Listen to the beat: Behavioral and neurophysiological correlates of slow and fast heartbeat sounds.

Background: Listening to heartbeat sounds have been found to affect cardiac activity and behavior. However, less is known about the effects of these stimuli on brain activity and cognition. Alpha oscillations (8-13 Hz) are considered markers of cortical activation.

Sensory modality affects the spatiotemporal dynamics of alpha and theta oscillations associated with prospective memory.

Background: The maintenance of an intention in memory (Prospective Memory, PM) while performing a task is associated with a cost in terms of both performance (longer response times and lower accuracy) and neurophysiological modulations, which extent depends on several features of the stimuli.

Aim: This study explores the neural patterns associated with PM in different sensory modalities, to identify differences depending on this variable and discuss their functional meaning.

Method: Data were collected using a High-Density EEG during a baseline and a PM condition, proposed in a visual and an auditory version.

Thinking about it: the impact of COVID-19-related stimuli on prospective memory.

Background: Since 2020, information regarding COVID-19 has been a constant presence in the news, in our conversations and thoughts. Continuous exposure to this type of stimuli could have an impact on cognitive processes essential for our everyday activities, such as prospective memory (PM). PM is the ability to remember to perform an intention at a specific point in the future, like remembering to take prescribed medicines at a specific time or to turn off the stove after cooking.

The impact of sensory modality on prospective memory: Differences between visual and auditory processing.

Prospective memory (PM) is the ability to perform an intended action when the appropriate conditions occur. Several features play a role in the successful retrieval of an intention: the activity we are concurrently engaged in, the number of intentions we are maintaining, where our attention is focused (outward vs. to inner states), and how outstanding the trigger of the intention is.