Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
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.
A review of eight studies found no link between low-dose aspirin and reduced cognitive decline. Researchers are calling for more research on the potential benefits of long-term aspirin use at younger ages.
A recent study by Philip Guo of older adults learning computer programming reveals a diverse range of motivations, including personal enrichment and connecting with younger family members. Despite frustrations with bad pedagogy and lack of real-world relevance, most respondents were eager to learn and saw the value in digital literacy.
Researchers found that college students perform better between 11 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., with a 2:1 majority identifying as evening people. This supports recent university moves to offer more evening classes.
Researchers found that people who saw 'the dress' in a shadow perceived it as gold and white, while those under artificial light saw it as black and blue. Lifestyle factors such as sleep schedule also influenced color perception.
Researchers found that cognitively average elderly adults experienced greater annual whole-brain cortical volume loss compared to SuperAgers. Despite this, SuperAgers showed signs of slower brain atrophy over an 18-month period, with potential implications for understanding cognitive decline and age-related brain changes.
Researchers at Princeton University found that the brain's hippocampus plays a broader role in memory and learning, involved in both spatial navigation and cognitive tasks. The study used rats to explore sound frequencies and showed similar neural activity patterns as those seen when navigating physical environments.
Research finds that incorporated business owners exhibit greater self-esteem, engage in illicit activities, and are more likely to come from high-earning families. In contrast, unincorporated business owners have manual skill requirements and lower salaries before entrepreneurship. Incorporated entrepreneurs earn significantly higher m...
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that six unsaturated fatty acids are associated with Alzheimer's disease cognitive symptoms and neuropathology. The researchers analyzed brain tissue samples from older individuals with healthy brains, those with tau or amyloid proteins but no memory problems, and those with Alzheimer's disease.
A new study suggests that the ability to assess group size is processed in the ancient brain structure of the subcortex, which is shared across humans, birds, and fish. This finding has implications for understanding mathematical thinking and education.
University of Pennsylvania researchers created a predictive indexing tool that identifies patients most in need of intensive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression. The study found that those with worse prognoses saw the strongest results from CBT, while others saw no differences between CBT and less-intensive treatments.
A new study suggests that a quantum theory approach may be able to account for the complexity of humor, proposing that our ability to perceive multiple meanings simultaneously makes puns and jokes funny. The research provides an exciting first step towards developing a formal quantum theory model of humor.
Scientists at the University of Sussex have discovered concrete links between autism and synaesthesia, highlighting heightened sensory sensitivity in both groups. The study suggests that sensory traits often seen in autism are also present in synaesthetes.
A new study shows that cognitive-enhancing drugs like modafinil and methylphenidate can improve chess play by altering brain processing of complex information. The research found that players on these drugs showed an improvement in scores, even under less time pressure.
A new study published in Neuromodulation found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with computer games significantly improved cognitive measures in patients with multiple sclerosis. The treatment showed greater gains in complex attention and response times compared to those who played computer games alone.
A new UCL study suggests that people's brain tricks them into believing the low-hanging fruit is ripest when it requires minimal effort. The researchers found that adding load to one of the handles made participants avoid the more effortful response, changing their perception without awareness.
A review of mindfulness research found that focused attention practices may benefit older adults by fostering a greater quality of life and improving cognitive functioning. However, the field is limited and would greatly benefit from larger randomized controlled trials to confirm results.
A new study from the Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas reveals that a gist reasoning test is more sensitive than traditional tests in identifying cognitive deficits in TBI patients. The test, which requires participants to summarize complex texts, accurately identified 84.7% of chronic TBI cases.
New York University researchers LeDoux and Brown argue that emotions arise from a general cortical network of cognition, similar to conscious experiences. They propose a higher-order theory of emotional consciousness, challenging existing theories that consider emotions as innately programmed in the brain.
A genomic study identified over 200 genetic regions linked to male pattern baldness, including genes related to hair structure and development. The research provides a formula to predict the chance of severe hair loss based on genetic markers.
A recent study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reveals that men are more susceptible to cognitive impairment following hip surgery. Cognitive limitations significantly increase the risk of dying within six months for both men and women, with men being up to five times more likely to die than unimpaired women.
Engaging in brain-stimulating activities like games, crafting, and socializing can lower the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults. A study of over 1,900 adults found a strong association between mentally stimulating activities and decreased MCI incidence.
Researchers found that cognitively normal people 70 and older who engaged in computer use, craft activities, social activities, or playing games had a decreased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment. The study's findings suggest that mentally stimulating activities can be beneficial even for those at genetic risk.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that humans and primates both have an ability to distinguish between large and small quantities of objects. The research showed that this bias is strongest in humans and correlates with increasing age and math education, suggesting a possible evolutionary basis for number perception.
Researchers explore how emojis and emoticons aid in cross-cultural communication and provide insights into user personalities. Studies suggest that emoji use can be related to personality traits, such as agreeableness, and may impact social inclusion.
A study found that modafinil improves episodic and working memory functions in patients with remitted depression. The results suggest that modafinil may be a feasible option to tackle persistent cognitive problems in depression, improving cognition and motivation.
A $2.7 million grant will fund research on veterans with traumatic brain injuries using a virtual technology platform to improve cognitive and functional deficits. The project aims to train strategies for complex real-life tasks, including money management and time planning.
Researchers at MIT used a modified MRI scanner to scan the brains of awake babies while watching movies, finding that brain regions responding to faces and scenes in adults are also active in infants. The study suggests that there may be a stronger biological predisposition for specific cortical regions to end up with specific functions.
Researchers observed that brain cell powerhouses, called mitochondria, can quickly become dysfunctional after injury like stroke or trauma. However, they often resume their normal shape once blood and oxygen are restored, suggesting a potential new avenue for improving recovery from such injuries.
Research reveals that 70% of respondents prefer a collaborative and supportive work environment, yet only 26% want a nurturing manager. Managers are often seen as missing the human touch in their approach to performance management.
Researchers found that cell phones distract individuals with lower internet usage, impairing attention and judgment. Heavy internet users, however, use mobile phones as spatial cues to enhance visual search.
Researchers found that a mobile, tablet-based game called Project: EVO improved cognitive benefits and mood in people with late-life depression. A second study showed similar results, with improvements seen in all groups, including the placebo.
A large study found that 45% more women with breast cancer experience cognitive impairment compared to healthy individuals. Factors like anxiety, younger age, and black race contribute to cognitive decline.
Researchers aim to identify effective treatments for cognitive deficits in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Dr. Chiaravalloti's project seeks to improve everyday functioning and quality of life for individuals with SCI.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have discovered neurons in the subiculum area of the brain that encode an animal's current axis of travel. These 'axis-tuned' cells fire when the animal travels in either direction along a single line, allowing it to mentally group different locations and navigate complex routes.
Research reveals that individuals with dyslexia have a fundamental brain difference in sensory perception, leading to difficulties in processing speech and written words. Brain activity remains high in both cases, suggesting that they do not adapt as much, while those with better reading skills show greater adaptation levels.
Brain connections critical for complex thinking skills deteriorate with age, while movement and hearing connections remain relatively well-preserved. Researchers analyzed brain scans from over 3,500 people aged 45-75 to understand aging's effects on the brain.
New research shows that when focused, information is processed continuously, while ignoring stimuli is perceived in waves. This study provides insights into how the brain prioritizes attention and processing of time and space.
A recent study published by the Acoustical Society of America found that listening to meaningful sounds, such as music or conversation, can decrease performance on cognitive tasks. In contrast, meaningless noises have a less significant impact on cognitive performance and subjective annoyance.
Researchers at University of East Anglia developed guidelines to make scientific graphics more accessible and understandable. The new guidelines, published in Nature Climate Change, provide recommendations on how to design graphics that are easy to comprehend by both experts and non-experts.
ARSACS affects brain movement coordination due to gene alterations, leading to uncoordinated movements and muscle stiffness. Researchers will generate stem cells from skin biopsies to create neurons for new insights into cellular defects underlying the disease.
A combination of methylphenidate and cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation has been shown to improve attention, episodic memory, working memory, and executive functioning in adults with traumatic brain injuries. The study compared the effectiveness of two forms of cognitive therapy with and without the use of methylphenidate.
Researchers found that older adults can outperform younger counterparts on certain problem-solving tasks by broadening their attention more easily. This study challenges the common assumption that aging brains require high cognitive control and highlights the potential benefits of reduced focus.
A daily dose of probiotic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria taken over 12 weeks significantly improved the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in Alzheimer's patients, indicating a moderate but significant improvement in cognitive function. This is the first study to show that probiotics can benefit human cognition.
A large-scale 'Phase III' trial will investigate the connection between exercise and brain health in older adults, exploring cognitive, brain, and physical changes. The study, led by Pitt professor Kirk Erickson, aims to understand how individual differences such as age and genetics affect the results.
Higher cortical amyloid levels associated with greater loneliness, particularly in APOE4 carriers. Participants with higher amyloid levels were 7.5 times more likely to be classified as lonely than non-lonely individuals.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored nine scientists with its 2016 Outstanding Achievement Prizes for their work in schizophrenia, mood disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, and cognitive neuroscience. The award recognizes groundbreaking research that aims to improve the lives of people with mental illness.
A new study suggests that a widely available web-based program can help cancer survivors reporting cognitive symptoms. The 15-week program improved self-reported cognitive function, lowered anxiety and depression, and improved fatigue. Objective neuropsychological function test results were not different between the two groups.
A new study published in Cognitive Systems Research found that moderate exercise like running improves memory retention for students who have just learned new information. The researchers suggest that physical stress activates the brain's 'memory storage mode', retaining the information.
Researchers propose a new model predicting voter choice that prioritizes identity over policy issues. This approach aims to improve election outcomes predictions by considering how voters' personal identities influence their voting decisions.
A new theory proposes that social identity and policy positions compete to shape voter choice. This model explains why voters often select candidates whose policies contradict their own interests, as people prioritize their self-image and social media signals over the practical benefits of voting.
Scientists discovered that female brain structures change monthly in response to hormonal fluctuations, particularly the hippocampus which plays a crucial role in memories and emotions. The study aims to better understand premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) by examining the brain's monthly rhythm.
Researchers found that infants as young as 8 months use the same circuits as adults when learning simple hierarchical rules. Their brains are properly adapted to handle essential elements in their world, suggesting a more mature prefrontal cortex than previously thought.
Research by University of Basel found that older people do not necessarily take fewer risks than younger people, but rather their risk-taking behavior depends on the type and complexity of tasks. The study used both self-report and behavioral measures to investigate age-related changes in risk-taking propensity.
Researchers found two brain regions, RSC and OPA, involved in creating panoramic memories. Participants performed better identifying linked images through immersive virtual reality headsets.
Researchers found that similarities between contact calls of female rhesus macaques were predicted by familiarity, not kinship. Call structure was similar among females with similar age or matrilineal membership, suggesting experience has a greater impact on acoustic similarity than genetic background.
Researchers found that rats' memories of reaching a reward play forward and backward in their hippocampus. The number of reverse replays rose with the size of the reward, while forward replays remained constant, suggesting different roles for each form of fast-motion simulation.
A recent study analyzing 12 peer-reviewed epidemiologic studies found a substantial benefit of late-in-life cognitive activities in reducing the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The bias analysis suggested that potential confounding factors may not account for the observed associations, lending support to a...
Researchers found that THC increases laziness in rats, making them less willing to perform challenging tasks, but CBD had no effect. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding cannabis' impact on cognitive effort and decision-making.
Researchers explore the role of 'cognitive offloading' in managing information and retention, finding that people use physical actions to reduce mental effort when performing tasks. This strategy can have both benefits, such as increased confidence and ability, and drawbacks, including reduced memory for stored information.