Articles tagged with Brain
A Canadian psychological scientist team found improvements in brain activity after group cognitive behavior therapy for patients with social anxiety disorder. The study used EEGs and found that changes in brain electrical interactions paralleled clinicians' and patients' reports of easing symptoms.
Researchers found that mirror movements, a type of abnormal motor control, were more prevalent in children with ADHD and associated with the disorder's severity. The studies suggest a potential new marker for ADHD diagnosis and treatment.
Children with acute anemia are at risk of undetected brain damage due to silent strokes, which can cause poor academic performance and severe cognitive impairments. Regular monitoring and timely transfusion may help prevent permanent brain damage in these children.
Warren K. Bickel's research focuses on the brain processes that support dysfunctional decision-making, including addiction. His work has demonstrated a novel therapeutic approach to changing the preference for immediate rewards over future health benefits.
Research finds late-stage age-related macular degeneration associated with a 56% increased risk of any type of stroke. Specifically, late AMD was strongly linked to over six times the risk of brain hemorrhage but not with brain infarction, according to a study presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference.
A molecular analysis of Acoelomorphs, flatworm-like organisms, provides insights into brain development and human diseases. The study sheds light on the independent evolution of complex brains in humans versus invertebrates.
A study by University of Illinois professor Alejandro Lleras found that brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one's ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods. The study tested participants' ability to focus on a repetitive computerized task under various conditions, and showed that taking brief mental breaks h...
Researchers Pietro Cottone and Michael Silverstein have been awarded the prestigious National Institute of Mental Health Biobehavioral Research Awards for Innovative New Scientists (BRAINS) grant. They will explore mechanisms underlying addictive disorders, stress, and maternal depression using innovative approaches.
Research in Nature Neuroscience found that a diet low in omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids alters the functioning of the endocannabinoid system, leading to changes in brain function and behavior. The study provides new insights into the link between omega-3 deficiency and depression.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new technique to trace neural connections in the brain, shedding light on how scent signals are processed. The study found that most nerve pathways heading to higher processing centers originated from one region of the olfactory bulb, explaining how mice direct their innate fear respo...
Researchers found that prior information enables faster recognition and reduces the delay between visual impression and conscious perception. The study suggests that the brain processes stimuli flexibly, accelerating conscious awareness when expectations align.
A simple one-minute test can detect concussions in athletes, capturing impairments of eye movement, attention, and brain function. The King-Devick test has the potential to become a standard sideline test for athletes.
A study published in Psychological Science found that states with higher physical activity rates tend to have higher voter turnout. Researchers created an 'action-tendency index' using data on exercise, diabetes rates, and other factors, which roughly matched voter turnout in the 2004 election.
New research suggests histamine plays a critical role in preventing or lessening the effects of multiple sclerosis. Histamine reduces MS-causing T cell proliferation and interferon-gamma production, and its ability to adhere to brain vessels.
Advances in recording technology and data analysis are set to revolutionize brain research, enabling better understanding of the brain's functional principles. Researchers at RIC have found that the number of simultaneously recorded single neurons has grown exponentially since the 1950s, doubling approximately every seven years.
Researchers have identified a complex brain navigation system in migrating monarch butterflies that integrates internal compass, sun compass, and skylight cues to guide their long-distance migrations. The study reveals the integration of seemingly contradictory signals into a consistent neural representation of the environment.
A new Scripps Research study has mapped the dynamic changes in brain connectivity during development, revealing that connections are constantly forming and dissolving. The research highlights the importance of understanding these mechanisms to better comprehend conditions such as autism and schizophrenia.
USF researchers identified CD45 as a critical component in dampening harmful inflammation in the brain's immune response. The study found that a loss of CD45 led to increased microglial inflammation and neurotoxin accumulation in Alzheimer's mouse models.
The study found that an area of the brain responsible for holding abstract working memory can also hold auditory information. This discovery may help scientists better understand and treat conditions such as learning disabilities, autism, and schizophrenia.
Researchers at University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging are developing a treatment for Alzheimer's disease by targeting the protein kinase p38alphaMAPK. Their goal is to suppress overactive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which disrupt brain function in people with Alzheimer's.
Researchers created simulated and actual robots that evolve their body forms while learning to walk, resulting in faster adaptation and improved resilience. The evolving robots developed a more robust gait than fixed-body robots, enabling them to better deal with disruptions.
Researchers at University College London found that our sense of time is shaped by sensory input from the environment, allowing us to refine our internal timekeeping. By comparing sensory change to an average rate, we can judge how much time has passed and improve our judgements.
A recent study suggests that damaged alpha-synuclein proteins can spread between cells in a 'prion-like' manner, contributing to Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. This cell-to-cell transfer mechanism may play a significant role in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found a significant rise in stroke diagnoses among HIV-infected patients between 1997 and 2006, with ischemic strokes being the primary cause. The study suggests that HAART therapy may be linked to an increased risk of stroke due to metabolic complications, highlighting the need for further research.
Researchers develop molecular imaging procedure to detect beta-amyloid in brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, increasing clinical diagnosis accuracy. The study shows a correlation between florbetapir-PET images and presence and quantity of beta-amyloid pathology at autopsy.
A new study reveals that stress and anxiety enhance the brain's detection of external stimuli, but disrupt complex thinking and executive functions. The findings suggest that chronic stress can create a paradox in experimental psychology, favoring quick reflexive actions over strategic decision-making.
A new connection can significantly enhance the size of a network, according to researchers from Max Planck Institute. By tracing link by link, scientists found that after a certain number of new links, a sudden growth spurt occurs, leading to a dramatic increase in network size.
Researchers at Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University Center for Injury Biomechanics will investigate blast-induced brain trauma using experimental and computational models. The project aims to develop safety mechanisms for soldiers and transport vehicles to reduce injuries.
Researchers have discovered a new factor in multiple sclerosis (MS) that can serve as a potential target for therapeutics. The study found that inhibiting the molecular switch EMMPRIN reduces MS-like symptoms in mice.
Dr. Sena-Esteves is investigating gene therapy techniques to replace the faulty gene causing Tay-Sachs Disease, a devastating neurological disorder. He's part of the Tay-Sachs Gene Therapy Consortium aiming to translate current results into a human clinical trial within three years.
Alzheimer's disease researchers found that deadly plaques interact with cellular proteins to reduce blood flow and signal molecules in the brain. The study suggests that blocking specific interactions could slow neuronal degeneration and protect nitric oxide production.
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine found that a drug called AFQ056, developed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, showed promising results in treating Fragile X syndrome. The treatment improved symptoms in some patients with a specific DNA marker, and was well-tolerated without safety problems.
Brain cells need to create links early on in their existence to ensure successful connections across the brain. This is demonstrated through computer analysis of nerve cell connectivity patterns in roundworms, showing that most neurons develop long-distance connections by being physically close together.
NARSAD has awarded $12.6 million in new research grants to support innovative brain and behavior research projects. The Young Investigator grants will fund the work of 214 researchers from around the world, including those studying schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, autism, ADHD, and anxiety disorders.
A consortium of scientists has been awarded $7.5 million to develop novel compounds that could become treatments for nicotine addiction and possibly other drug addictions.
UCI researchers identified a novel mechanism in the brain that boosts memory by strengthening and prolonging memories of negative events to simple objects. Neuropeptide S activation prepares the brain for learning, leading to remarkable memory improvement with long-lasting effects.
A randomized controlled trial found that a lung protective strategy increased the number of lungs eligible for donation by nearly doubling it compared to conventional ventilation. This method included lower tidal volumes and higher positive end-expiratory pressure levels.
A Purdue University study reveals a link between diet and the onset of mental illness, with mice developing abnormal behaviors on a high-sugar diet. The research suggests that increasing serotonin activity in the brain may not be enough to cure or reduce hair-pulling disorders like trichotillomania.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's disease is associated with disrupted brain clearance of a sticky plaque component called amyloid-beta. The study's findings have important implications for diagnosis and treatment, as scientists seek to understand how this process can be improved.
Fox Chase researchers have discovered several tumor characteristics that increase the risk of brain metastases in breast cancer patients. These include high-grade tumors, negative progesterone receptor status, and inflammatory breast cancer. The study aims to identify women at risk for brain metastases, potentially leading to preventiv...
Researchers have shed light on dopamine's role in the brain's reward system, finding that individual differences in response to environmental cues can fundamentally influence chemical reward patterns. The study provides new insights into compulsive behavior and may lead to preventive tools or treatments for addiction.
Researchers identified SynCAM 1, a molecule that promotes synaptic connections and controls plasticity in the brain. The study found that too much of this molecule can be damaging, while mice with normal amounts of it have impaired learning ability.
A new technique aims to open the blood-brain barrier, allowing targeted delivery of drugs to the brain. The goal is to reduce side effects and increase effectiveness of current treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other brain illnesses.
A new study finds that birth light cycles significantly impact the development of biological clocks in mice, which may explain why people born in winter months are at a higher risk of certain neurological disorders. The experiment reveals that even after weaning, biological clocks remain affected by the initial light cycle.
Researchers found that individual volunteers' perceptions of optical illusions varied greatly due to differences in brain size. The primary visual cortex area affects the extent to which we see visual illusions.
Scientists created a 3D map of the fruit fly brain's neural networks, revealing 41 local processing units, 6 hubs, and 58 tracts. The breakthrough enables researchers to analyze how the brain processes information and control behaviors.
A naturally occurring chemical found in soy could prove to be an effective new treatment for a fatal genetic disease that affects children. In mouse studies, genistein showed a significant delay in mental decline and corrected abnormal behavior.
A study shows that a pregnant mother's diet impacts her infant's sense of smell, altering brain development and influencing future food preferences. The research found that exposure to odors in the womb can shape the brain's olfactory system, leading to preferred flavors in early life.
Researchers found enzyme replacement therapy beginning at birth can eliminate almost all symptoms of mucopolysaccharidosis type I, a rare genetic disorder. Early treatment also showed significant improvements in brain pathology and reduced disease severity in animal models.
Research finds that a missing molecule essential for nerve cell development impacts GnRH transport, leading to infertility in males. In mice lacking SEMA3A, GnRH becomes stuck in the nose or forehead, preventing proper hormone regulation.
Scientists discovered that increasing EphB2 levels can fix memory problems caused by amyloid proteins in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that blocking amyloid proteins from binding to EphB2 and enhancing its functions may be beneficial for AD treatment.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard discovered that the brain assigns gender to faces based on location, challenging a long-held neuroscience principle. The study found that when people view computer-generated faces without other distinguishing features, patterns of biases emerge based on where the face appears on the screen.
Researchers found that listeners can effectively tune out sounds that don't conform to their brains' expectations, showcasing the efficient processing of predictable sounds. The study demonstrates how the mind quickly acquires and uses knowledge about the world's structure and redundancy to improve perception.
A University of Montreal study found that there are significant gender differences in mental ability, with women outperforming men in both healthy individuals and those with schizophrenia. The research suggests that sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen may play a role in these findings.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that coaching styles can activate the brain's Positive Emotional Attractor, leading to increased cognitive functioning, openness, and better functioning. In contrast, critical or judgmental coaching methods can lead to the Negative Emotional Attractor, causing people to defend themse...
A new study offers valuable insights into the complex brain circuitry involved in communication, shedding light on language difficulties such as stuttering. The research suggests that the brain's processing and production of sounds, as well as its handling of native and foreign accents, are critical factors in communication problems.
New brain machine technologies show promise in restoring vision, controlling prosthetics with thoughts, and regaining limb function after injury. An artificial retina may restore vision more effectively than existing prosthetics.
Studies show that mild sensory stimulation can protect against brain damage and restore function after stroke, while aerobic exercise may help treat or prevent drug addiction. Additionally, physical fitness prior to injury can alleviate traumatic brain injury effects in mice.
Research reveals high-fat diets cause lasting brain changes impairing healthy eating. Food and drugs of abuse engage the same brain systems, highlighting potential treatments for obesity and addiction.
A new report from Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of stroke in white adults, but not in black adults. Despite higher rates of vitamin D deficiency in African Americans, they have a lower likelihood of severe strokes due to other factors such as hypertension and diabetes.