Summary: Our memories don’t flow like a continuous stream—they’re divided into meaningful events, thanks to a tiny brain region called the locus coeruleus. New research shows this region acts like…
Tag: cognition
Facial Expressions Reveal Hidden Cognitive States
Summary: New research shows that facial expressions can reveal internal cognitive states, accurately predicting task performance across both macaques and mice. By analyzing facial features during a foraging task in…
Older adults with dementia misjudge their financial skills – which may make them more vulnerable to fraud, new research finds
Older adults diagnosed with dementia lose their ability to assess how well they manage their finances, according to a recent study I co-authored in The Gerontologist. In comparison, people of…
‘Grit’ and relentless perseverance can take a toll on brain health − particularly for people facing social stresses like racism
For many people, grit – the perseverance and passion for long-term goals – is a virtue. It is also a key ingredient in overcoming challenges, achieving success and maintaining resilience.…
What Are Thoughts? Exploring the Mystery of the Mind
Summary: The nature of thought remains one of philosophy’s greatest mysteries, with deep implications for neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Two main theories compete: materialism, which sees thoughts as brain states,…
Verbal Fluency Might Predict Human Longevity
Summary: A recent study reveals a surprising link between longevity and verbal fluency—the ability to effectively recall and utilize vocabulary. Researchers analyzed cognitive data from the Berlin Aging Study, involving…
Low-Normal B12 Levels Linked to Slower Brain Processing
Summary: Even when within the normal range, lower levels of vitamin B12 may contribute to cognitive decline, according to a new study. Researchers found that older adults with lower biologically…
Long COVID Impairs Exercise Capacity and Cognition for Years
Summary: A study of nearly 1,000 people with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) revealed that two-thirds still experienced significant symptoms, including reduced exercise capacity and cognitive performance, two years after infection. Persistent…
Brain Connectivity Patterns Link Vascular Disease to Cognitive Decline
Summary: Researchers have identified how cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) disrupts brain connectivity, contributing to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration alongside Alzheimer’s disease (AD). By studying brain networks and blood biomarkers in older…
