Articles tagged with Cognitive Control
Neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh identified key brain regions influencing the adrenal medulla, shedding light on the mind-body connection. The study provides a neural basis for psychosomatic illness and suggests meditation and exercise can modulate stress responses by targeting specific cortical areas.
Researchers at Rice University found a link between emotional stress and Type 2 diabetes, with low inhibition leading to increased pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6. The study showed that individuals with poor inhibition were more likely to develop diabetes due to the pathway from high anxiety to inflammation.
The DFG has approved a second funding period for TU Dresden's Collaborative Research Centre CRC 940, investigating the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying self-control and volitional action. The centre aims to elucidate impairments of self-control in mental disorders such as addictions or eating disorders.
A new University of Toronto study examines the effect of infant vocalizations on adult cognitive conflict processing and attention. The research found that infant cries reduce attention to tasks and trigger greater cognitive conflict than infant laughs.
Researchers used transitional probability to segment natural language and found it effective for 49-86% of word identification across languages. The method performed better on stress-timed languages, while mora-timed languages required relative thresholding.
A recent U of T study found that acetaminophen inhibits Error Related Negativity and Error Related Positivity in the brain, indicating impaired conscious awareness of errors. The research suggests potential implications for cognitive control in daily life.
Research reveals that bilingual babies exhibit stronger brain responses to speech sounds compared to monolingual peers. Bilingualism is shown to shape cognitive development and improve executive function skills, with babies displaying sensitivity to both languages from 11 months of age.
Researchers found that unpredictable components in memory training enhance episodic memory recall, particularly in older adults. The study suggests that training with unpredictability increases cognitive control, leading to better performance in recalling autobiographical events.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati suggests that prenatal exposure to flame retardants and PFASs may have a lasting impact on executive function in children, characterized by impairments in focus, working memory, delegation of tasks, and emotional control. The research evaluated levels of PBDEs and PFASs in mothers during pr...
A recent study by Texas A&M University found that students who used standing desks showed significant improvements in executive function and working memory capabilities. The research, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, is the first to objectively examine students' cognitive responses to ...
Research reveals fundamental rules governing brain regions' ability to exert control over thoughts and actions, using structural imaging techniques and network science. The frontal cortex's role in cognitive control is mechanistically explained, shedding light on its dynamic control of trillions of individual neurons.
Lachman has made significant contributions to understanding lifespan development, self-regulatory processes, and socioeconomic disparities in health and cognition. Her research has yielded original findings on the impact of modifiable psychosocial and behavioral factors on health and well-being.
Researchers developed a way to convert brain scans into wiring diagrams, revealing fundamental rules governing cognitive control and the frontal cortex's role in controlling thoughts and actions. The study highlights the importance of location and connectivity between brain regions.
A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found lower conflict-related brain activity in adolescents at high risk for psychosis, indicating a potential predictor of psychotic disorders. The researchers used fMRI scans to measure cognitive flexibility and detected reduced activation in key brain regions.
A new study found that higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels are associated with increased brain volume in key brain regions and enhanced executive function performance. The research suggests that exercising can improve brain health and cognitive abilities as we age.
A study by Penn and German researchers reveals that cognitive flexibility is predicted by the degree to which brain networks reconfigure themselves. Participants who performed best on alternating tasks showed more rearrangement of connections within their frontal cortices and new connections with other areas of their brains.
A study of nearly 24,000 participants found that stroke survivors experienced a faster rate of incident cognitive impairment after the event, as well as accelerated and persistent declines in global cognition and executive function. Cognitive decline is a major cause of disability in stroke survivors.
A recent study published in Psychopharmacology found that lisdexamfetamine improved executive functions and objective measures of cognitive decline in post-menopausal women. The research suggests that the drug may help alleviate difficulties with memory, time management, and other cognitive tasks.
A randomized clinical trial found that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil or nuts improved cognitive function in older adults, particularly in memory composite. The study suggests that this dietary approach may counteract age-related cognitive decline and offer preventive strategies for dementia.
A new study reveals that making a Lower Paleolithic hand axe requires complex cognitive control by the prefrontal cortex, including working memory and strategic thinking. The skill of making a hand axe is more complicated than previously thought, involving nuanced technological judgments.
A study using fMRI scans found that unnecessary brain activity hinders learning, while reduced neural connections facilitate faster skill acquisition. The researchers' novel analysis methods revealed complex brain networks and community structures that correlate with individual differences in learning rates.
Researchers found that quicker learners use different brain regions and have more interconnected networks, while slower learners rely on more individualized brain activity. The study provides insight into the neural mechanisms behind skill learning and practice.
A federally funded meta-analysis of 25 years' worth of research found no conclusive evidence that developing students' executive function skills leads to better academic performance. The study analyzed 67 studies and controlled for various characteristics, including parental education and socioeconomic status.
A clinical trial funded by Autism Speaks' DELSIA will test a cognitive video game designed to improve executive function skills in children and adolescents with autism. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the game, Project: EVO, in improving brain function and motor skills.
Researchers found that teenagers who relied on executive function processes, particularly in the pre-frontal cortex, were more successful in losing weight. Successful programs involve repeated practice and ramping up challenges to executive control, such as computerized training and aerobic physical activity.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that type 2 diabetes is associated with worse performance on cognitive tests measuring executive functions. Researchers analyzed 60 studies involving over 80,000 individuals with type 2 diabetes and their counterparts without it.
A recent study published in Journal of Gerontology reveals that cardiorespiratory fitness has a positive impact on long-term memory in older adults. The research found that participants with higher levels of physical fitness performed better on cognitive tasks and showed improved executive function.
A new study by researchers at NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that an educational approach focused on executive functions improved academic learning in kindergarten. The findings suggest that programs like Tools of the Mind can have lasting benefits for children, particularly those in poverty.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that a kindergarten program focused on executive functions improved academic learning and reduced achievement gaps. The program, Tools of the Mind, was shown to enhance working memory, attention control, and socio-dramatic play skills, leading to better reading and vocabulary results in first grade.
A new study found that ALS patients have difficulty with verb processing compared to noun processing. The research suggests that motor deficits and language impairment are two separate aspects of the disease.
A new study published in the journal AGE found that both high-intensity aerobic and strength-training programs, as well as gross motor activities, can improve executive functions in older adults. The study suggests that physical activity is a key factor in maintaining cognitive health across age groups.
A new study reveals that frequent media multitasking is associated with lower grey-matter density in the anterior cingulate cortex, a region responsible for cognitive and emotional control. The research supports earlier findings on the link between multitasking and poor attention, depression, and anxiety.
Researchers found that magnetic stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) increases cravings for high-calorie snacks and consumption among healthy young women. Weakening DLPFC activity also reduces inhibitory control strength and increases reward sensitivity, making individuals more susceptible to overeating.
Researchers identified six hub regions as crucial for cognitive function and found that damage to these areas caused widespread cognitive impairments. In contrast, lesions to other locations resulted in significantly less impairment. This study's findings may improve diagnosis and prognosis for brain injury patients.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago discovered hyper-connected emotional and cognitive networks in the brains of young adults who had previously experienced depression. These hyper-connectivities were related to rumination, a maladaptive strategy that can lead to depression and relapse.
Researchers found that rule monitoring, an executive function, facilitates more accurate prospective memory in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study identified predictors of prospective memory deficit post-TBI and highlights the importance of including rule monitoring in clinical assessments.
A recent study by Nanyang Technological University scientists found that playing puzzle games like Cut the Rope can significantly improve executive functions in adults. Players showed improved ability to switch tasks, adapt to new situations, and block out distractions.
Neuroscientists found that hand gestures are part of prosody, influencing how meaning is interpreted. The study demonstrates the role of gestures in speech prosody, highlighting their importance in human communication.
A study found that young adult men who watched more violent TV showed less mature brain development and poorer executive functioning. The researchers measured mental abilities and brain structure using psychological testing and MRI scans, revealing a link between violent TV viewing and irregular brain development.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that children who spend more time in less structured activities are better able to meet their own goals and exhibit self-directed executive function. In contrast, those with more structured schedules have poorer self-directed executive function skills.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that musical training improves executive functioning in both children and adults. Musically trained individuals showed enhanced performance on cognitive tests and increased activation of specific brain areas associated with executive function.
A recent study published in Annals of Neurology found that individuals who speak two or more languages may experience slower cognitive decline and improved cognitive abilities later in life. The research controlled for childhood intelligence and showed a significant impact on general intelligence, reading, and other cognitive functions.
Researchers found that forgiving a transgression can facilitate forgetting of its details, especially when the participant is instructed to forget. The study's findings suggest that forgiveness may be linked to suppression of negative memories and emotions.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that lisdexamfetamine can improve executive function domains in post-menopausal women, including organization, working memory, and recall. The study enrolled 30 women between 48-60 years old with diminished ability to focus and multi-task during early menopause.
A new study using MRI scans has found disrupted connections between different areas of the brain in children and adolescents with ADHD. The research suggests that these abnormalities may be related to the symptoms of ADHD, such as inattention and hyperactivity.
Researchers isolated implicit from explicit learning processes, revealing separate cognitive systems. The findings have implications for child development, cognitive aging, and educational training.
Research challenges dominant view that self-control is a limited resource. Inzlicht and colleagues propose prioritizing enjoyable tasks over obligatory ones, taking breaks, and planning for motivational fluctuations.
A recent study published in Neurology found that heavy drinking in middle age is associated with faster decline in all areas of cognitive function in men. Moderate drinking, on the other hand, may not harm memory and executive function.
Older adults who received brief cognitive training showed improvements in reasoning ability, speed-of-processing, and everyday tasks. Even booster sessions had lasting benefits up to 10 years later.
A NYU study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that mindfulness training, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, improved attentional task performance in incarcerated adolescents. The intervention showed a protective effect on youths' attentional capacity, leading to better self-control and reduced anti-social behavior.
A specially designed 3-D video game has been shown to improve cognitive performance in healthy older adults. The game, NeuroRacer, enhances cognitive control and reverses some of the negative effects of aging on the brain.
A Kessler Foundation researcher has reported pilot results from a virtual reality executive function task, distinguishing between participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and healthy controls. The study assessed executive functions such as planning and problem-solving in a virtual office setting.
Research found that eating lunch with friends reduces cognitive control and calms individuals, while improving social harmony. The study suggests that reduced cognitive control can be beneficial in situations where social harmony or creativity is desired.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience reveals that healthy individuals who experience auditory hallucinations have a unique brain response compared to those without mental illness. The researchers discovered that the primary auditory cortex of these individuals reacts less to external stimuli, allowing them to dir...
Researchers discover that moral judgment is associated with feelings of warmth and compassion towards someone in distress, specifically reduced empathic concern in utilitarian responders. The study shows that empathy is not the primary driver of moral decision-making, but rather a diminished emotional response.
A study using fMRI found that first-year college students' brains showed habituation to alcohol-related stimuli and alterations in cognitive control networks. Changes in neural connections may influence decision-making and judgment abilities. The research suggests that exposure to alcohol cues can disrupt brain development, particularl...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that inhibiting the brain's filter can improve performance in creative tasks. Inhibiting the left prefrontal cortex reduced missed responses and increased correct answers by a second when completing an uncommon-use task.
A study reveals bilingual children exhibit superior working memory abilities compared to monolingual children. The research suggests that bilingualism enhances global executive function development.
Research shows that children's executive function and vocabulary development play a crucial role in the formation of complex thinking skills as young as age 4.5. High executive function skills at school entry are related to higher reasoning skills in adolescence.
A study found that impaired executive function may exacerbate impulsiveness and increase the risk of developing alcohol dependence in adult offspring of individuals with a family history of alcohol dependence. This cognitive endophenotype is associated with decreased EF capabilities and high levels of impulsivity.