Research on how the brain is built and how it governs body and behavior. Covers neural circuits, sleep, sensory systems, brain structure, and the brain-body connection.
A new study has found that abnormality of intracortical inhibition in patients with progressive myoclonic epilepsy type 1 is associated with the magnitude of genetic change. The results suggest that transcranial magnetic stimulation could be useful in assessing patient prognosis and may have use as a marker of GABAergic impairment.
A new study identifies a protein called GFAP as a possible biomarker for very early stages of Alzheimer's disease, which can be detected ten years before symptoms arise. This breakthrough discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
A nationwide registry of AVM patients from 52 hospitals in mainland China investigated the efficacy of different treatments on patient groups. The study found that categorizing treatment strategies based on disease severity is an ideal approach, and a multidisciplinary comprehensive assessment promotes individualized treatment protocols.
A recent study found that middle-aged individuals with more psychological symptoms are at a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. The study, which included data from over 68,000 Finns, suggests that symptoms of depression, exhaustion, and nervousness can increase the risk of dementia even as early as age 45.
New research finds Filamin A positions GABA-B receptors to control brain activity and slow down electric impulses. This discovery could lead to new therapies for neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis and epilepsy.
Researchers tracked 392 patients with diffuse low-grade glioma over 20 years and found that aggressive surgical removal offered a distinct survival advantage. Smaller tumor sizes were associated with longer survival times, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
A study of 169 students found that habitual social media checking is linked to increased sensitivity in adolescent brains. This increased sensitivity may be an adaptive behavior to navigate the digital world, but also poses potential long-term consequences for brain development.
A University of Cincinnati researcher is leading a study to examine the effectiveness of a stroke treatment for patients with a pre-stroke disability, which are often overlooked in clinical trials. The study, funded by PCORI, will enroll over 1,100 patients across the US and collect data on outcomes such as disability, function, and qu...
MIT scientists use single-cell profiling to analyze the cellular function of brain cells affected by Alzheimer's disease, identifying five main areas of disruption. The study reveals specific molecular programs and gene regulation changes that could lead to valuable biomarkers and therapeutic interventions.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute found that the brain stores information in working memory by making short-lived changes in neural connections, contradicting the traditional idea of sustained neuronal activity. This new insight sheds light on the sophisticated flexibility of thought and its dynamic nature.
Researchers discovered a new situation where vertical perception is compromised - when the body pitches and moves at the same time. In real-world experiments on Hong Kong's Peak Tram, they found that participants misjudged their perceived verticality by up to 10 degrees.
A study by researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that a 'valley of recovery' marks progress after a stroke, where performance initially slows before improving. The study modeled fine motor skills regained after a stroke to better understand this process.
Researchers found that brains process register-incongruent words similarly to semantic anomalies, requiring additional effort. Listening to sentences with stylistically out-of-context words elicits the N400 component, indicating increased cognitive load.
A new study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found significant cost savings by eliminating sedation during pediatric brain MRI examinations. The analysis calculated costs for sedated, nonsedated, and limited MRI exams at three US hospitals, revealing that labor costs were the largest expense category.
A new study reveals that almost a third of long Covid patients suffer from persistent smell loss, with nearly a fifth experiencing loss of taste. The condition can significantly impact daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Research from University of Virginia Health System suggests antidepressants can heighten lifelong brain changes in babies, such as autism, when combined with infection or inflammation during pregnancy. SSRIs interact powerfully with the mother's body, causing harmful changes in the placenta and developing brain.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers discovered hearing impairment in a novel preclinical model of autism spectrum disorder. The study highlights the importance of considering sensory organs and their interactions with the brain in understanding ASD.
During sleep, brain regions synchronize to create motor memory by reviewing trials and errors of a given action. The study found that the
A recent clinical trial found that walnut consumption reduced stress and depression levels in university students. The study also showed improved metabolic biomarkers and overall sleep quality in the longer term. Walnuts contain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and melatonin, which promote healthy brain and gut function.
Researchers used VR to teach language to participants, finding that those who learned in unique environments recalled more words (92%) compared to those who learned in the same environment (76%). Immersion in the VR world also played a key role in learning retention.
Research from the University of Ottawa finds that oral contraceptives' effects on brain and mood in women may be linked to age of onset and gut microbiome. The study suggests adolescence as a critical period for understanding OCs' impact, as it influences brain development and hormonal changes.
Researchers from IIT have discovered a correlation between small RNA molecules, piRNAs, and brain inflammation. The study lays the groundwork for new diagnostic technologies to detect neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, at an early stage.
A Northwestern University study found that as people age, their cerebrospinal fluid immune system becomes dysregulated, leading to cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. The discovery provides a new clue to the process of neurodegeneration and may potentially be used to treat inflammation of the brain.
Researchers found that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of dynapenia, an age-associated loss of muscle strength, by 70-78%. Vitamin D supplementation was shown to reduce this risk. The study analyzed data from over 3,000 individuals aged 50 and over, highlighting the importance of vitamin D for maintaining muscle strength.
A large study found that exercise and mindfulness training did not improve cognitive function in healthy older adults, with no measurable benefits after 6 or 18 months. The researchers plan to continue studying the group to see if these practices may help prevent future cognitive declines.
A review of over 100 scientific articles suggests that the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy is endorsed by science, but their effects on fetal neurodevelopment are poorly understood. Brazilian researchers propose using lab-grown mini-brains to investigate this impact and identify potential alterations.
A world-first study found that chronic pain in stroke survivors can alter body perception, increasing accident risk. Researchers discovered that nearly three times as many stroke survivors with chronic pain experience altered body perception compared to those without.
Researchers found that a single psychedelic experience increased nonphysicalist beliefs and beliefs about consciousness, meaning and purpose. The magnitude of belief changes was associated with qualitative features of the experience. A significant increase in 'believers' was also observed after the experience.
A new Lancet Viewpoint provides recommendations for providers and parents to detect and intervene in adolescent substance use. The study highlights the challenges of detecting substances with 'invisible symptoms' and emphasizes the importance of open communication and well-validated screening tools.
A new mesoscopic oblique plane microscopy method captures up to three times more resolvable image points than other similar systems, enabling whole-body volumetric recordings of neuronal activity and blood flow dynamics. The technique allows for single-cell tracking within the complete 3D circulation system for the first time.
A team led by UMass Amherst scientist Margaret Stratton is studying the calcium-sensitive protein CaMKII to understand long-term memory and its potential therapeutic applications. The research has far-reaching implications for treating neurologic diseases, cardiac dysfunction, and infertility.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai found that estrogen can prevent symptoms of delirium in mice with urinary tract infections, reducing IL-6 levels in the blood and protecting neurons. The study suggests estrogen may be a tool to mitigate delirium, particularly in older women with UTIs.
Research found that sounds can influence how we perceive objects visually, making related sounds prioritize certain features. This effect was observed in three experiments, showing that audio input influences object-morph selection speed and accuracy when played during visual discrimination phase.
A study published in the Journal of Dentistry found that patients with unexplained brain abscesses were three times more likely to have oral bacteria present. The researchers also discovered significantly higher counts of Streptococcus anginosus, a bacterium linked to dental abscesses and infections in internal organs.
A new laboratory test can measure levels of amyloid beta oligomers in blood samples, detecting toxic proteins up to years before cognitive impairment. The test, SOBA, has shown promising results in identifying individuals at risk or incubating Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists have developed an AI method to pinpoint cells indicative of Alzheimer's disease based on DNA packing in mouse brain images, offering a potential early detection tool. This approach combines multi-scale imaging with artificial intelligence to identify biomarkers for aging-related diseases.
A study published in Science Advances shows that tPBM can improve working memory in people with conditions like ADHD. The therapy, applied to the right prefrontal cortex, showed significant improvements in memory performance and brain activity.
Researchers have discovered that a specific mutation in the misfolding protein causing Parkinson's disease can also protect against multiple system atrophy (MSA), another fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The findings provide a promising lead for developing targeted treatments using personalized medicine approaches.
Dr. Jayaraman's team will analyze glutamate receptors involved in learning and memory processes, shedding light on pathologies of learning disabilities, epilepsy, and other neurological issues.
Researchers have identified optimal blood tests to detect Alzheimer's disease at its earliest stages. The study found that phospho-tau217 is a reliable marker for monitoring disease progression and selecting individuals for novel trials.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that overweight women are more likely to experience symptoms of long Covid. The research also shows that people with long Covid are much more likely to need additional and lasting NHS care than those who make a swift recovery.
A Collaborative Research Centre investigates animal navigation using the Earth's magnetic field. The study focuses on vertebrates, including birds and fish, aiming to protect endangered migratory species.
Researchers discovered that krill oil protects dopaminergic neurons from age-related degeneration through temporal transcriptome rewiring and suppression of several hallmarks of aging. Krill oil increases neuronal resilience, promoting anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation, and abrogating multiple aging hallmarks.
University of Copenhagen researchers made a groundbreaking discovery about the mammalian brain, finding that a vital enzyme that enables brain signals is switching on and off at random intervals. This challenges the long-held assumption that these enzymes are active at all times to convey essential signals continuously.
Researchers found that individuals with persistent asthma have higher levels of inflammation and artery plaque, which may increase heart attack or stroke risk. The study also highlights the importance of addressing risk factors for cardiovascular disease in people with persistent asthma.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that using warmer brain irrigation fluid can halve the number of repeat operations needed to remedy bleeding under the cranium. This method involves replacing room temperature irrigation fluid with body temperature fluid, resulting in a significant reduction in surgical interventions.
A £1.5M EU-funded project led by Dr Esther Walton aims to understand the brain's role in aging and mental health, tracking over 78,000 individuals from birth to death. The research hopes to propose earlier interventions for a healthier, happier life.
A Rutgers-led study found that a gene mutation associated with autism causes an overstimulation of brain cells, disrupting the normal information flow. The researchers used human stem cells and transplanting them into mouse brains to understand how the mutation affects brain development.
Researchers demonstrate that tetraplegic users can operate mind-controlled wheelchairs in a cluttered environment after training, with improvements in accuracy and brain activity patterns. The study highlights the importance of long-term training and neuroplastic reorganization for successful brain-machine interface control.
Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine identified the protein bassoon as a key contributor to tau neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease. The study found that bassoon stabilizes the tau seed, allowing it to propagate in the brain and exacerbate neurodegeneration.
A new study published in the journal Nature has identified medin as a key player in Alzheimer's therapies. Medin, a protein that accumulates in the blood vessels of the brain, promotes vascular pathology and cognitive decline. The researchers hope to develop a treatment targeting medin to prevent vascular damage and cognitive decline.
A nationwide study found that hundreds of residents in neurological surgery trained on a first-of-its-kind simulator, mirroring real-life catastrophe scenarios. The simulation model was deemed feasible and cost-effective, similar to pre-flight simulators used by pilots.
Researchers developed a non-invasive device to measure cervical nerve activity, which could potentially improve treatments for patients with sepsis and PTSD. The device recorded electrical activity across different nerves, grouping patients into distinct biotype groups based on their response to stressors.
Researchers found that IGF1 gene therapy increases kisspeptin expression and GnRH release, and alters microglial cell numbers, suggesting a potential protective effect against reproductive decline. This could lead to new strategies for optimizing lifespan and combating age-related health problems in women.
The FDA approved Aduhelm for Alzheimer's treatment based on reduced amyloid levels in the brain, despite no significant clinical effect. The use of amyloid-PET scans is being questioned for its accuracy and reliability in measuring amyloid removal.
Research in rats suggests that hormonal contraceptives may alter the developing prefrontal cortex, increasing stress hormone production and disrupting signal transmission. The study's findings have implications for understanding the impact of birth control on teenage behavior and mood.
A study published in Current Biology found that children exhibit rapid boosts of GABA during visual training, stabilizing new learning and making it more efficient. This discovery suggests that children may acquire new knowledge and skills faster than adults, with implications for teaching and learning strategies.
Scientists have created a way to track brain diseases like depression, Alzheimer's, and strokes using fluorescent mouse blood. The method allows for months-long study of blood flow in the brain, providing new insights into disease progression and development.
A new study found racial and ethnic disparities in brain aging among middle-age and older adults. In late life, Latinx and white adults experienced more pronounced brain aging, while Black adults showed accelerated brain aging in midlife.
The Simons Foundation is launching a $250 million initiative to fund bold, transformational neuroscience research over the next 10 years. The foundation aims to support cross-disciplinary collaborations that address fundamental questions about brain function, with an emphasis on innovative ideas and junior investigators.