Articles tagged with Cognitive Neuroscience
A study of 295 older men found that those who maintained daily physical activity had less cognitive decline than those who reduced or stopped activity. Physical activities of medium-to-low intensity, such as walking three miles per day, were associated with the least cognitive decline.
A recent study found that people with mild Alzheimer's disease are more likely to make driving errors during a route-following task, including wrong turns and safety errors. However, those familiar with the area drove safely, suggesting that familiar routes may be exempt from restrictions for drivers with early dementia.
Scientists have pinpointed the site of a defect in a brain circuit associated with Williams Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects thinking and cognitive abilities. The study used MRI scans to identify a small region in the brain's white matter that lacked grey matter in people with the disorder.
Feldman et al report that donepezil treatment for six days is associated with a total societal cost saving of $224 per patient. The American Brain Coalition (ABC) was established to advocate for increased support for biomedical research.
The studies confirm SEROQUEL's effectiveness across a range of schizophrenia symptoms, including positive and negative symptoms, and cognitive functioning. Cognitive improvements were seen in patients treated with SEROQUEL.
Researchers found that despite conflicting visual and tactile inputs, the brain keeps them separate, leading to 'cognitive dissonance.' The study used a visual illusion to trick subjects into perceiving motion in one direction or another. Brain activity scans revealed the middle temporal visual center responding to both visual and tact...
A Phase I study conducted at UCSD showed promising early indications of reduced disease advancement in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The subjects who successfully completed the surgery showed a 50% reduction in their annual rate of decline on one of the measured cognitive scales.
A study found that moderate iron deficiency negatively impacts cognitive functioning in women aged 18-35, while iron supplementation reverses this effect. The study's findings have significant implications for the prevalence of iron deficiency, which affects over two billion people worldwide.
A study published in The Journal of Cognitive Rehabilitation found that computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation improved treatment response for individuals with substance abuse. Participants who received the rehabilitation program stayed longer in treatment and had higher graduation rates compared to those who did not receive it.
A recent study from Ohio State University found that listening to music during exercise improves verbal fluency test scores in cardiac rehabilitation patients. The study also revealed that participants reported feeling better emotionally and mentally after working out regardless of whether they listened to music.
A study by researchers at University College London found that when participants were lifting a heavy box, they perceived the weight of an actor's lifted box as lighter than it actually was. This suggests that our brains use simulation theory to understand others' actions, which can lead to biased judgments in social situations. Accord...
The Kavli Institute for Brain Science at Columbia University will focus on analyzing and deciphering neural signaling in complex brain systems. Dr. Eric Kandel, a Nobel laureate, is the first director of the institute.
The Assistment system, developed using Carnegie Mellon's Cognitive Tutor technology, provides individualized tutoring and adapts to students' knowledge gaps. The system aims to improve student performance on standardized tests in Massachusetts and beyond.
Researchers found a strong link between increased stroke risk and lower cognitive function in individuals who have never had a stroke or dementia. The study suggests that preventing stroke risk factors may also help prevent cognitive decline.
A study of older Catholic nuns found that those prone to negative emotions like depression and anxiety were more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that psychological distress may be a risk factor for the disease, rather than an early sign.
A study at Dartmouth College suggests that harboring racial bias makes negotiating interracial interactions more cognitively demanding. The researchers found that brain activity in response to black faces predicted performance on cognitive tasks after actual interactions.
Researchers found neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) respond to discrepancies between intentions and actual events, indicating that the brain monitors the consequences of actions. The study used detailed studies measuring neural activity in macaque monkeys performing tasks requiring self-control.
A recent study suggests that menopause is not associated with an increase in cognitive decline, contrary to previous research. The Study of Women Across the Nation (SWAN) followed over 3,300 women across five ethnic groups, finding improved scores in most groups and minimal decline linked to menopause.
David Anderson receives Rumelhart Prize for 30 years of research on human thought processes and learning, leading to effective computer-based tutoring systems. His work explores the neural basis of cognition, contributing to our understanding of the human mind.
Researchers found that musicians played at a tempo closer to fast music when listened to before playing, while speakers read faster or slower after hearing a recording's speaking rate. Both groups unconsciously coordinate timing to find a mutually agreeable tempo.
The RADAR project aims to develop a system that can save time for its user while improving decision quality. The system will handle routine tasks autonomously, ask for confirmation on others, and produce suggestions that users can modify.
Researchers have developed a new brain imaging technique called Voxel-based Lesion-Symptom Mapping (VLSM), which pinpoint areas of the brain most crucial for normal functioning. The method uses structural MRI scans and compares them to functional brain imaging data, allowing for more accurate mapping of brain damage and behavior.
Researchers found that DHEA did not significantly improve cognitive performance or ratings of disease severity in a randomized, double-blind trial. The study's small size and high drop-out rate may limit the findings, with larger studies needed to confirm the results.
A Rutgers researcher is using brain signal analysis to better understand attention deficit disorder (ADD) and schizophrenia. By monitoring brain activity in real-time, the study aims to identify common patterns of interaction that can help define brain profiles for individuals with these conditions.
A new brain imaging study from Washington University in St. Louis has shed light on the inner workings of human intelligence, revealing that individuals with higher fluid intelligence use specific brain regions to resist distraction and maintain focus. The study found that participants with higher fluid intelligence engaged several key...
Nicotine enhances activation in posterior cortical and subcortical regions of the brain, improving attention in smokers. The study found that nicotine helps focus attention on task demands by shifting cognitive resources from less used parts of the brain.
Scientists at Dartmouth College used fMRI experiments to locate the brain region that processes musical harmony, revealing a key area in the rostromedial prefrontal cortex. This discovery may help explain why music evokes strong emotions and behaviors.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that training improved certain thinking and reasoning abilities in older adults. The training focused on developing strategies to improve memory, problem-solving, and concentration, but did not affect daily living skills.
Researchers found that high-performing elderly adults showed significantly more bilateral activity in the prefrontal cortex compared to low-performing older adults and young adults. This suggests the possibility of using training or drugs to enhance cognitive function in the elderly by increasing brain recruitment.
Rutgers psychologist Gallistel has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, recognizing his research excellence and contributions to cognitive science. He is credited with introducing the idea that animals can think computationally, enabling them to navigate their world and anticipate events.
A six-month pilot study found that Ginkgo biloba improved performance on neuropsychological tests in patients with mild multiple sclerosis. About 50% of Americans with MS experience cognitive problems, and the herb may show a beneficial effect on attention, memory, and functioning.
A study found that participants with Alzheimer's disease showed greater discrepancies in cognitive skills, particularly in visual and verbal tests. The research suggests that non-invasive cognitive tests could detect early signs of the disease.
A study by scientists at Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center found that more frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research showed a 33% reduction in risk for each one-point increase in cognitive activity.
A collaborative study found that lifetime exposure to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be associated with better maintenance of cognitive function in older women free of dementia. The study included over 2,000 women aged 65 and older, who were followed for three years to assess changes in cognition and depression status.
A recent Indiana University study found that nearly one in four older African Americans have measurable cognitive problems, with prevalence increasing with age. Researchers also discovered that a significant proportion of those with cognitive impairment may progress to dementia within 18 months.
A study published in Neurology found that cognitive impairment No Dementia (CIND) affects 23.4% of community-dwelling participants aged 65 and older, with rates increasing by 10% for every 10 years after age 65.
Scientists have produced new adult neurons from precursor cells using a growth factor, which could potentially treat neurological diseases. The technique, supported by the NIH, involves introducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) into the adult rat brain.
Indiana University Professor David Shiffrin has been awarded the $100,000 Rumelhart Prize for his work on human memory and cognition. His findings have had a significant impact on the field of psychology, with many cited works continuing to influence research.
Researchers used fMRI scans to identify whether participants were imagining faces or places, achieving an accuracy rate of 85% in some trials. The study has implications for understanding the minds of individuals unable to communicate due to injuries or disorders.
A new $100,000 prize has been established at UC San Diego to honor human cognition pioneer David Rumelhart. The prize will recognize significant contributions in the field of human cognition and be awarded biennially.
A new study will investigate whether cognitive therapy can prevent relapses and recurrences of major depression as effectively as standard antidepressant medication. The study, funded by a $1.6 million NIMH grant, aims to help patients who suffer from recurring episodes of major depression.
A study using cognitive task analysis aims to develop more effective computer systems in healthcare by understanding human decision-making processes. The analysis focuses on skills, strategies, and problems of physicians dealing with complex decision situations.
A University of Michigan study found that older adults tend to use the left front side of the brain, specifically the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, when performing concurrent tasks. This is a difference from younger adults who rely more on visual cortices for task switching.
Researchers found that patients with higher cognitive adaptation scores were less likely to experience a new heart attack or other coronary event six months after their angioplasty. Patients' ability to cope positively with their illness and take better care of themselves may play a key role in reducing the risk of future heart attacks.
Researchers found that the brain region critical for face perception is also active when humans become expert in recognizing novel objects, contradicting the idea of separate brain mechanisms. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to test adults on identifying greebles, a class of complex three-dimensional objects.
Researchers identified education and current health status as significant predictors of improved or maintained cognitive performance in older African Americans. The study also found that women are less likely to experience decline in cognitive functioning than men.
A study by Purdue University professor Theodore Wachs found that children from highly noisy homes experience less cognitive growth, delayed language skills, and increased anxiety. To mitigate these effects, parents can implement suggestions such as turning off the TV, establishing quiet spaces, and imposing a regular schedule.