Articles tagged with Brain
Researchers find current computer vision tests misleading due to design flaws that enable computers to succeed where humans would fail. The team argues for revamping standards and images to better understand the difficulty of object recognition.
A research team led by Dr. Alexandre Prat has identified a new therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis, ALCAM/CD166, which plays a major role in the migration of immune cells to the brain. The study suggests that blocking this molecule could dampen neuroinflammation and decrease lesions characteristic of MS.
Researchers found that strong Aha! sensations involve minimal metacognitive processes and unconscious restructuring, contrasting with conscious mental restructuring. The study provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive insight.
New research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that synapses, nerve cell connections central to brain plasticity, are strong when awake and weak when asleep. This challenges the widely-held idea that sleep is essential for consolidating information through synaptic strengthening.
The human brain can quickly perceive visual and auditory changes, but a recent study found that this ability is impaired when there's a brief time gap between the change and our perception. The researchers discovered that the brain uses more efficient mechanisms for auditory memory than visual memory.
Researchers found that face recognition is more difficult when target faces are surrounded by upright faces, indicating that images of upright faces interfere with each other. The study's findings have implications for individuals with face-recognition disorders and may inform the development of efficient artificial visual systems.
Researchers engineered mice to overexpress ABCA1, reducing amyloid deposition in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. This study provides new insights into the disease's pathophysiology and potential therapeutic targets.
A survey of top US hospitals found significant differences in guidelines for determining brain death, including variations in specialty requirements and examination procedures. The study highlights the need for revised guidelines to ensure consistency across institutions.
Researchers have discovered that increasing lipid associated with apoE in the brain may decrease amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's patients. Meanwhile, a new study found that neutralizing IL-22 prevents psoriasis-like disease in mice, suggesting a potential approach to treating this chronic condition. Additionally, scientists have deve...
Increasing levels of a protein called ABCA1 sharply reduced buildup of brain plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease in mice. Altering the brain's use of lipids may provide a new approach to treating the condition. The study highlights a promising target for potential Alzheimer's therapies.
Research by Michigan Medicine suggests that overactive nerves in the head and neck may contribute to tinnitus. Acupuncture and trigger point therapy may be effective treatments for people with 'ringing in the ears'. The study found hyperactivity of touch-sensing neurons in animals, which could lead to new insights into the condition.
International brain aging expert Peter Whitehouse questions current approaches to Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment, suggesting that AD represents our culture's attempt to make sense of natural brain aging. The book offers practical advice and information on how to maintain cognitive vitality and a sense of fulfillment as we age.
A 90-minute daytime nap significantly speeds up memory consolidation, with participants showing improved performance in tasks requiring motor skills. This discovery may enable the development of methods to accelerate memory consolidation and create stable memories.
A new gene variant has been found to be more common in people with cerebral venous thrombosis than in healthy individuals. The study, published in Neurology, suggests that testing for this gene and using blood thinning medication may help prevent future blood clots.
Using neuroimaging, researchers at Harvard University tested extrasensory perception (ESP) and found no evidence for its existence. Despite participants' reports of unexplained knowledge, brain scans showed no difference in response to ESP and non-ESP stimuli.
A Carnegie Mellon study identifies specific brain regions activated by familiar objects, such as tools and dwellings. The researchers used machine learning algorithms to extract patterns from brain activation scans, revealing that different brains exhibit common patterns for representing the same object.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that stimulating hand muscles using low-amplitude vibration can help treat musician's dystonia. The therapy, which lasts just 15 minutes, has been shown to restore a more normal brain response in people with the condition.
Researchers find that adenosine, a sleep-inducing brain chemical, plays a central role in deep brain stimulation's success. The technique disrupts abnormal nerve signals and alleviates symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders.
Researchers outline the blood-brain barrier's role in neurological disorders, calling for more studies and resources to overcome delivery obstacles. They propose interdisciplinary collaborations to develop new therapies for diseases like Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis.
A recent study published in the journal Brain highlights the benefits of rehabilitation training after a cervical spinal cord injury. Researchers found that intensive training can promote natural recovery processes, leading to improved motor function and adaptation strategies for individuals with paraplegia.
An international team of scientists proposes strategies to overcome obstacles posed by the blood-brain barrier, a gate-keeping system protecting the brain from toxins and letting in nutrients. The review article highlights the importance of understanding the blood-brain barrier in treating brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, multiple s...
Researchers at OHSU Neurological Sciences Institute have discovered the brain's wiring system that determines when to perform shivering as a defense against cold. The study reveals that this process involves parallel but distinct sensory pathways for conscious and subconscious cold detection.
A combination of lapatinib and capecitabine significantly shrinks brain metastases in patients with aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer, with 10 patients experiencing a 50% reduction. The study's findings offer new hope for treatment options for women with advanced breast cancer who develop brain metastases.
Two studies from Mayo Clinic found that ER/PR negative breast cancers have the worst overall outcomes when spreading to the brain, resulting in shorter median survival times. Women with triple negative tumors and HER2+ tumors without estrogen or progesterone receptors have poor outcomes due to aggressive brain metastasis.
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon and Pitt describe a mechanism called dynamic connectivity, where neuronal circuits are rewired in response to specific patterns of stimuli. This process allows for more keenly sensed stimuli, such as recognizing scents, by filtering out noise and enhancing contrast.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that the immune system plays a role in sculpting away unwanted synapses in the developing brain. The finding could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
The team created a method for attaching small molecules to surfaces, capturing large biomolecules and identifying specific interactions. The technique is suitable for studying neurotransmission in the living brain and has potential applications in understanding neurological diseases.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs like atorvastatin may increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, a bleeding in the brain. The study found that people taking these medications after a stroke were more likely to experience a second stroke involving blood clots.
VIB researchers find certain brain lipids destabilize fibrils, leading to toxic protofibril formation and memory loss in mice. This discovery opens new avenues for medicines against Alzheimer's disease.
Research findings suggest a genetic link between schizophrenia and cancer, while also exploring the relationship between depression and heart disease. Studies on brain overgrowth in autistic children and the development of an animal model for autism have also shed light on these complex conditions.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to developing antidepressants by targeting novel brain molecules, which can lead to faster treatment and relief from depression. The study found that patients responded within two hours and 70% showed improvement within 24 hours.
Research suggests a link between brain overgrowth and the onset of autistic characteristics, with behavioral symptoms occurring at around age one. This study supports previous findings on brain development in autistic children and may indicate an opportunity for early intervention.
A study presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology annual meeting found a clear link between GABA and nicotine dependence. The researchers discovered that nicotine has significant effects on brain GABA levels, which could potentially help curb the pleasurable effects of nicotine and aid in quitting addiction.
Researchers have developed a first-ever genetic animal model of autism, allowing for the study of abnormal brain function and potential treatments. The model mimics human autism symptoms, including social interaction deficits, while also displaying enhanced spatial learning abilities.
Researchers at Rockefeller University found that elevated CO2 levels within the first five days of birth can alter a fly's carbon dioxide detection circuit. The circuit's genetic plan adjusts to real-world conditions, suggesting a general feature of the olfactory system.
Researchers found that lead exposure in young rats hindered their ability to recover from brain injuries such as stroke. The study suggests that early lead exposure may compromise the brain's ability to compensate for injury and recover function.
People with BDD perceive themselves as ugly and disfigured, despite normal brains. Functional imaging reveals abnormal brain processing of visual details, with the left side activated more often than in controls.
Serious head injuries among alpine skiers and snowboarders have increased over the past 15 years, with faster speeds and jumping maneuvers being a major contributor. Helmet use has been shown to reduce the risk of serious brain injuries by 22-60%.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario have developed a new method to measure covert attention, shedding light on how the brain directs attention. By recording muscle activity in the neck, scientists can now detect when someone's eyes are not moving but still focusing on something.
A new study found that hypertension significantly reduces cerebral blood flow in adults with Alzheimer's disease, increasing its vulnerability to the effects of the disease. Good vascular health is crucial for brain health, and detecting and treating hypertension can help prevent or slow cognitive decline.
Kalirin-7, a critical brain protein, is linked to learning and memory. It enhances synaptic spines in the brain, leading to better communication between neurons.
A recent study using PET scans shows that an experimental gene therapy can normalize brain function in Parkinson's patients. The treatment was found to alter brain activity in a favorable way, primarily affecting motor networks.
Neuroscientists are developing software that may turn thoughts into speech for patients like Eric Ramsey, who was left 'locked-in' after a car accident. By analyzing signals from his brain activity, the team has identified distinct patterns associated with vowel sounds, allowing them to correctly identify around 80% of the time.
A leading neuroscientist is exploring the neural basis of creativity, beauty and love through an interdisciplinary research program funded by the Wellcome Trust. The study aims to understand how beauty and love relate and what it means to be happy, with potential implications for fields like economics and jurisprudence.
Researchers identified a genetic link between schizophrenia and a faulty brain mechanism, affecting startle response. Mice with increased fatty acid binding protein (Fabp7) showed impaired prepulse inhibition, similar to human schizophrenia patients.
Researchers have developed a new neural-machine interface that enables prosthetic arms to respond directly to the brain's signals, allowing for greater control and movement. This technology has the potential to provide an even greater number of arm and hand movements beyond the four already achieved.
Scientists have found a specific way in which copper contributes to the disease process in Alzheimer's. Copper damages the molecule LRP, which normally escorts out amyloid beta from the brain, leading to increased levels of the toxic substance in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.
A team of Australian researchers has developed a novel treatment for obesity and extreme weight loss in late-stage cancer patients. By targeting the MIC-1 molecule, which sends a 'don't eat' signal to the brain, they hope to prevent this condition and improve chances of recovery.
A study by UC Irvine researchers has found that boosting the amounts of a marijuana-like brain transmitter called anandamide produces antidepressant effects in test rats. The drug URB597, which blocks anandamide degradation, was administered to chronically stressed rats and showed promising results.
Research comparing music conductors and non-musicians found that experienced conductors
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new technique called Brainbow that allows for the imaging of neurons in a wide range of colors, enabling scientists to better map the complex wiring diagram of the brain and nervous system. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding brain disorders and development.
Researchers found that support cells in developing ears show robust electrical activity similar to nerve cells, which helps explain how the auditory system generates brain activity without sound. This discovery may also contribute to tinnitus and sounds perceived from nowhere.
A brain-imaging study found that sound training can correct the sound processing problem in dyslexic children, leading to improved reading. The study suggests new ways of treating dyslexia, such as musical training, and may help clinicians diagnose dyslexia even before reading begins.
Researchers present a new framework for mapping mild cognitive impairment, including an online diagnostic algorithm. The framework characterizes different classifications of MCI and their patterns of etiology, cognitive decline, and clinical outcome.
A new study reveals that the intrinsic tendency of amyloid peptide Aß to aggregate determines its pathogenicity in Alzheimer disease. The researchers used a fruit fly model to identify the determinants of Aß's toxicity, finding a clear correlation between aggregation propensity and disease progression.
A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology recommends using immediate brain CT scans to screen patients with seizures in the emergency room. This helps doctors select the right treatment option, especially for young children and those with AIDS. The scans can detect abnormalities such as tumors, traumatic brain injury, or s...
A recent study by Western psychology graduate student Ben Bowles and professor Stefan Köhler found that the feeling of familiarity during recognition relies on a distinct brain mechanism. This insight sheds light on how memory is wired in the human brain, with implications for understanding memory deficits in neurology, including Alzhe...
Genetically obese rats showed lower dopamine D2 receptor levels than lean counterparts. However, restricting food intake increased D2 receptor numbers, partially reversing age-related decline. This finding suggests a link between brain's reward system and food availability in obesity.
Researchers genetically manipulated nematode worms to be attracted to the same sex, revealing that sexual attraction is derived from a shared nervous system. The study suggests that sexual orientation may be wired in the brain and not solely caused by extra nerve cells.
Researchers found that when individuals contemplate death, their unconscious mind actively seeks out and activates pleasant memories to cope with the threat. This 'terror management theory' suggests that the brain protects itself from paralyzing fear by involuntarily searching for positive associations.