Articles tagged with Brain
Research found that COVID-19 patients with more severe symptoms scored lower on reasoning and problem-solving tasks. Cognitive deficits were greatest in those receiving mechanical ventilation, similar to average decline seen over a decade of ageing.
A recent study led by Flinders University Professor Nick Spencer explains how the enteric nervous system (ENS) causes propulsion along the gut. The ENS is considered the 'first brain' and has evolved long before the human brain.
Research from APC Microbiome Ireland discovers microbes can rejuvenate aspects of brain and immune function, potentially slowing down age-related cognitive decline. The study introduces a novel approach to reverse brain aging via microbial-based interventions.
Cohesive national standards in US neurosurgery education improve patient care, driven by decades of work from leading institutions. The new structure includes 'boot camp' courses and rigorous accreditation standards.
Researchers at KAIST have developed a brain-inspired highly scalable neuromorphic hardware by co-integrating single transistor neurons and synapses. This innovation dramatically reduces hardware cost and accelerates the commercialization of neuromorphic hardware, enabling its application in mobile and IoT devices.
Researchers have successfully characterized a new form of toxic Aβ42 fibrils in Alzheimer's disease using sensitivity-enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The study paves the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting these aggregates that drive AD progression.
Researchers from the University of Washington identified a strong link between fine particulate air pollution and an increased risk of dementia. A 1 microgram per cubic meter difference in PM2.5 pollution was associated with a 16% greater incidence of dementia, highlighting the potential neurodegenerative effects of air pollution.
Researchers from Chapman University discover that non-reproductive birds' brains mimic changes in female mice post-partum when induced to become parents. This finding opens new avenues for understanding the regulation of parental care across vertebrates.
A new study confirms physical activity's dual benefits in depression: reducing symptoms and increasing the brain's ability to change. The exercise programme promoted motivation, social togetherness, and improved neuroplasticity, leading to decreased depressive symptoms.
Researchers used EEGs to measure brain activity while musicians listened to or imagined Bach piano melodies, finding consistent patterns of neural activity during silent intervals. The study suggests that the brain reacts to both notes and silences of music, engaging in a continuous attempt to predict upcoming musical events.
Scientists discovered impaired leptin transport to the brain via LepR receptors leads to pre-diabetic state and exhausted insulin secretion. Reintroducing leptin restores pancreatic function-promoting action, suggesting a crucial brain role in type 2 diabetes management.
Researchers from NYUAD and University of Wisconsin-Madison develop interactive 3D diagrams to teach functional neuroanatomy. The study shows that VR exceeded PC viewing for experience-based learning outcomes, making it an enjoyable and easier learning tool.
Researchers discovered a rare bird fossil with nearly complete skull, allowing them to compare ancient bird brains to living birds. The study suggests that complex brain structure may have played a key role in the survival of bird ancestors during the mass extinction event.
Scientists have discovered how neurotransmitters and proteins interact to trigger neuronal responses in the brain, with implications for understanding mood disorders and addictions. The study reveals small changes in protein connections control cellular responses, enabling precise regulation of neurotransmitter effects.
Researchers used AI tool to analyze thousands of scientific papers and found that elevated blood glucose levels are linked to COVID-19 severity. Glucose metabolism is the most frequently mentioned biological variable in these papers, revealing its potential role in the disease.
A study found that women with severe large vessel occlusion ischemic strokes are approximately 11% less likely to be sent to comprehensive stroke centers compared to men. Stroke severity, travel distances, and comorbidities were similar between genders.
Research found associations between COVID-19 and persistent cognitive deficits, including brain fog, loss of smell, and acceleration of Alzheimer's disease pathology. Biological markers of brain injury and neuroinflammation correlate with neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients.
A new study has found that harmful body fat can increase the risk of dementia and stroke, with grey matter atrophy being a key indicator. The research used genetic data from over 336,000 individuals to establish a link between obesity and declining brain health.
Researchers have found that improved learning processes are associated with reduced symptoms of depression. By using brain imaging and mathematical modeling, the team identified distinct paths to depression symptoms and proposed a new approach for treating clinical depression.
The National Institutes of Health's HEALthy Brain and Child Development study aims to identify the impacts of prenatal substance exposure on child development. A 50-state analysis of laws addressing substance use during pregnancy highlights diverse state-by-state policies, with some statutes being more punitive than others.
A new study found that people with chronic pain have lower levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate emotions, leading to increased negative emotions and impaired emotional regulation. The researchers hope their online emotional recovery program may provide a non-pharmaceutical solution for those affected.
University of Virginia researchers identified a potential avenue for treating seizure-related brain injuries by harnessing the brain's natural immune response. Microglia cells were found to form pouches that tend to swollen dendrites, suggesting a 'healing' process.
A large study found that high coffee consumption is associated with reduced brain volume and an increased risk of dementia. Researchers warn that excessive coffee drinking, beyond six cups a day, may put individuals at risk for brain diseases such as dementia and stroke.
A Yale study suggests that newborn mammals can anticipate and respond to visual stimuli even before birth. The research reveals that waves of activity emanate from the neonatal retina in mice before their eyes open, mimicking the movement patterns they'll encounter after birth.
King's College London researchers have automated brain MRI image labelling by leveraging radiology reports, enabling the labelling of over 100,000 exams in less than half an hour. This breakthrough tackles a bottleneck in deep learning image recognition tasks for complex datasets like MRI.
Researchers found that higher GABA levels in young people were associated with greater math fluency, while lower glutamate levels were related to better math skills. In adults, the opposite was true: low GABA concentrations were linked to greater math fluency and high glutamate levels to poorer performance.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and University of Leeds successfully reversed age-related memory loss in mice by manipulating the extracellular matrix of the brain. By restoring the balance of compounds known as chondroitin sulphates, they were able to restore neuroplasticity and alleviate memory deficits.
Researchers found that wearing exoskeletons while performing tasks requiring mental effort can lead to brain overwork and decreased efficiency. The devices may not be as effective as initially thought in alleviating stress on lower backs.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals the visual system retains information from moving images, providing a consistent representation of surroundings. The researchers found that neuronal responses in deeper layers of the visual cortex exhibit 'perceptual constancy' and 'intrinsic persistence', ensuring stable encoding and ...
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with migraines experienced more dizziness and motion sickness during virtual roller coaster rides compared to those without migraines. Brain scans revealed abnormal nerve cell activity in areas responsible for visual processing and motor activity.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new approach to study neuronal interactions, combining spike count correlation and dimensionality reduction methods. This integration provides a more comprehensive understanding of brain function, shedding light on how neurons communicate and influence various bodily functions.
Researchers studied pregnant women infected by zika virus in two cities and found no association between prior dengue exposure and increased risk of microcephaly. High zika attack rate and first trimester infection were linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, while pre-existing immunity to dengue was not.
BCIs have the potential to profoundly shape human experience and sense of self, but also raise concerns about intellectual property, emotional data privacy, and exacerbating social inequalities. Global policymakers must intervene to prevent misuse and ensure equal access to neurotech.
Researchers at EPFL Brain Mind Institute discovered that minis, miniature release events of neurotransmitters, play a crucial role in maintaining healthy synapses. Increasing the frequency of minis kept synapses intact and preserved motor ability in middle-aged fruit flies.
A new UK study found that around 1 in 20 children hospitalized with COVID-19 develop brain or nerve complications linked to the viral infection. The research identified a wide spectrum of neurological complications in children and suggests they may be more common than in adults admitted with COVID-19.
A human variant of the SUV39H2 gene has been linked to autism spectrum disorders, causing cognitive inflexibility in mice and misregulated expression of genes related to brain development. The study suggests that histone methylation plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression, and its absence may lead to serious problems.
Northwestern University engineers created the first full 3D simulation of a rat's complete whisker system, providing rare insight into how rats actively sense their natural environments. The model incorporates 60 individual whiskers and simulates rats in various environments, revealing unique patterns of data.
Researchers at Penn State identified a link between red blood cell flow and fluctuations in brain oxygenation. The study found that random flow rates through tiny blood vessels contribute to these changes, which may have implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers developed nanoscale sensors that can convert brain electrical activity into optical signals detectable outside the body. These sensors, called NeuroSWARM3, offer a non-invasive way to track brain activity and could one day enable people with physical disabilities to interact with the world and control wearable technology.
Research on brainless slime molds reveals that Physarum polycephalum uses its body to sense mechanical cues in its environment, performing computations similar to thinking. The organism grows toward the greater mass without physically exploring the area, and makes decisions based on relative patterns of strain it detects.
Researchers have discovered that rat whiskers act like antennae to amplify tiny stick-slip motions caused by friction, enabling the brain to perceive surface textures. This breakthrough has far-reaching benefits for design of textured surfaces for visually impaired and robotic safety in low light environments.
A team of UT Austin statisticians have developed a new method to model how the brain learns language over time, with potential applications in clinical practice and other areas of neuroscience research. They found that good learners process audio information faster than bad learners when deciding on tonal differences.
Researchers are developing a stroke rehabilitation robot using brain-inspired intelligent technology to improve outcomes for patients. The robot will analyze movement intentions and respond with precision, aiming to recognize eight hand movements with an accuracy rate of 90% and response time of 300ms within five years.
Research suggests that climate, particularly temperature, drove changes in human body size, while brain size evolved independently. Larger-bodied people tend to live in colder climates today.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered a rare genetic mutation that can cause epilepsy. The study found that a specific receptor in brain cells behaves differently, leading to an imbalance in communication - a key factor in the development of disorders.
A study by Nicolette Sullivan and Scott Huettel found that the brain processes taste information first, followed by health information, leading to unhealthy snack choices. Slowing down the decision-making process can help individuals make healthier options.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine report a potential noninvasive biomarker for tracking gene editing therapies in early-stage Huntington's disease. By measuring blood volume in the brain, they found that suppressing the mutant huntingtin gene can normalize altered arteriolar blood volumes and delay or prevent symptom development.
Researchers developed a predictive tool using machine learning and connectome analysis to identify neuronal network patterns and predict individual recovery outcomes. The study analyzed 92 patients' brain structural connectomes, tracking changes in connection patterns during recovery.
A modified ketogenic diet was found to be safe and feasible for people with brain tumors called astrocytomas. The diet led to changes in metabolism in the body and brain, including decreased hemoglobin A1c levels, increased lean body mass, and alterations in brain metabolites.
A new study shows participating in weekly dance training with music can improve daily living and motor function for those with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease. The research found significant improvements in experiences of daily living, including cognitive impairment, hallucinations, depression, and anxious mood.
Researchers at IST Austria find that ketamine and 60-hertz light flickering can remove the perineuronal net, a structure responsible for stabilizing brain connections. This could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and amblyopia.
Trihexyphenidyl, a central anticholinergic drug, shows efficacy in reducing PTSD-related nightmares and flashbacks in 88% and 79% of patients, respectively. The researchers found a rapid onset of treatment within 1-2 days.
Researchers have found that our brains use the same cognitive processes to identify both real and imagined human faces. This 'face pareidolia' allows us to quickly detect faces in objects like the moon or cheese on toast, but also enables us to analyze their expressions.
A new study reveals that microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, play a crucial role in regulating brain wiring by sculpting inhibitory neurons. The research showed that microglia interact with GABA-emitting inhibitory synapses through direct physical contact, a process enabled by advanced imaging techniques.
Researchers discovered how flies choose their food based on neural activity and hunger levels, with findings that may apply to human food choices too. Hungry fruit flies prefer sweet, nutritious food over lower-calorie options when hungry, but adapt their preferences when presented with novel foods.
The National Institutes of Health has funded a new predoctoral training program at Penn State to train graduate students in neural engineering. The program aims to encourage collaboration among STEM students and faculty interested in brain function and brain disorders.
A study found that prenatal exposure to THC and CBD affects the development of mice's brain, leading to impaired response to fluoxetine. The results suggest caution when using CBD during pregnancy.
Researchers have discovered the crucial role of astrocytes in closing the period of brain plasticity following birth. Transplanting immature astrocytes into adult mice has been shown to reintroduce brain plasticity, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for rehabilitation after brain lesions or neurodevelopmental disorders.
The study reveals that feedback to the primary visual cortex (V1) is necessary for segregating figures from the background, a crucial function of our vision. Disrupting this feedback renders objects invisible, highlighting its importance in figure-ground perception.
Neuroscientists at UCL have identified abnormalities in the way memories are 'replayed' in the brains of people with schizophrenia. The study found that individuals with schizophrenia were less able to build a structure of the task, with impaired neural replay linked to their symptoms.