Articles tagged with Brain
A national RTOG study found that prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) significantly decreased the incidence of brain metastases during the first year post-treatment. Patients who received PCI were two and one-half times less likely to develop brain metastasis than those who did not.
Researchers at Rutgers University discovered the brain processes visual input during eye movements but blocks it from awareness, contradicting current theory of saccadic suppression. This new understanding may improve treatment for conditions like schizophrenia and dyslexia associated with visual processing deficits.
Research from University of New South Wales found that snoring associated with sleep apnoea can impair brain function similar to a severe stroke or death. The study analyzed brain biochemistry in real-time, revealing significant effects on the brain's bioenergetic status during oxygen desaturation.
A clinical review found that commonly prescribed medications for allergies, hypertension, asthma, and cardiovascular disease can cause immediate but possibly reversible cognitive impairment in older adults. Anticholinergic effects of these drugs are often unrecognized by prescribers.
A new study published in Journal of Neurosurgery found that minimally invasive coil treatments for brain aneurysms are more effective and tolerate better critically ill patients. However, the procedure is currently limited by its high cost due to additional follow-up procedures.
Researchers have found that injecting BDNF into the brain's reward circuitry can induce drug dependency in rats. This study suggests that BDNF is crucial for inducing a drug dependent state, one important aspect of drug addiction.
Timothy J. Bartness receives a multi-million dollar NIH award to further investigate the biological mechanisms of obesity. The MERIT award will aid in increasing understanding of the communication loop between fat cells and the brain.
Researchers Finarelli and Flynn challenge the Social Brain Hypothesis, finding that increased brain size is not routinely associated with sociality in carnivores. They document at least six separate changes in brain sizes across different lineages of mammals.
Researchers have developed a unique bulls-eye electrode that can interpret brain signals, allowing paralyzed patients to control their environment. The device is also being studied as a means of delivering a stimulus to control epileptic seizures, with potential applications in treating status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition.
Researchers found that brain oscillation frequency is determined by GABA concentration in the visual cortex. Higher GABA levels result in higher frequency or note, potentially leading to new treatment options for conditions like epilepsy and schizophrenia.
A study from Northwestern University finds a strong link between the cancer drug rituximab and progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis (PML), a swiftly moving and often fatal viral brain infection. The study reports 57 cases of PML in patients with anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, or lymphoma who took rituximab.
Researchers discover synaptotagmin-IV (Syt-IV) regulates synaptic plasticity, keeping connections between nerve cells optimal for learning and memory. The study's findings may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
A new article published in Elsevier's journal Bioscience Hypotheses proposes that the chemicals generated by our brain during different moods can impact 'germ cells,' altering gene expression and affecting child development. This could have a lasting impact on a child's emotional state, including their happiness.
Researchers found that learning from experience changes brain circuitry, enabling quicker categorization and decision-making in uncertain situations. The study suggests that previous experience is retained in brain circuits, influencing flexible decisions and actions.
A UC Davis bioengineer is working on a new treatment for infant skull fusion disorders, aiming to reduce the need for secondary surgeries. He aims to create a biodegradable synthetic bone matrix that promotes healthy tissue growth, addressing this condition's complex cause.
A new study found that body movements can aid in problem-solving, with participants who swung their arms more likely to solve a complex problem. The study's findings suggest that the brain uses bodily cues to help understand and solve problems, even when the individual is not consciously aware of it.
Intracerebral hemorrhage (IH) is a major public health problem accounting for 2 million strokes worldwide each year. Hospital admissions for IH have increased by 18% in the past 10 years, primarily due to increases in elderly patients with inadequate blood pressure control and anticoagulant use.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that infants as young as five months old can distinguish between liquids and solids based on movement cues. This suggests that babies are not blank slates but rather active learners who perceive the world in a similar way from infancy throughout life.
A new study found that iron deficiency in womb may delay auditory neural maturation in preemies, affecting sound processing and later language development. The research evaluated 80 infants over 18 months, revealing abnormal brain maturity in those with low iron levels.
A recent report by the Royal College of Physicians found that up to a quarter of stroke patients do not receive optimal treatment in specialist units. The editorial advocates for increased public awareness and priority for stroke care, citing the importance of rapid recognition and admission to acute units.
UCSF researchers found a correlation between glutamate toxicity and neurodegeneration in MS patients, suggesting a new method for tracking disease progression. The study's findings may lead to improved monitoring of treatment and the development of new therapies.
Researchers found that each whole word is processed by its own set of neurons in the brain's left visual cortex. This discovery may provide insights into reading disorders and inform the development of new treatments.
The US Department of Homeland Security's study on Brain Music aims to enhance emergency response performance through neurotraining. Human Bionics LLC creates customized music compositions from brain waves to promote relaxation, alertness, and productivity.
Researchers found that nicotine alters brain areas involved in inhibiting negative emotions like anger, leading to reduced retaliation and increased cravings. The study supports the idea that individuals with an angry disposition are more susceptible to nicotine's effects.
Scientists found ion channels on middle and shortest rows of stereocilia, not as previously thought. The discovery could lead to new treatments for hearing loss and deafness by understanding the adaptation process.
Scientists have developed a brain-computer interface system that allows people with locked-in syndrome or spinal cord injuries to send tweets using only their thoughts. The system uses EEG technology to detect brain activity and translate it into physical actions, such as typing on a keyboard.
Scientists discovered brain proteins bind to and activate THC receptors, similar to marijuana, sparking hope for new treatments for pain, appetite stimulation, and reduced marijuana abuse. The study may lead to effective drugs with fewer side effects.
Researchers used mouse models to study Huntington Disease, finding significant protein alterations as early as 2 weeks before symptoms appear. These changes may affect late-stage disease by altering biochemical activity in the brain.
Researchers found a specialized nerve fiber in skin that transmits stroking signals directly to the brain, potentially explaining why touching can relieve pain. The study used microneurography to analyze nerve signals and found that increased frequency of these signals led to increased pleasantness.
Researchers found that sugary drinks and tasteless carbohydrates can significantly improve endurance event performance. Athletes given glucose or maltodextrin drinks outperformed those on 'disguised' water by 2-3%.
Pittsburgh University researchers teamed up with Berkeley biophysicist George Oster to create a computer program generating complex shell patterns. The model shows how mollusks' neural networks process sensory information and past experiences.
A Tel Aviv University study found that playing violent video games can enhance the ability of teenagers to discriminate between subtle contrasts in color or shades of gray. After playing 50 hours of violent action games, players showed a significant improvement in contrast sensitivity, with some even experiencing up to 58% enhancement.
Researchers found that sleep decreases the number of new synapses formed during social enrichment, while deprivation of sleep eliminates this decrease. The study identified three genes essential to links between learning and increased need for sleep, offering a promising avenue for studying plasticity.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that brain cells in a specific region store visual information for up to two seconds, enabling the creation of a stable visual world despite rapid changes. This discovery may have practical implications for understanding and treating disorders such as attention deficit disorder and dyslexia.
A study published in Science has provided molecular evidence for the theory of synaptic homeostasis, which suggests that sleep refreshes the brain by downscaling synapses. This process saves energy, space, and material, clearing away unnecessary proteins and 'noise' from the previous day.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified IDO as a molecular switch that induces depressive symptoms in some cases of chronic inflammation. The study found that mice exposed to BCG, a vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis, exhibited depressive-like behaviors that could be reversed with antidepressants.
Astrocytes, star-shaped nerve cells, use specific machinery and recognition molecules to recognize viral invaders and initiate inflammation. This understanding may lead to new treatment strategies for viral infections of the brain and spinal cord.
Research from the University of Rochester found that action video games can improve contrast sensitivity by 58% by training the brain to process visual information more efficiently. This finding suggests that gaming may not be harmful for vision and could potentially complement eye-correction techniques.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that the most useful information for face recognition comes from eye images, which provide the least 'noisy' result. The study analyzed over 800 male and female face images to understand why our brains prefer a coarse resolution for face recognition.
Researchers at Salk Institute uncover how the brain uses attention to bring salient details into focus and filter out background clutter. By exploiting the center-surround organization of receptive fields, the brain separates task-relevant information from irrelevant clutter.
Researchers found brain activity in a patient who experienced a supernumerary phantom limb (SPL) that could be felt, seen, and moved intentionally. The study suggests multiple areas of the brain may be involved in SPLs, potentially offering insights into how the brain constructs normal bodily awareness and the self.
A study by University of Bonn researchers found that the brain's ventro-medial prefrontal cortex is less active when faced with a low-wage scenario, despite being aware of the true purchasing power remaining the same. This confirms the existence of the money illusion and offers insights into its cerebro-physiological processes.
A Queen's University study has expanded eye-movement tests to identify children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in community settings, with over 200 children tested across Ontario and Alberta. The breakthrough will add eye movement testing to standard clinical assessment protocols.
A study by MIT researchers found that inhibiting a key brain enzyme in mice reversed schizophrenia-like symptoms, offering potential new drug treatments. The discovery provides insight into the DISC1 gene's role in regulating GSK3B activity and its impact on neural stem cells.
A new study by University of Virginia professor Timothy Salthouse suggests that some cognitive skills start to decline at around age 22 and accelerate after age 27. Average memory declines can be detected by age 37, but accumulated knowledge skills may increase until age 60.
Researchers developed a prosthetic device that applies electrical stimulation to the dorsal column in the spinal cord, improving movement in dopamine-depleted animals. The device was found to be effective and less invasive than other alternatives to medication, with potential for widespread use.
Research highlights the benefits of cooling strategies to protect brain and spinal cord after trauma, with studies on animal models, operating room use, and treatment of cardiac arrest and stroke. Therapeutic hypothermia is emerging as a promising strategy for minimizing tissue damage.
A new MIT study reveals our impaired ability to recognize faces in photographic negatives may lie in the brain's reliance on a certain kind of image feature. The research suggests that facial processing regions in the brain are more active when looking at contrast chimera images than pure negatives.
Research using EEG shows that guitarists' brains become more synchronized when playing together, with the frontal and central regions showing strong synchronization patterns. This finding has implications for how our brains interact during coordinated actions, such as music performance.
A debate between world-leading experts reveals conflicting views on blood pressure control, with some arguing the kidneys play a key role and others pointing to the brain's influence. The discussion highlights major issues in blood pressure control and will guide future studies.
A study found that iron homeostasis is disrupted in prion disease-affected brains, leading to a vicious cycle of increased iron uptake. The misfolded protein PrP-scrapie causes this imbalance by altering cellular iron metabolism, paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies.
Researchers found that fruit flies use separate populations of neurons to detect wind and sound, allowing them to respond differently to each stimulus. This discovery provides insights into the complex sensory mechanisms of these tiny insects.
A study by researchers at the University of Georgia found a direct relationship between two specific antibodies and the severity of Alzheimer's disease symptoms. The team detected higher levels of these antibodies in patients' blood samples, which could lead to an early diagnosis and potentially improve patient quality of life.
Researchers found that rats deficient in sodium chloride shied away from pleasurable activities, leading to a potential link between salt cravings and depression. High salt intake contributes to high blood pressure and other health problems, but the study suggests salt may have a mood-elevating effect.
A study by Washington University School of Medicine found that individuals with lower levels of amyloid beta 42 in their cerebrospinal fluid had reduced whole brain volumes, suggesting early brain damage. The results suggest that Alzheimer's disease may harm the brain for years before symptoms appear.
Researchers recorded moth brain activity as they smelled individual chemicals from sacred datura flowers. Only nine chemicals provoked a neural response, but all nine were necessary for the moths to fly to and feed on the flowers. This study provides insight into how insects process smells and may apply to human olfactory perception.
A new study by the University of Toronto found that believers show less activity in the anterior cingulate cortex when making errors, resulting in fewer mistakes. This suggests that religious belief has a calming effect on anxiety and stress, allowing individuals to perform better in tasks requiring cognitive control.
The SAMMPRIS trial will determine if stenting or intensive medical therapy alone can reduce the risk of recurrent stroke in patients with narrowed brain arteries. The study aims to improve the management of patients at risk for stroke and provide definitive answers on the long-term benefits of stenting.
Researchers found that visual information from a person's face and lip movements significantly improves understanding of spoken words, especially in moderately noisy settings. This benefit increases when sound quality rises, allowing people to recognize up to 60% of words correctly.
The project will investigate the genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute to autism, with a focus on prenatal development and early childhood. By analyzing brain development and behavior in infants at high genetic risk, researchers aim to identify potential indicators of autism and improve early diagnosis.