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 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.
Researchers discover that neurons directly contribute to Krabbe disease destruction through enzyme galactosylceramidase. This finding presents a new approach to developing therapies for the rare neurodegenerative disorder.
A recent study published in Brain Stimulation reveals that non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation increases reaction times to negative images and decreases reactions to positive images. The findings have implications for the development of treatments for PTSD and other mental health conditions.
The Nutrition for Dementia Prevention Working Group recommends improving clinical nutrition trials by considering biomarkers, genetic testing, and microbiome analysis. The group suggests utilizing a wider variety of study designs and more personalized approaches to guide future research.
A new theory developed by a collaboration between a former cosmologist and a computational neuroscientist has identified essential connections between brain cells. The theory, published in Physical Review Research, uses geometric framework to predict structure from function in neural networks.
Researchers developed a technology that uses surviving neurons to restore connection between brain and arm via specific stimulation pulses to the spinal cord. This allowed macaque monkeys with partial arm paralysis to improve precision, force, and range of movement in their arms.
Researchers with the Calgary Stroke Program have made a breakthrough in treating acute ischemic stroke with Tenectepele, a safe and well-tolerated drug that can be administered as a single dose. The study shows that TNK works better than current recommended drug tPA, restoring blood flow faster and for a longer period.
A study of remote Papua New Guinea communities suggests that major chords and melodies do not universally elicit a happier response, contradicting long-held assumptions. The findings highlight the cultural variability in emotional responses to music.
A recent study published in Circulation Journal Report reveals that only 20% of U.S. adults and children have ideal cardiovascular health. The Life's Essential 8 checklist, updated by the American Heart Association, assesses heart health through eight key components, including diet, physical activity, and sleep duration.
Brazilian researchers surveyed 900 volunteers during the pandemic, finding that time expansion (feeling time passes slowly) was associated with loneliness and a lack of positive experiences. Time pressure (feeling time flies quickly) was also influenced by loneliness and stressful situations.
A team of researchers has successfully connected a partially paralyzed man's brain to a pair of robotic arms, allowing him to feed himself using subtle motor signals. The 'shared control strategy' enables the user to customize robot behavior with limited human input, creating a 'best of both worlds' environment.
Administering oxytocin to central social network members spreads cooperation via increased punishment of uncooperative behavior, Li et al. found in a new study published in JNeurosci. Cooperation can conflict with individual goals, but oxytocin may have evolved humans' need for group living.
Researchers elucidated the molecular mechanisms of acetylcholine in learning and memory, revealing a signaling cascade involving protein kinase C. The study opens doors to new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging launches Brain Health PRO, a digital educational program offering interactive modules to improve physical and mental health. The program aims to reduce dementia risk by focusing on modifiable domains such as exercise, nutrition, and sleep.
A new study found that specific gene mutations, such as LRRK2 and PRKN, may prolong survival time in Parkinson's patients, while SNCA and GBA mutations may shorten it. This could lead to more personalized treatment plans for patients with these genetic variants.
A new genetic disease has been identified that causes abnormal brain development in children, resulting in severe learning difficulties. Researchers have discovered the underlying cause of the condition by analyzing changes in a protein coding gene called GRIA1, which helps move electrical signals around the brain.
A comprehensive survey of scientific literature suggests that nearly all known biological pathways are linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study found that immune, metabolic and depression-related pathways were consistently cited as major mechanisms contributing to the disease.
Studies by UC Davis MIND Institute found predictive protein patterns in expecting mothers' blood and links between maternal autoantibodies and higher autistic traits. MAR ASD patterns were associated with autism before birth, with certain patterns predicting autism in previously diagnosed children.
A new AI system uses artificial neural networks to recognize objects more accurately and stably, despite changing visual inputs. The system mimics human eye movements to improve machine vision capabilities, reducing errors in self-driving cars and other applications.
A study published in Neurology found that acupuncture can reduce the average number of headache days per month for those struggling with chronic tension-type headaches. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in headache frequency, with participants experiencing a decrease from 20 to 7 days per month.
Researchers found that walking enhances performance on cognitive tasks in 14 participants by increasing frontal brain function, while 12 others showed no improvement. This discovery highlights the flexibility of a healthy brain and has implications for understanding aging and neurological disorders.
Jose Rizo-Rey, a professor of Biophysics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, has been exploring the process of synaptic vesicle fusion using the Frontera supercomputer. His research reveals that specialized proteins are
Researchers developed a low-cost 3D model of the brain to study SARS-CoV-2's neurological effects. The adapted virus replicates 30 times more efficiently in astrocytes than neurons, highlighting the importance of these cells in central nervous system infection.
A study published in Psychological Science found that our brains treat some emotions as wrong and react as if there was an error. The research, conducted by Ben-Gurion University psychologists, used experiments to assess emotion responses and discovered similarities between counter-normative emotion reports and perceptual errors.
A joint UC Riverside and UC Irvine study found that people who show near transfer in brain training are more likely to experience far transfer, meaning improved focus and problem-solving skills. The research suggests that working memory training can be effective for certain individuals, but its impact on fluid intelligence remains deba...
Researchers studied ant brains using single cell technology, revealing functional specialization and complementary brain cell composition differences among individuals. The study found specialized neurons for learning and memory in worker ants and optic lobe cells in male ants.
Researchers from the University of Bath have made significant breakthroughs in understanding how a type of gene regulates essential nerve cells. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in controlling brain development and function, particularly during embryonic development and early life.
A new study of patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) shows that those who struggle with complex words compensate by using simpler ones. Healthy volunteers also exhibit a similar balance between word complexity and syntactic structure, suggesting a fundamental property of language production.
A UC San Diego longitudinal study found that most COVID-19 long-haulers continue to suffer from neurological symptoms six months after infection, with memory impairment and decreased concentration being the most prevalent. Researchers identified a new subgroup with advanced symptoms, including tremor and difficulty balancing.
Researchers have developed a new probe to detect Alzheimer's disease biomarkers using near-infrared fluorescence, which may help diagnose the disease early and prevent its progression. The probe binds oligomeric Aβ proteins, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, offering a potential alternative to existing treatments.
A world-first study from the University of South Australia found a direct link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of dementia and stroke. The study analyzed data from 294,514 participants and found that up to 17% of dementia cases might have been avoided by boosting vitamin D levels.
Researchers at Colorado State University have found a way to alter the type of synapses between brain cells using enzymes. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for brain disorders caused by faulty synaptic information processing and exchange.
A series of FQXi-funded experiments deep under the Italian mountains failed to find evidence in support of a gravity-related quantum collapse model, undermining the feasibility of this explanation for consciousness. The team used an extremely sensitive cylindrical detector and reported no spontaneous radiation signals after running the...
ALS researchers identified distinct patterns of symptoms and related microscopic brain and spinal cord changes in a study. The ALS functional rating scale-revised was found to be associated with different patterns of muscle weakness symptoms, which correlated with more severe microscopic changes.
Women with self-injury behaviour show a more effective pain-modulation system, displaying more connections between pain perception and modulation brain areas. This finding suggests that effective pain modulation is a risk factor for self-injury behaviour, providing valuable insights for improving treatment and support.
Research finds prenatal exposure to BPA and DEHP may contribute to mood disorders later in life by altering brain chemistry. Adult offspring exposed to these chemicals displayed impaired fear responses and altered behavioral patterns, highlighting the importance of avoiding exposures during pregnancy.
A study found that older Latinos who participated in a culturally relevant Latin dance program for eight months significantly improved their working memory compared to those in a control group. The program used four types of Latin dance styles and incorporated elements of social engagement, increasing physical activity levels.
A new study published in Nutrients found that individuals with higher red blood cell DHA levels have a 49% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study, conducted on 1,490 participants aged 65 and older, suggests that increasing dietary omega-3 DHA levels may slow the development of the disease.
A team of researchers identified a group of interneurons in the spinal cord required for heat sensation and found a signaling pathway that contributes to heat hypersensitivity. Their study may lead to more effective treatment for chronic, pathological pain.
Researchers discovered two novel categories of cells in the BLA that respond to ethological stimuli, including event-specific neurons responding to one type of stimulus and panresponsive neurons responding equally well to multiple stimuli. These findings suggest a larger role for the BLA in memory and behavior.
A study of over 3,000 adults found that RAAS inhibitors lowered aneurysm rupture risk by 18%. Using proper antihypertensive medications can decrease the risk of a ruptured aneurysm. The study suggests that nearly 18% of ruptured aneurysms may be prevented with RAAS inhibitors.
A new study reveals that combinations of multiple genetic factors determine the risk and severity of symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Researchers analyzed 37,375 individuals from 11,213 families to understand how rare mutations and common genetic variation contribute to ASD.
Neuroscientists demonstrate that mice can learn to suppress their innate escape response, effectively ignoring stimuli deemed non-threatening. The study's findings show that this suppression is specific to the stimulus and dependent on recent threat-escape history.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL are standardizing high-resolution brain mapping data to enable unprecedented analysis and make the Laboratory a focal point for neuroscience research. The team aims to create guidelines for annotation, metadata, and processing tools to ensure interoperable results from diverse datasets.
A recent study published in PNAS Nexus found that brain scans can accurately predict a person's political ideology, regardless of whether they are performing tasks or simply thinking. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans and artificial intelligence techniques to analyze the brain activity of 174 healthy adu...
Researchers are assessing cognitive decline in aging Latinos, exploring the long-term impact of COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease on brain function and impairment. The study will gather data to develop real-world therapies and potentially lessen the disease burden of dementia affecting Latinos.
Researchers found significant disparities in death rates after strokes among Black and Hispanic populations compared to white populations. Hispanic individuals had a 30% increased risk of death after subarachnoid hemorrhage strokes, while Black individuals faced a 30% increased risk of death after intracerebral hemorrhage strokes.
A new Northwestern University study reveals ketamine's fast-acting antidepressant effects by increasing activity in existing newborn neurons, offering hope for a faster-working treatment with fewer side effects.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified a chemical compound that stops the final events in the pathway linked to brain cell death in Parkinson’s disease. The compound, PAANIB-1, blocks the protein parthanatos without affecting its other critical activities, potentially halting neurodegenerative progression.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have comprehensively mapped molecular activity in the brain and spinal cord that regulates body's response to central nervous system (CNS) disorders. They discovered a critical role of astrocytes, specialized support cells, in regulating outcomes for CNS disorders.
A study conducted by Kaunas University of Technology researchers analyzed how people with Alzheimer's disease process visual information from faces. The study found that brain signals in patients are significantly noisier, making it harder for them to focus and be attentive.
Researchers at University of Tokyo used machine learning-based analysis of scalp-recorded EEG to see when and where odors are processed in the brain. Unpleasant odors were found to be processed earlier than pleasant ones, suggesting potential early warning system against dangers.
Researchers at Sainsbury Wellcome Centre found that mice can choose the best escape route after only 10 minutes of exploration, without needing to experience threat. The study suggests that mice use innate heuristics and natural exploration to learn this information.