Articles tagged with Brain Structure
Researchers identified areas of the infant visual cortex that already show strong preferences for faces, bodies, or scenes, similar to those in adults. This challenges the traditional view that these regions take years to develop, suggesting a more rapid emergence of specialized brain structures.
Researchers at Virginia Tech explore mitochondrial differences in CA2 neurons, which encode social memories in the hippocampus. They found unique mitochondrial characteristics in individual neurons, influencing plasticity and behavior.
Researchers at Rutgers University have linked Fragile X and SHANK3 deletion syndrome, both associated with autism and health problems, to walking patterns. The study used motion-sensored sneakers to detect gait problems 15-20 years before clinical diagnosis, offering a potential framework for early intervention.
Dampwood termites exhibit brain changes in anticipation of cognitive demand, specifically in visual processing regions. This experience-expectant plasticity is seen before the individual molts into a king or queen, highlighting the insects' adaptability and unique role within the colony.
Researchers have discovered a protein interaction that helps guide cells from the eye to a tiny midbrain processing hub during brain development. The absence of this beacon molecule, called nephronectin, leads to improper visual layer formation and hunting difficulties in mice.
Researchers from The Stuber Lab discovered that certain neurons in the brain light up in obese mice, preventing signals that indicate satiety. The study found that these neurons communicate with regions involved in depression and motivation, suggesting a link between eating disorders and addiction.
Researchers at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre have discovered a new brain circuit that enables mice to override their instincts based on previous experience. The ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN) inhibits threat reactions when animals feel safe, but activates them when danger is perceived.
Researchers have created a human disease model of FCMD using stem cells from a patient, which successfully mimicked the disorder's brain defects. The study found that a small compound called Mannan-007 can restore αDG glycosylation and reduce FCMD-related defects.
Researchers used fractal analysis to study brain network patterns while listening to a story. The results show that complex thoughts are reflected in high-order dynamic correlations in neural activity patterns.
Researchers tracked fruit flies' ability to interpret information while asleep, discovering a specific brain region involved in processing salient smells. The study used defined fly brains to analyze neural connections, finding that aversive odors woke the flies up more often than attractive ones.
A neural model suggests that conspiracy theories are a result of the brain's tendency to simplify complex information and associate it with emotional experiences. This theory challenges traditional views on the origins of conspiracy theories, proposing a link between genetic determinism and neuronal activity.
A PLOS study found that low-frequency magnetic stimulation can improve episodic memory by reducing beta-waves in the brain. The study, led by Mircea van der Plas and Simon Hanslmayr, used slow rTMS over the left prefrontal cortex to enhance verbal memory formation.
Brain activity during wakefulness presents large integrated and dynamic network modules, which tend to vanish or fragment during sleep or under general anesthesia. The researchers built artificial time-evolving networks to test and benchmark algorithms for detecting these structures.
A large study found that education and income have varying relationships with brain volume and cognitive scores across different populations. The associations were strongest in childhood development, suggesting socioeconomic status may not specifically protect the brain from aging effects.
Researchers at University of Toronto found that the brain's prefrontal cortex generalizes perceptual experiences from different senses, producing sensations even without direct experience. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging and massage stones to capture neural activity patterns in the brain.
Georgia State University researcher Vince Calhoun has received a $3.5 million grant to develop new methods for capturing dynamic connectivity in the brain and identifying biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers aim to analyze real-time connectivity patterns to predict future cognitive decline.
Researchers have created brain organoids from people with 16p11.2 genomic variations, which exhibit differences in brain size seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study revealed new information about molecular mechanisms that malfunction when this region is disrupted, providing opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a smartwatch technology that can monitor and help lower stress levels by detecting changes in skin conductance response. The device sends reminders to listen to relaxing music when stress is detected, forming a closed-loop system.
Researchers used CT scans to digitally reconstruct the brain, inner ear, and surrounding bones of two well-preserved Daspletosaurus specimens, finding more variation in braincase structure than expected. The study suggests that these variations may provide insights into the sensory biology and life of the dinosaur.
Researchers uncover a neuro-immune process by which brain signals instruct immune function in visceral fat stores, providing new approaches for fighting obesity and related illness. The study identifies a critical mediator of neuro-immune communication, mesenchymal cells, and reveals the molecular messages exchanged across all steps.
A new study developed a successful approach for identifying proteins in different types of neurons in the brain of a living animal. The technique uses a virus to tag neighboring proteins, allowing researchers to analyze the entire proteome inside living neurons.
Researchers found that observing an experienced mouse mother train another female mouse to care for her pups led to the production of oxytocin in the brains of virgin females. This neural response enabled them to mimic maternal behavior without direct interaction.
New research published in eNeuro found that premature babies' brain connections at birth can predict their future emotional and social development. The study discovered a link between the strength of the uncinate fasciculus, a white matter tract involved in emotional regulation, and emotion moderation skills in preschoolers.
A new study from Northwestern University found that primary touch-sensitive neurons respond to multiple types of touch and varying degrees. Researchers developed a comprehensive technique to stimulate rats' whiskers in three dimensions while recording brain activity, revealing that these neurons communicate touch in a more complex manner.
A mobile interventional stroke team traveled to patients for emergency surgery, resulting in better patient outcomes and reduced disability. The MIST model addresses the need for timely access to life-saving procedures like endovascular thrombectomy.
Researchers at City of Hope developed a powerful miniature brain platform to study the causes of Alzheimer's disease and test dementia drugs in development. They used human stem cell technology to model sporadic Alzheimer's disease, finding that exposure to serum from blood can induce multiple symptoms.
EPFL researchers have mapped the genetic and developmental trajectories of embryonic cells towards their fate in the maturing brain. They analyzed gene expression profiles from mouse embryos every day from day 7 to birth, revealing diversity in neuronal progenitors and organizer radial glial cells that guide cell development.
A new study reveals that learning Braille changes the brain's white matter, with somatosensory and visual cortices strengthening connections at varied rates. The research found that white matter in both regions underwent significant reorganization, with notable differences in timing and extent.
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins University used machine-learning and brain imaging to quantify the association between objects in our surroundings. They identified a specific brain region involved in this process, which enables us to build context and set expectations for the world.
A new study using Egyptian fruit bats finds that mammals share a neural 'GPS system' representing near-future locations. The brain activity of bats showed strong correlation with their flight paths in the near future, but not at present.
Researchers have created the first atlas of a bumblebee brain based on computed tomographic (CT) data, providing insights into spatial orientation in insects. The study, published in Cell and Tissue Research, aims to advance research on neuronal circuits and their applications in humans.
A recent study published in Neuron has identified the anterior cingulate cortex as a key brain region involved in linking actions to their outcomes. The finding sheds light on compulsive behaviors such as OCD and addiction, which are thought to result from impairments in this brain region.
Researchers used functional MRI to understand how the brain's reward areas react to e-cigarette aerosols with and without flavor. For smokers, unflavored e-cigarettes may mimic the typical smoking experience more than flavored e-cigarettes.
A new resource provides a cellular and spatial map of the choroid plexus, revealing its constituent cell types, gene expression profiles, and molecular makeup. The atlas shows differences in tissue architecture, immune activity, and vascular arrangement across different life stages, offering insights into brain development and immunity.
Researchers are developing innovative computational tools to illuminate how genetic factors impact brain structure and function, particularly in Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to accelerate the discovery of robust imaging biomarkers of neurological disorders.
Researchers found that HVC neurons increase activity during solo syllable production and decrease when the partner sings, suggesting inhibition of motor circuits. This neural mechanism enables rapid turn-taking in duet singing, where males and females rapidly take turns singing at a rate of 2 to 5 Hz.
Researchers have identified a specific brain region that facilitates recovery from long-term traumatic memories, known as the nucleus reuniens. By enhancing its activity, they found that long-lasting traumatic memories can be facilitated towards safety.
New research published in JNeurosci found that brain areas active while viewing pictures of hands also encode if a 3D tool is held properly. This challenges current understanding of how the brain controls hand movement and could improve brain-machine interfaces for prosthetics.
Research suggests that fish may experience painful events despite lacking certain brain regions associated with human pain processing. The UTA team drew on contemporary neuroscience to argue that the brain can compensate for such regions, implying a higher likelihood of pain in fish.
Researchers at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown discover distinct compartments within the VMH that control female receptivity and rejection. Progesterone receptors exhibit significant changes across reproductive cycle, suggesting a complex neural basis for female socio-sexual behavior.
A new study found that solitary paper wasps experience reduced facial recognition abilities due to lack of social interaction. This impact is reflected in smaller visual areas of their brains, affecting individual identity processing and social behavior.
A recent study has discovered a profound loss of ability to experience pleasure in people with early-onset dementia, known as frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Grey matter deterioration in the 'pleasure system' of the brain was found, distinct from those implicated in depression or apathy.
A new deep neural network architecture can differentiate between healthy and diseased skin images with high accuracy, offering a potential screening tool for systemic sclerosis. The proposed network reached 100% accuracy in training and validation sets, outperforming traditional CNNs.
Researchers from the University of Turku found that hypnosis shifts brain regions into a less synchronized state, allowing for more independent action. This finding provides new insights into how hypnosis modifies neural processing and may explain its effects on behavior and perception.
A meta-analysis of 17 studies found that participants could regulate neural activity in targeted regions using rtfMRI-NF, with a moderate impact during training and increased impact later without feedback. The study suggests a positive impact on brain and behavioral outcomes, but more research is needed to determine its effectiveness.
Researchers created a detailed brain map of C. elegans, uncovering modular structure and variation in neural circuits that complement core circuitry found across animals. The study's findings suggest the worm's brain processes information through layers, with convergence of different neural circuits enabling integration and coordination.
A new study published in EPJ B reveals that inhibitory interneurons make up 20% of the brain's circuitry required for pain processing. The researchers used graph theory to model the brain's complex networks, uncovering a specific configuration of interneurons crucial for modulating information transmission.
Researchers have developed a new brain stimulation technique that can predict individual responses to treatment, paving the way for personalized therapies. The technique uses machine-learning models to analyze brain activity across multiple regions and adjust stimulation doses in real-time.
A new study by researchers in Japan has examined the brain activity of thirty programmers of diverse levels of expertise, finding that seven regions of the frontal, parietal and temporal cortices in expert programmer's brain are fine-tuned for programming. Expert programmers' brains show enhanced cortical representations of source code.
The DEEPER project develops new photonic technologies to access deep brain regions and reveal molecular and cellular dysfunctions underlying neurological disorders. The project aims to develop minimally invasive tools for treating diseases such as Alzheimer's, addiction, and depression.
Researchers have identified a stable biomarker for ADHD in brain connectivity, allowing for near-perfect detection of the disorder. A machine learning model achieved 99% accuracy in identifying adults diagnosed with ADHD as children.
Researchers at Max-Planck-Gesellschaft found a neural circuit in zebrafish that enables them to focus on one stimulus over others, allowing for escape from predators. The circuit involves the tectum and nucleus isthmi brain regions.
A team of researchers has identified a functional 'rich club' of brain regions that orchestrate the global workspace, a concept proposed by psychologist Bernard Baars in 1988. The study, published in Nature Human Behavior, used fMRI data from over 1,000 participants to reveal unique brain regions coordinating information from various s...
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that humorously presented news clips enhance memory retention and sharing among young adults, making them more likely to engage with politics. This social nature of comedy is linked to increased brain activity related to thinking about others' opinions.
In adult brains, astrocytes eliminate excessive and unnecessary synapses to maintain plasticity. This process is crucial for controlling synapse numbers and neural circuit maturation.
Researchers identified a novel coupling mechanism linking neuronal networks using human intracerebral recordings, revealing high-frequency oscillations synchronize across multiple brain regions.
A study of 40,000 adults found that lonely individuals have distinct brain regions and networks, including a stronger default network and preserved fornix nerve fibers. This could help prevent neurological disease and develop better treatments for loneliness.
Researchers found that factual language evokes stronger brain responses than possible language, highlighting the power of fact-based communication in processing information. The study's findings suggest that our brains have a specialized representation for factual information, which is distinct from those for possibilities.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that observing safe peers can encourage young people to make healthier decisions. The research team found that substance-naïve teens were more likely to follow their safe peers' choices, leading to safer outcomes.
A new chip has been developed that can be surgically implanted to read neural signals and stimulate the brain with both light and electrical current. The chip is fully wireless and trimodal, allowing for precise control over targeted regions of the brain.