Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
A new study finds that Parkinson's disease patients treated with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) do not exhibit increased impulsive decision-making when faced with immediate or delayed rewards. The research challenges existing notions about the technique's impact on behavior and cognitive processes.
Researchers found that split sleep schedules with short night duration but longer afternoon nap improved alertness, vigilance, working memory, and mood compared to continuous sleep. In contrast, continuous sleep schedules were better for glucose tolerance, but this doesn't necessarily mean a higher risk of diabetes later in life.
Phillip Shaver, a renowned psychologist at UC Davis, has received the Society for Personality and Social Psychology's Legacy Award for his pioneering work on attachment theory. His research has significantly expanded our understanding of human bonding and relationships.
Research from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that drivers using hands-free electronic devices are less likely to get into a crash. The study analyzed data from over 3,400 drivers and found that hands-free cell phone use was associated with a lower crash rate in some cases.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are developing a system that uses brain imaging and computer science to understand student emotions, thinking patterns, and learning behaviors. This project aims to create adaptive interventions in online learning platforms for better personalized education.
Researchers found that Hispanic patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease are less impaired on cognitive tests compared to non-Hispanic patients. The study suggests greater small blood vessel disease and increased amyloid angiopathy in Hispanic patients, highlighting the need for culturally adapted diagnostic protocols.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute have discovered a neural circuit in the locus coeruleus (LC) that helps moderate brain activity and maintain calm. The circuit involves connections between neurons releasing GABA and noradrenaline, which work together to regulate arousal levels.
New research reveals structural changes in lower and higher brain structures in individuals with dyslexia, including reduced connectivity between the thalamus and auditory cortex. This study broadens our understanding of dyslexia, a common learning disability, to include alterations in brain structure.
Researchers found that non-elective hospitalizations accelerate cognitive decline in older adults by 50% compared to pre-hospital rates. Elective hospitalizations did not have the same effect. The study involved 777 older adults and suggested that emergency hospitalizations carry a higher risk of long-term cognitive decline.
Researchers from Bielefeld University found that the Mona Lisa's gaze is not aimed at viewers, contrary to popular belief. The 'Mona Lisa Effect' is actually an illusion of being looked at, triggered by the viewer's perception of direction.
A mouse study reveals that abnormal brain development and maternal stress interact to produce schizophrenia, bipolar, and depressive disorders. Disrupting a specific molecule in the prefrontal cortex during embryonic development can lead to similar cognitive impairments.
A research team has identified the early neuropathology mechanism of structural characteristics of polyglutamine toxic protein on neurodegenerative brain disorders. The coiled-coil structure causes rapid deformation of neurons and leads to diseases like Huntington's chorea and spino-cerebellar ataxias.
A longitudinal neuroimaging study of over 600 healthy young people found positive associations between socioeconomic status and the size and surface area of brain regions involved in cognitive functions. Greater childhood SES was associated with larger volumes of subcortical regions, extending previous research on SES and cortical morp...
A new study found a robust link between higher levels of several nutrient biomarkers in the blood and enhanced performance on specific cognitive tests. The analysis revealed that omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, lycopene, and vitamins B and D worked synergistically to improve brain health and cognition in older adults.
Researchers found persistent cognitive changes and altered brain activity in young adults who experienced repetitive concussions, affecting flexible thinking and information processing. This study provides insight into the long-term effects of concussions on young adults and may inform targeted treatment strategies.
Patients with type 1 diabetes exhibit altered brain connectivity patterns compared to healthy individuals, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE. The research, led by the University of Barcelona, employed fMRI techniques to investigate brain activity during working memory tasks.
A study led by Indiana University psychologists found that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy apps effectively alleviate depression symptoms in all stages. The analysis of 21 studies with over 4,700 participants showed that these apps can help a large number of people without severe mental health issues.
A new study shows that imagination can be a powerful tool in helping people with fear and anxiety-related disorders overcome them. Brain imaging studies suggest that imagination can alter the way threats are represented in the brain, leading to extinction of fear responses.
A large-scale study found a positive correlation between brain volume and cognitive test performance, with larger brains performing slightly better. However, the effect is relatively small, explaining only 2% of variability in test results.
A recent study found a direct link between the amount of stigma men with HIV report experiencing and their scores on cognitive tests, measuring abilities like memory and attention. The researchers suggest that addressing stigma may address cognitive impairment in this population by reducing anxiety and depression.
A new study from MIT has found that a region of the thalamus is key to switching between rules required for different contexts. The mediodorsal thalamus suppresses irrelevant representations, protecting them as short-term memory for reactivation. This process helps maintain neural representations and enables context-dependent actions.
A new study from Oregon State University found that older adults' daily stress reactions can impact their brain health. The researchers followed 111 participants aged 65-95 and discovered that those who experienced more negative emotions and reactivity to stressors showed greater cognitive decline.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and Pablo de Olavide University found that dynamic audiovisual editing increases attention by reducing blink rates and stimulating brain activity in the visual processing areas. In contrast, continuous editing stimulates cognitive processing activity in frontal lobe regions.
The 35th World Cultural Council Award Ceremony honored two scholars, Jean-Pierre Changeux and Malik Mâaza, for their exceptional contributions to science and education. The ceremony also recognized nine young researchers from CityU for their outstanding achievements in various fields.
An experimental compound has been shown to prevent and alleviate cognitive and mood problems in mice with Gulf War illness-like symptoms. Researchers found that the treatment can normalize dysregulation of glutamate in the brain, a potential contributor to the condition.
Non-cognitive skills such as attention, self-regulation, and perseverance play a significant role in determining academic achievement, cognitive ability, and language outcomes. However, the existing evidence base in this field is limited due to publication bias and methodological flaws, underscoring the need for further research.
Breakdowns in brain's blood vessels linked to Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and intervention through biomarkers, exercise, and targeted treatments. Age-related loss of brain lymphatic function also plays a role in neurodegeneration.
Researchers at Washington State University have found that heavy cannabis use during pregnancy can affect the cognitive development of offspring. The study used a new model of exposure to recreate human-like cannabis use and found that rats exposed to high amounts of cannabis had trouble adjusting their strategy to get rewards.
Neuroscientists at the Allen Institute have sorted brain cells from the cerebral cortex into 133 different cell types based on their gene expression patterns. This comprehensive study provides a detailed catalog of brain cell types and lays the groundwork for understanding their functions.
Research associates higher cortisol levels with impaired memory and reduced brain volume in middle-aged adults. Cognitive data from the Framingham Heart Study found that morning cortisol levels predicted worse brain structure and cognition.
A new model of working memory proposes that the brain uses coordinating ensembles of cells with timely bursts of activity at specific brain wave frequencies to hold information in mind. This model challenges traditional beliefs about brainwaves having functional meaning and working memory being maintained by persistent neural firing.
A study published in Nature Scientific Reports found that our sense of touch provides a sense of certainty and gives us a tighter grip on reality when faced with ambiguous information. This is contrary to the assumption that touch has no intrinsic superiority over other senses.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis found that a brain wave device enhanced both theta wave activity and memory performance in volunteers. The study suggested that entrainment devices may play a role in coordinating brain regions by synchronizing neural activity.
A Canadian-led international study found that every hour of delay in stroke treatment results in poorer outcomes, diminished quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. The study concludes that delays within the first six hours lead to significant losses in full quality of life and health-adjusted life years.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers found that tracking students' eye movements can reveal more about their understanding of complex material than neuroimaging technology. By analyzing ocular activity, the team detected improvements in reasoning skills after intensive practice for the logic games section of the LSAT.
New research shows that drinking No 1 Rosemary Water can improve memory by up to 15%. The study, conducted by Dr Mark Moss at Northumbria University, found that the drink increased brain blood flow and improved cognitive performance in participants.,
Earl Miller, a renowned expert in working memory, has developed a new model known as Working Memory 2.0, which recognizes the interplay between two distinct rhythms in the cortex. The Cognitive Neuroscience Society awarded Miller the prize for his groundbreaking research with potential to revolutionize the field.
Recent studies use non-invasive brain stimulation to investigate the neurobiology underlying implicit biases, revealing potential for behavioral interventions to reduce stereotyping. The technique has shown promise in modulating brain activity linked to social behaviors and attitudes.
A new study published in British Journal of Psychology found that both aerobic exercise and upright posture improve visual working memory compared to passive and seated conditions. The research suggests that neural origins of these effects take place in the brain.
The study found that participants who slept between 7 to 8 hours per night performed better cognitively than those who slept less or more. Despite age differences, sleep affected all adults equally, and too little or too much sleep had a similar impairment on cognitive function.
A study of 20,244 people from 16 European countries found that those who experienced socioeconomic hardship in childhood scored lower on tests of verbal and memory skills. Researchers suggest that addressing childhood poverty could help protect cognitive health.
New research by Josh Hart suggests that people with suspicious, untrusting, and eccentric personalities are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. The study found that these individuals tend to be more receptive to meaningful patterns where none exist and have a tendency to detect hidden forces at play.
Vittorio Gallo, Children's Chief Research Officer, has been awarded the prestigious Senator Jacob Javits Award in the Neurosciences. The award extends federal funding for his lab for at least seven years, supporting his research on developmental delays in children who experienced neonatal brain injury.
A pilot study by Kessler Foundation researchers found improvements in processing speed training for individuals with multiple sclerosis, enhancing neuropsychological tests and daily life performance. The study showed significant gains in processing speed, new learning, memory, and activities of daily life.
A team of scientists from Lehigh University has successfully engineered a living neural network that can perform basic learning tasks. The project, supported by the National Science Foundation, aims to develop new ways to think about computer design and may influence brain-related research.
A new study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience suggests that our brains prioritize character development when listening to or viewing a story. This study used fMRI scans to examine how participants conveyed narrative ideas through different forms of expression, such as speech, gestures, and drawings.
Researchers from the German Primate Center found that visual attention desynchronizes nerve cell activity, enabling more complex information processing. This insight may provide evidence for mechanisms underlying ADHD and autism, and sheds light on how the brain processes stimuli.
A new study found that the brains of professional beatboxers and guitarists respond uniquely to their respective sounds, with increased activity in areas associated with movement and language. The research suggests that experience of producing music can shape brain responses and perception.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that individuals with higher criminal tendencies prefer to gamble, even if they know it increases risk. The researchers used fMRI to show increased activation in brain areas involved in cognitive analysis and reasoning for those with higher criminal tendencies.
Researchers found that EMDR suppresses fear-related amygdala activity during recall of traumatic memories. The treatment also enhances extinction learning by deactivating the amygdala, a critical brain region for fear learning.
A new study on red junglefowl has found that the ability to learn quickly is heritable, while optimism can be explained by environmental factors. The researchers tested over 300 chicks with various cognitive tasks and found that genetic factors play a larger role in fast-learning abilities.
New research at McGill University found that people with higher BMI tend to have reduced cognitive flexibility, increased volume in the left amygdala and decreased volume in certain memory structures. The study suggests a model where genetics play a role in obesity through brain anatomy and cognitive functions.
A review by Yale psychologist Yarrow Dunham suggests that ingroup bias is a natural phenomenon driven by membership in a social group, explaining why people favor their own group over others. This bias may have evolved to boost group living and social learning.
Dr. Silvana Costa receives a National MS Society grant to investigate the effect of visual, cognitive, and motor deficits on information processing speed in individuals with multiple sclerosis. The four-year study will utilize neuropsychological evaluations and eye-tracking technology.
A new study from the University of Zurich reveals that people with high leadership abilities have a greater need for certainty when making decisions that affect others. This characteristic drives their willingness or unwillingness to take on responsibility, distinguishing leaders from followers.
A new study finds that taking responsibility for others is a key trait of leaders, separating them from followers. Most people exhibit 'responsibility aversion', making decisions that impact others' welfare despite personal preferences.
Researchers explore the influence of dietary nitrate supplementation on cerebral hemodynamics and cognitive function in veterans with Gulf War Illness. Studies suggest that beetroot juice may improve cerebrovascular system functioning due to its high organic nitrate composition.
Researchers debunk claims that brain training games improve working memory and cognitive skills, finding no transfer between trained and untrained tasks. The study's findings support previous research showing that getting good at one game does not enhance IQ or working memory.
Researchers found that lower-paid microworkers were more likely to reduce their efforts and experience cognitive dissonance, which can impact study results. The study's findings suggest that low pay may lead workers to feel conflicted and struggle with rationalizing their actions.
A study published in JNeurosci found that increased frontal brain activity in healthy older adults is associated with reduced cognitive efficiency, not compensation for age-related decline. The research suggests that the extent to which an older brain operates like a younger one is a key determinant of cognitive function in old age.