MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences UnitA common feature of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is apathy. Having apathy symptoms, including deficits in working memory and mental/cognitive flexibility, has been linked to worse prognosis and survival for FTD patients. However, its role as an early marker of FTD progression is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess whether apathy in presymptomatic […]
Mind over Matter: how hippocampal GABA enables inhibitory control over unwanted thoughts
We can’t always control what we think, for those with psychiatric disorders, this is especially challenging. Intrusive memories, flashbacks, and hallucinations are hallmark symptoms of a variety of mental health conditions. Although these symptoms are often attributed to problems with brain regions that help us inhibit unwanted thoughts—such as the prefrontal cortex—difficulties in controlling intrusive […]
How does the brain help us remember?
Past theoretical models of memory have stressed the importance of schematic representations of memory: information that is congruent with existing knowledge (a schema) is usually remembered better than less congruent information. Only recently, however, have memory schemas been studied from the perspective of systems neuroscience. Additionally, schematic models fail to account for the fact that […]
Researchers discover how key protein spreads in Alzheimer’s and PSP
Alzheimer’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are neurodegenerative diseases that affect different parts of the brain. Past research has established a strong link between neurodegenerative diseases and heightened levels of tau proteins in the brain. While Alzheimer’s primarily affects densely-connected brain regions in the cortex, PSP is characterised by the accumulation of tau proteins […]
Moving beyond narrow diagnoses with the help of brain networks
When kids struggle in school, one of the first steps toward getting them help is often labelling their difficulties with a formal diagnosis, like attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, or dyslexia. But few children experience symptoms that fit neatly a single category – a complication that has hindered efforts to uncover the origin […]
Healing the wounds of trauma by making memory more flexible
In the wake of intense experiences of trauma, individuals sometimes develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which usually involves vivid flashbacks, intense anxiety, and intrusive thoughts or images. Recent research has revealed that PTSD may arise through changes in memory about the traumatic event. Based on this research, scientists at CBU designed an intervention – called […]
A unified neurocomputational bilateral model of spoken language production in healthy participants and recovery in post stroke aphasia
Language is a key human ability. When impaired (e.g., after stroke or neurodegeneration), patients are left with significant disability in their professional and everyday lives. These language problems (known as aphasia) are common – around one-third of the 10 million+ patients in the acute phase post stroke. Many patients show some degree of partial recovery […]
Chaucer Club – Easter term 2018
The Chaucer Club Seminar programme for Easter term 2018 is now available. Talks are free to attend and are open to all. Please note – spaces are limited and all seats are allocated on first-come, first-served basis. You can find the programme and further details here: Chaucer-Club No parking is available at the MRC Cognition […]
