BrainBlog

On the 20th of October, the New York Academy of Sciences is hosting the following event: Celluloid Science: Humanizing Life in the Lab From the website: "Science & the City teams with the Imagine Science Film Festival (ISFF) to present a panel discussion about telling the stories of science through film. Moderating this panel will be A Planet of Viruses author Carl Zimmer. On the panel will be Sean Carroll, PhD (evolutionary biologist and founder of the Howard Hughes Medical institute's Documentary Institute); David J. Heeger, PhD (neuroscientist who studies the brains under the influence of cinematic stimuli); Darcy Kelley, PhD (biologist at Columbia University); and Valerie Weiss, PhD (scientist and award-winning writer and director, Losing Control)." Full description here

Microsoft's research project: SenseCam SenseCam and memory functioning Here is a recently published research study: SenseCam improves memory for recent events and quality of life in a patient with memory retrieval difficulties. Memory . 2011 Sep 26; Browne G, Berry E, Kapur N, Hodges S, Smyth G, Watson P, Wood K Abstract A wearable camera that takes pictures automatically, SenseCam, was used to generate images for rehearsal, promoting consolidation and retrieval of memories for significant events in a patient with memory retrieval deficits. SenseCam images of recent events were systematically reviewed over a 2-week period. Memory for these events was assessed throughout and longer-term recall was tested up to 6 months later. A written diary control condition followed the same procedure. The SenseCam review procedure resulted in significantly more details of an event being recalled, with twice as many details recalled at 6 months follow up compared to the written diary method. Self-...

Correlates of quitting the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test in cognitively normal older adults participating in a study of normal cognitive aging Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology. 2011 Oct;33(8):937-43. Epub 2011 Jun 27. Locke DE, Stonnington CM, Thomas ML, Caselli RJ. Abstract Our study of cognitive aging involves a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological measures. The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) is the only test that some of our participants will refuse to complete. We explored variables related to quitting versus completing the PASAT in this sample of normal older adults. We hypothesized that quitting would be related to personality features, subclinical anxiety symptoms, demographics, and/or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) Arithmetic performance. A logistical regression model including NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R) depression and excitement seeking, age, and WAIS-R Arithmetic classified participants with...

A multidimensional approach to impulsivity changes in mild Alzheimer's disease and control participants: Cognitive correlates Cortex . 2011 Sep 2; Rochat L, Billieux J, Juillerat Van der Linden AC, Annoni JM, Zekry D, Gold G, Van der Linden M Abstract INTRODUCTION: Impulsive behaviors are frequently described in brain-damaged patients, including patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, few studies have examined impulsivity changes and associated cognitive impairments in AD and healthy controls. Consequently, the first aim of this study was to compare patients with mild AD and matched controls on four dimensions of impulsivity (urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking) recently highlighted in the literature. The second objective was to examine the association between impulsivity changes and cognitive performances on executive/attentional tasks in mild AD and healthy controls. METHODS: Thirty patients with mild AD and 30 matched controls...

A press release from the NIH: Prescribed stimulant use for ADHD continues to rise steadily NIH and AHRQ study finds pace of the rise has slowed in recent years "The prescribed use of stimulant medications to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) rose slowly but steadily from 1996 to 2008, according to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The study was published online ahead of print Sept. 28, 2011, in the American Journal of Psychiatry . "ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders, and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity). The condition is frequently treated with stimulants such as methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin), amphetamines (e.g., Adderall) or other types of medications. Behavioral therapies can also be effective. "During...

Validation of the language component of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination - Revised (ACE-R) as a screening tool for aphasia in stroke patients. Australas J Ageing . 2011 Sep;30(3):156-8 Authors: Gaber TA, Parsons F, Gautam V Abstract Aim:  Several tests are available for aphasia screening following stroke. However, some of them have shortcomings such as need of specialist knowledge, low sensitivity and/or specificity and lengthy administration time. Our study aims to evaluate the language component of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination - Revised (ACE-R) as a screening tool for aphasia in stroke patients. Methods:  The language component of ACE-R was administered to consecutive patients admitted to a post-acute stroke unit. Patients who were medically unstable or had a significant history of sensory impairment or mental health issues were excluded. The test was administered by two junior doctors with basic training in ACE-R administration. Patients recruited were also...

Conference Website From the homepage: "Plan now to attend the ACRM-ASNR 2011 Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. This annual conference draws rehabilitation researchers and clinicians from 20+ countries with a welcoming ambiance suited to seasoned and early career professionals alike. Attendees enjoy exceptional continuing education programs with productive networking opportunities. "Choose from internationally recognized plenary speakers, and symposia covering methodology and technology; practice, policy and reimbursement; neuroscience and neurorehabilitation; and musculoskeletal, aging, and development. "In addition, there are six pre-conference symposia and an Early Career Course on Wednesday. Paper presentations and poster displays, and an exhibition featuring state-of-the-art equipment and services for the rehabilitation professional. As always, there is the opportunity to meet new friends and greet old ones."

"Gold Cortex" - the image of the week from Scope, the Stanford School of Medicine blog: Image of the Week "Gold Cortex" was created by Greg Dunn. Here is is website: Greg Dunn Visual Art

An active area of test development and research in contemporary clinical neuropsychology: Social Cognition Impairments in Relation to General Cognitive Deficits, Injury Severity and Prefrontal Lesions in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients. Journal of Neurotrauma . 2011 Sep 20; Authors: Spikman JM, Van der Naalt J, Timmerman ME, Milders MV, Veenstra WS Abstract Impairments in social behavior are frequently found in moderate to severe TBI patients and are associated with an unfavorable outcome with regard to return to work and social reintegration. Neuropsychological tests measuring aspects of social cognition are thought to be sensitive to these problems. However, little is known about the effect of general cognitive problems on these tests, nor about their sensitivity to injury severity and frontal lesions. In the present study 28 chronic TBI patients with a moderate to severe TBI were assessed with tests for social cognition (emotion recognition, Theory of Mind and empathy) and for gener...

Today's recommended paper reflects one of my research interests when I was an undergraduate: Experiencing Art: The Influence of Expertise and Painting Abstraction Level. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2011;5:94 Authors: Pihko E, Virtanen A, Saarinen VM, Pannasch S, Hirvenkari L, Tossavainen T, Haapala A, Hari R Abstract How does expertise influence the perception of representational and abstract paintings? We asked 20 experts on art history and 20 laypersons to explore and evaluate a series of paintings ranging in style from representational to abstract in five categories. We compared subjective esthetic judgments and emotional evaluations, gaze patterns, and electrodermal reactivity between the two groups of participants. The level of abstraction affected esthetic judgments and emotional valence ratings of the laypersons but had no effect on the opinions of the experts: the laypersons' esthetic and emotional ratings were highest for representational paintings and lowest for...

Outcome of Mild Cognitive Impairment Comparing Early Memory Profiles. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry . 2011 Sep 19; Authors: Gómez-Tortosa E, Mahillo-Fernández I, Guerrero R, Montoya J, Alonso A, Sainz MJ Abstract BACKGROUND:: Finding variables that predict decline or stability in persons with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is an important step in identifying subjects in prodromal stages of dementia. This study tests a clinical observation suggesting that aMCI cases with better-preserved recognition skills, despite similar delayed recall deficits, are more likely to remain functionally stable. METHODS:: A cohort of 210 cases with aMCI, diagnosed with standardized criteria that had been followed up for 48 ± 12 months (range: 36-100), were divided into two groups according to their initial recognition memory discrimination index (DI) on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (DI ≥ or PMID: 21934475 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

The webpage for the public-talk series: Click here . The link provides the scheduled talks for 2011-12 and the location where the talks will take place.

A phase 2 randomized trial of ELND005, scyllo-inositol, in mild to moderate Alzheimer disease. Neurology . 2011 Sep 14; Authors: Salloway S, Sperling R, Keren R, Porsteinsson AP, van Dyck CH, Tariot PN, Gilman S, Arnold D, Abushakra S, Hernandez C, Crans G, Liang E, Quinn G, Bairu M, Pastrak A, Cedarbaum JM. Abstract OBJECTIVE:This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging phase 2 study explored safety, efficacy, and biomarker effects of ELND005 (an oral amyloid anti-aggregation agent) in mild to moderate Alzheimer disease (AD). METHODS:A total of 353 patients were randomized to ELND005 (250, 1,000, or 2,000 mg) or placebo twice daily for 78 weeks. Coprimary endpoints were the Neuropsychological Test Battery (NTB) and Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) scale. The primary analysis compared 250 mg (n = 84) to placebo (n = 82) after an imbalance of infections and deaths led to early discontinuation of the 2 higher dose groups. ...

Development of a disability scale for myotonic dystrophy type 1. Acta Neurol Scand. 2011 Sep 8; Authors: Contardi S, Pizza F, Falzone F, D'Alessandro R, Avoni P, Di Stasi V, Montagna P, Liguori R Abstract Objectives -  Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystem disorder. Many tests in the literature have evaluated single aspects of DM1 patients, mainly focusing on muscular impairment, without an overall quantification of the different disease-specific neurological features. We developed and validated a new functional scale for DM1 patients based on neuromuscular impairment (NI) and disability. Materials and methods -  Thirty-three patients were tested in basal condition, 18 were re-evaluated after therapeutic intervention with mexiletine, and 13 at one year follow-up without treatment. The scale includes 21 ordinal items in four areas: neuropsychology, motricity, myotonia and daily life activities. We evaluated inter- and intra-observer reliability (intraclass correlation c...

The 2011 MacArthur Fellows have been announced. Here they are: Click here . The group includes a neurologist and a clinical psychologist. More on them in an addendum to follow. Until then, enjoy looking at the bios!

“The Resilient Brain: Cognition and Ageing” , this year’s British Academy/British Psychological Society Lecture, will be given by Professor Lorraine Tyler FBA at the Royal Society, London, on Thursday 22 September 2011. More details at the website: click here

Royal Society of Canada honours nine McGill researchers from Medicine, Law and Arts Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 McGill Reporter By Tamarah Feder "The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) announced 78 new Fellows this week, including nine McGill researchers and scholars from the faculties of Medicine, Law and Arts. They join the over 100 current McGill-affiliated Fellows." Read full article Among the 78 is: " Michael Petrides (Neuropsychology/Cognitive Neuroscience Unit) has provided us with new ways to conceptualize the role of the prefrontal cortex in cognitive processing and one of the most influential models of the anatomo-fuctional organization of the lateral frontal cortex. His discovery of the cytoarchitectonic homologue of Broca’s language are in the monkey is having a major impact on conceptions of the evolution of language circuitry in the primate brain."

The Charlie Rose Show's series on neuroscience is replaying right now the creativity episode - airing on Bloomberg. The discussion between Richard Serra and Chuck Close is compelling. Check it out, if not now then by streaming from the show's website. Addendum: Show link: Charlie Rose Brain Series Episode Twelve: Creative Brain (originally aired in late October 2010).

From the conference webpage: Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) Brain Injury Conference 2011 Inspiring learning and innovation in brain injury rehabilitation 21-22 September 2011, The Bristol Marriott Hotel, Old Market, Bristol "The 2011 conference from the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust will look at the latest developments and strategies for the treatment and rehabilitation of people with acquired brain injury. This is the fourth in BIRT's series of biennial brain injury conferences. "The first day's plenary sessions provide an opportunity to hear international speakers present their latest research and theories. "Day two is devoted to symposia and practical 'hands on' workshops, enabling delegates to participate in debate, discussion, learn new techniques and share good practice." Conference webpage: Click here

The Wellcome Trust has just made available an overview of the work it has supported in the area of functional brain imaging. Portfollo Review: Human Functional Brain Imaging 1990-2009 06 September 2011 (A review of research supported by The Wellcome Trust) Report in .pdf Press release

ALLEN INSTITUTE FOR BRAIN SCIENCE 2011 Annual Symposium: Open Questions in Neuroscience October 4-5, 2011 Seattle, WA "The second annual symposium, Open Questions in Neuroscience , offers a thought-provoking program that addresses key areas of neuroscience and looks to the future of the field. Bringing together a diverse group of leading scientists, the meeting will feature a mixture of talks and discussion to inspire innovative thinking and engage participants in exploring compelling avenues for advancing brain research." - from the webpage Visit the conference webpage

The new ( September ) issue of JINS has a short review by Don Stuss on the topic of some of his recent research findings about the functions of the frontal lobes.

New show, ‘Autobiographer’, to tour the UK and Ireland this autumn 02 September 2011 From the website: "A new production from award-winning theatre artist Melanie Wilson begins a tour of the UK and Ireland this autumn. Part sound installation, part theatre performance, ‘Autobiographer’ reveals a curious and evocative portrait of a life refracted through the lens of dementia. "Autobiographer is about memory: the memory of a 76-year-old woman, Flora. Flora has a dementia, but the piece is not about dementia itself - rather, it is about how she recalls her full and long life as her memories unravel and become unreliable. Voiced by multiple performers, four actors play the role of Flora at different ages, creating a multilayered portrayal of her life. "With a lyrical text, immersive staging and an enigmatic and compelling performance style, Wilson uses space and sound to create a warm but disorientating experience that grips the audience in Flora's fracture...

2401 Objects

Once again, the Society for Neuroscience is preparing to lead the field in the use of tweets, blog entries, YouTube, and related social media at their annual conference. Go to the SfN Conference website for more information. Watch for the hashtag #sfn11.