The psychology and neurobiology of cognitive control training in humans

Project Information

CCT

Grant agreement ID: 647893

DOI 10.3030/647893

Project closed

EC signature date 23 October 2015

Start date 1 November 2015

End date 31 October 2022

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost € 1 998 305,00

EU contribution € 1 998 305,00

Coordinated by

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 5 - CCT (The psychology and neurobiology of cognitive control training in humans)

Reporting period: 2021-11-01 to 2022-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Cognitive control regulates our thoughts and actions, helping us avoid impulsive behaviours that are inappropriate, costly or dangerous. In recent years, evidence has emerged that training in behavioural tasks that promote response inhibition or avoidance of specific stimuli can enhance cognitive control, reducing overeating and alcohol consumption. Despite the promising nature of cognitive control training (CCT), we know little about which CCT methods are most effective, how individual differences determine training outcomes, whether CCT produces benefits for real-life behaviour, and how CCT alters – and is determined by – the structure and function of the brain. My aim is to discover what works in CCT and how the effects of training relate to neurophysiology. Subproject 1 is a randomised trial on the effectiveness of different CCT methods for achieving weight loss, recruiting thousands of participants worldwide to complete an app-based training programme called 'Restrain'. In Subproject 2a, I focus on theoretically predicted changes to GABAergic systems in prefrontal and motor cortex, testing the effect of GABAergic brain stimulation on training outcomes. In Subproject 2b, we focus on policy implications of cognitive control training and creating freely available open-source tools, including the Restrain food database, to facilitate future research in this area.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

* Launch of the Restrain trial (nearing completion)
* Validation and publication of the Restrain food database
* Consultation of UK academics on evidence-based policy, with a view toward informing health-related policy
* Theoretical and methodological advances in understanding whether, and how, cognitive control training and brain stimulation influence cognitive control

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Remaining publications will focus on the results of the Restrain trial, which are currently in preparation and will be submitted by the end of 2023.

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