Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
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 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.
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.
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.
Researchers suggest brain expansion and renormalization occur during skill acquisition, with brain volume increasing initially before returning to normal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.