Cognitive Science

The latest breakthroughs, innovations, and cool happenings at the cutting edge of the world of cognitive science. Updated daily.

Challenges and prospects in geriatric epilepsy treatment: the role of the blood–brain barrier in pharmacotherapy and drug delivery

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is pivotal in maintaining neuronal physiology within the brain. This review delves into the alterations of the BBB specifically in the context of geriatric epilepsy. We examine how age-related changes in the BBB contribute to the pathogenesis of epilepsy in the elderly and present significant challenges in pharmacotherapy. Subsequently, we evaluate […]

Published on February 8, 2024

Simplifying social learning

Social learning is complex, but people often seem to navigate social environments with ease. This ability creates a puzzle for traditional accounts of reinforcement learning (RL) that assume people negotiate a tradeoff between easy-but-simple behavior (model-free learning) and complex-but-difficult behavior (e.g., model-based learning). We offer a theoretical framework for resolving this puzzle: although social environments […]

Published on February 8, 2024

In silico analyzes of the involvement of GPR55, CB1R and TRPV1: response to THC, contribution to temporal lobe epilepsy, structural modeling and updated evolution

IntroductionThe endocannabinoid (eCB) system is named after the discovery that endogenous cannabinoids bind to the same receptors as the phytochemical compounds found in Cannabis. While endogenous cannabinoids include anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), exogenous phytocannabinoids include Δ-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These compounds finely tune neurotransmission following synapse activation, via retrograde signaling that activates […]

Published on February 7, 2024