scholarly journals Functional specialization within the inferior parietal lobes across cognitive domains

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ole Numssen ◽  
Danilo Bzdok ◽  
Gesa Hartwigsen
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Parietal Lobe ◽  
Effective Connectivity ◽  
Functional Specialization ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Task Specificity ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
Parietal Lobes ◽  
Multivariate Pattern

The inferior parietal lobe (IPL) is a key neural substrate underlying diverse mental processes, from basic attention to language and social cognition, that define human interactions. Its putative domain-global role appears to tie into poorly understood differences between cognitive domains in both hemispheres. Across attentional, semantic, and social cognitive tasks, our study explored functional specialization within the IPL. The task specificity of IPL subregion activity was substantiated by distinct predictive signatures identified by multivariate pattern-learning algorithms. Moreover, the left and right IPL exerted domain-specific modulation of effective connectivity among their subregions. Task-evoked functional interactions of the anterior and posterior IPL subregions involved recruitment of distributed cortical partners. While anterior IPL subregions were engaged in strongly lateralized coupling links, both posterior subregions showed more symmetric coupling patterns across hemispheres. Our collective results shed light on how under-appreciated functional specialization in the IPL supports some of the most distinctive human mental capacities.

scholarly journals Hemispheric specialization within the inferior parietal lobe across cognitive domains

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ole Numssen ◽  
Danilo Bzdok ◽  
Gesa Hartwigsen
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Parietal Lobe ◽  
Effective Connectivity ◽  
Hemispheric Specialization ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Inferior Parietal Lobe ◽  
Task Specificity ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
Multivariate Pattern

AbstractThe inferior parietal lobe (IPL) is a key neural substrate underlying diverse mental processes, from basic attention to language and social cognition that define human interactions. Its putative domain-global role appears to tie into poorly understood functional differences between both hemispheres. Across attentional, semantic, and social cognitive experiments, our study explored hemispheric specialization within the IPL. The task specificity of IPL subregion activity was substantiated by distinct predictive signatures identified by multivariate pattern-learning algorithms. Moreover, the left and right IPL exerted domain-specific modulation of effective connectivity among their subregions. Task-evoked functional interactions of the anterior and posterior IPL subregions involved recruitment of distributed cortical partners. While each anterior IPL subregion was engaged in strongly lateralized coupling links, both posterior subregions showed more symmetric coupling patterns across hemispheres. Our collective results shed light on how under-appreciated lateralization effects within the IPL support some of the most distinctive human mental capacities.

scholarly journals Multivariate Patterns of Posterior Cortical Activity Differentiate Forms of Emotional Distancing

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 2766-2776 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P Powers ◽  
John L Graner ◽  
Kevin S LaBar
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Parietal Lobe ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Cortical Activation ◽  
Cortical Regions ◽  
Multivariate Pattern ◽  
Conjunction Analysis ◽  
Emotional Distancing

Abstract Distancing is an effective tactic for emotion regulation, which can take several forms depending on the type(s) of psychological distance being manipulated to modify affect. We recently proposed a neurocognitive model of emotional distancing, but it is unknown how its specific forms are instantiated in the brain. Here, we presented healthy young adults (N = 34) with aversive pictures during functional magnetic resonance imaging to directly compare behavioral performance and brain activity across spatial, temporal, and objective forms of distancing. We found emotion regulation performance to be largely comparable across these forms. A conjunction analysis of activity associated with these forms yielded a high degree of overlap, encompassing regions of the default mode and frontoparietal networks as predicted by our model. A multivariate pattern classification further revealed distributed patches of posterior cortical activation that discriminated each form from one another. These findings not only confirm aspects of our overarching model but also elucidate a novel role for cortical regions in and around the parietal lobe in selectively supporting spatial, temporal, and social cognitive processes to distance oneself from an emotional encounter. These regions may provide new targets for brain-based interventions for emotion dysregulation.

scholarly journals Mediterranean Lifestyle in Relation to Cognitive Health: Results from the HELIAD Study

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Costas Anastasiou ◽  
Mary Yannakoulia ◽  
Meropi Kontogianni ◽  
Mary Kosmidis ◽  
Eirini Mamalaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Lifestyle Factor ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Lifestyle Pattern

Many lifestyle factors have been linked to cognitive function but little is known about their combined effect. An overall lifestyle pattern for people living in the Mediterranean basin has been proposed, including diet, but also physical activity, sleep and daily living activities with social/intellectual aspects. We aimed to examine the associations between a combination of these lifestyle factors and detailed cognitive performance. A total of 1716 participants from the Hellenic Longitudinal Investigation of Ageing and Diet (HELIAD), a population-based study of participants ≥65 years, were included in this analysis. Lifestyle factors were evaluated using standard, validated questionnaires and a Total Lifestyle Index (TLI) was constructed. Cognitive outcomes included mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis, a composite z-score (either continuous or with a threshold at the 25th percentile) and z-scores for five cognitive domains. A higher TLI was associated with 65% reduced odds for MCI in the non-demented individuals and 43% reduced odds for low global cognition when MCI participants were excluded, a risk reduction equivalent to 9 and 2.7 fewer years of ageing, respectively. Each lifestyle factor was differentially associated with domain-specific cognitive performance. Our results suggest that a TLI, more so than single lifestyle parameters, may be related to cognitive performance.

scholarly journals Are There Gender Differences in Social Cognition in First-Episode Psychosis?

Women ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-211
Author(s):  
Marina Verdaguer-Rodríguez ◽  
Raquel López-Carrilero ◽  
Marta Ferrer-Quintero ◽  
Helena García-Mieres ◽  
Luciana Díaz-Cutraro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Social Cognition ◽  
Attributional Style ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Test Theory ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
The Social

The aim of this study was to explore gender differences in social cognition in a sample of first-episode psychosis (FEP). An observational descriptive study was performed with 191 individuals with FEP. Emotion perception was assessed using the Faces Test, theory of mind was assessed using the Hinting Task, and attributional style was assessed using the Internal, Personal and Situational Attributions Questionnaire. No gender differences were found in any of the social cognitive domains. Our results suggest that men and women with FEP achieve similar performances in social cognition. Therefore, targeting specific needs in social cognition regarding gender may not be required in early interventions for psychosis.

Stability of Number-Processing Based on Information Granularity Associative with Parietal Cortex

2014 ◽  
Vol 519-520 ◽  
pp. 769-774
Author(s):  
Xiu Zhen Wang ◽  
Ri Feng Wang ◽  
Jian Hui Chen ◽  
Wei Quan Gu ◽  
Yue Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parietal Lobe ◽  
Number Line ◽  
Information Granularity ◽  
Granule Formation ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Unit Structure ◽  
Automatic Information ◽  
Arithmetic System ◽  
Cognitive Arithmetic

Stability, the ability to automatically extract and produce the efficient and accurate results of a defined problem without making epistemic assumptions, is discussed here as a possible memory system for understanding complex cognitive functions of the arithmetical learning. Stability is of top priority because it may typify organization of granule (knowledge-based information unit) structure. Memory efficiencies are that they depend on both linguistic factors and exposure to arithmetic training during granule formation or consolidation, supporting the idea of analog coding of numerical representations. Neuroimaging studies suggest that the parietal lobe as a potential substrate for a domain-specific representation of numeric quantities and associative memory mechanisms in stability, and results from these studies indicate that there may be the organization of number-related processes of stability in the parietal lobe. Stability seems to depend on the automatic information-processing system's response to experiential knowledge combining granularity (degree of detail or precision), maturational constraints, spatial factors (mental number line) and linguistic factors, making it an ideal candidate for understanding how these interactions play out in the cognitive arithmetic system.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Neuropsychological Tests for the Assessment of Dementia in Non-Western, Low-Educated or Illiterate Populations

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne Franzen ◽  
Esther van den Berg ◽  
Miriam Goudsmit ◽  
Caroline K. Jurgens ◽  
Lotte van de Wiel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Adaptation Procedure ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Low Educated ◽  
Culture Education

AbstractObjective:Neuropsychological tests are important instruments to determine a cognitive profile, giving insight into the etiology of dementia; however, these tests cannot readily be used in culturally diverse, low-educated populations, due to their dependence upon (Western) culture, education, and literacy. In this review we aim to give an overview of studies investigating domain-specific cognitive tests used to assess dementia in non-Western, low-educated populations. The second aim was to examine the quality of these studies and of the adaptations for culturally, linguistically, and educationally diverse populations.Method:A systematic review was performed using six databases, without restrictions on the year or language of publication.Results:Forty-four studies were included, stemming mainly from Brazil, Hong Kong, Korea, and considering Hispanics/Latinos residing in the USA. Most studies focused on Alzheimer’s disease (n = 17) or unspecified dementia (n = 16). Memory (n = 18) was studied most often, using 14 different tests. The traditional Western tests in the domains of attention (n = 8) and construction (n = 15), were unsuitable for low-educated patients. There was little variety in instruments measuring executive functioning (two tests, n = 13), and language (n = 12, of which 10 were naming tests). Many studies did not report a thorough adaptation procedure (n = 39) or blinding procedures (n = 29).Conclusions:Various formats of memory tests seem suitable for low-educated, non-Western populations. Promising tasks in other cognitive domains are the Stick Design Test, Five Digit Test, and verbal fluency test. Further research is needed regarding cross-cultural instruments measuring executive functioning and language in low-educated people.

scholarly journals Intraindividual Variability in Domain-Specific Cognition and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Vaughan ◽  
Iris Leng ◽  
Dale Dagenbach ◽  
Susan M. Resnick ◽  
Stephen R. Rapp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Intraindividual Variability ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Interindividual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Verbal Episodic Memory

Intraindividual variability among cognitive domains may predict dementia independently of interindividual differences in cognition. A multidomain cognitive battery was administered to 2305 older adult women (mean age 74 years) enrolled in an ancillary study of the Women’s Health Initiative. Women were evaluated annually for probable dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) for an average of 5.3 years using a standardized protocol. Proportional hazards regression showed that lower baseline domain-specific cognitive scores significantly predicted MCI (N=74), probable dementia (N=45), and MCI or probable dementia combined (N=101) and that verbal and figural memory predicted each outcome independently of all other cognitive domains. The baseline intraindividual standard deviation across test scores (IAV Cognitive Domains) significantly predicted probable dementia and this effect was attenuated by interindividual differences in verbal episodic memory. Slope increases in IAV Cognitive Domains across measurement occasions (IAV Time) explained additional risk for MCI and MCI or probable dementia, beyond that accounted for by interindividual differences in multiple cognitive measures, but risk for probable dementia was attenuated by mean decreases in verbal episodic memory slope. These findings demonstrate that within-person variability across cognitive domains both at baseline and longitudinally independently accounts for risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in support of the predictive utility of within-person variability.

scholarly journals Efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation on cognitive functioning in brain disorders: a meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (15) ◽  
pp. 2465-2486
Author(s):  
Marieke J. Begemann ◽  
Bodyl A. Brand ◽  
Branislava Ćurčić-Blake ◽  
André Aleman ◽  
Iris E. Sommer
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
The Other ◽  
Brain Disorders ◽  
Brain Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Non Invasive

AbstractBackgroundCognition is commonly affected in brain disorders. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) may have procognitive effects, with high tolerability. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in improving cognition, in schizophrenia, depression, dementia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and multiple sclerosis.MethodsA PRISMA systematic search was conducted for randomized controlled trials. Hedges' g was used to quantify effect sizes (ES) for changes in cognition after TMS/tDCS v. sham. As different cognitive functions may have unequal susceptibility to TMS/tDCS, we separately evaluated the effects on: attention/vigilance, working memory, executive functioning, processing speed, verbal fluency, verbal learning, and social cognition.ResultsWe included 82 studies (n = 2784). For working memory, both TMS (ES = 0.17, p = 0.015) and tDCS (ES = 0.17, p = 0.021) showed small but significant effects. Age positively moderated the effect of TMS. TDCS was superior to sham for attention/vigilance (ES = 0.20, p = 0.020). These significant effects did not differ across the type of brain disorder. Results were not significant for the other five cognitive domains.ConclusionsOur results revealed that both TMS and tDCS elicit a small trans-diagnostic effect on working memory, tDCS also improved attention/vigilance across diagnoses. Effects on the other domains were not significant. Observed ES were small, yet even slight cognitive improvements may facilitate daily functioning. While NIBS can be a well-tolerated treatment, its effects appear domain specific and should be applied only for realistic indications (i.e. to induce a small improvement in working memory or attention).

Combined social cognitive and neurocognitive rehabilitation strategies in schizophrenia: neuropsychological and psychopathological influences on Theory of Mind improvement

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (15) ◽  
pp. 3147-3157 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bechi ◽  
M. Bosia ◽  
M. Spangaro ◽  
M. Buonocore ◽  
F. Cocchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neurocognitive Performance ◽  
Comic Strips ◽  
Neuropsychological Measures ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Neurocognitive Rehabilitation

BackgroundNeurocognitive and social cognitive impairments represent important treatment targets in schizophrenia, as they are significant predictors of functional outcome. Different rehabilitative interventions have recently been developed, addressing both cognitive and psychosocial domains. Although promising, results are still heterogeneous and predictors of treatment outcome are not yet identified. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of two newly developed social cognitive interventions, respectively based on the use of videotaped material and comic strips, combined with domain-specific Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT). We also analysed possible predictors of training outcome, including basal neurocognitive performance, the degree of cognitive improvement after CRT and psychopathological variables.MethodSeventy-five patients with schizophrenia treated with CRT, were randomly assigned to: social cognitive training (SCT) group, Theory of Mind Intervention (ToMI) group, and active control group (ACG).ResultsANOVAs showed that SCT and ToMI groups improved significantly in ToM measures, whereas the ACG did not. We reported no influences of neuropsychological measures and improvement after CRT on changes in ToM. Both paranoid and non-paranoid subjects improved significantly after ToMI and SCT, without differences between groups, despite the better performance in basal ToM found among paranoid patients. In the ACG only non-paranoid patients showed an improvement in non-verbal ToM.ConclusionResults showed that both ToMI and SCT are effective in improving ToM in schizophrenia with no influence of neuropsychological domains. Our data also suggest that paranoid symptoms may discriminate between different types of ToM difficulties in schizophrenia.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document