New study shows age related differences in memory depend on age related grey matter integrity and the integrity of white matter connections. Many of us experience memory problems as we grow older, but different types of memory change at different rates. A recent study from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (CamCAN; www.cam-can.org), […]
Archives for 2016
Strength of connections in the brain support mental speed and agility
New study using MRI assesses which mental and neural differences affect fluid intelligence. The ability to solve abstract reasoning problems, sometimes known as ‘fluid intelligence’, plays a central role in many day to day activities across the lifespan. Cam-CAN researchers have studied which mental and neural differences play a role in supporting fluid intelligence. They […]
Evidence of changes to children’s brain rhythms following ‘brain training’
A new study found evidence that ‘brain training’ changed brain signalling but no indication of other benefits. The research team tested whether it is possible to improve memory skills in childhood with training. The study published by Dr Duncan Astle in the Journal of Neuroscience had children playing games that taxed their short-term memory. For half the […]
Efficacy and cost effectiveness of outpatient based treatment options for depression
The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of outpatient-based, specialist depression services (SDS) versus treatment as usual (TAU) on depression symptoms and function was tested. The study, co authored by Tim Dalgleish and reported in Lancet Psychiatry was a multicentre, single-blind, patient-level, parallel, randomised controlled trial (RCT), in three mental health outpatient settings in England. Eligible participants were older […]
Exciting new multivariate measure of functional connectivity
Functional connectivity is a popular technique used to study the brain’s functional architecture. The method that is typically used to study connectivity in fMRI data involves averaging signals (voxels) from regions of interest and computing Pearson correlations to determine the connectivity between different regions. In a recent study in Neuroimage, Linda Geerligs and Richard […]
Alan Archer-Boyd awarded Action on Hearing Loss Pauline Ashley Fellowship
Alan Archer-Boyd and Bob Carlyon, have been awarded a Pauline Ashley Fellowship from Action on Hearing Loss. The aim of the scheme is to build research capacity in hearing research by supporting new investigators towards becoming independent scientists. Alan is a post-doctoral scientist at the CBU, and his sponsor is CBU deputy director Bob Carlyon. Pauline Ashley […]
CALM Workshop 2017
Understanding and supporting mental health and learning in children Saturday 11th March 2017. 10am-3pm (Programme to follow) This workshop is free of charge. To book a place please email: CALM@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Effectively Reduces Risk of Depressive Relapse
The largest meta-analysis so far of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for recurrent depression has found that MBCT is an effective treatment option that can help prevent the recurrence of major depression in those who are currently in remission. The paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA): Psychiatry and co-authored by […]