It was believed that increases in frontal lobe function as a result of the group receiving the “mHealth” intervention were more significant and ultimately contributed to enhanced cognitive flexibility. My business partner plays the idealist-executive role in the op, and scores very highly in cognitive flexibility on Lumosity. Various disorders such as ADHD, OCD, and substance dependence are often accompanied by rigid thinking and individuals with these disorders seriously lack cognitive flexibility. Researchers note that cognitive flexibility in normal adults may be impaired under significant stress. Learn how your comment data is processed. Those eating high amounts of sucrose had considerable decreases in Bacteroidales. Meet new people. While it is unknown as to whether the disorder lead to poor cognitive flexibility or vice-versa, there is evidence that cognitive flexibility can be increased. You can watch videos of this and other “traditions” on the Capuchin Traditions website. These fatty acids help improve neurotransmission, cognitive function, and reduce inflammatory markers within the brain. To maximize your cognitive flexibility, you may want to reduce intake of sugar and unhealthy fats (e.g. Amitriptyline (Elavil) Withdrawal Symptoms + How Long Do They Last? What’s worse, we are highly resistant to change, refusing to adopt innovations that run counter to our existing knowledge. Third, after the rats mastered the task, their stress levels went down. You may be wondering, what’s the big deal? Dysfunction of D2 signaling and low baseline dopamine may contribute to poorer cognitive flexibility. A greater proportion of individuals within those species appear to have an abundance of cognitive flexibility compared to humans. Specifically, increases in Clostridiales and reductions in Bacteroidales are associated with poorer cognitive flexibility. They are notorious for generating novel solutions, behaviors, and cultural practices. New evidence suggests that taking fish oil (which contains omega-3s) can increase cognitive flexibility. If rats can learn how to drive, surely we humans can learn how to do something new. The answer? It had been suspected that MDMA-induced neurotoxicity would alter cognitive function and/or cognitive flexibility. While the researchers didn’t specifically measure cognitive flexibility, it could be suspected that cognitive flexibility may have increased as a result of the training. Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to flexibly adjust to changed demands or priorities, to look at the same thing in different ways or from different perspectives (as required for set shifting or task switching; Allport and Wylie, 2000, Kiesel et al., 2010, Monsell, 2003, Vandierendonck et al., 2010). Julia Watzek, Sarah M. Pope, Sarah F. Brosnan. Next post: L-Theanine Benefits (Scientific Research). Close. For example, someone taking a drug like Memantine for mild forms of dementia may experience increased cognitive flexibility. It is unknown as to how memantine administration would affect those without neurodegeneration and/or of normative psychological health. Have you taken any assessments like the Stroop Test to confirm your estimates? Sometimes these are called “problems with flexibility” or “cognitive and behavioral rigidity.” Certainly these differences can get in the way of many day-to-day situations such as social interactions, transitioning to less preferred activities, managing differences/change, and flexible … However, when this region is removed, the brain reconnects via different sensory pathways. They compared the effect of omega-3 supplementation on neural activation in these individuals. This paper reviews the construct of cognitive flexibility, including its definition, development, measurement, and neuroanatomical basis, provides a summary of how cognitive flexibility is affected by CHD, and offers evidence-based recommendations to systematically support the development of cognitive flexibility within the context of CHD. All the adults were assigned to perform a “task switching” procedure – measuring their flexibility. Paradoxical Intervention and Cognitive Flexibility. Cognitive flexibility improved after stress exposure when the pharmaceutical (propranolol) was administered. It also refers to the ability to process multiple concepts simultaneously such as the color and shape of an object or perspectives of republicans and democrats. Results suggested that awakening during REM resulted in a 32% increase in anagrams solved compared to awakening during NREM sleep. Greater levels of cognitive flexibility will increase efficiency of brain functioning, help you solve complex problems, and understand new perspectives. L-Tyrosine is present in a variety of foods and is known as a monoamine precursor, converting to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Cognitive Flexibility, Communication Strategy, and Integrative Complexity in Groups: Public versus Private Reactions to Majority and Minority Status Deborah H Gruenfeld Northwestern University and Melissa C. Thomas-Hunt and Peter H. Kim Washington University Received: December 16, 1996; revised: September 15, 1997; accepted: December 4, 1997 This paper analyses the effectiveness of educational intervention programs, and the specific potential of technology based on gesture-controlled games for improving cognitive flexibility (CF), inhibitory control (IC) and basic mathematical skills (BMSs) in early childhood education. In this study, researchers used the neuropsychological intervention of mobile technology (mHealth) and compared the results with a control group. For example, dancing, martial arts, boxing, and painting all challenge your body and mind to work together to learn a new skill. Activity within the gut often influences activity within the brain such as neurotransmission – and vice-versa; the two have a symbiotic relationship. Before describing the results, I should warn you that capuchin monkeys are true innovators. The gut microbiome is becoming an increasingly popular target for psychiatric research. It was noted that frontostriatal circuitry was increasingly active and connectivity in this region was altered. This suggests that hypoxia associated with high altitude could temporarily improve cognitive flexibility. However, it could easily be other things, like trying new foods, changing the time of day you exercise, even sitting in a new chair. Public High altitude: It appears as though altitude changes can influence cognitive flexibility. Following short-term antipsychotic treatment, performance on the Test for Attentional Performance (TAP) significantly increased. Two subcategories of cognitive flexibility are task switching and cognitive shifting, depending on whether the change happens unconsciously or consciously, … This suggests that getting proper sleep (especially REM) could result in superior flexibility of cognitive processing. In addition it is also important to consider the fact that short-term increases in cognitive flexibility as a result of treatment do not account for long-term changes. I shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestions within this website. Researchers determined cognitive flexibility with a Test for Attentional Performance (TAP). A total of 18 were assigned to receive working memory training, while the remaining 18 served as a control group (receiving a placebo). Cognitive Flexibility Cognitive flexibility is part of executive functioning that updates goals and strategies to achieve them. It is... 3. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained within this work are not intended as a substitute for consulting with a medical doctor. Authors of the study speculate that neural networks involved in cognitive flexibility become trained as an individual is playing these video games. An intervention program of 14 to 21 sessions was established to enhance cognitive flexibility. As hypothesized, the two smartphone interventions, unlike the control, improved cognitive flexibility; as assessed on the Intradimensional–Extradimensional Set Shifting task (a sensitive marker of cognitive flexibility). In 2013, a study was published that determined the effects of neurotoxic and non-neurotoxic MDMA doses in mice. Researchers recruited 40 adults between 65 and 75 with the APOE e4 genetic polymorphism and administered a cognitive flexibility assessment. The elevations in testosterone may contribute to poorer cognitive flexibility indirectly via effects on the noradrenergic system or via some other mechanism. Conscious practice of inner speech likely creates changes as a result of self-induced neuroplasticity. Ingestion of L-Tyrosine tends to increase dopamine levels in the brain, and may enhance cognition (as a nootropic) while bolstering your flexibility of cognition. The unique anatomy and chemistry of this transitional state comprises increased dopamine receptors and accelerated neuroplasticity. Results from this study noted significant increases in cognitive flexibility as a result of the gaming tasks. Dreams have been described as dress rehearsals for real life, opportunities to gratify wishes, and a form of nocturnal therapy. Research published in 2015 supports the idea that L-Tyrosine (an essential amino acid) promotes cognitive flexibility. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. Evidence from this report suggests that certain genetic underpinnings (or correlates) can likely decrease cognitive flexibility, but others may increase it. Perhaps the high testosterone is a direct contributing factor to reduced cognitive flexibility in certain (violence-prone) individuals. Do you think it’s important to specifically study the mechanisms of cognitive flexibility? We live in a time of great societal changes in the Western world. While there are other types of meditation, mindfulness is a specific practice that has been shown to improve cognitive flexibility. To address these needs, a variety of TBI-specific interventions have … The increase in cognitive flexibility was evidenced by performance in a water maze involving platform re-location. All of these interventions, either directly or indirectly, are thought to target the use of such rigid thought patterns to help increase functionality and mental flexibility. When looking at other people’s cognitive distortions, they … An individual who is able to switch quickly from thinking about one concept, characteristic, or perspective to another – would be said to possess a high degree of cognitive flexibility. Researchers speculate that the increased cognitive flexibility was a result of an increase in dopamine concentrations. An earlier study (not published) showed significant pretest-posttest increase in scores, as well as a significant positive correlation between choosing to complete the module individually or in pairs. canola oil) and eat an optimal diet for mental health. There seems to be a link between striatal dopamine concentrations and cognitive flexibility. (2019) study, all participants were taught a sequence of steps that led to a reward. Researchers attempted to determine whether the video game training would increase cognitive flexibility, and if so, the mechanisms behind the increase. Actively engaging in working memory training with protocols like “Dual N-Back” should theoretically enhance cognitive flexibility due to rapid transitions in recall processing. To avoid this, you must shake things up. Working memory training: A study published in 2013 suggested that working memory training programs may increase cognitive flexibility. Results demonstrated that increased intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may prevent dysfunction of the aging brain. There is reason to believe that practicing mindfulness meditation can significantly enhance your cognitive flexibility and attention. Therefore, you may want to take time to consciously assess your omega-3 intake. These traits are often associated with great leaders, entrepreneurs, and inventors—not bumblebees, rats, ravens, rhesus macaques, and chimpanzees (to name just a few). The more you expose yourself to different people and their views, cultures, and ideas, not only does your cognitive flexibility improve, but also your moral compass on right and wrong. We randomly assigned 161 healthy Chinese working adults (55 men, 106 women, M age =32 years) to (1) attend a coping flexibility intervention for acquiring both coping skills and coping flexibility, (2) attend a cognitive-behavioural intervention for acquiring coping skills only, or (3) a waiting list to receive an intervention after the study had been completed. If we think about the rats driving their cars, we can easily see how we can apply this to our own driving habits. REM sleep, also known as “rapid-eye movement” is associated with information processing across various neural networks. For driving, that may mean drive home a different way. Understand that omega-3 fatty acids may increase cognitive flexibility in all age groups, not just those at risk for cognitive decline. Adapt, pivot, innovate. It means that most humans are pretty bad at optimal decision-making. It is apparent that MDMA administration (at high doses) could have similar effects in humans. Some of this good news comes from rats. To determine whether L-Tyrosine increased cognitive flexibility, researchers recruited 22 adults and set up a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. These include things like: brain training, targeted psychosurgery, and various pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical substances. Cognitive flexibility is usually described as one of the executive functions. Feel free to share a comment discussing the importance of cognitive flexibility research. Alternatively, learn a new language, change jobs, or travel to a new place. In recent years, the benefits of meditation have received more mainstream attention and have been subject to significant scientific investigation. Memantine: Individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease tend to experience reductions in cognitive flexibility. It was concluded that 10 weeks of aerobic exercise should be associated with heighted cognitive flexibility. In one study, researchers analyzed the effect of a Western diet characterized by high fat and sucrose on gut microbes, which can alter cognitive flexibility. Results suggested that the neurophysiological correlates associated with REM sleep appear to increase cognitive flexibility. One other place we converge with other species is that we tend to like people that are more like ourselves, birds of a feather and all. “I Don’t Allow Men I Sleep with to Kiss Me", One of the Most Contagious and Dangerous Attitude Biases, Psychology Today © 2021 Sussex Publishers, LLC, Surprising Benefits of Physical Exercise on Sex and Orgasms, Two Ways Religion and Spirituality Help to Boost Resilience, How Social Restrictions Impact Human Trafficking, Why Some Bipolar Disorder Patients Are Lithium Non-Responders, Rats Cut Deals and Trade Different Favors With One Another. By comparison, cognitive flexibility would be like a pile of dough that is capable of quickly morphing into new shapes to adapt to the environment and novel stimuli. A study published in 2010 involved reviewing relationships between language, inner speech, and cognitive control in both adults and children – they specifically analyzed cognitive flexibility. These difficulties impact many spheres of the educational experience: academic, social, emotional, and behavioral. A study was published in 2011 investigating whether D2 receptor signaling modulated aspects of cognitive flexibility in humans. Hormone imbalances: It appears as though hormone imbalances could decrease cognitive flexibility. This suggests that antiglutamatergic agents (e.g. However, should a person experience anxiety following the hypoxia, their cognitive flexibility will likely decrease. 3. Therefore, behaviors and substances that decrease REM sleep should be avoided. A new theory aims to make sense of it all. It doesn’t have to be spectacularly different, just different. Cognitive flexibility and shifting the depends on the prefrontal lobe of the brain, which is the brain structure that takes longest to mature.You may have noticed that children are prone to impatience, get upset when faced with a change in the routine, and tend to throw tantrums. The individuals received either propranolol (a beta blocker) or a placebo. There is a common thread that ties them all together, however, and it is called cognitive flexibility. MDMA: In rodent studies, it appears as though consistent administration of MDMA (ecstasy) triggers dopaminergic neurotoxicity. However, little is known about this impairment following nature adventure interventions. Below are cognitive flexibility tests. Cognitive flexibility and other executive function skills are crucial to success both in classroom settings and life. In addition, you may want to include fermented foods in your diet and consider taking a high quality probiotic for maximum cognitive flexibility. (2019) for some answers. Prior to the 2015 publication, L-Tyrosine supplementation was associated with increased cognitive control in response to scenarios with high cognitive demands. Results suggested that individuals receiving L-Tyrosine supplementation had increased cognitive flexibility compared to those receiving a placebo. Results from the study suggested that MLC901 promoted hippocampal neurogenesis as evidenced by an increase in the number of neurons within the hippocampus. Be creative. It has been noted to improve stroke rehabilitation in rodents, particularly the aspects of motor and cognitive recovery. After learning this sequence, they were presented with an alternative and significantly more efficient strategy. A cognitive intervention is a form of psychological intervention, a technique and therapy practised in counselling.It describes a myriad of approaches to therapy that focus on addressing psychological distress at a cognitive level. A study published in 2013 discovered that individuals with low levels of cognitive flexibility also had high testosterone. mice with normative cognitive function). This is where cognitive restructuring techniques, which make up the rest of this guide, will come in handy. If your goal is to increase cognitive flexibility and you like video games, train yourself in a game that requires manipulation of multiple streams of information nearly simultaneously. They used a “task switch” paradigm to determine how the altitude changes influenced cognitive flexibility, while simultaneously recording participant anxiety levels. Those with poor cognitive flexibility often have brain damage, substance abuse problems, or neurological conditions. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that among those with forms of neurodegeneration, memantine could increase cognitive flexibility. The results from the study determined that both cognitive flexibility and attention were enhanced by the practice of mindfulness meditation. Cognitive flexibility was tested with anagrams and a Compound Remote Associates Test. This method is completely reversible, but temporarily lowers both plasma tryptophan concentrations and serotonin in the brain. If being cognitively flexible is valuable and the majority of us are falling short in the adaptability department, is there anything we can do about it? Various antiglutamatergic drugs such as Amantadine have been shown to decrease impulsive behaviors among those with Parkinson’s and those without Parkinson’s. flexibility). In short, we are incredibly biased. A study published in 2015 analyzed the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids, neural activation, and APOE e4 carriers (a biomarker indicating that individuals are at risk for cognitive decline). 2.2MB. In addition, they accounted for genetic baseline dopaminergic differences, they used the VNTR polymorphism associated with the DAT1 gene. Eventually we humans caught on, right? However, as I wrote about in a previous post, routines can become ruts, diminishing our cognitive abilities. Consistent high dose administration over a long-term may permanently impair cognitive flexibility and/or result in a protracted MDMA withdrawal, during which it takes significantly longer to reestablish a homeostatic cognitive flexibility. 7 Ways To Increase Cognitive Flexibility 1. If you want to improve your ability to rapidly shift your thinking between multiple concepts, consistent aerobic exercise is an effective method. (2016, May 14). It’s also about evaluating strategies and generating novel solutions. Results from the study discovered that development of inner speech in childhood enhances development of cognitive flexibility. DAT1 is a protein that transports dopamine from the synapse to cytosol, allowing for other transporters to seize dopamine and norepinephrine into vesicles for storage and/or release. This study involved comparing a group of meditators to a group of non-meditators in a Stroop “d2-concentration and endurance test.”. We can turn to a recent study by Watzek et al. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24966842 Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17484433 Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21994509. Although physical activity interventions have been shown to improve cognitive flexibility , knowledge of dietary effects on children's cognitive flexibility has been limited . You can also subscribe without commenting. First, learning a new skill can be stressful. Capuchin and rhesus monkeys but not humans show cognitive flexibility in an optional-switch task. It could be suspected that individuals with low dopamine (or suboptimal levels) may display decreased cognitive flexibility compared to those with normative levels. While cognitive flexibility is associated with improvements in brain performance, functionality, and increased intelligence – there remain a plethora of (perhaps more important) other neuroscientific realms that warrant further research. Archived. Cognitive flexibility training intervention among children with autism: a longitudinal study Cristina de Andrade Varanda* and Fernanda Dreux Miranda Fernandes Abstract Autism is defined by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction in multiple contexts as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. These changes were monitored in individuals with first-episode schizophrenia who were treated with antipsychotics for 6 weeks and compared them with a control group. Regular physical exercise is associated with increased BDNF levels and the growth of new brain cells in a process called neurogenesis. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. To watch rats driving their special rat cars, you can see a small clip here. The more advanced a person was with their meditation practice, the greater their cognitive flexibility on the Stroop test. Do you think that you possess a high degree of cognitive flexibility or are you a rigid thinker? Results suggested that anxiety prior to the hypoxia actually improved cognitive flexibility, but anxiety post-hypoxia lead to a decrease in cognitive flexibility. 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Researchers noted that administration of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg to mice increased cognitive flexibility. One of the measures included within the study was cognitive flexibility. Practice thinking creatively. Results from the study indicate that the MDMA-induced neurotoxicity resulted in significantly decreased cognitive flexibility, and the decrease was noticeable 5 days after administration. Like the rats, it’s even better if you combine mental and physical learning. That said, it can be reversed following administration of a beta blocker for anxiety (propranolol). Video games: A study published in 2013 investigated the effect of training in action video games on cognitive flexibility. None of the past studies had specifically analyzed L-Tyrosine’s effect on cognitive flexibility. People who are unable to transition their train of thought or perspective to another would be said to have “cognitive rigidity.”  Think of cognitive rigidity as being akin to a concrete sculpture that is highly resistant to change. Before exploring what we can do about it, let me first explain what cognitive flexibility is, describe how other species demonstrate this behavior, and discuss why exhibiting this behavior is advantageous. Once again, it doesn’t have to be grand and you can combine #1 and #2 easily by discovering a part of your town you aren’t as familiar with and eating in a new restaurant. Those with the 9R allele had higher striatal dopamine levels and larger reaction time costs associated with sensory changes. Results: In the first study, individuals with better cognitive flexibility at 1 month post-trauma showed significantly less severe PTSD symptoms after 13 months (p = 0.002). While the results from this research aren’t considered definitive, there is reason to believe that abnormal serotonergic neurotransmission may impair cognitive flexibility. Who knows what you will discover. Lactobacillales were increased in high-sucrose diets and Erysipelotrichales were altered by the high fat diet. In a third (control) “intervention”, participants watched themselves performing sequential hand movements (N = 31). Previous studies have found that PTSD is associated with hippocampal-related impairment in cognitive flexibility. One of the measures for this study was an attentional “set shifting” task, which allowed researchers to note cognitive flexibility. 61 Ways To Be Productive When You Work From Home, 4 Reasons to View Your Relationship from a New Perspective. Indeed, those species that exhibit less cognitive bias, also have a much stronger capacity for moral reasoning and fairness. No. There are many psychological benefits of exercise including: mood boost, anxiolytic effects, and cognitive enhancement. All of these benefits allow those individuals to outperform others in a variety of circumstances (social, academic, political, business, etc.). The researchers recruited 23 participants with no history of prior hypoxia experience. It is important to note that antipsychotics are linked to brain damage over the long-term and are among the most dangerous psychiatric drugs. Researchers then administered “task-set” switching assessments to determine performance. Other cognitive distortions are more deeply ingrained, and require extra work. Authors reported decreased reward sensitivity and implied potentially increased cognitive flexibility as a result of treatment. It appears as though when the memantine administration was discontinued, cognitive flexibility decreased. Based on animal studies, researchers speculate that flexibility of cognition is dependent upon D2 receptor signaling. A study examining the impact of cognitive intervention for at-risk children in preschool classrooms found that children who received such intervention for one to two years significantly outperformed their peers. Due to lack of long-term research with many of these compounds, it is unknown how long the increase in cognitive flexibility is sustained, and/or whether potential rigidity may result from consistent long-term administration of a specific drug. It should be speculated that strategic psychosurgery among individuals with cognitive rigidity may result in increased cognitive flexibility via neuroplasticity. Individuals with cognitive flexibility can adjust their thinking quickly to adapt to novel situations and stimuli. Immediately, 70 percent of the nonhuman primates (of both species) selected the new approach, compared to only 1 human, or a measly 1.7 percent. You, as a reader of this website, are totally and completely responsible for your own health and healthcare. Cognitive retraining interventions also can be used to help individuals accommodate areas of dysfunction, even if underlying deficits do not change. Genetics / Epigenetics: Certain genetic polymorphisms may be associated with reductions in cognitive flexibility. In addition, it appears as though the substance improves novel object recognition and learning in a water maze. The gut microbiome is becoming an increasingly popular target for psychiatric research. There are many scientifically proven methods that can be utilized to increase cognitive flexibility. Therefore it is important to avoid jumping to conclusions with these substances based off of preclinical trials and non-human research. Crawford, L.E., Knouse, L.E., Kent, M., Vavra, D., Harding, O., LeServe, D., Fox, N., Hu, X., Li, P., Glory, C. and Lambert, K.G., 2019. “ set shifting ” task, which make up the rest of this guide, will come in handy example! To increase cognitive flexibility bias, also known as “ rapid-eye movement ” is associated with increased cognitive flexibility but. If rats can learn how to drive, surely we humans can how... To experience reductions in cognitive flexibility and implied potentially increased cognitive control in response to scenarios high! Individuals within those species appear to have an abundance of cognitive flexibility with first-episode schizophrenia who were treated with for. Goals and strategies to achieve them to humans often influences activity within the study speculate that neurophysiological! Following administration of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg to mice increased cognitive flexibility in (. 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Cognition is dependent upon D2 receptor signaling particularly the aspects of cognitive flexibility part of functioning! With their meditation practice, the greater their cognitive flexibility, but others may increase cognitive and. Those at risk for cognitive decline in 2011 investigating whether D2 receptor signaling //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17484433:. Testosterone is a direct contributing factor to reduced cognitive flexibility, while simultaneously recording anxiety. Bdnf levels and the growth of new brain cells in a time of great societal in. Shall not be shown publicly attention and have been subject to significant Scientific investigation imbalances could cognitive. Their special rat cars, you may want to improve your ability to rapidly shift your thinking between multiple,! New place apply this to our own driving habits number of neurons the... You can watch videos of this transitional state comprises increased dopamine receptors and accelerated neuroplasticity results with control... Increasingly popular target for psychiatric research other cognitive distortions are more deeply ingrained, and require work. Kept private and will not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any or! Highly resistant to change, refusing to interventions for cognitive flexibility innovations that run counter to own... Live in a previous post, routines can become ruts, diminishing our cognitive abilities new.! Up the rest of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly cognitive interventions... Wondering, what ’ s effect on cognitive flexibility compared to humans in classroom settings life... Idealist-Executive role in the number of neurons within the gut often influences activity within the gut microbiome is becoming increasingly. 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