Randomized Manipulation of Early #Cognitive Experience Impacts Adult Brain Structure

Does early exposure to cognitive and linguistic stimulation impact brain structure? Or do genetic predispositions account for the co-occurrence of certain neuroanatomical phenotypes and a tendency to engage children in cognitively stimulating activities? Low socioeconomic status infants were randomized to either 5 years of cognitively and linguistically stimulating center-based care or a comparison condition. The… Continue reading Randomized Manipulation of Early #Cognitive Experience Impacts Adult Brain Structure

Associations of #cognitive performance with #cardiovascular magnetic resonance phenotypes in the UK Biobank

Existing evidence suggests links between brain and cardiovascular health. We investigated associations between cognitive performance and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) phenotypes in the UK Biobank, considering a range of potential confounders. Methods and resultsWe studied 29 763 participants with CMR and cognitive testing, specifically, fluid intelligence (FI, 13 verbal-numeric reasoning questions), and reaction time (RT, a… Continue reading Associations of #cognitive performance with #cardiovascular magnetic resonance phenotypes in the UK Biobank

Task-Dependent Functional and Effective #Connectivity during Conceptual Processing

Conceptual knowledge is central to cognition. Previous neuroimaging research indicates that conceptual processing involves both modality-specific perceptual-motor areas and multimodal convergence zones. For example, our previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study revealed that both modality-specific and multimodal regions respond to sound and action features of concepts in a task-dependent fashion (Kuhnke P, Kiefer M,… Continue reading Task-Dependent Functional and Effective #Connectivity during Conceptual Processing

#Cognitive #leisure activity and all-cause mortality in older adults: a 4-year community-based cohort

Cognitive leisure activity, such as reading, playing mahjong or cards and computer use, is common among older adults in China. Previous studies suggest a negative correlation between cognitive leisure activity and cognitive impairment. However, the relationship between cognitive leisure activity and all-cause mortality has rarely been reported. ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the relationships between… Continue reading #Cognitive #leisure activity and all-cause mortality in older adults: a 4-year community-based cohort

Associations between adolescent #cannabis use and young-adult functioning in three longitudinal twin studies

Observational studies have linked cannabis use to an array of negative outcomes, including psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairment, and educational and occupational underachievement. These associations are particularly strong when cannabis use occurs in adolescence. Nevertheless, causality remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was thus to examine associations between prospectively assessed adolescent cannabis use and… Continue reading Associations between adolescent #cannabis use and young-adult functioning in three longitudinal twin studies

The mixed benefits of a #stressor-free life.

Research documents the pernicious effects of daily stressors on well-being, but often ignored in these studies are people reporting no stressors. The current study compared adults who reported no daily stressors with adults who reported at least one stressor across 8 consecutive days on measures of well-being. Of the 2,804 respondents (age range = 25–75… Continue reading The mixed benefits of a #stressor-free life.

Relationship between afternoon #napping and #cognitive function in the ageing Chinese population

Background Several studies have shown that afternoon napping promotes cognitive function in the elderly; on the other hand, some studies have shown opposite results. This current study further examined the relationship between afternoon napping and cognitive function in the ageing Chinese population. Methods A total of 2214 elderly were included (napping group: n=1534; non-napping group:… Continue reading Relationship between afternoon #napping and #cognitive function in the ageing Chinese population

Relationship between afternoon #napping and #cognitive function in the ageing Chinese population

Several studies have shown that afternoon napping promotes cognitive function in the elderly; on the other hand, some studies have shown opposite results. This current study further examined the relationship between afternoon napping and cognitive function in the ageing Chinese population. Methods A total of 2214 elderly were included (napping group: n=1534; non-napping group: n=680).… Continue reading Relationship between afternoon #napping and #cognitive function in the ageing Chinese population

The effects of #alcohol and #cannabis use on the cortical thickness of #cognitive control and salience brain networks in emerging adulthood: a cotwin control study

Background Impairments in inhibitory control and its underlying brain networks (control/salience areas) are associated with substance misuse. Research often assumes a causal substance exposure effect on brain structure. This assumption remains largely untested and other factors (e.g., familial risk) may confound exposure effects. We leveraged a genetically-informative sample of 24-year-old twins and a quasi-experimental cotwin… Continue reading The effects of #alcohol and #cannabis use on the cortical thickness of #cognitive control and salience brain networks in emerging adulthood: a cotwin control study