Researchers suggest that food addiction could explain the current global obesity epidemic, with high-fructose corn syrup causing behavioural reactions similar to those produced by cocaine. Dr. Leri's study found shared vulnerability to develop preferences for sweet foods and cocaine in laboratory animals.
Movshon's work on visual processing and amblyopia has shed light on the neural basis of blindness. He is recognized for his studies on the organization and function of area V1, a key region in the brain's cerebral cortex.
Dr. Shayna Rosenbaum's research focuses on the neural bases of learning and memory, particularly in patients with memory impairment. Her work has provided a framework for understanding how memory is organized in the brain and the efficacy of intervention techniques when memory declines or fails.
Leslie Ungerleider will receive the inaugural Andrew Carnegie Prize in Mind and Brain Sciences for her groundbreaking research on brain functions and their relevance to public health. Her neurobehavioral theory has revolutionized the understanding of human vision, setting high standards for cognitive neuroscience.
A new study using fMRI brain scans aims to detect memories and identify lies. Researchers have successfully decoded patterns of brain activity associated with recognition, but struggled to determine actual past experiences. The technology's limitations raise questions about its use in legal settings.
A new study by University of Bristol researchers questions the reliability of neuroscience studies, finding that most have only a 20% chance of detecting real effects. The team highlights the problem of 'endemic' low-powered studies producing unreliable research.
A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience reports that Riluzole, an ALS drug, has pinpointed a mechanism for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and restored neuromuscular function in worm models. The researchers suggest targeting SK2 potassium channels could lead to a more effective therapy for SMA patients.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia have identified a population of stem cells capable of generating new appetite-regulating neurons in the brains of young and adult rodents. This discovery could lead to a permanent intervention for obesity, potentially offering a solution that lasts beyond dieting.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that oligodendrocytes play a significant role in the early stage of ALS, with changes occurring long before physical symptoms appear. Suppressing an ALS-causing gene in oligodendrocytes delays disease onset and prolongs survival.
A study published in Neuron found that rats achieved optimal performance in less than 300 milliseconds, indicating that taking more time doesn't necessarily lead to better decisions. The researchers suggest that, for certain types of decisions, relying on intuition may be the most effective approach.
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience received $1.257 million in grant funding to study Parkinson's and epilepsy. Researchers aim to develop new molecular tools to analyze the human brain, with potential breakthroughs in treatments and cures.
The American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) is launching an iPad app edition of its official research publication, the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing. The new platform provides fast and convenient access to evidence-based information for neuroscience nurses.
A new trial has shown that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can help patients with chronic, severe Anorexia Nervosa achieve improvements in body weight, mood, and anxiety. Four of six patients experienced significant weight gain and simultaneous changes in mood and symptoms related to anorexia.
A study by Rutgers University behavioral neuroscientist Tracey Shors found that prolonged chemotherapy decreases the development of new brain cells, disrupting ongoing brain rhythms necessary for learning. This can lead to cognitive problems such as short-term memory loss and disordered thinking in cancer patients.
Ron Davis, chair of the Neuroscience Department at Scripps Research Institute, has been selected for a prestigious Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award to study active forgetting in memory formation. The grant will focus on understanding the role of dopamine signaling in learning and memory, with potential implications for treating d...
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center have identified a protein, fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4), that protects retinal photoreceptor cells from degeneration. The study suggests FATP4 may be a therapeutic target for inherited retinal degenerative diseases and age-related macular degeneration.
A new study of Vietnam veterans with combat-related brain injuries reveals significant overlap between general and emotional intelligence. The study found that specific brain regions, including the frontal cortex and parietal cortex, contribute to both general and emotional intelligence.
A new study reveals that a mutation in the Timothy syndrome gene causes abnormal brain circuitry by retraction of dendrites in response to neural activity, leading to cognitive impairment. The finding may have implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that lifelong bilinguals perform a cognitive flexibility task faster and with less energy than monolingual peers. This suggests that lifelong bilingualism may exert its strongest benefits on the functioning of frontal brain regions in aging.
A Western University study found that students proficient in basic single-digit arithmetic perform better on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), with brain activity linked to fact retrieval and fluency. This correlation suggests a critical role of arithmetic fluency in building mathematical proficiency among students.
A new study comparing neural responses of birds and humans to music suggests that both share a neural reward system, with females in the breeding state responding similarly to human music. Male birds also exhibit an amygdala response to discordant sounds.
In a study published in Nature Neuroscience, researchers discovered that three distinct brain areas work together to weigh the benefits of giving to oneself versus another monkey. The team found that neurons in the anterior cingulate gyrus (ACCg) encode both giving and receiving rewards in a remarkably similar way.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide discovered that dragonflies can lock onto one visual target while ignoring others, a phenomenon similar to selective attention in humans. This finding has significant implications for neuroscience and engineering applications.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that male rats exposed to cocaine showed resistance to its rewarding effects when given the drug as adults, while their female offspring did not. The researchers believe that this may be due to changes in gene expression triggered by paternal exposure to cocaine.
A higher density of neurologists and neurosurgeons in the US is associated with a decreased risk of death from stroke, according to a new study. The study found that an increase of one neuroscience provider per million population was linked to 0.38 fewer deaths from stroke per million population.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that social isolation can reduce myelin production in mice, affecting the formation of new oligodendrocytes and leading to behavioral changes. Reintroduction into a social group reverses these effects, suggesting environmental factors play a crucial role in maintaining healthy nerve cells.
The 25th ECNP Congress showcased innovative research on brain disorders, highlighting the importance of neuroscience in prevention and treatment. Key findings included new insights into neural plasticity and its potential for novel treatments.
A nine-year study found that high compliance with hand hygiene and infection control measures reduced MRSA infections by 95% in medical, surgical, and neuroscience intensive care units. The approach also improved patient safety and reduced the need for costly isolations.
Research highlights sleep's role in shaping memory, learning, and behavior, with implications for dementia, obesity, and mental health. Sleep deprivation poses significant risks to these areas, emphasizing the importance of a good night's rest.
Studies reveal that diet influences brain mechanisms linked to obesity, diabetes, binge eating, and high-calorie meal cravings. Researchers aim to develop new treatments and raise awareness about the mental health implications of dietary choices.
Researchers have identified distinct brain regions involved in social decisions and reactions, shedding light on the neural basis of basic social behaviors. These findings may help address conditions such as autism, psychopathology, and schizophrenia, which involve social dysfunctions.
New research reveals early childhood trauma shapes the brain, leading to changes that can last a lifetime, including increased risk of mental disorders and heart disease. The studies found specific changes in targeted brain regions and emphasize the importance of preventing early life abuse and neglect.
New animal studies demonstrate potential for stem cell treatments in Parkinson's disease, head trauma and spinal cord injury-related heart problems. Scientists are making progress toward using stem cells to repair neurological damage and produce healthy neurons.
A new study suggests that social contact can lower pain responses and inflammation in mice with nerve damage. The study found that paired mice showed reduced signs of inflammation and allodynia behavior compared to isolated mice.
Researchers have identified potential therapies for managing spinal cord injury aftereffects, including deep brain stimulation, electric pulses, and social contact. Studies suggest these methods can repair nervous system damage and reduce chronic health conditions, offering new hope for those affected by SCI.
Researchers have made significant progress in developing new diagnostic tools and treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Changes in brain function can be detected years before symptoms appear, using PET scans, and a new antibody probe could lead to an early detection test.
Facial mimicry plays a crucial role in deciphering ambiguous smiles, establishing power dynamics, and evoking emotions. The study also highlights the neurological basis of early interactions between parents and infants with cleft lip.
Researchers have discovered potential new targets for treating depression by modulating dopamine cells and the innate immune system in mice. Increasing activity of dopamine neurons produced depressed behavior, while inhibiting them eased symptoms.
New studies using transgenic mice to detect landmines and test dietary supplements for brain injuries show promise in reducing trauma and suffering. Scientists are gaining better understanding of brain damage from injuries, potentially leading to effective early intervention and practical applications.
Researchers from Louisiana Tech University will showcase their study on astrocyte effects on calcium dynamics, exploring how brain cells respond to injury and disease. The presentation aims to provide insights into signal processing in the brain.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation has announced funding of $9 million to six new investigators conducting innovative stem cell and neuroscience research. The award will support these researchers as they establish their own laboratories and expand their work.
Researchers found that serotonin release in the visceral insular cortex is responsible for nausea. This discovery may lead to better understanding and treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy.
Researchers have identified a neural signature of affiliative experience in the human brain, using functional MRI to differentiate between positive and negative emotional experiences. The study's findings have implications for understanding emotions and neuropsychiatric conditions such as post-partum depression, psychopathy, and attach...
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has found that external stimulation can impact the development of white matter in the postnatal brain. Researchers used sensory deprivation to examine the growth and collection of NG2-expressing oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which generate myelin around neurons.
The project aims to make neuroscience-specific compute and software tools conveniently available to students and investigators. The NSG portal will offer a streamlined process for uploading models, retrieving and storing data, and specifying parameters for running high-performance computing-based neuronal simulations.
Researchers found that global brain connectivity, specifically with the left lateral prefrontal cortex, explains 10% of individual differences in intelligence. The study suggests that this connection enables flexible hub-like function, monitoring and influencing other brain regions to accomplish tasks intelligently.
A new study suggests that chronic exposure to artificial light at night can lead to depressive symptoms in rodents, which can be reversed by returning to a standard light-dark cycle. The study found that blocking the effects of tumor necrosis factor, a protein involved in depression, prevented the development of depressive-like symptoms.
Lily Jan and Yuh Nung Jan receive the award for their fundamental contributions to understanding potassium channel function, neuronal morphologies, and developmental neuroscience. They have mentored numerous students and postdoctoral fellows, inspiring new generations of researchers.
A $1.5 million gift from Motorola Solutions will create the Gregory Q. Brown Endowed Chair at Rutgers University's Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience. The gift aims to find treatments for stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia, as a tribute to Brown's mother, who suffers from dementia.
Karl Deisseroth, Edward Boyden, and Feng Zhang received the $10,000 award for developing optogenetics to control neural circuits. This technique has revolutionized neuroscience by allowing selective stimulation of neurons associated with behaviors.
Scientists discovered that repeated cocaine exposure decreases a crucial brain protein's activity, enhancing reward for cocaine use and stimulating addiction. The study also found that blocking this protein's light-activated form can prevent addiction.
A review article from University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests that practices such as physical exercise, meditation, and certain forms of psychological counseling can change the brain for the better, leading to enhanced well-being. These changes can be measured using modern neuroscience tools.
The SpikerBox is a low-cost, open-source bioamplifier that allows users to amplify and listen to neurons' electrical activity. This tool has been developed by Backyard Brains to make neuroscience education more accessible.
Neuroscience research with military funding sparks debate over scientific validity and consequential ethical considerations. Dual-use applications include brain-computer interfaces and neuromodulation technologies that may enhance or suppress neurological capacities in soldiers.
Researchers at the Neuroscience Institute of Alicante have discovered that manipulating CB2 receptors can reduce impulsive behavior in mice with high impulsivity levels. The study suggests that future clinical trials could utilize drugs selectively targeting CB2 to modulate impulsivity without psychoactive effects.
Researchers from UVic will discuss climate change impacts on Canada's water supply, explore the intersection of neuroscience and pop culture, and address energy efficiency solutions. Climate modeling indicates rapid permafrost melting could lead to significant loss of high-latitude wetlands.
University of Alabama researchers have identified the neuro-protective capability of the VPS41 gene in both animal models and human neurons, providing a potential step toward developing a new drug treatment for Parkinson's disease. The study found that specific changes in human DNA may impact how VPS41 functions.
Five Portuguese scientists have been awarded prestigious funding by the US-based HHMI for their innovative research projects. The awardees, who are based in Portugal, will receive $650,000 over five years to work on diverse areas of neuroscience and parasitology.
A new study by researchers at Duke University and Princeton University suggests that a person's brain can disengage from social interaction when encountering individuals considered 'disgusting', leading to 'dehumanized perception' and a lack of empathy. This failure can contribute to human atrocities, torture, and genocide.
Researchers at Tufts University have discovered a novel mechanism regulating stress response in the brain, involving neurosteroids and specific receptors. Blocking these receptors may lead to new approaches for managing stress-related disorders such as depression, epilepsy, and obesity.