Research on the brain basis of thinking and attention. Covers games and attention, cognitive training platforms, adaptive AI frameworks, and brain-health research.
Neuroscientists have identified a region of the brain that regulates escape behavior in mice, revealing its role in anxiety and PTSD. The study found that inhibitory neurons can be turned up or down to control sensitivity to threats.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that chemotherapy disrupts the gut microbiome in breast cancer patients, leading to cognitive decline and increased inflammation. The research suggests that targeting the gut microbiome may improve behavioral side effects of chemotherapy.
Researchers at Boston University developed an AI model that analyzes speech patterns to predict the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment. The model achieved an accuracy rate of 78.5% and could potentially revolutionize dementia screening, making it more accessible and efficient.
A new University of Cincinnati study reveals that a signaling pathway in the brain helps maintain health and prevent inflammation and cognitive deficits. Microglia cells produce their own TGF-β ligand to regulate local states of inflammation.
Research on mice exposes to cannabidiol during gestation shows altered behaviors and brain changes, affecting nerve cells involved in processing emotions. The study suggests a public health priority to understand CBD's impact on developing nervous systems.
A recent study found that habitual entrepreneurs have increased gray matter volume in the left insula compared to managers, a brain region associated with enhanced cognitive agility and divergent thinking. This suggests that the brains of habitual entrepreneurs are adapted to foster cognitive flexibility.
A new brain imaging study led by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers found that estrogen receptors in the brain increase with age during menopause, affecting cognitive and mood symptoms. The study pioneers PET imaging as a tool to track estrogen activity in the brain, revealing potential predictors of common menopause-related issues.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory designed a new way for AI algorithms to move and process data more efficiently, inspired by the human brain. This design allows individual AI neurons to receive feedback and adjust on the fly, processing data in real-time.
A recent study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that adults with a family history of Alzheimer's disease on their mother's side had higher amyloid levels in their brains. This suggests that maternal inheritance may play a role in identifying individuals at heightened risk for developing the disease.
A new method in neuroimaging analysis allows researchers to predict cognition and behavioral variables using smaller datasets, contrary to the long-held belief that thousands of participants are needed. The technique involves examining MRI data to find associations with behaviors and then applying predictions to an independent sample.
A study led by UCLA Health found that emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) significantly reduces chronic pain among older adults compared to cognitive behavioral therapy. EAET helps patients confront and release traumatic emotions, leading to a clinically significant reduction in pain symptoms.
Researchers estimate that 32% of memory clinic attendees and 14% of specialist cognitive service patients are eligible for disease-modifying therapies. Biomarker testing is crucial to identify suitable patients, but only a minority have undergone tests.
A study by University of Washington School of Medicine found that a cognitive test is an inaccurate predictor of athletes' concussions. Instead, symptom reports were the most accurate indicator of concussion. The study involved 92 NCAA Division I athletes who sustained a concussion and their teammates as matched control subjects.
A new study published in Nature Neuroscience found that training exercises designed to improve cognitive control in children do not lead to any brain changes or improvements in related behavioral measures. The study tested 235 children aged six to 13 and found that while they improved on specific tasks, these gains did not carry over i...
A small study compares healthy brains of young and old, finding normal ageing associated with increased blood-brain barrier permeability in Alzheimer's Disease vulnerable areas. This increased permeability may contribute to disease progression.
A new study led by Yale researchers found that attending segregated schools significantly contributes to cognitive decline and cognition disparities between older Black and white Americans. The study analyzed data from a large representative sample of the U.S. population, assessing the quality of education provided and individuals' per...
A Finnish study found that adolescents with higher blood pressure and arterial stiffness exhibit poorer cognitive functions, particularly attention and learning. The study also reveals interesting sex differences in the associations between blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and cognition in adolescents.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that stress weakens the association between cognitive reserve and improved cognition in memory clinic patients. Cognitive reserve is built through experiences like higher education and social interactions, but high or persistent stress levels can impair these benefits.
Researchers at OIST used a novel technique to study how activating the brain's serotonin center affects awake animals. They found that serotonin from the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) activates brain areas influencing behavior and motivation, including the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia.
A new multimodal approach has been developed to predict recovery in patients with disorders of consciousness, combining PET scans, multivariate EEG analysis, functional MRI, and cognitive evoked potentials. The approach shows improved prognostic performance and accuracy compared to standard measurements.
A consensus has been reached by an international team of rehabilitation researchers and clinicians on the standardized labeling of spatial neglect, a common disorder following neurological injury. The panel adopted 'spatial neglect' as the standard term for the disorder, aiming to improve diagnosis, treatment, and research.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham found that reports of cognitive decline were associated with the accumulation of tau, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study used imaging to detect levels of tau and amyloid beta in participants who were cognitively unimpaired but at risk for Alzheimer's.
A new study shows that psilocybin initiates a pattern of hyperconnectivity in the brain linked to the ego-modifying effects and feelings of oceanic boundlessness. The findings provide insights into how the brain works on psychedelic drugs and their potential use to treat psychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that crows can control the number of vocalizations they produce in response to visual and auditory cues, using a non-symbolic approximate number system. This skill mirrors early counting abilities in human toddlers.
A new study at Hebrew University found that guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy significantly improves depression and insomnia symptoms over time. The study emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic alliance and attachment styles in predicting treatment outcomes.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that stressed participants were more likely to help the victim than punish the perpetrator in a simulated third-party intervention task. The researchers observed higher brain activation in regions linked to decision-making and mentalizing when stressed participants chose to help.
This Neuron special issue highlights recent findings on consciousness research, including neural theories, sleep, anesthesia, coma recovery, and prefrontal cortex roles. It showcases how these areas contribute to our understanding of the complex topic.
FutureNeuro, a leading SFI Research Centre, is expanding its research programme with a focus on diagnostics, therapeutics, and digital health. The centre aims to develop precision diagnostics, future treatments, and systems using real-time health data.
Scientists have recruited over 20,000 volunteers to a resource aimed at accelerating dementia drug development. The cohort will enable healthy individuals with increased genetic risk to participate in clinical trials, allowing researchers to test new treatments before symptoms appear.
Sleep scientists investigated brain activity during parasomnias, finding parallels with dreaming brain activations. Patients who dreamed reported impending dangers, while those who were unconscious showed simple behaviors without experience.
Researchers created a new model to study the effects of undernutrition on the microbiome, which can help identify specific microbes that impact development. The model mimics early childhood experiences and shows promise in understanding the underlying causes of stunted growth and other harmful effects of undernutrition.
A study by IBS researchers has identified the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as a key region responsible for sensory hypersensitivity associated with autism spectrum disorders. The team discovered that ACC hyperactivity and brain-wide hyperconnectivity contribute to sensory abnormalities in Grin2b-mutant mice.
Researchers found that early neurodevelopmental assessments can predict long-term cerebral palsy outcomes in high-risk infants as young as 3 to 4 months corrected age. However, these tests are limited in identifying cognitive and neurodevelopmental impairments beyond CP diagnosis.
Researchers created a corticolimbic index tool that categorizes Alzheimer's disease into three subtypes based on brain changes. The study found demographic and clinical differences among sex, age at onset, and rate of cognitive decline.
Researchers will investigate sleep patterns in adolescents with TBI, explore behavioral changes in individuals with spatial neglect, and develop a caregiver training program for TBI care. The studies aim to improve treatment outcomes and rehabilitation experiences for individuals with traumatic brain injury.
A new study found that loneliness grows as people age, with a U-shaped pattern of higher levels in younger and older adulthood. Factors associated with persistent loneliness include social isolation, lower education, income, and functional limitations, as well as being divorced or widowed, a smoker, or having poorer health.
A culturally-responsive training intervention based on science of reading and math improved comprehension, visualization, and connection-making skills among 66 third-grade English language learners. The program enhanced students' performance in math by utilizing direct and explicit teaching methods, focusing on key cognitive concepts.
A study by Eötvös Loránd University found that a combination of cognitive and physical therapy improved the behavior and engagement of older dogs. However, it was discovered that cognitive exercise alone had no positive effects, while physical activity alone showed modest improvements in flexibility and friendliness.
Researchers found that a high single dose of creatine can temporarily improve cognitive performance reduced by sleep deprivation. This was seen in improvements in processing capacity and short-term memory.
A new study assesses cognitive impairment over time in adults with essential tremor, finding a cumulative prevalence of 26.6% for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 18.5% for dementia. Early detection is crucial to slow further cognitive decline and improve quality of life.
A new study found that better heart health in middle-aged Black women is linked to reduced cognitive decline and preserved brain function. However, this benefit was not observed among white women. The study suggests that taking care of one's heart may have a positive impact on brain function and overall well-being.
Beta bursts regulate neuron activity to implement cognitive control, enabling flexible but controlled patterns of neural activity for intentional thought. Studying these bursts could aid in diagnosing and treating cognitive disorders, including ADHD, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease.
Research found that higher light levels increase activity in the posterior hypothalamus, leading to improved cognitive performance during executive tasks. In contrast, lower light levels decreased activity in this region, negatively correlating with cognitive performance.
A new study by UNC-Chapel Hill researcher Jennifer E. Arnold examines how people use 'they/them' pronouns in a spoken storytelling context. The findings show that college-aged speakers are able to adopt and use nonbinary 'they' with ease, suggesting a natural process of language change.
A study published in Cell Reports found that environmental factors play a significant role in shaping metacognitive abilities, including mentalizing. The researchers used twin studies to investigate the interplay between genetics and environment on cognitive processing.
A new study found that people with cognitively stimulating occupations during midlife had a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia after age 70. The researchers analyzed data from over 300 jobs and found that high occupational cognitive demands were related to lower risks of MCI and dementia.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with jobs requiring more complex thinking had a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment after age 70. Cognitive stimulation at work during different stages of life was linked to reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment.
A recent study reveals the 3D structure of Asc1, a protein gate that controls amino acid transport in neurons. The findings provide crucial information to develop new drugs for neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, stroke, and ALS.
The study suggests that understanding brain rhythms is critical for developing effective treatments for neurological disorders like schizophrenia, epilepsy, and Parkinson's. Cognition emerges from the coordinated activity of millions of neurons via electric fields, known as brain waves or rhythms.
Researchers discovered that rats without prior knowledge of numbers can develop a sense of numbers when trained with sounds representing two or three numbers. The study found that the brain has a specific area for dealing with numbers, which is separate from the processing of magnitude.
A new review links poverty and low socioeconomic status to brain changes that influence educational attainment, psychiatric illness, and language development. Chronic stress, poor nutrition, and environmental hazards can impair brain development, leading to negative consequences for individuals and families.
Researchers from the University of Rochester found that blinking allows brains to process visual information more effectively, providing a new understanding of how humans see. By modulating visual input, blinks reformulate visual signals, enabling better perception of big patterns and overall visual scenes.
A noninvasive brain stimulation treatment, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), improved depression and anxiety symptoms among older adults. The treatment benefits persisted at a one-year follow-up, particularly among those with moderate to severe state anxiety.
A study of 156 severe COVID-19 survivors found that nearly two-thirds experienced persistent impairments after one year, including physical, respiratory, psychiatric, and cognitive problems. The study highlights the life-altering impact of SARS-CoV-2 on these individuals, many of whom required long-term acute care hospitalization.
A randomized controlled trial found that co-administration of probiotic and vitamin D supplements improved MoCA scores and increased the percentage of patients with normal cognition in individuals with schizophrenia. The study suggests that probiotics may be a novel way to treat mental disorders by regulating gut microbiota.
Research analyzed over 130 studies to find that touch benefits mental health, especially when administered by parents to infants. Touch can reduce pain, depression, and anxiety in adults, with a positive effect on cardiovascular factors.
A large naturalistic study found ECT to be effective in reducing illness severity for depression, bipolar depression, schizophrenia, and mania. Common side effects included confusion and cognitive impairment, but rare complications such as prolonged seizures and cardiovascular issues were also reported.
A new study by Kessler Foundation scientist Glenn Wylie will independently investigate brain networks associated with 'state' fatigue in MS. The research aims to validate 'state' measures of fatigue and offer a more accurate assessment of primary fatigue, potentially improving the quality of life for individuals living with MS.
Concordia researchers use network analysis to study cognitive decline, identifying key variables that predict subtle changes in brain function. Executive function and processing speed are found to be strongly influential, with age affecting cognition differently for those with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that subjective fatigue did not increase until 2 hours of play, while pupillary constriction occurred at 2 and 3 hours, indicating cognitive fatigue despite varying levels of expertise. This suggests that monitoring pupil constriction could help detect cognitive resource depletion in mentally demanding environments.