The Society for Neuroscience has announced the winners of its fifth annual Brain Awareness Video Contest, featuring nine winning videos that explain complex neuroscience concepts in an engaging way. The contest winners, including Matthew Sugrim and Guillaume Riesen, have received awards and recognition for their innovative videos.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience by Texas A&M Health Science Center researchers found that a specific type of brain cell plays a crucial role in addiction. The findings suggest that periodic consumption of alcohol alters the structure and function of these cells, leading to increased cravings and cycle of alcoholism.
A new study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that the Fair Trade logo increases consumer's willingness to pay by 30% on average. The study also discovered that the logo influences subjective evaluations of products and activates the brain's reward system.
The new open access journal aims to connect biological and social sciences for evidence-based discussions in educational practice, policy, and theory. It provides a forum for interaction between neurocognitive researchers and educators.
A Mayo Clinic study has identified abnormalities in the levels and processing of ribonucleic acids (RNA) in patients with sporadic and genetic forms of ALS. The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, suggest that different factors may contribute to the development of ALS and highlight the need for tailored therapies.
Scientists have successfully reconstructed basic units, words, and complete sentences of continuous speech from brain waves. The 'Brain-to-Text' system combines neuroscience, medicine, and informatics to extract the most likely word sequence from cortical information and linguistic knowledge.
A new study integrates neuroscience and psychology to reveal how sleep suppresses the activity of certain nerve cells that promote forgetting, ensuring at least some memories last. Sleep facilitates memory retention by blocking dopamine neuron-mediated forgetting, leading to more stable memories.
Researchers at Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience found increased synchrony between sensory cortices and subcortical regions in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, contributing to hypersensitivity. This decoupling is thought to reflect the inability to block out irrelevant sensory information.
Dr. Laurel H. Carney has been awarded the William and Christine Hartmann Prize in Auditory Neuroscience for her research on auditory physiology and perception. Her work aims to understand how the brain hears and develop strategies to aid listeners with hearing loss.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found a link between poor sleep and the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein, which is believed to trigger Alzheimer's disease. Researchers discovered that excessive sleep disturbances can lead to impaired long-term memory consolidation.
Researchers found that teaching students to sound out words sparks more optimal brain circuitry than instructing them to memorize whole words. This study provides evidence of a specific teaching strategy for reading having direct neural impact.
The Edmond and Lily Safra Philanthropic Foundation has donated $30 million to the Hebrew University's Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, bringing the total funding to $50 million. The center will continue to grow and recruit top researchers to advance brain research and development.
Researchers created detailed 3D models of rodent brain's sensory cortex, showing interconnected networks across cortical columns. The study found that neurons in different cell types project to multiple columns, with non-uniform axon projection patterns, and these pathways can encode complex sensory information.
Traumatic brain injury affects millions worldwide, with little use of new scientific discoveries about brain workings. Researchers propose therapies targeting specific cognitive control processes, such as attention, memory, and thought.
Dr. Michael Gordon's research focuses on understanding neural circuits that drive taste responses and feeding preferences in fruit flies. His studies have shown that food preference can be viewed as a changing metric based on initial taste, experience, and physiological condition.
Researchers using brain-controlled prosthetics can gain real-time feedback on neural activity, allowing for the study of how the brain encodes information and changes with learning. This technology holds promise for developing new treatments for epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders.
A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that visual objects are represented by a distributed network in the human brain. Researchers used single-neuron activity recordings from epilepsy patients to test the idea of
Researchers at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience will investigate a newly discovered circuit in the visual cortex using novel imaging technologies. The project aims to understand how this circuit processes visual information and interacts with other neural circuits.
The Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Foundation has awarded TUM Prof. Arthur Konnerth the million-euro Brain Prize for his work on two-photon microscopy, enabling detailed images of individual nerve cells and synapses in living brains. His research has improved understanding of brain development, plasticity, and functional circui...
The NIH has awarded a $2.4 million grant to investigate how synaptic vesicle activity modulates auditory information transfer and impacts sound perception. Dr. Samuel Young's lab aims to uncover new cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in early stages of hearing.
A study suggests that Republicans and Independents are more likely to disapprove of lenient neurolaw reforms, while Democrats support equally across framing conditions. This finding underscores the need for careful public presentation of neuroscience in law to maintain a non-polarizing stance.
New York University faculty members Michael Halassa and Jennifer Jacquet have been awarded Sloan Foundation research fellowships to advance their groundbreaking research in neuroscience and environmental science. Their studies aim to crack the neural code of sensory input and explore large-scale cooperation dilemmas, with potential imp...
Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies report substantial postnatal changes in the functional properties of brain circuits. These changes improve the ability of brain cells to encode information, enhancing brain function.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have discovered a novel compound that regulates brain electrical activity and reduces aberrant signaling leading to severe generalized seizures. The finding may contribute to the development of effective anti-epileptic therapies.
Researchers found that brain activity increases with smoking, but quickly adapts after quitting. Stopping smoking abruptly can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, which may deter former smokers from continuing their quit journey.
A recent study by Brown University neuroscientists has shed light on the brain's cycle of activity and quiet called "up" and "down" states. The research found that all types of interneurons contribute uniquely to these cycles, with inhibitory cells playing a vital role in maintaining balance between excitation and inhibition.
The University of Nevada, Reno has partnered with Renown Health to bring new functional MRI technology to northern Nevada. This partnership will enable researchers to study neural activity patterns in the brain, revolutionizing neuroscience and leading to new discoveries about brain function and its impact on injury or disease.
Carmela Abraham, a professor at Boston University School of Medicine, has received the Massachusetts Neuroscience Consortium Award for her research on multiple sclerosis and the life extension protein Klotho. Her work identifies Klotho as a neuroprotective protein that can benefit animal models of Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis.
A new wireless brain sensor enables researchers to study neural circuit activity in animal models without cables or wires. The device transmits rich neuroscientifically meaningful signals from the brain during sleep, wake, and exercise.
Oxford University Press is launching a new open-access journal, Neuroscience of Consciousness, to focus on consciousness science research. The journal will provide a platform for researchers to share their findings on the nature, function, and underlying mechanisms of consciousness.
Researchers found that antidepressant Citalopram restored connections between brain cells, reversing depressive-like behaviors and improved mood. The treatment focused on the nucleus accumbens region, regulating reward and motivation, and showed promise in addressing postpartum depression symptoms.
Researchers at UT Arlington discovered that musicians outperform non-musicians in EEG-measured working memory tasks. However, the advantage in long-term memory was only found in picture recognition. The study used EEG technology to measure neural activity in the brains of 14 musicians and 15 non-musicians.
Several countries have launched brain research projects with big budgets and ambitious goals, aiming to make groundbreaking discoveries and develop new treatments for diseases. The initiatives are expected to drive rapid progress in the field of neuroscience, with a focus on global collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches.
Researchers discovered that estrogen-producing glial cells play a crucial role in controlling inflammation within hours of brain injury, potentially leading to new therapies. This rapid response could help preserve vital brain function and hasten recovery from brain injuries such as stroke.
A new study suggests that repeated head injuries can disrupt the brain's energy use, leading to inflammation, degeneration of brain cell segments, and problems with learning and memory. The discovery could help explain the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disease seen in professional athletes.
Fidel Santamaria and his team aim to transform traditional approaches to understanding brain networks using a power-law framework. They will build computational tools to analyze and model power-law dynamics at multiple scales, from molecules to behavior.
New research reveals widespread misconceptions among teachers worldwide about brain function, leading to ineffective teaching practices. The study highlights the importance of collaboration between neuroscientists and educators to improve education.
Researchers found that deacetylase inhibitors can fully restore movement problems caused by the LRRK2 Parkinson's mutation in fruit flies. This study provides compelling evidence for a direct link between defective transport and movement problems, suggesting a potential therapy for people with this specific mutation.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation has awarded $9 million to six promising scientists, including three stem cell researchers and three neuroscience researchers. The awards will enable them to expand their laboratories and train other scientists.
A new study in the European Journal of Neuroscience found that oxycodone increases dopamine levels more significantly than morphine, potentially making it more addictive. The study aims to better understand addiction and inform treatment for pain relief.
Researchers will merge biophysical and statistical approaches to create detailed computational models of neuronal activity. This could reveal insights into how proteins regulate computations in neurons, potentially shedding light on complex brain diseases.
A study published in Neuron found that the brain has an intrinsic anti-addiction response that can be boosted to prevent relapse. This 'anti-relapse' circuitry remodeling is induced by cocaine exposure and decreases craving, offering new neurobiological targets for interventions.
A new review paper explores the use of dimensionality reduction in neuroscience to uncover the complexity of brain function. By analyzing the activity of hundreds of neurons concurrently, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how the brain distinguishes between different odors, makes decisions under uncertainty, and thinks abo...
Brown University neuroscientists report that they have directly controlled the cells producing gamma brainwaves in mice, resulting in increased touch sensitivity. The study confirms the first direct evidence of gamma brainwaves affecting perception and attention, suggesting a more complex role for these brainwaves than previously thought.
Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center discovered that the amygdala has an inhibitory effect on stress hormones during early development, contrary to adult responses. Monkeys with neonatal amygdala damage show increased cortisol levels and elevated CRF, yet exhibit reduced fear and aggression.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that small DNA modifications can affect the brain's threat response. The study focused on the serotonin transporter gene and found a strong link between methylation levels and amygdala reactivity, which may contribute to stress-related disorders.
Researchers advocate for a new discipline combining benefits of neuroscience and psychology treatments to address mental disorders. The 'mental health science' approach aims to uncover mechanisms of existing psychological treatments and leverage neuroscience insights to create improved therapies.
Researchers at Brown University studied tadpoles' neural signals to understand how they detect approaching visual stimuli. They found that the tectum region of the brain plays a crucial role in distinguishing impending collisions from mere presence, with inhibitory neurons acting as facilitators of network function.
Three NYU faculty members, Agnel Sfeir, Ezequiel Arneodo, and Yuriria Vázquez Zúñiga, have been awarded by the Pew Charitable Trusts. They will conduct postdoctoral research in cancer and biomedical sciences, with a focus on novel therapies and scientific leadership development.
A novel viral method reveals that cells from human skin biopsies show altered cAMP–CREB signaling, predicting melatonin response to light and linked to bipolar disease. This study suggests a common signaling pathway may explain the body clock's link to mental illness in bipolar patients.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that rats were willing to wait longer for certain flavors, indicating individual preferences. The study suggests that regret is a fundamental cognitive process shared among mammals.
Jessell's seminal research revealed how naïve neural cells develop into distinct motor neuron subtypes to form the spinal cord circuitry. His work has helped create a blueprint for treating neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Dr. Ingrid Johnsrude's research reveals that brain regions beyond primary auditory cortex play a crucial role in understanding speech, especially in noisy environments. The study also highlights the critical role of attention and prior knowledge in facilitating comprehension.
A recent Rutgers University study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that young rats who mastered a learning task had newborn brain cells survive for longer periods. The study suggests that learning helps keep brain cells alive and could impact how the brain functions after puberty.
A new study has shed light on the role of dopamine-dependent reinforcement signals in the nucleus accumbens, a region connected to pleasure seeking and drug addiction. The research, using optogenetics, reveals how glutamate-dependent signals from other brain regions interact with these signals.
Blocking extrasynaptic NMDA receptors may improve motor learning, coordination and prevent cell death in animal models of Huntington disease. This finding could lead to new treatment avenues for neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury.
Researchers have developed a new theoretical model to understand how cells monitor and self-regulate their properties in the face of continual cellular turnover. The model suggests that neurons use an internal gauge to adjust ion channel expression, but this system can lead to neuronal hyperexcitability and disrupt overall homeostasis.
Neuroscientists at SRI International have found that a form of baclofen works better at treating narcolepsy than the best drug currently available when tested in mice. The research team also presents a mouse model of narcolepsy that mimics the human disorder, allowing for more precise control of hypocretin/orexin neuron loss and potent...
Drs. Brian E Chen and Stephanie L Borgland were awarded the CAN Young Investigator Award for their innovative work in neuroscience, with Dr. Chen studying brain wiring encoded in DNA and Dr. Borgland exploring neural mechanisms behind addiction and obesity.
Studies show that we track people's popularity through brain regions involved in anticipating rewards and emotional evaluation. This is linked to two critical systems: reward learning and social cognition, which scale up with the popularity of an individual.