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attention

This shows a woman juggling random items such as shoes and a laptop

·September 13, 2019·4 min read

Distractions distort what’s real

Distractions may change our perceptions of reality, making us believe we witnessed something different from what we really saw.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 22, 2019·4 min read

Carriers of Alzheimer’s genetic marker have greater difficulty harnessing past knowledge

Middle-aged people with the Alzheimer's related APOE4 gene have a harder time accessing recently acquired knowledge, even when they show no symptoms of memory decline.

This shows a woman paining the face of another woman on a wall

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 22, 2019·4 min read

‘Microdosers’ of psychedelics report improved mood, focus and creativity

Those who microdose psychedelics report improved mood, greater focus, and increased creativity. A new study looks at the positive outcomes of microdosing and suggests others look at potential long-term negative consequences of using psychedelics.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 25, 2019·3 min read

The science behind giving up

Pnoc neurons in the paranigral ventral tegmental area become active when mice seek rewards. Stimulating these neurons with optogenetics promotes avoidance behaviors. Researchers say ventral tegmental area dopamine neuron NOPR expression is necessary to limit reward-seeking behavior.

This shows a simulation of a person cycling

Featured Neuroscience Psychology Visual Neuroscience

·July 22, 2019·4 min read

When you spot 1 driving hazard, you may be missing another

Subsequent search miss causes a reduction in the ability to detect an additional hazard when they spot another. The findings could help modify driver training to help reduce accidents and to develop in-vehicle technologies that focus on accident reduction.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 15, 2019·4 min read

Improved mood and focus reported by microdosers

Microdosing, a growing trend where people take small doses for psychedelic drugs, is associated with improved mood, focus, and creativity. For some, microdosing may provide a possible alternative to SSRI antidepressants. However, researchers warn of some potential problems with microdosing, including negative side effects, psychological stigma, and exposure to elicit, black market products.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 5, 2019·5 min read

Ignoring cues for alcohol and fast food is hard – but is it out of our control?

Stress and tiredness make it harder for you to ignore environmental cues that signal something rewarding.

This shows a cartoon of a woman trying to read with lots of distractions in the background

Featured Neuroscience

·June 12, 2019·5 min read

How we tune out distractions

A pathway linking the basal ganglia to the thalamus enhances sensory discrimination and is used to suppress 'background noise'. The pathway, which is controlled by the prefrontal cortex, selectively suppresses sensory input as it flows to the thalamus.

This shows two children walking on a path

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 7, 2019·5 min read

Early-life challenges affect how children focus and face the day

Experiencing early life adversities leads to disruptions in multiple systems of self-control and cortisol levels, which continues through childhood.

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Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 5, 2019·5 min read

How the Internet may be changing the brain

Ubiquitous access to the internet may be altering the structure of our brains, as well as influencing our attentional capabilities, memory and social behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 3, 2019·6 min read

Algorithm that Tailors Digital Meditation Program Improves Attention and Memory

MediTrain, a new app-based program that uses a closed-loop algorithm to tailor the length of meditation sessions to a person's ability, can improve memory and attention in younger people.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 22, 2019·4 min read

Infants later diagnosed with autism seldom initiate joint attention

An eye-tracking study of 10-month-old infants reveals children later diagnosed on the autism spectrum seldom initiate joint attention. Findings suggest children with ASD already have reduced social motivation as infants.