Skip to content
Artwork by Clare Morgan (https://www.curiousinkyme.com/) as part of ‘Creative Reactions’ for Nottingham Pint of Science 2019

The more the better? Increased brain activity can be bad for your memory and attention – the importance of neuronal inhibition

Cognitive deficits, such as problems with memory and attention, have long been mainly linked to decreased activity in certain brain regions. Conversely, it is often assumed that ‘boosting’ brain activity may improve brain functions, such as memory and attention. However, more recent research indicates that the opposite can be the case! Faulty neuronal inhibition, which leads to INCREASED, but poorly controlled, neuron activity in brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, may cause problems with memory and attention, including in schizophrenia and age-related cognitive decline. In this Masterclass Dr Tobias Bast, associate professor with the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham, will discuss experimental psychology and the importance of neuronal inhibition.

Tobias Bast

Tobias Bast is Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. Tobias’ research examines brain mechanisms of cognition and behaviour and of clinically relevant cognitive and behavioural impairments, with a focus on a brain circuit consisting of hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and subcortical sites. Tobias uses a range of research methods including cross-species/translational methods that can be similarly used in rat models and humans.
For further info, please see: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/psychology/people/tobias.bast

Artwork by Clare Morgan (https://www.curiousinkyme.com/) as part of ‘Creative Reactions’ for Nottingham Pint of Science, 2019

Back To Top