Cognition | sciencenewsnet.in

Calculated Surprise Leads to Groundbreaking Discovery in Cognitive Control Research

January 13, 2020 sarah Jonas 0 Comments Brain, Cognition, Control, Human Behavior, Neuroscience

To better understand how motivational control processes help maximize performance when faced with task challenges, researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and provide fascinating insights into the role of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) as a component network of brain regions that support motivated behavior. They have unified conflicting findings by discovering that the single mechanism of surprise best accounts for activity in dACC during a task requiring motivated control.

Research Results

Cerebellum and cognition: Impact of co-use of alcohol and cigarettes

November 14, 2019 sarah Jonas 0 Comments Abstinence, Alcohol Treatment, Alcohol Use Disorder, Cognition

There is consistent evidence that having an alcohol use disorder is associated with abnormalities in the cerebellum, a structure attached to the bottom of the brain that is involved in coordinating posture and balance but also in supporting some cognitive functions. Cigarette smoking, which often co-occurs with alcohol use, has also been shown to impact brain structure and function, and co-use of these substances is purported to accelerate aging of the brain. A report published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research examines neuroimaging (MRI) data from 92 people in order to further investigate the impact of smoking and alcohol status on the volume of the cerebellum and related cognitive function.

Research Results

What 26,000 books reveal when it comes to learning language

October 25, 2019 sarah Jonas 0 Comments Big Data, Cognition, Machine Learning, Reading, United Kingdom, United States

What can reading 26,000 books tell researchers about how language environment affects language behavior? Brendan T. Johns, an assistant professor of communicative disorders and sciences at UB has published a computational modeling study that suggests our experience and interaction with specific learning environments, like the characteristics of what we read, leads to differences in language behavior that were once attributed to differences in cognition.

Feature

App to improve lives of older adults is set for first major user tests

October 9, 2019 sarah Jonas 0 Comments Cognition, Exercise, Senior Citizens, UAH, UAH College of Nursing, University of Alabama in Huntsville

Developed at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) through a collaboration that began in 2015, the app is called mPACT, for mobile Physical Activity Training.