Articles tagged with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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New research from the University of Exeter found that viewing pictures of others receiving emotional support reduces the brain's response to threatening facial expressions or words. This effect was particularly pronounced in more anxious individuals, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for mental health conditions like PTSD.
The Bertarelli Program has awarded $3.6 million in grants to five research projects focused on diagnosing and treating hearing loss, as well as developing new treatments for blindness. The projects aim to combine technologies and approaches to accelerate the delivery of new treatments to the clinic.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study used fMRI to investigate the neural basis of the human-pet relationship, finding that important brain structures are activated when women view images of their children and dogs. The study revealed both similarities and differences in brain activity, with some regions showing increased response to ...
The journal tackles past, current and future concepts of sports concussion through advocacy, education, prevention, treatment and groundbreaking research. Recent studies show that persistent post-concussion symptoms may arise from structural or metabolic alterations in the brain.
A new study found that children and teens with ADHD lag behind others in forming connections within their brains, particularly between networks controlling internal and external tasks. This lag may contribute to the disorder's hallmark symptoms of distraction and difficulty focusing.
A new study from Rutgers University-Newark reveals that the ability to persist in the face of personal setbacks may depend on how the news is delivered. The study found that when individuals perceive a loss of control, activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex is necessary to promote persistence.
Researchers have successfully visualized the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on neurons in real-time using voltage-sensitive dyes. The high-resolution imaging data may lead to optimized TMS parameters and learning processes for treating neurological diseases.
Researchers used functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine brain activation during a working memory task in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls. The study found differences in brain activation patterns between the groups that were dependent on task load.
Researchers found that ADHD children use less differentiated learning patterns, leading to suboptimal decisions. The study used mathematical models and multimodal imaging to examine brain activity in participants with and without ADHD.
People with schizophrenia struggle to convert desires into actions due to brain deficits affecting the caudate region. This impairment prevents them from making choices and behaving accordingly. The study's findings suggest that schizophrenics are 'stuck in neutral', wanting a normal life but unable to take necessary steps.
A study found that acupuncture at Waiguan inhibited Brodmann area 5 on the healthy side in stroke patients, indicating a potential mechanism for improving brain function. Acupuncture also activated functional brain areas, suggesting its therapeutic effects.
A new brain imaging study identified the neural mechanisms underlying judgment of punishment for harm caused intentionally or unintentionally. The study found that graphic language influences punishment, but only when harm is intentional, while unintentional harm has no effect on punishment level.
A study found that brain activity in two regions correlates with opposing emotional reactions during win-win choices. This suggests that these circuits evolved for different reasons, one for evaluating the outcome and the other for guiding actions.
Researchers at Caltech and Virginia Tech found that wise traders receive an early warning signal from their brains before price bubbles form in experimental markets. These 'irrational exuberance' individuals buy aggressively during the bubble, while smart traders sell early, causing the bubble to burst and earning them more money.
Researchers discovered a correlation between specific brain activity patterns and sensitivity to market bubbles in high earners. The study found that these individuals ignored nucleus accumbens activity, which is associated with pleasant emotional states, instead focusing on the anterior insular cortex, which is active during bodily di...
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that musical training improves executive functioning in both children and adults. Musically trained individuals showed enhanced performance on cognitive tests and increased activation of specific brain areas associated with executive function.
Smokers who struggle to quit may have weaker response to rewards in their brains, making it harder to overcome nicotine addiction. Researchers used fMRI to study the striatal response to monetary reward in smokers expecting to smoke and those not planning to do so.
UO researchers used EEG electrodes to capture synchronized neural activity while subjects held a simple object in short-term memory. The team was able to decode the precise angle of the object and predict which individuals could store memories with high quality, shedding light on the role of alpha rhythms in memory processes.
Researchers demonstrated the ability to train brain patterns associated with empathic feelings using functional brain imaging. Volunteers who received neurofeedback showed improved brain network function related to tenderness and affection, key components of empathy. This finding may lead to new opportunities for investigating neurofee...
The new diffuse optical tomography (DOT) technology tracks brain processes in multiple regions and networks, providing a non-radiation alternative to fMRI. DOT has the potential to be helpful in many medical scenarios as a surrogate for functional MRI.
Researchers will compare connectivity changes between Lumosity training and active control groups, using fMRI sessions and cognitive assessments. The goal is to identify functional changes in the healthy adult brain that result from cognitive training and relate to improved cognitive performance.
The study found that brain activity in reward areas predicts food cravings, while prefrontal regions predict resistance to temptation. Participants with high prefrontal activity were more successful at controlling their desires.
Acupuncture at Waiguan inhibited Brodmann area 5 on the healthy side of stroke patients, indicating a possible association with a central mechanism for improved outcomes. This study suggests that acupuncture at specific points can have therapeutic effects on brain function in patients with ischemic stroke.
A new study published in The Lancet found that functional brain imaging techniques, such as PET and fMRI, can reliably predict which vegetative patients have the potential to recover consciousness. The research suggests that these techniques can complement standard behavioral assessments to identify patients with a higher chance of lon...
Adolescent girls are more sensitive to untrustworthy faces due to a weaker limbic system connection with the rest of the brain. This leads to heightened responses and a greater disconnection from brain regions involved in regulating responses.
A recent study using brain imaging found that dogs have a stronger response to the scents of familiar humans than other humans or even familiar dogs. The research suggests that dogs' brains have mental representations of their human companions that persist even when they're not present.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have shed light on compensatory mechanisms used by amputees who lose their dominant hand, suggesting new rehabilitation techniques to improve quality of life. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed that brain areas formerly devoted to motor and sensory functions of the amputated...
A new brain imaging study reveals that nicotine withdrawal weakens the connection between two key brain networks: default mode and executive control. This reduced connectivity may lead to increased difficulty in quitting smoking, with up to 80% of people relapsing after trying to quit.
Researchers found that discarding data from subjects with multiple sclerosis who exhibit significant head movement during fMRI may bias sampling away from those with lower cognitive ability. This could lead to skewed results if not addressed by correcting for motion or recruiting a diverse range of participants.
A new Indiana University study found stark differences in brain network activation among alcohol-dependent women, suggesting the anterior insular region may be a key target for treatment. The research indicates that these women have trouble switching between brain networks, affecting their decision-making about drinking.
Researchers have noninvasively mapped human brain activity with unique accuracy, identifying both location and timing of brain processes. The study used a novel brain-scanning technique combining fMRI and MEG data to pinpoint when the brain recognizes objects and categorizes them.
Researchers found that subjects' trust in human agents was strongly linked to their accuracy, whereas the value placed on computer algorithms depended on whether or not their predictions matched. The study's findings highlight the brain mechanisms underlying these kinds of evaluations and have implications for decision-making.
Researchers found that reading a novel can cause changes in the brain's resting-state connectivity that persist for days after reading. The study, published in Brain Connectivity, used fMRI to examine the neural effects of reading a narrative.
Researchers used high-resolution fMRI to identify where Alzheimer's disease starts, spreads from the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) to other areas of the cerebral cortex. LEC dysfunction occurs when changes in tau and amyloid precursor protein (APP) co-exist, damaging neurons that then spread to adjoining regions.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University used fMRI to show that patients in a vegetative state can react emotionally to photographs of family and friends, suggesting they may be aware of their loved ones' presence. The study's findings provide hope for improved care and treatment for these patients.
Researchers at Emory University have confirmed their methods and results by replicating a previous study involving 13 dogs. The experiment showed that most dogs exhibited a positive response in the caudate region when given a hand signal indicating a treat, suggesting similarities with human brain function.
Researchers at Western University found that neurofeedback training can alter key brain networks linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), leading to improved subjective well-being. The study used a combination of EEG and fMRI techniques to measure changes in brain activity and connectivity after a 30-minute neurofeedback session.
A novel rehabilitation device converts thoughts into electrical impulses to improve motor function in stroke patients, enabling them to perform activities of daily living. The device showed promising results in improving motor skills and quality of life for patients with moderate severity strokes.
A new Dartmouth study suggests that chronic dieters overeat when their brain regions that balance impulsive behavior and self-control are disrupted. This depletion reduces a person's ability to engage in self-control by reducing connectivity between brain regions involved in cognitive control and rewards.
A new study by Kessler Foundation scientists investigates the neural correlates of cognitive fatigue in multiple sclerosis using functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. The findings suggest a 'fatigue-network' in persons with MS, which could help define the pathophysiology of this symptom.
Researchers found greater BOLD activation in brain areas typically activated by MS patients during task performance when exposed to warmer temperatures. This suggests neural inefficiency and may impact independence, education, employment, and daily activities.
A study of retired NFL players found abnormal brain activity in the frontal lobe, which may indicate executive function deficits and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The results suggest that fMRI can detect subtle neurological problems not picked up by standard clinical tests.
Researchers found that consciousness does not reside in a specific area of the brain but rather arises from the communication among billions of neurons. The study provides an initial step toward developing a scientific definition of consciousness.
A new USC study found that the brain activates more strongly to watching hateful people suffer compared to likable individuals. The 'pain matrix' of the brain is thought to be involved in processing complex social situations, and this study suggests it may prioritize monitoring enemies over loved ones.
Kessler Foundation collaborates with VA New Jersey Health Care System on a $761,222 grant to examine cognitive fatigue in Gulf War veterans using fMRI. The study aims to establish the set of brain regions critical to fatigue and develop treatments. Cognitive fatigue affects 25% of veterans, impacting daily life.
Scientists have finally mapped the brain region responsible for numerosity, distinguishing between small and large quantities. The discovery reveals a topographical layout of numerosity in the human brain, with neurons organized to facilitate communication and interaction over short distances.
A small study using functional magnetic resonance imaging found that three non-responsive patients could follow commands and communicate through selective auditory attention. The study suggests that this technique assesses basic human cognition, including reasoning and information processing.
Researchers used magnetoencephalography to track brain activity at high temporal resolution, revealing new distinctions in resting and active brain regions. The study provides novel insights into how brain networks function in cooperative groups, which is essential for better diagnosis and treatment of brain injuries.
Researchers used fMRI and EEG to study brain function, mapping a previously unexplored aspect of brain activity. They found that post-stimulus signal in fMRI reflects changes in brain signalling, not just blood flow.
A recent study found that patients with major depressive disorder exhibit abnormal activation of the occipital lobes when processing emotions, leading to cognitive dysfunction. This abnormality may be an initiating factor for depression onset, resulting in attention deficit disorder.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University used fMRI to map the brain's resting state network, confirming its relationship with anatomical structure. The study provides new insights into neural connectivity and its potential applications in diagnosing mental health disorders.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have identified which emotion a person is experiencing based on brain activity using machine learning techniques. The study, led by Karim Kassam, achieved high accuracy levels in identifying emotions from fMRI data and has potential applications in assessing emotional responses to various stimuli.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a low-cost fiber-optic pen that tracks brain activity in real-time while children with learning disabilities read and write. The device, which costs less than $100, allows scientists to study the neural connections involved in writing and reading.
A study using fMRI found that stroke patients' brains exhibit strongest activity in damaged hemisphere regions when viewing actions they struggle with. This suggests a potential therapeutic technique using action-observation to drive plasticity and improve motor function.
Scientists at Kessler Foundation received grants to investigate emotional processing deficits in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the effects of aerobic exercise on memory impairments. The studies aim to develop innovative rehabilitation interventions using objective data from brain imaging.
Researchers can now study song acquisition, storage, and regurgitation in songbirds using MRI, providing parallels to human language acquisition. This technique allows for repeated, long-term developmental measurements of the brain, shedding light on learning, language, and neuroendocrinological plasticity.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience reveals that healthy individuals who experience auditory hallucinations have a unique brain response compared to those without mental illness. The researchers discovered that the primary auditory cortex of these individuals reacts less to external stimuli, allowing them to dir...
A new imaging technique developed by Jean Gotman and his colleagues combines electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to more precisely localize the areas generating epileptic seizures. This allows neurosurgeons to better understand the optimal ways of intervention for patients with epilepsy.
Functional MRI studies show that methylphenidate alters brain activity patterns in areas like frontal lobes and basal ganglia in young patients with ADHD. The medication partially normalizes brain function in these regions, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for ADHD symptoms.
Researchers have identified the V5 region of the brain as the site of motion prediction, enabling humans to perceive objects at predicted locations despite visual processing delays. This discovery has implications for understanding and diagnosing disorders affecting motion perception.