Articles tagged with Developmental Neuroscience
A neuroimaging study found that creative insights trigger a burst of activity in the brain's reward system, motivating further creative activities. Highly reward-sensitive individuals show an additional neural reward response associated with intrinsically rewarding creative experiences.
Researchers developed an AI system that evaluates endoscopic mucosal findings in UC patients with accuracy equivalent to expert endoscopists. This may reduce the need for invasive procedures like biopsies, saving time and money for medical institutions.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed a new method to assess hearing by measuring pupil dilation, which is as sensitive as traditional testing methods. The approach has shown promising results in detecting sound in individuals who cannot respond, such as babies and young adults with developmental disabilities.
Researchers developed an innovative method to measure the complexity of image representations in deep neural networks, shedding light on their processing stages. The study found that classification accuracy depends on the network's ability to simplify information, with more accurate results from simplified representations.
Research reveals that maternal psychosocial, physical, and lifestyle stress are associated with distinct offspring health outcomes. Babies born to stressed mothers exhibit reduced fetal heart rate-movement coupling, indicating neurodevelopmental issues.
A biomimetic coating developed by Xinyan Tracy Cui improves the performance of microelectrode arrays, reducing inflammation and increasing recording quality and longevity. The coating is made of a brain-derived neural adhesion molecule and has proven efficacy in establishing a healthy electrode-neuron interface.
Chronic pain leads to depression by suppressing brain reward system, say Hokkaido University researchers. Their study found that blocking excessive CRF signals can increase dopamine neuron activity, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for chronic pain and depression.
A key brain circuit has been identified as a critical regulator of reward cue-related behavior in rats. The study found that this circuit reduces the incentive value of food cues by controlling dopamine release, which may help explain why some individuals struggle to resist temptation.
A review of adolescent brains across species reveals that impulsiveness is a biological adaptation crucial for brain maturation. The human brain undergoes significant changes during adolescence, including pruning of neural connections and strengthening of white matter tracts, which enables optimal brain function in the adult stage.
Researchers found a universal frequency decoding system that overrules tactile sensory channels when perceiving vibrotactile stimuli. This discovery suggests that different skin regions with varying receptors can cause the same brain sensations, revolutionizing our understanding of touch perception.
Researchers identified brain regions involved in creating the Uncanny Valley sensation, tracing it back to circuits processing social cues and valuation systems. The study's findings suggest ways to improve likability of artificial agents by adjusting these mechanisms.
Researchers found that N-cadherin protein plays a crucial role in arranging neurons to form the columnar microstructure of the brain. The study used Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly brain as a model and discovered that three neuron types are arranged within the columns, with R7 forming the core.
A new AI-powered system, Neural Lander, uses a deep neural network to help autonomous drones land more safely and quickly, while gobbling up less power. The system has been tested and achieved significant improvements in landing accuracy, with reductions of up to 100% in vertical error and 90% in lateral drift.
A team of scientists at MIT developed a neural network that can read scientific papers and generate a plain-English summary. The system, called RUM, uses vectors rotating in multidimensional space to represent words and improve memory and recall capabilities.
Researchers showcase cutting-edge neurotechnology systems, including BrainFlight, which uses online neurofeedback to modify an individual's arousal state. The system aims to improve performance in demanding tasks and has potential applications in treating mental conditions like PTSD.
A common cause for both Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) may be an inability to wake up due to a faulty CO2 blood level regulation. A potential explanation is a malfunctioning serotonin receptor in the midbrain, which could drive future treatments.
Researchers have developed a neuron-optimized CRISPR activation system that efficiently regulates genes involved in learning and memory, plasticity, and neuronal development. This breakthrough paves the way for studying genetic influences on brain health and disease using model organisms more closely resembling humans.
A new optical microscope system called SIFOM stimulates multiple cells simultaneously using holographic method and monitors cell activity using 3D measurements. The system has potential applications in reconstructing lost nerve pathways, constructing artificial neural networks, and developing food resources.
Researchers developed a method to translate brain activity into visual representations, enabling patients to increase or decrease beta waves associated with symptoms. Although no improvement in symptoms was observed, the study demonstrates a new approach toward managing disease-related brain activity that could inform new treatments.
A study of male and female rats found that moderate spinal cord damage alters daily body temperature and activity patterns. Restoring normal routines through circadian therapies may promote recovery after spinal cord injury.
New analysis improves knowledge of physical, biological systems by studying time that components take to influence each other. Researchers developed formulas to understand how this affects synchronization in oscillator systems, which are common in nature and technology.
Aryn Gittis, a Carnegie Mellon University neuroscientist, has been recognized for her creativity and originality in research. She discovered a class of neurons that restored movement in a mouse model for Parkinson's disease when targeted with optogenetics.
New research presents significant breakthroughs in brain-computer interfaces, enabling improved prosthetics and therapies for people with conditions such as paralysis, stroke, and blindness. Advanced technologies are being developed to restore task-related sensations to amputees and improve vision for the blind.
The Society for Neuroscience has presented a record-breaking 261 Trainee Professional Development Awards to young researchers from around the world. This represents a 28% increase from last year's awards, reflecting the program's growing impact on supporting the next generation of neuroscientists.
Researchers used calcium imaging techniques to visualize spontaneous activity patterns in the mature visual cortex, finding precise organizational networks in the cerebral cortex much earlier than previously thought. These networks predict future brain function and are critical for processing complex sensory input.
Researchers found that neural activity in both the left and right hemispheres of the brain is involved in encoding individual arm movements. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies for individuals with limb function after a brain injury, by harnessing the unaffected hemisphere.
A user-friendly software tool models neural circuits in outer brain layers, enabling EEG-guided treatment for patients based on new knowledge of underlying neural circuits. The Human Neocortical Neurosolver is a free, open-source tool that can help bridge the gap between genetic and molecular changes to neural circuit level signals.
A team of engineers and physicians at USC and UC San Francisco developed a novel decoding technology that can predict mood variations from neural signals in the human brain. The study may lead to new closed-loop, tailored therapies for depression and anxiety disorders.
Researchers studied barn owls' brain and behavior while tracking dark dots on a screen, finding evidence of perceptual grouping. This ability, crucial for vision-based species, was previously only studied in primates.
Researchers discovered that activating GPR139 reduces alcohol intake and restores pain sensitivity thresholds in alcohol-dependent mice. This finding suggests a potential new approach for treating alcohol use disorder.
A study on epilepsy patients has shown that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can be used to predict which brain regions will be affected by the treatment. This research could lead to individualized stimulation protocols, improving treatment outcomes for conditions like depression.
Researchers developed a new device measuring blink reflex parameters to help diagnose concussions. The Blink Reflexometer TM assesses blink reflex data, providing an objective measure of primitive reflex changes, allowing for accurate diagnoses and decision-making in sports settings.
Researchers discovered that certain species of fish, like the little skate, can walk using a neural and genetic developmental program identical to higher vertebrates. The study found conserved genes and neuronal subtypes essential for limb control in these fin-based movement systems.
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.
The Blink Reflexometer uses high-speed video to analyze the blink response in patients, providing quantitative measurements comparable to electromyography. A small validation study showed promising results, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic indicator of neurological health.
Research from NC State University reveals that prenatal BPA exposure at levels below the current FDA safety threshold alters hormone receptor expression, synaptic transmission, and neurodevelopment in the developing rat brain. The study found sex-specific differences in sensitivity to BPA exposure, with females appearing more sensitive.
A neuroimaging study reveals that blind individuals perform better on a touch discrimination task when their hands are crossed due to stronger frontal-parietal connectivity. In contrast, sighted individuals show greater activity in parietal and premotor areas with uncrossed hands.
Research published in BMC Public Health found that maternal mobile phone use was associated with lower risk of language and motor skills delays at ages 3 and 5. Children born to mobile phone users had a 27% lower risk of lower sentence complexity, 14% lower risk of incomplete grammar, and 31% lower risk of moderate language delay.
Researchers developed neural networks to evaluate short narratives, improving predictions over a baseline system. The AIs classified texts into popular and non-popular categories, highlighting the importance of understanding story structures in narrative evaluation.
Matthew S. Kayser, MD, PhD, a Penn Medicine assistant professor, has received a Clinical Scientist Development Award from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to explore biomarkers for treatment response in insomnia and depression. The grant will support his research project using a metabolomics platform.
Brown University is developing a fully implantable wireless brain interface system with 'neurograins' that can record and stimulate neural activity with unprecedented detail. The system aims to create a cortical intranet of wireless micro-devices for safe and precise brain-computer interaction.
A study published in JAMA found that VLBW infants who received supplemental, nutrient-enriched donor milk did not exhibit improved neurodevelopment compared to those receiving preterm formula. However, the use of nutrient-fortified donor milk was shown to reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis.
UCSB neuroscientist Kenneth Kosik advocates for fundamental cell biology research into neurodegeneration, which may accelerate understanding of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. He argues that basic science provides a foundation for treatments beyond single diseases and early detection.
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research demonstrates that nicotine suppresses body weight gain in rats independent of food intake. The study suggests a potential link between nicotine exposure and weight regulation, offering insights into the development of obesity pharmacotherapies.
A new DFG Research Training Group at FAU will investigate the relationship between brain development and adult diseases. The group aims to uncover how development processes affect disease susceptibility and identify new targets for therapy.
Darwin is a neuromorphic hardware co-processor developed by Chinese researchers that enables efficient execution of Spiking Neural Networks in resource-constrained embedded systems. It supports flexible configuration and has potential applications in intelligent hardware systems, robotics, brain-computer interfaces, and more.
Scientists uncover network of genes controlling puberty onset, discovering repressors that delay puberty. The study may help develop new treatments for precocious puberty and understand the impact of environmental factors on early puberty onset.
Dr. Story Landis has been awarded the Ralph W. Gerard Prize in Neuroscience for her significant contributions to neuroscience research and public service. She is recognized for her groundbreaking work on synapse formation and neurotrophins, as well as her leadership in transforming NINDS into a training and mentorship hub.
Neurons have developed ways to regulate their electrical activity, preventing overexcitability and non-functional neurons. A new study reveals that unique synapses along the axon initial segment (AIS) modulate neuronal output by acting directly on the AIS.
New grant funds development of efficient genomic data compression software to handle large volumes of genomic data, addressing challenges in data storage and transfer. The project aims to identify commonalities in compression strategies across different types of genomic data.
A study examining umbilical cord clamping and neurodevelopment found that delayed cord clamping was associated with higher scores in fine-motor and social skills in children at age 4, especially in boys. The results suggest positive effects from delayed cord clamping without any adverse effects on overall IQ or behavior.
A team of researchers at the University of Utah has received $1.4 million to further develop an implantable neural interface that allows amputees to control a prosthetic hand with their thoughts and feel sensations of touch and movement.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will develop a state-of-the-art implantable neural device to record and stimulate neurons, helping to restore memory in individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other conditions. The device aims to bridge gaps in the injured brain and enable individuals to form new memories.
An animal study found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect brain changes in young rats hours after a fever-induced seizure, indicating those at risk for developing epilepsy later in life. The MRI signal was not visible in rats that remained epilepsy-free.
Researchers found that Cajal-Retzius cell loss occurred with the onset and development of Alzheimer's disease, concomitant with amyloid pathology and behavioral deficits. The study, published in Neural Regeneration Research, used a mouse model to investigate the relationship between Cajal-Retzius cells and Alzheimer's disease.
A study found that active rats showed higher levels of brain development than lazy rats, suggesting a link between genetic predisposition for exercise motivation and mental maturation. The research suggests that exercising at a young age could help develop neural pathways for motivation.
Depression patients showed characteristic path length and node attributes differences compared to healthy controls. An artificial neural network algorithm demonstrated the effectiveness of brain network metrics in machine learning research and clinical diagnosis of depression.
Research at UC Davis Center for Neuroscience found that maternal viral infection alters brain cell communication and increases risk of autism spectrum disorder. The study discovered a novel biological signaling pathway linking maternal immune activation to disease-linked behaviors.
The Sackler Institute aims to advance understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and develop innovative treatments through collaboration across King's and other research networks. The new institute will foster interdisciplinary training and translation of findings into patient care.
A large study found that moderate drinking during pregnancy does not seem to affect a child's ability to balance. However, social advantage may be a factor, as more affluent and educated mothers tend to drink more. Better static balance was associated with greater levels of affluence and educational attainment.