Research in zebrafish reveals that loss of brain asymmetry can significantly impact sensory processing. The study found that reversed brain asymmetry resulted in functional changes to habenular neurons, while double-sided brains lacked responsiveness to certain stimuli.
Stanford researchers have solved a riddle about the inner workings of the brain, revealing a previously unknown process that helps two brain regions cooperate when joint action is required. The study used a new approach to analyze large numbers of neurons and discovered that different regions of the brain keep results localized or broa...
Researchers have noninvasively mapped human brain activity with unique accuracy, identifying both location and timing of brain processes. The study used a novel brain-scanning technique combining fMRI and MEG data to pinpoint when the brain recognizes objects and categorizes them.
A new study found that causal brain networks involved in fear regulation, imagery, and affect are also used for cognitive processing of religious beliefs. These basic networks evolved to mediate complex beliefs like those contained in religious practice.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that fish oil consumption may help preserve brain cells by increasing total brain volume and hippocampus area size. The study found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with larger brain volumes, equivalent to a delay of one to two years of brain health.
A new brain-imaging technique allows people to monitor and control their brain activity in real time, enabling the training of specific targeted brain regions. MEG is being explored as a potential therapeutic tool for various neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions.
Researchers discovered that brain regions synchronize their activity to make it possible for people to pay attention, with the process likened to tuning multiple walkie-talkies to the same frequency. The findings have implications for understanding attention deficits in brain injuries or strokes.
City of Hope researchers discovered that breast cancer cells can masquerade as neurons, allowing them to hide from the immune system and spread to the brain. The study found that these cancer cells exploit the brain's chemicals and proteins to deceive the immune system.
Researchers at Roche have successfully developed a new technology called Brain Shuttle that efficiently transports investigational antibodies into the brain in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease. The technology increased target engagement by over 50-fold compared to parent antibodies.
Research published in Cell Metabolism reveals that hotspots of fuel consumption in the adult brain are associated with ongoing development and remodeling. The study identifies 16 brain regions with elevated levels of aerobic glycolysis, which is linked to gene expression related to growth, synaptic transmission, and neurogenesis.
Researchers found that alphaB-crystallin enhances breast cancer cells' ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and form metastases in the brain. Tumors expressing this protein had a poorer prognosis and were more likely to be triple-negative breast cancers.
The Allen Institute for Brain Science has released major updates to its online public resources, including the Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas, Human Brain Atlas, and more. These updates provide freely available tools and data for researchers worldwide, accelerating understanding of brain function and disease.
Scientists have successfully restored behavior in rats using a neural prosthesis after brain injury. The device, a closed-loop microelectronic system, recorded signals from one part of the brain and stimulated another to facilitate repair. Two weeks after implantation, rat models recovered nearly all function lost due to injury.
A team of researchers has discovered a mechanism that boosts the immune system and reduces brain tumor growth, paving the way for new treatment options. The study identified a commercially available drug, amphotericin B, as a potential novel treatment for patients with glioblastoma, a frequently lethal form of brain cancer.
A CU-Boulder study found that sleep strengthens connections between the left and right hemispheres of young children's brains, which may help with brain function maturation. This growth is linked to improved skills such as language, attention, and impulse control.
Researchers will investigate how acetylcholine affects brain cell activity and communication within networks to refine the development of therapeutic cholinergic agents. The goal is to improve treatment efficacy for dementia and related cognitive disorders.
Extensive musical training affects brain structure and function, particularly when started before age 7. Research suggests that musical improvisation can rewire the brain, fostering plasticity and enhancing creativity, cognition, and learning.
Researchers found that transplanted stem cells guide neural stem cells to the injured brain site via a neurovascular matrix, promoting functional recovery. The study presents evidence for a new concept of stem-cell mediated brain repair, offering a potential treatment for traumatic brain injury.
Researchers are developing a drug to prevent inflammation around implanted electrodes, which causes brain cells to degenerate and compromise the blood-brain barrier. Testing is underway to determine if administering the drug can improve outcomes and extend the lifespan of brain implants.
Researchers have successfully grown large numbers of patient-specific brain cells in the lab using small biopsies, which express natural protective agents. These cells may be used to treat a range of neurological conditions and could potentially cross the blood-brain barrier to deliver targeted therapies.
Scientists have made breakthroughs in delivering medicines to the brain via the nose, with improved liposomes and polymers allowing for more efficient transport of active substances. The new method could lead to reduced side effects and improved treatment outcomes for patients with neurological diseases.
Patients under 50 years old have improved OS after SRS, with no greater risk of new brain metastases. SRS alone is a favorable first-line therapeutic option for younger patients.
A study found that migraine can cause long-lasting changes in brain structure, including increased risk of brain lesions, white matter abnormalities, and altered brain volume. Migraine with aura is associated with a higher risk of these changes compared to those without aura.
A study in mice reveals an essential brain circuit that helps dictate how the eyes connect to the brain, which could lead to new treatments for amblyopia. The research found that manipulating a specific brain circuit can prevent ocular dominance in young mice and induce it in older mice beyond the critical period.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests a 'flexible hub' theory of brain function, where the fronto-parietal network coordinates processing among specialized networks for novel cognitive tasks. This allows for rapid learning and adaptation, enabling humans to switch between different skills learned in different contexts.
A University of Michigan study reveals that rats display brain activity patterns characteristic of conscious perception shortly after clinical death. The findings suggest that the brain is capable of well-organized electrical activity during the early stage of clinical death.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that neural stem cells can resist radiation and regenerate after damage, potentially restoring lost function in brain cancer patients and individuals with conditions like MS and PD. The findings may lead to new treatments for brain trauma and strokes.
Researchers used fMRI and EEG to study brain function, mapping a previously unexplored aspect of brain activity. They found that post-stimulus signal in fMRI reflects changes in brain signalling, not just blood flow.
Researchers used magnetoencephalography to track brain activity at high temporal resolution, revealing new distinctions in resting and active brain regions. The study provides novel insights into how brain networks function in cooperative groups, which is essential for better diagnosis and treatment of brain injuries.
Scientists from EPFL's Blue Brain Project and the Allen Institute join forces to simulate brain wave behavior using a detailed computer model. The simulation reveals similarities between modeled brain activity and measured EEG signals in rodents, offering insights into the neural circuitry behind brain waves.
A laboratory study shows that a nanotechnology drug called SapC-DOPS crosses the blood-brain barrier and targets brain-tumor cells, retarding growth of tumor blood vessels. The agent also sensitizes hypoxic cells to killing, supporting further development as a novel treatment for glioblastoma.
A novel data adaptive technique is used to suppress artifacts and extract regional brain activities from EEG signals. The study successfully identifies individual motor imagery based on alpha component activities, revealing distinct regional brain responses to different stimuli.
Researchers found that people with traumatic brain injury were 30% more likely to develop a stroke than those with trauma with no brain injury. The study looked at records of adults in California who suffered a traumatic brain injury or other trauma without brain injury over five years.
Neuroscientists have developed a carbon nanotube probe that captures individual brain-cell signals, improving upon metal and glass electrodes. The new probe allows for more precise recordings of electrical signals from single neurons, enabling better understanding of the computational complexity of the brain.
A new molecular imaging technique, F-18 FET, has been shown to be highly effective in detecting and differentiating brain lesions in children, with an accuracy rate of 94%. This study improves the clinical management of pediatric brain cancer patients by providing more accurate information about tumor progression and treatment.
New research by psychologists at the universities of Kent, Magdeburg and Cambridge has shown that some people can intentionally suppress unwanted memories and control their brain activity, thereby abolishing brain activity related to remembering. This finding has major implications for brain activity guilt detection tests.
A new study found that 2-year-old children with autism's brain responses to words predicted their linguistic, cognitive, and adaptive skills at ages 4 and 6. Children with less severe social impairments showed similar brain responses as typically developing children.
Researchers found significant microvascular injury in the uninjured side of the brain days after a stroke, indicating compromised blood-brain barrier integrity. This damage may lead to serious complications and is closely related to autophagy and neuronal swelling.
A study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery reveals a strong correlation between brain dominance and the ear used for cell phone conversations, with left-brain dominant individuals more likely to use their right ear. The study's findings have implications for language center mapping and may suggest a lower risk of tumo...
The BRAIN initiative aims to develop new tools to listen to conversations among millions of neurons in the brain. The project could establish a basis for new treatments for clinical depression, autism, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and other brain conditions.
Researchers developed a quick and simple fMRI task to localize critical brain areas governing speech and other functions. The new protocol accurately localized the anterior and posterior language areas of the brain in about 90% of subjects, including patients undergoing surgery for epilepsy or tumors.
The Brain Activity Mapping (BAM) Project seeks to develop tools for greater understanding of the brain's intricate networks, potentially leading to treatments for neurological diseases. Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology hold promise for probing the brain at a nanoscale.
Researchers have discovered that epileptic seizures in temporal-lobe epilepsy patients can propagate through anatomically and functionally connected brain networks. The study found reduced gray-matter concentrations in certain brain regions, which correlated with changes in functional connectivity and communication between brain areas.
Researchers at Penn Medicine developed a personalized brain mapping technique using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to preserve language, visual, and motor functions during brain tumor surgeries. This technique improved accuracy and extended survival in some cases, with a median survival time of 21.2 months.
A new study published in Brain Connectivity found evidence of aberrant neural communication in toddlers with autism, indicating a disorder of connectivity. The researchers observed reduced brain connectivity and diminished capacity for neural communication in autistic children's brains.
Research by David Alexander and Cees van Leeuwen reveals that brain activity is not limited to specific areas, but rather follows a wave-like pattern across the entire cortex. This challenges traditional views of brain function and highlights the complex, dynamic nature of brain activity.
Researchers have developed a model of the pig brain to study human cognitive development, characterizing normal brain growth trajectory from neonatal period to sexual maturity. The model provides unique insights into brain structure and function, including effects of prenatal infections and early-life nutrition on brain development.
A single concussion can cause lasting structural damage to the brain, according to a new study. Brain atrophy has been found in patients one year after mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), which may explain long-term neurological and psychological symptoms. The study also identified specific brain regions affected by MTBI.
A nationwide Swedish study of over 300,000 young men found that those with low cognitive scores were at a higher risk of sustaining a mild traumatic brain injury. The study also identified other risk factors for mild traumatic brain injuries, including socioeconomic status and physical fitness.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that astrocytes play a key role in brain communications, integrating messages and connecting neuronal circuits. This new framework offers insight into brain disease and disorders, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's, which are linked to malfunctions in brain connectivity.
Yale researchers have identified a key genetic switch that facilitates brain maturation and plasticity. By blocking this gene, they were able to reset the old brain to adolescent levels of plasticity, allowing adult mice to recover from injuries and master new motor tasks more quickly.
Scientists at UCSF have discovered a way to detect abnormal brain rhythms associated with Parkinson's disease by implanting electrodes within the brains of people with the disease. This finding may lead to developing next-generation brain stimulation devices to alleviate symptoms.
A WUSTL researcher has received a $2.25 million grant to create 3D computer models of brain biomechanics, which will help improve methods for preventing and treating traumatic brain injuries. The new models will provide a better understanding of what happens to the brain during such injuries.
Researchers developed an artificial brain system that enables robots to learn and understand new sentences containing a new grammatical structure. This technology has the potential to contribute to understanding linguistic malfunctions in Parkinson's disease and improve robots' ability to acquire language knowledge.
A new study by Columbia University researchers found that the infant brain does not control its blood flow in the same way as the adult brain. With increasing age, the immature brain gradually developed its ability to increase local blood flow and generate a large blood-flow response.
Researchers mapped brain regions where individual differences occur, finding variability in areas integrating information and controlling attention. This study provides insights into brain evolution and development, potentially linking diversity of human abilities to specific brain region expansions.
The European Commission has chosen the Human Brain Project, a decade-long research initiative backed by 1.19 billion euros, to study the human brain. Eight Israeli scientists will lead a team from top research institutions across Europe and the world.
The Human Brain Project will integrate data across all scales to improve understanding of brain development and combat brain disorders. Led by McGill University's Dr. Alan Evans, the project aims to reconstruct the brain in supercomputer-based models and simulations.
A study using rodents found that binge-like drinking can cause damage to the hippocampus after 24 hours, indicated by increased expression of vimentin brain protein. Chronic drinking is known to have detrimental health effects, and this research provides new insights into the threshold for alcohol-induced brain damage.
A study published in Brain and Language found that the anatomy of certain brain areas in infants can predict their language abilities at 1 year old. Infants with greater gray and white matter in the cerebellum and hippocampus showed improved language skills.