Articles tagged with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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A new study found that the insula plays a major role in generating spontaneous neuronal bursts in preterm babies, essential for strengthening brain connections. The bursts are also linked to healthier cognitive skills and reduced risk of cerebral palsy.
A study using fMRI scans found that reduced neural activity in teens at high risk of adult obesity may be an early predictor. The researchers discovered that lean adolescents with a family history of overweight parents showed less self-regulation activity than their peers.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that consuming walnuts activates the right insula, a brain area linked to cognitive control and salience. This activation is associated with reduced hunger and increased feelings of fullness.
Researchers manipulate brain connections to enhance or impair cognitive functions, offering potential therapeutic applications for psychiatric disorders and learning disabilities.
The study found that brain activity in regions called the default mode network represent a kind of higher-level processing, building up representations of what's happening in the world around us. Participants who had previously watched the 'Sherlock' episode could anticipate events and recall them in the same order, suggesting that chu...
Researchers at the University of Delaware used a new mirror box illusion to study how the brain processes multiple sensory inputs. The study found that the brain uses biomechanical constraints from the body schema to resolve conflicts between senses, with vision typically ruling but also considering additional information.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found that fMRI and EEG can identify covert consciousness in ICU patients, allowing families to make informed decisions about care. The tests detected activity in higher-order cortex areas of the brain, which could have implications for patient recovery.
Researchers used fMRI to analyze brain activity in children with ASD, identifying relationships between emotional lability and neuronal activity in two brain regions. The study suggests that differences in neuronal network interactions may play a role in emotion regulation variability in individuals with ASD.
Researchers identified specific brain regions that correlate with improved social abilities after a virtual training program. Adults with higher brain activity in these regions showed better emotional recognition skills.
A new study from the UCLA School of Nursing found that the insular cortex, a region involved in stress and cardiovascular control, reacts differently between men and women when presented with certain stimuli. This difference may affect how cardiovascular diseases manifest and are diagnosed in each sex.
Researchers found that changing tasks frequently interferes with brain activity, leading to worse results than focusing on one task at a time. Brain areas like posterior temporal and dorsomedial prefrontal cortices work more efficiently when dealing with one task.
Gambling addiction is characterized by excessive risk-taking despite negative results, according to Kyoto University research. The study found that addicts have a poor ability to assess and adapt to high-risk situations, leading to an unhealthy bent towards risky choices.
Researchers used fMRI to explore the role of imagination and willpower on patience. They found that imagining consequences can increase patience without relying on increased willpower, and that this approach may be more sustainable than exerting willpower.
A new study found that brain signals associated with fullness are dulled in obese children, leading them to overeat and gain weight. Obese children's brains responded more strongly to high-calorie foods after eating, suggesting a blunted satiety response.
A study by Ohio State University researchers reveals that the brain combines 2-D and depth information when representing 3-D objects. The fMRI data showed that early visual areas focus on 2-D location, while later areas prioritize depth information, suggesting a gradual shift towards 3-D perception.
A new study by Wayne State University researchers suggests that brain networks at rest are potentiated for action. Using fMRI data, the team found increased network interactions from the SMA to the dACC during rest periods.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that a time-honored mnemonic method can be taught to people with no prior hint of prodigious memorization skills. The method, known as the 'method of loci,' induces patterns of activity within new trainees' brains that closely resemble those of memory athletes.
A study by Emory University used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to analyze the brain activity of canine candidates. The results found that brain scans could predict which dogs would fail a rigorous service training program with a significant improvement in accuracy, helping organizations identify unsuitable dogs earlier. ...
A wearable brain-imaging device has been used to measure brain synchronization during conversation, providing insights into how people understand each other. The technology can be used to study various social interactions and improve communication in different environments.
Researchers have developed software to decode digital brain data, enabling rapid progress on the ability to monitor neural activity and understand learning, memory, and cognitive functions. The collaboration has reduced processing time from days to less than a second.
A new study reveals that mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients exhibit changes in brain connectivity that can aid in diagnosis and predict cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Resting-state functional MRI assessments can serve as a sensitive biomarker for early mTBI diagnosis and patient performance.
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.
A study found that brain responses to rewards are a significant predictor of pain symptoms in adolescents, with patterns of reward processing at age 14-15 predicting pain complaints at age 16-17. Genetic variants affecting pain sensitivity may also play a role.
Duke University researchers identified the caudate nucleus as the brain structure responsible for forming direct links between environmental stimuli and enhanced focus. By repeating exposure to specific faces, participants could trigger automatic focus and bypass distractions.
Researchers at the Center for BrainHealth found a strong link between impulsive personality and high body mass index (BMI). Individuals with an impulsive personality were more likely to exhibit altered neural function, which may contribute to weight gain. The study suggests that addressing impulsive personality traits could be key to d...
Researchers found that brain activity patterns, particularly within two networks involved in error detection and interference processing, can predict treatment response. Patients who showed stronger communication between these networks were less likely to benefit from antidepressants.
The American Academy of Neurology published a guideline suggesting the use of brain imaging to locate language and memory functions before epilepsy surgery. The guideline found weak evidence for the effectiveness of functional MRI (fMRI) in evaluating language abilities, but moderate evidence for its potential in predicting verbal memo...
A USC-led study found that people are less flexible when considering counter-evidence on political issues, but more so on non-political statements. The brain's Default Mode Network and amygdalae regions were activated in response to belief challenges.
Scientists have developed a technique to analyze brain patterns, which could help treat anxiety, eating disorders, and other conditions. By using decoded neurofeedback, researchers reduced fear responses in subjects by associating the stimulus with positive outcomes.
Researchers traced neural activity patterns in mice, revealing synchronized and symmetric activity coursing around the brain. This discovery connects to enigmatic signals detected in 'resting-state' fMRI, offering new insights into brain-wide neural activity.
A team of researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and acoustic analysis to study how children's brains respond to emotional speech cues. They found that lower frequency characteristics in voice spectra may play a significant role in understanding brain activity and differentiating emotional processing.
Researchers found disrupted brain circuitry in service members with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) who developed depression symptoms, linking physical foundation to emotional processing and rumination. This study may lead to personalized treatment strategies for future care.
Researchers found that brain connections change with age, but compensate for this by using new strategies to remember things. The study used fMRI data to analyze brain activity in individuals, revealing distinct patterns of connectivity among older people.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that as people age, their brain activity becomes less cohesive, with smaller groups of connected regions. This loss of coherence is associated with aging and may be linked to age-related impairments.
Researchers analyzed brain activity in people with musical anhedonia, finding reduced activity in the nucleus accumbens. This suggests a link between music processing and reward system, highlighting its evolutionary importance.
Researchers compared the effectiveness of fMRI and polygraph tests in detecting deception, finding that fMRI outperformed polygraph with up to 90% accuracy. The study suggests that fMRI may be a valuable tool in criminal proceedings, particularly when used in sequence with polygraph.
Researchers at Wayne State University will use a new $3.2 million NIH grant to investigate impaired learning and memory in schizophrenia from the perspective of brain plasticity, function and network dynamics. The study aims to explore interventions that may normalize abnormal markers of the illness.
Researchers aim to create personalized brain signatures for effective PTSD treatment using biomarkers and functional MRI scans. The study will track 160 veterans receiving psychotherapy to evaluate the predictive value of cognitive biomarkers.
A study by University of York psychologists found that perceiving oneself as obese triggers lower body satisfaction in females compared to males. Brain activity monitoring revealed a link between body perception and emotional processes, shedding light on eating disorder vulnerabilities.
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 Monash University study revealed a 'swallowing inhibition' mechanism in the human body to regulate fluid intake and prevent over-drinking. The research showed that drinking too much water can cause potentially fatal water intoxication, highlighting the importance of listening to thirst cues rather than following an elaborate schedule.
Research from the Center for BrainHealth found that smokers' beliefs about nicotine content impact their brain's response to smoking. The study used fMRI scans to show that participants who believed a cigarette contained nicotine experienced different neural activity compared to those who believed it didn't.
Anna Rieckmann at Umea University has received a 5-year ERC Starting Grant to study the neural basis of cognitive functions using a new imaging technique combining fMRI and PET. This project aims to understand biological processes underlying brain activity, with potential implications for aging-related cognitive decline.
Researchers used advanced brain imaging techniques to study how beer flavor affects brain activity in beer drinkers. The study found that the right ventral striatum, a deep structure linked to motivated behavior and reward, showed increased activity in response to beer taste.
Researchers at Brigham Young University found that software developers often interrupt users with security messages at inconvenient times, leading to a significant decrease in user engagement. The study suggests that displaying security warnings when users are not multitasking can substantially increase their security behavior.
A new study published in Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience suggests that many dogs prefer praise from their owners over food. The study, led by Gregory Berns at Emory University, used brain-imaging data and behavioral experiments to investigate canine reward preferences.
A study using brain scans of musician Sting found unexpected connections between seemingly disparate songs, including Beatles' "Girl" and Piazzolla's "Libertango". The research employed novel techniques to analyze brain activity patterns, revealing rich representations of desired soundscapes in great musicianship.
The study used fMRI to measure human brain activation and found that it can predict brain activity patterns within 70% accuracy. The researchers developed a novel approach to map semantic characteristics of words and correlated them with neural activity patterns.
A new MIT study reveals that brain regions dedicated to reading already exist with pre-existing connections even before children learn to read. These connections can predict the precise location where each child's word recognition area develops.
Researchers found a correspondence between a patient's ability to generate an EEG marker of attention and their ability to produce the critical clinical marker of awareness. This relationship existed for patients who could only follow commands with fMRI, making EEG a potential diagnostic tool for disorders of consciousness.
Researchers at UC Davis used DREADDs technology to temporarily turn off the amygdala, a key region for emotions, and found changes in activity across the entire brain. This study suggests that altered brain connectivity may be used to determine pathology sites in complex disorders like schizophrenia and autism.
A recent study has mapped 180 distinct areas in the human brain's outer mantle, or cortex, more than twice the number previously known. The researchers developed software that automatically detects the unique 'fingerprint' of each area in individual brain scans, with a nearly 97% detection rate.
Researchers at University Hospitals Case Medical Center are conducting a clinical trial using Philips fMRI Scanner to detect brain activation in patients with early and middle stages of Alzheimer's. The study aims to develop faster and more precise real-time methods for fMRI experimentation, which may help improve diagnosis accuracy.
A new study found that methylene blue increased response in brain areas controlling short-term memory and attention, leading to improved reaction times and memory retrieval. The results suggest that methylene blue can regulate certain brain networks related to sustained attention and short-term memory after a single oral low dose.
Researchers at Linköping University found that common fMRI analysis methods produce false positives, leading to inflated false positive rates. The team's alternative method yielded more accurate results, reducing the false positive rate from 60% to 5%.
A UCL study found that the habenula, a region that responds to bad experiences, functions abnormally in people with depression. In healthy adults, this region activates when expecting aversive events, but in depressed individuals, it decreases activation. The study suggests the theory on the habenula's role in depression needs rethinking.
Researchers at MUSC discovered that blood flow does not precisely follow local neural activity, challenging the long-held assumption that vascular and neural responses are tightly coupled. This finding suggests that fMRI may only reveal a blurred representation of underlying neural activity.
A Dartmouth-Princeton study found that people can intentionally forget past experiences by altering the context of those memories. Participants who were told to forget random words showed a 'flushing out' of scene-related activity from their brains, while remembering led to increased recall.
Researchers at the Center for BrainHealth will investigate how changes in brain blood flow affect cognition in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). They will use fMRI to examine cerebral blood flow and neural metabolic rate, aiming to pinpoint the brain systems responsible for cognitive slowing in MS.
A new machine learning algorithm can identify human facial expressions based on neural activity, with a 60% success rate. The area of the brain responsible for this task is the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), which activates when looking at images of different facial expressions.