Cognitive Science

Discover how 11 new studies are reshaping our understanding of the brain.

A new study reveals a direct link between your inner voice and your body. Researchers found that silently talking to yourself in an emotional way—whether positive or negative—is enough to cause a measurable increase in your heart rate.

Engaging in creative activities like music, drawing, dance, or strategy video games may help keep the brain younger, according to a new study in Nature Communications. The research suggests creativity is linked to healthier brain function.

A new study in NeuroImage suggests intelligence depends on a delicate balance: efficient processing within key brain networks and limited interference from others.

Over the past decade, self-reported cognitive disability has climbed significantly among American adults. A new analysis finds this trend is most pronounced in younger adults, whose reported prevalence has nearly doubled.

A new brain-to-text system can now verbalize what a person is seeing or imagining. The findings show that our thoughts can be decoded into sentences even before we put them into words.

Staying mentally sharp while aging isn't a pipe dream. A cognitive neuroscientist explains that it's an achievable goal, built upon a lifetime of habits that strengthen your brain's "cognitive reserve" and protect its function.

Looking for a workout boost? The right playlist might be key. A new study reveals that high-groove music prompted female students to increase their running speed and enhanced their positive mood.

The speed of a child’s neural response to words predicts their reading fluency. Scientists have found a precise way to measure this in individual children.

A new brain imaging study suggests that people with higher reasoning ability tend to build stronger mental maps when learning how things relate in space.

The simple act of moving does more than get you from one place to another. New research shows it actively changes how your brain processes sound, dynamically shifting your auditory attention as you navigate the world.

What if looking in the mirror could do more than show your reflection? New research suggests a digitally altered face can take you on a journey back to your own past, unlocking long-forgotten details.

Are the cognitive struggles seen in children with ADHD and learning difficulties a direct result of their attentional behaviors? A new study suggests the answer depends on the child's specific diagnosis, pointing toward distinct developmental pathways.

Tiny particles released during exercise can travel through the bloodstream and stimulate the growth of new neurons in the brain, a recent study in mice has found.

Could your daily coffee offset the cognitive effects of a high-fat, high-sugar diet? New research explores the relationship between diet, caffeine, and memory, with results that may surprise regular coffee drinkers.