Scientists Ewine van Dishoeck, Emmanuelle Charpentier, Jennifer A. Doudna, Virginijus Šikšnys, A. James Hudspeth, Robert Fettiplace, and Christine Petit receive the Kavli Prizes for their pioneering work on star formation, DNA editing, and hearing mechanisms. The breakthroughs have transformed our understanding of existence, advancing ...
A new study published in eNeuro provides evidence for the link between the motor system and our sense of time. Participants in the research task showed synchronization between action preparation and perception, demonstrating that the brain operates at different speeds.
Dr. Karun Singh is a leader in stem cell research, human genetics and brain development. His work has made significant impact on our knowledge of signaling mechanisms that regulate brain development and genetic risk factors underlying neurodevelopmental disorders.
A field study in Panama reveals how tropical fish use electric fields to communicate for coordinated behaviors like mating and reproduction. Researchers found distinct signals for attracting mates and signaling fertilization, highlighting the need for studying behavior and sensory scenes in natural environments.
Researchers developed a robotic system that plays Tic Tac Toe with rehabilitation patients to improve their real-life task performance. The study found that patients preferred interacting with the robot over computer-controlled LED lights, and the robot's movement influenced human movement, indicating its potential in rehabilitation.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered a single molecule, EphB2, that makes the yes-or-no decision to form stable connections between brain cells. The molecule repels unproductive contacts and connects where appropriate based on signal strength.
Aging nerves are damaged by immune cells that drive degeneration, but a new treatment blocks these cells, restoring nerve structure and muscle strength. Treatment with a cytokine receptor inhibitor reduced macrophage numbers and improved grip force in aging mice.
A study found that individuals with a DCC gene mutation had reduced connectivity between brain regions involved in reward processing, leading to less impulsive behavior and lower cigarette smoking. The researchers also observed decreased volume in the striatum, a brain region critical for motivation and pleasure.
Using advanced imaging technology, researchers found structural changes in the connections between neurons that strengthen to enable learning. The molecules involved in sending and receiving signals appeared to be organized in clumps or 'nanomodules' that both dance and multiply when stimulated by learning-like signals.
The brain uses a two-step process to categorize both visual and auditory inputs, increasing sensitivity to acoustic features in the lower-level auditory cortex. This discovery has important implications for understanding individual differences in language learning and developing treatments for people with learning disorders.
A protein involved in Alzheimer's disease may be a promising target for treating HIV-related neurological disorders. Elevated levels of BACE1 and Aβ oligomers were found in postmortem brain tissue of HIV-positive humans, suggesting similar mechanisms of neurotoxicity.
Cats deaf from an early age exhibit increased connections between auditory cortex and superior colliculus, a midbrain region responsible for directing the animal's environment. This reorganization may support enhanced information processing.
A Carnegie Mellon University team has received a three-year grant to refine a custom EEG system that can identify early markers for worsening brain injuries. The team will use the high-density EEG to detect cortical spreading depolarizations, or brain tsunamis, which are biomarkers for worsening brain injuries.
Research suggests that age-related disruptions in sleep are not due to changes in individual neurons' activity. The study found similar effects of sleep deprivation on local sleep oscillations across different age groups.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed AFQ-Browser, a web-based tool for displaying, analyzing, and sharing neurological data collected through diffusion-weighted MRI studies. The browser aims to improve transparency and data-sharing methods in neuroscience research.
Researchers found that mice increased their running on a wheel two hours before the door to the nebulizing chamber was open. The activated brain regions included those implicated in reward processing and craving: the orbitofrontal cortex, dorsomedial hypothalamus, and lateral septum.
A new analysis of neuroscience studies on free will found significant variability across studies, with some concluding that human actions are driven by external stimuli while others found conflicting results. The researchers argue that neuroscientists should critically examine their methods to avoid promoting unsubstantiated beliefs.
Mice lacking the cold-sensing ion channel TRPM8 consumed more food during the day when they should be asleep, leading to obesity and high blood sugar in adulthood. This study reveals a previously unrecognized link between thermal sensing systems, thermoregulation and food intake.
A biochemical pathway in the Golgi apparatus helps cells counter oxidative stress, and researchers found it can be activated by a drug called monensin, which may protect cells against Huntington's disease.
Researchers found that the brain's auditory cortex does not solely represent acoustic environments but also incorporates perception. Custom ear molds disrupted participants' elevation perception, revealing different responses to sounds between sessions, indicating a dynamic relationship between sensory encoding and perception.
A study published in JNeurosci found that a woman's immune system during pregnancy influences the development of her child's brain network, which may be linked to psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. Higher maternal immune activation was also associated with improved cognitive ability in infants.
Research found that flu strains H3N2 and H7N7 caused memory impairments and structural changes in the hippocampus of mice. The infections also activated brain immune cells and altered gene expression, suggesting a potential threat to healthy brain function.
Researchers simulated a sea slug's decision-making process in Cyberslug, a virtual environment that mimics the creature's behavior. The study found that hunger and learning ability are crucial attributes in regulating prey consumption, laying the groundwork for more complex models of AI decision-making.
A new mouse model lacking a gene linked to intellectual disability has difficulty navigating mazes and remembering learned paths, but no changes in social or repetitive behavior were observed. Treating the mice with a compound improved learning and memory deficits by targeting the AMPK-mTORC1 translational pathway.
Recent research in neuroscience suggests that our experiences shape our perceptions, emotions, and behaviors. Studies using imaging tools like fMRI and EEG have identified neural networks involved in well-being and mental health disorders when considering individual experience.
Research in brain science and statistical modeling allows for safer anesthesia administration, reducing side effects and improving patient recovery. Brown's methods use EEG data to fine-tune anesthesia dosing, enabling the safe administration of less anesthesia.
Carnegie Mellon University's Rob Kass and Byron Yu will present on using statistical methods to understand brain function, including the development of brain-computer interfaces. The panel aims to explore the application of cutting-edge statistics in neuroscience.
A new study reveals that fentanyl can increase pain sensitivity in animals by lowering their pain threshold. The researchers found that blocking calcium signaling inside sensory neurons prevents this effect, suggesting a possible mechanism for hyperalgesia.
A review explores the applications of neuroscience in law, highlighting the need for clear guidelines to balance potential benefits with civil liberties. The use of neuroscientific evidence raises concerns about individual rights and privacy, particularly in determining guilt and intent.
A study published in JNeurosci found that stimulating carbon dioxide-sensing neurons in the midbrain of adult male mice awakened them without affecting breathing. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms underlying obstructive sleep apnea, sudden infant death syndrome, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
Researchers have created the world's first monkey clones using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), a technique that made Dolly the sheep. The cloned monkeys, Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua, are genetically identical long-tailed macaques born recently at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Neuroscience in Shanghai.
Neuroscientists have created a detailed map of the connections in the subgenual cingulate area 25 (A25) of non-human primates. The research reveals strong links between A25 and brain areas involved in emotional regulation, stress response, and memory formation.
A brain imaging study found that preterm infants with developmental disturbances in the Heschl's gyrus, a part of the brain involved in speech and language, exhibit reduced expressive language ability. The study suggests that preterm birth may impact language development due to altered auditory cortex maturation.
A brain-machine interface combining brain stimulation and robotic control increases neural signal strength, potentially benefiting stroke patients with hand paralysis. This technique harnesses additional neurons to enhance motor function.
A Baylor University study found that writing down to-do lists at bedtime can aid in falling asleep. The research, which used overnight polysomnography, compared the sleep patterns of participants who wrote about future tasks versus completed activities.
A study published in eNeuro found that amphetamine exposure during adolescence impairs the development of the mouse prefrontal cortex. This region is critical for decision-making and other complex functions. The researchers observed reduced synapses and axon growth, suggesting a lasting impact on brain structure.
Researchers discovered that zebrafish exhibit significant spatial memory impairment after a blow to the head, with slower reaction times to familiar environments. Genetic analysis identified key genes involved in brain cell proliferation and migration, offering new insights into potential human recovery strategies.
Researchers discovered that the stress gene NR4A1 adjusts energy output and synapse number of prefrontal cortex neurons in response to stress. Chronic stress may interfere with normal brain circuit function through this gene's impact on cellular connectivity, but altering its expression protects PFC cells from synaptic loss.
Research published in eNeuro reveals that fragile X syndrome affects the development of sound-processing neurons in the brainstem. The study found reduced cell sizes in mice with FXS, indicating a role for FMRP in auditory system development.
The Science Bridge project aims to promote cooperative projects in neuroscience and medical sciences through conferences, exchange programs, and joint funding bids. Twin Institutes will be established, fostering the free exchange of ideas between Western and Middle Eastern/South Asian research institutions.
A recent study published in JNeurosci found that premature babies undergoing painful procedures exhibit abnormal thalamic development and cognitive/motor impairments. Minimizing painful procedures could help promote brain health and improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Researchers found that overexpressing FKBP1b restored gene expression in hippocampal neurons, improving water maze performance and reversing age-related memory impairments in rats. The study suggests addressing FKBP1b deficiency may be a new avenue for countering age-related memory loss.
A new international collaboration between neuroscientists from the Middle East and West is being launched to advance basic and translational life science research. The Science Bridge project, led by Mazahir Hasan, aims to foster a partnership between Western and Middle Eastern neuroscience communities.
A new study reveals that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may correct behavioral and physical deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease. The treatment reduced plaque pathology by 40% and neuroinflammation by about 40%, improving the condition of mice with the disease.
Researchers at the University of Delaware and Delaware State University are studying the effects of traumatic stress in women and brain function to improve understanding of impulse control. The five-year grant will support non-invasive imaging techniques to explore brain function in living humans and laboratory animals.
A genetic variation linked to autism spectrum disorders stunts the growth of dendrites in rat cells and a mouse model of autism. This excessive pruning may contribute to differences in neuronal connectivity underlying social and communication deficits observed in autism.
Researchers investigated shRNA therapy for Huntington's Disease, identifying novel methods to modulate construct expression and reduce off-target effects. The study proposes two feedback mechanisms to control shRNA expression, inspired by synthetic biology.
A multidisciplinary neuroscience study found that low frequency brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus can improve cognitive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. The research also reveals a new connection between the frontal cortex and the subthalamic nucleus, which may be targeted to improve cognitive function.
A new web-based application called NeuroExpresso provides a comprehensive catalogue of brain cell type data, helping to better define their functions and properties. The tool uses marker genes to estimate cellular composition of mouse and human tissue.
New brain stimulation techniques offer safer, targeted means to study brain function, improve memory, and treat neurological and psychiatric disorders. These advancements have the potential to reach areas deeper in the brain, deliver customized stimulation, and study diseases in new ways.
Studies show that head impacts can cause lasting damage even without concussions, affecting brain connections and memory. Better helmet rules and concussion education are needed to ensure athlete safety.
A study by McMaster University neuroscientists found that even mild trauma from contact sports can disrupt the production of new neurons in the hippocampus, a region critical to memory. Temporary memory losses were observed in concussed athletes, while scores improved after a reprieve from their sport.
A special issue in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry explores the intersection of neuroscience and law, highlighting key areas such as addiction, dementia, chronic pain, and behavioral genetics. The research has significant implications for legal proceedings and mental health treatment.
New techniques harness neural circuitry to control prosthetic limbs and eyes, restoring function and improving motor skills. Brain-machine interfaces enable individuals to adapt and learn from technical challenges.
Recent advances have shed light on neural circuits and mechanisms driving social behaviors, revealing a complex interplay of brain areas involved in cooperation and aggression. These findings suggest that shared neuronal activity between social partners plays a key role in cooperative behavior and learning.
Research on opioid addiction has made significant progress in understanding its impact on brain development, fear, anxiety, and memory. Studies have found that opioids can influence these processes, potentially contributing to substance use disorders and dependence.
Studies show that gut-derived metabolites may prevent neurodegeneration, while probiotic treatment corrects memory problems in an Alzheimer's mouse model. The research suggests targeting the gut could be a promising angle to tackle brain disorders across the lifespan.
New research reveals stress's negative effects on brain function, including gene expression alterations, anxiety responses, and mental illness symptoms. Potential paths for relief include astrocyte signaling control, microbiome regulation, and newborn neuron development.
New studies shed light on sleep's extensive effects on the brain, including impaired memory and judgment, increased risk of stroke, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Sleep consolidation also plays a crucial role in memory formation.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to pinpoint epigenetic signals driving cocaine addiction and shed light on rare genetic disorders. They also developed a cellular disease model to probe the neurobiological causes of schizophrenia and identified changes in neural stem cells caused by Zika virus.