Articles tagged with Brain
A study by UT Southwestern researchers found that the Clock gene regulates reward responses to cocaine and dopamine pathways. The study suggests a link between disrupted circadian rhythms and the tendency to abuse drugs.
Researchers discovered that macrophages in the innate immune system may play a role in Alzheimer's development. They found that healthy individuals can clear amyloid-beta, but Alzheimer's patients' macrophages struggle with this task.
Researchers found that combining SGS742 with Aricept improves memory in rats by altering gene control machinery involved in long-term memory consolidation. The combination therapy protocol may provide a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease symptoms and improve patient quality of life.
Researchers found that trained meditative practice, particularly one-point meditation, can significantly alter the normal fluctuations in conscious state induced by perceptual rivalry. This suggests that high-level neural influences can modulate attention and consciousness, supporting previous work on the topic.
Researchers found that a 'reward' pathway in the brain primes the subconscious to learn efficiently. Participants showed marked improvement in recognizing moving dots despite focused attention on other stimuli. The study suggests long-term retention of learned behaviors and challenges the notion of fixed brain development.
The National Institute on Aging has awarded the University of California, Irvine (UCI) $9 million to continue its research on Alzheimer's disease. Two key projects will focus on understanding age-related changes in the brain and the role of mitochondrial defects in causing Alzheimer's disease. These studies aim to advance our knowledge...
The University of Manchester is developing a state-of-the-art Vision Chip that will enable robots to respond to events and multitask like humans. The chip, based on the retina of the human eye, will process complex images at rapid rates, allowing robots to react in real time.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that the retina is the default pathway for eye development in mammals, controlled by two chemical cues. This discovery has important implications for human therapy, as it highlights the need to regulate stem cell development and prevent excessive growth of the retina.
Researchers have developed a mathematical way to translate brain wave readings into simple terms to help doctors identify newborns at risk for epilepsy. The new tool uses quantitative EEG analysis to pinpoint abnormal brain activity in real-time.
A study using computed tomography found that women's brains atrophy faster and show greater brain damage from chronic drinking than men's. Women start to drink later but develop dependence earlier and experience more severe consequences.
The Vax1/2 double knock-out mice study reveals the necessary role of Vax genes in blocking the default differentiation pathway for front end brain development. The repression of Pax6 expression is a key step in ventralization of the eye field and subsequent optic nerve development.
Researchers found that increasing dopamine D2 receptors can reduce drinking behavior in mice and rats, while blocking another type of dopamine receptor may also decrease consumption. These findings provide insight into the complex roles of dopamine in alcohol abuse and may lead to molecular-based treatments.
Researchers found that audiovisual integration of speech is severely reduced when observers perform a difficult task, even when the talker is clearly visible and audible. This challenges previous claims that multisensory integration occurs without attention, implying a need for attentional resources for cross-sensory binding.
A new intervention program for toddlers with autism focuses on social engagement to improve language and cognitive development. The program aims to alter the trajectory of early brain development toward a more normal one by promoting emotional relationships between children and other people.
A study by McMaster University found that children's brains are less adept at judging speed in slow motion due to immaturity. As a result, adding speed to a pitch helps them perceive it more accurately. The research, set to be published in July, was triggered by a correlation between eye problems and perception.
Research suggests that moderate drinking enhances new nerve cell formation in adult brains, which may contribute to long-term effects of alcohol on the brain. The study's findings have sparked interest in understanding the role of these new cells in cerebral activity and their potential link to addiction.
A study suggests that CABG surgery may cause mild and transient cognitive changes in some patients, but these effects do not persist beyond three months. The authors argue that the procedure is improving and that the population undergoing surgery is becoming older and sicker, which may contribute to the observed cognitive deficits.
Researchers discovered defects in astrocytes, crucial support cells for brain health, in a patient with vanishing white matter disease. The study sheds light on the disease's mechanisms and may lead to treatment development.
A genetic study found significant associations between two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and alcohol dependence in a Russian population. The variations were in the GABRA2 receptor subtype, which is involved in regulating brain activity and can decrease activity of the entire brain and body.
Researchers found a key gene, sec15, that plays a crucial role in brain wiring and cell contact choices. The study used sophisticated genetics to analyze the fruit fly brain, revealing aberrant wiring patterns and protein misplacement in neurons lacking sec15.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that prolonged neural activity in the brain's arousal centers triggers the release of adenosine, leading to feelings of drowsiness. Caffeine works by blocking this process, allowing people to stay awake.
Stanford researchers found that louder neurons outcompete quieter ones for space, forming larger branches and more connections. Regularly firing neurons in stimulating environments tend to create longer, more complex arbors.
Microglial cells are highly dynamic, constantly sampling their environment and interacting with neurons. In response to cerebral hemorrhage, microglial cells rapidly rush to the injured site, shielding it and decomposing damaged tissue.
A recent study found that women with ischemic stroke are less likely to receive diagnostic tests than men, despite having worse outcomes. Sixty-two percent of all deaths from stroke in the US occur in women, highlighting a need for increased access to tests and education.
UF researchers discovered that high levels of phenylalanine in the brains of mice with PKU interfere with brain cell communication, leading to potential developmental delays and disorders. The findings may lead to new treatments for PKU and other neurological disorders.
A study found that an ancient enzyme, GCN2 kinase, plays a crucial role in guiding healthy eating behavior in mammals. The enzyme detects changes in blood amino acid levels and triggers a behavioral response to limit consumption of imbalanced food.
A study found that deep brain stimulation with STN and GPi targets improves off-medication motor scores and levodopa-induced dyskinesia for at least one year. STN stimulation may be better for younger patients with prominent bradykinesia, while GPi stimulation is better suited for dose-limiting dyskinesia.
A study found that atypical antipsychotic medication olanzapine reduced gray matter volume less than conventional haloperidol, while healthy volunteers showed no significant changes. These differences were associated with varying improvements in neurocognitive functioning and behavioral pathology.
Researchers discovered NAADP, a natural molecule with potential as an obesity treatment, that works in cells to regulate satiety. The study found NAADP levels increased rapidly and selectively in response to cholecystokinin, a hormone controlling digestion and appetite.
A new study using hyperscanning technology measures the brain's response to trust decisions, revealing a shift in timing as interactions progress. The technique may provide valuable insights into conditions such as autism and schizophrenia.
A study by Clifford and Harris found that an 'invisible' image can influence the appearance of an image in the other eye, suggesting signals from the invisible image travel to the brain's occipital lobe. This challenges the long-held belief that the occipital lobe is the seat of visual consciousness.
A three-year study aims to better understand the hormonal influences on post-natal psychiatric disorders in women. Researchers suspect that hormone signals within the brain play a key role in behavioral change following childbirth.
Researchers argue that a narrow focus on just a few songbird species provides a fragmentary picture of brain function. They propose studying the diversity in how birds learn to sing across different species and age groups.
A three-year study funded by £253,823 is set to investigate the role of hormones in post-natal illnesses. Research suggests that changes in brain chemistry following childbirth may contribute to psychiatric disorders in some women, with up to 10% experiencing anxiety and unhappiness.
A breakthrough discovery identifies molecules that trigger secondary cerebral vasospasm after hemorrhagic stroke, leading to potential new treatments and diagnostic tests. Elevated levels of bilirubin and a specific group of oxidation products called BOXes are found to be correlated with the condition.
Researchers have developed a polymer that acts as a decoy for beta amyloid proteins, attracting them away from brain cells and preventing their accumulation. This approach shows promise for slowing Alzheimer's disease progression and may lead to the development of new diagnostic tools.
Researchers at NYU studied the body's response to viral encephalitis and found that neurons are sensitive to protective effects of type I interferons. Interferons induce pathways to fight the virus' spread but can be ineffective in certain stages, leaving infected neurons vulnerable.
A study found that a functional variant of a histamine-metabolizing enzyme is associated with higher frequencies of the allele in alcoholics, suggesting it may increase vulnerability to alcoholism. In contrast, carriers of the Ile105 allele are protected against developing alcoholism due to lower levels of anxiety.
Research found that enriched mice had lower levels of b-amyloid peptides, which form toxic brain tangles in Alzheimer's disease. The enrichment act as a protective factor, keeping peptide levels low before they can aggregate and cause problems.
A study by neuroscientists suggests that faces and words are recognized differently, with faces identified by wholes and words by parts. In experiments, observers were asked to focus on a black dot accompanied by a letter or face, finding it easier to recognize the individual elements when they were isolated from context.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered TRPV3, a protein that detects warm temperatures through skin cells, not sensory neurons. The receptor is activated by both thermal heat and the compound camphor, leading to new insights into pain sensation and potential drug targets.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have identified a specific genetic variation associated with a 10-fold increased risk of a ruptured brain aneurysm. This discovery could lead to the development of a fast and inexpensive blood test to predict stroke risk, saving thousands of lives annually.
A study involving genetically altered mice has found similarities with essential tremor disease in humans, suggesting that the GABA system plays a role in the condition. The findings may lead to new treatments for essential tremor, which affects an estimated 5 million Americans.
Neuroscientist Dmitri Chklovskii's study reveals non-random patterns of local connectivity in the rat brain, suggesting functional modules that process information. The researchers found that strong connections account for half of synaptic strength and play a crucial role in brain function.
Bees' brains process scents in a complex system that correlates with behavioral responses, suggesting a species-specific code for odor recognition. The study's findings improve understanding of animal perception and memory, paving the way for further research.
Neurobiologist William H. Calvin argues that bigger brain size didn't lead to general intelligence improvements in human evolution. However, after a significant burst of creativity around 75,000 years ago, humans made rapid advancements in complex tasks like art and language.
New brain imaging technologies have the potential to treat and diagnose depression, as well as detect fetal abnormalities. However, questions remain about their clinical implications and how they should be used in research studies.
A recent study found that nicotine can eliminate the differences in brain activity between men and women during hostile or impulsive acts. Brain imaging research conducted by UCI showed that when participants were given nicotine, the brain-metabolism activity was virtually identical for both sexes.
Researchers developed a treatment using a neuroprosthesis that stimulates muscles with electrical pulses, enabling stroke patients to reconnect damaged neuronal connections and restore hand function. After 16 weeks of training, 85% of the treatment group showed progress in reaching and grasping functions.
Researchers found that people rapidly categorize objects before they identify them, contradicting the long-held assumption that object recognition begins with categorization. This built-in process enables fast and efficient visual perception, facilitating survival and interaction with the environment.
Researchers used transferrin protein to attach medicines to iron-containing proteins, allowing them to pass through the blood-brain barrier. This technique enables larger molecules to reach the brain, opening up new possibilities for treating brain diseases.
Researchers discovered two proteins, thrombospondins, that encourage new synapses to form in the brain. This study could help understand diseases like epilepsy and addiction where too many synapses form, and may lead to new treatments for recovering addicts.
Researchers found that involuntary attention improves performance in simple, early visual processing tasks by increasing neural activity in areas of the brain responding to attended stimuli. The study used fMRI to map brain activity while observers performed a task with cues to attract their attention.
A study by Emory University researchers found that a sex hormone metabolite, allopregnanolone, reduces stress and anxiety in female rats. The findings suggest that progesterone may inhibit the effect of CRF on the acoustic startle response.
A recent study by the American Academy of Neurology found that marijuana use impacts brain blood flow, even after a month of abstinence. The research involved 54 marijuana users and 18 control subjects, who underwent transcranial Doppler sonography to measure blood flow velocity and pulsatility index.
A natural gene mutation in rats' brains increases their tolerance to alcohol, leading to rapid intoxication. The study may help identify children and adults at higher risk of developing alcohol dependency.
A study published in Science found that prions, the infectious agents behind mad cow disease, can accumulate in organs such as the liver and pancreas in animals with chronic inflammation. The discovery suggests that the current risk classification for farm animal organs may need to be reassessed in animals suffering from inflammation.
The study found that dedicated hospital stroke centers improved quality of acute care by increasing tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) use from 2.4% to 7.7%, reducing disability from stroke, and decreasing complications. This model can motivate other communities to establish similar systems.
Researchers found that older adults excel in visual processing tasks when the stimuli are large and high-contrast, whereas younger individuals struggle. This study provides evidence for changes in brain inhibition mechanisms as people age, shedding light on why older adults may perform better on certain visual tasks.
The star-nosed mole's exceptional foraging ability is attributed to its star-shaped appendages that ring its nose, allowing it to detect small prey quickly. By minimizing handling time, the mole achieves a net energy 'profit' with a diet of insect larvae and other small food sources.