Reduced left dorsolateral prefrontal activation in problematic smartphone users during the Stroop task: An fNIRS study

The mechanism of inhibition control in mathematical reasoning: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The ability to comprehend and engage in mathematical reasoning is a fundamental cognitive skill, central to problem-solving and critical thinking. However, the intricate cognitive processes underlying mathematical reasoning, particularly in relation to inhibitory control, have garnered increasing attention in recent research. While previous studies have explored this connection, there remains a need for a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay between inhibitory control and mathematical reasoning. This study explored the contribution of response inhibition and semantic inhibition to scientific reasoning by comparing the brain activation of the speeded-reasoning task of mathematical subdomain concepts with that of the Go/Nogo and Stroop tasks.

METHOD

Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) was recorded in 28 subjects performing Go/Nogo tasks, Stroop tasks and speeded-reasoning tasks. The study was divided into two parts. In one part, subjects performed the Go/Nogo task and the Stroop task, and in the other part, subjects performed speeded-reasoning tasks.

RESULTS

The results showed that the subjects had slower responses and lower accuracy when judging incongruent statements. The concentration of oxy-Hb in the brain region related to inhibition was increased. In addition, the oxy-Hb in reasoning incongruent nonmathematical statements was correlated to the Go/Nogo task, whereas the oxy-Hb in reasoning incongruent mathematical statements was correlated to the Stroop task.

CONCLUSION

This result supports the hypothesis that inhibitory control plays a role in the scientific reasoning of mathematical subdomain concepts, and both response inhibition and semantic inhibition are involved in suppressing the interference of mathematical misconceptions.Supplementary Video Abstract, Supplemental digital content 1, http://links.lww.com/WNR/A732.

Acute smartphone use impairs vigilance and inhibition capacities

Smartphones are now in very widespread use, and concerns have arisen about potential detrimental effects, even with acute use. These adverse consequences are often linked to the emergence of mental fatigue. While the cognitive implications of fatigue are well-documented, knowledge about the specific influence of acute smartphone use on cognitive performance remains scarce. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the impact of acute smartphone use on cognitive performance. It included two experiments: one designed to assess the impact of smartphone use on vigilance, and the other focusing on evaluating inhibition capacities. In Experiment 1, two groups of 40 participants completed a Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) before and after using a smartphone for 45 min (experimental group), or before and after watching a documentary (control group). In Experiment 2, two groups of 40 participants were subjected to a similar experimental design but had to perform a Go/NoGo task instead of a PVT. Mental fatigue and drowsiness were evaluated with visual analog scales before and after smartphone use and watching a documentary. Results suggested that both watching a documentary and using a smartphone for 45 min increased subjective mental fatigue and drowsiness. Watching the documentary did not impair cognitive performance. Reaction times on the PVT and number of errors on NoGo trials in the Go/NoGo task were higher among the participants in the smartphone condition. These results indicate reduced vigilance and impaired inhibition capacities only after smartphone use. We conclude that acute smartphone use induces mental fatigue and decreases cognitive performance. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying this decline in cognitive performance.

Neuroimaging the effects of smartphone (over-)use on brain function and structure-a review on the current state of MRI-based findings and a roadmap for future research

The smartphone represents a transformative device that dramatically changed our daily lives, including how we communicate, work, entertain ourselves, and navigate through unknown territory. Given its ubiquitous availability and impact on nearly every aspect of our lives, debates on the potential impact of smartphone (over-)use on the brain and whether smartphone use can be "addictive" have increased over the last years. Several studies have used magnetic resonance imaging to characterize associations between individual differences in excessive smartphone use and variations in brain structure or function. Therefore, it is an opportune time to summarize and critically reflect on the available studies. Following this overview, we present a roadmap for future research to improve our understanding of how excessive smartphone use can affect the brain, mental health, and cognitive and affective functions.