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Full-Text Articles in Neuroscience and Neurobiology

Biomarkers And Neuropsychological Change: A Pilot Study Of Three Months Of The Interactive Physical And Cognitive Exercise System (Ipaces™) For Older Adults, Jessica Stark Jun 2017

Biomarkers And Neuropsychological Change: A Pilot Study Of Three Months Of The Interactive Physical And Cognitive Exercise System (Ipaces™) For Older Adults, Jessica Stark

Honors Theses

The current pilot study of the interactive Physical and Cognitive Exercise System (iPACES™) examined the relationship between biomarkers and cognitive change over three months of neuroexergaming, wherein older adults pedaled and steered along a virtual bike path to complete a list of errands (Memory Lane™). Executive function and saliva were measured at baseline, mid (6-week), and three months. Results revealed moderate to large correlations between executive function and salivary biomarkers cortisol, BDNF, and IGF1. These findings suggest that neuroexergaming interventions such as iPACES™ may impact both cognitive and neurobiological pathways and perhaps could be an effective way to promote healthy …


Mindful Meditation And Physical Exercise: Neuropsychological Effects, Emma Stein Jun 2014

Mindful Meditation And Physical Exercise: Neuropsychological Effects, Emma Stein

Honors Theses

An abundance of prior research has indicated the robust relationship between physical exercise and cognition (Colcombe & Kramer, 2003). More recent research has investigated the cognitive and stress-relieving benefits of mind-body exercise, involving a combination of mindful meditation techniques with physical movements (Wayne, et al., 2014). Among these two cognitively enhancing techniques, is “exergaming,” which provides interactive physical exercise with a virtual environment. Research on exergaming has found additional cognitive benefits of interactive mental and physical exercise compared to regular physical exercise (Anderson-Hanley, et al., 2012). However, it remains unclear as to which type of mental engagement is required during …


Cognitive Effects Of Combined Physical And Mental Exercise: Interactive Vs. Synchronous, Caitlin Moore Jun 2013

Cognitive Effects Of Combined Physical And Mental Exercise: Interactive Vs. Synchronous, Caitlin Moore

Honors Theses

Many high quality randomized clinical trials have now clarified the strong relationship between exercise and cognition (Colcombe & Kramer, 2003). A growing area of exercise research has been focused on the effects of “exergaming” on cognitive function. Exergaming provides an individual with the ability to physically interact with a virtual environment (O’Leary et al., 2011). Recent research has shown an added cognitive benefit of interactive mental and physical exercise, when using a virtual reality-enhanced stationary bike. It is unclear whether interactivity is required, or if added cognitive benefit is "simply" from doing two things at the same time and reaping …


Neuropsychological And Neurophysiological Effects Of Low-Intensity Strengthening Exercise On Cognition, Vadim V. Yerokhin Jun 2011

Neuropsychological And Neurophysiological Effects Of Low-Intensity Strengthening Exercise On Cognition, Vadim V. Yerokhin

Honors Theses

With the growing aging population, it’s becoming increasingly important to find ways to either deter or prevent dementia. To date, most research has concentrated on the effects of aerobic exercise on cognition. Unfortunately, a large portion of older adults are often contraindicated to perform aerobic exercise due to different risk factors, which increase with age. Alas, alternate ways of exercise are necessary. Low-intensity strengthening exercise is a type of exercise aimed at improving balance and strengthening muscles without requiring one to overstrain. The current 11-week long exercise study test neuropsychological effects of exercise with a neuropsychological battery and neurophysiological effects …


Electrophysiological Indices Of Aesthetically Stimulated Processes In Art-Experienced Individuals As Compared To Art-Naïve Individuals, Katharine E. Hartnack Jun 2011

Electrophysiological Indices Of Aesthetically Stimulated Processes In Art-Experienced Individuals As Compared To Art-Naïve Individuals, Katharine E. Hartnack

Honors Theses

Aesthetic judgment processes were investigated in art-experienced and art-naïve individuals. Previous electrophysiological data suggest that aesthetic judgment is a two-stage process (Hofel & Jacobson, 2007). The first stage of aesthetic judgment is impression formation which is not spontaneous, and is reflected by an early Event Related Potential (ERP) frontocentral deflection. The second stage reflected by a lateralized late ERP positivity, evaluative categorization is also not spontaneous. Participants in the current study were instructed to either simply view black and white geometric patterns or were instructed to contemplate the beauty of the patterns. Results suggest that aesthetically stimulated processes differ between …