their public image and developing complex self-presentation strategies. By elementary school, children think critically about their reputation, mirroring adult behaviors. Interactive experiences shape children's understanding of desirable reputations and effective social strategies.
Patients with OCD suffer from a severe reduction in quality of life due to the maladaptive strategies they use. The study suggests that teaching children skills such as coping with bullying and emotional turmoil through cognitive training may help improve their daily lives and prevent mental health disorders.
A new UCL-led study found that people with one hand can recognize a prosthetic limb as their real hand, particularly those who use a prosthesis regularly. This adaptation allows the brain to compensate for the missing limb, enabling more comfortable and easier-to-use prosthetics.
A study found that stressed individuals performed equally well as relaxed individuals in a categorization task, but their brains showed increased activity and used additional brain regions. The researchers believe this compensation mechanism allows for good performance despite stress.
A new study explores how our cognitive maps adapt to changing environments and reveals distinct connections between grid cells, place cells, and border cells. Researchers found that grid cells closer to the changing walls shift more than those further away, suggesting a non-homogeneous rescaling of the spatial metric.
A study published in JNeurosci found that a woman's immune system during pregnancy influences the development of her child's brain network, which may be linked to psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. Higher maternal immune activation was also associated with improved cognitive ability in infants.
Researchers will conduct a pilot study to assess the efficacy of combined cognitive rehabilitation therapies, including training in memory strategies and the RehaCom computerized cognitive therapy tool. The goal is to improve patient care for individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI by devising tailored memory strategies.
Researchers argue that individual differences in behavior and cognition are a natural part of human development. A more nuanced understanding of psychological disorders recognizes the complexity of human traits and the need for multivariate approaches to diagnose and treat illness.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute found that Jymmin increases pain threshold by up to 50% and reduces anxiety in chronic pain patients. The combination of physical exertion and music triggers endorphin release, making users more tolerant to pain.
A new mouse model lacking a gene linked to intellectual disability has difficulty navigating mazes and remembering learned paths, but no changes in social or repetitive behavior were observed. Treating the mice with a compound improved learning and memory deficits by targeting the AMPK-mTORC1 translational pathway.
A study of adolescents found that thinner brain cortex regions are associated with more impulsive decision-making. Cortical thickness predicted delay discounting, a measure of impulsivity related to the value of rewards, above cognitive and demographic variables.
Astrocytes may partner with neurons to process information, according to a new MIT study funded by a $1.9 million grant. The research aims to uncover the crucial role of astrocytes in brain function and development, potentially providing insight into disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and autism.
A new study at MIT's Picower Institute explains how the brain achieves category abstractions through distinct rhythms in the prefrontal cortex. When matching images with close resemblance, gamma rhythms were crucial, while beta rhythms played a key role when abstraction was needed.
A recent study found that the MIND diet significantly slowed cognitive decline in stroke survivors, with a focus on brain-healthy nutrients like folate, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. By emphasizing these foods, individuals may be able to protect their brain health and reduce the risk of dementia.
A new study finds that neurons in mice with Fragile X syndrome appear normal but fail to interact properly, leading to cognitive impairments. The discovery suggests targeting neuronal interactions may be a promising approach to addressing the genetic defect.
Barbara Dosher, UCI Distinguished Professor, receives the Atkinson Prize for her work on human memory, attention, and learning, while Etel Solingen is awarded the William & Katherine Estes Award for trailblazing research on nuclear proliferation.
Researchers found that jazz pianists' brains plan movements differently than classical pianists, with a focus on improvisation and flexibility. Classical pianists, on the other hand, prioritize technique and expression, leading to differences in brain activity when playing the same piece.
A study on rats exposed to chronic stress found that cognitive behavioral therapy increases activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, a brain region linked to improved treatment outcomes. The research provides insight into how behavioral therapy can be targeted to improve its effectiveness.
A new study suggests that consuming sufficient amounts of choline during pregnancy can lead to enduring cognitive benefits in offspring. Half of the women in the study consumed 480mg/day and the other half 930mg/day, with faster information processing speeds seen in those who received more choline.
The Kessler Foundation has received a two-year $150,000 grant from the Hearst Foundations to support a postdoctoral fellow in cognitive rehabilitation research. This funding will enable the fellow to use research tools and innovations created by Foundation scientists while focusing on identifying breakthroughs in cognitive rehabilitation.
Ben-Gurion University researchers identified a pattern of theta activity decline that predicts post-injury epilepsy development. This finding holds promise for predicting and treating the condition, as well as other neuropsychiatric complications.
A study published in Neurology suggests that consuming daily leafy green vegetables can help preserve memory and thinking skills as people age. The research found that those who ate more leafy greens showed a slower rate of decline on cognitive tests, equivalent to being 11 years younger in age.
A new study at Drexel University suggests that brain signals 'stick' to white matter networks are associated with cognitive flexibility. The research found that the alignment between brain signals and structural anatomy is linked to greater flexibility, but also a measurable mental cost.
A recent study published in JNeurosci found that premature babies undergoing painful procedures exhibit abnormal thalamic development and cognitive/motor impairments. Minimizing painful procedures could help promote brain health and improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.
A multidisciplinary neuroscience study found that low frequency brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus can improve cognitive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. The research also reveals a new connection between the frontal cortex and the subthalamic nucleus, which may be targeted to improve cognitive function.
Researchers construct whole-brain map of electrical connectivity in the brain, finding that low-frequency rhythms drive communication between frontal, temporal and medial temporal lobes. This work elucidates brain network communication during memory formation and supports efforts to enhance memory using brain stimulation.
Research at Goethe University Frankfurt finds that more intelligent individuals have brain regions more strongly connected to each other within their own 'family', but less connected to others. This may help them filter out irrelevant information and focus on important tasks.
Researchers found that six weeks of intense exercise improved high-interference memory, a type of memory that allows us to distinguish between similar objects. Participants who experienced greater fitness gains also showed increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), supporting the growth and function of brain cells.
Dr. Bing Yao has received a major grant to investigate the relationship between brain iron concentration and fatigue symptoms in MS patients. The study aims to explore the role of basal ganglia in cognitive fatigue and its correlation with iron deposits in gray matter.
According to University of Illinois psychology professor Aron Barbey, the brain's ability to flexibly transition between network states is crucial for general intelligence. This flexibility involves forming and reforming connections in response to changing needs, supporting both crystallized and fluid intelligence.
A randomized controlled trial found that computerized speed of processing training significantly reduced the risk of dementia among older adults. Participants who completed more training sessions had lower risk, with a 5.9% incidence rate compared to 10.8% in the control group.