Inhibitory Control Research Articles

The effect of cancer and cancer treatment on attention control: evidence from anti-saccade performance.

Cancer and cancer treatment have been associated with cognitive changes in survivorship, with forgetfulness and distractibility reported years post-treatment. Deficits in attention control may explain these difficulties. We assessed breast cancer survivors using a primary measure of attention control, the saccade/antisaccade task, to assess the effects of diagnosis and treatment. Saccade performance was studied in a cohort of breast cancer patients at two time points, (1) after surgery before adjuvant treatment and (2) approximately 2years after enrollment, and compared to non-cancer controls. Saccade performance was assessed in a prosaccade task as well as in visually guided and unguided antisaccade tasks. We assessed the frequency of directional errors and saccadic reaction time. Survivors were more likely than controls to make directional errors in an unguided antisaccade task, with older survivors exhibiting the most significant difficulties following adjuvant treatment. Survivor and control performance were much more similar in a visually guided antisaccade task. These results indicate a main effect of cancer diagnosis on attention control, with greater deficits following treatment and in older survivors. Deficits in attention control may lead to greater difficulties in the initial learning of information, explaining reports of forgetfulness in survivors. These findings underscore the enduring impact of cancer and its treatment on attention control, particularly highlighting that older breast cancer survivors may experience more pronounced difficulties with inhibitory control in daily life. Antisaccade performance may provide a useful metric for quantifying this impact.

The effect of cognitive control on addiction relapse

Background and Aims When entering substance abuse treatment centers, some individuals with substance use disorder relapse whilst others do not. Predicting who is likely to relapse or not would enable for more effective treatment by targeting those who are at increased risk. Previous research would indicate that aspects related to cognitive control including cognitive bias, inhibitory control, and working memory may all be strong indicators of relapse likelihood. Therefore, this paper explores whether aspects of cognitive control can predict relapse likelihood. Method Participants were patients in substance treatment centers who were abstaining. They were tested on measures of cognitive bias (REsT), inhibitory control (go/no-go), and working memory (nBack). A follow-up survey was then issued after a twelve-week period to ascertain whether participants had remained abstinent or if they had relapsed. Results Relative to abstainers, individuals who relapsed had shown significant impairments in working memory and inhibitory control at baseline. They had also demonstrated increased preoccupation with substance-related stimuli as indicated by the cognitive bias measure. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that deficits in cognitive control contribute to the maintenance of substance use disorder and substance usage. The results indicate that inhibitory and working memory deficits may contribute to initial engagement in substance abuse, followed by an increase in cognitive bias and further deficits in inhibitory control and WM contributing to an increased likelihood of relapse. This suggests that decreased cognitive control may increase relapse likelihood.

Modeling longitudinal change patterns of self-regulation from early to middle childhood: Methodological innovations and individual differences.

Patterns of change in self-regulation from the ages of 2.5 to 12 years were modeled using repeated measures of self-regulation for a sample of 399 African American (n = 180, 45%) and Latinx (n = 219, 55%) children from families experiencing low income. Measures included both direct assessment and parent report. Results confirmed four components of self-regulation: working memory, inhibitory control, complex response inhibition, and set shifting. Furthermore, these components of self-regulation were more differentiated at younger ages but grew increasingly integrated as children developed. During early childhood, Latinx children displayed greater levels of working memory and higher levels of inhibitory control, and African American children displayed greater complex response inhibition and set shifting, but these ethnic differences reversed by early elementary school. By late middle childhood, ethnic differences in self-regulation had virtually disappeared altogether. Few differences by child gender or family poverty status were identified. Recommendations are provided to facilitate the modeling of self-regulation over extended periods of development including (a) utilizing measures that overlap time points, (b) standardizing the measurement scales, and (c) utilizing a flexible latent variable model. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Cognitive and behavioral response of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) to environmental factors: Microplastics, predator cues, and detour design methods.

Urban stream syndrome is the collective term used to describe the physical and ecological degradation of streams draining urban lands that poses substantial threats to freshwater ecosystems. Among various consequences of urban expansion, microplastic pollution and shifts in predator-prey dynamics are prominent alterations to natural habitat that could impact the cognitive and behavioral responses of aquatic species. To explore how symptoms of urban stream syndrome impact the cognitive and behavioral responses of fish, we conducted two experiments using a delayed detour test to measure risk-taking and inhibitory control in Gambusia affinis. In the first experiment, we hypothesized that G. affinis exposed to different concentrations of microplastics would show altered inhibitory control and risk-taking. In the second experiment, we hypothesized that exposure to predator chemical cues during the detour task would alter inhibitory control and risk-taking in G. affinis. We did not find significant differences in inhibitory control or risk-taking in G. affinis exposed to microplastics or predator cues. We then compared the effect size and confidence intervals (CI) of these results with published results that used the same detour test to study inhibitory control and risk-taking in G. affinis in response to different environmental conditions. Our investigations revealed that the CIs of the two studies presented here were larger than the CIs in the previously published studies. We consider potential changes to the experimental design that might have affected our ability to detect differences, such as the dimensions of the testing tanks. We also suggest extending the duration of the test to allow ample time for both exiting the starting chamber and solving the detour. We also propose considering the size and age of the species under study and adjusting the dimensions used in the detour paradigm design. Although our findings are specific to G. affinis, our results underscore the importance of considering aspects of the detour test design that are ecologically relevant to the study species when analysing cognitive and behavioral responses in fish. With our discussion, we contribute to the understanding of detour test methodologies and highlight potential ecological factors that could influence cognitive and behavioral outcomes.

Executive Function and young children's Cardinality Principle: the mediating role of the Approximate Number System and the moderating role of age

BackgroundExecutive Function and the Approximate Number System are well-established as critical components in developing the Cardinality Principle in young children. However, most existing studies explore the relationship between these variables in isolation without examining whether Approximate Number System mediates the relationship between Executive Function and the Cardinality Principle and the role of age in this. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the mediating role of the Approximate Number System in the relationship between Executive Function and the Cardinality Principle and the moderating role of age in young children.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in China from February to June 2024. A total of 203 young children (97 boys and 106 girls, Mean age = 68.93 ± 7.076 months) participated. Participants were assessed using a range of tests: the Day-Night Stroop Task, Digit Recall Task, Dimensional Change Card Sort Task, Panamath Test Software, How Many Task, and Give-N Task to measure Executive Function, Approximate Number System, and Cardinality Principle. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and PROCESS v4.1 (Model 4) to explore the relationships among Executive Function, the Approximate Number System, and the Cardinality Principle through Pearson correlations, multivariate regression, and mediation analysis with 5000 bootstrap samples.ResultsCorrelation analysis revealed that the Cardinality Principle was significantly and positively correlated with Inhibitory Control, Working Memory, Cognitive Flexibility, Executive Function, and the Approximate Number System. Regression analyses indicated that Executive Function positively predicted young children's Cardinality Principle. Specifically, Working Memory and Cognitive Flexibility were positive predictors of the Cardinality Principle, while Inhibitory Control was not. Mediation analysis results demonstrated that the Approximate Number System mediated the relationships between Inhibitory Control and the Cardinality Principle, Working Memory and the Cardinality Principle, and Cognitive Flexibility and the Cardinality Principle, respectively. In addition, the study found that young children's age negatively moderated the relationship between the Approximate Number System and the Cardinality Principle.ConclusionsThe study emphasizes that in developing young children's Cardinality Principle, emphasis should be placed on improving their Executive Function and Approximate Number System while considering the age differences of young children and developing appropriate educational methods for different age groups.

Arkypallidal neurons in the external globus pallidus can mediate inhibitory control by altering competition in the striatum

Reactive inhibitory control is crucial for survival. Traditionally, this control in mammals was attributed solely to the hyperdirect pathway, with cortical control signals flowing unidirectionally from the subthalamic nucleus (STN) to basal ganglia output regions. Yet recent findings have put this model into question, suggesting that the STN is assisted in stopping actions through ascending control signals to the striatum mediated by the external globus pallidus (GPe). Here, we investigate this suggestion by harnessing a biologically constrained spiking model of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic (CBGT) circuit that includes pallidostriatal pathways originating from arkypallidal neurons. Through a series of experiments probing the interaction between three critical inhibitory nodes (the STN, arkypallidal cells, and indirect pathway spiny projection neurons), we find that the GPe acts as a critical mediator of both ascending and descending inhibitory signals in the CBGT circuit. In particular, pallidostriatal pathways regulate this process by weakening the direct pathway dominance of the evidence accumulation process driving decisions, which increases the relative suppressive influence of the indirect pathway on basal ganglia output. These findings delineate how pallidostriatal pathways can facilitate action cancellation by managing the bidirectional flow of information within CBGT circuits.

Effects of football training on cognitive performance in children and adolescents: a meta-analytic review

BackgroundThe cognitive development of children and adolescents is crucial for their academic success and overall well-being. Physical activity has been linked to improved cognitive performance, but the specific effects of football training on cognitive function in this population remain unclear. This meta-analytic review aimed to comprehensively evaluate the impact of football training on cognitive performance in children and adolescents.MethodsLiterature was searched through PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Embase, and Web of Science. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or crossover designs assessing cognitive performance following football training interventions. Outcome measures included attention, inhibitory control, and working memory. Data synthesis and meta-analysis were performed to determine the overall effect sizes.ResultsTwelve studies were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 1,574 children and 94 adolescents. Football training demonstrated moderate, statistically significant effects on attention (Hedges’ g = −0.77, p = 0.01), inhibitory control (Hedges’ g = −0.67, p = 0.02), and working memory (Hedges’ g = −0.44, p = 0.03). The findings suggest that football training positively influences cognitive performance in children and adolescents.ConclusionFootball training holds promise for enhancing cognitive function in children and adolescents, particularly in attention, inhibitory control, and working memory. Theoretical frameworks emphasizing environmental enrichment, cardiovascular fitness, and cognitive component skills help elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Future research should explore how football training compares to other sports and assess whether integrative drills that combine cognitive elements with skill practice offer greater cognitive benefits than skill training alone. These insights support the inclusion of football in educational programs to foster cognitive development.

Parasympathetic regulation and maternal parenting as longitudinal predictors of preschooler inhibitory control

AbstractMeasures of parasympathetic regulation, such as respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), predict executive function outcomes, including inhibitory control, across childhood. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia augmentation tends to be associated with more maladaptive outcomes, compared to RSA suppression, but the literature regarding RSA profiles and inhibitory control development across infancy and early childhood is contradictory. The goal of our current study was to examine the longitudinal and interactive effects of infant RSA during a frustrating task with negative maternal characteristics on inhibitory control during early childhood. Participants included 410 children (209 girls, 77.6% White, 92.9% non‐Hispanic) and their mothers. With small to moderate effect sizes (r2 range from 0.124 to 0.143), we demonstrated that maternal negative affect when children were 36 months old moderated the association between 10‐month‐old RSA during a frustrating task and 48‐month‐old inhibitory control, such that RSA suppression predicted higher levels of inhibitory control, but only when mothers exhibited high levels of negative affect. Our results highlight the biosocial framework under which child inhibitory control develops.

Exploring Sex-Based Neuropsychological Outcomes in Pediatric Brain Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

Background: The increasing survival rates among pediatric cancer patients underscore the critical need to understand the long-term psychosocial impacts of cancer treatments, such as cisplatin and carboplatin. While these treatments are lifesaving, they may pose risks to neurodevelopmental processes. Despite the substantial body of research highlighting cognitive impairments associated with cancer treatments, there remains a gap in understanding how these effects differ by sex. As sex differences could inform tailored interventions and support mechanisms for affected individuals, this pilot study aimed to examine the sex differences in neuropsychological outcomes in patients treated for brain cancer with cisplatin and/or carboplatin. Methods: Our study employed rigorous/structured neuropsychological assessments to evaluate executive functions in pediatric cancer survivors treated with cisplatin and/or carboplatin. We utilized the BRIEF and TOL tests to assess the key domains of executive function, including inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, psychosocial factors were evaluated using the Resiliency Scale to measure resilience and the PAT test to assess family psychosocial risk. Results: In our cohort of 17 patients, significant sex differences emerged, where males outperformed females in areas such as inhibitory control, impulse regulation, and strategic planning. Conclusions: These findings highlight the complexity of cognitive outcomes in pediatric cancer survivors. Understanding sex-specific differences is essential for developing tailored interventions that optimize cognitive and psychosocial outcomes. Future research should focus on larger cohorts and longitudinal studies to validate these findings and guide targeted interventions to improve survivorship outcomes.

Imitative inhibitory control is associated with psychotic experiences in a sample from the general population

Psychotic experiences (PE) are prevalent and associated with several negative mental health outcomes in both clinical and general population, particularly in young people. A promising avenue to understand the mechanisms underlying PE is to investigate functions that may be related to specific neural systems. One of these key cognitive mechanisms is the ability to control our imitative responses, which is strongly linked to an adequate social functioning. Emergent evidence suggests that impairments in this function might be involved in the early expressions of psychosis, but few studies have investigated its association with PE in a sample from the general population. Using an imitation-inhibition paradigm we examined this relationship in a community sample of young healthy individuals (N=204) and found that increased levels of PE levels were associated with lower imitative inhibitory control. These effects seem to be specific to imitation-inhibition as no correlation was found for a more general cognitive control as addressed by a Stroop-like task. In addition, these effects seem to be more evident for paranoid ideations. Overall, our results suggest that imitative inhibitory control can serve as a proxy to detect abnormalities associated with psychotic experiences.

NCOG-36. CLINICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS PREDICT POSTOPERATIVE BEHAVIORAL DYSFUNCTION FOLLOWING HIGH-GRADE (WHO 2-4) GLIOMA RESECTION

Abstract BACKGROUND Gliomas have the highest incidence (85%) of cancer-related cognitive and behavioral impairments. Few studies have explored preoperative clinical and demographic drivers/predictors of postoperative behavioral impairment. METHODS We analyzed prospectively collected data from patients 1) who underwent glioma (WHO 2-4) resection and 2) who had postoperative Flanker testing, an assessment of inhibitory control and selective attention (NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery). Patients whose age-adjusted Flanker score (last follow-up) was less than the cohort mean were classified as having “poor” outcomes. Univariate analysis, multivariate logistic, and LASSO regressions were performed to identify drivers of poor outcomes. RESULTS In total, 43 patients (mean age at diagnosis 45.9 [range 18-77] years, 35% female) met inclusion criteria. The average age-adjusted Flanker score was 83.3±13.6; twenty (46.5%) patients had below-average scores. On univariate analysis, there were no significant differences in demographic factors (age, sex, education, employment) and tumor characteristics (grade, location). Multivariate logistic regression identified having high school versus higher degree (OR:1.6x10^4, p=0.017), WHO Grade 4 versus Grade 2 (OR:2.36, p=0.026), and parietal lesion (OR:1.6x10^3, p=0.034) as risk factors, while increased age (OR per 1-year increase:0.71, p=0.009) and dominant language hemisphere lesion (OR 0.002, p=0.048) were protective against poor behavioral outcome. LASSO regression (efficiently narrows down predictors) identified higher WHO grade (4 vs. 2), lower education (high school vs. higher), and insular and parietal lesions as predictive of poor outcomes. Increased age at diagnosis, frontal lobe lesions, and lesions on the dominant language hemisphere were protective. CONCLUSION Lower education status, higher WHO grade, and insular and parietal lesions are risk factors for poor behavioral outcomes postoperatively following glioma resection. In contrast, increased age, frontal lobe lesions, and dominant language hemisphere lesions were positive prognostic factors. Neuro-oncologists may use these findings to preoperatively counsel patients and tailor care plans with necessary postoperative support.

Convergent Validity of Experimental Cognitive Tests in a Large Community Sample.

Experimental cognitive tests are designed to measure particular cognitive domains, although evidence supporting test validity is often limited. The Consortium for Neuropsychiatric Phenomics test battery administered 23 experimental and traditional neuropsychological tests to a large sample of community volunteers (n = 1,059) and patients with psychiatric diagnoses (n = 137), providing a unique opportunity to examine convergent validity with factor analysis. Traditional tests included subtests from the Wechsler and Delis-Kaplan batteries, while experimental tests included the Attention Networks Test, Balloon Analogue Risk Task, Delay Discounting Task, Remember-Know, Reversal Learning Task, Scene Recognition, Spatial and Verbal Capacity and Manipulation Tasks, Stop-Signal Task, and Task Switching. Several experimental cognitive measures were insufficiently related to other tests and were excluded from factor analyses. In the remaining 18 tests, exploratory factor analysis and subsequent multigroup confirmatory factor analysis supported a three-factor structure broadly corresponding to domains of verbal/working memory, inhibitory control, and memory. In sum, several experimental measures of inhibitory control had weak relationships with all other tests, while the convergent validity of most tests of working memory and memory was supported.

Development of Self-Reported Reward Responsiveness and Inhibitory Control and the Role of Clinical and Neural Predictors.

Understanding the development of adolescent reward responsiveness and inhibitory control is important as they are implicated in key outcomes, such as depression. However, relatively few studies have examined the self-reported experience of this development longitudinally, and past findings have been mixed. Here, we examined the longitudinal development of self-reported reward responsiveness and inhibitory control in youth, as well as clinical and neural measures as predictors of these longitudinal trajectories. We assessed 223 youth aged 9-17 across 36 months. We modeled growth trajectories of several measures of reward responsiveness and inhibitory control using multilevel models. We tested reward-related functional connectivity, depression symptoms, and parental risk for psychopathology as moderators of longitudinal growth. Self-reported inhibitory control increased linearly across adolescence. However, contrary to hypotheses and common models of adolescent development, self-reported reward responsiveness decreased linearly across adolescence. Baseline functional connectivity and clinical risk measures did not significantly moderate trajectories. Results suggest that within-person changes in the phenomenological experience of reward responsiveness may not match developmental expectations based on cross-sectional and neuroimaging studies. More attention is needed to the longitudinal study of subjective experience of reward responsiveness.

Comparison of Cold and Cool Cognition in Children With and Without Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ABSTRACT Children with ADHD suffer from impaired attentional, executive, and emotional processing. This study aimed to compare attentional and executive processing using (non)emotional stimuli in children with and without ADHD. Eighty-five children with ADHD and 72 matched typically developing children performed the Stroop, continuous performance, and Go/No-Go tasks using (non)emotional stimuli. Greater performance in selective attention, inhibitory control, and sustained attention was found in emotional stimuli compared to non-emotional stimuli in both groups. Emotional stimuli facilitated attentional and executive functions in children with and without ADHD. Impaired attentional and executive functions in children with ADHD are not valence-sensitive.

Evidence of validity of the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders Revised (HTKS-R) for Brazilian children

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine the reliability and validity of the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders Revised (HTKS-R) as a measure of self-regulation in Brazilian children aged 3–5. The early childhood period is crucial for laying the foundations for personal, social and cognitive functioning, influencing development throughout life. Self-regulation, a malleable construct, plays a vital role in academic performance and behaviors throughout life. The HTKS-R, a widely used measure, assesses behavioral self-regulation, including cognitive flexibility, working memory and inhibitory control. The study included 379 children between the ages of 3 and 5 from a variety of backgrounds. Data were collected using the HTKS-R, a standardized self-report measure that integrates executive functions into a game to assess self-regulation. Exploratory Graphical Analysis (EGA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were employed to analyze the data. The results of the EGA and BootEGA indicated a unidimensional structure for the HTKS-R, confirming its internal consistency and stability. The CFA supported the fit of the unidimensional model, demonstrating the test’s construct validity. The HTKS-R showed factorial invariance between genders. The results suggest that the HTKS-R is a reliable and valid measure of self-regulation in Brazilian children aged 3–5. The applicability of the test in different age groups and environments provides valuable information about children’s self-regulation skills. The study contributes to the literature by validating the HTKS-R in the Brazilian context and highlights its potential for assessing self-regulation in diverse populations.

The effect of unilateral hand muscle contraction on frontal alpha asymmetry and inhibitory control in intrinsic reward contexts, a randomized controlled trial

Challenged inhibitory control has been implicated in various disorders, including addiction. Previous research suggests that asymmetry of frontal brain activity, indexed by frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), is associated with inhibitory control and could be a target for neuromodulatory intervention. Some evidence suggests that unilateral muscle contraction (UMC) can modulate FAA; however, experimental evidence is scarce. We conducted a randomized controlled trial, with 65 participants (Mage = 26.6; SD = 7.4), 37 of whom were females. We collected EEG data to calculate FAA and assessed inhibitory performance using the Stop Signal Task (SST) in neutral and intrinsic reward (palatable food) conditions, both before and after a unilateral left-hand muscle contraction task aimed at enhancing right relative to left frontal activity. We found a significant main effect of group on FAA. Specifically, UMC group was associated with higher right relative to left frontal activity, associated with resting state inhibitory activity. Event-related potential analyses revealed a significant dissociation between the stop N2 and stop P3 components as a function of time. More specifically, as time progressed, the stop N2 was enhanced, while the stop P3 was reduced. These results did not lead to observable changes in the behavioral index of stopping. In conclusion, UMC did not affect any behavioral and brain activity indices. There is some indication of a potential effect on FAA. However, this effect could reflect coincidental differences in trait FAA. Our findings provide new insights into the temporal dynamics of brain activity indices of inhibitory control.

The Effect of INSIGHTS on Developmental Trajectories of Children’s Self- Regulation

AbstractThe development of self-regulation is critical for children’s positive interactions with others and successful adjustment to school. Using their self-regulation skills, children can adapt their temperamental, emotional, and behavioral reactions to environmental stimuli. Greater self-regulation is advantageous in the classroom, as more regulated children have an easier time with basic behavioral expectations, and are more likely to persist with difficult tasks, work efficiently, and pay attention to instructions. INSIGHTS into Children’s Temperament (INSIGHTS) is a temperament-based intervention that improves kindergarten and first-grade children’s social-emotional development and academic learning. In the current study, we examined the effects of INSIGHTS on rural Midwestern children’s self-regulation development (i.e., attention, inhibitory control), compared to control classrooms. In addition, we explored the effects of children’s baseline self-regulation and the effects of the intervention on children’s developmental trajectories. Students (N = 147) from 61 classrooms were randomly assigned to INSIGHTS or control conditions by school. Children’s self-regulation skills whereas examined at four different times. Multiple regression models were fit, and results suggest that INSIGHTS participants exhibited greater self-regulation at Time 4 as compared to the control group. Additionally, latent growth curve models were used to model linear growth. Results suggest that INSIGHTS participants experienced increased growth rates for attention, inhibitory control, and sustained attention compared to the control group. Our study provides evidence for the positive effects of a social-emotional classroom intervention on the developmental trajectory of children’s self-regulation.

Addressing treatment hurdles in adults with late-onset attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a detailed case report

BackgroundAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in children, characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This neurobehavioral disorder often persists into adulthood, presenting significant challenges when undiagnosed and untreated, due to potential long-term implications and comorbidities, including anxiety, mood instability, and mixed symptoms along the bipolar spectrum.Case presentationA 49-year-old married male patient presented with anxiety and recurrent depressive episodes, initially diagnosed as major depressive disorder. His mood symptoms fluctuated between depressive lows, irritability, and impulsivity. His diagnosis was revised to ADHD with comorbid bipolar spectrum disorder. The patient exhibited lifelong ADHD symptoms affecting academic performance, relationships, and job responsibilities. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was employed to manage symptoms and enhance coping strategies. Despite progress in controlling anger and impulsivity, challenges persisted in inhibitory control and negative triggers, causing impulsive decisions. The patient reported a restless mind, depressive mood, and a sense of inadequacy. Improvements were noted in anxiety regulation, concentration, and sleep quality, though deficits in cognitive and behavioral domains remained. The patient faced challenges in academic performance, information processing speed, attention, and executive functions.ConclusionThis case underscores the importance of accurately diagnosing ADHD and its comorbidities in adults to ensure effective treatment. Delayed diagnosis can have lasting impacts, emphasizing the need for further research and personalized therapeutic approaches. The insights from this case serve as a valuable resource for healthcare professionals enhancing their understanding of the diverse manifestations of ADHD, aiding in better diagnosis and management strategies.

Alpha Traveling Waves during Working Memory: Disentangling Bottom-up Gating and Top-down Gain Control.

While previous works established the inhibitory role of alpha oscillations during working memory maintenance, it remains an open question whether such an inhibitory control is a top-down process. Here, we attempted to disentangle this issue by considering the spatio-temporal component of waves in the alpha band, i.e., alpha traveling waves. We reanalyzed two pre-existing and open-access EEG datasets (N = 180, 90 males, 80 females, 10 unknown) where participants performed lateralized, visual delayed match-to-sample working memory tasks. In the first dataset, the distractor load was manipulated (2, 4, or 6), whereas in the second dataset, the memory span varied between 1, 3, and 6 items. We focused on the propagation of alpha waves on the anterior-posterior axis during the retention period. Our results reveal an increase in alpha-band forward waves as the distractor load increased, but also an increase in forward waves and a decrease in backward waves as the memory set size increased. Our results also showed a lateralization effect: alpha forward waves exhibited a more pronounced increase in the hemisphere contralateral to the distractors, whereas the reduction in backward waves was stronger in the hemisphere contralateral to the targets. In short, the forward waves were regulated by distractors, whereas targets inversely modulated backward waves. Such a dissociation of goal-related and goal-irrelevant physiological signals suggests the co-existence of bottom-up and top-down inhibitory processes: alpha forward waves might convey a gating effect driven by distractor load, while backward waves may represent direct top-down gain control of downstream visual areas.Significance Statement When exploring the functional role of alpha band neural oscillations during working memory, mostly amplitude modulations have been considered so far, with relatively limited exploration of spatial-temporal dynamics of this rather global brain oscillatory signature. The present study seeks to address this gap by examining the directionality of alpha wave propagation during working memory retention. Our findings offer novel insights into the well-established inhibitory role of alpha waves, demonstrating that this function is manifested differently according to their propagation directions: forward waves seem to facilitate bottom-up gating, while backward waves might mediate top-down gain control.

Language learners, chess champions, and piano prodigies – insights from research on language contact and expert behavior

Abstract One of the central assumptions in Cognitive Linguistics is that the cognitive mechanisms underlying our language use are domain-general and thus apply to human behavior beyond language. Examples of such cognitive mechanisms are, among others, our ability to focus attention, to memorize and categorize, as well as processes related to chunking, generalization, and inhibitory control. Testing this core assumption, however, is often difficult, as it requires us to move beyond linguistic research and to actively look for links between our language use and other areas of human cognition. This paper is an illustration of what such links could look like, particularly focusing on links between research on (Dutch-German) language contact and expert behavior. In doing so, it shows (a) that there are many shared links, for example, regarding the cognitive mechanisms of entrenchment and chunking, and (b) that these shared links (as well as potential differences across the fields) can be used to improve our linguistic theorizing. In particular, I argue that linguistic research can benefit from the insights from research on expert behavior, especially from its more advanced insights modelling individual variation, and that the shared links can help us to test the core assumption that the cognitive mechanisms underlying our language use are indeed domain-general.