Articles tagged with Brain
Researchers found that providing reliable warning cues enhances vigilance performance, maintaining attention and efficiency over time. The study's results have practical implications for designing operational cueing systems to reduce brain strain and improve safety in various applications.
A new testing method for Huntington's disease (HSS) has been discovered by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and UCSF. The test uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the 'eye of the tiger sign' in patients with PANK2 mutations, a gene linked to HSS and Parkinson's disease.
A study found that folic acid fortification of grain foods in Ontario, Canada reduced the risk of neural tube defects from 1.13 to 0.58 per 1000 births. The researchers recommend adopting a programme of folic-acid food fortification and increased use of periconceptional folic acid tablets.
Researchers found no significant differences in TPH protein level or 5HT2A receptor density between suicide victims and controls. The A218C polymorphism of the TPH gene was shown to alter TPH protein level, suggesting its role in serotonergic function rather than biological suicidality.
Researchers discovered that fusiform cells in the cochlear nucleus integrate acoustic information with head and ear position information to pinpoint sound sources. The study found that synapses transmitting acoustic information are stable, while those carrying head and ear position information exhibit plasticity.
Researchers confirm that melanopsin plays a crucial role in transmitting light information to the brain's circadian system. The study found that mice without melanopsin had a 40% decrease in responding to changes in light intensity, suggesting a redundant system.
A recent study found that hemispherectomy significantly reduces seizures in older children with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by neurological abnormalities. The surgery was effective in more than 80% of patients, regardless of their age at operation.
Research suggests that sunlight influences brain serotonin activity, which is linked to seasonal mood changes and depression. The study's findings provide insight into the role of environmental factors in regulating mood disorders.
Researchers found that switching from traditional cannulation in the aorta to the axillary artery significantly reduced the risk of stroke and brain damage during bypass surgery. This innovative approach deflected debris away from the brain, markedly limiting postoperative neurological complications.
Researchers found that a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide improves oxygen delivery to the brain, decreasing risk of permanent brain damage. The new treatment may reduce symptoms and improve outcomes for severely poisoned patients.
Researchers tested infants' ability to recognize relationships among shapes, finding they paid more attention to pairs of shapes that occurred most often together. This innate ability helps babies build a concept of the world by recognizing patterns in images and is essential for learning and understanding.
Researchers found that when sensory cues from hands and eyes differ, the brain splits the difference to create a single percept, weighing individual senses differently. The brain maintains three separate representations of an object's properties, prioritizing combined visual and haptic cues over conflicting signals.
The brain creates a weighted average of conflicting sensory cues to produce a single mental image. When discrepancies are too large, the brain defaults to information from a single cue, maintaining three separate representations of an object's property.
A study by Wim J. Riedel and colleagues found that tryptophan depletion can impair learning and memory, cause depressed mood, and induce mood depression in individuals with a family history of depression. The effects typically last for 24 hours.
Researchers study soccer heading to understand cognitive decline and long-term brain damage risks. The study found linear accelerations of 15-20 G's and angular accelerations of 1,000-2,000 radians per second squared, values below established injury thresholds.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research explores the relationship between alcoholism and serotonin. Researchers found that a specific drug probe did not elicit a hormonal response in abstinent alcohol-dependent subjects, suggesting alternative explanations for the connection between serotonin and alcohol depen...
A study analyzing cases of first stroke among young people in Northern Manhattan found that young blacks and Hispanics were more likely to experience a stroke, with the risk being 2.4 times higher for blacks and 2.5 times higher for Hispanics compared to whites. Young men were also more likely to have intracerebral hemorrhage than women.
Researchers have discovered that nerves from the sympathetic branch of the nervous system (PSNS) are connected to fatty tissue, influencing its growth and function. This finding may lead to a better understanding of obesity-related conditions such as type II diabetes and high blood pressure.
Researchers found that early bilingual exposure fosters a dual-language child's brain development, leading to full proficiency in both languages. Late exposure to a second language may hinder mastery if accompanied by restricted input.
Researchers develop mice with nerve tracts stained by up to four different fluorescent jellyfish proteins, enabling them to study neural connections in the living brain. This approach reveals clues about how learning occurs in the brain, including the elimination of many connections after birth.
Researchers successfully transmitted haptic (touch) feedback across the Atlantic, enabling collaborative tasks like lifting a virtual box. The demonstration uses a robotic arm to simulate touch, allowing users to feel each other's manipulations in real-time.
The Rutgers project aims to develop software that allows medical researchers and physicians to share and analyze brain imaging data online, improving the understanding of brain disorders. The new search tools will focus on dynamic brain activity, filtering away secondary signals to reveal underlying pathways.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that endovascular coil therapy is significantly more effective than neurosurgical clipping in treating subarachnoid hemorrhage. For patients with suitable conditions, the treatment resulted in a relative reduction of 25% in risk of dependency or death after one year, as well as an absolute r...
Researchers evaluated saccadic performance in adults with a family history of alcoholism, finding they were slower than those without a history. The study suggests that adaptive response to alcohol is associated with a family-history status known to be associated with genetic influence on alcoholism risk.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine trained macaque monkeys to recognize changes in a display screen, rewarding them with juice for correct responses. The study found that neurons in the visual cortex increased activity when an event was likely to occur, allowing primates to develop expectations and prepare accordingly.
Mice lacking a specific gene have reduced anxious behavior and increased sensitivity to brain's own endogenous neurosteroids. The findings suggest PKCe as a possible target for developing novel therapeutics for anxiety treatment.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne discovered a key player in the brain's response to low glucose levels, shedding light on how diabetes and hypoglycemia are regulated. By studying Neuropeptide Y, scientists hope to develop new treatments for these conditions.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory are developing an ice slurry procedure to cool the blood and brain cells after cardiac arrests, with the goal of improving survival rates. The ice slurry cools the brain by 2-5 degrees Celsius quickly, giving medics more time to revive normal blood flow and brain activity.
Researchers found that a drug mimicking dopamine effects reduces desire to smoke, while a drug impeding dopamine's effects increases puffing frequency. The study suggests dopamine plays a crucial role in cigarette smoking addiction.
Researchers discovered SynCAM plays a major role in synaptic formation, crucial for brain function and neural network development. The study provides insights into the process of synaptic transmission and its importance in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers used genetically altered mice to explore how caffeine affects the brain, finding that it alters specific signaling activity similar to cocaine. The study shows caffeine's stimulating effects, rewarding properties, and potential for dependence, shedding light on its mechanisms in the brain.
Researchers have discovered a new anti-inflammatory drug, NCX-2216, that effectively removes excess amyloid protein from the brains of mice with Alzheimer's-like memory disorders. The nitro-NSAID also activates immune cells called microglia, which may help remove amyloid before it hardens into toxic plaques.
A study by UCI researchers found lower levels of DARPP-32, a key regulatory protein, in the brains of people with schizophrenia. This reduction may contribute to cognitive dysfunction and social problems associated with the disease.
Researchers discovered a single protein that facilitates cell movement in zebrafish embryos, directing cells to form the body's head-tail axis. The protein Strabismus/Van Gogh also affects human brain development and neural tube formation.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that brain music reduced anxiety and improved sleep in subjects with insomnia lasting at least two years. The customized music created specific brain wave patterns, leading to more pronounced effects than placebo music.
Researchers at Salk Institute and UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a critical class of proteins controlling nerve connections from the eye to the brain. The study revealed how optic axons map their connections using Eph receptors and ephrin ligands, shedding light on neural development and potential repair mechanisms.
Research reveals that chronic cocaine users experience a decrease in the perception of pleasure, which can contribute to addiction. New therapies may focus on blocking the elevation of brain reward thresholds produced by chronic cocaine use.
Researchers created a mouse model of Rett syndrome to study the gene MECP2 and its role in fine-tuning the developing nervous system. The study may improve understanding of the disorder and lead to potential treatments for patients.
Researchers found that cardiopulmonary bypass surgery can cause impaired memory and attention, which persist beyond the first couple of weeks. The study suggests that brain systems supporting attention may be particularly vulnerable during major surgeries.
A new study reveals a small-brained Homo erectus individual from Georgia, raising questions about the role of brain size in human migration. The discovery, part of a rich fossil collection, suggests that other factors may have contributed to the ancestors' exit from Africa.
Researchers at USF Health successfully transplanted clonal human neurons into rats with severe spinal cord injuries, allowing some animals to bear weight on their hind legs. The study suggests that the transplanted cells can re-establish a neural connection, potentially paving the way for future rehabilitation and functional recovery.
A Wake Forest investigator has discovered a new mechanism by which alcohol affects the brain, revealing a complex interplay between pre- and post-synaptic processes. The findings suggest that alcohol may be more effective in certain individuals due to variations in sensitivity to its effects.
The American Academy of Neurology has released new guidelines for neuroimaging in premature and low-birth-weight infants. The guidelines recommend screening cranial ultrasonography for all preterm neonates under 30 weeks gestation, with follow-up imaging at 36-40 weeks gestation.
Scientists have identified brain chemicals that can stimulate nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury, providing a potential new target for intervention. By understanding how these chemicals interact with inhibitors, researchers hope to develop treatments to repair damaged nerve cells and improve outcomes for patients.
In a breakthrough study, monkeys were trained to move balls around on a screen using brain signals, achieving accuracy and speed comparable to normal arm movements. The technique has implications for people with paralysis who may be able to learn to control prosthetic limbs through thought control.
The company's phase I clinical trial will examine NicVAX's safety and ability to stimulate the immune system in nonsmokers. If successful, additional trials will be conducted to investigate its efficacy in smokers and ex-smokers.
A study reveals that Alzheimer's plaques can cause a flood of negative ions to drain healthy cells of their charge, leading to cell death. Researchers found that certain drugs can reverse this effect, suggesting a new direction for therapy development.
Researchers studied monkey behavior in a task that simulates goal-driven actions, revealing a boost in brain signal as the reward neared. The signal is thought to sustain goal-directed behavior and may underlie abnormal activity in the brain area associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Research suggests that high homocysteine levels are related to brain atrophy, with elderly individuals experiencing greater loss of brain cells and volume. Additionally, elevated homocysteine levels have been found to be associated with a higher risk of vascular disease in both healthy and Alzheimer's patients.
Dr. James Henry studies the electrical activity of nerve cells to understand how pain is transmitted to the brain. He hopes to establish collaborations among pain researchers and medical professionals to improve treatment options for patients suffering from chronic pain.
Research suggests that baby brains are more efficient at recognizing faces than adults, particularly monkey faces. By six months old, infants can distinguish between individual humans and monkeys, but this ability declines with age.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified the first temperature-sensing molecule found in keratinocytes, the major type of cell in the skin, which can detect warm and hot temperatures above 33°C. This discovery opens up new possibilities for pain therapeutics.
Scientists studied glutamate receptors, finding that experimental drugs regulate desensitization by binding to a separate site. This knowledge may lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other disorders.
Researchers have found a potential therapy for preventing brain swelling in patients with end-stage liver disease. Methionine sulfoximine (MSO) has been shown to prevent glutamine formation, which leads to brain swelling. In animal studies, MSO prevented brain damage and death in rats with hyperammonemia.
A lightweight imaging cap is being developed to assess brain function in space and on Earth. The device utilizes diffuse optical tomography (DOT) to record brain activity through near-infrared light, with potential applications for diagnosing brain disorders such as strokes and seizures.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have made a breakthrough discovery in understanding how we hear, revealing that tiny 'hair cells' release a barrage of chemical packets to an adjacent nerve when sound is detected. This finding could improve the design and programming of hearing aids and cochlear implants.
A Yale research team proposes that serotonin neurons play a crucial role in detecting carbon dioxide levels during sleep and triggering arousal. This response is absent in infants who die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), potentially leading to fatal consequences. The study's findings shed new light on the underlying causes of SIDS.
Researchers found nicotine shows promise as an antidepressant in a Wistar-Kyoto rat model of depression. The study suggests that nicotine or nicotinic agonists could be therapeutic options for treating depressive illnesses. However, the risks associated with cigarette smoking outweigh any potential benefits.
A study of 32 patients with advanced Parkinson's disease found that fetal cell transplants improved symptoms, with the effects being directly proportional to the results experienced prior to transplant. The transplants also showed a significant improvement in dopamine activity in the brain, which stabilized over time.
Researchers found different weather patterns linked to specific stroke sub-types, with warmer seasons reducing ischemic strokes from large arteries. Additionally, temperature drops five days prior and higher air pressure and humidity increased overall strokes and those caused by blockage of large arteries in the brain or heart.