Articles tagged with Brain
Researchers at UC San Francisco have discovered how to shift damaged brain cells from a diseased state into a healthy one using CRISPR technology. The study found that reprogramming microglia cells can help remove protein plaques and protect synapses, potentially treating Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
A new AI algorithm has been developed to detect subtle brain abnormalities causing epileptic seizures. The Multicentre Epilepsy Lesion Detection project used over 1,000 patient MRI scans to train the algorithm, which was able to detect focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in 67% of cases. This could lead to more patients being considered for...
A new animal study finds that testosterone can foster friendly, prosocial behavior in males, in addition to aggression. The hormone appears to help animals rapidly pivot between prosocial and antisocial responses as the social world changes.
A study found that prolonged mental labor leads to glutamate accumulation in the prefrontal cortex, causing cognitive fatigue and altering control over decisions. Researchers suggest taking rest and sleep as a solution to overcome this limitation.
A new study found that people with multiple sclerosis may experience varying levels of physical and mental quality of life depending on factors such as age at diagnosis, income, and disability level. Researchers identified specific subgroups with distinct profiles, highlighting the need for early interventions to improve outcomes.
Researchers mapped out the brain network responsible for nicotine's negative consequences, opening the door to interventions that boost aversive effects to help people quit smoking. The discovery suggests that manipulating this network could treat nicotine dependence by inducing an acute aversive effect.
A WVU researcher is studying corollary discharge circuits in fruit flies to better understand how the brain integrates sensory information and coordinate movement. The goal of this research is to shed light on human disease and human performance, with potential applications for improving fighter pilot safety.
Research led by Drs. Yuhai Zhao and Walter J Lukiw reports a pathway from the gut to the brain that contributes to Alzheimer's disease development. Adequate dietary fiber intake can prevent this process. The study suggests a potential means to modify the abundance of microbes in the microbiome.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed synaptic transistors using graphene that mimic brain synapses, enabling devices to learn on the fly and improve performance over time. The new material is also biocompatible, paving the way for potential medical applications.
Recent studies show that grape consumption can reduce fatty liver and extend lifespans, with Dr. John Pezzuto's team finding changes in genetic expression and antioxidant genes in mice. Adding grapes to a high-fat diet also had positive effects on behavior and cognition.
A study found that brain fog-like impairment is a problem in many animal species due to infection and disease, including humans. Cognitive impairments have been observed in birds, bees, rats, and other species, with various causes such as parasite damage, immune response, and malnutrition.
Researchers discovered that brain-robot interfaces can reroute motor pathways around damaged areas in stroke patients, allowing for improved hand function and control. This breakthrough technology uses proprioceptive feedback to enhance communication between the brain and muscles.
Researchers will design and distribute two new types of miniscopes, enabling deeper brain observations. The devices will be light enough for rodents, unlocking insights into neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study from the University of Geneva suggests that ketamine's therapeutic use may be safe due to its limited impact on dopamine levels and neuronal communication. The research found that ketamine triggers a short increase in dopamine, but also inhibits a specific receptor that prevents addiction progression.
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association finds that social isolation and loneliness are associated with a 30% increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Younger adults, including Gen Z, experience increased social isolation and loneliness due to higher social media use and less in-person engagement.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics found that our brain is a prediction machine continuously making predictions on multiple levels. They analyzed brain activity while people listened to Hemingway or Sherlock Holmes stories and text, finding the brain response was stronger when words were unexpected in context.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have made a groundbreaking discovery about the development of the visual system in mice. By studying the neural networks in cortical and thalamic regions, they found that parallel pathways from the retinas form earlier than connections within cortical areas, challenging current understanding of co...
Research reveals that physical activity has a noticeable effect on almost all brain regions, with higher intensity and duration increasing brain volume and cortical thickness. The hippocampus, a key memory center, benefits most from physical activity, which can help counteract age-related loss of brain matter.
Ben-Gurion University researchers Dr. Moti Salti and Dr. Dafna Bergerbest propose a framework to objectively compare subjective experiences and reveal their neuronal basis. They focus on numerosity as a field where objective criteria can be established, aiming to map individual transfer-functions at both behavioral and neuronal levels.
A study published in Neurology found that factors such as educational attainment, occupation, and social activities can create a 'cognitive reserve' that protects against Alzheimer's disease. Participants with higher childhood cognitive skills, education, and social engagement showed less cognitive decline over time.
Researchers at University of Bristol developed mathematical models to assess biomarkers for detecting glioblastomas, a type of brain cancer. The study found that lowering the current biomarker threshold could lead to earlier detection using blood tests.
Timothy Huang has been awarded $2.8 million by the National Institute on Aging to study the SORLA gene and its link to Alzheimer's disease. The project will use human stem cells transplanted into mice to determine how specific mutations impact microglia function.
A new treatment has shown clinically meaningful effects on pain intensity and disability, with participants reporting improved quality of life and long-term benefits. The sensorimotor retraining approach alters how people think about their body in pain and normalizes communication between the back and brain.
A study reveals that an ADAR1 gene mutation activates ZBP1 protein, leading to programmed cell death and inflammatory responses. This causes damage to organs like the kidneys and liver in genetically modified mouse models.
A large-scale study of nearly 12,000 children aged 9-10 found that disordered eating behaviors are more common than previously thought, with a prevalence of up to 5% in some cases. Children with higher BMIs and those further along in puberty face an elevated risk, highlighting the need for targeted prevention efforts.
Researchers propose a new learning method for individuals with autism, utilizing 'memory flashes' to accelerate learning and improve visual perception capabilities. The study showed significant improvement in both learning speed and generalization of skills, even under new conditions.
Research from Anglia Ruskin University found that microbial instability in the gut hinders endurance athlete performance. High-carbohydrate diets were associated with improved time trial performance, while a short-term high-protein diet led to reduced time trial performance by 23.3%.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Healthy Minds found that mindfulness training alters specific pathways in the brain related to pain regulation. Participants who completed an eight-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course showed a reduction in pain-related brain activity, suggesting a potential new ...
Low to moderate stress levels may enhance cognitive functioning and reduce the risk of developing mental health disorders. Participants who experienced low to moderate stress demonstrated better coping mechanisms and improved neurocognitive abilities.
A new study demonstrates that glyphosate successfully crosses the blood-brain barrier and enhances TNF-α levels in mice. The herbicide is linked to increased production of soluble beta amyloid and reduced neuron viability, suggesting potential hazards to neurological health.
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism behind worm olfaction, revealing how they discriminate between over 1,300 scents despite having only 32 olfactory neurons. The discovery involves the conserved protein arrestin, which helps fine-tune multiple sensations in both worms and humans.
SARS-CoV-2 uses nanotubes to infect neurons, bypassing the usual ACE2 receptor. The virus can spread rapidly through these nanotubes, contributing to its infectious capacity and neurological symptoms.
A new study led by researchers from the University of Michigan and Penn State College of Medicine compared two approaches for people with early form of memory loss: mnemonic strategy training and spaced retrieval training. Mnemonic strategy training showed increased brain activity in areas often affected by Alzheimer's disease, while s...
A team of scientists has discovered a key link between the protein αSyn and Parkinson's disease, finding that it interacts with immune responses in neurons. This interaction may play a critical role in the development of the disease, suggesting a potential new approach for treatments by targeting inflammatory pathways.
A recent PLOS Biology study examines the limitations of current anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer's disease, suggesting abnormal microglial function and tau tangles as key mechanisms. The authors review clinical trial results and propose new strategies for treating the disease, bringing hope for a cure.
A new study from Regenstrief Institute found that pharmacist-led deprescribing care coordinators can significantly reduce prescription of anticholinergics in older adults. The study used two pharmacist-focused models, including face-to-face and telephone outreach, which collectively decreased anticholinergic use by 73%.
Researchers have developed a new test that can detect even slightly elevated levels of tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid, potentially identifying Alzheimer’s disease at its earliest stages. The method uses optical sensors and 'lab-on-fiber' technology to achieve high sensitivity.
Researchers have developed a pulsed MRI system that can safely deliver drugs to the brain by opening the blood-brain barrier. The device uses tailored electromagnetic waveforms to target specific regions of the brain, reducing unwanted side effects.
Neuroscientists have uncovered the step-by-step process of how calcium channels accumulate at active zones in neurons, a critical component of synaptic transmission. The study reveals that alpha2delta plays a key role in regulating Cac levels, and its function has important clinical effects on conditions such as epilepsy and nerve pain.
Research at the University of Reading found that high-dose Vitamin B6 supplementation reduced feelings of anxiety and depression in young adults. The study links Vitamin B6 to its calming effect on the brain, which may help alleviate mood disorders.
Researchers found that children with autism process brain waves differently when focused on body movements versus colors, highlighting a key challenge in communication.
Researchers at Cornell University found connections between the brain's olfactory pathway and visual cortex in dogs, showing that olfaction is integrated with vision in terms of learning about the environment. This study corroborates clinical experiences with blind dogs who function remarkably well despite their condition.
A new study from UTHealth Houston found that whole blood exchange treatments decreased amyloid plaque formation in mice with Alzheimer's disease-causing amyloid precursor proteins. This approach has the advantage of treating the disease in the circulation instead of the brain, potentially bypassing the blood-brain barrier.
A Tokyo University of Science study found that fluoride nanoparticles enhance β-sheet formation in amyloid β proteins, a common feature of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers also discovered that surrounding ions can control this process, paving the way for targeted treatments.
A review of over 200 publications suggests that fish perceive quantities using similar brain regions as mammals and birds. This finding could lead to the development of new treatments for human diseases affecting math skills, such as developmental dyscalculia.
Researchers have created a new mouse model that mimics brain damage caused by severe RVFV infection, enabling the study of disease mechanisms and high-throughput testing of next-generation drugs. This breakthrough has significant implications for developing therapies and vaccines for this devastating virus.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have identified the key mechanism behind roundworms' precise bowel movements, revealing a synchronized nerve impulse between the brain and gut. The study found that the AVL nerve cell in the head regulates the defecation rhythm by relaying and modulating pacemaker signals from the gut.
A Columbia University team created a robot that can learn and understand its own body, planning motion and avoiding obstacles without human assistance. The robot's self-model was accurate to about 1% of its workspace, paving the way for more self-reliant autonomous systems.
Researchers found that six years before a stroke, people who later developed a stroke had similar scores to those who didn't have a stroke. However, at two years before the stroke, scores of those who had a stroke started increasing, reaching a total of about 2.1 points and staying high for 10 years after the stroke.
A recent study discovered that brain inflammation may be a key link between Alzheimer's disease risk and sleep disturbance. The research found that age-related increases in brain inflammation can disrupt fast sleep spindles, which are crucial for long-term memory retention. This disruption contributes to age-related memory impairment i...
New research models how post-viral fatigue syndromes like ME/CFS and Long COVID become life-changing diseases due to neuroinflammation. The study proposes a brain-body connection sustained through chronic neuroinflammation, leading to relapse recovery cycles.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered a molecular pathway by which stress affects lupus, revealing a potential target for treatment. The study found that sleep deprivation caused the activation of microglial cells in the brain, leading to increased levels of IL12 and IL23, a diagnostic marker for neuropsychiatric SLE.
A study published in PAIN Reports found that individuals with opioid use disorder (OUd) experience greater central sensitization, leading to worse quality of life. Central sensitization refers to abnormal pain processing in the brain and spinal cord, causing people to suffer more from pain.
A study by University of Sydney neuroscientists found that people's brains can detect AI-generated fake faces with a 54% accuracy rate. However, verbal identification was only successful 37% of the time, highlighting the potential for using brain activity to flag deepfakes on digital platforms.
New study reveals how GABA A receptor antibodies inhibit neurotransmitter binding, leading to hyperexcitability and symptoms like twitching and seizures. The findings pave the way for developing effective therapies and further investigations into other diseases.
A new study has discovered the neuronal changes that occur during learning to improve discrimination of closely related visual images. Researchers found that experience-driven changes in neural activity enhance discriminations relevant to task performance at the expense of other related discriminations.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a low-cost ultrasound imaging method to study the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and the brain's vascular system. The technique, which provides high-resolution images of animal microvasculature, may aid in early detection of the disease.
A long-term high-fat diet has been shown to cause significant weight gain and metabolic disorders in mice, leading to anxiety, depression, and worsening Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a clear link between chronic obesity and diabetes with cognitive decline.
A new study teaches teenagers to reframe their stress responses from negative to positive driving forces. The intervention improves stress-linked health outcomes, including biological responses, psychological well-being, anxiety symptoms, and academic performance in high-stress environments.
Researchers found that bilinguals process linguistic information in their second language automatically and simultaneously, using left temporo-parietal neural regions. The study uses EEG data to show that Russian primes increase reaction times for English targets, indicating cross-language activation.