Recent Advances in Cognitive Neuroscience

Dear Colleagues,

Cognitive neuroscience is the discipline that investigates how the brain makes our mental functions possible. It is positioned at the intersection between psychology and biology, closely collaborating with fields such as neuropsychology and physiological psychology. Essentially, it combines the theoretical analysis of cognitive processes and computer simulations with the empirical evidence obtained from the direct study of brain activity. It is known that physical exercise (PE) can have positive effects on psychosocial well-being and cognitive performance, improving potential neural circuits in healthy populations as well as social performance. Regular exercise in children can enhance cognitive function, specifically improving executive function, attention, and memory through structural brain changes like larger basal ganglia and hippocampus. Aerobic activity increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), promoting neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and improved cerebral blood flow. These improvements directly translate to better academic performance, creativity, and cognitive flexibility. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the effects of sport and PE on both adults and children with developmental disabilities or neurological conditions. Neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Intellectual Disabilities (IDs), Learning Disabilities (LDs), and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), are conditions  characterized by impairments in different areas of adaptive functioning skills, as well as social communication, perceptuo-motor, and cognitive-behavioral performance, affecting daily life since an early age, with a later impact also in adulthood not only on themselves but also on their family. All these impairments could be related to underlying atypical brain microstructure and alterations in cerebral connectivity or to genetic/epigenetic issues; different areas of cognitive and motor performance aspects are also involved alongside executive functions, poor motor planning, working memory, inhibitory control, mental flexibility and motor incoordination, poor imitation, and poor static and dynamic balance. However, neurological conditions including cerebral palsy (CP), epileptic disorders, genetic syndromic conditions, and neuromuscular disorders can improve due to specific PE. Therefore, to better understand the impact of PE on the quality of life and cognitive and neuropsychiatric performance of children, adolescents, and adults with neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders, further investigations are needed into motor functional and neuro-cognitive tools, as well as neuroimaging and neurophysiological techniques.

Papers addressing these topics are invited for submission to this Special Issue. Several research designs may be accepted, including reviews of the literature, randomized controlled trials, longitudinal and cross-sectional studies, commentaries, research protocols, and systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Dr. Claudia Brogna
Guest Editor

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• children
• adults
• neurological disease
• neurodevelopmental disorders
• sport
• physical exercise
• neuroimaging