Articles tagged with Human Thought
A study published in Neurology found that developing diabetes and high blood pressure in middle age is associated with brain cell loss and cognitive problems later in life. Middle-aged individuals with these conditions had smaller brain volume and increased risk of thinking and memory issues compared to those without the conditions.
A new study found that iron deficiency is associated with lower IQ scores and poorer higher-order thinking skills in children adopted from institutions. Children with more severe iron deficiency were more likely to have impaired cognitive functioning, regardless of their general cognitive ability.
A new study suggests that a history of concussion may be related to the buildup of Alzheimer's-associated plaques in the brain. In people with memory and thinking problems, higher levels of amyloid plaques were found compared to those without head trauma.
Studies show that concussions can lead to brain abnormalities four months after symptoms have resolved, with memory and behavioral issues improving more quickly than physical injuries. These findings suggest that healing from concussions may be similar to recovering from burns, with tissue scabs forming before the body is fully healed.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may not have a protective effect on cognitive decline in older women. Despite initial hopes, the research did not find a difference between high and low levels of omega-3s in thinking skills.
The Rim Fire has grown to become the fourth largest fire in California's history, spanning over 231,000 acres. Burnout operations have shown success on the northern and southern portions of the fire.
A study of 72 volunteers found that playing real-time strategy games like StarCraft improved cognitive flexibility and strategic thinking. The researchers suggest that these games can promote the ability to think on the fly and learn from past mistakes.
Researchers found that CTE primarily affects behavior and mood, while memory and thinking abilities are also impacted. The study suggests that athletes with CTE experience symptoms at a younger age, with mood/behavior problems appearing at an average age of 35.
A study of 36 male athletes with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) found that the disease initially affects behavior or mood and later impacts memory and thinking abilities. The researchers discovered notable differences in symptoms between those experiencing behavior problems and those with memory and thinking issues.
A study of 60 older adults found that consuming two cups of hot cocoa per day for 30 days improved blood flow to the brain and enhanced working memory skills. The participants who started with impaired blood flow showed significant improvements in these areas, while those with regular blood flow showed no change.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that brain activity in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) is linked to persuasiveness and idea sharing. This finding could lead to more effective public health campaigns, advertisements, and communication strategies.
A study published in Neurology found that people who experience stroke-like symptoms are at increased risk of developing memory and thinking problems. The research used a quick seven-question test to identify individuals at risk of dementia.
Research found that people with atrial fibrillation experience lower memory and thinking scores at earlier ages, with faster decline rates compared to those without the condition. Cognitive impairment or dementia risk may be higher for those with atrial fibrillation, particularly after age 75.
A study published in Neurology found that adhering to a Mediterranean diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in saturated fats may help preserve cognitive functioning. However, the association was not found in people with diabetes.
A new study reveals that slow-firing neurons are essential for higher-order thinking and mental representations, which are compromised in diseases like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's. The research identifies NMDA-NR2B receptors as key regulators of neuronal firing.
Researchers found that participants are conscious of substituting harder questions with easier ones, but still uncertain about their answers. This suggests they are not 'happy fools' who blindly answer incorrectly.
Researchers found that brain regions responsible for making decisions continue to be active even when the conscious brain is distracted, leading to better decision-making. The study suggests that our brains unconsciously process decision information in ways that improve effective problem-solving and decision-making.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic find that cardiac disease is associated with increased risk of mild cognitive impairment, particularly among women. The study suggests that preventing and managing cardiac disease may help reduce the risk of non-Alzheimer's dementias.
The article highlights the contributions fMRI has made to understanding human thought over the past two decades, with some researchers questioning its usefulness. The special section features 12 provocative articles exploring the impact of fMRI on cognition and brain function.
Researchers found that men whose mothers had high blood pressure during pregnancy scored lower on thinking ability tests at age 69 and had a greater decline over time. The study also did not find an association between premature birth or the father's occupation.
A study of 398 men found that those whose mothers had high blood pressure during pregnancy scored lower on thinking ability tests at age 69 compared to those whose mothers did not have high blood pressure. This effect was strongest for math-related reasoning and persisted even after controlling for other factors.
A study of 313 healthy postmenopausal women found that long-term soy protein consumption had no significant effect on overall cognitive ability. However, visual memory and facial recognition were improved by 13% compared to a milk protein placebo.
A study published in Neurology found that exposure to solvents can lead to cognitive impairment in less-educated individuals, while those with higher education levels remain unaffected. The study, which analyzed data from 4,134 workers, suggests that improving early education may protect against future cognitive decline.
A new UBC study reveals that engaging in analytical thinking can lead to decreased religious belief, even among devout individuals. The research, published in the journal Science, sheds light on the psychology of religious belief and suggests that cognitive systems play a crucial role in shaping spiritual convictions.
A new study found that repeated blows to the brain can cause measurable changes in memory and thinking after a certain threshold, despite earlier brain volume changes. Athletes with more years of fighting and fights per year performed worse on memory and thinking tests.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that hospitalization in older adults is associated with a faster rate of cognitive decline. The study, which analyzed data from 1,870 participants over 12 years, found that overall cognitive function declined more than twice as fast after a first hospital stay.
A new study found that older people's memory and thinking skills decline faster after a first hospital stay compared to before or after discharge. Hospital stays were linked to significant declines in memory scores on specific tests, lasting even after adjusting for severe illness and age.
A new study by USC researchers reveals that creativity requires both hemispheres of the brain, with the left hemisphere playing a crucial supporting role. The study found that visual creative tasks lit up the left hemisphere more than non-creative tasks, indicating its potential importance in creative thinking.
A new study by Pankaj Aggarwal and Ann L. McGill found that humanizing brands can influence consumer behavior, with participants more likely to take the stairs if they imagined a healthy brand like Kellogg's and more likely to take the elevator if they thought of an unhealthy brand like Krispy Kreme. In contrast, participants who thoug...
A clinical trial found that using a nicotine patch for six months improved long-term memory in people with mild cognitive impairment by 46%. The study, published in Neurology, suggests that nicotine may be beneficial for early signs of memory loss.
A study found that people with diets high in omega-3 fatty acids and certain vitamins had lower brain shrinkage and better mental thinking test scores compared to those with low nutrient intake. The study also showed that trans fats, commonly found in processed foods, were linked to increased brain shrinkage.
Researchers found that the structure of cognitive change remains consistent across adulthood, with age-related declines varying in direction and magnitude. The study's findings advance understanding of the aging brain and may inform interventions to improve cognitive functioning.
A new study by Taoli Zhang and colleagues found that Chinese people fluent in English quickly translate Chinese words into English without conscious thought. This suggests a strong connection between languages stored in the bilingual brain.
A University of Illinois study found that high-quality youth arts and leadership programs help teens develop strategic thinking skills, including learning to anticipate unexpected twists and turns. Teens who participated in these programs reported improved time management, goal-setting, and critical thinking abilities.
Researchers found that people who used marijuana performed significantly worse in attention, speed of thinking, executive function, and visual perception, with some scoring approximately one third lower than non-users. The study suggests that prolonged marijuana use may add to the cognitive burden already experienced by MS patients.
Research found that individuals with MS performed better on learning and memory tests during cooler days compared to warmer days. The study suggests a link between warm weather and cognitive impairment in people with MS, which could inform life decisions and clinical treatment.
Researchers have discovered that electrical stimulation of the anterior temporal lobes can increase an individual's ability to reach fresh insights and solve complex problems. This breakthrough could potentially revolutionize the way we approach creative problem-solving.
Researchers investigate how the insula integrates affective and cognitive processes, and how neural systems develop with age. They also examine the role of vision in auditory and tactile integration, and find that vision plays a crucial role in developing this integration.
A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that people spend 46.9% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they're doing, which can lead to unhappiness. Mind-wandering is often associated with contemplation of past or future events, and it appears to be the human brain's default mode of operation.
A new study published in Neurology shows that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is 1.5 times higher in men compared to women. MCI often leads to Alzheimer's disease and the study found nearly 14% of participants had MCI, with men being more likely to experience it.
The book recounts Ellis's life, including his development of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), which helps individuals create healthy ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Ellis's principles and methods have influenced many fields, including cognitive therapy, coaching, and personal development.
A recent study found that a gene variant associated with the COMT gene may help protect against decline in cognitive function among older adults. The Val variant showed a protective effect on thinking skills, outperforming those without the variant by up to 45%.
A study published in Neurology found that high levels of C-reactive protein are associated with worse performance in executive function, a process in the brain that enables planning, decision-making, and behavior selection. Higher CRP levels also affected the frontal lobe of the brain, equivalent to 12 years of aging.
A study of 1,158 participants with mild cognitive impairment showed rapid memory and thinking skill declines compared to those without cognitive problems. The decline in skills was twice as fast for those with mild cognitive impairment than those without, while four times faster for those with Alzheimer's disease.
Research by Adam Waytz et al. reveals that anthropomorphism gives non-human entities moral care, while dehumanization is linked to social connection. The study highlights the complexities of identifying humans in a psychological sense.
A Mediterranean-like diet was found to be associated with a lower risk of brain infarcts and areas of dead tissue linked to thinking problems. Researchers assessed the diets of 712 people and found those who closely followed the diet were 36% less likely to have brain damage.
A medication called latrepirdine has been found to be well-tolerated in patients with mild to moderate Huntington's disease. The treatment showed improved average scores on an evaluation measuring overall cognitive function, suggesting potential benefits for cognition.
Research found that patients with Alzheimer's were 4.6 times more likely to have mental lapses than those without the disease. Cognitive fluctuations include excessive daytime sleepiness, staring into space, and disorganized or illogical thinking.
A study found that people with three or four of the following symptoms are more likely to have Alzheimer's disease: feeling drowsy, disorganized thinking, staring into space, and lethargy. Those with mental lapses also had more severe symptoms and poorer cognitive performance than those without lapses.
Scientists found that autistic brains show less activity when processing self-relevant information, unlike typical brains. This atypical response may contribute to social difficulties in individuals with autism, impacting their ability to navigate relationships and develop social skills.
A study found that elderly individuals with growing white matter changes were more likely to develop persistent cognitive impairment and dementia. Researchers followed 49 participants for an average of 9.5 years, tracking brain scans and thinking skills tests.
A new study by Thomas P. Novak and Donna L. Hoffman found that consumers approach problems with either rational or experiential thinking styles. Rational thinking is characterized as logical, effortful, and analytical, while experiential thinking is associative, lower-effort, and holistic.
A study of 500 people aged 50-85 found a link between occasional memory lapses and smaller hippocampus volumes. Researchers discovered that these subjective memory complaints were associated with reduced brain volumes, potentially indicating early signs of cognitive decline.
A study of 2,050 people aged 70-89 found that 15% had mild cognitive impairment, with men being one-and-a-half times more likely to experience it. The study's findings suggest a delayed progression to dementia in men and potentially faster development in women.
A common gene variant is found to optimize brain function and improve thinking abilities, but also increases the risk of developing schizophrenia. The study suggests that this variant may have a paradoxical effect when combined with impaired prefrontal cortex function.
A recent study found that people with higher self-esteem enjoy mystery stories with unexpected twists, whereas those with lower self-esteem prefer stories with confirmed endings. The study involved 84 German college students who rated their enjoyment of a mystery story with varying levels of uncertainty and confirmation.
A study found that inducing fast thinking can lead to feelings of happiness, energy, creativity, power, and grandiosity. The speed of cognitive processing was as important as the content of thoughts in determining mood. Researchers suggest simple manipulations of thought speed could improve mood and self-esteem.
Researchers found that copper modulates critical events within the central nervous system, influencing how well we think. Variations in genes coding for Atp7a, a copper transporter, may contribute to differences in thinking among individuals.
Researchers found that people with autism have lower brain synchronization and rely heavily on visualization to process information. The studies suggest that these differences are related to the brain's cabling and connectivity problems.
Frequent marijuana use leads to deteriorated cognitive functions, particularly in remembering new information. Long-term users showed significant impairment in cognitive abilities compared to non-users, with more severe decline over time.