Tag: cognitive activities

Categories : NeurologyTags :

Mental Processing of Autistic and Non-autistic People is Similar

On By ModernMedia
Source: Pixabay

Findings published in Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science reveal there are fundamental similarities between autistic and non-autistic people in mental processing. The study findings were made available online ahead of ahead of World Autism Day on the 2nd of April.

The brain uses two systems to process information: System 1 for quicker intuitive judgements, and System 2 for slower rational thinking. In autistic people, these systems are thought to work differently ad underlie difficulties they may have in daily life and the workplace.

Yet, this landmark study reports that these fundamental psychological systems are not impaired in autistic people as once thought. The study, involving more than 1000 people, tested the link between autism and ‘quick’ intuitive and ‘slow’ rational thinking.

In three experiments, they analysed the link between autistic personality traits and thinking style. In the fourth, they compared 200 autistic and over 200 non-autistic people. Overall, their results showed that autistic people think as quickly and as rationally as non-autistic people.

Based on these findings, the researchers conclude that certain, fundamental mental processes are more similar between autistic and non-autistic people than prior belief. In light of these findings, they call for a shift in the way that society thinks about autism as a mental processing disorder.

They also recommend that it might be important to redesign educational, clinical, and workplace support for autistic people and their families. Support should be much more targeted, instead of assuming that autistic people all have mental processing difficulties, they say.

The research team argue that the requirement to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as allowing extra time in exams and extending deadlines, is not an evidence-based way to support neurodivergent people.

Instead, more fundamental changes could be necessary – for example, changing social and sensory environments, making them more equitable autistic people.

Source: University of Bath

Categories : Ageing Neurodegenerative DiseasesTags :

How Many Intervention Sessions to Prevent Cognitive Decline?

On By ModernMedia
Image by Mar Lezhava on Unsplash

Physical activity, diet and cognitive stimulation are all known to be good interventions for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Now an international team of researchers has determined that only about a dozen intervention sessions are all that were needed to observe an improvement in cognition.

Until now, the number of sessions or “doses” needed for optimal effect has been unknown. Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, the study led by Université de Montréal psychology professor Sylvie Belleville showed that between 12 and 14 sessions were all that were needed to boost cognitive ability, though the gain observed levelled off with more sessions.

“In pharmacological studies, every effort is made to define an optimal treatment dose needed to observe the expected effects, “ said Prof Belleville,  a neuropsychologist and researcher at the research centre of the UdeM-affiliated Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal. “This is rarely done in non-pharmacological studies, especially those on the prevention of cognitive decline, where little information is available to identify this dose.

“Defining an optimal number of treatment sessions is therefore crucial.,” she continued. “Indeed, proposing too few sessions will produce no noticeable improvement effects, but too many sessions is also undesirable as these interventions are costly. They are costly both for the individual who follows the treatments, in terms of time and involvement, and for the organisation offering these treatments.”

The study is based on a secondary analysis of data from the three-year Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial (MAPT) and examined 749 participants who received a range of interventions aimed at preventing cognitive decline. These interventions included dietary advice, physical activity and cognitive stimulation.

In their research, Prof Belleville’s team noted that people’s individuality should be considered when determining the optimal treatment dose.

In their study, the researchers gauged the effects of the sessions in terms of each participant’s age, gender, education level, and cognitive and physical condition. The relationship between the “dose” each received and their cognitive improvement was then analysed.

The findings revealed an increase with dose followed by a plateau effect after 12 to 14 sessions. However, participants with lower levels of education or more risk factors for frailty did benefit from more sessions.

The researchers concluded that it’s important to pinpoint an optimal dose and to customise the treatment for each individual. Not only is “dosage” an important component of behavioural interventions, it can also provide valuable information in resource-constrained settings, helping public-health agencies develop effective prevention programs and offer guidance to older adults and clinicians.

Source: University of Montreal