Canadian researchers have developed a new laser technology that can mimic protein patterns surrounding cells, enabling the reproduction of complex cellular environments and miniature artwork. The technique has great potential for advances in neuroscience.
Recent studies show that social signals can profoundly affect when and how genes function, leading to changes in behavior. In animals like honey bees and songbirds, social information alters gene expression, allowing for complex adaptations and behaviors.
The McGovern Institute's MINT program awards up to $100,000 in seed funding for innovative collaborative projects in neuroscience research. Recent awards focus on developing alternative electrode materials, manipulating intracellular signaling pathways with light, and improving computational analysis of brain imaging data.
The University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has received a $10 million NIH contract to lead the Neuroscience Information Framework (NIF), a dynamic inventory of web-based neurosciences data and tools. The NIF enables discovery and access to public research data and tools worldwide, advancing neuroscience research through...
NARSAD recognizes six scientists whose groundbreaking research has led to significant strides in understanding and treating mental illness. The 2008 prize winners include experts in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, childhood disorders, and cognitive neuroscience.
Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks are presenting their findings on stroke and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) at a conference in New York. The studies aim to understand the underlying causes of these conditions and explore potential new treatments for brain damage.
The NIMH CNTRICS Initiative aims to improve schizophrenia treatment by defining cognitive processes and neural circuits. Cognitive neuroscience insights are being translated into better treatments for impaired cognition in schizophrenia.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory have shown that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes make noninvasive brain scans possible by regulating local blood flow. Astrocytes respond exquisitely to sensory drive, influencing neuronal responses and complex computations.
O'Keefe's discovery of place cells revolutionized the field of cognitive neuroscience, enabling animals to navigate complex environments. His research has also shed light on Alzheimer's disease, revealing a deterioration in spatial information content in aged mice.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine identify adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) as a central organizer of neuronal cholinergic synapse assembly. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms directing synapse formation, potentially shedding new insights into learning and memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and schi...
Neuroscience researchers found that sleep-deprived brains can process simple visuals but struggle with higher-level visual tasks, such as recognizing letters. The study suggests that sleep deprivation can lead to periods of normal functioning followed by severe drops in visual processing and attention.
Michael Davis has made significant advances in understanding the neural basis of fear and its applications to psychiatric research, including a proposal for using NMDA receptor signaling to enhance fear extinction. His work has shown promise in treating disorders such as PTSD, OCD, and social phobia.
Researchers at Indiana University found that women's brains respond differently to male faces depending on the menstrual cycle stage. During ovulation, their brains show more activity in areas related to rewards and less activity in areas associated with inhibition. Additionally, training has been shown to improve balance in older adul...
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have discovered that a cough suppressant, dextromethorphan, reduces dyskinesias in rats. Additionally, a drug tested as a schizophrenia therapy, BMY-14802, has been shown to effectively curb the involuntary movements more so than dextromethorphan.
David Farb's abstract details how antioxidants affect dopamine release from synaptosomes, suggesting potential for treating oxidative damage in neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidants like glutathione and NAC may rapidly stabilize dopamine release, raising their therapeutic potential.
Research presented at Neuroscience 2007 found that Concord grape juice and Cabernet Sauvignon polyphenols can slow beta-amyloid neuropathology. The study suggests a potential protective role for non-alcoholic, polyphenol-rich Concord grape juice in maintaining long-term cognitive health.
A study found that prazosin, an alpha-1 receptor antagonist, can block the increase of steroid hormones in the brain, which are associated with brain damage and cognitive impairment. This may provide a neuroprotective effect against post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and schizophrenia.
A new study by OHSU researchers has found that children carrying the apoE4 gene already exhibit reduced cognitive function. They used a virtual reality test to assess spatial learning and memory in 7- to 10-year-olds with and without the gene.
Shigetada Nakanishi's work has led to new tools and drug targets in neuroscience. His discoveries are bringing a full understanding of the human brain closer.
A recent survey of teachers found that neuroscience can make an important contribution to educational areas, with over 87% of respondents supporting its use. However, the scientific basis of some brain-based teaching methods is highly contentious and often misapplied.
The Vanderbilt Conte Center for Neuroscience Research will investigate the role of serotonin in brain development and function, seeking to understand genetic variability's impact on mental health. The center aims to translate laboratory discoveries into improved treatments for mental illnesses, including depression and autism.
Cold Spring Harbor Protocols features two new methods for neuroscience research: a step-by-step approach to prepare brain slices from rats or mice for growth in culture and how to properly assess courtship behavior in male fruit flies. These protocols allow researchers to examine the structure and function of neurons in their native en...
Researchers at Tufts University have identified a specific population of glial cells required for controlling circadian behavior in Drosophila, suggesting an autonomous glial mechanism drives circadian rhythms. The study's findings have broad implications for understanding diseases affected by altered biological timing mechanisms.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medical College found that young rats given Ritalin injections from week-old age showed significant brain changes linked to higher executive functioning and addiction. Changes resolved with time, but the findings suggest doctors must be careful in diagnosing ADHD before prescribing Ritalin.
A new study conducted at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that cyclical estrogen injections protected brain cells from age-related deterioration. The research suggests that a critical window of opportunity exists in which estrogen therapy may be helpful in preventing memory loss, and that timing is crucial.
Researchers developed a biological model of visual processing inspired by the brain to recognize objects in busy street scenes. The model achieved surprising versatility and learned from examples, validating biologically-inspired computer science.
Using tropical fish, researchers discovered the brain processes sensory information to control movement. The study sheds light on the communication between the brain and body, potentially contributing to medical advances in humans.
Researchers have discovered that spinal cord neurons show irregular firing patterns during network activity, similar to the cerebral cortex. This finding enables exploration of how spinal cords generate movements, shedding light on the complex system controlling human motion.
Pitt and NIH researchers provide a circuit-level explanation for why our eyes appear to move smoothly despite making saccades. They found that a corollary discharge signal from the brainstem causes visual neurons to shift their receptive field, enabling visual stability.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that stress triggers a relapse of methamphetamine abuse in mice, validating human studies. The researchers used a compound to mimic metabolic changes during stress and found it was effective in reinstating drug-seeking behavior.
A new study found that short days increase estrogen's effects on male mice's aggression, while long days decrease it. The researchers identified the mechanisms behind this interaction, which may have implications for human aggression and cancer.
Researchers at USC have made significant discoveries in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. A study found that hormone replacement therapy may lower Alzheimer's risk by as much as 50 percent in younger women. Additionally, a new treatment approach for ALS and Parkinson's disease has shown promising results, with exercise interventio...
The University of Minnesota's Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR) has received a $7.9 million NIH grant to expand its neuroscience research capabilities. The grant will enable more university researchers to access the center's state-of-the-art magnetic resonance equipment and methodology.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University found that women on hormone therapy are more sensitive to negative events and can process emotions similarly to younger women. However, hormone therapy does not improve memory for negative events, suggesting that the brain's arousal system is modified with age.
Nicotine exposure at a young age can alter brain development, leading to future addiction risk. The study found molecular changes in the brain that break down nerve cell membranes, especially in males.
The Burnham Institute for Medical Research will create a world-class neuroscience research center with a $12.7 million NIH grant. The center will bring together nearly 100 scientists from four San Diego institutions to study the nervous system and develop treatments for nervous system diseases.
Researchers found that slow theta oscillations tune into high-gamma waves, allowing areas of the brain to coordinate activity and transmit information. This coupling enables top-down executive processes like attention and memory to be connected to low-level perceptions and actions.
Dr. Bazan's work on lipid pathways in the retina and docosanoids has been recognized with the ARVO Proctor Medal. As Director of Louisiana State University's Neuroscience Center, he continues to advance our understanding of inflammation and apoptosis.
The Pauletta and Denzel Washington Family Gifted Scholars Program in Neuroscience awards $2,500 monthly support to graduate researchers and $2,000 per month to undergraduate students. The program aims to train the next generation of life scientists and promote significant contributions in the sciences.
The UCSB research team will utilize recent breakthroughs to control the expression of any gene, including those that contribute to serious diseases such as cancer. Funding from the W. M. Keck Foundation will support six leading scientists in developing microRNA-based interventions.
Dr. Joseph Culotti's research into nerve cell growth and migration may lead to future spinal cord repair processes. He was awarded the $50,000 Barbara Turnbull Prize in recognition of his contributions to world-leading spinal cord research in Canada.
A Penn bioethics researcher explores the intersection of neuroscience and ethics, highlighting potential implications for teaching ethics and forensic outcomes. The researcher's work raises important questions about the balance between individual freedom and the need for scientific understanding.
NeuroRx will be published quarterly by Elsevier and focuses on therapy of neurological disorders, providing a multidisciplinary perspective. Scheduled topics include Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Neurotherapeutics, and Proteomics, Genomics, Metabolomics.
The discovery of p63, a death-promoting protein for nerve cells, may lead to new treatments for neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. The research also highlights the need for further funding in neuroscience research.
Marder's research on central pattern generators has led to breakthroughs in understanding neural circuit stability and its implications for diseases like mental illness, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Her work with crustaceans has expanded the field of neuroscience beyond mammals.
A new joint neuroscience doctoral training program will be established at New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers-Newark and UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. The program aims to bring together interdisciplinary approaches to study nerve and brain function, with a focus on addressing complex challenges in the neurosciences.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that hamsters exposed to limited daylight before birth exhibited increased depressive symptoms as adults. The study suggests a link between seasonal light exposure, sex, and depression in hamsters, providing potential insight into human seasonal affective disorder.
A study found that estrogen levels affect brain memory areas, enabling females to adapt to complex environments and enhance reproductive success. The researchers suggest this adaptation facilitates tasks such as mate selection and finding food and shelter.
ASU's Center for Rehabilitation Neuroscience has received significant funding to develop neural clamps, MRI systems, and adaptive electrical stimulation for spinal cord injury rehabilitation. The team aims to design techniques to investigate, replace, and repair damaged neural systems for improved mobility.
Researchers accurately predicted fMRI signals in patients while watching a movie, validating its use in human neuroscience research. The findings also highlight the importance of further study to understand the correlation between fMRI and single neuronal activity.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research found that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have lower expression of the FOXP3 gene, leading to reduced immune suppression. A new drug called NeuroVax was shown to increase FOXP3 levels and restore immune regulation in some patients.
Dyslexia researchers propose that the condition stems from difficulty in filtering out visual noise, affecting pattern recognition and language comprehension. The study suggests that programs helping children form sharper perceptual categories could supplement existing interventions.
Researchers have found TRPA1 to be present in stereocilia of hair cells, crucial for both sound detection and balance. This dual role suggests that TRPA1 may play a key role in pain sensation, particularly in response to noxious stimuli.
Researchers at University of Minnesota have made a groundbreaking discovery on how estrogen affects the brain, revealing distinct differences between females and males. The study suggests that estrogen activation of glutamate receptors could explain various non-reproductive behaviors, such as female motor control and pain sensation.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that mice brains shrink during winter, impairing spatial memory, while nonspatial learning and memory remain unaffected. The study suggests a possible link between melatonin levels and seasonal changes in brain size and function.
The University of Pennsylvania will direct a three-year project exploring the relationship between the mind and spirituality. The initiative aims to advance fields like cognitive neuroscience, theology, and philosophy by examining issues related to love, compassion, and epistemology.
The University of Manchester has been awarded grants totaling £826,000 for brain science and mental health research projects. The awards recognize the university's excellence in neuroscience and mental health research, with a focus on developing novel ideas for laboratory and population-based studies.
The SMA Foundation's donation will support the discovery and advancement of novel products to treat SMA, a genetic condition affecting 55,000 people worldwide. Key researchers at Columbia University are working on developing treatments using innovative approaches such as drug discovery and clinical trials.
Cornell University researchers have developed multimedia teaching tools for neuroscience, including Koé, a CD-ROM that explores sound, and Fruitfly, which delves into neurogenetics. These interactive tools aim to make complex concepts more engaging and accessible for students of all levels.
Researchers warn of growing ethical challenges in neuroscience as brain imaging technologies become more accessible. Breakthroughs in functional neuroimaging enable the study of cognitive processes, but also raise concerns about corporate profits and personal data privacy.