MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge
@mrccbu.bsky.social
Do novel experiences shortly before or after learning improve memory for what was learned?
They don’t according to Raza et al., but simply resting might.
Read about novel VR experiences versus wakeful rest as ways to improve memory: https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218251346156
They don’t according to Raza et al., but simply resting might.
Read about novel VR experiences versus wakeful rest as ways to improve memory: https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218251346156
February 5, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Do novel experiences shortly before or after learning improve memory for what was learned?
They don’t according to Raza et al., but simply resting might.
Read about novel VR experiences versus wakeful rest as ways to improve memory: https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218251346156
They don’t according to Raza et al., but simply resting might.
Read about novel VR experiences versus wakeful rest as ways to improve memory: https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218251346156
Do metabolic rewards drive action?
New study by Fleming et al. finds they shape preferences but not behaviour – a surprising dissociation with implications for understanding metabolic interoception in health and disease.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2025.109187
New study by Fleming et al. finds they shape preferences but not behaviour – a surprising dissociation with implications for understanding metabolic interoception in health and disease.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2025.109187
February 2, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Do metabolic rewards drive action?
New study by Fleming et al. finds they shape preferences but not behaviour – a surprising dissociation with implications for understanding metabolic interoception in health and disease.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2025.109187
New study by Fleming et al. finds they shape preferences but not behaviour – a surprising dissociation with implications for understanding metabolic interoception in health and disease.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2025.109187
Are episodic and semantic memory really that different? Using closely matched tasks, we found no substantial neural differences between recalling personal experiences and general knowledge: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-025-02390-4
January 29, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Are episodic and semantic memory really that different? Using closely matched tasks, we found no substantial neural differences between recalling personal experiences and general knowledge: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-025-02390-4
You still have two weeks to register for COGNESTIC, 14-25 September 2026. We provide training in state-of-the-art methods for neuroimaging analysis and great opportunities for professional networking, especially for early-career researchers. For more info:
www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/events/cogne...
www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/events/cogne...
January 15, 2026 at 9:41 AM
You still have two weeks to register for COGNESTIC, 14-25 September 2026. We provide training in state-of-the-art methods for neuroimaging analysis and great opportunities for professional networking, especially for early-career researchers. For more info:
www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/events/cogne...
www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/events/cogne...
New preregistered study: A week of cognitive training can reduce automatic avoidance tendencies—showing that Pavlovian biases aren’t fixed, but flexible and trainable: https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2027-02467-001.html #CognitiveTraining #DecisionMaking #ComputationalPsychi
January 8, 2026 at 10:54 AM
New preregistered study: A week of cognitive training can reduce automatic avoidance tendencies—showing that Pavlovian biases aren’t fixed, but flexible and trainable: https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2027-02467-001.html #CognitiveTraining #DecisionMaking #ComputationalPsychi
New paper alert: Comparing the effect of multi-gradient echo and multi-band fMRI during a semantic task: https://doi.org/10.1162/IMAG.a.1043
January 7, 2026 at 11:30 AM
New paper alert: Comparing the effect of multi-gradient echo and multi-band fMRI during a semantic task: https://doi.org/10.1162/IMAG.a.1043
Across three experiments, de Montpellier et al. (2025) report that negative emotion does not impair hippocampal-dependent associative memory, contrary to the Dual Representation Account of PTSD: https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13415-025-01371-4
January 7, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Across three experiments, de Montpellier et al. (2025) report that negative emotion does not impair hippocampal-dependent associative memory, contrary to the Dual Representation Account of PTSD: https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13415-025-01371-4
Congratulations to Dr Lewis Owens, leading CBU supporter and fundraiser, on his MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Thoroughly deserved for his amazing amount of fundraising, volunteering and charitable work over so many years.
January 2, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Congratulations to Dr Lewis Owens, leading CBU supporter and fundraiser, on his MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Thoroughly deserved for his amazing amount of fundraising, volunteering and charitable work over so many years.
Season's Greetings!
From all at the MRC CBU 🎄☃️🎅
From all at the MRC CBU 🎄☃️🎅
December 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Season's Greetings!
From all at the MRC CBU 🎄☃️🎅
From all at the MRC CBU 🎄☃️🎅
Huge congratulations to @mrccbu.bsky.social's @charlottegarcia.bsky.social for receiving the “Outstanding Contributions to EDI in the Workplace” award at yesterday’s School of Clinical Medicine EDI event! So well-deserved.
December 10, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Huge congratulations to @mrccbu.bsky.social's @charlottegarcia.bsky.social for receiving the “Outstanding Contributions to EDI in the Workplace” award at yesterday’s School of Clinical Medicine EDI event! So well-deserved.
New paper introduces a novel way to study brain degeneracy: we identify group of people with distinct neural activation but similar task performance and demographics – showing that multiple brain activation patterns can support the same cognitive outcome: https://ow.ly/sX9O50XG7RM
December 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
New paper introduces a novel way to study brain degeneracy: we identify group of people with distinct neural activation but similar task performance and demographics – showing that multiple brain activation patterns can support the same cognitive outcome: https://ow.ly/sX9O50XG7RM
Congratulations to MRC CBU’s PhD student Annalise Whines, who won the runner-up prize at the MRC Max Perutz Science Communication Awards in the video category. ‘Does motivation change across the menstrual cycle?’ https://www.ukri.org/publications/mrc-max-perutz-science-writing-award-2025/
December 5, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Congratulations to MRC CBU’s PhD student Annalise Whines, who won the runner-up prize at the MRC Max Perutz Science Communication Awards in the video category. ‘Does motivation change across the menstrual cycle?’ https://www.ukri.org/publications/mrc-max-perutz-science-writing-award-2025/
What if it’s not about having “too much” or “too little” empathy, but about the balance between understanding and sharing others’ emotions? A new paper review empathic disequilibrium in autism and mental health, moving beyond deficit-oriented narratives: https://ow.ly/p5lH50XzTUW
December 1, 2025 at 2:02 PM
What if it’s not about having “too much” or “too little” empathy, but about the balance between understanding and sharing others’ emotions? A new paper review empathic disequilibrium in autism and mental health, moving beyond deficit-oriented narratives: https://ow.ly/p5lH50XzTUW
A special issue of Neuropsychologia celebrates John Duncan’s career at the time of his retirement: https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/10QN6R7VQSM. Read the editorial by Daniel Mitchell, Moataz Assem and Alexandra Woolgar here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2025.109323
December 1, 2025 at 10:04 AM
A special issue of Neuropsychologia celebrates John Duncan’s career at the time of his retirement: https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/10QN6R7VQSM. Read the editorial by Daniel Mitchell, Moataz Assem and Alexandra Woolgar here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2025.109323
Why do some people lose memory faster with age? A mega-analysis of 13 longitudinal datasets (3,700+ adults, 10,000+ MRIs) shows that memory decline tracks brain atrophy, especially in the hippocampus, and that these links strengthen with age, but not APOE status: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 27, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Why do some people lose memory faster with age? A mega-analysis of 13 longitudinal datasets (3,700+ adults, 10,000+ MRIs) shows that memory decline tracks brain atrophy, especially in the hippocampus, and that these links strengthen with age, but not APOE status: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Researchers from MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge and University of Cambridge showed that the brain stays in the adolescent phase until our early thirties. Find out more in the BBC article 👉 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgl6klez226o
November 25, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Researchers from MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge and University of Cambridge showed that the brain stays in the adolescent phase until our early thirties. Find out more in the BBC article 👉 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgl6klez226o
We introduces Nonlinear TL-MDPC, a neural-network-based method to capture multidimensional, time-lagged brain connectivity in EEG/MEG data. While it outperforms linear methods in simulations, it only shows subtle gains in real data: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1533034
November 19, 2025 at 10:01 AM
We introduces Nonlinear TL-MDPC, a neural-network-based method to capture multidimensional, time-lagged brain connectivity in EEG/MEG data. While it outperforms linear methods in simulations, it only shows subtle gains in real data: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1533034
Happy LGBTQ+STEM Day! To mark the occasion, LGBTQ+ and ally scientists alike introduced our new pride flag to the @mrccbu.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Happy LGBTQ+STEM Day! To mark the occasion, LGBTQ+ and ally scientists alike introduced our new pride flag to the @mrccbu.bsky.social
We are excited to announce #COGNESTIC 2026 @mrccbu.bsky.social in Cambridge, between 14-25 Sep 2026. Our 2-week summer school provides training in state-of-the-art methods for open neuroimaging analysis and great opportunities for professional networking:
www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/events/cogne...
www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/events/cogne...
November 17, 2025 at 10:18 AM
We are excited to announce #COGNESTIC 2026 @mrccbu.bsky.social in Cambridge, between 14-25 Sep 2026. Our 2-week summer school provides training in state-of-the-art methods for open neuroimaging analysis and great opportunities for professional networking:
www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/events/cogne...
www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/events/cogne...
New research by Henderson and colleagues found graded distinctions among typical amnestic and atypical (language, visual) Alzheimer’s phenotypes. The findings support a transdiagnostic, multidimensional model of AD that spans all subtypes: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-025-01873-w
November 10, 2025 at 12:41 PM
New research by Henderson and colleagues found graded distinctions among typical amnestic and atypical (language, visual) Alzheimer’s phenotypes. The findings support a transdiagnostic, multidimensional model of AD that spans all subtypes: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-025-01873-w
People with poorer glucose control show faster learning from rewards, in turn linked to higher depression symptoms. This suggests a neurocognitive bridge between metabolic disease and mood: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2025.100645
#MetabolicPsychiatry #Interoception #Depression
#MetabolicPsychiatry #Interoception #Depression
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM
People with poorer glucose control show faster learning from rewards, in turn linked to higher depression symptoms. This suggests a neurocognitive bridge between metabolic disease and mood: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2025.100645
#MetabolicPsychiatry #Interoception #Depression
#MetabolicPsychiatry #Interoception #Depression
This article compares two key metrics with predictive power for neural health in cochlear-implant patients as well as an exploratory measure. All three measures identify simulated neural dead regions, but PECAP is best at isolating neural and non-neural factors: https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0038746
October 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM
This article compares two key metrics with predictive power for neural health in cochlear-implant patients as well as an exploratory measure. All three measures identify simulated neural dead regions, but PECAP is best at isolating neural and non-neural factors: https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0038746
We are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Professor Friedemann Pulvermüller, former Programme Leader at the CBU. We will remember his scientific legacy, dry humour and jazz drumming skills. Our thoughts are now with his wife Bettina and son Johannes.
October 29, 2025 at 11:32 AM
We are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Professor Friedemann Pulvermüller, former Programme Leader at the CBU. We will remember his scientific legacy, dry humour and jazz drumming skills. Our thoughts are now with his wife Bettina and son Johannes.
What does it mean to be both animal and thinker? Join @moatazassem.bsky.social and John Duncan on 25 November at Murray Edwards College for the launch of John’s new book ‘The Animal and the Thinker.’ Get your tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-animal...
October 22, 2025 at 10:04 AM
What does it mean to be both animal and thinker? Join @moatazassem.bsky.social and John Duncan on 25 November at Murray Edwards College for the launch of John’s new book ‘The Animal and the Thinker.’ Get your tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-animal...
New paper - Sex differences in healthy brain aging are unlikely to explain higher Alzheimer’s Disease prevalence in women: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2510486122
October 14, 2025 at 9:00 AM
New paper - Sex differences in healthy brain aging are unlikely to explain higher Alzheimer’s Disease prevalence in women: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2510486122