The NIH BRAIN Initiative is expanding its efforts to develop new tools and technologies to understand neural circuit function and capture a dynamic view of the brain in action. Researchers are making rapid progress in visualizing the brain in action, identifying thousands of brain cells at a time, and developing innovative brain scanners.
Researchers developed improved mini brain organoids from stem cells, closely mimicking human brain structure. They found critical similarities between the organoids and real brain tissue and identified effective drugs to block Zika's entry into the brain, offering new avenues for studying neurological disorders
The NEMONIC project aims to develop and widely share new optical brain-imaging techniques, enabling the recording of brain cells in action. The team, led by UCSB scientists, uses light to measure brain activity, overcoming technological bottlenecks to understanding the mind and brain.
Scientists have developed a 3D all-human reproducible and reliable model of the blood brain barrier, which could pave the way for better, more efficient and reliable tests of drugs to treat brain diseases. The model was created using human cells to simulate the human blood-brain barrier.
Research suggests that traumatic brain injuries in childhood and adolescence can increase the risk of alcohol abuse problems in adulthood. The study found a clearer link between brain injury and alcohol abuse in people who suffered an injury before age 5, with children under 5 being over 3.6 times more likely to exhibit substance abuse...
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered two new genes, SPOCK1 and TWIST2, that regulate brain metastases in lung cancer patients. These genes are present in the primary lung cancer of all patients with brain metastases but not in those without them.
The UCSB Brain Initiative, a cross-disciplinary program tackling the mind and brain, has received a significant boost from the Hearst Foundation. The award will support the initiative's efforts to transform our understanding of the human brain and provide new tools for neuroengineering.
Researchers developed FAST - a fast whole-brain imaging system that can visualize individual cells and subcellular structures in the entire brain. This technique allows for faster comparison of multiple brains to gain new insights into brain diseases.
Researchers found significant dose-dependent changes in cortical neural networks after radiotherapy for brain tumors, affecting global network effects and cognitive processing.
Researchers use tiny bubbles and ultrasound to safely open the blood-brain barrier, a heavily guarded system that prevents drug delivery. This breakthrough approach aims to advance next-generation brain therapies without surgery.
A study by neuroscientists at Duke and Stanford University found that multiple brain regions collaborate to produce empathetic decision-making in rats. The results clarify conflicting findings on the role of specific brain regions in guiding antisocial behavior, suggesting a more complex neural context.
A new brain network model suggests that understanding brain connections and structure can help predict how brain function changes after injury. The study identified key white matter pathways and lesions responsible for network disruptions, which could lead to more accurate treatment plans and therapeutic targets.
Researchers led by SDSU neuroscientist Stephanie Ries discovered that wide swaths of the brain work in parallel to retrieve correct words from memory, challenging previous assumptions about localized language processing. The study's findings could help speech-language pathologists develop strategies for treating disorders like anomia.
A new study from Newcastle University shows that the exact time of neuron development and its position in the brain are key to forming neural connections. This understanding can lead to better diagnosis and treatment of developmental diseases like schizophrenia, autism, and ADHD.
Researchers found that radiation therapy can alter neural networks and lead to cognitive decline in patients with brain tumors. The study suggests that the treatment may cause broader adverse effects, including thinning of the brain cortex and increased segregation between brain regions.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new model to mimic the blood-brain barrier, using miniature spheroids that replicate key properties and functions. This innovative approach may advance neuroscience research and expedite the discovery of brain-penetrant drugs for treating diseases.
MIT researchers create temporally interfering (TI) stimulation, a new technique that stimulates neurons in the brain without implants. This method uses low-frequency electrical signals to target specific areas of the brain, offering new possibilities for brain research and potential treatments for conditions like Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have developed a noninvasive method for deep brain stimulation using electrodes placed on the scalp, which could make the treatment less risky, less expensive, and more accessible. The approach has shown promising results in treating Parkinson's disease and other conditions, with no harmful effects detected.
A study at UT Southwestern Medical Center has identified over 100 genes linked to memory processing in the human brain. The researchers hope that these findings will lead to better understanding and treatment of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy.
In a breakthrough study, Johns Hopkins researchers identified a new way that the brain communicates with the immune system, using vesicles and small fat-like molecules to send signals. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for brain injuries by targeting the inflammatory response.
A new Cornell University study has resolved the debate on brain evolution by determining that overall brain size accounts for most differences among vertebrate species. The research found that once a species evolves a larger brain, specialized neural networks develop in brain regions controlling specific behaviors.
Scientists at the University of Queensland have identified a new type of lymphatic brain cell in zebrafish that surrounds the brain and clears damaging cellular waste. This discovery provides insight into how the brain forms and functions, potentially leading to new treatments for neurological diseases like stroke and dementia.
A new research from the National Institutes of Health found that pairing antidepressant amitriptyline with central nervous system drugs enhances drug delivery to the brain. Amitriptyline temporarily inhibits the blood-brain barrier, allowing drugs to enter the brain.
After a head injury, the brain can form new connections between damaged areas, known as hyperconnections. While this adaptation may provide short-term benefits, it can also lead to chronic inefficiencies and strain the brain's resources. Chronic inefficiencies may cascade into serious brain disorders, including Alzheimer's Disease.
Researchers developed organoids that resemble human brain structure, investigating rare congenital brain defect Miller-Dieker syndrome. The study reveals disrupted stem cell division leading to poor organization and early differentiation of nerve cells.
A new mechanism by which inflammation can spread throughout the brain after injury has been identified. The findings may explain chronic and long-lasting inflammation that occurs after traumatic brain injury and could transform understanding of brain injury and disease.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that applying a low voltage current can bring different areas of the brain in sync, enabling people to perform better on tasks involving working memory. The approach could one day be used to treat conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and epilepsy.
Researchers compared stereotactic radiosurgery to whole-brain radiation for metastatic brain tumors and found that targeted therapy reduces cognitive decline and increases median survival rate by 218 days
A large imaging study of over 3200 people confirms that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with delayed development of five brain regions, supporting the notion that it is a brain disorder. The study found differences in brain volume across all age groups, but most pronounced in children.
Researchers at CU Boulder have developed a functional MRI-based model that identifies brain activity patterns involved in varied pain experiences. The model, called SIIPS1, maps positively correlated and negatively correlated brain sub-regions, including regions not traditionally considered important for pain assessment.
Researchers have successfully manipulated optogenetics and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to capture large-scale brain-wide neural activity propagation and interaction dynamics. The study revealed dynamic network wiring in the mammalian species, challenging previous assumptions about brain connectivity.
Researchers at Uppsala University developed a new antibody design that increases brain uptake of antibodies almost 100-fold, offering new opportunities for treating brain diseases. The modified antibodies use the transferrin receptor to transport them across the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers found that older, fitter adults outperformed younger counterparts in memory tasks, with increased brain activity observed in regions typically declining with age. This suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness may contribute to brain maintenance and serve a compensatory role in age-related memory decline.
A recent study published in Neurology found that adhering to a Mediterranean diet can help maintain brain volume in older adults. The study, which followed 967 Scottish people aged 70 for three years, revealed that those who followed the diet more closely retained more brain volume than those who did not.
Research shows that brain maturation varies by individual and region, making it difficult to pinpoint a static baseline for maturity. Leah Somerville highlights the importance of considering brain development in policy-making decisions.
Brain connections critical for complex thinking skills deteriorate with age, while movement and hearing connections remain relatively well-preserved. Researchers analyzed brain scans from over 3,500 people aged 45-75 to understand aging's effects on the brain.
A study analyzing brain region connectivity found that people with more flexible brain states perform better on executive-function tasks. The researchers discovered five general brain patterns, with those in the most flexible states excelling in high-level cognition.
Researchers develop space-division multiplexing optical coherence tomography (SDM-OCT) to image single neurons in live tissue, enabling label-free and depth-resolved images of neural activity. This breakthrough technology could revolutionize brain mapping and provide insights into brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.
A new imaging technique has confirmed that each person's brain structure is unique, allowing for nearly perfect identification. The study also shows the brain's unique pattern changes over time.
New research found that seizures and tumor location are key predictors of survival for patients over 70 with brain tumors. The study also revealed that those with higher pressure on the brain tend to have shorter survival times.
The NIH has increased its investment in the BRAIN Initiative to over $150 million, supporting 170 researchers at 60 institutions. This funding will help develop new tools and technologies to understand neural circuit function and capture brain activity.
A new tool developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory enables researchers to interactively explore brain hierarchical processes and shed light on neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. Brain Modulyzer combines multiple views of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to provide context for brain connectivity data.
A massive MRI study identified seven genetic hotspots regulating brain growth, memory, and reasoning, as well as predicting the onset of Parkinson's disease. The research supports the notion that brain size can be used to measure 'brain reserve' and promote resilience to age-related brain diseases.
Researchers at Binghamton University studied brain activity in over 450 children ages 7 to 11, finding significant changes in brain signal complexity from year to year, particularly in frontal brain regions. These changes can potentially benchmark normative brain development and help identify early warning signs for mental illness.
Researchers found that whole brain radiotherapy had no beneficial effect on survival or quality of life compared to best supportive care and steroids. The trial included 538 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had spread to the brain, and showed that WBRT did not extend survival or improve quality of life.
Researchers are uniting to tackle the complex challenge of understanding brain function through large-scale computational modeling. This approach aims to improve our knowledge of brain function by creating realistic models based on biological data.
A phase 2 clinical trial suggests that intravenous glyburide treatment may improve patient outcomes after a major stroke by reducing brain injury and death. The study found a significant reduction in brain imaging measures of midline shift, as well as lower levels of MMP-9, a biomarker associated with brain swelling.
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids reduced brain damage in mice with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. The study suggests that injecting DHA after a stroke-like event can protect brain mitochondria against free radical damage.
Researchers found brain activity patterns varied with brain region and circadian rhythms, affecting performance and psychiatric symptoms. The study sheds light on why shift workers struggle to concentrate and why sleep loss impacts attention.
Researchers found that newborn mice brain's neural activity does not trigger a corresponding boost in blood flow, unlike the adult brain. The study reveals how the growing brain feeds itself and sheds new light on brain development.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have developed a simple way to measure brain health over time using non-invasive electrodes, tracking the brain's electrical activity for key functions. This breakthrough technology makes it possible to translate complex brainwaves into objective and practical brain vital signs.
A new study published in Radiology found increased blood-brain barrier permeability in people with early Alzheimer's disease. The researchers used contrast-enhanced MRI to identify leakages in the BBB, which could represent a key mechanism in the early stages of the disease.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have developed a new technique that captures the activity of an entire mouse brain in a single snapshot. This comprehensive view allows for robust and unbiased comparisons between active neuronal populations, enabling hypothesis generation about brain function.
Researchers create a detailed semantic atlas of the brain's language processing areas, revealing similarities in semantic topography across individuals. The study has potential applications in brain-machine interfaces, decoding difficult-to-speak patients, and translating languages.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have derived a structural model of the Mfsd2a transporter, which could help treat neurological disorders like glioblastoma by bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The study identifies new binding features and provides insight into the transport mechanism of Mfsd2a.
A study found that propofol, a commonly used anesthetic, induces loss of responsiveness by diminishing brain connectivity in the frontal cortex. The researchers also observed significant changes in resting state brain networks.
Researchers from Imperial College London have visualized the effects of LSD on the human brain for the first time, revealing complex changes in brain activity that underlie psychedelic experiences. The study found that LSD alters the way brain networks process information, leading to a more integrated and unified brain state.
Researchers at the University of Miami studied dynamic functional network connectivity in the insular cortex, revealing unique and overlapping profiles of its subdivisions. The findings suggest that changes in connection patterns between brain areas may contribute to the region's flexibility in multiple cognitive processes.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Neural Circuits identified specific brain areas that may contribute to stress-induced depression. The research found that mice displaying 'helpless' behavior had reduced neuronal activation and stereotypical brain-wide activity patterns, which are distinct from those showing 'resilient' behavior.
Researchers have mapped the largest network of cortical neurons to date, shedding light on how brain circuits are organized. The study reveals modular architecture and functional specific connectivity between neurons, enabling reverse engineering of the brain's structure and function.