Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
A new study finds that volunteering is associated with reductions in depression symptoms, better overall health, and greater longevity. Volunteering appears to peak at a moderate level, with benefits diminishing beyond 100 hours annually.
Researchers distinguish pure imagination from related processes like remembering using MRI experiments, finding distinctive brain activity patterns. The study contributes to the debate over whether memory and imagination are separate processes.
A new Kessler Foundation study reveals that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) can enhance their self-awareness through hands-on task experiences. Researchers found improved metacognitive knowledge and online awareness in participants, suggesting potential benefits for cognitive rehabilitation.
A new study found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy significantly reduced non-mental health care visits among patients who were high health service users. Over eight years, this translates to a reduction of nearly 2,500 visits to primary care physicians, emergency departments, or non-psychiatric specialists in Ontario.
Researchers found an association between over-estimating medication self-administration ability and memory loss among stroke survivors. Assessing patients for their ability to estimate medication skills accurately may predict memory disorders.
The iTAKL study aims to increase understanding of pediatric mild traumatic brain injury by employing imaging, cognitive testing and biomechanical data. The research team hopes to provide objective data that will help prevent, mitigate, identify and treat head injuries.
Researchers developed a new model explaining how autism occurs, with genetically-controlled brain plasticity mechanisms potentially determining autistic capabilities and subtypes. The 'Trigger-Threshold-Target' model suggests focusing on developing children's unique strengths rather than solely correcting behaviors.
Kessler Foundation researchers confirm that cognitive rehabilitation in MS maintains patterns of increased cerebral activation correlated with learning six months after memory retraining. The study's results support the long-term effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation in individuals with cognitive impairment caused by MS.
Researchers suggest targeting higher-motor areas instead of single targets to achieve personalized, not popular science, in stroke rehabilitation. By exploring substrates and defining successes and failures, they aim to create a shift in perspective that forces a broader understanding of brain stimulation's potential.
A psychology researcher proposes a new theory, 'selective engagement,' to explain why older adults show declining cognitive ability in lab settings but not in daily life. Motivation plays a key role in this disparity, with tasks deemed personally relevant eliciting higher cognitive performance.
Research by IIASA found that gender differences in cognitive abilities are associated with age, country of origin, and educational opportunities. Women outperform men in episodic memory and reading literacy, while men excel in mathematical abilities, but category fluency is equivalent for both sexes.
Consciousness may be understood through scientific inquiry, despite current debates about its neural basis. Researchers argue that flawed assumptions about consciousness can be addressed through multiple scientific perspectives, potentially leading to breakthroughs in understanding human rights, disease treatment, and technology.
Researchers found that monkeys consistently show the hot-hand bias, even when faced with random rewards, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation for foraging in the wild. The study's findings could inform treatment for gambling addiction and provide insights for investors.
Researchers discovered that the prefrontal cortex is responsible for visual stability, filtering out unnecessary information during eye movements. This finding has implications for understanding mental health issues like dyslexia and attention deficit disorders.
Neuroscientists found that hand gestures are part of prosody, influencing how meaning is interpreted. The study demonstrates the role of gestures in speech prosody, highlighting their importance in human communication.
Researchers found that deleting the APC gene from select neurons in the mouse brain led to reduced social behavior, increased repetitive behavior, and impaired learning and memory formation. The study provides insights into how the loss of APC affects brain development, learning, and behavior.
Pittsburgh researchers explored how engineers innovate, finding that creativity is a stepwise process of incremental mental advances. They discovered that inspiration sparks perspiration, and companies can accelerate innovation by encouraging peer discussion and collaboration.
Researchers found that children can tell when adults are telling the truth but not the whole truth, and compensate by exploring more on their own. This skill is crucial for learning from others, as much knowledge comes from other people. Children's ability to evaluate information helps them adjust their trust in teachers.
A paralyzed person will attempt the first kick in the FIFA World Cup using a brain-controlled robotic exoskeleton, demonstrating the TUM Institute for Cognitive Systems' CellulARSkin technology. This technology provides a sense of touch, allowing patients to feel their feet touching the ground.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that rats were willing to wait longer for certain flavors, indicating individual preferences. The study suggests that regret is a fundamental cognitive process shared among mammals.
A recent study published in Annals of Neurology found that individuals who speak two or more languages may experience slower cognitive decline and improved cognitive abilities later in life. The research controlled for childhood intelligence and showed a significant impact on general intelligence, reading, and other cognitive functions.
Research by Stan Floresco reveals the dynamic competition between brain regions to inform decisions. The frontal lobes temper impulses towards larger, uncertain rewards, while dopamine neurons provide short-term updates on recent outcomes.
Max Planck researchers identify supramarginal gyrus region crucial for children's ability to assess others' emotions, improving with age. The study reveals that adults can easily overcome egocentrism, whereas children between 6-13 tend to project their own emotions onto others.
Dr. Ekaterina Dobryakova, a postdoctoral fellow at Kessler Foundation, received an award to study motivation's influence on cognitive fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The research aims to determine whether motivation activates brain regions thought to be impaired in cognitive fatigue.
A gene variant linked to longevity may also improve learning and memory, according to a new study. Researchers found that individuals carrying the KL-VS variant of the KLOTHO gene performed better on cognitive tests.
Researchers will compare connectivity changes between Lumosity training and active control groups, using fMRI sessions and cognitive assessments. The goal is to identify functional changes in the healthy adult brain that result from cognitive training and relate to improved cognitive performance.
A randomized trial found no significant difference in cognitive, language, and executive functioning abilities between children receiving prenatal DHA supplementation and those receiving a placebo. The study suggests that DHA supplementation during pregnancy may not enhance early childhood development.
A study confirms that brain reserve and cognitive reserve provide protective effects against cognitive decline in MS patients. The beneficial effects of these reserves persist for several years.
Strategic thinking training has been proven beneficial in normal and clinical populations, leading to improved cognitive performance and brain function. The study highlights the potential of this type of training to enhance intellect and prevent cognitive decline.
A new study reveals that people who attempt suicide have distorted thoughts about their self-worth, comparisons with others, and the future. Researchers found that targeting these thoughts can help reduce hopelessness and suicidal ideation in clinical interventions.
Scientists at Beckman Institute use a new method to test brain waves and discover that alpha oscillations can inhibit visual processing, making it hard to see unexpected events. By targeting specific brain regions with electrical stimulation or feedback, they aim to improve attention and awareness in various situations.
Research suggests that cognitive reserve, the brain's ability to adapt and compensate for injury, plays a role in recovery from traumatic brain injury. Those with higher educational attainment are more likely to achieve full recovery, with nearly 40% of patients with 16 or more years of education fully recovering.
Researchers propose a new, integrated framework of cognitive styles that eliminates confusing labeling and enables integration of findings on individual differences in cognition across different disciplines. The taxonomy offers a clear categorization of styles from various fields, highlighting the importance of adaptive patterns or sty...
Researchers will assess daily tasks like buying tickets and making food using the internet's Actual Reality platform. The goal is to broaden assessment scope for people with MS, making it more accessible and relevant.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that brain activity in place cells helps construct cognitive maps, a pattern of activity reflecting an animal's internal representation of its environment. This activation can mark the birth of a memory, as seen in rats who pause to inspect their surroundings and create new place fields.
Researchers analyzed performance records of 3,305 StarCraft 2 players to find that cognitive motor skills decline after 24 years of age. However, older players compensate by using simpler strategies and more efficient game interfaces.
A new study reveals that the brain achieves focused attention on faces or other objects by synchronizing activity in the inferior frontal junction (IFJ) with specific brain regions. The IFJ coordinates with the fusiform face area (FFA) and parahippocampal place area (PPA), suggesting a parallel process involving different areas.
Kessler Foundation will conduct a randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of speed of processing training on cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis. The study aims to improve everyday functioning and address the impact of processing speed deficits on daily activities.
Researchers found that individuals with high rates of future discounting showed significant reductions in substance use after treatment, suggesting that prioritizing instant gratification may be a hallmark of recovery. A simple cognitive test measuring present-moment bias could help personalize addiction treatments.
The Kessler Foundation will lead a new MS Collaborative Network of New Jersey, focusing on cognitive-motor interactions in MS. The network aims to design and conduct novel studies and expand professional training to improve treatment options for people with MS.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a computational model that maps 21 distinct emotional expressions, including compound emotions like 'happily surprised' or 'sadly angry'. This breakthrough enables precise tracking of emotion in the brain and has potential applications in treating disorders such as PTSD or autism.
Researchers suggest aspartic acid could serve as a biomarker for postoperative cognitive dysfunction, based on correlation analysis between changes in hippocampal metabolites and cognitive impairment in aged rats. The study aims to identify potential biomarkers for predicting postoperative cognitive dysfunction.
Researchers found that individuals with high 'justice sensitivity' are driven by cognitive reasoning rather than emotion when evaluating morally good or bad behavior. This suggests that the search for justice is fueled by analysis and mental calculation rather than sentimental motivations.
The Hub's interdisciplinary group will investigate the health implications of states of rest and noise, tumult and stillness, with a focus on transforming how we understand rest in modern life. The £1 million project aims to create new possibilities for people from all backgrounds to find rest in busy cities.
Researchers induce a bodily illusion where participants' hands feel stiffer and heavier, showing the brain can quickly update its perception of body material. This study reveals multisensory integration can alter perceived body properties, which may help explain how tools and prostheses integrate into our body schemas.
Researchers found elevated body temperature linked to worse fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, supporting previous studies on cooling garments and antipyretics. The study suggests a complex relationship among fatigue, body temperature, and inflammatory processes.
Researchers isolated implicit from explicit learning processes, revealing separate cognitive systems. The findings have implications for child development, cognitive aging, and educational training.
Researchers found that higher educational attainment attenuates the negative impact of TBI on cognitive status. The study suggests that intellectually enriching activities may protect against further cognitive decline.
Researchers found that self-generation may be influenced by variables such as task meaningfulness during learning and memory in MS. Significantly more words were recalled from the generated condition, indicating a more effective learning strategy.
Researchers found that discarding data from subjects with multiple sclerosis who exhibit significant head movement during fMRI may bias sampling away from those with lower cognitive ability. This could lead to skewed results if not addressed by correcting for motion or recruiting a diverse range of participants.
Dr. Brenda Milner, a cognitive neuroscience pioneer, has received the Dan David Prize for combating memory loss. Her groundbreaking research has had a profound impact on clinical domains, including traumatic injury and degenerative diseases.
A University of South Florida study found that a nutritional supplement containing blueberries and green tea improved cognitive processing speed in older adults without impairing memory. The supplement, NT-020, was tested on 105 healthy adults aged 65 to 85, with modest improvements seen after two months.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation found an association between acute, severe spatial neglect post-stroke and long-term recovery of mobility. The study suggests early detection and intervention of spatial neglect may be necessary to achieve better return of mobility.
A Boston University study found that children from two cultures exhibited surprisingly similar ideas about the time before conception, suggesting a hard-wired bias toward immortality. The research indicates that children's emotions and desires are central to their concept of an eternal essence.
A new study found that causal brain networks involved in fear regulation, imagery, and affect are also used for cognitive processing of religious beliefs. These basic networks evolved to mediate complex beliefs like those contained in religious practice.
New research suggests that older brains may take longer to process increasing amounts of knowledge, leading to slower performance on cognitive tests. This finding challenges traditional assumptions about cognitive decline in older adults, and instead highlights the role of experience in shaping brain function.
Researchers found that people have a preferred distance for judging depth most accurately, which depends on their mind's perception of arm length. The study shows that manipulating perceived arm length can influence depth perception and tactile sensitivity.
Researchers at MIT found that the human brain can identify concepts in images presented for 13 milliseconds, challenging previous assumptions about visual processing speed. The study suggests that
Research challenges dominant view that self-control is a limited resource. Inzlicht and colleagues propose prioritizing enjoyable tasks over obligatory ones, taking breaks, and planning for motivational fluctuations.
Older adults who received brief cognitive training showed improvements in reasoning ability, speed-of-processing, and everyday tasks. Even booster sessions had lasting benefits up to 10 years later.