Decision-making, cognitive functions, impulsivity, and media multitasking expectancies in high versus low media multitaskers

AbstractIn several studies, individuals who reported to frequently multitask with different media displayed reduced cognitive performance, for example in fluid intelligence and executive functioning. These cognitive functions are relevant for making advantageous decisions under both objective risk (requiring reflection and strategical planning) and ambiguous risk (requiring learning from feedback). Thus, compared to low media multitaskers (LMMs), high media multitaskers (HMMs) may perform worse in both types of decision situations. The current study investigated HMMs and LMMs in a laboratory setting with the Game of Dice Task (GDT; objective risk), the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT; ambiguous risk), various tests quantifying cognitive functions (logical reasoning, working memory, information processing, general executive functions), and self-report measures of impulsivity, media multitasking expectancies, and problematic Internet use. From 182 participants, 25 HMMs and 19 LMMs were identified using the Media Multitasking Index. Results show that HMMs compared to LMMs performed weaker on the IGT but not on the GDT. Furthermore, HMMs had slightly decreased performance in tests of logical reasoning and working memory capacity. HMMs tended to increased information processing speed but this difference was not significant. Furthermore, HMMs have more positive expectancies regarding media multitasking and reported higher tendencies toward problematic Internet use. HMMs and LMMs did not differ significantly with respect to impulsivity and executive functions. The results give a first hint that HMMs may have difficulties in decision-making under ambiguous but not under objective risk. HMMs may be more prone to errors in tasks that require feedback processing. However, HMMs appear not to be impaired in aspects of long-term strategic decision-making.

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Problematic internet use: an exploration of associations between cognition and COMT rs4818, rs4680 haplotypes

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852919001019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 409-418

Author(s):

Konstantinos Ioannidis ◽

Sarah A. Redden ◽

Stephanie Valle ◽

Samuel R. Chamberlain ◽

Jon E. Grant

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Visual Processing ◽

Internet Use ◽

Spatial Working Memory ◽

Problematic Internet Use ◽

Attention Task ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Internet Users

ObjectiveProblematic internet users suffer from impairment in a variety of cognitive domains. Research suggests that COMT haplotypes exert differential effects on cognition. We sought to investigate differences in the genetic profiles of problematic internet users and whether those could shed light on potential cognitive differences.MethodsWe recruited 206 non-treatment seeking participants with heightened impulsive traits and obtained cross-sectional demographic, clinical, and cognitive data as well as the genetic haplotypes of COMT rs4680 and rs4818. We identified 24 participants who presented with problematic internet use (PIU) and compared PIU and non-PIU participants using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi square as appropriate.ResultsPIU was associated with worse performance on decision making, rapid visual processing, and spatial working memory tasks. Genetic variants were associated with altered cognitive performance, but rates of PIU did not statistically differ for particular haplotypes of COMT.ConclusionThis study indicates that PIU is characterized by deficits in decision making and working memory domains; it also provides evidence for elevated impulsive responses and impaired target detection on a sustained attention task, which is a novel area worth exploring further in future work. The effects observed in the genetic influences on cognition of PIU subjects imply that the genetic heritable components of PIU may not lie within the genetic loci influencing COMT function and cognitive performance; or that the genetic component in PIU involves many genetic polymorphisms each conferring only a small effect.

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The Effect of Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation on Cognitive Training Outcome in Healthy Aging

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.625359 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Michela Brambilla ◽

Lars Dinkelbach ◽

Annelien Bigler ◽

Joseph Williams ◽

Nahid Zokaei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Random Noise ◽

Logical Reasoning ◽

Performance Change ◽

Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation

Background and Objective: Aging is associated with a decline in attentional and executive abilities, which are linked to physiological, structural, and functional brain changes. A variety of novel non-invasive brain stimulation methods have been probed in terms of their neuroenhancement efficacy in the last decade; one that holds significant promise is transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) that delivers an alternate current at random amplitude and frequency. The aim of this study was to investigate whether repeated sessions of tRNS applied as an add-on to cognitive training (CT) may induce long-term near and far transfer cognitive improvements.Methods: In this sham-controlled, randomized, double-blinded study forty-two older adults (age range 60–86 years) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups that received 20 min of 0.705 mA tRNS (N = 14), 1 mA tRNS (N = 14), or sham tRNS (N = 19) combined with 30 min of CT of executive functions (cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, working memory). tRNS was applied bilaterally over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices for five sessions. The primary outcome (non-verbal logical reasoning) and other cognitive functions (attention, memory, executive functions) were assessed before and after the intervention and at a 1-month follow-up.Results: Non-verbal logical reasoning, inhibitory control and reaction time improved significantly over time, but stimulation did not differentially affect this improvement. These changes occurred during CT, while no further improvement was observed during follow-up. Performance change in logical reasoning was significantly correlated with age in the group receiving 1 mA tRNS, indicating that older participants profited more from tRNS than younger participants. Performance change in non-verbal working memory was significantly correlated with age in the group receiving sham tRNS, indicating that in contrast to active tRNS, older participants in the sham group declined more than younger participants.Interpretation: CT induced cognitive improvements in all treatment groups, but tRNS did not modulate most of these cognitive improvements. However, the effect of tRNS depended on age in some cognitive functions. We discuss possible explanations leading to this result that can help to improve the design of future neuroenhancement studies in older populations.

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Neuropsychology and malnutrition: a study with 7 to 10 years-old children in a poor community

Revista Brasileira de Saúde Materno Infantil ◽

10.1590/s1519-38292007000100006 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 45-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Mônica C. Miranda ◽

Fernando J. Nóbrega ◽

Kazue Sato ◽

Sabine Pompéia ◽

Elaine G. Sinnes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Maternal Mental Health ◽

Average Birth Weight ◽

Term Memory ◽

Malnourished Children ◽

Visual Spatial ◽

Neuropsychological Profile ◽

Prenatal Malnutrition

OBJECTIVES: to compare the neuropsychological profile of eutrophic, stunted and chronically malnourished children, and to analyse the role of socio-economic factors on the cognitive development. METHODS: seven to 10 year-old girls and boys from a poor community in São Paulo were evaluated: 27 eutrophyc, 31 stunted and 15 chronically malnourished. Neuropsychological evaluation involved cognitive functions not fully assessed in this population, such as working, declarative and non-declarative memories, attention and executive functions. Socio-economic indicators, maternal mental health and the children's behaviour at school were also evaluated. RESULTS: malnourished children had a lower score on the vocabulary test than the eutrophic and stunted groups (p s<0.05), performed worse in the visuospatial working memory task (p = 0.01), were more anxious than the stunted (p = 0.006), and despite having lower average birth weight than eutrophic children (p = 0.01), only two children as had prenatal malnutrition. Stunted children exhibited no impairment. No differences in socio-economic variables were found among groups. CONCLUSIONS: chronic malnutrition was associated to impairment of expressive speech, visual-spatial short-term memory and increased anxiety. No effects were observed in intellectual abilities, executive functions, verbal working memory, long-term memory, nor in visuoconstructive function. Preservation of the latter cognitive functions can be attributed to adequate environmental conditions and the lack of overall prenatal malnutrition.

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Different trait markers for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a neurocognitive approach

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291701004068 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 31 (5) ◽

pp. 915-922 ◽

Cited By ~ 146

Author(s):

S. KÉRI ◽

O. KELEMEN ◽

G. BENEDEK ◽

Z. JANKA

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Working Memory ◽

Information Processing ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Visual Information ◽

Spatial Information ◽

Target Location ◽

Memory Task ◽

Visual Information Processing ◽

Verbal Recall

Background. The aim of this study was to assess visual information processing and cognitive functions in unaffected siblings of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and control subjects with a negative family history.Methods. The siblings of patients with schizophrenia (N = 25), bipolar disorder (N = 20) and the controls subjects (N = 20) were matched for age, education, IQ, and psychosocial functioning, as indexed by the Global Assessment of Functioning scale. Visual information processing was measured using two visual backward masking (VBM) tests (target location and target identification). The evaluation of higher cognitive functions included spatial and verbal working memory, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, letter fluency, short/long delay verbal recall and recognition.Results. The relatives of schizophrenia patients were impaired in the VBM procedure, more pronouncedly at short interstimulus intervals (14, 28, 42 ms) and in the target location task. Marked dysfunctions were also found in the spatial working memory task and in the long delay verbal recall test. In contrast, the siblings of patients with bipolar disorder exhibited spared performances with the exception of a deficit in the long delay recall task.Conclusions. Dysfunctions of sensory-perceptual analysis (VBM) and working memory for spatial information distinguished the siblings of schizophrenia patients from the siblings of individuals with bipolar disorder. Verbal recall deficit was present in both groups, suggesting a common impairment of the fronto-hippocampal system.

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Fatigue, quality of life, and cognitive functions in metastatic kidney cancer patients with antiangiogenic treatment.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2011.29.7_suppl.328 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (7_suppl) ◽

pp. 328-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. Noal ◽

M. Lange ◽

B. J. Escudier ◽

E. Sevin ◽

S. Dauchy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Working Memory ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Over Time

328 Background: Fatigue is commonly reported by patients under anti-angiogenic therapies, with sometimes cognitive complains. However, few studies have explored these problems. A longitudinal multicentric prospective study is ongoing in France on fatigue, cognitive functions, quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression among metastatic kidney cancer patients receiving anti-angiogenic therapies. Objectives: The main objective is to assess fatigue. Secondary objectives are to assess cognitive functions, QoL, anxiety, and depression. Methods: Assessments are made at baseline, at 3 and 6 months. Evaluations were made by: autoquestionnaire MFI-20 to assess fatigue, FACT-G and FKSI to assess QoL, Spielberger's and Beck's questionnaires to assess respectively anxiety and depression. Cognitive functions were assessed by a neuropsychologist with the Working Memory Index (WAIS-III), Grober and Buschke test, Rey Complexe Figure test, verbal fluency and Trail Making test, exploring respectively working memory, episodic memory and executive functions. Preliminary results are presented. Results: 35 patients were enrolled, and 20 of them had the second assessment at 3 months. Most of patients received sunitinib (51%), others received bevacizumab and interferon, or sorafenib. At baseline, 45% of patients expressed general fatigue and 50% at 3 months (p=0.04). Other domains of fatigue (physical, mental, reduced activity and motivation) did not change over time. At baseline, few patients had cognitive disorders (working memory 6%; executive functions 0%; episodic memory 11%), with no decline at 3 months. However, there was an impairment of QoL in FKSI score (p=0.01) and of FACT-G physical well-being (p=0.01). No differences were found in social, emotional or functional well-being. There was no difference on depression nor on anxiety over time. Conclusions: Fatigue significantly increased during the first 3 months of anti-angiogenic treatment, with no impact on cognitive functions but a decline of QoL. These preliminary findings need to be confirmed by further follow-up and more patients. Final results will be provided with 120 patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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Evaluar la creatividad y las funciones ejecutivas: propuesta para la escuela del futuro

Revista Electrónica Interuniversitaria de Formación del Profesorado ◽

10.6018/reifop.456041 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Inmaculada Sánchez-Macías ◽

Jairo Rodríguez-Media ◽

José Luis Aparicio-Herguedas

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Working Memory ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Creative Thinking ◽

Formative Evaluation ◽

Iowa Gambling Task ◽

Gambling Task ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Toma De Decisiones

Se presenta un estudio que pretende proponer estrategias de intervención didáctica y de evaluación para desarrollar y mejorar el funcionamiento ejecutivo y la creatividad en el alumnado de secundaria. Dicho estudio parte del análisis de las variables creatividad y funciones ejecutivas (memoria de trabajo (actualización), planificación, inhibición (verbal y motora), flexibilidad y toma de decisiones) medidas a través del Test de pensamiento creativo de Torrance(creatividad), la Escala de inteligencia de Weschler (WISC-IV, memoria de trabajo), Torre de Hanoi (planificación), Stroop (inhibición verbal), Go/no Go (inhibición motora), Test de Categorías de Wisconsin (flexibilidad) y el Iowa Gambling Task (toma de decisiones). Se han buscado las posibles relaciones entre las variables a partir de un diseño descriptivo, correlacional y transversal, en el que los resultados muestran que flexibilidad y creatividad se relacionan (r=) e inhibición verbal y creatividad también se relacionan (r=). A la luz de estos resultados se proponen estrategias metodológicas basadas en la investigación y la resolución de problemas y de evaluación formativa que insten, activando las funciones ejecutivas, a la autoevalución crítica, participada, la evaluación compartida con iguales. A study is presented that aims to propose didactic intervention and evaluation strategies to develop and improve executive functioning and creativity in secondary school students. Said study starts from the analysis of the variables creativity and executive functions (working memory (updating), planning, inhibition (verbal and motor), flexibility and decision-making) measured through the Torrance Creative Thinking Test (creativity), Weschler Intelligence Scale (WISC-IV, working memory), Tower of Hanoi (planning), Stroop (verbal inhibition), Go / no Go (motor inhibition), Wisconsin Category Test (flexibility) and the Iowa Gambling Task (decision making). The possible relationships between the variables have been sought from a descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional design, in which the results show that flexibility and creativity are related (r =) and verbal inhibition and creativity are also related (r =). In light of these results, methodological strategies based on research and problem solving and formative evaluation are proposed that encourage, activating executive functions, critical, participatory self-evaluation, shared evaluation with peers.

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Cognitive Content of Commercial Exergames

International Journal of Game-Based Learning ◽

10.4018/ijgbl.2019070102 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 23-37

Author(s):

Fernanda Cerveira Abuana Cerveira Fronza ◽

Elisa Pinheiro Ferrari ◽

Daniela Karine Ramos ◽

Ademilde Silveira Sartori ◽

Fernando Luiz Cardoso

Keyword(s):

Selective Attention ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Logical Reasoning ◽

Cognitive Content ◽

Long Jump

The objective of study was to identify and describe the cognitive content of commercial Exergames through the evaluation of five experts in cognitive functions. The method used to delineate the relevance of the executive functions in Exergames involved the concordance between judges. Based on the evaluation of the experts, regarding the representativeness of the cognitive functions for each modality, 60% agreed moderately that logical reasoning was present in soccer. In athletics, logical reasoning in the launching of dart stands out (60%). In the long jump, 60% of the experts moderately agreed that logical reasoning is present, while in skiing 60% stated that participants used selective attention. In Tennis, 40% of experts agreed that cognitive flexibility is demonstrated. There was great agreement by the experts that the aquarium game involved the presence of selective attention (100%), except in the case of the winding stream. It is concluded that there is a representation of executive functions in the commercial Exergames analyzed.

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Executive Functions and Problematic Internet Use among University Students: The Mediator Role of Self-Esteem

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su131911003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (19) ◽

pp. 11003

Author(s):

Carmen Pichardo ◽

Miriam Romero-López ◽

Alba Ruiz-Durán ◽

Trinidad García-Berbén

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Internet Use ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Problematic Internet Use ◽

The Internet ◽

Emotional Control ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Mediator Role

Information and communication technologies are transforming our daily lives in a wide variety of ways, such as the way we work, study, and interact with others. There are clear benefits to be gained from appropriate use, but a problem arises when addictive and problematic use of the Internet is experienced. In this sense, several predictive factors can be related to inappropriate or problematic Internet use. For this reason, the present study aimed to analyze whether inhibition, flexibility, emotional control (executive functions) and self-esteem directly influence all variables of problematic Internet use. Furthermore, it was examined whether executive functions, mediated by self-esteem, indirectly influence problematic Internet use. The study involved 514 university students who completed three scales, one for the assessment of problematic Internet use, one for self-esteem and one for executive functions. Mediation models showed that both executive functions and self-esteem had an influence on different problematic uses of the Internet. Specifically, it was found that flexibility and emotional control were the variables with the most direct effects, as they influenced all variables of problematic Internet use. However, when self-esteem was included as a mediator, inhibition was the variable with the most indirect effects.

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The relationship between subjective sleep quality and cognitive performance in healthy young adults: Evidence from three empirical studies

10.1101/328369 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Zsófia Zavecz ◽

Nagy Tamás ◽

Adrienn Galkó ◽

Dezso Nemeth ◽

Karolina Janacsek

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Young Adults ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Procedural Learning ◽

Subjective Sleep Quality ◽

Subjective Sleep ◽

The Relationship

AbstractThe role of sleep in cognitive performance has gained increasing attention in neuroscience and sleep research in the recent decades, however, the relationship between subjective (self-reported) sleep quality and cognitive performance has not yet been comprehensively characterized. In this paper, our aim was to test the relationship between subjective sleep quality and a wide range of cognitive functions in a healthy young adult sample combined across three studies. Sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Athens Insomnia Scale, and a sleep diary to capture general subjective sleep quality, and Groningen Sleep Quality Scale to capture prior night’s sleep quality. Within cognitive functions, we tested working memory, executive functions, and several sub-processes of procedural learning. To provide more reliable results, we included robust frequentist and Bayesian statistical analyses as well. Unequivocally across all analyses, we showed that there is no association between subjective sleep quality and cognitive performance in the domain of working memory, executive functions and procedural learning in healthy young adults. Our paper can contribute to a deeper understanding of subjective sleep quality and its measures, and we discuss various factors that may affect whether associations can be observed between subjective sleep quality and cognitive performance.

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