Articles tagged with Brain Structure
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.
A new study in Nature identifies strategies for tying brain function and structure to behavior and health, improving the reliability of brain-wide association studies. By strategically selecting participants and collecting multiple scans, researchers can obtain more dependable results with fewer participants.
Researchers found overlapping genetic underpinnings between rhythm-related skills and language-related traits, including dyslexia. The study identified 16 regions of the genome that overlapped between rhythm and language, suggesting a complex genetic architecture shared by these fundamental human traits.
Researchers developed MoPEDE, a method combining genetic data and brain activity to pinpoint epileptic seizure origins. This approach offers deeper insights into epilepsy mechanisms, potentially leading to personalized treatments.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have found that treating the intestine after a stroke can significantly reduce long-term cognitive impairment. The study suggests that repairing the gut is crucial in facilitating stroke recovery and reducing the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
EPFL researchers developed detailed computational models of rat hippocampal and somatosensory cortex regions, simulating brain activity and studying the roles of each part. The models' three-dimensional geometry allows for testing with new experimental data and exploring a wide range of phenomena.
A new study found that cannabis use worsens reduced brain connectivity in individuals at high risk of psychosis. This deficit is associated with symptoms like social withdrawal and lack of motivation, which are difficult to treat with current medications.
A team of MIT engineers developed an algorithm to identify causal links in complex systems, taking data from various sources and analyzing interactions between variables. The method generates a causality map linking variables with likely cause-and-effect relationships, including synergistic and redundant links.
A team of researchers has identified a genetic link between rare brain malformations and protein folding defects in children. The study found that specific genetic changes can affect the function of proteins within cells, leading to abnormal cell behavior.
The F.M. Kirby Research Center has driven critical breakthroughs in understanding the human brain in health and disease, aiding discoveries of effective diagnoses and interventions for various conditions.
The TTUHSC team will conduct a needs assessment and create an action plan to strengthen clinical and community-based research, guided by strategic translational research themes. The goal is to address health disparities in the region through community-based participatory research.
Researchers at EPFL have created a unique experimental setup combining non-invasive deep-brain stimulation, virtual reality training, and fMRI imaging to improve spatial memory. The study shows that targeted electric impulses to the hippocampus can temporarily increase brain plasticity, leading to better navigation and recall.
A study found that people's choices between safe and risky options are influenced by their perception of an observer's opinion. After initial biases, participants learned to correctly predict their partners' choices and adjusted their behavior accordingly.
Scientists have discovered a long non-coding RNA called CHASERR that regulates the production of the CHD2 gene, which is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. The study found that patients with a deletion of this RNA had excessive CHD2 protein production, leading to severe intellectual delays and other symptoms.
A new Concordia study reveals that bilingualism is associated with larger and healthier hippocampi in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The research found no evidence of hippocampal atrophy in bilinguals across the continuum of Alzheimer’s development.
A team of researchers at Penn State College of Medicine has developed a high-resolution 3D atlas of the developing mouse brain, providing a comprehensive view of brain development and structure. The atlas, published in Nature Communications, will help researchers understand neurodevelopmental disorders and analyze large-scale data sets.
Scientists have developed novel magnetic nanodiscs that can remotely stimulate parts of the brain, potentially treating neurological and psychiatric conditions. The devices were injected into specific brain regions in mice and triggered by a weak electromagnet, demonstrating precise control over neural activity.
A recent study found that tau protein buildup disrupts the salience network, a crucial communication network in the brain, leading to behavioral changes. The study used advanced medical imaging to analyze the brains of 128 people with early-stage dementia and showed a strong association between tau disruption and behavioral symptoms.
A large cohort study found that early exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides can alter the development of white matter in the brain, with some effects persisting throughout adolescence.
Researchers identified the external globus pallidus as responsible for impaired decision-making in mice with Parkinson's disease treated with pramipexole. Hyperactivation of this region was linked to poor risk-taking behavior and reduced effectiveness of treatments.
Researchers used fMRI to observe brain activity in participants exposed to varying levels of pain stimuli, manipulating their expectations about the level of pain. The study found that higher-level networks integrated pain-related signals into the experience of pain by adding preserved expectation and stimulus information together.
Researchers at Emory University used spiny mice as a laboratory model to study the neural mechanisms of group living in mammals. The study found that neural signaling from the brain's anterior cingulate cortex drives the preference for spiny mice to affiliate with large peer groups.
A new study using advanced MRI techniques has discovered a functional backbone formed by robust, delay-free interactions that serve as the core of communication in the brain. Weaker connections amplify the system's potential functional states, providing flexibility.
Researchers Dr. Marx and Prof. Gilon propose a novel tripartite mechanism of neural memory based on metal-centered complexes within the nECM/PNN, enabling the encoding of emotive states through biochemical interactions. This new understanding underscores the need for a more holistic approach to grasp brain function and mental processes.
Researchers have developed novel photoacoustic probes for neuroscience applications, enabling visualization of neurons in specific brain regions. The probes use a combination of protein and synthetic dye to bind to chemicals and emit sound waves that can be detected by imaging equipment.
A study at the University of Helsinki discovered a new type of degenerative brain disease, limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), prevalent among the oldest old. LATE is associated with similar symptoms to early Alzheimer's but progresses more slowly and is milder.
A new study from the University of Washington suggests that cortical implants like Blindsight, developed by Neuralink, will not provide high-resolution vision. Instead, researchers found that a single electrode stimulates only one neuron, and image sharpness is determined by thousands of neurons in the brain.
A new study from University of Florida researchers found that quick learners rely on the visual cortex in their brains when acquiring new motor skills. The study used brain-monitoring electrodes to analyze how people learn to walk at different speeds, revealing a clear difference between fast and slow learners.
Researchers have developed Nano-MIND technology, which uses magnetism to selectively activate specific deep brain neural circuits, modulating complex brain functions such as cognition and emotion. The technology has been successfully tested in animals, demonstrating its potential to regulate feeding behaviors and maternal instincts.
Research reveals that neurons expressing estrogen receptor 1 (LS Esr1) in the lateral septum are crucial for reward-seeking and methamphetamine addiction. Targeting these neurons and HCN1 channels may be a promising strategy for treating drug addiction.
Researchers found that patterns of neural activity in the hypothalamus predict performance in survival tasks, while associations with other brain regions were observed for hunting and escaping behaviors. The study provides new insights into how the human brain coordinates survival strategies.
Nerve cells in the hippocampus region of the bat brain encode information on multiple characteristics of other individuals, including sex and dominance hierarchy. This study sheds light on how the brain operates and generates thinking processes and behavior.
A study published in Radiology found that brain connectivity on MRI scans can predict the progression of brain atrophy in patients with mild Parkinson's disease. The researchers used MRI data to generate a map of the brain's neural connections, which showed potential in predicting gray matter atrophy accumulation over time.
Researchers found that women who had their ovaries removed before menopause experience reduced white matter integrity in multiple brain regions. This reduction may contribute to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia later in life.
A new technology combining holographic acoustic devices with genetic engineering allows precise targeting of affected neurons in the brain, potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases. The technique, AhSonogenetics, uses a noninvasive wearable ultrasound device to alter genetically selected neurons in mice, alleviating Parkinson's-...
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that depressive symptoms are linked to subsequent memory decline in older people, and conversely, poorer memory is associated with an increase in depressive symptoms. The researchers suggest that addressing depressive symptoms may help slow down memory decline.
Using fMRI, researchers analyzed brain activity while participants experienced sustained pain and pleasure induced by capsaicin and chocolate fluids. The study identified common brain regions activated by both experiences and developed predictive models to capture affective intensity and valence information.
Researchers from Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions found that traumatic life events do impact the perception of trauma-related imagery. Viewers' personal history of adversity and trauma was associated with stronger reactions to images depicting injury/trauma.
Researchers discovered that brain's structural features are consistent with a phase transition in humans, mice and fruit flies, suggesting a universal governing principle. The findings could enable new designs for computational models of the brain's complexity.
A study of 30 volunteers found that a poor diet can lead to changes in neurotransmitters and grey matter volume, commonly associated with depression and anxiety. Adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet was shown to prevent these changes.
Researchers found a significant reduction in serine racemase protein levels in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampal subfields of aged rats compared to young rats, suggesting a role in age-associated decline of NMDA receptor function. No sex differences were observed in serine racemase expression.
A study published in Radiology found that low-level light therapy increased resting-state functional connectivity in patients with moderate traumatic brain injuries. The treatment showed improved brain connectivity within the first two weeks, but its long-term effects are still unclear.
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour reveals that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is critical for prosocial behaviors, including helping others. Participants with vmPFC damage exhibited reduced motivation to help, exert less effort, and earned less money compared to control groups.
A study found distinct brain connectivity patterns in six-week-old infants at risk for developing autism spectrum disorder. These early differences predict behavior and may lead to ASD-related behaviors by altering social development.
A team of visionaries at the Carney Institute developed 3D-printed brain and spinal cord implants, revolutionizing surgical implantations and optical access. Bioluminescence imaging overcomes limitations of traditional fluorescent microscopy, providing unprecedented observation of neural and vascular activity.
A study of 23 elderly patients with hypertension found that evening aerobic exercise improved baroreflex sensitivity, a mechanism that regulates blood pressure. This improvement led to better blood pressure regulation and reduced muscle sympathetic nerve activity, making evening exercise more effective than morning exercise.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that stressed participants were more likely to help the victim than punish the perpetrator in a simulated third-party intervention task. The researchers observed higher brain activation in regions linked to decision-making and mentalizing when stressed participants chose to help.
Research finds that female brains have narrower and less dense axons, making them more prone to damage from concussion. This leads to more severe cognitive deficits in females compared to males after a head injury.
A new study using AI technology analyzed MRI scans from 471 men and 560 women, revealing differences in brain organization at a cellular level. The findings highlight the need for diversity in neurological research and may offer new insights into how psychiatric and neurological disorders develop differently in men and women.
A study by IBS researchers has identified the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as a key region responsible for sensory hypersensitivity associated with autism spectrum disorders. The team discovered that ACC hyperactivity and brain-wide hyperconnectivity contribute to sensory abnormalities in Grin2b-mutant mice.
A recent study in Saudi Arabia assessed the effectiveness of an educational program improving epilepsy care among caregivers. The intervention showed a significant decrease in knowledge gaps, with 23.2% having sufficient knowledge post-intervention compared to 60% before.
Researchers developed a new method to accelerate high-resolution ultrasound localization microscopy using deep learning, enabling faster and more accurate imaging of microvascular structures. The technique, called LOCA-ULM, improves spatial resolution and processing speed while maintaining sensitivity for functional imaging.
DZNE researchers aim to measure intricate brain structures with artificial intelligence, using 3D brain scans and data from the Human Connectome Project. The goal is to better understand disease processes and normal brain changes over time.
Researchers at University of Cologne's CECAD Cluster of Excellence discovered that mitochondrial fusion boosts new neuron plasticity. The study found that as new neurons mature, their mitochondria fuse to acquire elongated shapes, sustaining synaptic plasticity and refining brain circuits.
A traumatic brain injury quadruples the risk of developing dementia and neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. USC scientists used lab-grown human brain structures called organoids to study TBI's effects. They identified a gene, KCNJ2, that helps protect nerve cells against injury.
Researchers discovered that mature oligodendrocytes, critical for brain function, can survive for up to 45 days after a fatal trauma, defying the classical programmed cell-death pathway. This finding opens new avenues for understanding and potentially preventing damage caused by aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
A team of researchers has developed the world's first 3D-printed brain phantom, which can be imaged using dMRI. The brain model is made up of microchannels that mimic nerve cells in the brain, allowing for more accurate analysis and research into neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that forming social bonds facilitates quicker and more frequent communication among group members, with neural activity aligning between leaders and followers. The study suggests a potential neurocognitive explanation for the hierarchical structure of human groups.
A neuroimaging study found no significant differences in brain structure or function between individuals reporting anomalous health incidents and matched control participants. The researchers aimed to investigate the neural basis of these incidents among US government personnel stationed internationally.
Researchers developed chronological age prediction models by analyzing gene expression changes in the prefrontal cortex, identifying genes associated with aging and potential mechanisms. The models showed high correlation with age and demonstrated female and male-specific differences.