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Disrupted connectivity of the brainstem ascending reticular activating system nuclei-left parahippocampal gyrus could reveal mechanisms of delirium following basal ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage

Delirium in critically ill patients with basal ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage shows disrupted connectivity between the brainstem's ascending reticular activating system nuclei and the left parahippocampal gyrus. This disruption is linked to delirium occurrence and may serve as a biomarker for prediction.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalNeurosurgical Subspecialties·DateOct 31, 2025

Oh, rats! How the "learning machine" of the brain speaks in different codes

Researchers discovered the basal ganglia use distinct kinematic codes during learned behaviors and natural movements, shedding light on human movement disorders. The findings suggest the basal ganglia play essential roles in learned movements, but not necessarily in routine motor control.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2025
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

A switchboard with precision: How the brain licenses movements

Researchers discovered that specific neurons in the basal ganglia make precise decisions about when to allow and stop movements, licensing the timing of movement. This fine-grained movement control has important implications for understanding neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature·DateMay 28, 2025

Groundbreaking study reveals changes in brain cell composition and gene activity in Tourette syndrome

Researchers analyzed brain tissue from individuals with severe Tourette syndrome and identified three key changes: altered gene activity, regulatory element modifications, and interneuron loss. These findings provide unprecedented insights into the disorder's biology and may explain why individuals experience involuntary movements and ...

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2025

Brown University researchers show how humans learn to optimize working memory

New study finds that limitations on working memory exist due to learning, rather than capacity, and shed light on dopamine-related disorders like Parkinson's, ADHD, and schizophrenia. By understanding this process, clinicians may adopt different treatment options for patients with these conditions.

SourceBrown University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2025

New study finds neurobiological evidence of peripartum depression in women, distinguishing it from major depressive disorder

Researchers have identified structural grey matter differences in the brains of women with a history of peripartum depression compared to those without. The study found that hormone fluctuations during pregnancy and childbirth may be key to understanding this condition.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 5, 2024
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Parkinson’s Paradox: When more dopamine means more tremor

A new study reveals that patients with Parkinson's disease who exhibit rest tremor have more dopamine preserved in the caudate nucleus, a part of the brain important for movement planning and cognition. This challenges traditional understanding of how dopamine loss relates to PD symptoms.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·Journalnpj Parkinson s Disease·TypeObservational study·DateNov 18, 2024

Lighting up the brain: What happens when our ‘serotonin center’ is triggered?

Researchers at OIST used a novel technique to study how activating the brain's serotonin center affects awake animals. They found that serotonin from the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) activates brain areas influencing behavior and motivation, including the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2024

Newly discovered brain cells play a key role in right and left turns

Researchers have identified a network of neurons controlling right-left movements in the brain, which may help treat Parkinson's disease. The discovery provides insight into how essential movements are produced by the brain.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 12, 2024

A wave theory for a neurochemical balance in the brain

Researchers describe traveling waves of acetylcholine in the striatum, revealing a new kind of neurochemical wave. The study proposes a mathematical mechanism by which simultaneous waves of acetylcholine and dopamine arise, maintaining balance in the brain's striatum.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2023
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The timekeeper within: New discovery on how the brain judges time

Scientists found that cooling or warming the striatum region slows down or speeds up activity patterns, which correlates with rats' timing judgements. This provides evidence for the 'population clock hypothesis', suggesting that brains use decentralized and flexible sense of time.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Unraveling the reward behavior: mechanisms underlying the dopamine signaling pathway

A team of researchers identified a protein kinase substrate downstream of the dopamine signaling pathway regulating brain reward behavior. The study found that phosphorylation of potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 2 (KCNQ2) decreases its channel activity, increasing neuronal excitability and promoting reward behavior.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2022

Scientists discover how the brain keeps the urge to act in check

Researchers uncover brain area responsible for driving action and suppressing drive in a novel task designed to study active action suppression. The team identified the dorsomedial striatum as the key region promoting action, while the indirect pathway suppresses it, leading to an 'impulsivity switch'.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2022
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HBP scientists have simulated how the Parkinson’s brain responds to deep stimulation at multiple scales

Researchers used microcircuit models of basal ganglia and thalamus areas to create multiscale models of Parkinson's patient and healthy control brain. They found that in-silico deep brain stimulation could normalize decreased firing rates in subcortical regions, but also caused differential activity in the motor cortex.

SourceHuman Brain Project·JournalExperimental Neurology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 22, 2022

Study finds psychopathic individuals are more likely to have larger striatum region in the brain

A study published in Journal of Psychiatric Research found a significant biological difference between psychopaths and non-psychopaths, with psychopaths having a larger striatum region in the brain. This finding is linked to increased need for stimulation, impulsive behaviors, and higher likelihood of violent behavior.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2022

Smooth movements are achieved by the stable basal ganglia activity

Research shows that stable basal ganglia activity is essential for smooth movements, as disrupting this activity leads to unstable and involuntary movements. The study used a chemogenetic tool to suppress neural activity in the subthalamic nucleus of macaque monkeys, inducing abnormal movements.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 25, 2022

Improving the targeted treatment of movement disorders

Dystonia is characterized by involuntary movements and postures, limiting daily activities. A new study maps specific brain networks for treatment success in patients with cervical and generalized dystonia. The findings reveal distinct stimulation sites depending on the type of dystonia, offering a more targeted approach to improving t...

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Neuroscientists see how practice really does make perfect

Researchers at Duke University used new tools to monitor neurons and analyze machine learning data to see how zebra finches practice their courtship calls. They found that a neurotransmitter called noradrenaline shuts down variability in the song, making it more precise when performed under pressure.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 21, 2021

Research shows promising results for Parkinson's disease treatment

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have found a way to make deep brain stimulation (DBS) more precise, resulting in therapeutic effects that outlast what is currently available. The new protocol uses short bursts of electrical stimulation to target specific neuronal subpopulations, providing longer-lasting benefits.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalScience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 7, 2021

New blueprint of brain connections reveals extensive reach of central regulator

Researchers have created a precise map of brain connectivity from the basal ganglia, revealing new details and a surprising level of influence connected to the basal ganglia. The findings offer a blueprint of the area's architecture that could potentially open additional avenues for intervention of Parkinson's disease and other disorders.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNeuron·DateApr 5, 2021

Multilingual people have an advantage over those fluent in only two languages

A UTokyo-MIT study reveals multilingual adults can learn new languages faster and more efficiently than bilinguals, thanks to increased brain activity. Multilingual participants demonstrated superior language acquisition skills and faster processing times in a simulated Kazakh language learning environment.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 1, 2021

How the brain learns that earmuffs are not valuable at the beach

A new study led by the University of Tsukuba and NEI has discovered a brain circuit that allows monkeys to learn context-dependent object values. The researchers found that fast-spiking neurons in the basal ganglia control motor movements, including eye movements, when learning associations between objects and backgrounds.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2021
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Different types of neurons interact to make reaching-and-grasping tasks possible

Researchers discovered that D1 and D2 neurons work together to perform reaching-and-grasping tasks, with D1 providing the early movement phase and D2 providing the final approach. This study sheds light on the complex mechanisms underlying motor function in the basal ganglia.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 19, 2021

How the brain processes rewards

A study analyzing 190 fMRI studies found that food and erotic images activate the left hemisphere, while money activates both hemispheres. The basal ganglia play a key role in reward processing, with different regions activated depending on the type of reward.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalBrain Imaging and Behavior·DateJan 23, 2020

Song-learning neurons identified in songbirds

A study published in PNAS reveals that corticobasal ganglia projecting neurons play a crucial role in song learning during juvenile development. In contrast, adult birds with disrupted projection neurons maintain their pre-learned song structure and exhibit normal vocal fluctuations.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2019
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

How we tune out distractions

Researchers at MIT have identified a brain circuit that filters out distracting sensory stimuli, allowing us to focus on our chosen input. The circuit is controlled by the prefrontal cortex and involves the basal ganglia, which play a role in controlling attention.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateJun 12, 2019

To predict the future, the brain uses two clocks

Researchers at UC Berkeley found that humans rely on two distinct neural networks to predict the future in tasks like music and sports. The basal ganglia system is sensitive to rhythmic cues, while the cerebellum relies on interval timing based on past experiences.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 20, 2018

Carnegie Mellon's Aryn Gittis named finalist for Science & PINS Prize

Aryn Gittis' research establishes new therapeutic targets for Parkinson's therapies, using optogenetics to identify a subset of neurons in the globus pallidus that play a critical role in restoring movement. Her findings suggest targeting these cells could repair neural circuit dysfunction in diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateAug 2, 2018

Modeling brain connections to understand Parkinson's disease

A computational study models the strength of basal ganglia connections between healthy and Parkinsonian brains, revealing a broad overlap in neural connection strengths. The research could lead to customized therapies specific to individual patterns of neural degeneration.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Computational Neuroscience·DateSep 27, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

UTSA receives $5.29 million grant for brain health research

UTSA has received a prestigious $5.29 million grant to advance its brain health research, focusing on the basal ganglia region and potential treatments for Parkinson's disease. The funding will support local cell signaling research to develop a model of basal ganglia function.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·DateDec 1, 2016

Should I stay or should I go?

Researchers found that the direct and indirect pathways in the basal ganglia play a crucial role in controlling actions, with the direct pathway sustaining action and the indirect pathway allowing switching between actions. This new model could have therapeutic implications for treating diseases like OCD and ADHD.

SourceJLM&A, SA·JournalCell·DateJul 21, 2016

Kicking the habit

Neuroscientists at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon report novel findings that challenge the way the scientific community has been thinking about how actions are selected and habits are formed. The study reveals that two competing pathways in the Basal Ganglia work concurrently to promote distinct, positive outcomes.

SourceJLM&A, SA·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 4, 2016

Dopamine key to vocal learning, songbird study finds

A study on Bengalese finches found that dopamine levels in a specific region of the brain are crucial for correcting vocal errors. The research suggests that dopamine plays a vital role in sensory-motor learning, which underlies skills such as speaking and singing.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·DateMar 15, 2016

Why are habits so hard to break?

New research by Duke University scientists suggests that habits like sugar addiction manifest in the brain's basal ganglia circuitry, leading to a 'go' signal that primes cravings. The study found that mice with formed habits had altered brain activity patterns, including a change in timing between go and stop signals.

SourceDuke University·JournalNeuron·DateJan 21, 2016
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Lack of D1 receptor leads to slowness of movements in Parkinson's disease

Research reveals dopamine transmission via D1 receptors is essential for information flow through the basal ganglia to control movements. Lack of D1 receptor-mediated dopamine transmission disrupts 'direct pathway' and results in slowness of movements in Parkinson's disease.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateOct 6, 2015

How the finch changes its tune

Researchers have discovered a neurological mechanism that explains how songbirds refine and alter their songs as adults, shedding light on the human brain's learning complex motor skills. The finding may have long-term implications for treating neurological conditions.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 3, 2015
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

What songbirds tell us about how we learn

Researchers have identified the basal ganglia as a key brain region involved in vocal learning and variability across species. By studying songbirds, they found that this area is responsible for generating variability to aid in learning and performance.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuron·DateApr 8, 2014

How does the brain create sequences?

Researchers have found that neurons in the basal ganglia can signal the concatenation of individual elements into a behavioural sequence. The study's findings suggest that the brain uses a mechanism called chunking to organize memories and actions.

SourceJLM&A, SA·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 26, 2014

Genetic defect keeps verbal cues from hitting the mark

A genetic defect in the FoxP2 gene, commonly associated with human speech problems, disrupts the ability of songbirds to sing effective courtship tunes. Researchers found that the defect impairs a network of nerve cells, leading to stuttering and stammering in affected individuals.

SourceDuke University·JournalNeuron·DateNov 21, 2013
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Songbirds' learning hub in brain offers insight into motor control

Researchers found that a key brain structure acts as a learning hub, receiving information from other regions to improve its song, even when not directly controlling the action. This finding may help treat neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateMay 20, 2012

New study to test unusual hypothesis on beta brainwaves

Jones and Moore's model suggests that neurons in the cortex experience beta oscillations when receiving a combination of two input signals at the right time and strength. The researchers aim to prove their hypothesis using optogenetics and expand their computational model to incorporate upstream brain regions.

SourceBrown University·DateNov 28, 2011

Abnormal oscillation in the brain causes motor deficits in Parkinson's disease

Research at National Institute for Physiological Sciences found abnormal 'oscillatory' electrical signals in subcortical nuclei cause severe motor deficits in Parkinson's disease. Chemical inhibition of the subthalamic nucleus improved motor impairments by reducing oscillations, providing clues for new treatments.

SourceNational Institute for Physiological Sciences·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·DateNov 1, 2011
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Abnormal neural activity recorded from the deep brain of Parkinson's disease and dystonia patients

Abnormal neural activity was recorded from the deep brain of Parkinson's disease and dystonia patients, confirming previous animal study results. The findings suggest that cortically evoked neural responses in the basal ganglia can be used to determine target locations for deep brain stimulation electrodes.

SourceNational Institute for Physiological Sciences·JournalMovement Disorders·DateMar 9, 2011

Research brings cure for Parkinson's disease a step closer

A new analysis suggests that Parkinson's disease can be understood in terms of damage to control circuits in the brain responsible for habits. Removing part of the brain can help patients regain smooth initiation of movements by reducing inhibitory signals from malfunctioning habitual control systems.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalNature Reviews Neuroscience·DateOct 19, 2010

Every action has a beginning and an end (and it's all in your brain)

Researchers discovered that specific brain circuits in the basal ganglia signal the start and stop of new actions, a process compromised in Parkinson's and Huntington's patients. Genetic manipulation of these circuits in mice impaired sequence learning, echoing human patients' struggles with movement initiation and termination.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalNature·DateJul 21, 2010
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Key brain regions talk directly with each other, say Pitt scientists

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have found evidence that the basal ganglia and cerebellum are linked together to form an integrated functional network. This discovery has important implications for understanding Parkinson's disease and dystonia, and may lead to new treatment approaches.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 19, 2010

Unconscious learning uses old parts of the brain

A new study from Karolinska Institutet finds that the limbic striatum, an evolutionarily old part of the brain, is involved in implicit learning of motor sequences. This discovery sheds light on fundamental learning systems shared with primitive vertebrates and has implications for developing treatments for diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2010