Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
Conservatives tend to use a more structured approach, while liberals rely on 'Aha!' insights. Research from Northwestern University finds these cognitive styles affect everyday problems beyond politics.
A new analytical model for e-sports has been developed by researchers, enabling the prediction of game outcomes and analysis of individual player performances. The model generates detailed statistics about players' behavior, helping game developers understand recurring patterns in their performance and discover ways to improve the game.
Dr. Silvana L. Costa has been awarded a Switzer Research Fellowship by NIDILRR to investigate processing speed deficits in Multiple Sclerosis. Her research aims to understand the complex interaction between sensorial, cognitive, and motor processes affected by MS.
Dr. Ekaterina Dobryakova of Kessler Foundation has received a $70,000 Switzer Research Fellowship to study the motivational influences on cognitive fatigue in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study aims to explore whether rewards associated with performing a task can modulate cognitive fatigue in individuals with TBI.
Researchers found that birds have sophisticated cognitive skills, matching those of apes, in tasks such as hoarding food and recognizing themselves in mirrors. The brains of birds and apes share similar single modules and prefrontal brain structures controlling executive functions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that expertise influences how people process visual information, with novices faster to identify letter pairs but less accurate. The study used the Arabic alphabet and showed participants 2,000 pairs of letters, revealing biases in expert perception that went beyond visual features.
A large twin study found no significant association between major surgery and general anesthesia with long-term cognitive decline in older patients. Preoperative cognitive levels and underlying diseases are more important for cognitive functioning in aging patients following surgery.
A new study developed a unique formula to predict the potential for cognitive deficits in former professional football players. The formula combines concussion severity, frequency, game-related data, and mental abilities, revealing that a strong cognitive reserve is the most important factor.
A study found that adolescents who slept only five hours a night for seven nights experienced significant cognitive degradation, including decreased sustained attention and working memory. Even after recovery sleep, residual effects persisted.
Dr. Ekaterina Dobryakova will explore factors associated with disabling fatigue among individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) using a non-pharmacological intervention. The study aims to identify an endogenous factor that can alleviate cognitive fatigue, which would be a revolutionary development in MS rehabilitation.
A new study suggests that individual differences in brain structure and function affect both anatomical and cognitive factors, such as intelligence and memory. The researchers identified four unique traits that explained most of the differences in brain anatomy, with the remaining differences accounting for individual differences in in...
Researchers found that navigating transport networks in major cities can come perilously close to exceeding humans' cognitive powers, especially with multiple modes of transport and too many interconnections.
Research suggests that endovascular treatment can improve cognitive functioning and executive abilities after an ischemic stroke. Patients who underwent thrombectomy showed better preservation of executive function compared to those treated with medication alone.
Researchers found that arachnophobic individuals overestimated spider size compared to neutral animals, suggesting a potential treatment for phobias. The study used two experiments measuring attractiveness and self-relevance in animal size estimation.
Research reveals that humans mirror others' faces to recognize and share emotions. This phenomenon is linked to social disorders like autism, where facial expression recognition can be impaired. Understanding sensorimotor simulation may help treat related conditions.
Cognitive scientists have found that younger and older adults show different brain wave patterns when performing the same memory task. The study used MRI and MEG to track potential age-related differences in brain activity, revealing a surge of theta power in younger adults and alpha oscillatory power in older adults.
Researchers found associations between CMV, HSV-2, and Toxoplasma gondii exposure and different aspects of cognitive decline in older people. The study suggests that chronic viral infections may trigger neurotoxic effects, leading to age-related cognitive impairment.
Studies of stroke victims with spelling impairments reveal distinct brain regions responsible for long-term and working memory, offering new insights into the mechanics of language and memory. Damage to these regions can lead to different symptoms, including difficulty guessing or assembling words.
A new study found that individuals with fewer than 12 years of schooling benefit more from cognitive training than their more highly educated counterparts. Cognitive training on speed of information processing resulted in a 50% greater effect for those with less than a complete high school education.
A study found that genes associated with diseases like Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and autism also impact cognitive functions. Researchers analyzed data from 100,000 people in the UK Biobank to discover shared genetic influences between health and thinking skills.
Researchers found that regions of the brain normally working together to process emotion become decoupled in people who experience multiple episodes of depression. This disruption may lead to inaccurate emotional information processing and negative biases.
Researchers found that high-challenge activities improved memory performance and brain activity efficiency in older adults. The study suggests that mentally demanding activities may be neuroprotective and essential for maintaining a healthy brain into late adulthood. Enhanced neural efficiency was maintained a year after participation.
Neuroscientists argue that computers will never truly understand human communication due to lack of contextual understanding. Brain scans reveal areas of the brain where 'meeting of minds' occurs, enabling nonverbal mutual understanding.
Turn-taking in human communication appears to have origins in primate gestural interactions, predating the development of language. This double-tasking of comprehension and production may motivate compact clause structures in all languages.
The special issue of Current Opinion in Neurobiology delves into various aspects of brain plasticity, from language development at birth to cognitive flexibility associated with bilingualism. The journal features expert reviews that connect different fields of research and explore the role of artificial intelligence.
A recent study by Ben-Gurion University researchers found that individuals with diabetic foot complications suffer from significantly impaired cognitive function. Cognitive abilities such as memory, concentration, and learning are affected, with patients exhibiting slower responses and decreased verbal fluency.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are building a wearable cognitive assistance system called Gabriel that provides instructions for tasks like repairing equipment or assembling furniture. The system uses a wearable vision system and taps into cloud computing via 'cloudlets' to enable real-time guidance.
Researchers at the University of Montreal have developed a new, non-invasive approach to detect concussions in young football players. The method uses a dual-task assessment and markerless motion capture system to establish a unique profile for each player in just seven minutes.
Research identifies 'connector hubs' as the brain's 'champions of coordination,' allowing distinct networks to interact effectively and process more information during complex tasks. The findings have implications for understanding neurological disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that older adults who take college courses show significant increases in cognitive capacity compared to those who don't. The research suggests that mentally stimulating activities like college studies can enhance cognitive reserve and potentially reduce dementia risk.
Researchers at Oxford University found that apathetic individuals showed more activity in the pre-motor cortex when making decisions, despite being less likely to accept effortful choices. This suggests that biology, not attitude, may be the root cause of apathy in some people.
Neuroscientists can analyze social media broadcasts to measure emotional states, social conformity, and personality traits. Social media use also reveals differences in brain structure and function compared to offline environments.
Researchers propose a working definition of curiosity as a drive state for information, which can be observed in organisms as simple as nematode worms. They also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of curiosity, including its role in learning and decision-making, and how it relates to attentional disorders.
A large-scale study published in Frontiers in Psychology found the NeuroCognitive Performance Test (NCPT) to be a reliable and valid measure of cognitive performance. The NCPT assesses various cognitive domains, including working memory, reasoning, and attention, with good test-retest reliability and sensitivity to age-related changes.
A new theory suggests that mood can aid adaptation to environmental changes by reflecting recent changes in reward availability. This effect may help explain the causes of mood disorders and predispose individuals to conditions like bipolar disorder.
Researchers identify cognitive barriers that hinder pro-vaccination views, including the need for trust in medicine and government. They argue that transparency and efficient science communication can increase public trust in vaccination.
Dr. Joe Z. Tsien's Theory of Connectivity proposes that the brain uses the power of two to create a prewired framework for connecting neurons, enabling knowledge and flexibility. This equation provides a way to wire brain cells in such a way to turn infinite possibilities into organized knowledge.
New Jersey researchers used neuroimaging to investigate reading deficits in patients with subacute left hemispheric stroke. They found associations between phonological deficits and lesions in the anterior temporal lobe and mid-fusiform gyrus. This study may lead to targeted interventions for acquired reading deficits, benefiting indiv...
The Society for Neuroscience awards recognize two neuroscientists, Adam Gazzaley and E. Paul Zehr, for their contributions to promoting public education and awareness about neuroscience. Diasynou Fioravante and Nicole Baganz are also honored for their outreach efforts and commitment to making science accessible to the public.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored nine scientists for their work in schizophrenia, mood disorders, and cognitive neuroscience. The awards recognize the transformative power of neuroscience to improve mental health.
A recent study by University of Vienna researchers found that ravens can cooperate to achieve common goals, such as sliding a platform with cheese into reach. However, they also exhibit a sophisticated way of keeping their partners honest, detecting and excluding cheaters from future cooperation.
Attention plays a critical role in structuring the internal world, prioritizing relevant thoughts and emotions for goal-oriented processing. The integrated theory proposes that attention is a cascade of effects beginning with stimulus detection, suppressing competing stimuli, and resetting upon completion.
Researchers found that people with MS who experienced neuro-ophthalmic symptoms, such as blurred vision and nystagmus, performed poorly on visual neuropsychological tasks like the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). This suggests that these individuals may have residual delays in visual processing speed.
Researchers at Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine are exploring the impact of cognitive training on mobility among sedentary seniors. The study aims to develop effective interventions to improve cognitive functions and enhance mobility, with a focus on preventing disability in older Americans.
A recent study by Mark Dingemanse and colleagues reveals that language is less arbitrary than previously thought. The researchers found that iconicity, where word forms suggest meaning, and systematicity, a statistical relationship between sounds and grammatical usage, complement arbitrariness in vocabulary structure.
Researchers found that the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) can predict performance on daily living tasks. The study used Actual Reality technology to assess internet access and ordering tasks, showing poor BICAMS scores correlated with poor task performance.
The adolescent brain is more susceptible to forming new memories, experiencing social stress, and engaging in risky health behaviors. Research suggests that adolescence may be a sensitive period for recovery from negative experiences and that alternative treatments might be needed for anxiety disorders.
A novel study measures working memory deficits and cognitive recovery in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) using functional neuroimaging. Cognitive improvement is found to correspond with normalization of activation patterns on fMRI, suggesting a potential early biomarker for predicting recovery.
A recent study revealed that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) integrates information about a suspect's blameworthiness and harm to others, enabling humans to decide on appropriate punishment levels. The DLPFC is specialized for integrating multiple streams of information to select responses.
Researchers found that disrupting brain activity in a specific area can change punishment decisions without affecting blame judgments. This study suggests that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex integrates information from other parts of the brain to determine punishment and moral responsibility.
A randomized clinical trial found the modified Story Memory Technique to improve memory and everyday functioning in individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. The study, published by Kessler Foundation, provides first Class I evidence for the efficacy of cognitive training in TBI.
A University of Miami research team proposes a four-component model of cognitive flexibility, which helps understand autism spectrum disorder and other behavioral/neurological disorders. The study may inform the development of new interventions to improve cognitive flexibility skills in individuals with autism.
A clinical trial found that doctors given information on a patient's cognitive status provided more care focused on cognition, but this had little impact on the overall rate of cognitive decline. The study highlights the importance of primary care in recognizing cognitive impairment and supporting older adults.
A new study found that older populations in Germany and England are scoring better on cognitive tests, while physical functioning and mental health have declined. The increasing use of modern technology and higher education levels contribute to the improvement in cognitive abilities.
A new theory proposes that neuroticism is driven by high activity in the brain's self-generated thought centers, which can lead to both creative breakthroughs and negative emotions. The study suggests that overthinking may be a key factor in experiencing intense negative emotions even when there is no apparent threat.
A recent study found that older adults who engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity have more variable brain activity at rest, which is associated with better cognitive performance. The research also revealed that physically fit individuals tend to have larger brain volumes and more intact white matter than their less-fit peers.
Processing speed is a common variable limiting activity and participation in people with MS, according to Kessler Foundation researchers. This finding suggests that improving processing speed through targeted interventions may help individuals with MS maintain daily activities and stay employed.
A recent study by MIT researchers found that most languages tend to minimize dependency length (DLM) in practice, preferring words related to each other to be close together. This tendency is associated with simpler language use and reduced cognitive load for speakers, listeners, and readers.
Researchers found that mindfulness meditation can decrease unconscious influences motivating smokers to smoke, reducing craving rates by 60% in a 2-week study. Integrative body-mind training also decreases stress hormone cortisol levels and increases immune reactivity.
A study found that adults who text while being cognitively distracted exhibit a more cautious gait, including increased obstacle clearance and decreased ability to walk in a straight line. The researchers suggest this adaptation may help prevent accidents when faced with cognitive challenges.