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Goal commitment is supported by vmPFC through selective attention.
When striking a balance between commitment to a goal and flexibility in the face of better options, people often demonstrate strong goal perseveration. Here, using functional MRI (n = 30) and lesion patient (n = 26) studies, we argue that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) drives goal commitment linked to changes in goal-directed selective attention. Participants performed an incremental goal pursuit task involving sequential decisions between persisting with a goal versus abandoning progress for better alternative options. Individuals with stronger goal perseveration showed higher goal-directed attention in an interleaved attention task. Increasing goal-directed attention also affected abandonment decisions: while pursuing a goal, people lost their sensitivity to valuable alternative goals while remaining more sensitive to changes in the current goal. In a healthy population, individual differences in both commitment biases and goal-oriented attention were predicted by baseline goal-related activity in the vmPFC. Among lesion patients, vmPFC damage reduced goal commitment, leading to a performance benefit.
Reward positivity affects temporal interval production in a continuous timing task.
The neural circuits of reward processing and interval timing (including the perception and production of temporal intervals) are functionally intertwined, suggesting that it might be possible for momentary reward processing to influence subsequent timing behavior. Previous animal and human studies have mainly focused on the effect of reward on interval perception, whereas its impact on interval production is less clear. In this study, we examined whether feedback, as an example of performance-contingent reward, biases interval production. We recorded EEG from 20 participants while they engaged in a continuous drumming task with different realistic tempos (1728 trials per participant). Participants received color-coded feedback after each beat about whether they were correct (on time) or incorrect (early or late). Regression-based EEG analysis was used to unmix the rapid occurrence of a feedback response called the reward positivity (RewP), which is traditionally observed in more slow-paced tasks. Using linear mixed modeling, we found that RewP amplitude predicted timing behavior for the upcoming beat. This performance-biasing effect of the RewP was interpreted as reflecting the impact of fluctuations in reward-related anterior cingulate cortex activity on timing, and the necessity of continuous paradigms to make such observations was highlighted.
Politicization as an antecedent of polarization: Evidence from two different political and national contexts
Using longitudinal research designs, we examine the role of politicization in the development of polarization. We conducted research in two different political and national contexts. In Study 1, we employ a panel sample of supporters of the Tea Party movement in the United States and examine the relationship between the strength of their politicization and their subsequent feelings towards conservatives versus liberals (affective polarization) as well as their subsequent perceptions of commonalities with conservatives versus liberals (cognitive polarization). In Study 2, we employ a panel sample of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) community in Germany and examine the politicization–polarization link with regard to feelings towards, and perceived commonalities with, feminists versus supporters of a populist right‐wing political party. We obtained converging evidence suggesting that politicization promotes both affective and cognitive polarization. There was also some, but very limited evidence pointing to reverse causation. The danger of escalating polarization is discussed.
Muslims’ tolerance towards outgroups: Longitudinal evidence for the role of respect
We employed a longitudinal design to test two hypotheses concerning Muslims’ respect for and tolerance towards disapproved outgroups. In support of the outgroup respect–tolerance hypothesis derived from the disapproval–respect model of social tolerance, our results strongly suggest that respect for disapproved outgroups is not just a correlate of tolerance towards those groups, but a causal antecedent. In support of the intergroup respect–reciprocity hypothesis, we identified respect from disapproved outgroups as an effective source of respect for disapproved outgroups and therefore also as a (distal) source of tolerance towards those groups. Normative and political implications are discussed.
Dynamics of respect: Evidence from two different national and political contexts
In (post-)modern, plural societies, consisting of numerous subgroups, mutual respect between groups plays a central role for a constructive social and political life. In this article, we examine whether group members’ perception of being respected by outgroups fosters respect for these outgroups. In Study 1, we employed a panel sample of supporters of the Tea Party movement in the United States (N = 422). In Study 2, we employed a panel sample of members of the LGBTI community in Germany (N = 262). As disapproved target outgroups, we chose in Study 1 homosexuals in the United States, while in Study 2, we chose supporters of the German populist, right-wing political party „Alternative für Deutschland“. Our studies thus constituted a complementary, nearly symmetrical constellation of a liberal group and a conservative political group each. Among Tea Party movement supporters, respect from a disapproved outgroup consistently predicted respect for that outgroup. Among German LGBTI community members, this effect of respect from a disapproved outgroup was found in some of our analyses. For this latter sample, there was furthermore a tendency of societal respect to predict respect for a disapproved outgroup longitudinally. Additionally, we observed for both of our samples that respect from other ingroup members decreased respect for a disapproved outgroup. The dynamics of mutual respect in these two complementary intergroup contexts are discussed as well as the importance of direct intergroup reciprocity and superordinate group membership as routes to mutual respect.
Validating the OCS-Plus against a clinical standard: A brief report.
This research aimed to determine the sensitivity and clinical validity of the OCS-Plus, a stroke-specific tablet-based cognitive screening tool, in comparison with the MoCA, a routinely used screening tool, after stroke. Eighty-six patients were recruited from Oxfordshire stroke wards over a 22-month period and completed both screens. Overall, we found that the OCS-Plus has good convergent validity and excellent sensitivity when compared with the MoCA. The OCS-Plus is therefore of potential benefit to those seeking a sensitive screening tool.
Relationship of plasma biomarkers to digital cognitive tests in Alzheimer's disease.
INTRODUCTION: A major limitation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research is the lack of the ability to measure cognitive performance at scale-robustly, remotely, and frequently. Currently, there are no established online digital platforms validated against plasma biomarkers of AD. METHODS: We used a novel web-based platform that assessed different cognitive functions in AD patients (N = 46) and elderly controls (N = 53) who were also evaluated for plasma biomarkers (amyloid beta 42/40 ratio, phosphorylated tau ([p-tau]181, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament light chain). Their cognitive performance was compared to a second, larger group of elderly controls (N = 352). RESULTS: Patients with AD were significantly impaired across all digital cognitive tests, with performance correlating with plasma biomarker levels, particularly p-tau181. The combination of p-tau181 and the single best-performing digital test achieved high accuracy in group classification. DISCUSSION: These findings show how online testing can now be deployed in patients with AD to measure cognitive function effectively and related to blood biomarkers of the disease. HIGHLIGHTS: This is the first study comparing online digital testing to plasma biomarkers.Alzheimer's disease patients and two independent cohorts of elderly controls were assessed.Cognitive performance correlated with plasma biomarkers, particularly phosphorylated tau (p-tau)181.Glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament light chain, and less so the amyloid beta 42/40 ratio, were also associated with performance.The best cognitive metric performed at par to p-tau181 in group classification.
Successful Remote Treatment of a Client with Hikikomori Using Internet- Delivered Cognitive Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Case Study
Hikikomori (prolonged social withdrawal) has been discussed as a hidden worldwide epidemic and a significant social and healthcare issue. Social anxiety disorder is the most common psychiatric disorder preceding the onset of Hikikomori. Although studies exist suggesting the effectiveness of family-support interventions, little is known about psychotherapeutic approaches for Hikikomori individuals. Here, we present a case of Hikikomori wherein an internet-delivered cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder (iCT-SAD) worked effectively in improving the client's social anxiety symptoms and social interaction behaviors. This case study demonstrates the principle that evidence-based psychological interventions focusing on social anxiety can be effective for clients with Hikikomori. Furthermore, the online mode of treatment delivery, along with a variety of relevant modules, may facilitate clients' engagement with treatment at home. The findings suggest that iCT-SAD might be a promising option for Hikikomori clients who have social anxiety problems, within the recommended stepped-intervention approach.
Timing along the cardiac cycle modulates neural signals of reward-based learning.
Natural fluctuations in cardiac activity modulate brain activity associated with sensory stimuli, as well as perceptual decisions about low magnitude, near-threshold stimuli. However, little is known about the relationship between fluctuations in heart activity and other internal representations. Here we investigate whether the cardiac cycle relates to learning-related internal representations - absolute and signed prediction errors. We combined machine learning techniques with electroencephalography with both simple, direct indices of task performance and computational model-derived indices of learning. Our results demonstrate that just as people are more sensitive to low magnitude, near-threshold sensory stimuli in certain cardiac phases, so are they more sensitive to low magnitude absolute prediction errors in the same cycles. However, this occurs even when the low magnitude prediction errors are associated with clearly suprathreshold sensory events. In addition, participants exhibiting stronger differences in their prediction error representations between cardiac cycles exhibited higher learning rates and greater task accuracy.
Information needs of stroke survivors and their family members regarding post-stroke cognition: a scoping review protocol.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to map current evidence describing the information needs of stroke survivors and family members regarding cognition. INTRODUCTION: Managing cognitive changes is the most frequently reported unmet need among stroke survivors; hence, there is an urgent need to improve support for post-stroke cognitive impairment. While there is evidence that psychoeducation may help stroke survivors and their family members develop awareness about cognitive impairment and self-management strategies, it is unclear what information stroke survivors and their family members want to receive and how their needs change over time. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will consider peer-reviewed articles describing information needs relating to the following cognitive domains: memory, language, attention, executive function, praxis, and number processing. Stroke survivors and/or their family members must comprise at least 50% of the study population and must be aged at least 18 years. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies will be included. METHODS: The review will be conducted in line with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. A full literature search will be conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), PsycINFO (Ovid), Embase, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), and Scopus using a search strategy developed in consultation with an expert university librarian. Articles will be screened by title, abstract, and full text; then, data will be extracted by 2 independent reviewers. The reference lists of included articles will be hand-searched for additional material. Data analysis and reporting will involve qualitative (textual narrative synthesis) and quantitative (descriptive statistics) methods.
Domain-specific cognitive impairments, mood and quality of life 6 months after stroke.
PURPOSE: To identify which acute and 6-month domain-specific cognitive impairments impact mood, participation, and stroke-related quality of life 6 months post-stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort of 430 stroke survivors completed the Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS) acutely and 6 months post-stroke. Participants completed the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) and Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS) at 6 months. Multivariable regression analyses assessed whether severity of, and domain-specific, cognitive impairment acutely and at 6 months was associated with composite 6-month SIS scores, each SIS subscale, and HADS scores. RESULTS: Increased severity of acute and 6-month cognitive impairment was associated with lower 6-month SIS composite scores independent of age, sex, education years, and stroke severity (both p