New research reveals how diet affects brain chemistry, influencing behavior and physiological changes related to obesity. Studies show that high-fat diets can lead to addictive-like behaviors, reduced insulin sensitivity, and impaired brain development in offspring.
Researchers have developed two experimental treatments that restored some vision to people with blinding eye diseases. A retinal prosthesis and fetal tissue transplant showed promise in human studies, improving visual acuity in several individuals with retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.
Researchers have discovered a diet high in fat can accelerate spinal cord injury recovery, while stem cell implants pre-screened for immature cells show promising results. The findings offer new hope for the over one million people affected by spinal cord injuries in North America.
Research using animal models has identified key brain cells and circuits affected by addiction, shedding light on the cognitive problems associated with it. These findings may lead to more effective treatment options to weaken powerful cravings, ultimately guarding against relapse.
Researchers use optogentics to explore brain function in normal and pathological conditions. New findings suggest musical training enhances auditory skills and diagnostic treatments for hearing disorders.
Researchers uncover positive effects of exercise on Parkinson's disease, depression, and memory. New tools help identify neural similarities between species, shedding light on human-specific faculties and diseases.
Animal rights extremists are increasingly targeting researchers, posing a threat to human health and scientific progress. The Society for Neuroscience emphasizes the need for public education and advocacy to protect researchers' safety and advance medical research.
Researchers found that perceiving others in pain activates a part of the brain associated with empathy and emotion more if the observer and the observed are the same race. This study confirms an in-group bias in empathic feelings, which has significant implications for understanding real-life social behaviors and interactions.
Researchers mapped zebrafish axonal projections to reveal dual receptor expression and epigenetic programming. The study also explores the interaction of 'liking' and 'wanting' responses associated with compulsive behaviors, and investigates the role of ADAM10 in APP processing.
Researchers discover marijuana-like compounds can slow disease progression in ALS patients and protect brain cells from Parkinson's damage. THC and cannabidiol treatments delay disease progression by seven days and extend survival by six days in mouse models.
Researchers create new methods to record brain activity, including collecting signals from hundreds of thousands of brain cells and using electrodes that don't penetrate the brain. These advancements bring the field closer to prosthetic devices controlled by thought, improving performance and reducing risks.
Researchers examine how and why hormone therapy affects cognition, finding that treatment regimen influences memory performance. Continuous versus cyclical estrogen regimens show differing effects on cognitive function, with cyclical regimens leading to more errors in reference and working memory tests.
Researchers have found promising results using olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) to form myelin around nerve fibers, improving rats' functionality. Tiny beads releasing the enzyme chondroitinase ABC also enhance axonal growth and recovery of function.
Recent studies have shed new light on how to decode nerve cell signals, simplifying the development of thought-controlled prosthetic devices. By analyzing activity in large populations of nerve cells, researchers hope to create more accurate brain-machine interfaces that can restore movement in paralyzed individuals.
Chronic exposure to pesticides like rotenone has been linked to Parkinson's disease pathology in monkeys. Exercise has shown potential in protecting against dopamine neuron loss and slowing disease progression in rats. Rotigotine, a new drug, may also offer neuroprotective properties.
Research finds that mothers respond better to their own infant cries, exhibiting increased brain activity in various regions. Nurturing behaviors also improve social difficulties in offspring related to poor parenting.
Recent animal studies suggest that high-fat diets can impair memory and cognitive function, increasing the risk of age-related cognitive impairment. Diets rich in saturated fats and sugar may worsen cognitive losses due to stress and sleep apnea.
Studies show that early life stress can lead to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and impaired immune function later in life. Researchers also found that maternal care and prenatal stress can alter gene methylation and affect the development of brain cells.
Research suggests reproductive hormones like estradiol affect the brain's growth and development, influencing cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Estradiol has complex interactions with these processes, differing between males and females, and may help explain gender differences in cognition and mental diseases.
Researchers have identified a specific gene, EN2, that contributes to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Variations in this gene may affect brain development and behavior. The study also found changes in neurotransmitter systems, including acetylcholine and serotonin, which may disrupt communication between cells.
Researchers have discovered new approaches to treating ALS using genetic techniques and growth factors. A study found that implanting cells to support motor neurons can help stave off the disease, while another team used RNA interference to silence a toxic mutant gene. VEGF was also shown to rescue motor neurons attacked by ALS.
Scientists have successfully used stem cells to restore movement in paralyzed rats by transplanting oligodendrocytes, a type of cell that insulates nerve signals. Additionally, researchers have delivered GDNF, a factor aiding neuron survival, to patients with Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases using genetically modified astrocytes.
New research reveals distinct brain structure and function differences in adolescents compared to adults, leading to impulsive decision-making and increased risk-taking behavior. Puberty appears to be a critical stage of development, characterized by heightened novelty seeking and exploratory behavior.
Researchers have made significant strides in understanding the brain circuits responsible for tics in Tourette's syndrome. Studies suggest an imbalance in the basal ganglia's inhibitory function may lead to the disorder's characteristic symptoms. Increased activity in certain regions, such as the ventral striatum, and altered neuronal ...
Researchers found that worms seek mates when alone but remain near food sources with potential mates. In cone-only retinas, rod bipolar neurons maintain their morphology and connectivity despite lacking rods, while remaining light-sensitive.
New animal studies suggest that nicotine exposure during development can disrupt normal emotional learning in adulthood. Researchers have identified a novel brain circuit where changes occur, leading to altered behavior. The findings indicate potential use of pure nicotine-like compounds as medications for treating human disorders.
Pregnant women exhibit enhanced odor sensitivity and unpleasantness, which may help protect against stress. A study also found that brain areas mediating 'reward' are stimulated by pup suckling in rat mothers, suggesting a potential link between smell, reward, and maternal bonding.
Researchers found bilingual children outperform monolingual peers in cognitive tasks and show significant improvement in reading skills with just a few months of practice. This suggests that bilingualism can provide a cognitive edge and may lead to more effective therapies for speech and language disorders.
Research reveals that sleep deprivation impairs certain brain areas, including the cerebral cortex, but also activates others, such as the cerebellum. This study sheds light on the complex role of sleep in cellular function and suggests new possibilities for treating sleep disorders.
A recent study on sensory interaction found that the brain amplifies information from sight and smell when they fit together well, leading to a stronger perception of odors. Additionally, research on blind individuals revealed that their sense of touch is not inferior to sighted people's, contrary to popular belief.
Researchers find dopamine-rich brain regions associated with reward and motivation are active in individuals experiencing intense romantic love. They also discover a link between trust and oxytocin hormone release.
Scientists have discovered that touch input plays a crucial role in guiding the normal maturation of the pain sensitivity system during development, contradicting the long-held assumption that it is an innate process. This finding has important implications for understanding chronic pain and may lead to new therapeutic methods.
Research on fear extinction suggests that cognitive enhancers like D-cycloserine can accelerate the learning process of fear extinction, leading to more rapid and lasting reductions in phobias. Virtual reality therapy combined with DCS resulted in significant improvements in patients' anxiety levels.
Researchers found that odor working memory is impaired by aging, while semantic memory remains relatively intact. The study suggests that different brain regions handle working and semantic memory, which may explain why odors are more vulnerable to age-related decline.
Researchers have made advances in understanding false memories by identifying brain areas activated in true versus false memories. The right fusiform area was found to be more active in encoding objects that were later labeled as the same as those seen earlier, but less active when they were only similar or actually the same.
Researchers have found that a new vaccine can diminish symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by increasing clearance of amyloid beta protein from the brain. The study used monkeys and showed that vaccinating them with synthetic amyloid beta peptide enhanced clearance, leading to reduced plaques and improved cognitive function.
Researchers found that young children growing up in musical households exhibit an enhanced brain response to music, similar to those two years older. One year of formal music training has no effect on this response.
Groundbreaking research has developed implantable microelectrode arrays that can record neural sensory responses from paralyzed individuals, allowing for accurate prediction of leg positions. A sterile surgical procedure implants the devices, which track the position of the leg using a digital camera and mathematical analysis.
Researchers created a new brain mapping technique to visualize brain dynamics and dynamics of cortex maturation in children. The study found that gray matter loss begins first in motor and sensory parts of the brain, followed by areas involved in spatial orientation, speech, and language development.
Eating antioxidant-rich foods may help prevent age-related cognitive decline and slow brain aging. Research suggests that diets high in natural antioxidants can also protect against certain cancers, heart disease, and other neurological disorders.
Researchers have found that the right fusiform area is more active when participants recognize objects as similar to those seen earlier, but less active when they correctly label them as new. This suggests that the right fusiform area plays a role in encoding specific visual details and may help reduce false memories.
Regular exercise has been shown to have a generalized beneficial effect on how the brain functions, reducing symptoms of depression in both animals and humans. Mental practice can also improve strength and recovery from spinal cord injuries.
A study found that injecting beta-amyloid binding agents into the bloodstream reduced brain plaques and amyloid protein levels in mice with Alzheimer's disease. The researchers suggest this approach as an initial step towards developing targeted drugs with fewer side effects.
Scientists have produced new adult neurons from precursor cells using a growth factor, which could potentially treat neurological diseases. The technique, supported by the NIH, involves introducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) into the adult rat brain.
Scientists successfully used frozen human nerve cells to repair damaged spinal cords in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. The method may one day allow patients to use their own cells to treat demyelinating diseases.
Researchers found that ibuprofen significantly reduced inflammation and amyloid plaques in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease, which may help prevent the disease. The study suggests that taking anti-inflammatory drugs early on could delay the onset of AD by about a decade.
Researchers have discovered that synuclein plays a crucial role in communication between neurons, potentially shedding light on the mechanisms underlying Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. The study provides strong evidence that synucleins control the release of neurotransmitters from nerve cells.
Researchers successfully repaired severed nerve fibers using a novel approach that can restore electrical signals through the damaged area within minutes. The technique has potential to aid in human spinal cord injury repairs and could lead to recovery of lost functions.
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.