Cognitive Control Neurolab

Lab members, Brianna Klopp and Sam Kromberg, presenting their posters at MSU's undergraduate research forum. Their posters were very well-attended and they were outstanding presenters!

-- Have you ever had Covid or know someone who had Covid? Do you want to know more about how
recovery after COVID-19 affects a loved one's cognitive difficulties? You should check out this study “Cognitive difficulties linger months after COVID-19 recovery” that talks about those cognitive
difficulties!

Cognitive difficulties linger months after COVID-19 recovery Recent research found individuals with COVID-19 reported lasting cognitive difficulties, particularly with memory and planning, up to a year post-infection. These challenges were significantly higher compared to those without a history of infection.

-- Researchers are working to improve the lives of individuals with neuroprostheses. By working with rhesus monkeys’, researchers in Germany are improving technology so that individuals are able to do even the most complicated tasks using neuroprostheses.

Controlling prosthetic hands more precisely by the power of thought Neuroscientists show how fine motor skills of neural prostheses can be improved

-- Scientists have discovered differences in brain structure in children with autism.

Research finds neurons look different in children with autism Neuronal measurements could provide new insight into diagnosis & therapeutic interventions for autism

-- Recent findings indicate that bilingualism aids cognitive processes, not through specific regional activity but through increased functional connectivity.
https://www.mcgill.ca/neuro/channels/news/bilingualism-makes-brain-more-efficient-especially-when-learned-young-age-360355

-- Is there a texture or sound that gives you “the ick”? Maybe it’s the feeling of drawing with sidewalk chalk, the sound of someone chewing, or the scraping of a metal fork in a ceramic bowl. Lots of people have some sensory experience that makes them cringe, where other people are completely unbothered. These experiences are common and intense in people with ADHD

Altered somatosensory processing in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - BMC Psychiatry Background Tactile sensitivity and sensory overload in ADHD are well-documented in clinical-, self-, and parent- reports, but empirical evidence is scarce and ambiguous and focuses primarily on children. Here, we compare both empirical and self-report tactile sensitivity and ADHD symptomatology in a...

-- Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
discovered that deep brain stimulation immediately improved hand and arm movement function in patients with deficits caused by serious brain injuries. Researchers stimulated a region of the brain involved in movement control, the motor thalamus, which bettered
participants' ability to grab objects and move their arms. This is important because it could greatly improve the everyday life of people affected by deficits of hand and arm functions.

Deep brain stimulation instantly improves arm and hand function post-brain injury Deep brain stimulation may provide immediate improvement in arm and hand strength and function weakened by traumatic brain injury or stroke.

-- Thanks to scientists at UCLA Health, we can now take a deeper dive into how our brains process the flow of time. We have always asked the questions, “what” or “when”, and now we have some answers for you. More on hippocampal-entorhinal neurons and their functions below!

Encoding human experience: Study reveals how brain cells compute the flow of time Breadcrumb Home News & Insights Encoding human experience: Study reveals how brain cells compute the flow of time UCLA researchers say findings could have implications for improving memory, cognitive functions and artificial intelligence Aron Visuals September 25, 2024 By Will Houston 4 min read A l...

-- Researchers in the Kelly lab were able to locate and trace the specific neural circuit that is responsible for social group size preference in spiny mice. They also found that turning off this circuit led to a change in group size preferences for male mice. This is important because it can lead to medical breakthroughs down the road for humans with “abnormal” social group preferences.

Spiny mice point the way to new path in social neuroscience Scientists zeroed in on brain circuitry powering the desire of spiny mice to live in large groups, opening the door to a new model for the study of complex social behaviors in mammals. 

-- New research conducted by Stanford Medicine reveals that a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), problem-solving therapy, changes brain circuitry in a way that is associated with relieving symptoms in depressed individuals. Researchers compared patients who underwent problem-solving therapy with those who did not and found that those who did showed an increased ability to problem-solve and would therefore experience improved thoughts/behaviors in their everyday lives. Further, and what I believe makes these findings significant, it was found that researchers could predict which patients would benefit from problem-solving therapy and which would not; a technique that could be implemented clinically, improving treatments in individuals diagnosed with depression.

Cognitive behavioral therapy enhances brain circuits to relieve depression A new study led by Stanford Medicine scientists found that certain changes in neural activity predicted which patients would benefit from a type of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Check out MSU faculty describing their research through emojis!

We’re asking the PSY faculty all the tough questions today: can you describe your research in emojis?! 🤔 #MSUPsychology #PsySpartans #MSUSocialScience #PsychResearch

Senior lab member Brianna Klopp was interviewed for her leadership role in Psychology Club! Way to go Brianna!

A Conversation with the Co-Presidents of the Psychology Club | Department of Psychology | Michigan State University Izza Peeran (psychology major, Fall ‘24) and Bri Klopp (psychology major, Spring ‘25) are the co-presidents of the Psychology Club, a campus group for anyone interested in the field of psychology. Students connect with their peers, volunteer at various events, and get insights into a variety of ...