Video Games: A New Way to Facilitate Cognitive Development in Students with Learning Disabilities

Author: Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026 Figure 1. Image of letter tiles spelling out “Learning Disability” According to The Treetop ABA Therapy, approximately 1 in 7 individuals worldwide possess a learning disability and it is important to acknowledge and address these learning differences to facilitate their learning and development (1). Recently, video games have become far more prevalent worldwide, and a series of research examining … Continue reading Video Games: A New Way to Facilitate Cognitive Development in Students with Learning Disabilities

FOXO1: A Memory Upgrader for T-cells!

Author: Farzad Hoque, Class of 2028 The persistence and effectiveness of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies depend significantly on the ability of these cells to maintain memory-like states while avoiding exhaustion. Recent research has identified the transcription factor FOXO1 as a critical regulator of memory programming in CAR T cells, offering transformative insights into improving therapeutic outcomes. Alexander E. Doan and colleagues conducted a … Continue reading FOXO1: A Memory Upgrader for T-cells!

Inhibition of Hydrolytic Enzyme May Protect Against Manifestation of AD-Linked Phenotypes

Author: Vignesh Subramanian, Class of 2024 Figure 1: Barnes maze tests were performed to assess the spatial reference memory of the knock-in AD mouse models. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by significant memory loss and cognitive decline that worsen with age. While the disease’s long-established hallmarks include the aggregation of two misfolded proteins known as beta-amyloid and phosphorylated tau, recent research … Continue reading Inhibition of Hydrolytic Enzyme May Protect Against Manifestation of AD-Linked Phenotypes

Epigenetic Age Acceleration More Accurately Predicts Memory Decline Than Chronological Age

Author: Vignesh Subramanian, Class of 2024 Figure 1: Increasing evidence suggests biological aging, measured by examining the extent of methylation of cells’ DNA, is a stronger predictor of diminishing cognitive abilities than chronological age.  Title: Epigenetic Age Acceleration More Accurately Predicts Memory Decline Than Chronological Age Age acceleration is the term used to describe the difference between an individual’s chronological age, the length of time … Continue reading Epigenetic Age Acceleration More Accurately Predicts Memory Decline Than Chronological Age

Diving Deeper into the Symptoms of PTSD

Lydia Wang ’26 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that arises after experiencing a traumatic event. Various cognitive models have highlighted attentional biases (selectively paying attention to certain stimuli while ignoring others) and memory biases (the enhancement or impairment of memory recall) based on negative stimuli in individuals with PTSD. It has also been seen that individuals remember emotional information better than … Continue reading Diving Deeper into the Symptoms of PTSD

Working Memory Capacity Is Directly Linked To Processing and Storage

Melanie Karniewich ’25 Memory plays an important role in our brain function, allowing us to register events and remember them for later use. Certain key factors play a strong role in the quality of our working memory capacity, such as processing and storage, problem-solving, and conscious control of what we find fit to remember. Dr. Lauren Richmond, an assistant professor at Stony Brook University, and … Continue reading Working Memory Capacity Is Directly Linked To Processing and Storage

Musical Cues: How Tunes May Yield Greater Positive Memories Than Words or Sounds

Sooraj Shah ’24 When one hears a favorite piece of music or sees an old photograph, he or she is reminded of the time and place when the song or event was first heard or experienced. This recognition allows an individual to relive the moment, regardless of the level of  joyousness of the occasion. The extent to which that song or photograph evokes a memory … Continue reading Musical Cues: How Tunes May Yield Greater Positive Memories Than Words or Sounds

Similar but Different: The Potential Role of Spatial Differentiation in Memory Retrieval

Robyn Rutgers ’24 Researchers have long been interested in establishing how the brain remembers spatial environments and avoids confusion in similar environments, such as in a new supermarket. A recent study from University of Arizona researchers investigates how the processes of spatial memory retrieval are implemented in the brain and how the brain differentiates memory representations that involve overlapping features. The study recruited 27 participants … Continue reading Similar but Different: The Potential Role of Spatial Differentiation in Memory Retrieval

How Does the Brain Learn Taste Aversion?

Ayesha Azeem ‘23 The gustatory system is the sensory system that allows humans to perceive the sense of taste, or flavor. Humans are able to perceive different flavors via the taste receptors on taste buds, which can be found on the upper surface of the tongue as well as on the epiglottis. Taste perception depends on the chemical characteristics of the stimulus, as well as … Continue reading How Does the Brain Learn Taste Aversion?

Ethnic Diversity and Recall: Is there a connection?

Yukta Kulkarni ’22 People spend thirteen years of their lives, from around five to eighteen years old, in school, where they learn both academic content and social etiquette. They may then go on to university and reinforce these skills and knowledge. Thus, students require not only a good memory, but also the ability to collaborate with others. However, not all students benefit equally from working … Continue reading Ethnic Diversity and Recall: Is there a connection?

Differences of Cognitive Offloading Usage among Individuals Performing Short Term Memory Tasks

Sooraj Shah ’24 Recalling a lot of information at one time is possible, but not feasible. Writing information down on a paper during a class or in the grocery store, for instance, are ways to reduce the strain of memorization within an individual. This concept is further defined as cognitive offloading, which can assist in overcoming the cognitive restraints in mentally retaining information. A study … Continue reading Differences of Cognitive Offloading Usage among Individuals Performing Short Term Memory Tasks

Napping appears to have significant beneficial effects on long-term memory-retention over cramming

Priyanshi Patel ’22 Currently, there is extensive research on the cognitive effects of daytime naps, but not whether naps are a practical way to assist learning. Naps can reduce the likelihood of forgetting episodic memory consisting of life events and experiences. Prior research surrounding memory improvements have led to the idea that naps may be used as a pedagogical tool.  However, there is little evidence … Continue reading Napping appears to have significant beneficial effects on long-term memory-retention over cramming