The brain auditions different cells when learning a task, some don't make the cut
Researchers suggest brain expansion and renormalization occur during skill acquisition, with brain volume increasing initially before returning to normal.
Cognitive Neuroscience
Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
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Cognitive training enhanced innovative thinking and brain networks in older adults
A pilot study by the Center for BrainHealth found that cognitive training improved innovative thinking and corresponding brain changes in healthy adults over 55. The SMART program showed significant gains in high-quality innovation performance and increased connectivity among brain cells in the central executive network.
Memory complaints and cognitive decline: Data from the GuidAge study
The GuidAge study suggests that memory complaints reported by elderly individuals can predict a decline in cognitive performance. Five specific items on the McNair and Kahn Scale were found to be statistically significant, including difficulty remembering phone numbers, appointments, and instructions.
Military service members face unique and sustained threats to optimal brain health
Research explores military-related brain disorders and potential treatments, including improved visual responses and neural stem cell therapy. Disruptions in brain networks may underlie symptoms of Gulf War Illness, such as changes in vision, language function, pain perception, and mood regulation.
Studying sleep's profound and extensive effects on brain function
New studies shed light on sleep's extensive effects on the brain, including impaired memory and judgment, increased risk of stroke, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Sleep consolidation also plays a crucial role in memory formation.
Probability calculations -- even babies can master it
Researchers found that babies prefer to look at the likely option when it is easier to distinguish, but not when the difference is smaller. Six-month-old babies can also estimate which color makes up the majority of balls and choose accordingly.
Close friends linked to a sharper memory
A new study found that SuperAgers -- people aged 80+ with exceptional cognitive ability -- report more satisfying relationships compared to their peers. This association suggests that maintaining strong social networks may be linked to slower cognitive decline.
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awards 2017 Outstanding Achievement Prizes
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awarded nine outstanding scientists for their work in schizophrenia, mood disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, and cognitive neuroscience. John M. Davis and Deanna L. Kelly were recognized for their innovative research on schizophrenia treatment and prevention.
How we determine who's to blame
Researchers tracked eye movements to show how minds imagine possible outcomes, finding that counterfactual simulation is a pervasive cognitive process. The study used billiard ball collisions to demonstrate the concept, which can inform notions of causality in law and other fields.
Brain imaging results skewed by biased study samples
A new UCSF-led study found that non-representative sampling in pediatric MRI images significantly distorted findings about brain development with age. The research team created a weighted version of the dataset to better reflect the US population, revealing faster-paced brain development and a back-to-front model of brain region develo...
Information processing breakdown in sleep-deprived rats
A study published in JNeurosci found that sleep-deprived rats exhibited rapid transitions between wake- and sleep-like states, disrupting neural activity. The researchers suggest that one function of sleep is to reset the activity of neural networks for optimal information processing while awake.
Novel protein interactions explain memory deficits in Parkinson's disease
Researchers have discovered a novel molecular pathway that interacts with prion protein, triggering neuronal dysfunction and cognitive impairments in Parkinson's disease. The study provides new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Our weight tells how we assess food
A SISSA study finds that people of normal weight associate natural foods with their sensory characteristics, while overweight individuals link processed foods to context. The research also highlights differences in brain activity between underweight and overweight participants when consuming the same stimuli.
Kessler study shows behavioral approach reduces cognitive fatigue in multiple sclerosis
A recent study demonstrated that the prospect of monetary reward stimulates the fronto-striatal network, resulting in reduced cognitive fatigue in individuals with MS and healthy controls. This nonpharmacological approach shows promise for treating cognitive fatigue in multiple sclerosis.
New $5.4 million grant to JAX funds studies of 'cognitive resilience' to Alzheimer's disease
A new $5.4 million grant to JAX will fund research on cognitive resilience to Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the genetic factors behind this resilience could lead to targets for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's.
Analyzing the language of color
Research across over 100 languages reveals a consistent pattern of language divide towards warmer and cooler colors. The findings suggest that human languages prioritize labeling warm colors consistently due to their prevalence in foreground scenes.
The bilingual brain calculates differently depending on the language used
Multilingual individuals face challenges when solving arithmetic tasks in a second language, relying on alternative thought processes and brain regions not observed in monolinguals. Functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed distinct brain activity patterns when using different languages.
Drunken noodles or Pad Kee Mao? Language matters on ethnic menus
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that customers who prefer a sense of structure and predictability react negatively to authentic-language menu labels. The study suggests that restaurants should consider their customers' individual needs for cognitive closure when deciding on menu language.
Study challenges perception that empathy erodes during medical school
A new study published in Medical Education found that both cognitive and affective empathy of medical students improve over the course of their training, challenging the common perception that empathy declines during medical school. The study used a variety of measures to assess empathy and found that improvements in perspective-taking...
Kessler Foundation scientists find link between cognitive fatigue and effort and reward
Researchers found overlap in activity of anterior cingulate cortex indicating pattern of self-regulation triggered by cognitive fatigue. The study broadens understanding of disease entities associated with lower threshold for cognitive fatigue.
Kessler researchers correlate cognitive fatigue after TBI with activation of the caudate
Kessler researchers found that traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes cognitive fatigue by activating the caudate nucleus, a key brain region. This discovery has important implications for developing effective treatments.
Yawning -- why is it so contagious and why should it matter?
Researchers at the University of Nottingham found that contagious yawning is triggered automatically by primitive reflexes in the primary motor cortex. Their study showed that individuals' propensity for contagious yawning is determined by cortical excitability and physiological inhibition, with limited ability to resist yawns.
New equipment maps brain activity and blood flow in state-of-the-art neuroscience lab
The University of Alberta has acquired a new optical brain-imaging tool called Imagent, which measures brain activity and blood flow non-invasively. This technology allows researchers to study brain function in real-time, with potential implications for job training, professional development, and artificial intelligence.
More education linked to better cognitive functioning later in life
A study led by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that higher levels of education are tied to better cognitive functioning later in life. The study analyzed data from around 196,000 Lumosity subscribers and found that education boosts performance more in areas such as reasoning than processing speed.
Dr. John DeLuca receives Fred Foley Award for best practices in mental health and MS
Dr. John DeLuca has been awarded the Fred Foley Award for his outstanding contributions to advancing research in cognitive impairments in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). His work aims to improve quality of life by developing effective non-invasive treatments to minimize the effects of MS on cognitive performance.
Why teens take risks: It's not a deficit in brain development
A recent literature review suggests that adolescent risk-taking behavior is not due to a brain development deficit, but rather exploration and learning. The review highlights that most adolescents pass through this period without significant problems, while a smaller subset is at higher risk of unhealthy outcomes.
Running rats remember better
A study published in eNeuro found that young rats with access to a running wheel showed improved memory later in life. The results suggest that early life interventions that increase physical activity may help build up cognitive reserve, potentially delaying the onset of neurodegenerative disorders.
Scientists find new way to map differences in the brain
Researchers have developed a new way to map differences in brain cells by analyzing chemical modifications in their DNA. The study identified 16 subtypes of neurons in mice and 21 in humans, offering new insights into the diversity of brain cell types and potential for understanding brain development and dysfunction.
Dendritic Golgi as key cause of degenerative brain disease
Korean researchers have identified the early neuropathic mechanism of polyglutamine brain disease and suggested a way to restore. Dendritic-specific Golgi plays a core role in the early neuropathy of degenerative brain diseases.
Salk neuroscientist receives new NSF award to model the brain
Terrence Sejnowski will use advanced modeling techniques to understand how the brain stores information and how diseases like schizophrenia and Parkinson's affect it. The project aims to create a layered control system model of the brain, testing its accuracy with human tasks requiring fast reflexes and long-range planning.
UTA researchers earn grant to design robot-based vocational assessment, training
Researchers at UTA are developing iWork, a robot-based system that assesses workers' physical, cognitive, and collaborative skills. The system uses advanced computational methods to identify human ability, intent, and potential, providing personalized training solutions for millions of people seeking retraining for manufacturing jobs.
Mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's diagnoses trigger lower self-ratings of quality of life
Researchers discovered that older adults with a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or mild stage Alzheimer's disease dementia reported lower quality of life compared to those without a diagnosis. The study also found that awareness of worsening prognosis had a negative impact on daily life satisfaction.
Effects of cognitive behavior therapy on parents of children with autism
A new study from York University reveals that parents who participate in cognitive therapy with their children with autism experience improvements in their own depression, emotion regulation, and mindful parenting. The research shows that co-therapy with parents alongside their child's therapist leads to positive outcomes for the family.
For white middle class, moderate drinking is linked to cognitive health in old age
A University of California San Diego study found that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced mortality and greater chances of remaining cognitively healthy into older age. Among men and women aged 85+, individuals who consumed 'moderate to heavy' amounts of alcohol were twice as likely to be cognitively healthy than no...
Study examines drowning-induced brain injury in children
Children who develop brain injury due to non-fatal drowning often suffer from severe motor deficits, while maintaining relatively intact perceptual and cognitive abilities. The study used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess brain integrity in 11 children with quadriplegia caused by drowning-induced brain injury.
Women show cognitive advantage in gender-equal countries
Research from Association for Psychological Science reveals that women living in gender-equal societies outperform men on cognitive tests later in life. The study also found that changes in gender-role attitudes within a country over time are associated with improvements in women's cognitive performance.
Lutein may counter cognitive aging, study finds
Researchers found that middle-aged participants with higher levels of lutein had neural responses more similar to those of younger individuals. This suggests that lutein may have cognitive benefits for early life stages. The study aimed to understand how diet impacts cognition throughout the lifespan.
Cognitive cross-training enhances learning, study finds
A comprehensive new study from University of Illinois researchers found that combining physical exercise and mild electric brain stimulation with computer-based cognitive training promotes skill learning significantly more than using cognitive training alone. The enhanced learning was skill-specific and did not translate to general int...
Novel approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorder
A new therapy called 3MDR is being investigated for its effectiveness in treating British military veterans with treatment-resistant and combat-related PTSD. Researchers aim to help patients approach their traumatic memories through walking on a treadmill while interacting with self-selected images.
Humans hardwired to lean to the right while kissing the world over
A new study reveals humans are hardwired to lean to the right when kissing, with men more likely to initiate and women receiving a mirrored response to avoid discomfort. The researchers propose that this bias may be linked to differences in hormone levels and neurotransmitters between brain hemispheres.
Brain connectivity after 30 may predict psychological problems
A study found that underdevelopment of brain networks underlying inhibition in adults over 30 is linked to self-reported psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. The researchers identified patterns of connectivity associated with inhibition that differ between early and middle adulthood.
Brain training no better than video games at improving brain function
Researchers Joe Kable and Caryn Lerman found that a 10-week Lumosity training session had no effect on cognitive function or brain activity among young adults. Meanwhile, playing non-adaptive video games showed similar improvements in standard cognitive assessments as the control group.
Study: No link seen between traumatic brain injury and cognitive decline
A new study examined the relationship between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and age-related cognitive change, finding no significant difference between participants with TBI and those without. The researchers suggest that future studies should collect more information on past TBIs to better understand their impact on cognitive decline.
Cocoa and chocolate are not just treats -- they are good for your cognition
Italian researchers found that cocoa flavanols can enhance working memory and visual information processing, and even counteract cognitive impairment in women after sleep deprivation. Long-term ingestion of cocoa flavanols improved cognitive performance in elderly individuals with starting memory decline or mild cognitive impairments.
UA researchers: Brains evolved to need exercise
Researchers propose adaptive capacity model to understand exercise-brain connection, suggesting physical activity impacts brain structure and function from evolutionary history as hunter-gatherers. Exercise may enhance cognitive abilities and prevent age-related decline or neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Three ways neuroscience can advance the concussion debate
Neurologists and neurotraumatologists review the science of concussions and outline areas where neuroscience and clinical research can help create consensus. They emphasize the importance of diagnosis in treatment and suggest using animal models to discover better treatment plans.
Analysis sheds light on how metaphors like 'sheds light' evolved
A large-scale study found that the evolution of word meanings in English metaphors follows a systematic and predictable pattern over the past 1100 years. The researchers identified key domains where word senses transitioned from literal to metaphorical meaning, including emotionality and embodiment.
Even moderate drinking linked to a decline in brain health, finds study
A recent study found that even moderate drinking is associated with an increased risk of adverse brain outcomes and steeper decline in cognitive skills. Higher alcohol consumption over 30 years was linked to hippocampal atrophy, poorer white matter integrity, and faster decline in language fluency.
Dr. Chiaravalloti of Kessler Foundation named 2017 Mitchell Rosenthal Memorial lecturer
Dr. Nancy Chiaravalloti was awarded the 2017 Mitchell Rosenthal Memorial lecturer for her contributions to cognitive rehabilitation research and successful mentorship of postdoctoral fellows.
IU and Regenstrief studying decreasing dementia after delirium for older ICU survivors
Researchers from IU and Regenstrief Institute are conducting a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week telemedicine program combining cognitive training and physical exercise for older ICU survivors. The study aims to decrease dementia, anxiety, and improve quality of life in this vulnerable population.
Scientists ID 100 memory genes, open new avenues of brain study
A study at UT Southwestern Medical Center has identified over 100 genes linked to memory processing in the human brain. The researchers hope that these findings will lead to better understanding and treatment of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy.
When it comes to learning and memory, the brain is a co-operative continuum
New research reveals the brain is a co-operative continuum for learning and memory, with different regions working together to reduce ambiguity. This understanding could lead to new treatments for cognitive diseases like Alzheimer's, where interference may be the cause of memory loss rather than forgetting.
Penn study finds gray matter density increases during adolescence
Researchers discovered that gray matter density in the brain increases during adolescence, which may explain improved cognitive performance despite decreased brain volume and cortical thickness. The study found higher gray matter density in females compared to males, potentially contributing to comparable cognitive performance.
No evidence that brain-stimulation technique boosts cognitive training
Researchers found that transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) did not produce any additional benefit to working memory training, contradicting previous hype. The study suggests that tDCS may be more effective in specific areas of the brain and that its effects on cognitive abilities are still unclear.
Know thyself to understand others
A three-month contemplative training course improved participants' ability to identify and understand their own inner parts and those of others. The more negative inner parts identified, the better awareness of other people's frame of mind became.
Don't count on your chickens counting
Research suggests that humans and nonhuman animals can discriminate between quantities, but this ability is grounded in biology and culture. Nunez proposes that 'quantical skills' may be more universal than previously thought, offering a new approach to education and problem-solving.
SOBP honors Trevor Robbins with 2017 Gold Medal Award
Trevor Robbins is honored with the 2017 Gold Medal Award for his fundamental contributions to understanding cortico-striatal function and its role in psychiatric disorders. He has made significant advancements in bridging mechanisms of pathology to new treatments, including developing the CANTAB computerized neuropsychological assessment.
Lutein and zeaxanthin isomers demonstrates improved psychological stress levels
A randomized, double-blind study found that supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin isomers improved psychological stress levels and measures of emotional and physical health. Chronic stress is linked to various health issues, making these findings promising for billions worldwide.
UF receives up to $8.4 million from DoD to study brain training using electric stimulation
Researchers at UF will investigate how electrical stimulation can strengthen neuronal connections in the brain, with potential applications for military analysts and civilians alike.
Research from Sandia shows brain stimulation during training boosts performance
Research from Sandia National Laboratories shows that brain stimulation combined with working memory training improves cognitive performance. Volunteers who received non-invasive brain stimulation while training showed significant improvements in verbal and spatial tasks, as well as problem-solving ability.