How much of our brain structure is inherited ? Neuroscientists seeking to answer that question often turn to twin pairs, as they offer a unique window for understanding the influence of genetics on who we are. New work presented at the CNS conference this week has found that brain structures involved with executive functions such […]
Identifying Genes Key to Human Memory: Insights from Genetics and Cognitive Neuroscience
CNS 2017 Press Release March 26, 2017 – San Francisco – Researchers have identified more than 100 genes important for memory in people. The study is the first to identify correlations between gene data and brain activity during memory processing, providing a new window into human memory. “This is very exciting because the identification of these […]
From the Classroom to the NICU: Real-World Neuroscience Opening New Avenues
CNS 2017 Press Release March 26, 2017 – San Francisco – When going to the movies with a group of friends, one small action can make a big difference when it comes to being on the same page after the movie: eye contact. A simple conversation before the movie sets you up to be more […]
Pavlov’s Dogz is Back: Catch their Concert at CNS 2017
Calling all cognitive neuroscientists: Some great music is coming to a conference near you. After delighting crowds in New York City at last year’s CNS conference, rock band Pavlov’s Dogz is back for CNS 2017 in San Francisco on Sunday, March 26. Launched at an open-mic night at a small memory conference, Pavlov’s Dogz features […]
Brain Maturity and Teens: Q&A with Leah Somerville
Increasingly, the courts are turning to neuroscientific data as additional evidence in making legal decisions. From examining questions of impaired ability to even issues of diversity and bias, neuroscience and the law are intersecting more frequently. A key question often at stake is at what age is are people’s brains “mature enough” to make and […]
Neurofeedback Training: Where Imaging and Therapy Converge
Guest Post by David Mehler, Cardiff University and University of Münste Imagine being able to see and then control your brain activity consciously in real-time. For example, when thinking about a positive life event like your birthday, you would see the activity in areas of your brain’s limbic system increase on a thermometer-like gauge on […]
The Bilingual Brain: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Guest Post by Angela Grant, Pennsylvania State University Over the last few years, you may have noticed a surfeit of articles covering current research on bilingualism. Some of them suggest that bilingualism “sharpens the mind,” while other titles are clearly intended to provoke more doubt than confidence: “Is Bilingualism Really an Advantage?”. The pendulum swing […]
We Stand in Support of Scientists Worldwide
The Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS) is an international society that values diversity and global collaboration as cornerstones of the scientific process. CNS stands with the Society for Neuroscience, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and other professional and scientific societies in opposing the recent White House executive order on visas and immigration. This order […]
A Vision of the Future of Brain Health: Q&A with Adam Gazzaley
Even among the healthiest people, aging takes a toll on the brain – changing and often decreasing our cognitive capabilities. Science fiction writers have long imagined ways to maintain and enhance cognition in the face of aging, disease, or otherwise. Increasingly, scientists are investigating ways to make that happen. One of those scientists – Adam […]
Shared Neural Activity for Shared Memories
After taking my kids to see Moana recently, I was struck by how differently they relayed the story to their dad than I did – different parts stood out to them as being especially funny or scary, and they used very different words to describe the plot and characters. Thus, it is mind-blowing to consider […]
