Articles tagged with Brain Structure
A long-term study of over 1,000 people found that childhood lead exposure was associated with structural brain changes and a significant loss of IQ points by age 45. The study revealed subtle but detectable differences in brain structure, including reduced cortical surface area and hippocampal volume.
Empathy and perspective-taking are two essential social skills that enable us to form connections with others. A recent study reveals that both abilities are processed in the brain by a 'main network' specialized in empathy or changing perspective, which is activated in every social situation.
Researchers discovered a specific brain region monitors food preferences as they change across thirsty and quenched states. By artificially manipulating neurons in the ventral pallidum, researchers were able to shift food choice preferences from a desired treat to a plain staple.
Researchers discovered that the anterior cingulate cortex is involved in using mental models to simulate the future and make decisions. The brain structure encodes multiple aspects of decision-making, including the likelihood of a specific outcome.
A study by researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that a neural subnetwork of connected brain regions correlates with future weight loss. The team identified the stomach basal electric rhythm as a key factor in weight loss, suggesting that visual information may play a role in triggering eating.
A new model of human brain networks offers a new tool for exploring individual differences in brain networks, critical for classifications of brain disorders and disease. The model highlights ongoing conversations between brain structures, providing new insights into human behavior and cognition.
Researchers at UCI will examine molecular 4D nucleome changes in the human hippocampus during aging, with a focus on physical activity's effects. The team aims to produce multi-omics cell atlases to understand chromatin organization and function in brain aging.
A study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that musically trained children outperform their non-trained peers in attention and working memory tasks. The research suggests two underlying mechanisms: domain-specific auditory encoding and domain-general attention control.
Researchers have developed an experimental setup allowing them to conduct fMRI studies on awake pigeons, investigating cognitive processes for the first time. The results show that even simple tasks elicit widespread brain activity, paving the way for more complex investigations into avian intelligence.
Researchers developed a complex physical exercise protocol to stimulate different motor and cognitive skills simultaneously, restoring brain regions associated with freezing of gait in advanced-stage Parkinson's disease patients. The protocol reduced symptoms by 60% and improved brain plasticity, providing new hope for treatment.
Infants exhibit increased brain activity and neural flexibility from birth, indicating early development of higher-level brain functions. This emerging flexibility is positively associated with reading ability, academic success, and creativity.
Infants as young as two years old exhibit increased brain flexibility, a key factor in cognitive development, according to UNC-Chapel Hill researchers. This emerging neural ability enables early learning of new motor skills and supports the maturation of higher-level cognitive processes.
Researchers identified a new role for bi-directional connections in accelerating communication between brain regions. By creating loops, these connections can establish resonance and amplify signals, reducing the need for synchronization and increasing network efficiency.
A study published in Neuron explains how the brain generates representations of unitary odor objects. The research team used a combination of brain imaging and models to discover clustered representations of mixtures and groups of odors that are conserved across individual flies.
A study by Matthew Smith and colleagues found that changes in brain activity are linked to shifts in internal states, impacting decision-making. The researchers' discovery could inform understanding of mental conditions like ADHD and improve BCI design.
Scientists selectively bred zebrafish to exhibit distinct personality traits, finding that brain activities soon changed and new brain regions were activated. The study suggests a rapid pace of personality trait changes and potential implications for human behavior.
Research suggests autistic men have greater excitability in the medial prefrontal cortex, affecting social cognition and self-reflection. Women with autism exhibit a more intact response, associated with better camouflaging of social difficulties.
A study published in Hormones and Behavior found that oral contraceptive use affects brain structure and function, particularly in women who start taking them during puberty or adolescence. This can lead to altered stress response and changes in working memory processing.
Researchers are investigating the link between impaired brain hubs and mental health issues using cutting-edge methods. The study aims to understand how hub regions contribute to altered brain network function and behavior, potentially leading to better treatments for brain disorders.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the complex interactions between different brain areas using both electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This approach reveals linked dynamics between EEG- and fMRI-derived connectomes, providing insights into neural communication. The findings s...
Researchers developed a new method to map brain-wide connections using DNA barcodes, reducing costs compared to traditional methods. The approach generates virtually infinite labels to distinguish individual cells, enabling the creation of accurate anatomical maps.
Researchers developed a novel unbiased strategy to identify activated neural inputs underlying specific behaviors. Using mouse models, they demonstrated the input specificity of their approach, tracing activated cell ensembles.
Researchers at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory discovered that the lateral septum tracks rewards with an emphasis on location. This brain region plays a crucial role in filtering and converting raw information about location into reward-specific output.
A team of scientists proposes a memristive neurohybrid chip to create compact biosensors and neuroprostheses with high adaptability. The system combines neural cellular and microfluidic technologies for real-time registration, processing, and stimulation of bioelectrical activity.
Researchers have successfully modified brain activity using non-invasive techniques and characterized its dynamics. The study provides foundational knowledge for future technologies that may expedite cognitive processes and enable adaptive teaming neurotechnologies.
A new 3D atlas of the mouse brain provides cellular-level detail, identifying previously unseen structures and nerve fibers. The Allen Mouse Brain Common Coordinate Framework (CCFv3) is an average of serial images from 1,675 mice, allowing for comparison and integration of diverse data types.
Researchers found reduced brain structure and connection in individuals with body integrity dysphoria, linked to feelings of amputation. The study suggests specific brain anomalies may contribute to the desire for amputation, potentially leading to improved treatment options.
A new, implant-free optogenetics technique successfully manipulated neuron activity in mice and monkeys without causing brain damage. The SOUL protein allowed for light-induced alterations in neuronal responses throughout the entire mouse brain and superficial regions of the macaque brain.
Researchers at MIT developed a new automated AI system that reduces the energy required for training and running neural networks. The system, called a 'once-for-all' network, trains one large neural network comprising many pretrained subnetworks, reducing carbon emissions by low triple digits.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered that fetal surgery to correct congenital spinal cord defects is more effective at healing neurological structure than surgery after birth. The procedure led to improved brain structure and anatomy in three patients with myelomeningocele.
Researchers recreated a three-dimensional image of brain connectivity using tissue scattering and biophysical models. The findings enhance scientists' ability to conceptualize the brain's architecture by allowing the creation of high-resolution images of nerve fiber arrangements.
A genetic study by the University of Trento identified a crucial molecule (Wnt inhibitory factor 1, Wif1) in the correct composition of habenula neurons and their connectivity. This discovery may provide new insights into the causes of neurological disorders like autism.
A new study by the University of Geneva reveals that elderly individuals with low agreeableness are better protected against Alzheimer's disease. Brain imaging and psycho-cognitive evaluations showed that these individuals have preserved brain regions damaged in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Stanford University used brain imaging to forecast how long people will watch videos online. They found that brain responses, not self-reports, predict video popularity. Longer video views were associated with activity in reward-sensitive regions of the brain.
Researchers found that 4-year-olds can understand others' thoughts, but younger children can predict behavior based on surface-level cues. The brain has two distinct systems for perspective-taking, which mature at different ages.
In a study published in Current Biology, researchers found that rats exhibit harm aversion, stopping use of their preferred lever when it would cause pain to a neighboring rat. This phenomenon is linked to the same brain region associated with empathy in humans, suggesting that harm aversion is deeply ingrained in our biology.
Researchers discover chemical cues in orchid that stimulate mosquitoes' sense of smell, attracting them like flowers. The scent contains nonanal and lilac aldehyde, which stimulate mosquito antennae and draw in multiple species.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that daily smoking and heavy drinking may be associated with modest increases in relative brain age. Researchers used machine learning methods and MRI to analyze data from over 17,000 individuals and discovered a correlation between smoking habits and increased brain age.
Research published in PNAS reveals that brain networks 'come online' during adolescence, allowing teenagers to develop complex adult social skills. However, this process may also increase the risk of mental illness.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that mosquitoes are drawn to certain flowers like the blunt-leaf orchid due to a finely balanced bouquet of chemical compounds. The team discovered that combining specific chemicals stimulates the mosquito brain, drawing in mosquitoes as effectively as a real flower.
Researchers propose hybrid architectures to advance brain-inspired neuromorphic computing, focusing on operational functions needed to process information efficiently. The future of computing will not be about scaling components, but rethinking processor architecture to emulate brain efficiency.
Researchers discovered that altruistic individuals experience less physical pain than controls. Brain activity scans revealed a correlation between altruism and decreased pain activity in the brain's medial prefrontal cortex.
Researchers found that specific patterns of brain connectivity were associated with the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and major depressive disorder. By examining brain architecture at age 7, the study identified potential links between brain development and later mental health symptoms in children.
The study found that BCI training alters specific regions of the brain involved in motor and visual tasks. This suggests potential therapeutic benefits for conditions like stroke rehabilitation. The changes occur within a short period, raising hopes for more efficient decoding of BCI activities.
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.
A new study at UCSF used brain maps to predict FTD progression by analyzing connected brain networks, offering insights into the disease's spread and potential clinical tools. The research suggests that individualized predictions can be made based on neural network maps, which could lead to more effective treatment development.
Researchers found moderate levels of covariation between human and chimpanzee brain and braincase features, but distinct positions of brain sulci relative to cranial sutures in humans. The study suggests that changes in braincase morphology may be related to increased encephalization and bipedalism.
A study involving 20 participants found that manipulating graphemes affects brain activity in a specific visual region. This suggests the brain region processes written words for sound translation rather than meaning access, potentially explaining variations in reading abilities.
A study of 69 individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) reveals that conflict-related brain activity in 36 regions predicts successful exposure-based psychotherapy. The findings provide new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying OCD and support a tailored treatment strategy.
A study by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that individuals with psychopathic traits have greater levels of gray matter density in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, a region involved in self-regulatory processes. This increased density is associated with improved impulse control and reduced antisocial behavior....
A study using fMRI found that the default mode network in the brain responds similarly to aesthetically pleasing images from different domains, indicating a possible universal code for beauty. This discovery may lead to insights into how we experience aesthetic experiences and could inform learning and well-being.
A new study reveals that listening to music involves activity in sensory regions, while recalling melodies activates frontal regions. The findings suggest a complex network of brain regions involved in music processing.
Researchers have identified four genetic regions associated with left-handedness, which are linked to differences in brain structure in language-related regions. These findings suggest that left-handers may have an advantage in verbal tasks due to coordinated brain communication.
New research reveals that human selective breeding has altered dog brain structure and behavior, with breeds exhibiting unique brain networks correlated to specific characteristics.
Researchers found that patients with more connected white matter in targeted brain regions respond better to non-invasive electrical brain stimulation, suggesting a potential breakthrough in personalizing the therapy. The study also showed partial reversal of abnormalities in brain activity caused by traumatic brain injury.
A new study from Scripps Research provides unprecedented insights into how visual signals are distributed to different brain regions. Researchers discovered that similar proteins travel preferentially to one brain region, while some are transported to multiple regions.
Researchers from Stevens Institute of Technology have identified two brain regions vulnerable to side hits that lead to concussions. The study reveals how rotational accelerations cause mechanical vibrations in these regions, resulting in tissue and cell damage. This knowledge can help develop safer sports helmets.
A new deep neural network architecture can identify manipulated images at the pixel level, detecting blurred boundaries and unnatural transitions between regions. This technology aims to improve photo editing tool security and detect deepfakes with high precision.
Researchers have discovered a new type of neuron that acts as the brain's metronome, keeping time regularly and improving rodents' ability to detect faint sensations. This finding is significant as it supports the long-hypothesized role of gamma rhythms in synchronizing brain signals.
Researchers at DZNE associate oxidative stress with the spreading of abnormal alpha-synuclein protein in Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. The findings suggest that oxidative stress may trigger the formation and aggregation of toxic alpha-synuclein species, leading to progressive pathology and neuronal damage.