A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that chronic back pain is associated with a significant decrease in gray matter volume in the brain, particularly in regions involved in processing information and memory. This suggests that proper treatment may reverse some of the brain changes caused by chronic pain.
Yerkes researchers are presenting a variety of new data at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting, demonstrating advances in understanding brain function and behavior. Key findings include insights into how evolution has shaped human cellular systems, stress response mechanisms, and the role of vasopressin in social recognition.
A study found that word retention drops sharply after two minutes among men undergoing testosterone deprivation therapy, despite initial encoding being similar to healthy men. The lack of testosterone affects the function of the hippocampus, a curved ridge in the brain controlling learning and memory.
A study published in Neuroscience found that calorie restriction had mixed effects on the brains of mice, improving grip strength, coordination, and flexibility, but having no effect on cognitive performance. The researchers suggest that free radical damage may contribute to age-related cognitive impairments, which could be prevented o...
Researchers have discovered a long-sought protein called TRPA1 that converts sound into nerve impulses, transmitting to the brain. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for deafness and balance disorders in the next five to ten years.
The grant will fund research on dopamine neurons and brain adaptation in Parkinson's disease, with the goal of developing new treatments for patients. Northwestern University's expertise in neuroscience and molecular imaging will be utilized in this effort.
A USC study found that the brain processes rhythmic and discrete movements differently, with distinct activity patterns in different brain areas. The research has implications for movement control and rehabilitation, as well as our understanding of music's effect on human movement.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School Medicine have induced axon growth rates of up to ten centimeters per week, defying previous understanding. The stretched axons maintained a normal internal structure and appeared invigorated by extreme growth, suggesting new mechanisms for neuronal physiology.
Feldman et al report that donepezil treatment for six days is associated with a total societal cost saving of $224 per patient. The American Brain Coalition (ABC) was established to advocate for increased support for biomedical research.
Researchers identified Mpdz gene as key player in physical dependence and withdrawal from sedative-hypnotic drugs. The study found that higher expression of Mpdz correlated with reduced susceptibility to drug withdrawal seizures.
A new study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that a specific group of neurons in the brain, known as the ARC pacemaker, play a crucial role in regulating hunger and satiety signals. This finely balanced mechanism can go wrong if one small error occurs, leading to difficulties in weight management through diet and exercise alone.
A group of researchers has outlined the ethical issues raised by modern neuroscience, including the use of plastic surgery and neural enhancement. The panel argues that treating illnesses rather than healthy individuals is more acceptable, but raises questions about the long-term effects of brain-altering medications like Ritalin.
Researchers found adolescents exhibit lower activation in brain regions motivating behavior toward rewards, but similar responses to obtaining gains. The study resolves debates about adolescent reward processing and may explain why many young people struggle with long-term goals.
After a spinal cord injury, the body's natural response can lead to larger, more debilitating lesions in the spinal cord. Researchers found that glutamate and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) over-stimulation cause secondary damage to white matter tissue and destroy oligodendrocytes, which protect axons.
The study found that oxidation damages certain kinds of messenger RNA, leading to abnormal protein processing and neuronal death. Researchers discovered specific types of mRNA susceptible to oxidative damage, which may contribute to the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease.
A study found that exercise increases BDNF and neurogenesis in mice, but high levels of these chemicals don't necessarily improve learning. In fact, high-running mice perform poorly in maze tests, suggesting a potential 'tipping point' where too much exercise becomes detrimental.
Researchers discovered that sensory cells in mouse inner ear develop rapidly between days 16 and 17 of gestation, mirroring human fetal development. Understanding this process is crucial for regenerating sensory hair cells in the human ear.
Researchers have developed a new brain imaging technique called Voxel-based Lesion-Symptom Mapping (VLSM), which pinpoint areas of the brain most crucial for normal functioning. The method uses structural MRI scans and compares them to functional brain imaging data, allowing for more accurate mapping of brain damage and behavior.
Researchers found that increasing neprilysin levels decreased amyloid deposition and reduced plaque load in transgenic mice. Astrocytes also degraded beta-amyloid peptides, suggesting a new target for AD therapies.
Dr. Salzman, a Columbia University professor, has been awarded the Charles E. Culpeper Scholarship in Medical Science from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The award will support his research on understanding emotion and developing new treatments for psychiatric illness.
A small region in the frontal lobe is selectively activated when an individual intends to make a particular action. This finding helps explain why individuals with frontal lobe damage often have problems making decisions and act impulsively.
Researchers have discovered a new structure in the human brain linked to learning and memory, called the marginal division (MrD). This pan-shaped structure, composed of spindle-shaped neurons, plays a key role in linking other memory-related structures.
Williams College researcher Dr. Fein has received a $240,455 NSF grant to investigate the links between social context, physiological arousal, and cognitive appraisals in relation to student underperformance. The research team will include experts from education, neuroscience, health, cognitive psychology, and social psychology.
Buszaki's research published in Science and Nature reveals the neural code used by brain cells to communicate, including wave-like bursts that shape connections in the newborn brain. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding how memories are formed and how the brain develops.
Dr. Larysa Pevny, a UNC neuroscientist, has received a $1 million federal grant to study the genetics of neural stem cells and their potential in developing transplantation therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Her research aims to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in regulating neural stem cell differentiation.
Scientists from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Pharmacia have found that mice engineered to produce human COX-2 protein develop age-related memory loss, mirroring problems seen in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests targeting the protein could prevent neurological diseases.
NIDA will sponsor a series of satellite symposia at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, focusing on NIDA neuroscience directions, synaptic vesicle trafficking, and minority scholars research opportunities. The symposia will bring together top researchers to discuss cutting-edge neurological research.
David Julius, PhD, has made a groundbreaking discovery about the capsaicin receptor, VR1, which mediates responses to painful stimuli. His work builds on the pioneering research of Edward R. Perl, who first identified nociceptors as responsible for pain perception.
A team of six Brown University professors will explore the human brain's function using tiny electronic structures, potentially enabling computers to mimic human capabilities. The five-year grant aims to develop nanotechnology that can stimulate and record brain cells.
Anthony Auerbach, a University at Buffalo biophysicist, has been awarded a $2.7 million Jacob Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award to continue his distinguished research on cell communication and synapses. His focus will be on understanding acetylcholine receptors, proteins that facilitate chemical messages across brain synapses.
Researchers found associations between certain personality traits and a polymorphic region in the human AP-2beta gene. These traits include muscular tension, guilt, somatic anxiety, psychasthenia, and indirect aggression. The study suggests a novel approach to understanding the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders and personality.
Researchers have identified three key brain areas - superior frontal, inferior parietal and superior temporal cortex - that show activity during attentional tasks. This mapping represents a crucial step towards understanding the detailed topography and function of these regions.
The NSF award establishes a Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, focusing on complex social behaviors and emotions. The center will study brain mechanisms and develop powerful new technologies.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has identified a critical role for the D2 dopamine receptor in determining an individual's likelihood of developing alcoholism. Mice bred without this receptor showed reduced drinking behavior and aversion to alcohol, suggesting potential targets for treating addiction.
Researchers found that eating daily equivalent of pint of strawberries or large spinach salad reduces specific effects of brain aging in rats. Spinach and strawberry diets protected against declines in nerve cell communications and ward off dip in memory performance.
Researchers found that high-level expectations influence visual perception, overriding depth information in objects. This challenges the idea of veridical reflections of reality in the brain.
A recent article by John T. Bruer, Ph.D., states that neuroscience does not provide conclusive evidence to support the idea that children's early years are crucial for future learning outcomes. The brain remains adaptable and changeable throughout life in response to environmental stimuli.
Researchers have discovered how a rare epilepsy mutation works at a molecular level, potentially helping understand other nervous-system disorders. The mutation impairs signaling between nerve cells, leading to seizures in people with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE).
Williams College professors Zimmerberg and Wisniewski create interactive multi-media resources to support introductory neuroscience courses, including videos and CD-ROMs for laboratory simulations. The project aims to make materials available globally for various educational levels and settings.
Researchers found increased enzyme activity in Alzheimer's patients, suggesting a potential factor in disease development. A peptide inhibiting ACTH synthesis and secretion was also identified as a regulator of the body's adaptive response to stress.