New Tel Aviv University research reveals glia cells' pivotal role in brain plasticity, adapting to new stimuli and regulating neural activity. Glia cells sort information for learning purposes, controlling the transfer of signals between neurons.
Researchers analyzed long-term imaging data to uncover coordinated anatomical changes in brain development across the cortex. They found that functionally connected regions mature together and exhibit tightly coupled patterns of growth, with notable differences between males and females.
New research reveals that Toll-like receptors play a major role in brain damage risk for newborns, contributing to conditions like cerebral palsy and epilepsy. The discovery could lead to more effective treatment strategies, such as blocking special TLRs to reduce brain damage following hypoxia.
A study published in Human Brain Mapping found that damaged corpus callosum and impaired interhemispheric communication hinder motor skill recovery in stroke patients. The researchers used imaging methods to show increased activity on both sides of the brain and lower tapping speed in stroke patients compared to healthy controls.
The Allen Institute for Brain Science has launched a new brain atlas resource, the Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas, which provides a three-dimensional map of neural connections throughout the mouse brain. The Atlas will help scientists understand how the brain is wired and what goes awry in brain diseases and disorders.
A new microelectronic device developed by a Penn-led team can record brain activity at high resolutions, revolutionizing brain-computer interfaces for treating neurological and psychiatric illnesses. The device's flexibility and multiplexed nanosensors enable precise mapping of brain networks underlying normal function and disease.
Researchers identified genes responsible for thousands of tiny changes in brain tissue DNA, finding they were active in areas linked to cell renewal. The study provides new insights into how the brain works and may link retrotransposon activity to brain diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Researchers find that the brain's responses to movies reveal a detailed code that is the same for all individuals. A new method called hyperalignment allows activity patterns in one individual's brain to be decoded by comparing them to patterns in other people's brains.
A team of researchers has identified a way for the brain to protect itself when its energy supply is running low. The brain uses a protein called AMPK to reduce the firing frequency of electrical impulses, conserving energy. This discovery could lead to new treatments for patients at risk of stroke.
A study published in Neuron found that brain regions beyond the reward centers engage when playing games, suggesting a more widespread role for reward processing in the brain. The research used multi-voxel pattern analysis to identify patterns of brain activity associated with wins and losses.
A Tel Aviv University researcher successfully implanted a robotic cerebellum into a rodent's skull, restoring its movement capacity. The 'robo-cerebellum' enables communication between the brain and body by receiving and transmitting sensory information from the brain stem.
Researchers identified a new pathway of stem cell activity in the subventricular zone of the human brain, which targets the prefrontal cortex in newborns. This discovery challenges previous reports that suggested neural stem cells remain active into adulthood.
This emerging technology uses diffusion tractography to visualize white matter in the brain, offering a new window into human brain anatomy. Recent developments may tackle limitations and challenges, revealing the architecture of the human brain and its breakdown in disease.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that songbirds' ability to learn and remember songs is linked to the size and proportion of their brain regions. The research suggests that species with larger higher brain areas relative to lower areas can learn dozens or hundreds of different notes.
Researchers found that adenosine can modulate the entry of large molecules into the brain, establishing a gateway into the blood-brain barrier. They successfully transported large dextrans and antibodies into the brain using an FDA-approved drug, Lexiscan.
Research finds speaking and understanding speech use same areas of the brain, with no involvement of motor regions when listening, contradicting previous assumptions. The study suggests that language-related problems may not always be independent, and offers new avenues for treatment.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have developed a new technique to rapidly access brain landmarks, enabling better brain maps and insights into how the healthy brain works. The technique speeds up long-distance signaling by mapping myelination levels, shedding light on brain evolution and function.
Scientists at the Allen Institute have identified complex cellular patterns in brain development, suggesting multiple mechanisms beyond Reelin involved in proper neuron migration. The findings have major implications for understanding brain disorders like autism.
A study has found that patients with mild traumatic brain injury exhibit abnormal functional connectivity in the thalamus, a key relay station for brain information. The disruption of this connectivity may contribute to various post-traumatic symptoms, including depression and anxiety.
A study found that long-term meditators have stronger connections between brain regions and show less age-related brain atrophy. The effects are evident throughout the entire brain, not just in specific areas.
Researchers at The University of Western Ontario used fMRI to decode action intentions from brain activity, predicting which action a person was planning seconds before execution. This breakthrough understanding of brain planning could lead to controlling prosthetic limbs for movement-impaired patients.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine observed key aspects of brain circuit development in living organisms, revealing two distinct types of competition between cells that shape memory circuits. The findings suggest that the brain eliminates inactive connections to maintain efficient neural networks, which is crucial for learning and memory.
New imaging tools and techniques are advancing our understanding of brain structure and function, particularly in relation to neurological disorders. These breakthroughs are contributing to insights into healthy brain development and adult life, as well as the complex networks that link brain activity.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine developed a new fMRI technique that can distinguish between different mental states based on synchronized brain network activity. The study used a novel approach to capture brain activity in real-world, self-paced conditions, allowing for more accurate identification of brain states.
A recent study published in Brain Connectivity suggests that ongoing, intrinsic brain activity accounts for the majority of human brain energy usage. This finding challenges previous assumptions and highlights the complexity of brain function and structure.
Researchers have identified a protective molecule in the brain that can rescue damaged cells and prevent further damage. By artificially increasing levels of this compound, KCC2, scientists hope to develop new treatments for conditions like stroke, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's.
A new device measures brain temperature non-invasively, allowing for more precise cooling therapies in infants and adults, with potential to reduce brain damage and death.
The new journal Brain Connectivity debuts with four compelling articles exploring brain connectivity, functional networks, and neurological disorders. Researchers discuss advances in neuroimaging methods, brain activity reconstruction, and white matter studies, shedding light on the organization and development of brain connections.
Researchers observed a 5.1% increase in brain tissue thickness after brain bypass surgery, reversing loss and improving neurocognitive function in patients with impaired blood flow. The study offers hope for treating chronic cerebrovascular disease and its associated neurocognitive impairment.
Researchers have found that brain nerve stimulation can accelerate learning in laboratory tests, leading to new understanding of how the brain learns and encodes new skills. The study also showed that large changes in the brain are meaningful and not merely coincidental.
Researchers found that larger social wasp bodies are linked to larger brains and more devoted brain tissue for social interactions, learning, and memory. Queens had larger central processing areas than worker wasps.
Scientists have developed a new technique to map both connections and functions of nerve cells in the brain for the first time. The 'connectomics' approach aims to understand how perceptions, sensations, and thoughts are generated in the brain, with potential applications in diseases like Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.
A new study at UCSF reveals that brain implant surgeries can dramatically improve life for people with severe cervical dystonia. The procedure targets a previously untested part of the brain, showing promise in reducing pain and spasms while improving quality of life.
A study by Hebrew University and French researchers reveals that the brain's Visual Word Form Area is co-opted for reading regardless of sensory input modality. Brain scans show identical activity patterns in blind and sighted readers, suggesting a task-oriented approach to reading.
Researchers found that the brain area responsible for reading is active in blind individuals who read Braille, challenging the idea of sensory specialization. The study suggests that the brain is a task-oriented system that can adapt to new tasks without prior experience.
New research at OHSU finds that the brain responds differently to fructose and glucose, with fructose inhibiting activity in cortical brain control areas. This study supports animal research and links fructose to obesity, suggesting a potential explanation for the nation's growing obesity epidemic.
A targeted delivery combination has been developed to selectively cross the blood-brain barrier and bind to brain tumors, enabling imaging and treatment. The approach uses a peptide that mimics iron, binding agent glides through the blood-brain barrier to target glioblastoma tumors.
Fox Chase researchers have discovered several tumor characteristics that increase the risk of brain metastases in breast cancer patients. These include high-grade tumors, negative progesterone receptor status, and inflammatory breast cancer. The study aims to identify women at risk for brain metastases, potentially leading to preventiv...
Researchers found that brain regions surrounding seizure-generating areas have reduced synchrony, a key finding in understanding epilepsy. The study suggests that this isolation could be used as a clinical biomarker to identify individuals with abnormal brain function.
A new technique aims to open the blood-brain barrier, allowing targeted delivery of drugs to the brain. The goal is to reduce side effects and increase effectiveness of current treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other brain illnesses.
Scientists created a 3D map of the fruit fly brain's neural networks, revealing 41 local processing units, 6 hubs, and 58 tracts. The breakthrough enables researchers to analyze how the brain processes information and control behaviors.
Scientists have developed a way to deliver an anti-cancer drug to brain tumours using a tiny capsule called a Trojan Horse Liposome. The nanocarrier successfully reduced tumour growth by 73% and prevented severe side effects compared to traditional treatments.
New brain machine technologies show promise in restoring vision, controlling prosthetics with thoughts, and regaining limb function after injury. An artificial retina may restore vision more effectively than existing prosthetics.
Researchers have successfully delivered a protective protein called erythropoietin into the brain using a Trojan Horse approach, overcoming the blood-brain barrier's ability to block it. This breakthrough has potential for treating stroke patients, traumatic head injuries, Parkinson's disease, and other chronic brain disorders.
Gladstone scientists discovered a process by which Alzheimer's disease spreads through the brain, starting in vulnerable regions like the entorhinal cortex. The study suggests targeting this region could be an effective therapeutic approach.
Researchers have identified a promising medical therapy to help overcome the brain's limited capacity for recovery after a stroke. By studying tonic inhibition in mice, they found that blocking this inhibitory brain chemical can improve behavioral recovery after stroke.
Researchers at UCLA used brain imaging and genetic detective work to illustrate how genetic variants alter the brain, behavior, and learning. The discovery could lead to earlier detection of autism and targeted therapies to rebalance brain function.
Researchers discovered that microglia cells are constantly active and create and eliminate synapses, contributing to learning and memory. Microglia appear to be involved in creating or changing the extracellular space around synapses, affecting brain signaling.
Researchers have found that brain damage continues to develop and evolve after traumatic brain injury, offering a potential target for treatments. The study, published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, provides new insights into progressive changes in brain structure and function after injury.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers has revealed that an anti-obesity drug changes the way the brain responds to high-calorie foods in obese individuals. The drug sibutramine reduced activity in two regions of the brain involved in appetite control and eating behaviour, leading to greater weight loss.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found a potential solution to the blood-brain barrier problem, allowing for the transport of molecules into the brain while preserving basic functions. The discovery, led by Professor Christer Betsholtz, could lead to new therapies for Alzheimer's and stroke.
A new melanoma treatment has shown a robust activity in shrinking brain metastases in patients with advanced disease. The drug, GSK2118436, targets the BRAF protein mutation common in human melanomas and has been found to control and reduce brain tumor size in nearly all patients.
Scientists have developed a new form of methotrexate as nose drops to treat brain cancer, showing promise in bypassing the blood-brain barrier. In initial testing on laboratory rats with brain cancer, the nose drop drug reduced tumor weight by almost one-third compared to injectable treatment.
A study published in NeuroImage found that tranquil scenes with natural features stimulate brain activity, whereas man-made environments disrupt connections. The research aimed to understand the brain's response to tranquility and may inform the design of more calming public spaces.
Researchers at OHSU and Washington University use functional MRI to examine the brain at rest, revealing a 'maturation index' that can determine brain development. This technology has clinical applications for assessing childhood development, diagnosing ADHD and autism, and potentially improving treatment outcomes.
A team of scientists has created a brain atlas that maps the connections between different parts of the human brain. This atlas will help researchers better understand disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, which are believed to be caused by abnormal connections among different regions within the brain.
Researchers translated brain signals into words using two grids of 16 microelectrodes implanted beneath the skull but atop the brain. The study showed that the method can distinguish between brain signals for each word, with an accuracy rate of 76-90%, demonstrating proof of concept.
As we age, breakdowns in brain connections lead to slower reactivity and confusion during one-sided motor movements. Researchers found that older adults' brains communicate more with each other while at rest, hindering brain function.
USC neuroscientists use new method to trace brain circuits, revealing a distributed network that overcomes local damage and has alternate pathways. The study suggests the brain may be more like the Internet than previously thought.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing new technology to push drugs through the blood-brain barrier, directly targeting brain tumors. The goal is to deliver treatments for diffuse malignant glioma, a lethal type of brain cancer with no cure.