Articles tagged with Brain
A study suggests that patients who received therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest took longer to wake up and showed improved brain activity compared to those who did not receive the treatment. The results challenge current guidelines for withdrawing care from comatose patients.
Researchers found that an early part of the brain's visual system rewires itself through pattern training, independent of higher-order conscious processing. This discovery could improve training programs for detecting subtle patterns, such as in medical imaging or air traffic control.
The 2010 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards recognized journalists who reported on environmental issues, memory, and science. Charles Duhigg won the large-newspaper award for his toxic waters series, while Hillary Rosner took home the small-newspaper award for her piece on the endangered razorback sucker.
A study in mice reveals that loss of the protein MeCP2 in inhibitory nerve cells reproduces nearly all features of Rett syndrome, a devastating neurological disorder. The lack of MeCP2 impairs communication between neurons, leading to cognitive deficits, breathing difficulties, and repetitive behaviors.
Researchers have successfully delivered a protective protein called erythropoietin into the brain using a Trojan Horse approach, overcoming the blood-brain barrier's ability to block it. This breakthrough has potential for treating stroke patients, traumatic head injuries, Parkinson's disease, and other chronic brain disorders.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology found that fruit flies process optical information in a similar way to vertebrates, separating channels and transmitting parallel image sequences. This efficient system allows the brain to save energy, a theory supported by the consistent wiring across various animal species.
Researchers studied zebra finch brain activity while singing to understand the neural basis of syntax and timing in songbird communication. The study found that specific neurons fire at precise moments to produce a musical-like sequence, similar to human speech.
Research suggests that patients with stroke experiencing improvement within one hour of receiving clot-dissolving medication are more likely to have favorable outcomes three months later. This improvement is associated with reduced risk of death and better recovery rates.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are exploring the mechanisms of stroke recurrence in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease. The MoSIS trial aims to identify causes of strokes in these patients, which is estimated to occur in 25% within two years of initial stroke.
Researchers found that early humans developed relatively advanced tools only after their brains evolved a greater capacity for complex thought, according to a new study. The team used computer modeling and sensors embedded in gloves to assess the complex hand skills required for tool-making during the Lower Palaeolithic period.
A new study suggests that MRI can accurately predict the duration of a stroke within 90% accuracy, allowing more patients to be treated with clot-busting drug tPA. This could change the way stroke is managed in emergency settings, enabling all patients to receive urgent treatment regardless of symptom onset time.
Researchers found that environmental inputs can modify bees' genetic hardware through DNA methylation, leading to distinct behaviors. The study, published in PLOS Biology, sheds light on the nature-nurture debate and highlights the importance of diet in shaping behavior.
Scientists imaged individual neurons in zebrafish optic tectum, finding that strong activation leads to chasing motion, while weak activation results in no action. Inhibitory neurons play a key role in filtering out irrelevant signals.
A study of 70 babies' brain scans found that their brains already have adult-equivalent networks at birth, including the default mode network involved in introspection. The research suggests that conscious introspection may be more complex than previously thought, with other factors also playing a role.
The new journal will focus on structural and functional connections in the brain, exploring how neurological disorders alter these connections. Researchers can access human connectome data through an interactive website, enabling the publication to contribute to novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Research from Vanderbilt University found that expert typists' hands can detect errors even when their conscious brain is unaware of them. In experiments, skilled typists were fooled by computer programs inserting or correcting errors, but their fingers slowed down only after making real mistakes.
Rutgers University has received a $1,820,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to acquire an advanced functional MRI scanner. This cutting-edge technology will enable researchers at Rutgers-Newark to study brain activity and develop new insights into neuroscience discovery.
A new meta-analysis study by Syracuse University Professor Stephanie Ortigue found that falling in love affects intellectual areas of the brain and releases euphoria-inducing chemicals. The study revealed that love can be sparked by different parts of the brain, including those involved in mental representation, metaphors, and body image.
A recent study aims to identify neural reasons for early childhood stuttering, with a focus on sex differences that influence recovery rates. The research seeks to better understand the causes of this speech disorder, which affects about 5% of children during early stages of speech acquisition.
Researchers found that brains of congenitally blind individuals showed greater reorganization of the visual cortex, which processes motion, compared to sighted individuals who became blind at a later age. This suggests that early life plays a crucial role in shaping brain function and that retraining may be possible.
Scientists have found a link between strep throat infections in children and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which could lead to new treatment options. The study used an animal model to show how exposure to strep bacteria can cause brain dysfunction and OCD-like symptoms.
Scientists at McGill University's Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital have discovered that the brain can determine the shape of an object by processing specially-coded sounds, even without visual or tactile input. This new research provides important possibilities for aiding those who are blind or with impaired vision.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that infusing leptin into the brain of mice with type 1 diabetes reversed lethal consequences and improved metabolism. The study suggests a novel role for the brain in mediating beneficial actions of leptin, potentially leading to new therapies for individuals with type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Rodrigue's five-year grant will examine the role of risk factors in shaping brain and cognitive aging, with a focus on Alzheimer's disease and vascular health. The project aims to develop preventive approaches for successful aging.
A study published in Neurology found that walking at least 72 blocks per week can increase gray matter volume and reduce cognitive impairment. Regular exercise in midlife may improve brain health and thinking abilities in later life.
A team of biomedical engineers has received a $6.25 million grant to study the effects of blast waves on brain neural circuitry. The goal is to define safety corridors for blast loading and develop helmets and armor to mitigate the blast threat.
A new study using brain imaging revealed how people learn from their competitors' successes and failures. The research found that players experienced neural activity in response to their competitor's unexpected failures, suggesting they learned to inhibit the actions leading to those failures.
Research consensus establishes DBS as a treatment option for patients with severe Parkinson's symptoms, including tremors and motor fluctuations. The study provides guidelines for patient selection and surgical approach, emphasizing the importance of experienced teams and neurosurgeons.
A new melanoma treatment has shown a robust activity in shrinking brain metastases in patients with advanced disease. The drug, GSK2118436, targets the BRAF protein mutation common in human melanomas and has been found to control and reduce brain tumor size in nearly all patients.
Researchers found that certain neurons represent accumulation of evidence to a threshold and others represent evidence itself, driving decision-making. The study offers potential insights into psychological disorders, such as ADHD, where impairments in decision-making occur.
Researchers at the Salk Institute mapped the neuronal circuitry connecting photoreceptors with retinal ganglion cells, revealing computations in individual neurons and shedding light on the neural code used by the retina. The study aimed to improve retinal implants and understand visual processing.
Researchers found that blind individuals use specialized modules in the visual cortex to process spatial location, analysis of space, patterns, and motion. This neural plasticity enables them to refine their sense of sound and touch, exceeding sighted people's abilities.
Penn researchers found retinal ganglion cells responding to darkness are more numerous and clustered than those seeing light, reflecting the natural world's darker spots. This suggests brain separation of retinal circuitry into off and on mosaics, allowing for structural adaptation to natural scenes.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered a way to prevent intermittent episodes of breath holding associated with Rett syndrome by increasing levels of aminobutyric acid and stimulating serotonin receptors. This breakthrough has significant implications for alleviating symptoms in patients with this debilitating disease.
A new study published in The Lancet Neurology finds that an immunosuppressive regimen can improve long-term neurological outcomes in children with small vessel childhood primary angiitis of the CNS. The treatment protocol was effective in controlling severe neurological manifestations and reversing deficits in most patients.
Transorbital neuroendoscopic surgery (TONES) is a safe and effective treatment for advanced brain diseases and traumatic injuries. By performing surgery through the eye socket, surgeons can gain equivalent access to the front of the brain while eliminating large ear-to-ear scars associated with major brain surgery.
A computational model developed by RUB scientists simulates brain activity through neighbor interactions, facilitating faster processing of moving objects. The model, published in PLoS Computational Biology, uses a neural field approach to describe the complex dynamics of cortical neurons.
Successful carotid artery surgery halves the risk of stroke over the next 5 years and provides long-term benefit for up to 10 years. The procedure is recommended for asymptomatic patients under 75 years old who have narrowed neck arteries, as it significantly reduces the risk of disabling or fatal strokes.
Researchers at Van Andel Research Institute created a bioreactor to study shunt systems used in hydrocephalus treatment. The device helps prevent cells from blocking shunt catheters, potentially reducing complications and improving patient outcomes.
A Mayo Clinic study found that nerve inflammation may cause postsurgical neuropathy in some patients, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness. Immunotherapy can quickly improve symptoms in these cases.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have identified neutral sphingomyelinase as a key player in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. By inhibiting this protein, they were able to prevent activated brain cells and beta-amyloid from killing neurons.
Research shows that choking occurs when the brain becomes overwhelmed, leading to information logjams. Practical strategies like stopping analysis and using meditation can help prevent choking in critical moments. Beilock's work also highlights the importance of working memory and addressing stereotype threats in academics and business.
A study by Case Western Reserve University found that stopping thoughts burns energy, similar to how thinking itself consumes energy. The researchers used a computer model and Metabolica software package to analyze brain metabolism.
The discovery of the interaction between two cellular signaling pathways may lead to therapies that aid brain growth and repair in children and adults. Researchers have found a critical step toward understanding the molecular networks regulating neural stem cells.
A five-year, $2.8 million National Science Foundation grant supports a bilingual thinking and learning study at Penn State's Center for Language Science. The project aims to greatly expand the existing body of knowledge on the neural and cognitive processes involved in second language learning and bilingualism.
A new study found that the Alzheimer's drug donepezil enhances perceptual learning in healthy adults, particularly in tasks involving motion direction discrimination. The researchers tested 12 healthy adults and showed a significant improvement in performance after training under the influence of donepezil compared to a placebo.
The Human Connectome Project aims to create detailed maps of brain circuitry in healthy adults and those with psychiatric and neurologic illnesses. The project will use state-of-the-art imaging instruments and analysis tools to shed light on how brain networks are organized and how they change as we age.
Researchers at University of South Florida (USF) are studying the impact of maternal infections on fetal brain development, aiming to prevent autism. Natural compounds like luteolin and diosmin may block detrimental effects of maternal infection on offspring's brains.
Neuralstem's spinal cord stem cells survive and differentiate into neurons in rat brains affected by stroke, leading to improved motor skill and strength measurements. The study shows significant promise for treating post-stroke symptoms and paralysis.
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered a key mechanism behind sleep, which could lead to the development of new treatments for fatigue and sleep disorders. The finding reveals how brain activity is linked to sleep and provides potential targets for medications.
Researchers at OHSU and Washington University use functional MRI to examine the brain at rest, revealing a 'maturation index' that can determine brain development. This technology has clinical applications for assessing childhood development, diagnosing ADHD and autism, and potentially improving treatment outcomes.
Research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that children under 12 do not combine different sensory information like adults, and this ability develops around age 12. Adults can integrate multiple sources of visual information, such as perspective and binocular depth, to make a unified estimate.
University of Oklahoma researchers have developed a new method for understanding brain function in humans, leveraging advances in genetic techniques to manipulate small subsets of brain cells. This breakthrough has significant implications for studies of human neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
A high-fat diet causes brain cells to become insulated, rendering them unable to detect signals of fullness. The insulation also creates a further complication in that the body is unable to detect signals to increase energy use and burn off calories.
Researchers have identified gamma-secretase activating protein (GSAP) as a key player in the formation of Alzheimer's disease-plaque beta-amyloid. Gleevec, a cancer drug, shows promise in targeting GSAP and reducing plaque production.
Researchers discovered that mentally stimulating activities like crossword puzzles and reading may slow initial cognitive decline but accelerate dementia progression in older age. People with more active lifestyles tend to experience faster declines once diagnosed with dementia.
Researchers identified TRPC6 as a key player in ischemic nerve cell death and found that suppressing its degradation prevents brain damage. In a rat model of stroke, they demonstrated that inhibiting TRPC6 degradation reduces nerve cell death.
Fruit fly research found that starvation increases resistance to sleep loss, linked to a protein managing lipid storage. Disabling a specific gene produces effects similar to starvation, creating sleep resistance and preventing cognitive impairments.
Valentin Dragoi, a UTHealth neuroscientist, has won the prestigious NIH Director's Pioneer Award to study how the brain processes information and develop new technologies to monitor neural activity in naturalistic environments. This award will support his high-impact approach to understanding major challenges in biomedical research.
Carnegie Mellon researchers found that heterogeneous groups of neurons transmit twice as much information as homogeneous groups. This diversity is essential for overall brain function and may also play a role in neurological disorders like epilepsy and schizophrenia.