Research on the brain basis of thinking and attention. Covers games and attention, cognitive training platforms, adaptive AI frameworks, and brain-health research.
A study by Indiana University neuroscientist Heather Rupp found that women without sexual partners spent more time evaluating male photos, indicating a greater interest. The researchers suggest this may be due to women's relatively committed romantic relationships suppressing their attention to alternative partners.
A new study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that moderate alcohol consumption increases mind-wandering, while reducing the likelihood of noticing it. This impairment affects an individual's ability to realize their mind has wandered, known as meta-consciousness.
Jeremy Nathans receives the Scolnick Prize for his groundbreaking work on color vision, brain development, and retinal disease. His research has led to significant insights into human blindness and the basis for many forms of color blindness.
A University of Pennsylvania psychology study found that individuals who identify as visual learners activate the visual cortex when reading words, while verbal learners convert pictorial information into linguistic representations. The study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging technology to scan the brain.
Researchers used brain scanners to record brain activity while participants drew cartoon faces from memory. The findings suggest that the brain transforms visual information into non-visual forms, creating action plans for drawing.
A new MIT study reveals our impaired ability to recognize faces in photographic negatives may lie in the brain's reliance on a certain kind of image feature. The research suggests that facial processing regions in the brain are more active when looking at contrast chimera images than pure negatives.
Researchers found that DBS in either brain target effectively treated motor symptoms, but produced unique effects on mood and mental sharpness. The discovery may impact the selection of DBS patients, especially those with pre-existing memory or cognitive disabilities.
Research from Tel Aviv University found that people with type 2 diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to experience cognitive decline and 1.6 times more likely to suffer from dementia than those without the condition. Higher blood glucose levels may contribute to this relationship.
Researchers will map planum temporale's functional organization to better understand its role in language abilities and disorders. The study aims to find connections between the brain region and conditions such as autism, schizophrenia, and perfect pitch.
A Brown University study found that the frontal lobe controls decision-making along a continuum from abstract to concrete, with damage affecting higher-level functions but not lower ones. The research suggests specific areas of the frontal cortex are required for different levels of abstract decision-making.
Scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center have documented brain activity in anticipation of music sequences, revealing a neural process that prepares the body to act. This finding sheds light on how humans predict motor activities and provides insight into cued associative learning.
A recent study suggests that emotions play a crucial role in shaping consumer preferences, leading to greater consistency in choice-making. The researchers found that relying on feelings rather than cognitive thinking results in more consistent and long-term happiness.
A study of 197 people with mild cognitive impairment found that engaging in mental activities like reading, crafting, and playing games reduced the risk of memory loss by 30-50% compared to those who didn't participate. Participants who watched TV for less than 7 hours a day were also 50% less likely to develop memory loss.
Researchers found that monkeys, babies, and college kids share a common pre-verbal number sense, which is essential for basic arithmetic. This cognitive skill is thought to be an abstract domain of cognition that develops early in life.
A large-scale study found that computerized brain exercises can significantly improve memory and lead to faster thinking in older adults. Participants who used the Brain Fitness Program for 40 hours over eight weeks showed a 131% improvement in response time and scored as well as those ten years younger on memory and attention tests.
In a speed-dating study, researchers found that men and women were equally skilled at gauging romantic interest, but women's deceptive behavior made it harder for observers to judge their interest accurately. The study suggests that evolutionary theory predicts women to be more coy or deceptive in dating environments.
Researchers developed a measurement system and protocol to train Caucasian subjects to recognize different African American faces, reducing implicit racial bias. The training improved ability to tell apart individual African-American faces and increased positive associations with African-American faces.
A study by Columbia University Medical Center researchers found that rising blood glucose levels may contribute to normal cognitive decline in aging. Exercise has been suggested as a potential strategy to improve cognitive health by lowering glucose levels and improving brain function.
Researchers found older adults' brains show increased activation in regions processing external noise during memory encoding failure. This leads to decreased performance and 'misses' in face recognition tasks.
Researchers at MIT have discovered that adult brain neurons can remodel their connections, challenging long-held assumptions about the brain's ability to change. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of how to promote growth in cells and regions normally unable to repair themselves.
A Caltech-led study found that voters' brain responses to politicians' appearances, particularly negative aspects, play a significant role in determining election outcomes. The research suggests that negative evaluations based on appearance may influence which candidate will lose an election, more so than positive evaluations.
UC San Diego computer scientists found that people first fixate on the left of the center of the nose and then the center of the nose to determine if a face is familiar. Looking at two spots, such as the nose and eye, does not improve recognition, but allows for better performance. Understanding how humans recognize faces may help crea...
A study published in Neurology found that people with more education and mentally demanding occupations had significantly less brain damage from Alzheimer's disease than those with less education and less demanding jobs. Higher education was associated with a stronger brain reserve, allowing it to compensate for damage and maintain fun...
A landmark study by NC State University researchers found that African-American seniors with sleep trouble have poorer memory performance. The study of 174 subjects aged 65-90 suggests that identifying and treating sleep difficulties may help preserve cognitive functioning.
A Duke University team presents a new way to explain the puzzling flash-lag effect by suggesting that humans accumulate information from retinal speeds to make accurate behavioral choices. The study found that lag time increases non-linearly with object speed, supporting this explanation.
Researchers found that individuals tend to use exploration or exploitation search modes depending on the task demands, but also exhibit a tendency to continue searching in the same way across domains. This suggests a possible link between spatial and abstract search mechanisms.
Researchers have found that the neural mechanisms underlying the extinction of fear and cognitive emotion regulation are more similar than previously thought. The study used fMRI to compare brain activation patterns during these processes in humans, revealing overlap in regions such as the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and d...
Patients who recover well from head injuries often report mental fatigue and decreased performance compared to healthy individuals. A recent study found that their brains show increased activity in key regions, indicating a need for enhanced cognitive support.
Researchers warn of the dangers of unchecked data collection and predictability as technology advances. Social psychologist Saadi Lahlou proposes a new definition of privacy, 'face-keeping,' to empower users to control their online presence.
A new test for perfect pitch reveals that many non-musicians have the ability to recognize pitches without musical training. The study found a surprising number of people who unconsciously identified notes even when transposed, indicating true perfect pitch.
A recent brain study has identified the brain regions that interact to link knowledge of socially appropriate behavior with moral sentiments like pride and guilt. The findings suggest that social behavior not conforming to an individual's values evokes feelings of anger or guilt, which may be relevant to understanding depression.
A Carnegie Mellon University brain imaging study found that intensive remedial instruction can permanently rewire the brain to overcome reading deficits in dyslexic students. The study showed increased brain activity in cortical regions associated with reading and neural gains solidified over time.
Researchers analyzed ancient magic tricks to gain insights into human psychology, revealing the power of misdirection and illusion in shaping our perceptions. The study's findings have long-term implications for fields like human-computer interfaces, where understanding attention and perception is crucial.
The NIMH CNTRICS Initiative aims to improve schizophrenia treatment by defining cognitive processes and neural circuits. Cognitive neuroscience insights are being translated into better treatments for impaired cognition in schizophrenia.
Researchers found that men vaccinated in the morning showed strongest immune response to both hepatitis and influenza vaccines. The study's results have implications for vaccination timing, suggesting that adults could be vaccinated at specific times of day to increase their protection against flu.
High blood pressure is linked to an increased risk of dementia, highlighting the potential benefits of antihypertensive treatment. Treatment of hypertension may be a key factor in preventing cognitive decline and dementia.
Researchers discovered that using mental strategies can decrease arousal linked to the anticipation of a potential reward. The study sheds light on how emotion regulation affects decision-making and may help control positive emotions and eventual urges, such as drug cravings.
A new pilot study has shown that a self-administered, at-home cognitive behavioral program can relieve IBS symptoms comparable to office-based therapy. The findings are significant because there are no reliable medicines available to treat the full range of IBS symptoms.
O'Keefe's discovery of place cells revolutionized the field of cognitive neuroscience, enabling animals to navigate complex environments. His research has also shed light on Alzheimer's disease, revealing a deterioration in spatial information content in aged mice.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory have shown that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes make noninvasive brain scans possible by regulating local blood flow. Astrocytes respond exquisitely to sensory drive, influencing neuronal responses and complex computations.
Poor readers achieved brain activation levels seen in skilled readers after 100 hours of extra training. Remedial instruction increased the struggling readers' activation to near normal levels, changing the way their brains activated when comprehending written sentences.
Researchers found that tennis players perform better in tasks requiring temporal processing, such as speed discrimination and detecting motion. However, the effects were small, suggesting that these skills are also used in daily life. Training these basic perceptual tasks may lead to improved tennis performance.
A new form of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been shown to be as effective as older forms in treating depression, but without the cognitive side effects. The study used a 'ultrabrief pulse' and found that 73% of patients responded, compared to 65% with traditional ECT.
A new study found that those with at least a high school education spend more years without cognitive loss, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia, but die sooner after the impairment becomes apparent. Those with higher levels of education can expect to live 14.1 more years without cognitive impairment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.