Articles tagged with Cognitive Control
Researchers found that higher eye-blink rates in 3-6 year-olds are associated with improved cognitive flexibility and activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that spontaneous eye-blink rate could be a non-invasive indicator for tracking executive function and brain development in early childhood.
A new UCLA study has found a connection between brain aging and gut biology, suggesting that people's brains may be aging decades before symptoms appear. The study, published in eBioMedicine, analyzed brain scans and stool samples to identify a link between brain communication patterns, gut bacteria, and brain aging.
A study involving 48 preschool children found that brief digital or traditional gameplay improved performance on tasks requiring quick responses, but reduced performance on tasks demanding greater concentration and self-control. The study suggests that these play sessions temporarily enhance automatic attentional processes at the expen...
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 new study led by Brown University researchers found that pupil dilation signals a spike in arousal, enabling the brain to adapt to new situations and learn from unexpected information. This 'refresh' mechanism helps to reduce bias and improve learning by replacing mental context with new information.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that the brain can remodel its architecture to automate learned tasks, enabling true multitasking. This challenge previous theories on human multitasking and has implications for artificial intelligence capable of building on prior learning.
Researchers found biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease that correlated with minor cognitive differences in midlife adults. These biomarkers, measuring tau and amyloid plaque, were associated with a greater chance of cognitive decline, particularly in processing speed and executive function.
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.
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.
Researchers developed a nasal spray that reversibly reduces brain inflammation, restores cellular power plants, and improves memory. The treatment bypasses the brain's protective shield through intranasal delivery, suppressing chronic inflammation and promoting successful brain aging.
Researchers discovered a crucial connection between the two hippocampal hemispheres in mice, which is necessary for navigation and remembering locations. The study also found that this circuit is altered in mice carrying a genetic mutation associated with schizophrenia.
A new review paper proposes that brain categorization is part of a predictive process to efficiently meet needs, rather than an intellectual exercise comparing sensory inputs to a fixed prototype. This approach predicts the world and anticipates actions, allowing for efficient survival and thriving in a fast-paced environment.
A new study found that cannabis intoxication disrupts many types of memory, including verbal, visuospatial, and episodic content memory. Participants who consumed cannabis performed significantly worse than the placebo group on most measures, with significant differences appearing in 15 of the 21 tests.
A new study found that middle and high school students spend nearly one-third of the school day on their smartphones, with frequent checking linked to weaker attention and impulse control. The study also found that students who checked their phones more frequently showed poorer cognitive control, a key skill for learning and academic s...
Researchers found differences in how brain regions work together during certain cognitive tasks in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The findings may lead to new treatment targets for OCD, especially when involving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
BrainHealth Week 2026 will explore precision brain health, biosensor technology, and mental resilience, offering actionable strategies for improving daily performance and quality of life. The event brings together industry leaders, scientific community, students, and the community at large to discuss practical roadmap for longevity.
Researchers at NUS Medicine have found a critical driver of neural stem cell function during ageing, called DMTF1. Restoring DMTF1 expression can restore neural stem cell regeneration capabilities in aged brain cells.
The researchers are studying how brief, playful social interactions affect brain function and cognitive performance in older adults using advanced brain imaging techniques. They aim to develop simple and inexpensive interventions that can be implemented in clinical settings and in the community.
Scientists Sharon Swanger and Shannon Farris study how mitochondria in vulnerable memory circuits become overloaded with calcium, contributing to early memory breakdowns. Their research aims to find early signs of stress or failure in the entorhinal cortex-hippocampus circuit.
Researchers analyzed 139 neuroimaging studies on cognitive conflict tasks across 3,765 participants aged 5-85, revealing an inverted U-shaped lifespan developmental trajectory in brain activities associated with cognitive control. The peak age of brain activity was found to be between 27 and 36 years.
Hyperthymesics possess extraordinary control over memories of life events, organizing them within a mental space for vivid recall. This ability allows for intense mental travel through time, with some individuals recalling details from different points of view.
A neural pattern predicting self-focused thinking has been identified in people with a tendency to internalize. Fluctuating brain activity during rest is associated with maladaptive self-interest, which can lead to depression and anxiety. Researchers hope their findings will help predict the onset of mental health conditions.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that avoidant coping plays a key role in lowering the quality of life for mental health providers. Long-term training in adaptive coping strategies and fostering an internal sense of control can improve provider well-being and client outcomes.
Remote, scalable cognitive behavioral therapy-based treatments improved pain and quality-of-life outcomes for individuals with high-impact chronic pain. These lower-resource treatments could increase availability of evidence-based nonpharmacologic pain treatments.
A new study from the University of Southern California reveals that just 30 days of guided mindfulness meditation can significantly enhance key aspects of attentional control. The study demonstrates that even short-term meditation can lead to measurable cognitive improvements, particularly in reaction speed.
Research finds that mild physical activity affects brainstem dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons, leading to improved executive function. Blink frequency increases in individuals showing cognitive benefits from exercise.
A new study found that runners who focus on a single point ahead of them, such as the finish line, can increase their effort and performance. This mental strategy, known as attentional narrowing, was associated with faster running times and higher heart rates.
A new study found that staying active through moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with significantly better processing speed, working memory, and executive function in older adults. Even small changes to daily activities can have big impacts on brain health.
Researchers at UCLA Health are launching a clinical trial to test whether wearable nerve stimulation can ease ADHD symptoms in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. The study aims to improve focus and behavior by gently stimulating the trigeminal nerve, which is linked to attention and executive function.
A new study from the University of Kansas explores the role of working memory in word problem-solving for students with and without math difficulties. Researchers found that using interventions to improve working memory can benefit students who struggle with math, reducing cognitive load and improving word problem-solving ability.
A new study found that a specific brain circuit is associated with the intensity of political involvement, regardless of political ideology. The researchers analyzed data from 124 male military veterans who had experienced penetrating head trauma and found lesions to this circuit in both liberal and conservative participants.
Groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia shows that any form of exercise can significantly boost brain function and memory across children, adults, and older adults. Regular exercise improves general cognition, memory, and executive function in both healthy individuals and those with clinical conditions.
A study found that maternal depression can negatively influence children's executive function and lead to emotional overeating. Mothers with postpartum depression may model unhealthy coping mechanisms for their children, affecting their ability to regulate emotions and develop healthy eating habits.
A longitudinal study found that neural changes in teenagers' brain networks for reward processing and executive functioning improve with age. The researchers discovered changes in the strength of communication between brain regions as people aged, associated with improved reward-related decision-making and executive function.
Researchers found that brain connectivity related to cognitive control predicted substance use initiation, while cognitive control behavior did not. Stronger connectivity between the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was associated with delayed substance use onset.
A new study found that combining physical warmups with short bursts of cognitive tasks enhances athletic performance. Researchers discovered a 'Goldilocks effect,' where the right balance between cognitive and physical activities is key to optimal performance.
Researchers found that negative early life experiences can lead to delayed brain development in adolescents, increasing vulnerability to mental health disorders. The study suggests brain connectivity rather than cognitive control behavior is a stronger predictor of future substance use.
A new study reveals multilingualism enhances executive function skills, including focus, understanding perspectives, communication, and reduces repetitive behaviors in both autistic and non-autistic children. Parents of multilingual households report stronger overall executive function compared to mono-lingual households.
A Dutch cohort study found that early-life moderate to vigorous physical activity was not associated with executive function in middle childhood. In contrast, children who participated in team sports at ages 10 to 11 showed superior executive function compared to those participating in individual sports.
A study of over 4,000 participants found that those with both conditions showed faster memory impairment. The researchers suggest that the combination of joint pain and depressive symptoms can lead to an 'overlap' of information in the brain, causing cognitive decline.
A cohort study found asthma to be associated with memory difficulties in children, which may impact executive function abilities. Earlier asthma onset is likely to exacerbate these effects.
A team led by Dr. William Killgore is investigating a non-invasive treatment for insomnia using magnetic pulses that suppress the default mode network in the brain. Preliminary findings suggest that this approach can improve sleep quality in individuals with chronic insomnia.
A US cohort study found that prenatal cannabis exposure was associated with differences in executive function and aggressive behavior in children at age 5. The study's results may inform clinical recommendations on cannabis use during pregnancy.
A cross-sectional study of 170 former football players found a strong association between repeated head impacts and increased perivascular space volume, as well as worse cognitive test performance. The findings suggest that PVS volume may contribute to the link between RHI exposure and neurodegeneration.
Researchers have discovered a link between cognitive impairments and brain network organization in individuals at risk of developing psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. This finding suggests an opportunity for early diagnosis and intervention, potentially through non-invasive neuromodulation.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that one-fourth of patients in a coma or vegetative state showed clear signs of cognitive function on brain scans despite being unable to move or speak. This significant frequency of undetected responsiveness suggests that many seemingly unconscious patients may be a...
Researchers have uncovered new insights into how the brain regulates imitative behavior, a phenomenon that facilitates interaction and social cohesion. The study used advanced brain stimulation technique to pinpoint the causal role of different circuits in facilitating or inhibiting automatic imitation.
Researchers from Stellenbosch University discovered that using work-related content during golf sessions reduces performance, whereas personal activities have little to no effect. The study suggests a clear distinction between leisure and professional use of smartphones in recreational settings.
Researchers have developed Nano-MIND technology, which uses magnetism to selectively activate specific deep brain neural circuits, modulating complex brain functions such as cognition and emotion. The technology has been successfully tested in animals, demonstrating its potential to regulate feeding behaviors and maternal instincts.
Researchers analyzed over 1.5 million patient records to find that metformin and SGLT-2 inhibitors lowered dementia and Alzheimer's disease risks compared to other antidiabetic drugs. The study suggests individualized treatment approaches considering patient-specific factors for optimal diabetes management.
Researchers discovered that young adults with higher levels of inflammation were more likely to experience reduced cognitive function in midlife. Higher inflammation was associated with lower performance on skills testing and differences in executive functioning.
Researchers found that Black women living near areas of unrest experienced higher levels of emotional eating and stress, while those in safer neighborhoods engaged in cognitive restraint. The study suggests that vicarious racial discrimination can lead to race-based traumatic stress and poor mental and physical health outcomes.
A new study found that physical activity and cognitive training can improve life satisfaction and mood for adults with Down’s syndrome. The Mindsets study involved 83 participants who were assigned to one of four groups for an eight-week period, including a control group, light physical exercise, or BrainHQ activities.
A multi-center study found that healthy older adults with beta-amyloid deposits showed significantly less training improvement in cognitive tasks. However, individuals without amyloid deposits demonstrated better cognitive plasticity and training effectiveness.
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 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 study by Duke and Columbia Universities found that non-white older adults with mild cognitive impairment reside in areas with more environmental injustices than their white peers. The study suggests that location, race, and environmental factors may interact to impact brain health.
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.
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.
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.