An analysis of data from a longitudinal study of older adults revealed that cat and dog owners tend to experience slower cognitive decline than non-owners. This difference persisted even after controlling for age and health conditions. Among dog owners, cognitive...
Methylphenidate, a common ADHD medication, has varying effects on creativity depending on an individual's baseline dopamine levels, according to new research. The findings challenge the notion of universally using such drugs for cognitive enhancement.
A recent study in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that moderate exercise improves memory and cognition in older adults, particularly those with poor sleep efficiency.
A study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that mothers have faster and stronger neural responses when winning rewards for their children compared to themselves or charity. This suggests a prioritization of children's rewards in maternal reward processing...
A new study explores the relationship between curiosity, anxiety, and mind wandering, finding that anxiety indirectly increases mind wandering through reduced executive control, while curiosity directly influences it.
A recent study published in Cerebral Cortex reveals that loneliness can blur the brain's distinction between real-life friends and fictional characters, particularly in fans of the TV series "Game of Thrones." Neuroimaging showed lonelier individuals have similar neural responses when...
A recent study in Scientific Reports shows that creativity can be boosted by influencing dreams during the N1 sleep phase. Using the Dormio device, researchers found that participants who experienced dream incubation with thematic cues demonstrated notably improved creative performance.
A new study found that background sexual imagery caused more response errors to visual cues, indicating heightened impulsivity, especially in men. The study was published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.
A study exploring "directed forgetting" found people resist forgetting politically congruent information, with a stronger effect among conservatives. This selective memory may influence political polarization and democratic processes.
Regular running in mice enhances adult neuron functionality and synaptic connectivity, potentially safeguarding cognitive abilities during aging, according to a study in eNeuro.
A study of young adult gamers found that players of action games possess superior visual acuity compared to players of nonaction games and individuals with little gaming experience. Individuals playing action games for more than 5 hours per week performed...
Researchers have developed a brain-computer interface that allowed a group of 22 users to play a simple multiplayer game. The interface was 94% accurate in translating players’ thoughts into game moves, with each move taking just over 5 seconds. The...
A sociologist and a cognitive neuroscientist investigated why people enjoy being scared. Through studies at an extreme haunted attraction, they found that participants felt happier, less anxious, and more accomplished after the experience. The brain showed decreased reactivity, similar to...
New research reveals the TRPC2 gene's pivotal role in mouse brain development and behavior, especially concerning sex differences. This gene affects pheromonal signals, influencing structures linked to sex-specific behaviors. The study challenges traditional beliefs about brain sex differentiation and emphasizes...
Research from the European Journal of Neuroscience reveals that playing with dolls, especially in social settings, activates the posterior superior temporal sulcus, a brain region linked to social processing. This is true for children across varying neurodevelopmental profiles, underscoring the...