Articles tagged with Cognition
Neuroscientists have identified flexible modules in the prefrontal cortex that can be reused to perform various tasks. The discovery supports the theory of compositionality, where cognitive building blocks can be flexibly combined to generate new behaviors.
A large study found a significant association between severe mental illness and dementia at every age, with adults aged 30-39 showing a 20-fold increased risk of dementia. The study also found a higher risk of stroke in early and middle adulthood, particularly in those with severe mental illness.
Researchers at Binghamton University found that taking screenshots can degrade memory of information, contrary to the assumption that photos aid recall. They suggest attentional disengagement and cognitive offloading as possible mechanisms behind digital amnesia.
Researchers challenge traditional assumptions on synaptic potentiation and instead identify clustered patterns of connections as crucial for retaining long-term memories. Through artificial hibernation techniques, they discovered that small clusters of engram-engram synapses are preserved to enable accurate recall.
A recent Finnish study found that more screen time since childhood is associated with better cognitive processing in adolescence. The researchers recommend encouraging active thinking and problem-solving through screen use. The study also highlights the importance of balancing physical activity and sedentary time to promote brain health.
Surgical residents describe experiencing identity-related vigilance as a significant emotional and cognitive burden, contributing to fatigue and burnout. They identify opportunities on the programmatic level to mitigate negative consequences, highlighting the need for support.
An international study of 974 participants aged 50-94 found a strong correlation between ageist attitudes and self-reported memory failures. The results indicate that individuals with more restrictive views on older adult behavior experienced greater memory problems, regardless of their country of origin.
A new ACC Scientific Statement highlights the importance of considering cognitive impairment and frailty in cardiovascular care for older adults. The statement outlines practical strategies for prevention, screening, assessment, and management, aiming to improve outcomes such as independence, mobility, and caregiver burden.
Researchers are developing a smartphone-based platform that combines driving data, personalized coaching and parent engagement strategies to improve driving safety for teens with ADHD. The platform will use telematics to monitor driving behaviors while allowing parents and teens to set shared goals and track progress.
The LifeAfter90 study found that women 90 and older are at two-fold greater risk for dementia, while Black participants have a 75% greater risk than Asian participants. APOE2's protective effects continue past age 90, reducing risk by 60%, but APOE4 increases the risk among men and Black participants.
The study reveals that the amount of available resources determines whether an organism relies on its memory or makes decisions based on current sensory input. Memory becomes most useful when sensory information is moderately uncertain, providing a significant improvement in performance.
Researchers at UCLA found a statistically significant relationship between cellphone ownership and lower reading scores in third and sixth graders. Children who owned cellphones had poorer comprehension regardless of whether they brought the phone to school or not.
Research explores whether eyes being open or closed affects brain activity related to mind wandering and arousal. Brain activity associated with arousal has opposite effects on mind wandering depending on eye state, suggesting a context-dependent relationship.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University found that traveling waves in rat brains are linked to information transfer in consciousness, but the amount of transfer entropy is higher during anesthesia than wakefulness. The study suggests that the awake brain selectively regulates information for reliable communication.
A new review article synthesizes information on neural traveling waves, concluding they are a computational engine in the visual cortex. These waves allow the brain to build internal representations of the external world, enabling prediction and perception.
A new review proposes a roadmap for developing cognitive brain-computer interfaces to treat cognitive disorders, integrating BCI research and clinical neuromodulation. The emerging field aims to detect dysfunctional brain states and respond with adaptive neurostimulation.
Researchers discovered that brain regions switch between shared and independent timing, allowing for flexibility in coordination. This finding provides a new framework for understanding how brain regions communicate and enables the development of brain-inspired artificial intelligence and robotic control systems.
Researchers used PET imaging to find significantly lower muscarinic acetylcholine M1 receptor availability in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy individuals. This study provides the first in vivo evidence of widespread M1 receptor deficits in schizophrenia, supporting the development of muscarinic-based therapies.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have found a way to intervene early in traumatic brain injuries using a natural, gut-derived chemical that prevents post-traumatic epilepsy from taking root. The treatment reduced brain inflammation, improved memory and mood, protected brain cells, made seizures both rarer and harder to trigger.
The University of Cincinnati launches the Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research (CANDR) to improve dementia prevention and treatment outcomes. CANDR aligns with UC's mission to innovate and engage locally while addressing one of the region's most pressing public health challenges.
A new study from Ohio State University found that using screens to calm children has different effects on cognitive development depending on the child. The research suggests that parents need more resources, including access to outdoor spaces and mindfulness tools, to help their children regulate their emotions and develop healthy rela...
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science found that revealing visual elements sequentially and matching each element with the speaker's narration improves attention and learning. Participants in a cumulative presentation format showed higher test scores compared to whole-slide presentations.
Researchers found that smelling dark chocolate odors increased training volume and suppressed hunger, while milk chocolate had no effect. The study suggests that food scents can trigger changes in body and mind similar to actual consumption.
A new study finds that human cortical neurons have remarkable computational capabilities, surpassing those of other mammals. The researchers developed a new method to measure the complexity of individual neurons, revealing their sophisticated computing power.
A cohort study of nearly 20,000 NFL players revealed that players are dying of dementia and Parkinson’s disease at much higher rates than the general population. The study found a fourfold increase in neurodegenerative mortality among NFL players compared to the general population.
Researchers discovered astrocytes actively preserve long-term memories by regulating Ank2 and BDNF signaling. This finding expands the understanding of how memories are stored in the brain.
Researchers warn that AI faces are becoming increasingly trustworthy, with the latest diffusion model outperforming earlier models. This poses significant risks of online fraud and erosion of trust in society, as people become more susceptible to fake faces used for nefarious purposes.
Researchers found minor cardiac dysfunction can predict microscopic tissue degradation in brain regions associated with Alzheimer's disease, leading to poor long-term memory performance.
Researchers found that more ambiguous material situations require active exploration of objects using head movements and hand manipulations. Individual differences in these behaviors were linked to improved material discrimination accuracy.
Researchers used LLMs to analyze verbal reports of decision-making processes and found that people's own insights are a valuable source of data. The framework also showed that reasons people rely on shift systematically with the structure of the decision problem.
A cross-cultural study found that people across six countries divide mental capacities into two broad groups: Perceptual-Experiential (emerging early) and Reflective-Evaluative (emerging later). This structure suggests a shared, intuitive framework for understanding mental development.
A longitudinal study found that higher screen viewing time during infancy and school-entry age was associated with poorer academic performance and weaker working memory. The study suggests that the timing of screen exposure may be as important as the amount of screen time itself.
Researchers discovered that the brain uses both sharpening and refining strategies to process expected and unexpected events. Expected events lead to rapid responses but poor memory recall, while unexpected events receive sensory priority and are better remembered.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered a surprising bias in non-conscious processing: negative spoken words are less likely to reach conscious awareness than neutral ones. This challenges traditional assumptions about how emotional information gains access to conscious awareness.
A team of researchers from Hiroshima University has identified a unique molecule, GPR3, that rapidly responds to upstream signals and induces downstream signaling in neurons. This discovery sheds light on the early stages of neuronal development and its dysregulation in neurological disorders.
Wild female chickadees prefer males with strong spatial cognition to increase the likelihood of successful reproduction and good parental care. Males with better spatial learning and memory abilities sired more extra-pair young and raised heavier chicks, which are more likely to survive.
Researchers at USC are conducting a clinical trial to determine whether mindfulness meditation training can augment the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy for mental well-being and cognitive function. The study will evaluate the effects of psilocybin within an eight-week mindfulness meditation training program.
A new study investigates whether obesity contributes to faster brain aging and earlier memory decline. Researchers found that high K63 polyubiquitination levels in young obese rats matched those seen in older brains, suggesting a connection between obesity-induced and age-related memory loss.
A study of 80 concussed teens found that moderate screen time in the first 3 days after a concussion is linked to faster recovery. The researchers analyzed data and found that an average of 141 minutes of daily screen time sped up symptom resolution by 35%. Balanced use, rather than total avoidance, may be helpful for concussion recovery.
Postoperative delirium is a strong predictor of long-term cognitive decline in older adults, according to a new study. Researchers found that delirium was associated with faster cognitive decline than mild cognitive impairment, and rehospitalizations did not explain the effect.
Indiana University Professor Tom James proposes a new explanation for decision-making, suggesting that the brain's sensory, sensorimotor, and motor processes work together to select actions, rather than a central 'decision-making' process. This approach offers a more parsimonious alternative to traditional theories.
Researchers at UCLA Health have identified a brain region called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) that regulates memory integration. The vmPFC acts as a quality control checkpoint, preventing memories from getting mixed up when they are significantly different or far apart in time.
A new analysis argues that current scientific methods may not be capable of reliably answering questions about AI consciousness. The study highlights the importance of developing more precise methods to investigate subjective experience, crucial for evaluating claims about animal welfare, AI ethics, or bioethics.
A new preclinical study finds that estrogen loss in the extracellular matrix of the hippocampus may contribute to memory decline and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in postmenopausal women. The study suggests a possible new treatment approach focused on restoring the brain's supportive environment.
Researchers at UC Riverside have identified a key neural circuit, the locus coeruleus, which plays a central role in cognitive flexibility and adapting to new rules. Disrupting this circuit impairs the brain's ability to reorganize neural networks during complex decision-making.
A cohort study found that participants with unfavorable long-term memory trajectories were less active and more sedentary, suggesting a link between cognitive change and later-life movement patterns. The study's results have implications for understanding the relationship between aging, cognition, and physical activity.
A post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial found high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation in pregnancy to be positively associated with visual memory, verbal memory, and flexibility among offspring at age 10. This strengthens evidence on the association between prenatal vitamin D exposure and childhood cognition.
Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children have developed a method to predict attention lapses in children using real-time brain signals. A brief targeted intervention can restore focus when delivered exactly at the moment of predicted lapse.
A new UCL study reveals that heavy caring responsibilities can accelerate mental decline in people aged 50 and over. Lighter caring duties, on the other hand, can be beneficial to mental abilities. The researchers found that intensive carers are most at risk and need stronger support.
A new study with over 3,700 UK participants found that better cognitive functioning may be associated with a higher risk of future depressive episodes in those with a history of depression. In contrast, worse cognitive performance was linked to a lower risk of relapse in both individuals with previous depression and control participants.
Unsecure firearm storage is common among older adults with subjective cognitive decline, despite clinical guidance recommending secure storage for those with cognitive symptoms. The study highlights the need for improved household practices and access to fire safety education.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has developed guidelines for treating anxiety disorders in adults in primary care settings. Behavioral therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are recommended treatments.
The new framework, published in PNAS Nexus, offers guidance for building human-AI teams that are effective, accountable, and aligned with human values. It focuses on reasoning, memory, and attention as core processes that can be distributed across people and AI systems.
Researchers found that the rostral prefrontal cortex acts as a bridge between the default mode network and executive control network, enabling a gradual functional transition. The study suggests that creativity relies on a measurable balance between these networks.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that half of older patients with dementia remain on psychotropic drugs a year after starting them. The medications, including antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, are often prescribed in acute and post-acute settings such as emergency rooms and skilled nursing facilities. This raises c...
A cross-sectional study found that older adults are disproportionately prescribed medications affecting cognition from acute or postacute care settings. This highlights the need to target prescriptions from these settings to reduce such prescribing.
Researchers at UCSF discovered that single-celled organism Stentor learns through modifying existing proteins with calcium signaling, which is similar to the mechanism used by animal neurons. This finding suggests that learning may be a fundamental feature of life and could have evolved before the emergence of brains.
A new study suggests that language and theory of mind, two complex cognitive functions, have distinct origins in the brain in young children. Researchers found separate but related brain regions for these skills, which do not overlap or grow more distinct as the mind matures.
A cross-sectional study found no association between longer breastfeeding duration and cognitive performance in unadjusted models, however, a positive correlation emerged after controlling for socioeconomic factors. Longer breastfeeding durations were more common among low-income families, highlighting the need for continued support.
The Individual Brain Charting project has released its fifth update with a new set of cognitive tasks, expanding the dataset to 40 hours of scanned data per participant. This provides an exceptionally rich resource for studying individual variability in brain organisation and understanding brain function.