scholarly journals Exposure to and recall of violence reduce short-term memory and cognitive control

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (32) ◽  
pp. 8505-8510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Bogliacino ◽  
Gianluca Grimalda ◽  
Pietro Ortoleva ◽  
Patrick Ring
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Exposure To Violence ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Urban District ◽  
Term Memory

Previous research has investigated the effects of violence and warfare on individuals' well-being, mental health, and individual prosociality and risk aversion. This study establishes the short- and long-term effects of exposure to violence on short-term memory and aspects of cognitive control. Short-term memory is the ability to store information. Cognitive control is the capacity to exert inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Both have been shown to affect positively individual well-being and societal development. We sampled Colombian civilians who were exposed either to urban violence or to warfare more than a decade earlier. We assessed exposure to violence through either the urban district-level homicide rate or self-reported measures. Before undertaking cognitive tests, a randomly selected subset of our sample was asked to recall emotions of anxiety and fear connected to experiences of violence, whereas the rest recalled joyful or emotionally neutral experiences. We found that higher exposure to violence was associated with lower short-term memory abilities and lower cognitive control in the group recalling experiences of violence, whereas it had no effect in the other group. This finding demonstrates that exposure to violence, even if a decade earlier, can hamper cognitive functions, but only among individuals actively recalling emotional states linked with such experiences. A laboratory experiment conducted in Germany aimed to separate the effect of recalling violent events from the effect of emotions of fear and anxiety. Both factors had significant negative effects on cognitive functions and appeared to be independent from each other.

EEG frequency and the size of cognitive neuronal assemblies

2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid von Stein ◽  
Johannes Sarnthein
Keyword(s):  
Object Recognition ◽  
Visual Perception ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Cortical Area ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Spectral Parameters ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Neuronal Assemblies ◽  
Target Article

We have performed a set of experiments that correlate EEG spectral parameters with cognitive functions. The tasks (visual perception, supramodal object recognition, short-term memory) were chosen so that the cortical area involved extended over different length scales. The extent of the cognitive neuronal assemblies correlated inversely with the frequency where EEG synchronization was found. This provides a further relation between experiment and the theory put forward in the Nunez target article.

EVALUATING SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE TO WI-FI SIGNALS ON STUDENTS’ REACTION TIME, SHORT-TERM MEMORY AND REASONING ABILITY

2019 ◽  
Vol 187 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Hosseini ◽  
A Hosseini ◽  
S Jarideh ◽  
H Argasi ◽  
F Shekoohi-Shooli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Field Strength ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Reasoning Ability ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Short Term Exposure

Abstract This study investigated the effect of short-term exposure to Wi-Fi signals on the cognitive functions of the mind. After obtaining permission from the local Ethics Committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and approval by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT2017041233398N1), 45 male and female students from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences volunteered to participate in this study. They were exposed to Wi-Fi signals in two sham and exposure sessions, each for 2 hours. After completion, they took part in reaction time, short-term memory, and reasoning ability tests. After scoring, the data were analysed by SPSS software. In addition, the electric field strength and power density were calculated. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the mean scores of reaction time, short-term memory, and reasoning ability in sham and exposure. Also, the obtained values from the electric field strength and power density (E = 4.1 Vm−1, P = 0.446 Wm−2) were lower than that of threshold values by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Our results can greatly reduce concerns regarding the effects of short-term exposure to Wi-Fi waves on cognitive functions.

Short-term memory in patients with the consequences of craniocerebral trauma

1986 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-209
Author(s):  
A. S. Osetrov ◽  
A. Z. Bagautdinova
Keyword(s):  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Craniocerebral Trauma ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Word Test ◽  
Craniocerebral Injuries ◽  
Personality Features

We studied short-term memory in patients who had suffered craniocerebral injuries using a 10-word test. Since mnastic activity depends on attention and motivational-emotional states, we examined patients' attention using the Bourdon correctional test and personality features using a multilateral personality examination.

Comparison of cognitive functions among frail and prefrail older adults: a clinical perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bárbara Bispo da Silva Alves ◽  
Elizabete de Oliveira Barbosa ◽  
Daniel de Moraes Pimentel ◽  
Lara S. F. Carneiro ◽  
Ana Carolina M. A. Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
P Value ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Global Cognition

ABSTRACTObjective:To compare cognitive function among frail and prefrail older adults.Design:Cross-sectional clinical study.Participants:Fifty-one non-institutionalized older individuals participated in this study.Measurements:Cognitive functions were evaluated through Mini-Mental State Examination (Global Cognition), Digit Span Forward (short-term memory), Digit Span Backward (working memory), Verbal Fluency Test (semantic memory/executive function). Data were compared using parametric and non-parametric bivariate tests. Binary logistic regression was used to test a frailty prediction model. Statistical significance was defined as p ≤ 0.01 to compare groups. In the regression model, the p value was set to be ≤0.05.Results:Statistically significant differences were observed in global cognition, and short-term memory between frail and prefrail individuals (p ≤ 0.01). Global cognition explained 14–19% of frailty's model.Conclusion:According to our findings, the evaluation of cognitive functions among older persons with frailty and prefrailty provides important complementary information to better manage frailty and its progression.

Effect of modafinil on cognitive functions in alcohol dependent patients: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 998-1006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leen Joos ◽  
Anna E Goudriaan ◽  
Lianne Schmaal ◽  
Wim van den Brink ◽  
Bernard GC Sabbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Stroop Task ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Alcohol Dependent

Cognitive deficits are highly prevalent in alcohol-dependent (AD) patients and may have a detrimental impact on treatment response and treatment outcome. Enhancing cognitive functions may improve treatment success. Modafinil is a promising compound in this respect. Therefore, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted with modafinil (300 mg/d) or placebo in 83 AD patients for 10 weeks. Various cognitive functions (digit span task, Tower of London task, Stroop task) were measured at baseline, during and after treatment. Compared to placebo, modafinil improved verbal short-term memory (number of forward digit spans) ( p=0.030), but modafinil exerted a negative effect on the working memory score of the digit span task ( p=0.003). However, subgroup analyses revealed that modafinil did improve both working memory and verbal short-term memory in AD patients with a poor working memory ability at baseline (25% worst performers), whereas no significant treatment effect of modafinil was found on these two dependent variables in patients with good working memory skills at baseline (25% best performers). No effect of modafinil was found on measures of planning (Tower of London task) and selective attention (Stroop task). Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between cognitive remediation and treatment outcome in order to design targeted treatments.

scholarly journals Insomnia and intellect mask the positive link between schizotypal traits and creativity

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertalan Polner ◽  
Péter Simor ◽  
Szabolcs Kéri
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Remote Association

Background Schizotypy is a set of personality traits that resemble the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia in the general population, and it is associated with various subclinical mental health problems, including sleep disturbances. Additionally, dimensions of schizotypy show specific but weak associations with creativity. Given that creativity demands cognitive control and mental health, and that sleep disturbances negatively impact cognitive control, we predicted that positive, impulsive and disorganised schizotypy will demonstrate stronger associations with indicators of creativity, if the effect of mental health, insomnia, and intellect are statistically controlled. Methods University students (N = 182) took part in the study. Schizotypy was assessed with the shortened Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (sO-LIFE). Creative achievements were measured with the Creative Achievement Questionnaire (CAQ), divergent thinking was assessed with the ‘Just suppose’ task, and remote association problem solving was tested with Compound Remote Associate (CRA) problems. Mental health was assessed with the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and insomnia was examined with the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). Verbal short term memory was measured with the forward digit span task, and intellect was assessed with the Rational-Experiential Inventory (REI). Multiple linear regressions were performed to examine the relationship between creativity and schizotypy. Indicators of creativity were the dependent variables. In the first block, dimensions of schizotypy, age, gender and smoking were entered, and in the second block, the models were extended with mental health, insomnia, verbal short term memory, and intellect. Results Positive schizotypy positively predicted real-life creative achievements, independently from the positive effect of intellect. Follow-up analyses revealed that positive schizotypy predicted creative achievements in art, while higher disorganised schizotypy was associated with creative achievements in science (when intellect was controlled for). Furthermore, disorganised schizotypy positively predicted remote association problem solving performance, if insomnia and verbal short term memory were statistically controlled. No dimension of schizotypy was significantly associated with divergent thinking. Discussion In line with previous findings, positive schizotypy predicted real-life creative achievements. The positive effects of disorganised schizotypy might be explained in terms of the simultaneous involvement of enhanced semantic priming and cognitive control in problem solving. We speculate that the lack of associations between divergent thinking and schizotypy might be related to instruction effects. Our study underscores the relevance of sleep impairment to the psychosis-spectrum, and refines our knowledge about the adaptive aspects of schizotypy in the general population.

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