Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Neurology researchers evaluated evidence-based tests for clinical cognitive assessment, recommending improvements to determine differential diagnoses and guide intervention. The study aims to enhance quality in cognitive assessment by providing insights on selecting tests for the Neurobehavioral Status Exam.
A study found that older participants were more efficient in their search tasks despite taking longer to complete them, suggesting new ways to support consumers of health information. Younger participants used an analytical approach to find the desired results.
A new study at McGill University found that the brain's capacity to learn is influenced by individual predisposition, rather than just training. The research used brain imaging studies of young adults with little musical background, showing a clear distinction between innate talent and training-induced plasticity.
A new UC Berkeley study finds that brain rhythms synchronize within the frontal lobe to connect with other brain regions during cognitively challenging tasks. This synchronization enables quick communication between neurons, which is critical in various disorders such as Parkinson's disease and autism.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has named six young scientists as winners of the Klerman-Freedman Prizes, recognizing their outstanding work in neurobiological and psychosocial research. The prizes were awarded to Alan Anticevic for his study on cognitive function in schizophrenia and Michael M. Halassa for his work on sensory...
The new open access journal aims to connect biological and social sciences for evidence-based discussions in educational practice, policy, and theory. It provides a forum for interaction between neurocognitive researchers and educators.
The Alzheimer's Association honored four leading scientists, including Alison Goate, Bengt Winblad, John Hodges, and Ian McKeith, for their groundbreaking research on Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The recognition aims to accelerate the global effort to eliminate Alzheimer's and advance research towards new treatments.
Researchers developed an algorithm inspired by brain pruning, which eliminates unneeded connections in early childhood. The neuroscience-based approach created more efficient and robust networks than traditional engineering methods.
Researchers at Duke University found that attention problems are a key factor in civilian shooting casualties. Training in response inhibition can improve shooting abilities and reduce errors.
Researchers from Uppsala University found that losing half a night of sleep can make memories less accessible during times of cognitive stress. The study also showed that stress can impair memory recall by around 10 percent, especially when subjects had only slept for half a night.
A small imaging study found that cortical cerebral microbleeds were associated with reduced brain blood flow in cognitively normal older patients. The study suggests that chronic hypoperfusion may put these individuals at risk for neuronal injury and neurodegeneration.
A crowdsourcing experiment with over 500 adults yielded new evidence that neurofeedback learning can affect the brain almost immediately. The study demonstrated the scientific viability of collective neurofeedback as a potential new avenue in neuroscience research.
A new study published in Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation found that traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients who underwent cognitive rehabilitation showed significant changes in cerebral activation. The modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT), a 10-session memory retraining protocol, demonstrated consistent results with prior researc...
Researchers found that individuals with MS exhibit weaker connections between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior brain regions, leading to slowed cognitive speed. The study suggests that therapies targeting white matter structures may help alleviate cognitive deficits.
Researchers will investigate how early childhood influences versus recent influences affect cognitive and physical health in middle age. The study will analyze data from over 1,600 participants, including adoptees and twins, to better understand the role of genetic and environmental factors on cognition.
A new UCLA study uses brain scans to identify patients with OCD who are more likely to relapse after cognitive-behavioral therapy. The research found that brain connectivity before treatment can predict worsening symptoms after treatment.
A study at Oregon State University found that high-fat and high-sugar diets cause changes in gut bacteria related to cognitive function decline. The research suggests a link between the Western diet and alteration of the microbiome, affecting mental and physical function.
A new study identifies how specific patterns of cortisol activity may relate to the cognitive abilities of children in poverty. Children's cortisol levels remained relatively stable over three years, but exposure to family adversity predicted notable differences in cognitive functioning at age four.
Scientists have successfully reconstructed basic units, words, and complete sentences of continuous speech from brain waves. The 'Brain-to-Text' system combines neuroscience, medicine, and informatics to extract the most likely word sequence from cortical information and linguistic knowledge.
A study by researchers at the University of California - Davis Health found that children with ADHD who moved more intensely exhibited better cognitive performance. The study suggests that allowing movement during cognitive tasks may be beneficial for students with ADHD, rather than trying to keep them still.
A study found that stimulating cognitive activities improved cognitive performance but didn't affect brain markers of Alzheimer's. The findings suggest sustaining intellectual engagement helps preserve cognitive function in old age.
A new study suggests that having a stroke can reduce brain function by 8 years, affecting memory and thinking speed equally in black and white patients. The research analyzed data from over 4,900 seniors and found that strokes have serious consequences for cognitive health.
Research at UMass Amherst finds that despite concussion-related abnormalities in sleep and memory, sleep aids recall and benefits are comparable to those without TBI. Participants who slept showed better recall in word memorization tasks compared to those tested after an equal period awake.
Scientists identify protein MIM as a key player in initiating dendritic spines, which form the basis of neuronal connections. This discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying brain diseases with altered dendritic spine density.
Researchers found that teaching students to sound out words sparks more optimal brain circuitry than instructing them to memorize whole words. This study provides evidence of a specific teaching strategy for reading having direct neural impact.
A study by the Center for BrainHealth found that strategy-based cognitive training improved cognitive areas critical to everyday life success, as well as reduced depressive and stress-related symptoms. The training also increased brain blood flow to key regions of the brain.
Research by Dr. Mel Goodale shows that blind echolocation experts recruit regions of the brain associated with visual perception when making echo-based assessments of objects. They can also perceive material properties such as hardness and density through auditory cues, an effective form of sensory substitution for vision.
A study found that consuming omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA, improved cognitive flexibility and increased the size of the anterior cingulate cortex in older adults at risk of Alzheimer
A new study found that desegregated schooling is tied to better performance for certain cognitive abilities in older African American adults. The research suggests early differences in schooling affect starting cognitive performance levels but not rates of decline.