An EEG source localisation study identified reliably the regions comprising the brain’s chronic pain matrix. The researchers detected significant overactivation of the Cingulate gyrus, the Insula, the parietal lobe, the thalamus, the S1 region and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in a population of 77 chronic pain patients. These findings are consistent with the over-activation pattern reported in fMRI studies. Such
In our fast running lives, defined by deadlines, necessities and accumulating personal and work commitments, it is easy to give in to the temptation of increasing the length of our active daytime and sacrificing an hour or two of our sleep. This post is to remind us of the vital importance of the sleeping state, during which we consolidate memories,
An exciting study on the potentials for cognitive rehabilitation post stroke and not only published by researchers from the University of Graz, Austria. Link to the paper describing the study and its results can be found here.
Neurofeedback (NF) is a form of biofeedback that uses real-time (RT) modulation of brain activity to enhance brain function and behavioral performance. Recent advances in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) and cognitive training (CT) have provided new tools and evidence that NF improves cognitive functions, such as attention and working memory (WM), beyond what is provided by traditional CT….. Read the full
We all feel stressed from time to time – it’s all part of the emotional ups and downs of life. Stress has many sources, it can come from our environment, from our bodies, or our own thoughts and how we view the world around us. It is very natural to feel stressed around moments of pressure such as exam time
Researchers from the HSE Centre for Cognition & Decision Making and the (Institute of Problems of Mechanical Engineering, Russian Academy of Sciences conducted a series of experiments in which participants learned to increase through neurofeedback the amount of Alpha waves produced by their brains. The scientists wanted to find out which characteristics of the Alpha bursts participants actually learned to control through
Abstract Cognitive function varies substantially and serves as a key predictor of outcome and response to intervention in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet we know little about the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie cognitive function in children with ASD. The dynamics of neuronal oscillations in the alpha range (6-12 Hz) are associated with cognition in typical development. Peak alpha frequency is
The rhythms of brainwaves between two people taking part in a conversation begin to match each other. This is the conclusion of a study published in Scientific Reports, led by the Basque research centre BCBL. According to scientists, this interbrain synchrony may be a key factor in understanding language and interpersonal communication.The team, led by Alejandro Pérez, Manuel Carreiras and Jon
Sixty participants were tested on their creative problem solving ability before and after receiving one of the following interventions: DLPFC being suppressed, DLPFC being activated, and DLPFC being unstimulated. The participants solved “matchstick problems,” some of which are hard, because to solve these problems, participants need to relax the learnt rules of arithmetic and algebra. But the researchers also observed
The human brain is nimble. It can reorganise itself to learn new things, catalogue memories, and even break old habits. So, what if our brains could be taught to suppress cravings, especially the destructive impulse to use drugs? Read the original post from Neuroscience News here.