All posts tagged: cognitive

Surprising Study Finds Student Athlete Concussions Associated With Slightly Improved Cognitive Performance

Surprising Study Finds Student Athlete Concussions Associated With Slightly Improved Cognitive Performance

Published by José

In a counterintuitive new analysis, an international group of researchers are suggesting that concussions from college sports injuries might not only be less harmful than previously thought, but that they might also slightly help cognitive performance. As the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia explains in a press release about the research, analysis of data about more than 15,000 subjects found that those who’d suffered a sports-related concussion when they were students seemed to have better cognitive outcomes than their counterparts who didn’t. Using the United Kingdom’s massive PROTECT study, which looks at long-term health data for people between the ages of 50 and 90, researchers at the UNSW, Harvard University, Oxford, and England’s University of Exeter found that, at least statistically, suffering a concussion seems to be associated with certain benefits — and could even be considered protective. “Our findings suggest that there is something about playing sport[s], even though a person may experience concussion, that may be beneficial for long-term cognitive outcomes,” UNSW cognitive researcher and lead study author Matt Lennon said in …

How artists’ unique cognitive skills enhance their drawing abilities

How artists’ unique cognitive skills enhance their drawing abilities

Published by José

Artists often captivate us with their ability to translate the world around them into stunningly realistic drawings. But what cognitive processes enable such skill? A recent study sheds light on this question, revealing that art students possess a unique flexibility in how they process visual information. They can switch between focusing on small details and grasping the overall structure of an object, but interestingly, they tend to start with a global perspective when beginning a drawing. These findings, published in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, suggest that artists have a perceptual edge that may explain their superior drawing abilities. Creating a realistic drawing is more than just a creative endeavor; it’s a complex cognitive task that requires the artist to break down what they see into manageable parts while also maintaining an awareness of the overall structure. Previous research has indicated that artists might excel at this balance between local and global processing, but the specifics of how they manage this balance—particularly in comparison to non-artists—were not well understood. Additionally, some …

New research links height differences to cognitive ability

New research links height differences to cognitive ability

Published by skeptic

Cognitive abilities, while varying considerably among different species, are also strikingly diverse within a single species. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Groundbreaking research led by Professor John Spencer at the University of East Anglia, and Assistant Professor Samuel Forbes from the distinguished Psychology Department, has unveiled a crucial link—affecting infants as young as six months old—between the physical stature of an infant and their cognitive abilities, tied to brain function. This research pivots on the concept of ‘visual working memory,’ a critical component of our cognitive architecture that maintains and processes visual information. Experimental task and behavioural results. A trial of length 10 s of the preferential-looking VWM task. During the 10 s trial, alternating blank displays for 250 ms are followed by ‘on’ displays of coloured squares for 500 ms (250, 500, 250 and 500 ms… for 10 s). (CREDIT: Nature Human Behavior) The study meticulously compared this cognitive capacity in infants experiencing stunted growth—a marker of undernutrition and adverse environmental conditions—with their peers demonstrating expected growth patterns. The Intricate Web of Growth and Cognition The study’s startling revelations show that infants …

“I have cognitive problems, clearly”: In 2012 deposition, RFK Jr. said a worm ate part of his brain

“I have cognitive problems, clearly”: In 2012 deposition, RFK Jr. said a worm ate part of his brain

Published by skeptic

Doctors told Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that he had a dead parasitic worm inside of his brain, the independent presidential candidate divulged in a 2012 deposition obtained by The New York Times.  Experiencing memory loss and brain fog, Kennedy in 2010 consulted with neurologists who initially concluded that a dark spot found in scans of his brain was a tumor. But a doctor at New York-Presbyterian Hospital later told Kennedy that the spot “was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died,” Kennedy said in the deposition.  Kennedy, unsure of where he contracted the parasite, suggested it may have happened during a visit to South Asia. A doctor without firsthand knowledge of Kennedy’s medical history told the Times that details described in the deposition pointed to a pork tapeworm larva. In his own campaign, Kennedy has assailed the mental fitness of his two opponents, but in the deposition admitted that the worm — and a mercury poisoning diagnosis that came around the same time — had taken …

Natural dietary supplement improves memory and cognitive function, study finds

Natural dietary supplement improves memory and cognitive function, study finds

Published by skeptic

Researcher is leading a study into whether nicotinamide riboside (NR) improves memory and brain blood flow in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. (CREDIT: University of Delaware) This discovery holds immense significance as it suggests that NR may influence the metabolic pathways implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The research, funded by an NIH grant and the Intramural Research Program of the NIH National Institute on Aging, was recently published in the journal Aging Cell. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is readily converted into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a crucial molecule for cellular repair and DNA damage restoration. According to Christopher Martens, assistant professor of kinesiology and applied physiology at the University of Delaware, and Dr. Dimitrios Kapogiannis, a senior investigator at the National Institute on Aging, the levels of NAD+ decline with age and in individuals with chronic diseases. Christopher Martens, assistant professor of kinesiology and applied physiology and director of the Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research, works with blood samples as part of his groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research. (CREDIT: University of Delaware) This decline is …

Cognitive flexibility impaired in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, according to new research

Cognitive flexibility impaired in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, according to new research

Published by José

Recent research published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research has provided insights into the cognitive impairments associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The study demonstrated that individuals with GAD exhibit significant difficulties with cognitive flexibility and show a heightened ability to recognize negative emotions, such as disgust and anger. Although these cognitive predictors cannot replace existing diagnostic tools, they highlight the significant impact of anxiety. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a variety of topics, events, or activities, which is out of proportion to the actual likelihood or impact of the feared events. People with GAD find it difficult to control their worry, and this anxiety and worry are associated with physical symptoms such as restlessness, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. This disorder significantly interferes with daily activities and can cause distress in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Despite the high prevalence of GAD in primary care settings and its substantial impact on individuals’ lives, there …

People who read a lot of fiction tend to have better cognitive skills, study finds

People who read a lot of fiction tend to have better cognitive skills, study finds

Published by José

New research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General suggests reading fiction offers small but meaningful cognitive benefits, particularly for verbal skills, empathy, and the ability to understand others’ perspectives. Despite the longstanding popularity of fiction, its cognitive benefits have remained a topic of debate among educators, psychologists, and the general public. Fiction is often seen primarily as a source of entertainment, but there’s a growing body of research suggesting it might also play an important role in enhancing cognitive abilities. The new study aimed to clarify these potential benefits by systematically reviewing and synthesizing the existing evidence, thus providing a clearer picture of how engagement with fiction relates to cognitive processes. “Over the last decades, scholars from several disciplines have claimed far-reaching benefits – but also potential disadvantages – of reading fiction for cognition in the real world. I wanted to get an objective, quantitative overview of the relevant empirical evidence in order to decide whether any of these assumptions is supported by empirical studies,” said study author Lena Wimmer, a postdoctoral researcher …

Social isolation leads to reductions in brain cells and mild cognitive impairment

Social isolation leads to reductions in brain cells and mild cognitive impairment

Published by José

A recent scientific study published in the journal Brain Structure and Function provides evidence that social isolation not only impairs the ability of mice to recognize other mice socially but also leads to a decrease in brain cells. The research highlights the importance of social interaction in early life on brain health and social cognition. Previous studies have established a link between social deprivation and various brain changes in humans and animal models, particularly affecting areas involved in emotional processing and social interaction. However, gaps remain in understanding the specific cellular alterations that occur due to isolation and how these changes translate into behavioral outcomes. The new study sought to fill these gaps by examining the effects of social isolation from a neurodevelopmental perspective, focusing on a critical period shortly after weaning in mice. This period is crucial for brain development, and disruptions during this time could have lasting effects on brain structure and function. The researchers used male C57BL/6 mice, a common strain in neurological research due to their well-documented genetics and relatively predictable …

Can one PET scan predict your cognitive future? Insights from a new study of older adults

Can one PET scan predict your cognitive future? Insights from a new study of older adults

Published by José

A longitudinal study of older adults has shown that individuals with higher concentrations of amyloid beta proteins in their brains experienced accelerated cognitive decline. This finding suggests that a single positron emission tomography (PET) scan assessing amyloid beta protein levels in the brain could be sufficient to predict the rate of cognitive decline in individuals. The study was published in the journal NeuroImage: Clinical. Amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques are protein deposits that accumulate in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and, to a lesser extent, in several other types of age-related dementias. These plaques consist of densely packed fibers of amyloid beta, a protein normally produced and soluble in the brain. In Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions, this protein misfolds and aggregates into plaques, disrupting cell function and leading to neuron death in affected areas, which ultimately results in cognitive decline. The precise role of amyloid beta plaques in Alzheimer’s development is still under investigation. Some researchers believe these plaques initiate a series of neurodegenerative events, including inflammation and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, …

Exploring Cognitive Biases and Modern Irrationality

Exploring Cognitive Biases and Modern Irrationality

Published by skeptic

The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell I know that when I pick up an Amanda Montell book I’m in for a good time. Her previous books include Wordslut and Cultish, both of which have this delightful tone like Montell is sitting across from you with a cup of coffee. You’re going to have a fun conversation, but Montell isn’t going to hold back. She’s going to put the truth out there. The Age of Magical Overthinking tackles ideas around how human beings try to “manifest” a reality that is most likely not going to happen. The chapters are organized around thought fallacies, like the “Sunk Cost Fallacy,” which can keep us holding onto projects, goals, or relationships that aren’t working for us. Or the “Halo Effect” which can make us always assume the best about our favorite singers and other celebrities. Like her other two books, The Age of Magical Overthinking is conversational. Its witty asides and healthy dose of snark make for a perfect pairing with Montell’s ideas. …