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cognitive flexibility

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·October 5, 2025·8 min read

Misophonia Might Be a Brain Regulation Disorder

A new study shows that misophonia, strong negative reactions to certain sounds, is closely linked to cognitive and emotional inflexibility. Participants with high misophonia severity struggled to shift between emotional tasks and reported rigid thinking in daily life.

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·April 25, 2025·6 min read

Flexibility Beats Instinct: How Adaptable Learning Drives Success

Humans have an exceptional ability to learn socially, but most studies have focused on overly simplified tasks. In a new study using Minecraft, researchers found that the most successful participants dynamically balanced individual exploration and social learning. Adaptability, rather than relying solely on one strategy, predicted better performance across various environments.

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·April 23, 2025·4 min read

Psychedelic Sparks Long-Term Brain Plasticity

A single dose of the psychedelic compound 25CN-NBOH significantly improved cognitive flexibility in mice, with effects lasting up to three weeks post-treatment. Treated mice adapted more quickly in rule-switching tasks, indicating enhanced neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex.

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·June 21, 2024·4 min read

Cognitive Flexibility Linked to Entrepreneurial Success

Habitual entrepreneurs exhibit greater cognitive flexibility and increased gray matter volume in the left insula, compared to managers. This brain region is associated with divergent thinking, crucial for entrepreneurial success. The research suggests that understanding the neural basis of cognitive flexibility can improve entrepreneurial training and education. These findings highlight the importance of integrating neuroscience with entrepreneurship to foster innovation and adaptability.

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·September 7, 2023·8 min read

Could Neurogenesis and Navigating Change Be Key to Cognitive Flexibility?

Researchers are closing in on the relationship between cognitive adaptability and adult neurogenesis. They developed a novel animal model to test cognitive flexibility by adding layers of complexity to a maze challenge.

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·June 28, 2023·5 min read

Cognitive Flexibility: Neural Connection Key to Adapting to Change Unearthed

A recent discovery identified a specific type of neuronal connection in the prefrontal cortex responsible for updating our understanding of the world and its rules. The connection, formed by inhibitory neurons, communicates with neurons located far away in the opposite hemisphere of the prefrontal cortex.

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·June 16, 2023·4 min read

Tracing the Evolutionary Roots of Cognitive Flexibility

A new study provides insights into the evolutionary origins of cognitive flexibility, an essential skill for adaptation and survival. Participants were studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while learning a sensorimotor task, the findings of which showed the importance of sensory brain regions in decision-making.

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·April 29, 2023·5 min read

Cognitive Flexibility: How the Brain Learns New Rules to Navigate the Changing World

In everyday life, our brains adapt to new situations using the prefrontal cortex. A team of neuroscientists discovered a special class of neurons in the prefrontal cortex that enable flexible behavior, and when malfunctioning, may contribute to conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These long-range inhibitory connections synchronize gamma oscillations across the left and right prefrontal cortex, allowing the brain to change its behavior at the right moment. This research could lead to new treatments for psychiatric conditions by targeting these long-range inhibitory connections.

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·June 26, 2021·6 min read

IQ Tests Can’t Measure It, but ‘Cognitive Flexibility’ Is Key to Learning and Creativity

Cognitive flexibility, an ability to switch between different concepts, or adapt behavior to achieve goals in a novel or changing environment, is a key player in both learning and creativity.