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.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a key molecular mechanism behind memory linking and identified an FDA-approved drug that can restore this brain function in middle-aged mice. The study suggests a potential early intervention for dementia and strengthening human memory in middle age.
Researchers will investigate neural mechanisms during learning in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with and without clinical depression. The study aims to identify new knowledge about the effect of depression on the injured brain, which may lead to interventions for rehabilitation.
New research finds elevated activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex when anticipating stuttering, indicating a key role in cognitive control. This study provides fresh insight into how stutterers process anticipation, offering potential implications for therapy.
A study published in eLife found that type 2 diabetes speeds up the normal process of brain aging, with longer duration of diabetes linked to increased neurodegeneration. The analysis showed that people with diabetes had a further 13.1% decrease in executive function and processing speed compared to healthy individuals.
Researchers at West Virginia University are studying the mechanisms behind Alzheimer's disease and PTSD, using animal models to investigate how stressful events affect brain cells. They aim to understand the role of estrogen and high-cholesterol diet in developing the disease.
A study led by Flinders University reveals that Australia's Letter-winged kite may not have enhanced vision for nighttime hunting as previously thought. The research found similar eye dimensions to its daytime-hunting relatives, contradicting decades of speculation about the kite's visual system.
A new study by the University of Birmingham found that dopamine levels can affect emotion recognition in people with neurological disorders. Those with low baseline dopamine levels improved their ability to recognize emotions after receiving a dopamine boost, while those with higher baseline levels became worse at emotion recognition.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown mutation in a child with epilepsy that affects the functioning of ion channels, which are crucial for brain function. The mutation has been found to decrease the function of normal proteins as well, highlighting the importance of studying genetic mutations.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University researchers found ketamine boosts IGF-1, a brain molecule linked to depression. The independent pathways of IGF-1 and BDNF suggest a novel target for developing rapid-acting antidepressants.
Research published in eNeuro found that physical consequences, such as slipping, can improve motor learning by refining movement responses to mistakes. Participants who experienced a slip improved their ability to adjust steps to new situations, demonstrating better generalization of learned skills.
Daily gabapentin treatment restored fine motor functions in mice's upper extremities and continued to show functional improvements even after treatment was stopped. The drug blocks the activity of a protein that hinders re-growth of axons, enabling post-stroke central nervous system repair to progress in a coordinated way.
A study by Kyushu University researchers has analyzed the development and genetic profile of a set of cells that construct the brain's immune system. The findings reveal that meningeal macrophages develop in the same way as other microglia, but perivascular macrophages originate from meningeal macrophages after birth.
A novel preclinical drug has been developed to inhibit the kinase enzyme Cdk5, which is implicated in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions. The drug, 25-106, is brain-permeable and shows promise in altering neurobehavior in mice with anxiety-like behavior.
A randomized controlled trial found that consuming cranberries for 12 weeks improved participants' memory of everyday events and neural functioning. The study also showed a significant decrease in LDL or 'bad' cholesterol levels, contributing to improved vascular health and brain perfusion.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that choline supplementation increases DHA bioavailability during pregnancy. Choline helps the body more efficiently use omega-3 fatty acid DHA, which is essential for fetal brain, cognition and vision development.
A study in a mouse model found that viral infections during pregnancy can affect the mother's brain and disrupt maternal care behavior after birth. The research team identified structural, molecular, and functional changes in the brains of mothers with viral-like immune activation.
The study examines how estrogen regulates the brain's bioenergetic system, which affects glucose transport and metabolism. Researchers aim to understand changes in this system during menopause and its potential link to age-associated neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
Research on experimental drug NU-9 invents by Northwestern University scientists reveals it is more effective than existing FDA-approved drugs for ALS treatment. NU-9 also repairs the axons of diseased upper motor neurons in ALS mouse model, offering a potential new approach to treating the devastating disease.
A Rutgers University study found that Black adults raised in the South are more likely to experience cognition problems later in life due to factors such as poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage. In contrast, White adults from the South with higher childhood socioeconomic status tend to perform better cognitively.
A new circuit model provides an explanation for how deep brain stimulation (DBS) relieves Parkinson's disease motor symptoms by interrupting a vicious cycle between the subthalamic nucleus and the striatum. The model suggests that DBS restores a balance with other rhythm frequencies, enabling better movement control.
A study found that high blood adenosine levels at 15 days of life correlated with white matter lesions and brain injury in very low birth weight premature infants. Adenosine may play a role in oligodendrocyte maturation and neuronal development, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for complications of prematurity.
A Swedish study of over 9,000 children found that playing video games increased their intelligence by 2.5 IQ points compared to TV-watching or social media. The study controlled for genetic differences and socioeconomic background, suggesting a positive effect of video games on cognitive abilities.
Researchers suggest a novel neuroimaging technique can unveil Alzheimer's disease secrets and predict symptom risk. The 'neuromelanin-sensitive MRI' method provides insights into the brain's noradrenergic system, linked to aggressive behavior and cognitive decline.
Researchers revived photoreceptor cells in human macula, responding to bright and dim lights. The study restores communication between retinal cells, transforming brain and vision research.
The new center aims to advance a groundbreaking combination of focused ultrasound and cancer immunotherapy, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment. The partnership will focus on overcoming existing limitations of immunotherapy and expanding treatment options for various types of cancer.
Researchers measured biomarkers of azoxystrobin in pregnant women and young children, revealing widespread exposure and transfer to embryos. The study found that the fungicide can cross the placenta and enter the developing brain of mouse embryos.
A study from Edith Cowan University reveals that electrical stimulation on specific nerves and relaxation techniques can reduce neural amplification in the spinal cord, which may help alleviate involuntary muscle spasms. These methods could provide a non-pharmacological alternative to current treatment options.
Researchers found that australopithecines' smaller brain sizes at birth were likely an adaptation for bipedalism, allowing them to navigate the complex birth canal. The study suggests that prolonged learning outside the womb was crucial for cognitive and cultural development in early humans.
Researchers discovered a link between traumatic brain injuries and changes in the gut microbiome, suggesting a potential diagnostic tool for concussions. The study found two bacterial species that dropped significantly after concussions, indicating a correlation with traumatic brain injury-linked proteins in the blood.
The new ASTRO guideline provides guidance on radiation therapy for brain metastases, including evidence-based recommendations for multidisciplinary planning and delivery of advanced techniques to manage intact and resected brain tumors. The guideline aims to improve quality of life and outcomes for patients with brain metastases.
A new study by the University of South Australia found that up to a quarter of people aged over 50 with undiagnosed visual problems like cataracts or AMD are misdiagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. Cognitive tests relying on vision-dependent tasks can skew results.
Researchers found that extinct species had smaller brains than surviving ones, suggesting a link between brain size and adaptability. The study suggests that larger brains helped extant species cope with human activities and climate change.
A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers have developed a method using nanomagnets to perform artificial intelligence, slashing energy costs and offering huge efficiency gains. The technology uses 'nanomagnetic states' to process and store data, cutting out the need for software simulation.
A new study found that extended space flight increases perivascular spaces in the brains of first-time astronauts, but not those who previously served in space. No neurological deficits were detected despite the changes.
Researchers have identified a novel biomarker that uses radiomics to extract brain age from clinical MRI scans, revealing its potential in predicting stroke recovery and improving post-stroke surveillance. The study found that 'older-appearing' brains were more likely to suffer from hypertension and diabetes, while younger-looking brai...
Scientists have found that transplanting faecal microbiota from young mice into old mice can reverse hallmarks of ageing in the gut, eyes, and brain. The study suggests that gut microbes play a role in regulating some of the detrimental effects of ageing, offering a potential solution in the form of gut microbe replacement therapy.
Researchers at NC State University have created a stem cell-derived model that sheds light on the effect of dopamine on gene activity in neurons, revealing gene desensitization in human cells. The study provides a blueprint for future research into the relationship between dopamine and addiction.
Researchers found that dogs process human and canine vocalizations differently in their brains, responding to emotional content and distinct neural pathways. This groundbreaking study provides new insights into the neural functions of canine auditory perception.
A study published in Obesity found that two specific brain networks, FN1 and FN2, are strongly linked to weight loss success. The neural circuits involved sensory and motor skills (FN1) and self-regulation and attention (FN2).
A newly discovered brain circuit facilitates focusing attention on salient features in the environment by heightening activity in specific microcircuits of the hippocampus. This circuit may play a role in executive functions and cognitive issues like dementia, ADHD, and psychiatric disorders.
Researchers have discovered a new way to predict brain bleeds in unborn babies and newborns by analyzing platelet levels. The study found that babies are guaranteed to develop brain bleeds if their platelet count drops below 10%, while moderate levels may trigger the condition, but not extremely low levels.
Researchers found abnormal dopamine-serotonin brain circuit activity causes anorexia, which was reversed by restoring normal activity and inhibiting key receptor. The study provides potential therapeutic approach for treating anorexia, with future studies needed to explore sex differences.
Researchers found that fruit bats use echolocation during the day despite having excellent vision, suggesting a combination of both senses for enhanced navigation. This study highlights the importance of integrating different senses, like humans using visual and auditory information when crossing streets.
Researchers have discovered a new sleep molecule, microRNA-137 (miR-137), that regulates hypocretin levels for normal sleep. The study found that miR-137 is associated with hypocretin regulation and sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and insomnia.
Researchers from Bar-Ilan University discovered that brain learning occurs mainly in dendritic trees, where the trunk and branches modify their strength. This finding paves the way for a new type of AI hardware and algorithms with comparable success rates to existing parallel GPUs.
Astrocytes, comprising nearly half of all brain cells, have been found to perform an electrically active function that influences neurotransmitter release and brain disease pathology. This discovery opens new avenues for neuroscience research and potential treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's and epilepsy.
Researchers found a dose-response relationship between football play level and CTE diagnosis, with high school players having the lowest risk. After adjusting for selection bias, college and professional football players were found to have significantly higher risks of CTE.
A new study by MIT scientists reveals that propofol anesthesia significantly alters the state of brain waves, with lower frequency delta waves dominating. Higher frequency beta waves decrease in structure and power, with their traveling nature disrupted by the surging delta waves. The findings suggest a profound impact on consciousness.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin finds that asking a single question about article truthfulness can activate the brain's critical thinking centers, challenging biases and encouraging more critical evaluation of content. This finding has implications for social media companies looking to curb the spread of misinformation.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have discovered that reducing protein tau levels soon after birth can prevent autism and epilepsy in an experimental model. The study pinpointed the crucial brain cells where tau levels must be reduced to avoid these problems, and showed that lowering tau is still effective when initiated after birth.
The latest neurophotonic tools and techniques are reviewed in a new status report, covering advances from molecular nanoprobes to cortical column imaging. The report provides an overview of current state and future directions for brain science research.
Research using Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study data found that urban environments with socioeconomic challenges increase psychotic-like experiences in pre-adolescent children. Early prevention is crucial as these exposures are already present in late childhood.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method to identify the immune cells involved in autoimmune diseases and identified four new target molecules for personalized treatment of multiple sclerosis. This approach could lead to more precise treatments with fewer side effects, potentially benefiting other autoimmune diseases.
A comprehensive tool to assess Long COVID symptoms has been developed at the University of Birmingham. The Symptom Burden Questionnaire captures a wide range of symptoms affecting everyday life, providing valuable evidence for researchers and policymakers.
Scientists at the University of Oxford have developed an 'optomemristor' device that facilitates three-factor learning and emulation of biological computations, making it possible to perform complex machine learning tasks. The device uses both light and electrical signals to interact and consume very little energy.
New research reveals that infants as young as 4 months can differentiate between speech and song based on acoustic features such as pitch and rhythm. The study also found that exaggerated pitch is related to better neural tracking of infant-directed speech.
A team of researchers developed a prognostic model using automated brain scans and machine learning to predict survival and recovery in severe TBI patients. The model accurately predicted risk of death and unfavorable outcomes at six months after the injury, potentially improving clinical decision-making and patient care.
A new study found a bi-directional relationship between gastrointestinal issues and internalized symptoms in children with autism, highlighting the importance of the gut-brain axis. The research aims to develop personalized treatments for individuals with autism experiencing gastrointestinal problems.
A new study published in Stroke Journal Report found that about one third of people treated with mechanical clot removal resumed work three months after stroke treatment. Women were half as likely to return to work compared to men, despite having more favorable characteristics for return to work.