Research shows that brain maturation varies by individual and region, making it difficult to pinpoint a static baseline for maturity. Leah Somerville highlights the importance of considering brain development in policy-making decisions.
Researchers propose an integrated strategy for managing and analyzing global neuroscience data to maximize return on investments. The plan includes standardizing data descriptions, developing hardware and software ecosystems for archiving and sharing data, and collaborating with mathematicians to develop new approaches for data analysis.
A mouse study reveals that prenatal stress can alter the microbiome, leading to anxiety and learning difficulties in offspring. Researchers found lasting changes in the gut bacteria of stressed mothers and their female offspring, which persisted into adulthood.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that an abundance of white blood cells in the spleen can send messages to the brain leading to behavioral changes long after mice experience repeated stress. The study suggests that the immune system may represent a novel therapeutic target for treating mental health conditions.
A new study found that adolescents with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop substance use disorders if they have lower gray matter volume in the brain. The researchers discovered different patterns of gray matter reductions in females and males, highlighting the importance of sex differences in neuroscience research.
Neuroscientists propose a collaborative approach to understanding the brain, combining experimentalists and theorists to tackle the great mysteries of consciousness. By sharing data and resources, researchers aim to make progress in neuroscience research using principles similar to those used in particle physics.
A University of British Columbia-led review of mind-wandering research provides a new framework for understanding thought dynamics, potentially improving mental illness diagnosis and treatment. The framework suggests that spontaneous thought processes, including mind-wandering, are essential for creative thinking and dreaming.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored nine scientists with its 2016 Outstanding Achievement Prizes for their work in schizophrenia, mood disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, and cognitive neuroscience. The award recognizes groundbreaking research that aims to improve the lives of people with mental illness.
A new robotic technique developed by Georgia Tech researchers enables the reuse of pipettes in patch-clamping, a method used to record signals from brain cells. The technique has been shown to produce results comparable to those obtained with fresh pipettes and holds promise for accelerating neuroscience research.
Researchers at MPFI and NYU will use the grant to develop new optogenetic technologies, focusing on synaptic plasticity and its role in learning and memory. The goal is to improve knowledge of biochemical events underlying synaptic plasticity and provide insights into brain disorders.
In a preclinical model, researchers successfully suppressed cued cocaine seeking by activating brain receptors involved in suppressing addiction relapse. The technology, called DREADDs, allows for targeted treatment of addiction with minimal side effects.
UCSB neuroscientist Kenneth Kosik advocates for fundamental cell biology research into neurodegeneration, which may accelerate understanding of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. He argues that basic science provides a foundation for treatments beyond single diseases and early detection.
Researchers at Georgia State University are investigating how the human brain has evolved to support technological learning. The study aims to identify unique aspects of the human brain and understand the factors that cause individuals to acquire technological skills differently.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has made significant progress in understanding the role of proteins in synaptic transmission. The researchers identified two variations of a protein called Unc13 that work separately to regulate synaptic function, paving the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Researchers from Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience developed a spatiotemporally controlled method to induce and visualize synapse formation in cortical neurons. The study reveals that GABA is the common molecule setting the balance between inhibitory and excitatory synaptic contacts in early postnatal stages.
Researchers at Osaka University have discovered that error signals in motor cortices drive adaptation in reaching, a key finding in motor neuroscience. The study used artificial electrical stimulation to induce trial-by-trial improvements in motor control, shedding light on the neural mechanisms underlying motor learning and adaptation.
Researchers will investigate how vasopressin and serotonin act on the brain to alter responsivity to social stress in males and females. The project aims to define the basic brain mechanisms involved in regulating social behavior, with potential translational impacts for psychiatric disorders like PTSD.
Scientists track brain-cell activity in mice to gain insight into how the brain creates a map to a destination. The study found that two sublayers of cells in the hippocampus process different types of learning, with one layer creating a stable internal map and the other layer updating it during navigation.
Researchers caution against DIY tDCS use due to unpredictable effects and potential unintended consequences on brain function. The 'Open Letter' highlights concerns over frequency, cumulative dose, and individual variability in response to tDCS.
Researchers found that the LRP4 molecule is crucial for regulating glutamate levels in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. Without it, glutamate release is reduced, leading to intellectual impairment and seizures. However, blocking the receptor ATP eventually activates ameliorates the negative impact on mice.
Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience developed novel approaches to study axonal excitability with unprecedented detail. They discovered that action potentials vary in shape depending on subcellular location and are influenced by potassium channel subtypes.
Scientists at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience found that dendrites play an active role in cortical processing and shape how neurons encode visual information. The arrangement of synaptic connections within the dendritic field supports this active role, enabling neurons to exhibit diverse selectivity.
A team of senior neuroscientists recommends changes to neuroscience education to adapt to the new reality that more than half of graduates will work outside academia. The report calls for incorporating computational science, promoting interdisciplinary skills, and informing students about various career paths.
Experts in neuroscience education call for reinvestment in graduate training to prepare students for the challenges of brain science and disease. The paper proposes creating two types of training programs: those that extend traditional neuroscience training and those that engage students with backgrounds in other disciplines.
Research by Texas A&M University scientists found that shift workers are more prone to severe ischemic strokes due to disrupted circadian rhythms. Estrogen levels may play a role in protecting women from stroke severity, but men face increased risks, especially after age 50.
Matthew Hill's research has deepened understanding of how the brain responds to stress, highlighting the crucial role of the endocannabinoid system. His work demonstrates that enhancing this system can reduce anxiety and improve coping responses to stress.
Alan R. Palmer has received the William and Christine Hartmann Prize in Auditory Neuroscience from the Acoustical Society of America, recognizing his work on understanding the mechanisms behind sound perception and brain activity.
Alexandre Pouget, a renowned expert in neural coding and spatial representations, will receive the prize for his work on probabilistic inference and its applications. Pouget's research focuses on general theories of representation and computation in neural circuits, with a strong emphasis on neural theories of probabilistic inference.
Researchers found that stimulating the left angular gyrus with transcranial direct current stimulation improved comprehension of simple, two-word phrases. This effect was not seen with sham stimulation or right angular gyrus stimulation, suggesting a specific role for this brain region in semantic memory integration.
Researchers are identifying who may benefit from cognitive training and new methods to result in long-lasting, positive effects on cognition. Cognitive neuroscientists are using tools like tDCS to boost working memory, with enhancements lasting over months.
A new study from the University of Bristol finds that educational neuroscience lacks concrete benefits for teaching and child progress in classrooms. The research criticizes the use of brain scans and other methods without solid evidence to support their effectiveness.
Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience used electrophysiological and optical approaches to visualize and manipulate neuronal activity in individual neurons of the somatosensory cortex. They found that the formation of functional microcircuits was determined by specific settings and the number of neurons stimulated...
Researchers at UVA University have successfully used a synthetic gene to manipulate the behavior of mice and zebrafish by applying magnetic fields. The breakthrough could lead to new treatments for neurological diseases such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.
Two NYU faculty, Marc Gershow and Katherine Nagel, have been awarded Sloan Foundation research fellowships. The fellowships provide $55,000 over two years to support their research in fields such as neuroscience and physics.
During sleep, brain activity patterns from the day are replayed at fast-forward speed in the hippocampus, strengthening microscopic connections between nerve cells. This process is crucial for consolidating memories and retaining important information.
A study published in Cell Press identified a neural circuit mediating social seeking behavior driven by a loneliness-like state in mice. The discovery sheds light on the neuroscience of isolation and may help understand social anxiety and autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers explore internal and social behavior, using mathematical tools to analyze brain activity. The study reveals a substance that influences financial decisions, highlighting the need for guiding rules in brain function.
A study in rats suggests that over-consuming sugary foods during adolescence can lead to reduced activity in the nucleus accumbens, a key hub of the brain's reward circuitry. This alteration could have long-lasting implications for individuals and may contribute to the development of substance abuse or eating disorders later in life.
Researchers discovered a cellular circuit in the mouse brain that enables it to remember safe environments and differentiate them from dangerous ones. The study found that disrupting this circuitry may contribute to conditions like posttraumatic stress and anxiety disorders.
A new common format, Neurodata Without Borders (NWB): Neurophysiology, enables free and open exchange of complex brain information. The format allows researchers to capture and share data generated by optical and electrical neurophysiology methods.
A team of international neuroscientists and engineers has been awarded a $5 million grant to unravel the mysteries of the brain and develop new technologies for better healthcare. The project aims to stimulate and sense brain activity at the single-neuron level, reconstructing neural circuits with computer simulations.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation has awarded $7.5 million to five researchers through the NYSCF -- Robertson Investigator Program, supporting innovative work in stem cell biology and neuroscience. The recipients aim to advance our understanding of cellular processes and develop new treatments for diseases.
A study published at Neuroscience 2015 found that magnetically stimulating a specific part of the brain can affect arm movements in patients with severely disabling post-stroke arm impairment. The research suggests that repeated stimulation of the unaffected side of the brain may help teach it to control the impaired arm.
A new study reveals the role of ephrin-B3 in organizing synapses, which is essential for healthy brain function. The discovery could lead to better treatments for neurological diseases such as autism and Alzheimer's.
Pietro De Camilli is awarded the Julius Axelrod Prize for his outstanding achievements in neuropharmacology and commitment to mentoring young scientists. His work has shed light on neurotransmitter release and membrane trafficking, with implications for understanding diseases of the nervous system.
Dr. Story Landis has been awarded the Ralph W. Gerard Prize in Neuroscience for her significant contributions to neuroscience research and public service. She is recognized for her groundbreaking work on synapse formation and neurotrophins, as well as her leadership in transforming NINDS into a training and mentorship hub.
Dr. Yan Dong receives the $25,000 award for his contributions to understanding how drugs of abuse alter brain communication and mediate relapse behavior. He has identified key brain regions and mechanisms involved in motivation and reward.
Terrence Sejnowski receives the Swartz Prize for his significant cumulative contribution to theoretical models and computational methods in neuroscience. He has made major research discoveries, including learning models for birdsong and neuroeconomics.
William B. Kristan is recognized for his outstanding contributions to neuroscience education and training. He has established the Neurobiology Boot Camp course at UCSD, which provides students with a comprehensive understanding of neuroscience.
The Society for Neuroscience has announced winners of its achievement awards, recognizing individuals who have promoted women's advancement in neuroscience and demonstrated excellence in mentoring and research. The award recipients include Julio Ramirez, Allison J. Doupe, Debra Bangasser, Mingshan Xue, Janice Naegele, and Paul Greengard.
Joshua Levitz, PhD, received the Nemko Prize for his innovative approach to studying G protein-coupled receptors. His method will impact brain circuitry research and our understanding of receptor signaling.
Ed Boyden and Nachum Ulanovsky are recognized for their groundbreaking work in neuroscience, including pioneering discoveries in optogenetics and neural activity recording. Their research is advancing our understanding of brain function and has the potential to lead to new treatments for neurological disorders.
Keren Haroush and Jerry Chen receive $25,000 each for their pioneering work on neural mechanisms of cooperative social interaction and learning, respectively. Their studies have significantly advanced understanding of brain function and behavior.
Matthew Lovett-Barron received the $2,500 prize for his innovative approach combining pharmacogenetics, neural recordings, and optogenetics to study fear learning and its neural mechanisms. His work has significant implications for understanding panic and anxiety disorders.
The Society for Neuroscience awards recognize two neuroscientists, Adam Gazzaley and E. Paul Zehr, for their contributions to promoting public education and awareness about neuroscience. Diasynou Fioravante and Nicole Baganz are also honored for their outreach efforts and commitment to making science accessible to the public.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored nine scientists for their work in schizophrenia, mood disorders, and cognitive neuroscience. The awards recognize the transformative power of neuroscience to improve mental health.
Researchers at MPFI and FIAS will analyze large datasets to understand spontaneous brain activity in early visual cortex development. They aim to extract general principles of how this activity influences cortical development.
Ryohei Yasuda, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience Scientific Director, has received a $4.8 million NIH Pioneer Award to support his lab's high-risk, high-reward projects in biochemical signaling and mental disorders like dementia and autism.
A new study published in Nature Neuroscience found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder struggle to transfer learned knowledge to new contexts when trained through repetition. In contrast, breaks in repetition allow autistic individuals to learn efficiently and generalize, promoting broader concept understanding.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a new molecular 'switch' that controls the properties of neurons in response to changes in their neural network. This finding suggests that the brain's hardware is tuneable and could lead to breakthroughs in education policy and neurological therapies.