Authors:

BARNARD, P.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2027

CBU number:

9299

Abstract:

This chapter outlines a novel account of autism based upon a macro-theory of the human mind called Interacting Cognitive Subsystems (ICS). This approach holds that the core of human mental activity involves interactions between two meaning subsystems. One handles concepts (the Propositional subsystem) while an evolutionarily older subsystem handles affectively charged meanings that integrate products of sensory and bodily processing with products of processing conceptual meanings (the Implicational subsystem). These two subsystems individually interact with different subsets of seven other subsystems specialized for perceptual or effector processing and mental imagery in verbal and visual domains. In ICS, cognitive control is mediated not by a ‘central executive’ but by local exchanges between subsystems. These allow diverse developmental trajectories to emerge to manage both typical and atypical constraints on cognitive control. It is conjectured that what unifies the autistic community is that they all have an atypical ‘synchromesh’ mechanism within their Implicational subsystem that affects the timing of its interactions with other subsystems. The relevant ICS mechanisms are described, related to lived experiences, and used to account for widely cited scientific findings on autism. Some implications of this approach are discussed for future directions in autism science and requirements for individual support.

URL:

Authors:

KUSEC, A., Bennet, R., Carmona, E., Korbacz, A.J., Smith, V., PEERS, P.V., MURPHY, F.C., MANLY, T.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9298

Abstract:

Approximately 1 in 3 acquired brain injury (ABI) survivors have post-ABI depression. Behavioural Activation (BA), an intervention that encourages engagement in positively reinforcing activities, shows promise. We conducted a process evaluation of two group-based BA interventions in ABI. Adults (≥18 years) recruited from ABI services, charities, and self-referral were randomised to receive either “Traditional” BA (scheduling positive activities combined with cognitive management strategies) or “Experiential” BA (completing positive activities within-session only), delivered once weekly over 8 weeks. N=49 participants completed interviews on perceived processes linked to mood and activity changes and any associated benefits (Traditional BA n=25, Experiential BA n=24). A positive therapeutic milieu, a sense of group cohesion and sharing ABI-related experiences were viewed to foster psychological safety, reduce social isolation and underlie mood/activity improvements in both groups. Traditional BA processes included developing skillsets in coping with low mood, avoidance and cognitive barriers to activities, aligning activities to values, and challenging negative thinking patterns. Experiential BA processes included in-session enjoyment, enhanced present-mindedness, and having choice and control in selecting within-session activities. Positive group processes may enhance outcomes in group-based BA in ABI. Differing group-based BA methods in ABI may have separate underlying mechanisms that should be maximised.

URL:

Data for this project is available at: https://osf.io/m9rwd

Authors:

POLI, F., Oldham, S., MOUSLEY, A., Bullmore, E., Vertes, P., ASTLE, D.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9297

Abstract:

Brain network formation unfolds on a nonuniform developmental timetable, with different cortical regions generating connections at different developmental phases. Generative network models (GNMs) aim to uncover the principles underpinning the organization of connectomes by creating synthetic networks according to simple computational rules. These models capture the connectome’s topology, operationalized here as the cumulative distributions of network metrics (e.g., modularity, small-worldness, rich-club structure). However, GNMs typically ignore the differential timing of connectivity formation, and by omitting this temporal programme they often misplace topological features in physical space. Here, we add a heterochronous growth term to GNMs and use a model fitness function that weighs topology and topography equally. Topography refers to the spatial embedding of the network—the actual anatomical positions of the axonal tracts. With these advances, we can generate synthetic networks that more faithfully reproduce the spatial layout of diffusion-MRI connectomes from two independent adult cohorts. Compared with classical, temporally agnostic models, heterochronous simulations improve model fit, accurately locate cortical hubs and modules across individuals, and converge on a single caudal-to-rostral gradient of brain maturation. Overall, integrating heterochronicity makes GNMs more faithful to brain development, and allows for better identification of individual differences in network formation.

URL:

Authors:

Metherell, T.E., Kurten, S., Ghai, S., Ploubidis, G.B., Moreno-Agostino, D. & ORBEN, A.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9296

Abstract:

Purpose There is a notable lack of studies investigating the mental health associations of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Global South, particularly with regard to the use of digital technologies. We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional associations of digital technology use with mental health indicators during the pandemic in 12 countries in the Global South. Methods We used data from the UNICEF Innocenti Disrupting Harm survey. The survey included a representative sample of 11,912 internet-using children aged 12–17 in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. We modelled the associations of social connection during lockdown and internet use during the pandemic with six different indicators of wellbeing in each country (excluding Tanzania, where there had been no lockdowns) and in the overall sample using robust linear and logistic regression. We controlled for a range of putative socioeconomic and demographic confounders and handled missing data using multiple imputation. Results We did not find clear evidence for any general associations of social connection or internet use with mental health indicators during lockdown across countries. Rather, our results are complex and demonstrate that the relationship depends heavily on an individual’s context; not just on the country they are living in but also on their gender, urbanicity and other factors. Nonetheless, our results highlight key focus areas for further research. Conclusion Extensive further research is needed to identify ways in which technology use, including internet use, might act as a risk or protective factor relevant to mental ill health among young people in the countries of the Global South.

URL:

Authors:

JAMA Psychiatry

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9295

Abstract:

Social interaction is a critical component of mental well-being. Over the past few years, engagement via a variety of virtual modes has added new components to traditional social activities, and reduced the barriers for individuals to stay in touch with others and reach comparatively large audiences. The rapid growth of social media suggests that people interacting with these services might find them rewarding. Rewards, by definition, are outcomes which reinforce preceding activities and promote repetition

URL:

Authors:

MITCHELL, D., Kadohisa, M., Kusunoki, M., Bhatia, C., Buckley, M.J., DUNCAN, J.D.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9294

Abstract:

Attention is a coherent state, in which multiple brain regions converge to represent selected features of a focal object or event. Lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC), with its flexible coding of multiple task features and their conjunctions, is widely believed to play a key role in this process. While much research has investigated biased competition between features within a brain region, and cofluctuations of activity between regions, less is known about the representational dynamics through which a coherent neural state emerges. Here, we examine directed mutual information concerning multiple feature-specific population codes, between dorsal and ventral LPFC, across three phases of an attentional selection task. We find bidirectional convergence of information regarding multiple task features, but specifically following the period of selection from the visual display. The results show that neural processes driving inter-region coherence are especially salient during a period of cued object selection, despite comparable local information representation during other task phases.

URL:

Authors:

HENSON, R., GREVE, A.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9293

Abstract:

Prior knowledge can enhance memory for both schema-congruent and schema-incongruent events. According to the SLIMM framework, memory performance generally follows a U-shaped pattern, with both highly expected and highly surprising events being better remembered than neutral ones. We tested this prediction across four experiments in which participants viewed scenes containing congruent or incongruent objects, rating each as expected or surprising on a four-level scale. Memory was assessed using: (1) old/new item recognition categorized by recollection and familiarity, and (2) source memory, in which participants reported whether objects had been rated as expected or surprising at study. Schema effects on memory varied by test type. Item recognition consistently showed an advantage for expected trials only, primarily via recollection, while familiarity (if assumed independent of recollection) increased with surprise level – contrary to SLIMM’s predictions. We hypothesize that schema-related retrieval strategies enhance recollection of expected objects. Source memory did produce a reliable U-shaped pattern, even though this particular task should only produce an advantage for surprising trials according to SLIMM. We suggest participants tagged events as “surprising” or “expected” during study and could later recall the tag. When the tag was ‘weak’ or unavailable – more likely for moderately categorized events – participants fell back on schema-related retrieval strategy, which benefits retrieval of expected events. Together, these mechanisms produce the observed U-shaped pattern for source memory. Our findings reveal the complex retrieval test dependent manner in which prior knowledge shapes episodic memory.

URL:

Authors:

MAI, G., Upton, E., Griffiths, T.D., Leff, A.P., Crinion, J.T., Mills, G., Neville, D., Anderson, S., Price, C.J., HALAI, A.D., Blairs, M., ALLER, M., MACGREGOR, A.J., Davis, M.H., Robson, H.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9292

Abstract:

Comprehending connected speech is critical for human interaction and is vulnerable in post-stroke aphasia. Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying impaired speech listening is necessary for accurate and effective assessment and treatment. Neural speech tracking methods offer a window into naturalistic speech processing and may reveal causal contributions to comprehension. EEG was recorded during story listening in 15 people with aphasia with left temporal lesions (temporal group), 14 people with aphasia with left frontal lesions (frontal group) and 15 age- and hearing-matched controls (control group). All participants listened to clear and unintelligible stories (∼12 min per condition). Controls additionally listened to low-intelligibility stories that equated comprehension success to the temporal group. Envelope tracking was measured at syllable- (theta) and multi-syllable- (delta) rates. Neural decoding and encoding analyses measured global (whole-brain) and local (sensor-wise) speech tracking, respectively. Group comparisons used linear mixed-effects regression. Linear and quadratic relationships assessed associations between neural tracking and behavioural measures of comprehension while accounting for covariates. Behavioural measures of comprehension showed the temporal group were significantly impaired compared to both frontal and control groups. Comparison of intelligible and unintelligible speech found that intelligibility affected delta but not theta tracking—suggesting that delta tracking is linked to higher-order linguistic processing and theta tracking reflects sensory responses. Theta and delta envelope decoding reflected group/comprehension status: tracking was reduced in the temporal group compared to the control group, but tracking was not significantly different when control comprehension was behaviour-matched via speech degradation. Delta encoding produced a similarly behaviour-linked pattern, but theta encoding was lesion—rather than behaviour-sensitive, in that reduced tracking was observed in temporo-parietal sensors in both aphasia groups. Theta tracking correlated with comprehension in a lesion-specific manner. Positive correlations between theta tracking and comprehension were found in the temporal group and negative correlations in the frontal and control groups. This produced a quadratic (inverted-U) relationship between theta tracking and comprehension success across all participants. The control-like, negative theta tracking–comprehension correlations in the frontal group are consistent with listening effort effects in which greater task difficulty result in greater tracking. In the temporal group, where comprehension was impaired, better envelope tracking at syllable rates may help build a stable representation of the speech stream supporting phonological and lexical analysis and comprehension. These results indicate that envelope tracking reflects a combination of lesion and symptom profiles and is a viable method for investigating the mechanisms of speech comprehension in aphasia.

URL:

Authors:

ORBEN, A.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9291

URL:

Authors:

Metherell, T.R., Kurten, S., Ghai, S., Ploubidis, G.B., Moreno-Agostino, D., ORBEN, A.

Reference:

Year of publication:

2026

CBU number:

9290

Abstract:

Purpose There is a notable lack of studies investigating the mental health associations of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Global South, particularly with regard to the use of digital technologies. We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional associations of digital technology use with mental health indicators during the pandemic in 12 countries in the Global South. Methods We used data from the UNICEF Innocenti Disrupting Harm survey. The survey included a representative sample of 11,912 internet-using children aged 12–17 in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. We modelled the associations of social connection during lockdown and internet use during the pandemic with six different indicators of wellbeing in each country (excluding Tanzania, where there had been no lockdowns) and in the overall sample using robust linear and logistic regression. We controlled for a range of putative socioeconomic and demographic confounders and handled missing data using multiple imputation. Results We did not find clear evidence for any general associations of social connection or internet use with mental health indicators during lockdown across countries. Rather, our results are complex and demonstrate that the relationship depends heavily on an individual’s context; not just on the country they are living in but also on their gender, urbanicity and other factors. Nonetheless, our results highlight key focus areas for further research. Conclusion Extensive further research is needed to identify ways in which technology use, including internet use, might act as a risk or protective factor relevant to mental ill health among young people in the countries of the Global South.

URL: