The NIH awarded a $2.4 million grant to increase diversity in the neuroscience field by preparing minority students and those with disabilities for careers in neuroscience. The grant will support undergraduates from two universities and provide seminars, mentoring, enhanced curricula, and hands-on research experience.
The discovery of the interaction between two cellular signaling pathways may lead to therapies that aid brain growth and repair in children and adults. Researchers have found a critical step toward understanding the molecular networks regulating neural stem cells.
Parkinson's disease affects brain circuitry that impacts cognitive functions like planning and decision-making. Researchers discovered patients can perform automated tasks better than non-patients, yet struggle to adapt to changing behaviors.
A protein called APC plays a key role in synapse maturation, and dysfunction prevents the synapse function required for typical learning and memory. Mutations in genes related to neuroligin and neurexin are associated with autism, but little was known about their mechanisms at the synapse.
A recent study published in The Journal of Neuroscience explains the unique molecular action of memantine, a FDA-approved drug for Alzheimer's disease, that underlies its rare side effects. Memantine improves symptoms by blocking abnormal glutamate activity, sparing synaptic receptors and minimizing harm.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that individuals with Williams syndrome process spoken language differently from those with autism spectrum disorders, which has opposite social profiles. People with Williams syndrome exhibit an abnormally large N400 response indicating sensitivity to semantic aspects of language.
The Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania has awarded $2.9 million to 15 researchers exploring the intersection of neuroscience and positive psychology. The grants focus on topics such as neural mechanisms of human flourishing, altruism, and the effects of positive interventions on the brain.
The Journal of NeuroVirology will cover new areas in neurovirology, including non-viral infections affecting the central nervous system. Springer's acquisition will support the International Society for NeuroVirology and advance knowledge in the field.
Researchers found that people with APOE ε4/ε4 gene type have differently shaped brain protein deposits compared to those with the neutral risk gene type. The findings suggest that different shapes might respond differently to treatments, supporting a hypothesis that APOE genotype changes amyloid structure.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet are contributing to ESOF 2010 with presentations on topics like neuroscience, intellectual property management, and Parkinson's disease treatment. The university is also organizing workshops and seminars on topics such as entrepreneurship and the future of research.
mLED Ltd develops micro light-emitting diodes (microLEDs) with compact and efficient designs, suitable for various applications including neuroscience, microscopy, and communications. The company aims to deliver platform technology that is robust, reliable, and versatile.
Robert H. Wurtz's groundbreaking research on visual information processing and eye movements has led to a deeper understanding of how the brain controls behavior. His discoveries have inspired hundreds of scientists to study cognitive processes, including attention and perception.
The university aims to bring students into labs earlier, with a focus on real research problems and hands-on experiences, to enhance their career paths. The new program will culminate in a senior thesis for publication, aiming to increase the percentage of students completing original research.
The American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair (ASNTR) has awarded Dr. Shinn-Zong Lin with the 2010 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for Brain Repair in recognition of his significant research contributions in neuroscience. Dr. Lin's work focuses on neural and stem cell transplantation therapy for stroke and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers discovered that changes in astrocytes disrupt signal control, leading to seizures. The study found that altering reactive astrocytosis reduced inhibition, allowing neurons to fire out of control and potentially developing new treatments for epilepsy.
A novel research project combines art and neuroscience to explore the connections between visual perception and the brain. Researchers are discovering that artists have intuitive knowledge of neuroscience concepts, including optical illusions.
Researchers at OHSU School of Dentistry have discovered that inflammation boosts the production of a protein involved in pain signaling, which could lead to new treatments for craniofacial pain conditions. The findings provide a crucial understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying trigeminal pain.
Researchers found that adolescent brains are more sensitive to internal and environmental factors, leading to compulsive behavior. The study suggests that teenage impulsiveness and psychological disorders may stem from this susceptibility.
A Stanford law professor is examining the role of brain scans in court trials, revealing that defense attorneys are more likely to use this type of evidence than prosecutors. The use of neuroscience evidence can be a double-edged sword, potentially leading to both empathy and convictions.
A study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute supports the use of Keppra as an alternative to Dilantin for preventing seizures in patients after a brain injury. Patients treated with Keppra had fewer side effects and better long-term outcomes compared to those receiving Dilantin.
A team of researchers used new mathematical tools to reveal major shifts in the structure of scientific research, tracking changes in neuroscience from an interdisciplinary specialty to a full-fledged scholarly discipline. The analysis resulted in striking images demonstrating the evolution of the field over time.
Researchers have developed a new formula to analyze changes in complex systems, enabling detailed maps of their evolution. This tool can be applied to various fields, including neuroscience, air traffic control, and public health.
Zachary Mainen, coordinator of the Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, receives €2.3M ERC grant to study serotonin's function in the brain and its impact on behaviours such as eating and sleeping. The grant aims to develop novel tools for making definitive tests of serotonin function.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found a link between loss of smell function and amyloid protein accumulation in the brain, potentially serving as an early diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's disease. Researchers suggest that olfactory dysfunction may be used to detect the disease prior to substantial brain degeneration.
The Dana Foundation's new book Neuroeducation: Learning, Arts, and the Brain focuses on the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and education. The book explores ways to integrate arts into learning, citing challenges and potential solutions from education experts.
Researchers found a dual-brake mechanism controlling chloride transport, which calms hyperactive fetal neurons after birth. This process may benefit people with epilepsy and neuropathic pain by re-establishing natural inhibition.
Research from Northwestern University's Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory confirms that children with developmental dyslexia have trouble tuning into relevant auditory signals. The study suggests that poor readers who struggle with processing sound in noisy environments may benefit from simple strategies to enhance their listening skills.
Researchers found two independent pathways contributing to feeling one's own heartbeat, contrary to prior assertions. The study used a rare neurological patient and healthy comparison participants to confirm the existence of these pathways, which could have implications for emotion and self-awareness.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that Mst3b, an enzyme previously identified in the lab, is essential for regenerating damaged axons in both peripheral and central nervous systems. The findings suggest that activating Mst3b could lead to a possible treatment for brain and spinal cord injuries.
Research using animal models has identified key brain cells and circuits affected by addiction, shedding light on the cognitive problems associated with it. These findings may lead to more effective treatment options to weaken powerful cravings, ultimately guarding against relapse.
New research reveals how diet affects brain chemistry, influencing behavior and physiological changes related to obesity. Studies show that high-fat diets can lead to addictive-like behaviors, reduced insulin sensitivity, and impaired brain development in offspring.
Researchers have developed two experimental treatments that restored some vision to people with blinding eye diseases. A retinal prosthesis and fetal tissue transplant showed promise in human studies, improving visual acuity in several individuals with retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.
Researchers have discovered a diet high in fat can accelerate spinal cord injury recovery, while stem cell implants pre-screened for immature cells show promising results. The findings offer new hope for the over one million people affected by spinal cord injuries in North America.
Researchers use optogentics to explore brain function in normal and pathological conditions. New findings suggest musical training enhances auditory skills and diagnostic treatments for hearing disorders.
Researchers uncover positive effects of exercise on Parkinson's disease, depression, and memory. New tools help identify neural similarities between species, shedding light on human-specific faculties and diseases.
Researchers found that exercise after whole-brain radiation treatment improved erasable memory in mice, comparable to humans' experience. Exercise also reduced depressive-like behaviors in irradiated mice, suggesting a protective effect against memory loss and depression.
Researchers found that rats with migraine-like headaches reacted to alcohol-induced pain, whereas those without migraines did not. The study suggests dehydration or impurities in alcohol are not responsible for hangovers.
Researchers from Yerkes National Primate Research Center are presenting on various topics, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and memory function. The study aims to improve human health by understanding the evolutionary specializations of the human brain and its relationship with neurological disorders.
A study in Nutritional Neuroscience reveals that breast milk contains day-specific ingredients that promote restfulness and sleep. The researchers found that the highest concentrations of sleep-inducing nucleotides were present in nighttime samples collected from 30 women over a 24-hour period.
Researcher David Amodio examines unconscious racial associations and their impact on behavior, linking emotional and conceptual forms of bias to neural processes in the brain.
Animal rights extremists are increasingly targeting researchers, posing a threat to human health and scientific progress. The Society for Neuroscience emphasizes the need for public education and advocacy to protect researchers' safety and advance medical research.
Researchers are studying the principles of perception in art using both artistic and neuroscientific viewpoints. The collaboration aims to understand how we gaze at art pieces compared to non-artistic images.
A $1.5 million federal grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke will help MSU educate more Hispanic students in neuroscience. The program pairs students with faculty mentors, teaches scientific writing, and provides research experience.
A recent study published in Medical Teacher found that medical students who participated in simulated medical emergencies showed improved knowledge retention compared to those who received traditional lectures. The simulation exercises helped students learn and apply basic science concepts more effectively.
The Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation awards $500,000 to Hall, Rosbash, and Young for their groundbreaking discoveries on the molecular mechanisms controlling circadian rhythms in the nervous system. Their research revealed a transcriptional feedback loop that oscillates during the 24-hour cycle, driving daily behavior.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have discovered that the AMPA receptor protein moves to its destination with the help of the 4.1N protein, forming long-term memories. The study found that 4.1N is required to maintain strong connections between neurons, making memories stick.
A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience reveals that a person's susceptibility to biased economic decision-making is influenced by their genetic make-up. The research found that variation in the serotonin transporter gene affects how individuals respond to framing effects, with those carrying the 'short' variant being more...
Jeremy Nathans receives the Scolnick Prize for his groundbreaking work on color vision, brain development, and retinal disease. His research has led to significant insights into human blindness and the basis for many forms of color blindness.
Researchers aim to understand how sensory integration goes awry in autism and its implications for clinical management. They will compare multisensory integration in subjects with autism to healthy control subjects using high-density electrical recordings.
A University of Pennsylvania psychology study found that individuals who identify as visual learners activate the visual cortex when reading words, while verbal learners convert pictorial information into linguistic representations. The study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging technology to scan the brain.
The renewal of the European Associated Laboratory Agreement establishes a France-Israel laboratory of neuroscience, fostering joint research projects and collaborative publications. The new agreement aims to promote brain research opportunities in Europe amidst calls for boycotting Israeli academia.
Researchers have identified two key brain regions responsible for forming first impressions, including the amygdala and posterior cingulate cortex. These regions process emotional and value-based information to form a quick and lasting impression of others.
A study by Northwestern University researchers suggests that musical training enhances an individual's ability to recognize emotion in sound. Musicians were found to have finely tuned auditory systems and more efficiently process the complex part of the sound carrying emotional elements.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that a mother's enriched environment during her youth can significantly impact her child's learning disorder severity. This effect, known as transgenerational inheritance, was observed even when the offspring were raised by non-enriched foster mothers.
Researchers at Children's National Medical Center have identified a specific group of precursor cells that develop into the amygdala, a critical brain region for emotional processing. The discovery sheds light on how the amygdala forms during development and could help understand autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Five Brown University faculty, including neuroscientist David Berson and brain scientist John Donoghue, have been elected as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They were recognized for their contributions to various fields, including visual neuroscience, marine ecology, and cell biology.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center presented several studies on brain-immune interactions, including the role of cilia in regulating hippocampal neurogenesis and the use of dendritic cells to boost anti-glioma immune responses. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the brain's immune system and p...
Researchers from GU/GUMC presented numerous studies on learning, facial recognition, and social interaction in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, they explored ways to improve cognition and reduce brain lesions in stroke survivors using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) techniques.
The Neuroscience Information Framework (NIF) is a dynamic inventory of web-based neurosciences data, resources, and tools. The NIF enables discovery and access to public research data and tools worldwide through an open source, networked environment.
John O'Keefe received the Gruber Foundation Neuroscience Prize for his groundbreaking 'place cell' research, which enabled animals to map and remember locations. His work has influenced recent studies on memory loss and Alzheimer's disease.