Articles tagged with Brain
In a study of 1,056 severe stroke patients, researchers found that intracranial stenting and intra-arterial tPA were effective in restoring blood flow, with success rates of 76% and 72%, respectively. Other treatment techniques showed lower restoration rates.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital found that vitamin B3 increases 'good' cholesterol, which improves blood vessels and neural growth in the brain after a stroke. The study suggests niacin may be a low-cost treatment option for stroke patients.
Researchers manipulate a schizophrenia susceptibility gene in fetal mice to unravel the link between prenatal brain development and adult cognition. The study finds that transient reduction of the Disrupted-in-Schozophrenia-1 gene leads to aberrant changes in adult animals, including perturbation of specific dopaminergic brain pathways.
Research shows that eye position has no effect on speed and agility in mammals, with some species able to travel as fast as cheetahs without blurring vision. The vestibulo-ocular reflex is adapted through muscle switching, allowing the brain to cope with changing eye positions.
Researchers found that adolescent brains are more sensitive to internal and environmental factors, leading to compulsive behavior. The study suggests that teenage impulsiveness and psychological disorders may stem from this susceptibility.
Research at University College London found that genetic differences are responsible for the majority of variation in face recognition ability among individuals. Identical twins showed a stronger correlation in their face recognition skills compared to non-identical twins, indicating a significant role of shared genes.
A new synthetic magnesium supplement has been found to improve memory in young and aging animals, increasing synapses in the brain. Existing over-the-counter magnesium supplements do not work as they fail to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.
Research reveals that sleep triggers cellular changes that promote memory formation, involving the NMDAR molecule. The brain undergoes significant reorganization during sleep to strengthen neural connections.
A Stanford law professor is examining the role of brain scans in court trials, revealing that defense attorneys are more likely to use this type of evidence than prosecutors. The use of neuroscience evidence can be a double-edged sword, potentially leading to both empathy and convictions.
Researchers have discovered a molecular process that controls the growth of nerve cells, allowing them to form complex extensions for signal transmission. The study highlights the importance of Nedd4-1 enzyme in regulating cytoskeleton structure and ensuring normal dendrite growth.
Researchers have found distinct changes in white matter and protein markers of brain pathology after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), which can induce problems with sodium channels on neurons
Researcher Bruce S. McEwen explores how daily life experiences contribute to overall wear and tear, known as allostatic load, which can lead to lifelong health problems. He emphasizes the importance of improving early childhood development through supportive home environments and parental aid.
Researchers track changes to individual dendritic spines in juvenile male songbirds' brains as they learn from adult tutors. The study finds that hearing a tutor song rapidly stabilizes previously dynamic synapses, providing a foundation for learning new behaviors.
Researchers at Caltech have recorded brain-cell activity in actively flying fruit flies, revealing that the visual system becomes more sensitive during flight. The study suggests that this increased sensitivity is linked to a neurochemical release that sets the animal's brain in a different state.
A study published in PNAS found that genetics plays a role in the brain's back-burner setup for low-priority ideas. The default-mode network is linked to genetic factors, with over 40% of variance in functional connectivity under genetic control.
Research finds that maternal obesity can program cellular responses in offspring, predisposing them to inflammatory disorders such as Alzheimer's and type 2 diabetes. This effect persists even after the offspring lose weight, highlighting the long-lasting impact of maternal obesity.
Researchers have found that hair cells in the inner ear amplify even the faintest sounds, a phenomenon also observed in the vestibular system. This discovery sheds light on how our brains interpret head movements and balance, revealing a shared amplification mechanism between auditory and vestibular systems.
A new study by the University of York reveals that acupuncture significantly affects specific neural structures in the brain, particularly those associated with pain processing. This finding could lead to a better understanding of how acupuncture works and its potential as a treatment option for various medical conditions.
Researchers found participants who reacted to their opponent executed movements 21 milliseconds faster but with reduced accuracy. This quick-and-dirty system may provide a survival advantage in critical situations.
Research finds that dopamine in the brain stimulates a craving for new experiences, contributing to addictive behaviors like drug abuse and gambling. The study used PET scans to map brain activity, revealing stronger urges among those with more dopamine, suggesting a link between stimulation-seeking behavior and hormonal activity.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that cognitive decline, regardless of dementia diagnosis, may increase the risk of stroke. The researchers found that men who scored lower on a mental test measuring planning and executive function were three times more likely to experience a stroke or brain infarction.
Researchers found that blocking facial expressions can hinder our ability to understand emotions in written language. Tiny applications of Botox reduced reading times for angry and sad sentences.
A new study has uncovered a key cellular mechanism that alters brain cell function in Huntington's disease and identified a possible treatment for the disease. Researchers found that excessive NMDA receptors outside synapses lead to reduced brain cell survival signals and disruption in brain function.
A team of scientists found that brain size evolved differently in various primate lineages, with some species experiencing decreases in brain mass despite larger body sizes. This challenges the long-held assumption that evolution always results in bigger brains.
Researchers reconstruct primate brain evolution to clarify the Hobbit's brain size, suggesting a strong selective advantage for increased brainpower. The study supports the hypothesis that the Hobbit's small brain was adapted to local ecological conditions on Flores.
A study published in PNAS found that a synaptic maturation disorder, particularly with the neuroligin-1 protein, may trigger autism. The research suggests that an insufficient amount of this protein can impair the maturation process at nerve terminals, leading to communication problems and weaknesses in social contacts.
Researchers have identified a biological marker in the brains of those exhibiting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive measurement of magnetic fields in the brain. With over 90% accuracy, they were able to differentiate PTSD patients from healthy control subjects.
Researchers at University College London have identified 'grid cells' in the human brain for the first time, which may help explain how we create internal maps of new environments. These specialized neurons are involved in spatial memory and have been previously discovered in rodent brains.
A new study found that older adults can effectively link relevant and irrelevant pieces of information together, granting them a memory advantage over younger counterparts. This hyper-binding ability allows older adults to retain more information from previous experiences.
Scientists identified rapid bursts of neural activity in high-order visual centers when patients correctly recognized target images, suggesting a 'threshold' for conscious perceptual awareness. The study found that brain processing time is crucial for ignition, with mask presentation too soon 'killing' visual input signals.
Researchers found dopamine agonists trigger increased learning from beneficial outcomes and greater prediction error in susceptible individuals, leading to choice bias towards gains. The study provides insight into the brain mechanisms underlying behavioral addictions in Parkinson's disease patients.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified neurons in the songbird brain that convey auditory feedback needed to learn a song. The study lays the groundwork for improving human speech in individuals with damaged auditory nerves, and explores how the brain compares performance-related feedback to a sensory model.
A Yale team found that inhibitory neurons in the visual cortex control how excitatory cells interact, allowing the brain to process complex scenes efficiently. The 'iceberg phenomenon' shows that only essential information is processed, while non-essential stimuli are suppressed.
Researchers at MIT have found that cells with higher activity levels are more likely to survive and integrate into the adult brain. This discovery is significant for cell replacement therapies used to treat neurological diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Researchers have identified a fast-acting compound, benzylquinolone carboxylic acid (BQCA), that improves cognitive function impairments in mice with progressive Alzheimer's disease. BQCA works by boosting weak signals of the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor and inhibiting production of amyloid beta, a marker of the disease.
Scientists have discovered a protein that can restore motor function in rats with impaired mobility after a stroke, with administered directly to the brain showing 99% regain. The intranasal method also demonstrates significant behavioral improvements and regenerative anatomical process.
Researchers use Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to image amyloid-beta protein plaques in the brain, detecting deposits in cognitively normal older subjects and associating them with brain atrophy. The findings suggest a critical early role for amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease development.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that mutations in TSC2 cause improper axon guidance, leading to abnormal brain connectivity. The study suggests that autism may involve sensory overload or lack of filtering of information.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found a delayed brain response to sound in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), which may be refined into the first imaging biomarker. The study used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to detect subtle language delays, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
A combination of nutrients, including uridine, choline, and DHA, has shown promise in improving verbal memory in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. The study found that 40% of treated patients improved performance in a test of verbal memory, while 24% of control subjects showed improvement.
Researchers at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal have identified a new molecular pathway required for the guidance of retinal axons within the optic chiasm. This guidance relies on the Boc receptor, which could lead to therapies stimulating axonal growth after injury or in neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers are conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CERE-110, a viral-based gene transfer system delivering nerve growth factor to slow Alzheimer's disease progression. The study aims to delay AD symptoms and progression in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's.
Neuroscientists at MIT have developed a powerful new class of tools that can reversibly shut down brain activity using different colors of light. These 'super silencers' exert exquisite control over the timing of shutdown, allowing researchers to study neural circuits and potentially treat disorders such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and ...
Researchers discovered that UV LED light can reduce seizure-like activity in rat epilepsy models by releasing gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a natural neurotransmitter. The study suggests that this technique could be translated to human focal epilepsy, offering an alternative treatment option.
Scientists in China have developed a new coating made from silica nanoparticles that makes wool superhydrophilic, allowing it to absorb moisture and release perspiration. This innovation could improve the natural qualities of wool, such as its lightness, softness, and warmth, while also enhancing its functionality.
Researchers from Brown University have discovered that inhibiting Sirt1 activity in the brain's hypothalamic region can help control food intake and lead to a smaller weight gain. The study suggests a potential mechanism for new obesity treatments.
Patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis who underwent intensive medical therapy had reduced rates of cardiovascular events and microemboli in the brain arteries. This approach, including aggressive control of blood pressure and cholesterol levels, resulted in lower risk of stroke, heart attack, and death.
Researchers used biosensors to study how anti-psychotic drugs, such as atypical neuroleptics, affect the brain. The study found that these drugs block a particular type of receptor, overriding the increase in acetylcholine they stimulate.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that slowing aging in mice with Alzheimer's-like symptoms prevented brain damage and impaired cognitive function. The study suggests that modulating the IGF-1 signaling pathway can have a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease.
The new guidelines offer a range of therapeutic options and provide evidence-based recommendations for treating brain metastases. The guidelines aim to improve patient outcomes by identifying best treatment practices and fostering support for ongoing research.
Astrocytes, previously thought to support neurons, may also contribute to drug addiction through specific proteins. The new research suggests that these cells could serve as potential markers for addiction or targets for therapy
Scientists from the University of Zurich have discovered the physiological mechanisms in the brain that underlie broken promises. Patterns of brain activity can even predict whether someone will break a promise, shedding light on the neural basis of pro-social and antisocial behavior.
A new study reveals that most antidepressants miss the mark on a key brain protein called monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), which is highly elevated during clinical depression. This finding has important implications for understanding why antidepressants don't always work, with potential benefits for developing more effective treatments.
Researchers found that estrogen stimulates parts of the brain dedicated to learning and memory through a protein called calpain. This discovery may lead to better drugs against Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases by targeting calpain directly.
Researchers have found that specific waves in EEG signals can reliably predict neural activity in the brain. By combining EEG and direct neuron recordings, scientists identified a link between 'frequency band coupling' and cell firing rates.
Researchers used electrocorticography (ECoG) to record brain activity and found that patients could type alphanumeric characters on a screen by focusing on specific letters. The technique showed promise for people with disorders like Lou Gehrig's disease and spinal cord injuries.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics develop new method to interpret EEG signals, providing insights into neural activity. By combining EEG and neuron recordings, researchers can accurately predict brain cell activity, shedding light on abnormal EEG waveforms in neurological disorders.
Researchers found that mental imagery training significantly improves performance in identifying anomalies on medical images and detecting the proximity of a central line in parallel lines. This suggests that thinking about something repeatedly can be as effective as doing it.
Researchers found that mice lack two key features of a critical DMD gene, hindering the use of mice as primary models for studying DMD. The findings indicate that mouse models are particularly poor at replicating brain effects of DMD, which could limit understanding of the disease's mechanisms.
Researchers at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center are conducting a study to determine if simple exercise can help protect neurons in the brain from Parkinson's disease. Participants will follow a structured exercise program called pole-striding, which involves walking with ski-like poles, for 12 weeks.