Recent Research: Common Indulgences Enhance Cognitive Abilities Through Brain Arousal Modulation

by Liam O'Connor
7 comments
Memory Enhancement Research

A groundbreaking study conducted using MINDWATCH technology has discovered that both music and coffee can positively impact cognitive functioning by modifying levels of brain arousal. The research aims to pave the way for individualized tools that monitor cognitive arousal states.

The study, employing MINDWATCH technology, highlights how ordinary enjoyments can influence cognitive proficiency.

Everyday activities such as listening to music or consuming coffee can modify brain activity in a manner that enhances cognitive skills, including those that demand focus and memory retention. This is a key insight from a recent study carried out at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, which utilized MINDWATCH, an innovative technology for brain monitoring.

Over a span of six years, Associate Professor Rose Faghih of NYU Tandon’s Biomedical Engineering department developed MINDWATCH. This algorithm examines an individual’s neural activity based on data collected from wearable devices capable of measuring electrodermal activity (EDA), which indicates changes in electrical conductance triggered by emotional stress and sweat response mechanisms.

Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the MINDWATCH study involved participants who wore skin-monitoring wristbands and brain-monitoring headbands. Subjects engaged in cognitive testing while experiencing various stimulants like music, coffee, and individually preferred fragrances. The same tests were also conducted in the absence of these stimulants.

The data analyzed through the MINDWATCH algorithm indicated that music and coffee notably altered the subjects’ brain arousal, essentially conditioning them into a physiological state conducive for improved performance in working memory tasks.

Specifically, the study found that these stimulants heightened “beta band” brain wave activity, which is linked to peak cognitive performance. Fragrance also displayed a slight positive effect, calling for additional research.

“In a time when the global pandemic has adversely affected mental health, it is more crucial than ever to have technologies that monitor the impact of daily stressors on cognitive function,” commented Faghih. “MINDWATCH is currently in its development stage, but the long-term objective is to develop technology that enables individuals to real-time monitor their brain cognitive arousal. During moments of acute stress or cognitive disengagement, MINDWATCH could prompt an individual toward easy and safe interventions, such as listening to music, to optimize their cognitive state.”

In the study, participants underwent a specific type of working memory test known as the n-back test, which involved a sequence of stimuli requiring them to identify if the current stimulus matched the one presented a certain number of items earlier in the sequence. The study utilized both a simpler 1-back test and a more complex 3-back test.

Three varieties of music were used during testing—energetic and calming music familiar to the subject, along with novel AI-generated compositions tailored to individual preferences. According to the data, familiar energetic music yielded larger performance gains in terms of reaction times and accurate responses. AI-generated music outperformed all other types, though further studies are needed for confirmation.

The performance enhancements from drinking coffee were significant, albeit less substantial compared to music, while the impact of perfume was relatively minimal.

The researchers observed greater performance gains on the more demanding 3-back tests, implying that these interventions could be particularly effective when cognitive load is elevated.

Ongoing work by the MINDWATCH research team aims to validate the technology’s consistent brain activity monitoring capabilities and the overall effectiveness of various interventions in modulating brain activity.

The study was funded as part of Faghih’s National Science Foundation CAREER award for the MINDWATCH project, which stands for Multimodal Intelligent Noninvasive brain state Decoder for Wearable AdapTive Closed-loop arcHitectures. Researchers have made the diverse dataset from this study available for further research on the effectiveness of the safe interventions examined in this study.

The senior author of this paper is Rose Faghih, and its lead author is Hamid Fekri Azgomi, a postdoctoral scholar in neurological surgery at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. Azgomi completed his Ph.D. under Faghih’s supervision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cognitive Performance

What is the primary objective of the MINDWATCH study?

The primary objective of the study conducted using MINDWATCH technology is to explore the effects of everyday activities like listening to music and drinking coffee on cognitive performance. The research aims to further the development of personalized tools for real-time monitoring of cognitive arousal states.

Who conducted the research?

The research was carried out at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. The study was led by Associate Professor Rose Faghih of NYU Tandon’s Biomedical Engineering department.

What technology was used to collect data?

MINDWATCH, an innovative algorithm that analyzes neural activity, was used. The technology gathers data from wearable devices capable of measuring electrodermal activity (EDA).

What activities were tested for their effects on cognitive performance?

The study tested the effects of listening to music, drinking coffee, and sniffing perfumes on cognitive performance. Subjects also performed the tests without any of these stimulants.

What were the main findings regarding the impact of music and coffee on cognitive abilities?

The study found that both music and coffee measurably altered brain arousal, essentially enhancing performance in working memory tasks. Specifically, these stimulants increased “beta band” brain wave activity, which is associated with peak cognitive performance.

Were any other stimulants found to have an effect?

Perfume had a modest positive effect on cognitive performance, suggesting the need for further research in this area.

What specific cognitive test was used in the study?

The specific cognitive test used was the n-back test, which is a working memory task involving sequences of stimuli.

What are the future goals of the MINDWATCH project?

The long-term goal of MINDWATCH is to develop technology that allows individuals to monitor their cognitive arousal in real-time, offering interventions during moments of acute stress or cognitive disengagement to optimize cognitive state.

Who funded the study?

The study was funded as part of Rose Faghih’s National Science Foundation CAREER award for the MINDWATCH project.

Is the data from the study available for further research?

Yes, the diverse dataset from this study is available for further research, particularly on the effectiveness of the safe interventions examined in modulating cognitive states.

More about Cognitive Performance

You may also like

7 comments

Samantha Green September 18, 2023 - 1:26 am

so they’re saying I should drink coffee AND listen to music at the same time for max benefit? I’m down!

Reply
Mike Johnson September 18, 2023 - 2:26 am

Awesome research but what’s the catch? There’s always a catch when something sounds too good to be true.

Reply
Emily Williams September 18, 2023 - 1:57 pm

This research is pretty mind-blowing. But I wanna know, do the kinds of music and coffee matter? Like, is it any coffee or does it have to be, say, a special brew?

Reply
Lisa Martin September 18, 2023 - 7:01 pm

Can’t wait for MINDWATCH to be available to the public. Imagine the possibilities! We could all become geniuses in no time, haha.

Reply
Robert O'Neal September 18, 2023 - 7:21 pm

Interesting read, especially the part about perfume having a ‘modest effect’. Wonder what that could mean for the fragrance industry. Maybe time for them to pivot?

Reply
Alan Cooper September 18, 2023 - 7:43 pm

Intriguing, but what about potential negative effects? Drinking too much coffee can’t be good right? Would like to see a study that delves into that aspect.

Reply
John Smith September 18, 2023 - 8:40 pm

Wow, this is some cutting-edge stuff! Who woulda thought your morning cup o’ joe could actually be boosting your brain power. Gotta love science.

Reply

Leave a Comment

* By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website.

SciTechPost is a web resource dedicated to providing up-to-date information on the fast-paced world of science and technology. Our mission is to make science and technology accessible to everyone through our platform, by bringing together experts, innovators, and academics to share their knowledge and experience.

Subscribe

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!