Articles tagged with Brain
A new study published in PLoS One reveals that the brain shifts between sleep/awake states under anesthesia through different processes. The researchers identified a fundamental state called neural inertia, which explains the brain's resistance to changes in consciousness. This finding may lead to the development of novel anesthetic dr...
Researchers have found that boosting brain levels of 2-AG, a natural painkiller, soon leads to loss of its therapeutic effect due to receptor downregulation. This discovery has implications for drug development and basic science, suggesting that more modest elevations in 2-AG may produce sustained pain relief.
As we age, breakdowns in brain connections lead to slower reactivity and confusion during one-sided motor movements. Researchers found that older adults' brains communicate more with each other while at rest, hindering brain function.
Researchers at Boston University and VA have discovered a new disease, CTEM, that mimics ALS in athletes with repeated head trauma. The disease is characterized by abnormal tau protein deposits and TDP-43 pathology, which are also found in sporadic ALS cases.
Research conducted by the USDA found that low levels of folate are associated with symptoms of dementia and poor brain function, as well as depression in women. The study also identified a protein called holoTC as a potential key to detecting cognitive decline earlier.
A team of researchers at Tel Aviv University has developed genetically mutated mice to study Vanishing White Matter disease, which destroys brain myelin. The new tool allows for the first time to follow the exact process of myelin destruction, providing valuable information about the molecular mechanisms of the disease.
A new study published in Schizophrenia Research found that exposure to certain immune proteins during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia in offspring. Maternal levels of interleukin-8 were associated with structural brain changes in children diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Researchers at University College London found that single neurons and even individual dendrites can effectively distinguish between different temporal sequences of incoming information. This challenges the widely held view that large numbers of neurons working together are necessary for sequence processing in the brain.
A $1.7 million NIH grant supports UT Dallas researcher Dr. Michael Kilgard's investigation into nerve stimulation as a long-term cure for tinnitus. The goal is to retrain the brain to ignore nerve signals that simulate ringing, offering a possible permanent end to the condition.
A team of Canadian scientists has developed a new neurochip technology that can track subtle changes in brain activity at the level of ion channels and synaptic potentials. This breakthrough allows for the analysis of several brain cells networking and performing automatic, large-scale drug screening for various brain dysfunctions.
High plasma beta-amyloid levels are associated with faster cognitive decline, even in those without dementia. Cognitive decline was more pronounced in memory domains than other areas.
Researchers found that five nights of restricted sleep produced intense recovery sleep following each wake cycle, with both longer and deeper sleep. Chronic sleep restriction evokes the same brain response as acute total sleep deprivation.
Researchers at Cardiff University are using advanced brain imaging techniques to investigate how people with autism process touch sensations. The study aims to provide a clearer understanding of sensory symptoms in autism and potentially lead to the development of new treatments.
Researchers found diminished cognitive performance in obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes, as well as subtle brain abnormalities detected by MRI. The study highlights the importance of addressing obesity and inactivity to prevent cognitive deficits.
A new study found that people whose hearts pump less blood have brains that appear older, with decreased brain volume and atrophy. This association was seen even in those without cardiovascular disease, suggesting a link between cardiac index and brain health.
Researchers used brain potentials to study the influence of context on letter recognition. The study found that linguistic context impacts access to single abstract representations, which are partially independent from physical properties. This suggests a complex processing mechanism for word recognition.
A new study by Indiana University researchers found that negative stereotypes can inhibit actual learning, not just performance, in math and science. Women who experience stereotype threat may have reduced learning and struggle to learn complex skills, which could worsen over time.
A study of 872 individuals found that more education reduces dementia risk by improving brain coping mechanisms. Individuals with higher education levels exhibited similar brain pathology but better compensation for dementia effects.
A review of research linking musical training to learning highlights the neural connections made during musical training also prime the brain for other aspects of human communication. Music training enhances neuroplasticity and enables the nervous system to provide stable patterns for meaningful learning.
Researchers identified a gene regulatory link between early brain development and aging, suggesting 'runaway' development may be detrimental. This process is observed in both humans and macaques, with the latter experiencing accelerated rates, potentially limiting their lifespan to one-third that of humans.
Researchers monitored Israeli soldiers' neural mechanisms during daily rocket attacks, revealing a dissociative state rather than hypervigilance. This study has significant implications for PTSD therapy, suggesting a neuromarker that can predict chronic PTSD risk.
Researchers found that treating people with botulinum toxin to block facial expressions caused them to take longer to read angry and sad sentences compared to happy ones. The study supports the embodied cognition hypothesis, suggesting that emotions are rooted in basic bodily processes of perception and action.
Mice cages alter brains in mice used in laboratories, affecting outcomes of research, according to a breakthrough study published in PLoS One. The type of cage can change the brain's olfactory bulb and levels of aggression.
A study analyzing almost 500 mammal species found that larger brain sizes are linked to longer lifespans. This contradicts the assumption that only larger animals live longer, with even smaller hyenas exhibiting longer lifespans due to their brain size compared to body size.
A new study found that obesity is associated with poorer memory and brain function in older women, particularly those who carry excess weight around their hips. The research controlled for various health factors and suggests that different types of fat may have varying effects on cognition.
A six-year study found that anticholinergic medications increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment and memory loss in older adults, especially those from African-American communities. The researchers suggest that these drugs may worsen cognitive function, but not necessarily lead to Alzheimer's disease.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center is leading a nationwide NIH-funded investigation to identify risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, with a focus on vascular risk factors and ethnic differences. The $26 million study will examine thousands of patients using detailed neurocognitive testing and brain imaging.
A recent study published in Neurology found that individuals with larger heads who have Alzheimer's disease tend to exhibit better memory and cognitive skills. The research suggests that brain reserve, or the individual capacity to withstand changes in the brain, plays a crucial role in protecting against Alzheimer's symptoms.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology successfully establish conditions for decoding fly brain's motion vision mechanisms. They use fluorescence molecules and state-of-the-art microscopes to observe nerve cell activity, revealing that L2-cells transform data and relay information about light intensity reductions to subseq...
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute found that Sirtuin1 promotes memory and brain flexibility, with potential implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The study suggests a novel microRNA-based mechanism by which SIRT1 aids memory and synaptic plasticity.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles will investigate how a type of white blood cell called macrophages help bacteria like E. coli accumulate in the blood and enter the brain. This understanding could lead to the development of treatments to prevent meningitis buildup and infection.
Research published in Science reveals that muscle weakness and coordination problems in children with neonatal diabetes are caused by neurological issues rather than muscle problems. The study provides implications for developing improved treatments for the disease, which affects one in 100,000 infants in the UK.
Researchers at NYU identified a key mechanism in the brain's computation of sound location, finding that neurons are sensitive to rise times and detect differences between input shapes on a microsecond scale. This contradicts previous theories, which held that biophysical properties were identical for both ears.
Researchers found that only one side of the brain can be motivated at a time, with subliminal cues influencing hand grip strength. This unilateral effect challenges traditional views on motivation and its relationship to conscious awareness.
Researchers at NYU identified a key mechanism in the brain's computation of sound location, challenging existing theories. The study found that neurons respond to the rise time of synaptic inputs rather than their width.
The brain is highly flexible during growth, with neuronal connections restructured through self-organisational processes. The number of nerve cells remains unchanged, but non-neuronal cells increase, enabling the visual cortex to adapt to new experiences.
A new study reveals that lead exposure damages brain function by disrupting the normal formation of synapses and altering the levels of key proteins involved in neurotransmitter release. The research provides a comprehensive mechanism for how lead ions impair brain development and function throughout life.
Brain signs of schizophrenia found in babies with larger brains and lateral ventricles in high-risk group, differing from girls in the study. Early detection could lead to new approaches to prevent or treat the disease.
A study found that ghrelin hormone increases the appeal of high-calorie foods over low-calorie foods, suggesting a potential mechanism for weight loss. Ghrelin levels may help regulate calorie intake by altering food preferences during fasting periods.
A University of British Columbia study suggests that screening participants based on these factors can reduce costs while safeguarding their welfare. The researchers found that a full radiological exam before enrolling women with a family history of aneurysm is cost-effective, but not necessary for men without such a history.
In a three-year study, UCLA scientists found that networks of brain cells in culture can learn to generate simple timed intervals after being stimulated with patterns. The research provides new insights into how the brain tells time and enhances understanding of its workings.
Movshon and Stanford's William T. Newsome receive award for their decades-long research on how the brain reconstructs images to support perception, linking perception to specific neural activity
A University of Pennsylvania psychologist reanalyzes data suggesting that the brain does not consume extra glucose when exerting self-control, contradicting a popular model. The analysis also suggests that any potential decrease in glucose levels may be due to other factors, such as increased heart rate.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide discovered how insects judge speed and motion in a natural setting, revealing additional brain mechanisms. Insects use visual motion analysis and adapt to different light conditions, similar to humans.
Scientists have identified two genes, Clock and cycle, that regulate the need to sleep and eat in fruit flies. The study found that these genes help flies regulate sleep when food is scarce, providing new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying this conflict.
A team of researchers found that early hominids in northern Kenya ate a wide variety of foods, including fish and aquatic animals, rich in protein and nutrients. This diet may have played a key role in the development of larger brains in early humans.
New research from a University of Texas at Austin psychologist identifies biological motivations behind adolescent risk-taking behavior. The study found that teenagers' brains are overactive in the mesolimbic dopamine system, driving them to seek rewards and engage in risky behaviors.
Eight scientists recognized with Kavli Prizes for discoveries transforming our knowledge of matter, nanotechnology, brain signals, telescopes, and physiological functions. The awards promote public understanding of science and encourage international cooperation.
Researchers found that reducing beta-amyloid levels in young mice with a Down syndrome-like genetic anomaly significantly improved their ability to learn. The study suggests that drugs targeting gamma-secretase may offer therapeutic benefits for children with Down syndrome, who develop cognitive decline and dementia in adulthood.
Researchers found neural tissue has imbalanced levels of proteins, specifically torsinA and torsinB, which may explain why certain diseases affect specific organs. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of how genetic mutations impact different cell types.
A University of South Florida-led study finds that mannitol boosts the therapeutic effectiveness of human umbilical cord blood cells in treating cerebral palsy. Mannitol helps open the blood-brain barrier to facilitate entry of beneficial cells and promote neurotrophic factor effects.
Researchers have discovered a direct relationship between a psychiatric disorder and the immune system, specifically microglia cells derived from bone marrow. Bone marrow transplants cured mutant mice with compulsive hair-pulling behavior, suggesting potential new treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Researchers found that extended-release injectable naltrexone (XR-NTX) decreases the brain's craving response when presented with alcohol cues. XR-NTX works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain and was approved for treating alcohol dependence in 2006.
USF researchers recommend delaying umbilical cord clamping to increase the transfer of stem cells, which may help prevent anemia and other health problems in newborns. The study suggests that this delay can be beneficial for pre-term infants and those born in areas with limited access to healthcare.
Research confirms a strong association between abdominal fat and increased risk of dementia, with visceral fat component showing the strongest link. The study's findings suggest that central obesity may be a key mechanism underlying the link between obesity and cognitive decline.
A team of researchers has discovered that amyloid-β protein accumulates in the eyes of people with Down syndrome, leading to distinctive cataracts. The findings may lead to an innovative eye test for early detection of Alzheimer's pathology in both disorders.
A new study found that altered brain blood flow due to high blood pressure may lead to an increased risk of falls in elderly people. The research, published in Neurology, suggests that daily exercise and treatments for high blood pressure could be a new strategy for preventing falls.
A new study by the Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research has found a link between altered blood flow in the brain and slow gait and falls in elderly people. Seniors with abnormal blood flow changes were more likely to experience falls, highlighting the importance of exercise and treatment for high blood pressure in preventing ...
A study published in Current Biology reveals the genetic and neural mechanisms underlying food choice in fruit flies. Flies select between protein-rich and sugar-rich foods based on nutritional needs, gender, and mating status, with female flies reacting faster to changes in diet than males.
Treatment with alteplase until 4.5 hours from stroke onset enhances favourable outcome chances, while late treatment is associated with reduced short-term survival and increased mortality risk. Early treatment initiation is crucial to maximize benefit and minimize risks.