Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
Researchers found that college students who learned a mathematical concept with abstract symbols were more likely to apply it in new situations, while those learning with concrete examples struggled. The study's findings question the effectiveness of using real-world examples in math education.
UCLA researchers found that people tend to accept fair offers over unfair ones, with the brain responding similarly to winning money or eating chocolate. The study suggests that humans have an innate preference for fairness, which can be regulated through self-control.
Researchers found that traditional thought-listing exercises can introduce bias and fail to capture specific cognitive responses. Instead, implicit measures of cognitive responses are likely to perform better when people are unable to access their thoughts directly.
Cognitive radio technology aims to provide efficient wireless access networks, but new security threats may compromise its effectiveness. Researchers will investigate cooperative spectrum sensing and on-demand spectrum contention to develop more secure technology.
Two studies suggest that chemotherapy is not the cause of memory problems in breast cancer patients, but rather stress and quality of life factors. Women with recent diagnoses performed similarly on cognitive tests to those without cancer, while those who had completed treatment showed better scores.
A study by Birte Forstmann and colleagues found that two areas in the medial frontal cortex contribute to decision-making: the rostral cingulate zone (RCZ) for choosing among options, and Brodmann area 10 when making completely our own choice. The study suggests context and agency play a crucial role in decision-making.
A three-year study at seven major universities reveals that children motivated in the arts develop attention skills and strategies for memory retrieval that also apply to other subject areas. The research identifies eight key points relevant to interests of parents, students, educators, neuroscientists, and policy makers.
Rats use their whiskers to perceive shapes and textures, with high-speed video revealing detailed patterns of movements. The researchers found complex patterns on smooth surfaces and irregular movements on rough surfaces, shedding light on the rat's tactile environment.
A new study found that cognitive impairment is decreasing among people aged 70 and older, with better education and financial status being significant contributors. The decline in cognitive impairment may be attributed to improved cardiovascular health, as risk factors like high blood pressure and smoking were more prevalent in the 1990s.
Research by Goldstone and colleagues found that groups with limited information sharing performed better on difficult problems, suggesting a balance between exploration and dissemination of innovations.
Researchers found that listening to music improved verbal memory and focused attention in stroke patients, with a 60% improvement in verbal memory three months after the stroke. Music also reduced depression and confusion in patients, suggesting its potential as an addition to clinical practice.
A new NIH study finds that elevated stress hormones in diabetic rodents disrupt hippocampal function, leading to learning and memory deficits. Normalizing stress hormone levels reverses the negative impact and restores learning and memory.
Researchers found that cognitive disfluency can be caused by both psychological and physical distance, leading to more abstract perceptions of the city. The study used italicized fonts and game Balderdash to demonstrate this phenomenon.
Researchers discovered significant changes in brain activity with intensive cognitive-behavioral therapy, leading to improved symptoms and reduced anxiety. The study suggests that this type of therapy may be more effective than previously thought, with potential implications for treatment.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania finds that focusing on specific details can enhance enjoyment and reduce satiation, particularly in cognitive and sensory experiences. By subcategorizing or recognizing distinct aspects of an activity, individuals can maintain interest and pleasure over time.
A new study led by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that older patients over the age of 60 who undergo elective surgeries are at an increased risk for long-term cognitive problems. The elderly were more likely to die in the first year after surgery, and education protected against postoperative cognitive problems.
Researchers have alleviated various abnormalities associated with fragile X syndrome by reducing the activity of a specific gene. The findings suggest that this approach may lead to treatment for the disorder, which affects brain structure and function, as well as causing mental retardation, epilepsy, and abnormal body growth.
A study of Vietnam war veterans with brain injuries found that those with higher intelligence and education levels before injury experienced a slower decline in cognitive functioning. The researchers also identified genetic markers associated with cognitive recovery or decline after head injury.
A joint study will assess changes in brain structure and cognitive functions in adult cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Researchers hope to identify neuroprotective agents to prevent chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction, a condition affecting many cancer patients.
The study uses fMRI to show that different regions of the brain are activated when people believe, disbelieve or are uncertain about statements. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex is involved in belief processing, while the limbic system's cingulate areas are engaged in disbelief.
Researchers found that individuals with severe autobiographical episodic memory loss can still understand others' emotions and intentions. This preserved ability may be linked to semantic memory, which was left intact after the injury.
Researchers found significant improvements in memory gains and perception of cognitive abilities in participants who completed a computer-based brain fitness program, surpassing traditional educational training.
Brown University researchers found that subjects who had access to optic flow adapted faster and made it to virtual targets more easily than those without. The study suggests that optic flow plays a crucial role in navigating through environments.
A study found that long-term beta carotene supplementation significantly improved cognitive function in men, with a potential to prevent dementia. The study suggested that antioxidant supplements like beta carotene may provide neuroprotection against age-related cognitive decline.
Research presented at Neuroscience 2007 found that Concord grape juice and Cabernet Sauvignon polyphenols can slow beta-amyloid neuropathology. The study suggests a potential protective role for non-alcoholic, polyphenol-rich Concord grape juice in maintaining long-term cognitive health.
A study published in Neurology found that people with high blood pressure and chest pains lose their memories faster than those without these conditions. Vascular factors such as high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats were associated with a more rapid decline in cognitive tests.
A new study by OHSU researchers has found that children carrying the apoE4 gene already exhibit reduced cognitive function. They used a virtual reality test to assess spatial learning and memory in 7- to 10-year-olds with and without the gene.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that humans tend to choose mates based on physical attractiveness, with men prioritizing looks and women valuing security and material stability. The research, conducted via speed-dating sessions, suggests that this preference is rooted in evolutionary theory.
A study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that children who get little sleep are more likely to have behavioral and cognitive problems in the classroom. The research identified four developmental sleep duration patterns, with short persistent sleepers showing significant impairments in cognitive performance.
Women who experienced cognitive decline were more likely to have disturbed sleep patterns, according to a study. The researchers found that it's not the total amount of sleep that matters, but rather how well it's quality, suggesting a potential link between poor sleep and cognitive decline.
A new study of children ages 5 to 7 found that C-reactive protein, a marker for cardiovascular disease, also indicates cognitive impairment in kids with OSA. The study suggests systemic inflammation is linked to decreased neurocognitive function in children with OSA.
A study published in the American Academy of Neurology found that older women experiencing memory loss are more likely to have sleep disturbances. The nearly 25% of women who experienced cognitive decline were twice as likely to experience sleep disturbances as those without memory problems.
A new University of Colorado at Boulder study shows people can suppress emotional memories through practice, which could lead to new therapies for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. The study found two mechanisms in the prefrontal region of the brain are involved in memory suppression.
Researchers have identified two separate brain networks affected by Parkinson's disease, one regulating movement and the other cognitive function. The study found that standard treatments alter the motor network but not the cognitive network, highlighting the need for new treatments to target cognition.
Researchers identified the lateral occipital complex as a region affected by both working memory load and pain, but found that pain influences visual processing through the rostral anterior cingulate cortex. This modulation affects accuracy in recognizing images.
Scientists at the University of Exeter have discovered a rapid brain mechanism that helps people avoid repeating previous errors. This 'early warning signal' is triggered in just 0.1 seconds after making an incorrect prediction, allowing individuals to learn from their mistakes and make better decisions in the future.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that older adults with high levels of cognitive activity were 2.6 times less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Frequent cognitive stimulation during old age was associated with reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment and slower decline in cognitive function.
Research finds that habits of use create a substantial advantage for an incumbent, but only when achieving a specific goal, limiting the impact on consumer choice.
Researchers used physiological data to show how a theoretical model explains behavior in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study found that the 'go' and 'stop' processes are intricately linked, resolving a long-standing paradox.
Researchers found brain structure changes in people who developed dementia or Alzheimer's disease up to four years before memory loss began. Those destined for MCI had lower cognitive test scores at the start of the study, even within normal ranges.
Researchers found that rats can judge whether they have enough information to pass a test, opting out more frequently when the task is difficult. This ability broadens our understanding of cognitive skills in animals and may provide opportunities for studying metacognition's neuroanatomical mechanisms.
Research at the University of Chicago found that sharing new information with people who know you well can slow down communication. This happens because they often use short, ambiguous messages, assuming the other person already knows the information.
Researchers developed a biological model of visual processing inspired by the brain to recognize objects in busy street scenes. The model achieved surprising versatility and learned from examples, validating biologically-inspired computer science.
Researchers have identified a neural bottleneck in the brain that prevents simultaneous processing of multiple tasks, such as driving and talking on a cell phone. The lateral frontal and prefrontal cortex regions were found to be responsible for this limitation, which causes a delay in neural activity when performing two demanding tasks.
A Canadian study found that bilingual individuals experience a delay in the onset of dementia symptoms by approximately four years compared to monolingual individuals. This delay was observed after considering potential influencers such as cultural differences, education, and occupation.
A new study from USC reveals that better-educated older adults experience greater declines in word memory compared to their less educated peers. Researchers found that while education is consistently linked to improved cognitive performance, it may not compensate for normal age-related memory loss after 70.
Researchers found that high-normal uric acid levels are linked to lower scores in tests of mental processing speed, verbal memory, and working memory. Older adults with high-normal uric acid levels may experience slow information processing and failures in verbal and working memory.
A randomized controlled trial found that cognitive training improved cognitive function in well-functioning older adults, with benefits lasting up to 5 years. However, the impact on daily functioning was limited, with only the reasoning group showing significant improvements.
A new study found that short-term cognitive training can offset the expected decline in older adults' thinking skills, with benefits persisting for up to five years. The study showed improved performance in everyday tasks such as meal preparation and managing finances.
Dr. Pierre Drapeau's research on zebrafish embryos has led to the discovery of signaling between nerve cells' importance in spinal cord development and growth. The $50,000 Barbara Turnbull Award supports his work towards understanding spinal cord repair and potentially treating diseases such as schizophrenia and autism.
Researchers at University of Rochester discovered that neural noise enhances brain's processing and enables decision-making in uncertain environments. The 'noise' is actually the brain's optimal format for running Bayesian computations, making it easier to compute complex answers.
Scientists at Stanford University used gene therapy to improve memory and learning in rats under stress, blocking the negative effects of steroids. The experimental technique transforms harmful corticoids into beneficial estrogens, potentially reducing cognitive side effects of steroids.
A new dementia screening tool developed by Saint Louis University has been shown to detect mild cognitive problems in the elderly that were missed by the Mini Mental Status Examination. The tool, known as SLUMS, is more sensitive and can help clinicians identify patients with mild neurocognitive disorder on initial visit.
A study found that eating at least 2.8 servings of vegetables daily slows the rate of cognitive change in older adults by 40%, equivalent to about five years of younger age. Green leafy vegetables had the strongest association with slowing cognitive decline.
Researchers found that internet-accessible computer activities improved cognition in patients with Alzheimer's disease, even after the disease had advanced. The study showed that tasks aimed at increasing or maintaining mental function have a place in treating Alzheimer's alongside pharmacotherapy.
A study of 3,718 residents found that eating at least 2.8 servings of vegetables per day slowed cognitive change by 40% compared to those who consumed less than one serving per day.
Nicotine exposure at a young age can alter brain development, leading to future addiction risk. The study found molecular changes in the brain that break down nerve cell membranes, especially in males.
A study of 2,223 healthy men and women found that those with high body mass index (BMI) scores performed worse on cognitive tests than those with low BMI scores. The study suggests a possible link between obesity and cognitive decline in middle-aged adults.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that long-term lead exposure is linked to cognitive decline in older adults. The researchers tested 985 participants and found higher tibia lead levels were consistently associated with worse cognitive performance on tests, equivalent to two to six years of aging.
Researchers found a brain region that also responds to objects like cars, animals, and sculptures, challenging current face perception theories. The discovery suggests the need for a new model of how the brain recognizes faces and objects.