Research on the brain basis of thinking and attention. Covers games and attention, cognitive training platforms, adaptive AI frameworks, and brain-health research.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Research reveals that brief morning exposure to bright white light significantly boosts alertness and modulates brain responses in areas involved in attention and non-visual cognitive processes. The effects are highly dynamic, dissipating within minutes.
Jeff Elman's work in connectionism and artificial neural networks has led to breakthroughs in speech perception, language processing, and cognition. His creation of the TRACE model and Simple Recurrent Network has been widely used to simulate human behavior.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory have developed a state-of-the-art imaging system that allows them to directly visualize molecular activity within individual neurons in the brain of live animals. This breakthrough enables the observation of changes in neuronal activity in response to environmental stimuli,...
A computer card game called FreeCell has been adapted to detect early signs of dementia by assessing players' planning and efficiency. Researchers found that the game can distinguish between cognitively healthy elders and those with mild cognitive impairment, suggesting potential for early treatment strategies.
A new UCLA study found that brain activity responds differently to opposition candidate's face depending on the viewer's party affiliation. The brain's cognitive networks regulate emotions in response to opposing candidates' faces, with increased negative feelings toward opponents and positive feelings toward favorites.
A study found that mild sadness can provoke depressive thinking in some recovered patients, leading to a higher risk of relapse. Cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant medication were tested on 301 patients with major depressive disorder, showing that those who displayed greater cognitive reactivity were more likely to relapse.
The brain's craving for a fix motivates humans to absorb knowledge at an optimal rate, driven by the release of natural opiates. This theory, proposed by USC Professor Irving Biederman, suggests that knowledge addiction has strong evolutionary value due to its correlation with perceived intelligence.
The Aymara language locates the past ahead and the future behind, defying the conventional spatial metaphor for chronology. The study's findings suggest that cognition of everyday abstractions like time is partly a cultural phenomenon.
Researchers identified three brain regions - dorsal anterior cingulate and left and right frontal operculum - as core components in creating task sets. These regions help determine which brain areas contribute to a cognitive task and when they play a part, according to the study published in Neuron.
Dr. Joseph Culotti's research into nerve cell growth and migration may lead to future spinal cord repair processes. He was awarded the $50,000 Barbara Turnbull Prize in recognition of his contributions to world-leading spinal cord research in Canada.
The NIH Cognitive and Emotional Health Project aims to coordinate research on interventions for neurological health. The report highlights the interconnectedness between cognitive and emotional health, emphasizing the need to examine them simultaneously.
Researchers isolate causes of cognitive loss following coronary artery bypass surgery, finding that minimal aortic movement significantly reduces neurological deficits. The study suggests that emboli are the cause of cognitive problems, and patients who did not use the heart-lung machine had fewer emboli.
Researchers will use fMRI technology to map brain regions active during speech and language tasks in healthy subjects, with data from stroke patients used to correlate language deficits with damage to specific brain areas.
Neurons in the inferior colliculus of the brain can detect changes in pitch, loudness, and duration of sounds, as well as complex patterns. These 'novelty detector neurons' prevent unimportant sounds from reaching the cortex, enabling people to ignore background noises.
A new perspective on cortical development suggests that genetic and environmental factors interact to shape brain regions. Researchers, led by Mriganka Sur, have discovered that transcription factors play a key role in controlling cell growth and connectivity during early prenatal development.
The SAGE Center will foster interdisciplinary research on the human mind, integrating social sciences, arts, humanities, and natural sciences. Michael Gazzaniga aims to build a powerful new center focused on understanding the unique nature of the human mind.