Articles tagged with Brain
Smokers carrying a specific gene variant are more susceptible to concentration problems and cognitive deficits during abstinence, increasing the risk of relapse. The study paves the way for novel medications to treat nicotine addiction.
A commonly used epilepsy drug, sodium valproate, has been shown to reactivate the body's defenses against amyloid beta peptide, a key component of brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. This reaction may help clear plaques and prevent nerve cell death linked to dementia.
A new study reveals that the brain's nerve cells can survive with damaged connections for several months before deteriorating further. The research suggests a time window in which damaged connections between brain cells could recover under the right conditions, potentially halting symptoms and allowing functional recovery.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology find that transmitter terminals play an active role in synapse assembly and disintegration, contributing to brain adaptability. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that only the receiver side of a synapse is involved in reorganization.
A portable eight-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner has been found to significantly increase the number of stroke victims who receive life-saving thrombolytic therapy. The scanner's availability reduced treatment delay by 54% and is expected to boost recovery rates.
Researchers used magnetoencephalography to detect brain magnetic fields in children with autism, finding a delay of up to 50 milliseconds in processing sound. This abnormality may lead to impaired language and communication skills.
Researchers used MEG to identify timing abnormalities in the brains of patients with autism, finding a fraction of a second delay in brain activity. This delay may underpin language processing and communication impairment in autistic children.
A Swedish study suggests that a fast food diet rich in fat and cholesterol may be a potential risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that mice fed such a diet developed preliminary stages of the disease, which may indicate a contributory role of dietary factors in its development.
Research from the University of Leicester reveals that nitric oxide can alter brain function, impacting neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The finding suggests a potential new approach for treating these conditions and gaining a deeper understanding of brain function.
The Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) is expanding its research on infant brain development and autism symptoms. The study aims to identify changes in brain structure and behavior that may indicate the onset of autistic symptoms, with potential benefits including early screening measures and treatments.
A team of Carnegie Mellon researchers has developed a new computational model that sheds light on the brain's processing of natural scenes. The model analyzes patterns in images and statistically characterizes them to determine which patterns are most likely associated with each other, enabling the brain to make sense of visual stimuli.
Researchers found that rats and humans with disrupted attention share similar patterns of behavior in a feature binding task, suggesting acetylcholine is necessary for this process. The study has important clinical implications, potentially leading to improved therapies for disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
A new five-year, $1 million NIH grant will help ASU researchers determine the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome on hand dexterity. The study aims to quantify the impact of CTS on grasping and hand control, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of surgical intervention and physical rehabilitation.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that routine testing with cerebral angiography following endovascular treatment of brain aneurysms carries a very low risk of complication. The test was shown to have a complication rate of 0.43 percent, with only one major and permanent complication occurring.
Elevated levels of kynurenic acid in the brain have been linked to problem-solving deficits in patients with schizophrenia. The finding suggests that drugs targeting this compound could be used to treat cognitive impairments associated with the disorder.
Scientists have identified a relationship between two proteins in the brain linked to both nicotine addiction and autism. The discovery suggests that existing drugs used to curb nicotine addiction might serve as a basis for potential therapies to alleviate autism symptoms.
Researchers discovered that the Hippo signaling pathway regulates vertebrate neural development by controlling cell growth and differentiation. The study identified a new transcription factor protein, TEA domain (TEAD), as the cognate partner of YAP in the nucleus.
Researchers at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine discovered that super-aged brains have a lower number of fiber-like tangles, which accumulate inside brain cells and are thought to kill them. This finding suggests that individuals with fewer tangles perform better cognitively.
Scientists have found that a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease slows down the brain's ability to export toxic amyloid-beta protein. The study suggests that when ApoE4 is present, the brain becomes less efficient at removing amyloid-beta, allowing it to accumulate and increase the risk of developing the disease.
Individuals carrying the APOE4 variant have a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease due to slower A-beta clearance from the brain. The study found that A-beta binding to apoE4 led to substantially slower clearing of A-beta, contributing to increased disease risk.
Research shows that isoflurane, a commonly used anesthetic, can induce Alzheimer's-associated changes in mouse brains, including generation of toxic amyloid-beta protein and apoptosis. The study confirms previous laboratory findings and suggests potential risks for elderly and Alzheimer's patients.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego identify cells responding to illumination by producing dopamine, a chemical message controlling pigmentation in tadpoles. This finding suggests that stimulating specific neural circuits could selectively alter brain chemistry to remedy low levels of neurotransmitters underlying human a...
Researchers aim to identify youth at high risk for psychosis with 85-95% accuracy, using brain development patterns, electrical activity, and gene expression. The study seeks to understand the neural mechanisms involved and potentially modify cortisol secretion to buffer teenagers against its effects.
A study by Hayley Frend found that pond snails exhibit handedness in mating behavior, mirroring brain asymmetry pre-programmed by their mother's genes. This discovery sheds light on brain specialization and its importance across species.
A high-fat diet during pregnancy produces permanent changes in the offspring's brain, leading to overeating and obesity early in life. The research found that rat pups born to mothers on a high-fat diet had more neurons producing orexigenic peptides, stimulating appetite and weight gain.
The study finds that Pittsburgh Compound B can detect amyloid deposition in the brains of clinically older adults, potentially opening the door to early diagnosis and prevention strategies. Detailed tests show no decrease in functioning among participants with Alzheimer-associated plaques, suggesting a window of opportunity to slow or ...
A brain imaging study found that individuals with higher education levels scored higher on cognitive tests despite having evidence of brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study supports the 'cognitive reserve' hypothesis, which suggests that greater cognitive abilities can delay symptoms of the disease. Education was ...
A new model demonstrates that functional hierarchy in the brain is linked to both time and space, contradicting previous literature. The study uses humanoid robots to show how neural activity can self-organize through multiple timescales, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of neural systems.
A new study shows Pycnogenol, a natural plant extract from pine bark, reduces jetlag symptoms by nearly 50% in both healthy individuals and hypertensive patients. The study found significant reductions in fatigue, headaches, insomnia, and brain edema, as well as minimal lower leg edema.
Researchers found brain responds to verbal errors with specific signal that can sometimes be corrected in time, similar to physical actions like grabbing or walking.
A study of 110 patients found that brain edema, known as perilesional oedema (PO), is common and associated with seizures in patients with calcified neurocysticercosis. PO may be a preventable cause of seizures in endemic countries, suggesting a unique treatment target.
Researchers found that a high-fat diet rich in animal fat and poor in omega-3s can exacerbate neurological markers for Alzheimer's disease in mice. The study suggests that diets typical of most industrialized countries may promote the development of Alzheimer's.
Recent studies suggest that methylmercury can cause irreversible brain damage in unborn children at previously considered safe levels of exposure. Methylmercury toxicity is well-known, but its effects on the developing nervous system have been underestimated.
Researchers have identified Wnt/b-catenin signaling as a key pathway regulating brain development and maintaining the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. The study suggests that tweaking this signaling pathway could potentially mend damaged blood-brain barriers in patients with stroke or other conditions.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that hypnosis can induce synesthetic experiences, challenging the idea that extra connections are needed. The study suggests that people with synesthesia do not have abnormal brain connections, but rather increased 'cross talking' between brain areas.
A recent study published in PLoS Computational Biology reveals that the human brain plans movements by integrating biological and environmental constraints. The researchers discovered a mathematical principle that predicts short periods of muscle inactivation during arm movements, which is a novelty in motor control studies.
Scientists at Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease have identified a new approach to destroy amyloid-beta proteins, which are linked to Alzheimer's disease. By reducing the natural inhibitor cystatin C, they can unleash potent enzyme cathepsin B to clear AB proteins from the brain.
ANG1005, a proprietary peptide vector, transports paclitaxel across the blood-brain barrier with high efficacy. The drug has shown promising results in clinical trials for brain metastasis and malignant glioma, with increased survival rates and reduced tumor growth.
A new study by UCL researchers suggests that hypnosis can induce synaesthetic experiences in people without extra brain connections. They used posthypnotic suggestion to show that non-synesthetes could experience digit-colour synaesthesia, reporting similar experiences as real synaesthetes.
Researchers have developed a novel drug delivery system that can cross the blood-brain barrier to reach and kill cancer cells in the brain. The technology has shown promise in preclinical trials, with increased survival rates and reduced tumor growth in mice and rats.
A study by Duke University Medical Center reveals that strong emotions and scents create lasting memories even when we're asleep. The researchers found that noradrenaline and odor cues are essential for memory formation, leading to changes in behavior upon waking.
Researchers found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels can indicate impending relapse in schizophrenia patients. BDNF levels may drop even before symptoms worsen, suggesting a potential biomarker for early intervention and treatment adjustment.
The SINAPSE project brings together six Scottish universities to advance research into conditions like strokes, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia. The collaboration will enable the sharing of state-of-the-art technology to film brain workings, leading to new discoveries for treating brain conditions.
Research finds that marijuana use during adolescence is associated with poorer performance on thinking tasks, including slower psychomotor speed and poorer complex attention, verbal memory, and planning ability. Chronic heavy use is linked to abnormal brain activation and impaired cognitive functioning even after a month of abstinence.
Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol is associated with reduced total brain volume and larger white matter lesions. This finding suggests that heavy drinking may not have the protective effect on brain health previously thought, contrary to its effects on cardiovascular disease risk.
A multicenter study led by Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that hydrocortisone treatment in preemies has little to no benefit and may increase the risk of brain bleeding. Low cortisol levels in premature babies do not appear to be harmful, contrary to common belief.
Researchers found that a heat shock protein, Hsp90β, helps stabilize rapsyn, an unstable protein responsible for anchoring receptors to catch messages from neurons. This discovery could lead to new treatments for muscular dystrophies and neurological disorders.
A new study from UC Irvine researchers shows that unsaturated fatty acids stimulate production of oleoylethanolamide, which decreases appetite and increases feelings of fullness. The discovery points towards new approaches to treating obesity and eating disorders.
A study of 87 stroke patients found that blacks had a 32% higher microbleed prevalence than whites, with more frequent and varied locations in the brain. Hypertension was also associated with microbleed frequency.
A study published in Neurology found that African-Americans are more likely to have cerebral microbleeds, which can increase the risk of having a stroke. Researchers discovered that African-Americans had 32% more microbleeds than Caucasians and were more likely to have them in certain areas of the brain.
Researchers successfully optically detected individual action potentials in brain cells of mice, enabling observation of brain activity over months. This new method provides insights into neural communication and may aid in identifying early onset of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers discovered an electromagnetic biomarker that predicts a patient's response to ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant. Increasing activity in the anterior cingulate cortex hub near the front of the brain while viewing flashing frightful faces correlates with improved symptoms after receiving ketamine.
Researchers found that the brain utilizes lactate as fuel during intense physical activity, outpacing glucose usage. This discovery sheds light on the brain's energy needs and has potential implications for treatment and athletic performance.
A new study found that warfarin, commonly used to prevent blood clotting, increases the risk of brain hemorrhage and death if a hemorrhagic stroke occurs. The study showed that people taking warfarin with an INR above three had twice as much initial bleeding as those not on the drug.
The symposium will showcase cutting-edge research on autism, including a follow-up study of Hans Asperger's original patients and investigations into the brain basis of social difficulties. Researchers will present their latest findings on the disorder, shedding light on its fundamental nature and future directions.
Neuroscientists identified Npas4 as the first known master switch to orchestrate inhibitory synapse formation and maintenance. This factor regulates over 200 genes involved in calming down over-excited cells, restoring balance that's thought to go awry in neurologic disorders.
A recent study found associations between variations in ghrelin genes and increased risk of heavy alcohol consumption and obesity. The research suggests that the ghrelin system may play a role in the brain-reward systems underlying addictive behaviors, including compulsive overeating and drug dependence.
A new study from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that cancer patients who receive whole brain radiation therapy in addition to stereotactic radiosurgery have a higher risk of developing learning and memory problems. This suggests that SRS alone may be a more effective treatment option for these patients.
Patients who underwent both stereotactic radiosurgery and whole brain radiation experienced a 49% decline in learning and memory functioning, compared to 23% for those who received radiosurgery alone. Neurocognitive function was measured by recall of a list of 12 words after three attempts.
A newly discovered developmental brain disorder has been identified, affecting a patient's ability to orient within environments. Researchers suspect that many others may be affected, leading to social isolation and reliance on others for directions. The study aims to better understand the disorder and develop rehabilitation treatments.