Articles tagged with Brain
Scientists have discovered a statistical relationship between brain levels of the enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAO) A and aggressive personality in healthy non-violent volunteers. The study found that higher MAO A activity was associated with less aggressive behavior, while lower MAO A activity was linked to more aggressive tendencies.
Beta-amyloid accumulation is linked to brain dysfunction even in normal elderly individuals, according to a study. Researchers used PIB PET scans to detect early pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease and demonstrated its potential for identifying those in need of treatment.
University of Missouri-Columbia professors identify new mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease research. They plan to study the effects of A-beta protein and inflammation, with hopes for treatments that modify cellular responses.
A study by Brookhaven National Laboratory found a link between low brain enzyme levels and aggressive behavior in healthy men. The research used positron emission tomography scanning to measure brain activity and completed a standard personality questionnaire to assess personalities.
A team of biomedical engineers developed a computer model that uses Bayesian math to explain how the brain anticipates new motor skills. The model is based on similar learning patterns in humans and can predict the best ways to teach new movements, potentially helping stroke patients and designing physical therapy regimens.
A new test measures subjects' accuracy and reaction times under distractions, filtering out easily distracted candidates. The test correlates with the 'Cognitive Failures Questionnaire', providing an objective assessment of distractibility.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University found that deep brain stimulation alleviates disease symptoms by creating an informational lesion through rapid-fire electrical pulses. This technique can be reversible and adjustable, offering a promising treatment for movement disorders and other conditions.
A new study reveals that growth factors and the environment work together to accelerate brain maturation, particularly in visual system development. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is identified as a key mediator of this process.
Researchers found that sleep-deprived individuals can only process a small number of objects at a time, leading to memory decline. The brain's visual areas are also impaired, making it difficult to focus attention.
Researchers found a 27% increase in GABA levels after one hour of yoga practice. Yoga has shown promise in improving symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and epilepsy.
A new NIH study is tracking the brain and behavioral development of over 500 healthy American children from birth to age 18. The study found that children approach adult levels of performance on many basic cognitive and motor skills by age 11 or 12, but there were no dramatic increases in cognitive growth during adolescence.
A recently discovered fossil skull of Aegyptopithecus zeuxis, an ancient primate relative of humans, apes, and monkeys, contradicts previous assumptions about its brain size. The study suggests that the species' brain was smaller than expected, with a visual cortex indicating sharp vision, and may have had a large social group.
Researchers discovered a key role for fictive learning in evaluating behavior, influencing decisions and potential addiction. The study used investment games and fMRI to measure brain responses to 'what could have been' outcomes, revealing a distinct signal in the ventral caudate nucleus.
A study published in Neurology found that brain scans of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) show increased uptake of PIB, a biomarker for abnormal protein aggregation growth, similar to what is seen in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease may be possible through imaging tests.
Increasing SUMO levels could help treat diseases like epilepsy by reducing over-excitation in brain cells. The discovery provides new insights into the causes of brain disorders and potential targets for drug development.
A recent survey of over 250,000 people from around the world has shed light on sex differences in brain function and behavior. The study found that men and women exhibit distinct patterns in mental abilities, with men scoring higher in visual-spatial tasks but women excelling in object location memory.
A new Cornell study found that people who experienced traumas, such as being close to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, have brains that are more reactive to emotional stimuli, increasing their risk of developing mental disorders like PTSD and depression.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have discovered a new strategy to prevent acute and chronic brain diseases by reducing tau protein levels. The study shows that mice lacking tau protein can resist seizures and Alzheimer's-related memory loss.
Research suggests that heavy drinkers have smaller brains than non-drinkers, with moderate to high drinkers showing significant reductions in brain volume. The study found a 1.6% decrease in brain volume for those who consumed over 14 drinks per week.
A new University of Illinois study found that soy consumption leads to weight loss by increasing metabolism and not reducing food intake. Researchers discovered that soy protein hydrolysates can affect regulatory hormones and receptors in the brain, signaling a feeling of fullness and reducing body weight.
Researchers have discovered a way to induce slow waves typical of deep sleep using transcranial magnetic stimulation, which could lead to treatments for insomnia and improve memory consolidation. The study suggests that artificial slow waves may reduce brain overload and energy consumption during sleep.
A new study has found that the human brain is more adept at distinguishing smells than previously thought. The research demonstrates the importance of smell as a means for people to gather information from their environment and shows how the brain processes scent information.
Researchers discover that genetic alterations in NRG1-erbB signaling contribute to psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. They find that blocking this signaling pathway leads to changes in brain structure and function, affecting the dopamine system and causing behavioral symptoms.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a molecular mechanism that dynamically alters brain network connections, influencing working memory and cognitive function. Closing ion channels can strengthen connectivity, improving working memory and reducing distractibility.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that the LC8 protein is actually a transcription factor that enhances viral replication, not a transport mechanism. This discovery may change how scientists think about central nervous system-attacking viruses like rabies and herpes.
Researchers used physiological data to show how a theoretical model explains behavior in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study found that the 'go' and 'stop' processes are intricately linked, resolving a long-standing paradox.
Researchers at OHSU have identified a G protein-coupled receptor called TAAR1 as a key player in the brain's response to methamphetamine. The discovery offers new hope for developing therapies to reverse meth's adverse health effects and reduce addiction, by targeting this newly found receptor.
Researchers at Rowan University and Penn Medicine developed a high-accuracy method to diagnose early-stage Alzheimer's using EEG signals. The test, which can be done in a physician's office, has an accuracy rate of 82-85% and may provide earlier treatment and improved quality of life for those affected.
Researchers at Bonn University have developed a software system called the Retina Encoder, which helps the brain interpret signals from retinal implants. The system learns to translate camera signals into a language that the brain understands, allowing blind subjects to perceive contours and orientation.
A combined imaging approach that combines standard MRI scans with specialized contrast-enhanced techniques may provide more effective diagnoses in patients with difficult-to-detect blood clots in veins of the brain. This approach could lead to better understanding of the disease process and potentially alter treatment regimens.
Researchers at the University of Bristol found that treatment with beneficial soil bacteria activated neurons producing serotonin, a key brain chemical linked to depression. This discovery sheds light on why some individuals are vulnerable to mood disorders like depression and may lead to new treatments.
Research by Dutch social-psychologist Harm Veling demonstrates that our brains selectively remember useful information while suppressing distracting influences. However, this process requires mental energy and breaks down when individuals are fatigued.
New York University study reveals Homo rudolfensis had a small brain and protruding jaw, similar to Australopithecus and Paranthropus. The 1.9 million-year-old skull's features contradict the long-held depiction of modern man's earliest direct ancestor as having a vertical facial profile and large brain.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins developed a new technique for noninvasively tracking cells in the body using genetically encoded cells producing natural contrast visible via MRI. The method appears more effective than existing methods for detecting injected biomaterials, and offers high-resolution imaging without tissue removal.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that men are more likely than women to achieve functional independence after receiving clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) following a stroke. The study found that despite lower survival rates, men had better outcomes at three months post-treatment.
Researchers at UCL found that subliminal images can attract the brain's attention on a subconscious level, sparking debate on the impact of subliminal advertising. The study used fMRI to detect neural activity in response to subliminal stimuli, revealing a complex relationship between consciousness and attention.
A genetic variant of a brain receptor increases the stimulating effects of early alcohol exposure and boosts alcohol consumption. Monkeys with this gene showed enhanced pleasurable effects from alcohol, consuming more and becoming intoxicated more frequently than others.
Researchers found that tooth-brushing can induce seizures in individuals with epilepsy, possibly linked to lesions in the somatosensory area of the brain. The study suggests a potential link between rhythmic stimuli and seizure activity.
Research suggests that out-of-body experiences can occur during both sleep-wake transitions and near-death experiences, possibly due to brain arousal system disturbances. The study found a strong association between sleep paralysis and out-of-body experiences in near-death experience subjects.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have made a breakthrough in understanding why some individuals may be predisposed to drug addiction. They found that certain changes in brain chemistry pre-date drug use and are linked to impulsivity. This discovery could lead to more targeted treatments for addiction with fewer side effects.
Studies reveal differences in genetic activity between juvenile and adult mouse brains under visual experience, triggering histone modifications. This discovery provides insights into the mechanism of plasticity during the critical period.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered how controlling glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) activity can improve neuronal connections and prevent memory erasure in brain disorders. This breakthrough sheds light on the role of GSK3 in normal neuronal function and may lead to the development of drugs to inhibit its activity.
OHSU research reveals calcium ions modulate auditory nerve cells' recharging after bursting signals. High levels of calcium can be toxic, but regulating sodium pump activity conserves energy and prevents cell death.
Researchers at UC Davis have created digital brain atlases with high-resolution whole-brain images, enabling virtual microscopy for comparison of healthy brains with those affected by neurological diseases. The online platform allows users to explore and analyze brain data using free downloadable tools.
A study led by Danielle M. Dick found that variations in the CHRM2 gene can influence performance IQ scores, which measure visual-motor coordination, spatial perception, and abstract problem-solving skills. The researchers used DNA samples from over 2,150 individuals and found cumulative effects of good versus bad genetic variations.
Researchers found that FASD children had longer reaction times and made more direction errors in eye-movement tasks. The study provides a powerful tool for assessing executive-function deficits in individuals with FASD.
Researchers found reduced brain growth among adult alcoholic children of parents with a history of heavy drinking or alcoholism, affecting IQ scores. The study suggests genetic and environmental factors contribute to the increased risk for alcohol dependence in children of alcoholics.
A study by Thomas Foster at the University of Florida found that rats become forgetful due to an imbalance in brain cell communication. The researchers discovered that 'long-term depression' - a normal process that helps sculpt memory - can lead to rapid forgetting when it occurs excessively.
A recent MIT study reveals a genetic link between gene mutations and schizophrenia, focusing on the calcineurin system as a potential target for future treatments.
The largest search for autism genes to date has implicated components of the brain's glutamate chemical messenger system and a previously overlooked site on chromosome 11. Tiny variations in genes may heighten risk for autism spectrum disorders, with evidence pointing to gene variants affecting neurotransmitter systems.
Recent studies suggest that flavanol-rich cocoa can enhance brain blood flow, potentially improving cognitive function and learning. Researchers found significant correlations between flavanol consumption and reduced rates of heart disease and cancer among the Kuna Indians in Panama.
Peter Shizgal's team investigated the role of leptin in food reward, finding that restricting diet to one meal per day strengthened reward sensations. The study's findings have implications for understanding human motivation and behavior, with potential applications in computer programming and robot development.
Researchers found that disrupting the brain's stress-response mechanism exacerbates behavioral withdrawal symptoms in mice. Administering corticosterone alleviates these symptoms, suggesting new approaches to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Genetic changes indicate impaired stress-response circuitry in the brain.
Scientists at PNNL and UCLA developed a new proteome map, enabling comparisons of healthy brains with those affected by Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurological diseases. The study uses quantitative proteomics and imaging to generate detailed information on brain proteins.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that deaf children with two cochlear implants can more accurately localize sounds over time. The study, led by Ruth Litovsky, suggests that having two implants allows children to better integrate sound information from both ears in their brain.
Researchers found that antipsychotic drugs increase AMPK activity in the brain, triggering increased appetite. Blocking a specific histamine receptor reduces AMPK levels and appetite, offering hope for new, weight-neutral treatments.
Scientists studying hawk moths discovered the Johnston's organ, a tiny structure above the antenna, senses movement and sends signals to the brain. The antennae guide the insect's body back to correct heading through a fine-tuned mechanism.
Researchers found a toxic link between beta-amyloid and tau that causes nerve cell death in Alzheimer's disease. The connection occurs before the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, and affects cells containing tau, which account for just 10% of brain cells.
Researchers at the University of Rochester found that playing action video games for 30 hours per week improved spatial resolution and visual acuity. The study showed significant improvements in identifying letters presented in clutter, even beyond the part of the visual field where players typically engage with the game.
Researchers found that children with severe mood dysregulation exhibited different brain mechanisms, suggesting they may have a distinct illness requiring different treatments. The study suggests that biological measurements could be used to improve psychiatric diagnoses in children with pediatric bipolar disorder.