Researchers are investigating the link between impaired brain hubs and mental health issues using cutting-edge methods. The study aims to understand how hub regions contribute to altered brain network function and behavior, potentially leading to better treatments for brain disorders.
Researchers discovered a population of brain-resident immune cells that transfer information from the body to the brain environment. The presence of these cells is crucial for normal brain development in mice, and their absence affects behavior and brain development.
Researchers discovered brain-resident immune cells that play a crucial role in normal brain development and are essential for the regulation of brain functions. The findings suggest a connection between gut bacteria, white blood cells, and neurological diseases.
A NIH study found consistent sex-based differences in cortical volume across 2,000 brain scans, which correspond with patterns of sex-chromosome gene expression. These findings suggest that genetic mechanisms, including those on the X and Y sex chromosomes, may influence sex differences in brain anatomy.
Researchers propose that elevated pulse pressure in blood traveling to the brain can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular dysfunction, leading to brain damage and cognitive decline. The study suggests reducing elevated pulse pressure could prove synergistic with other therapeutic approaches to treat dementia.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and King's College London discovered that problems in how the brain recognizes and processes novel information lie at the root of psychosis. The study found that defective brain signals in patients with psychosis could be altered with medication, leading to new treatment development pathways.
Researchers developed a modified dynamic contrast-enhanced-MRI protocol to detect chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in football players. The test measures blood-brain barrier leakage, revealing localized vascular pathology that persists for months in affected players.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered that synapse type shifts with age in unique patterns across different brain areas. This shift helps explain why genes cause synapse damage at set ages and in set brain areas.
KAIST researchers developed an algorithm for automated 3D brain imaging data analysis, enabling precise and quantitative mapping of complex neural circuits. The new technology allows for accurate comparison of brain data from different animals and improves the accuracy and consistency of analysis results.
Scientists developed a wearable brain scanner that can scan the entire brain, allowing researchers to track electrophysiological processes involved in mental health problems. The device tracks brain activity with millimetre accuracy, enabling new possibilities for scanning children and epileptic patients.
Scientists discover that nicotine, found in tobacco, promotes the spread of non-small-cell lung cancer cells into the brain. Researchers identify parthenolide as a potential treatment option to prevent brain metastasis.
Research reveals that age, sex and smoking impact μ-opioid receptor density in brain. Dysfunctions of the brain's opioid system are linked to disorders like addiction and chronic pain.
Researchers developed a model of the early embryonic brain, enabling them to study brain development and create tissue that resembles an embryonic brain. This breakthrough paves the way for faster production of specific nerve cells for stem cell therapy.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute have identified neural pathways connecting the brain to the stomach, suggesting a bidirectional communication network that influences digestion and gut health. This discovery provides new insights into common gut disorders and may lead to the development of brain-based therapies.
Researchers found that immune receptor TLR4 suppresses neuronal activity in the normal brain to improve signal-to-noise ratio, while increasing excitability after injury. Inhibiting TLR4 signaling reduces long-term working memory deficits and improves memory function weeks to a month after brain injury.
The claustrum is a key structure in coordinating brain activity across multiple senses and areas. Researchers found that slow-wave brain activity, characteristic of sleep states, is controlled by the claustrum.
A new 3D atlas of the mouse brain provides cellular-level detail, identifying previously unseen structures and nerve fibers. The Allen Mouse Brain Common Coordinate Framework (CCFv3) is an average of serial images from 1,675 mice, allowing for comparison and integration of diverse data types.
University of Virginia researchers are pioneering a new approach using focused ultrasound to deliver treatments directly into the brain. The technology, which can selectively open the blood-brain barrier, has shown promising results in treating conditions like Alzheimer's, epilepsy, and brain tumors.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a novel source imaging technology using high-density EEG to map underlying brain networks. This breakthrough can accurately estimate the size and scope of active areas within the brain, as well as interactions between functionally related regions.
Researchers found that rejuvenating immune cells, specifically microglia, significantly improved brain repair and learning abilities in animal models. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that microglia drive inflammation after brain injuries.
A specific brain wave type shared by humans and sheep may help researchers study human brain disorders. Researchers monitored a sheep's sleep changes during the progression of a brain disease, potentially leading to a sleep-based diagnosis in humans.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that microglia can both protect and damage the blood-brain barrier, depending on the level of systemic inflammation. The researchers used fluorescent labeling and two-photon imaging to study the interactions between microglia and the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers at the 2020 APS March Meeting in Denver are exploring the physics of the brain, including brain connectivity networks, the organization of the brain's wiring probability, and the shaping of the cerebellum. Music therapy is also being investigated for its potential benefits for patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Researchers have discovered 21 gene variants associated with estrogen signaling pathways in the brain of transgender individuals, suggesting a potential biological link to gender dysphoria. These variants may disrupt normal masculinization of the brain during critical periods of development.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that daily smoking and heavy drinking may be associated with modest increases in relative brain age. Researchers used machine learning methods and MRI to analyze data from over 17,000 individuals and discovered a correlation between smoking habits and increased brain age.
Research published in PNAS reveals that brain networks 'come online' during adolescence, allowing teenagers to develop complex adult social skills. However, this process may also increase the risk of mental illness.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that injecting nanoparticles into the bloodstream can significantly reduce brain swelling and damage after a traumatic brain injury. The treatment may provide new hope for individuals with significant traumatic brain injuries, including young athletes and soldiers.
Researchers at University College London discovered a new mechanism that allows the brain to monitor its own blood supply, potentially leading to new treatments for hypertension and dementia. Astrocytes, specialized brain cells, act as blood flow sensors to regulate brain blood flow and maintain oxygen supply.
A research team created a neuromorphic network composed of metallic nanowires, exhibiting electrical characteristics similar to human brain functions. The team found that the network's fluctuation-based functionalities mimic memorization, learning, and forgetting processes.
A team at RIKEN Center for Brain Science analyzed mouse brain activity using machine-learning algorithms, identifying distinct brain waves for recent and remote memories. They found a strong link between the frontal brain region and hippocampus, suggesting a possible mechanism to track memory age.
Scientists successfully deliver powerful glioblastoma drug paclitaxel into brain tumors in mice using an implantable ultrasound. The new formulation uses albumin instead of toxic cremophor, reducing brain toxicity. This technology has shown to increase drug concentrations by five-fold and prolong survival of brain tumor-bearing mice.
Researchers have discovered that drugs targeting brain inflammation can reverse cognitive decline in aged mice by reducing the 'fog' of inflammatory load. This breakthrough offers a potential new treatment for dementia and age-related diseases, with two biomarkers identified to flag people with blood-brain barrier problems.
Researchers have successfully transplanted human neurons into a mouse brain, allowing them to study human neural circuit formation and potential diseases. The transplanted cells followed a months-long period of maturation typical for human neurons and were able to function in the mouse neural circuits.
Researchers studied six adults with childhood hemispherectomy and found that the remaining half of the brain formed unusually strong connections between different functional brain networks. This compensation potentially helps the body function as if the brain were intact.
Purdue University scientists have identified key changes in the blood-brain barrier that hinder effective drug delivery to brain tumors. The discovery aims to improve treatment plans and patient outcomes for those with brain metastases from breast, lung, and melanoma.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that when a person loses a hand, both 'hand areas' of the brain become dedicated to the remaining healthy hand. Functional MRI scans revealed that the brain reorganizes its neural map and reroutes functions to the remaining hand after deprivation of input from a lost hand.
Researchers developed an AI-powered blood test that can spot chemical clues indicative of brain tumors, allowing for quicker diagnoses and improved survival rates. The test, combining infrared spectroscopy with AI analysis, accurately identified 82% of brain tumors in a study of 400 patients.
Researchers have identified CEMIP as a key protein promoting brain metastasis in breast and lung cancers. By blocking CEMIP, it may be possible to prevent or treat brain metastases, which are a common cause of cancer deaths. High levels of CEMIP in primary tumors have been linked to a faster progression to brain metastasis.
Researchers analyzed BTB and BBB changes in NSCLC brain metastasis over time, revealing key changes including loss of aquaporin-4 and zona occludens-1. These findings provide a comprehensive analysis of the transition of the blood-brain barrier to the blood-tumor barrier.
A large-scale study found that people with autism spectrum disorder have less brain asymmetry, particularly in cortical thickness. The findings suggest altered development of the brain's left-right axis is involved in autism, affecting widespread brain regions.
Researchers at the Allen Institute have mapped the mouse brain's neural connections, revealing an underlying hierarchy of brain circuitry. The study provides a detailed view of how neurons communicate with each other and offers insights into diseases such as Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.
New research challenges traditional idea about relationship between alcohol use and brain size, suggesting that reduced brain volume may represent a genetically-conferred predispositional risk factor for heavier alcohol consumption. Longitudinal and family data from three independent brain imaging studies confirm this association.
The McLean Hospital Brain Bank has received a new contract from the NIH to fund 180 brains per year, allowing for enhanced procedures and deeper understanding of brain pathology in psychiatric disorders. The center is part of the NeuroBioBank national resource for investigators using postmortem brain tissue.
A high-salt diet can cause cognitive impairment by activating a pathway in the brain that leads to tau protein clumping, according to a new study. The researchers found that this effect is not due to a loss in blood flow to the brain, but rather to the accumulation of tau protein aggregates that interfere with brain cell function.
Recent advances using lab-grown brain organoids have improved understanding of human brain development and diseases. However, questions remain about how well these brain models mirror the complexity of the cortex. Studies show that organoids can reproduce a rich diversity of cell types found in the cerebral cortex, but fail to capture ...
Research in animals shows that chronic stress during pregnancy triggers an immune response in the brain, leading to potential changes in brain functions. The study found that stressed rats showed evidence of neuroinflammation and increased activity levels of microglia, suggesting a link between gestational stress and postpartum depress...
The NIH BRAIN Initiative has awarded over 180 new projects to accelerate neuroscience discoveries, including developing neural circuit tools, studying non-neuronal cells, and analyzing complex data. These advancements aim to improve treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and stroke.
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital suggests that glowing particles in the blood of patients with brain cancer may be used to diagnose and monitor the disease. The discovery uses a substance called 5-aminolevulinic acid, which makes tumor cells fluorescent, allowing for non-invasive blood tests.
Researchers found moderate levels of covariation between human and chimpanzee brain and braincase features, but distinct positions of brain sulci relative to cranial sutures in humans. The study suggests that changes in braincase morphology may be related to increased encephalization and bipedalism.
Scientists have developed a simple way to transport medication into the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The new technique uses engineered particles that can be packed with drugs and delivered through an intravenous injection, offering a minimally invasive solution for treating neurological disorders.
Researchers developed a method to characterize brain states and simulate brain activity, enabling prediction of stimulation effects on brain state transitions. The study found that systematic external stimulation can awaken the brain in sleep states and may enhance recovery from psychiatric diseases.
Researchers found a gene that responds to brain activity to coordinate the need for sleep, and zebrafish studies suggest that intensive brain activity increases sleep pressure. The findings may help understand sleep disorders and conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Research reveals how breast cancer cells use exosomes to bypass the blood-brain barrier and spread to the brain. Exosomes trick endothelial cells into taking them up, allowing cancer cells to metastasize, and can also manipulate astrocytes to facilitate tumor growth.
Brain tumor researchers will use advanced sequencing technology to build a functional map of the developing brain, allowing them to analyze all cells in unprecedented detail and potentially discover new drug targets. The team aims to understand how cells 'talk' to their neighbors to determine which signals drive cancer growth.
Researchers found that people with schizophrenia employ different brain circuits to overcome initial lack of understanding, leading to increased brain activity in certain areas. The study aims to develop practical skills to help patients with schizophrenia understand metaphors in everyday speech.
Researchers at Hebrew University have developed an MRI technique that can detect molecular changes in the brain, allowing for early disease diagnosis and treatment. This non-invasive method provides biological readouts of brain tissue, enabling doctors to compare scans over time and differentiate between healthy and diseased tissue.
Researchers found that patients with more connected white matter in targeted brain regions respond better to non-invasive electrical brain stimulation, suggesting a potential breakthrough in personalizing the therapy. The study also showed partial reversal of abnormalities in brain activity caused by traumatic brain injury.
Japanese scientists found that observing one's own hand movements in video-assisted therapy enhances brain activity and speeds up rehabilitation for stroke patients. This technique promotes brain plasticity, allowing the brain to rewire and regain movement and senses.
A new study has created the most detailed 'parts list' of the human brain to date, revealing crucial differences between human and mouse brain cells that could explain why many drugs don't work in humans. The study highlights key changes in gene expression related to serotonin receptors and neuron connections.
Changes in blood pressure in early adulthood have been linked to markers of poorer brain health in later life, according to a UCL-led research study. Higher blood pressure at midlife and faster rises in blood pressure between ages 36 and 43 were associated with smaller brain volumes.