An international research team discovered that intestinal bacteria can distribute their metabolic products throughout the body via the bloodstream using membrane vesicles. The study found that these vesicles can overcome the blood-brain barrier and enter brain cells, suggesting a new method for delivering drugs or vaccines.
Researchers have identified new MRI brain imaging biomarkers that can predict the effectiveness of antidepressants with high accuracy. These biomarkers bring a new level of precision to prescribing the most effective treatments, potentially saving patients from months of taking the wrong medication.
Researchers are modifying an arm of a worldwide clinical trial to evaluate a combination of drugs targeting two brain proteins: amyloid and tau. The Tau NexGen Trial aims to test the effectiveness of these treatments in slowing disease progression by targeting both Alzheimer's disease pathologies.
Dr. Susan Hockfield, President Emerita of MIT, received the 10th Dr. Charles L. Branch BrainHealth Award for her groundbreaking work on brain discoveries and leadership. The award honors neuroscientists who have made significant breakthroughs in advancing brain health research.
Research suggests that inhaling carbon dioxide after a traumatic event makes fearful memories more resilient in mice. The study found that CO2 exposure strengthens fearful memories by activating ASIC1A protein in the brain. This discovery might lead to new therapeutic strategies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in humans.
According to experts, half of patients with two common subtypes of advanced breast cancer may live for five years or longer. The new guidelines also aim to improve treatment options for triple-negative breast cancer patients.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that deleting the ABI3 gene increases amyloid-beta plaque accumulation and decreases microglia function, which may contribute to Alzheimer's disease progression. The researchers also identified a link between the mutation and increased risk of late-onset Alzheimer's.
A study found that arginine treatment improved outcomes in cancer patients with brain metastases, showing a complete or partial response in nearly 78% of patients. The amino acid may be useful as an anticancer therapy when combined with radiotherapy or other treatments.
A UC Riverside-led study found that maternal transfer of PBDEs causes brain changes and autistic-like behavior in female mice offspring, including reduced social recognition ability and olfactory discrimination. The study suggests that developmental exposure to flame retardants produces ASD-relevant neurochemical and behavioral traits.
Researchers found that glatiramer acetate improved cognitive behavior and reduced amyloid plaques in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. This study suggests therapies targeting the immune system could be effective in treating the disease.
Researchers discovered that a single protein, Kr-h1, responds to socially regulated hormones to orchestrate the complex social transition in Harpegnathos saltator ants. The study reveals important roles for gene regulation and hormone response in controlling animal brains' plasticity.
A new Dartmouth-led study found a direct association between the infant microbiome and early childhood behavioral health, with sex-specific differences. The study characterized the species of microbes present in each participant's gut and their functions, establishing that microbiome changes occur before behavioral changes.
Researchers have discovered that genes regulating synaptic connections between cells are active in specific parts of the digestive chambers of freshwater sponges. This finding suggests that these cells may be evolutionary precursors for the first animal brains, providing insight into the evolution of brain function.
A study at the University of Turku found that brain function regulating satiety and appetite is altered before obesity develops, with family background risk factors contributing to these changes. The findings suggest the brain and central nervous system are key targets for treating obesity.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that combining copper ions with a drug once used for treating alcoholism kills medulloblastoma cancer cells and prevents new ones from forming. The therapy also curtails the creation of cancer stem cells, which initiate tumor growth and recurrence.
New research suggests that insomnia may be a potential risk factor for brain aneurysm rupture, along with well-known factors such as smoking and high blood pressure. The study found associations between insomnia and increased risk of intracranial aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Research reveals brief DBS exposure triggers significant brain state changes and sustained antidepressant response. A decrease in beta power is identified as a novel biomarker for DBS treatment optimization.
Severely malnourished children who consumed ready-to-use therapeutic food fortified with DHA showed significant improvement in gross and fine motor abilities, language proficiencies, and social skills. The findings suggest that reducing omega-6 fatty acid levels can also aid neurological development.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine investigated the incidence of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) after post-vaccination. The researchers found that the rate of this rare adverse effect is significantly higher than pre-pandemic rates, prompting consideration of vaccine effectiveness in preventing COVID-19.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's disease develops by replicating aggregates in individual brain regions, rather than spreading them. The study used human data and PET scans to track the aggregation of tau protein, a key player in the disease.
A recent study by Amber Alhadeff has uncovered a hypothalamic-to-hindbrain circuit that suppresses pain sensation in hungry mice, enabling them to seek food. The research also highlights the rapid communication between gut nutrients and brain via an understudied pathway.
The Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro has partnered with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute to promote collaboration and information sharing in brain research. This partnership aims to accelerate the pace of discovery and bring novel treatments to patients with neurological disorders.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that mice with altered internal clocks gained more weight, had higher blood sugar, and fattier livers when fed high-fat and sugar diets. However, adjusting their environment to match their internal clock corrected these outcomes.
A study found that adults with a history of childhood maltreatment, particularly sexual abuse, exhibit reduced brain connectivity in attention systems. Oxytocin treatment has been shown to increase connectivity, suggesting its potential as a treatment for PTSD and childhood trauma-related disorders.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes discovered that non-convulsive epileptic activity drives chronic brain inflammation in Alzheimer's models, which can be reversed by eliminating protein tau or using the anti-epileptic drug levetiracetam. This link between brain networks and immune cells may hold promising treatments for Alzheimer's di...
Researchers use physical reservoir computing to teach robots to think like humans by simulating brain signals. The system enables goal-directed behavior without additional learning, highlighting a potential breakthrough in AI development.
A rhythmic approach to music therapy is being tested to improve fine motor skills in Parkinson's patients. The therapy uses specific combinations of rhythm and movement to reprogram brain frequencies, with promising results so far.
A new study by Baycrest and York University found that studying Spanish improves working memory and executive function in older adults, similar to brain training. The participants reported greater enjoyment of the language learning experience.
A new study found that Long COVID can cause symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and cognitive impairment lasting over a year. The study also showed that more than 60% of patients experienced some level of cognitive impairment, with significant impacts on employment and quality of life.
A new study found that COVID-19 can trigger severe psychiatric symptoms in adolescents, with anti-neural antibodies playing a potential role. Two patients with mild/asymptomatic COVID developed suicidal thoughts and paranoid fears, while another patient without prior psychiatric history recovered fully after treatment.
Aging affects bilateral coordination, particularly anti-phase movement, by altering alpha and beta neural activity. Researchers discovered that older subjects displayed lower synchronization between sides of the body during anti-phase movements, making such tasks more challenging.
A study of 193 patients with severe acute brain injury found significant discordance between physicians and families regarding patient recovery prospects. The disagreement often stemmed from differing expectations about the likelihood of independence after injury.
Researchers are using social neuroscience to study how individual brains synchronize during group interactions, revealing key findings on animal cognition and collective decision-making. This new approach has implications for understanding human social intelligence and the potential for virtual collective dynamics.
A new study found that retired male elite rugby union players aged 50+ who suffered three or more rugby-related concussions during their career have no worse average cognitive function than those with no, one, or two concussions. However, over-75s with a history of multiple concussions showed significantly worse cognitive function on a...
Researchers successfully implanted a microelectrode array in the visual cortex of a blind volunteer, allowing her to identify lines, shapes and simple letters. The implant stimulated neurons to produce phosphenes, creating an image and demonstrating safety and efficacy.
Researchers have identified a gene called Nup54 that plays a crucial role in regulating female reproductive behaviors in fruit flies. This discovery provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sexual conflict and its impact on evolution.
Researchers found that somatostatin interneurons can cause seizures when they go haywire, disrupting the brain's balance. The study identified a rare epilepsy syndrome and developed mouse models to understand the neurological dysfunction, paving the way for new treatments.
Researchers at GIST create an optical technique called optical speckle image velocimetry that can image dynamic changes in cerebral blood flow, allowing for the diagnosis of brain health. The technique provides high-time resolution and measures both speed and direction of blood flow.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes found that reducing tau levels impacts both excitatory and inhibitory cells, leading to a reduction in excitation-inhibition ratios. This effect counteracts diseases that cause abnormal increases in this ratio, potentially improving the brain's ability to perform its functions.
Research from Florida Atlantic University suggests that older adults living in walkable neighborhoods with greenspaces benefit from increased physical activity, with 5.4 minutes of daily neighborhood walking associated with African Americans and 3 minutes for whites
Researchers found that reactivating memories during sleep improves motor skills by enhancing learning of new motor tasks. The study showed participants performed better without sound cues after a nap, indicating improved memory recall and muscle activation.
A study published in Nature Communications demonstrates how the brain constructs the present moment through recent past experiences. The researchers discovered that brief stimuli leave a trace in the brain for almost a minute, accumulating biases in perception that allow subjects to fine-tune their sensory channels over time.
Michel Goedert's research focuses on protein aggregates in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, providing deep insights into disease development. His work is essential for finding new treatments, as evidenced by his discovery of gene mutations leading to dementia.
Researchers at Georgia State University found that singing and imagining improvised music elicits the same flow-like brain states as when musicians are actually performing. The study used fMRI data to identify how a musician's brain reconfigures connectivity depending on the degree of creativity required during jazz performances.
Research finds that fruit flies fall asleep when moved in slow circles, and this effect continues in flies missing key circadian clock genes. The study also reveals the role of nanchung receptors, which are sensitive to vibrations and motion, in inducing daytime sleep.
Researchers found four distinct brain activity profiles in trauma survivors that correlated with symptoms of anxiety and PTSD six months later. High reward reactivity was linked to increased symptoms of both conditions.
A Binghamton University researcher has received a $1.74 million grant to investigate how prenatal alcohol exposure affects anxiety in offspring. The study aims to understand the relationship between corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and anxiety, with potential implications for diagnosis and treatment of human patients.
German scientists developed a method to supply oxygen to tadpole brains using photosynthesizing algae injected into their bloodstream. This approach effectively revived neurons in oxygen-deprived tadpoles, showing promise for new therapies for conditions such as stroke and high-altitude environments.
New research reveals that microglia in the brain take up more glucose than previously thought, leading to altered PET scan images. This finding has significant implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and developing new diagnostic tools.
Researchers at Lund University have developed a promising new pain relief method using ultra-thin microelectrodes, providing effective and personalized pain relief without common side effects. The study showed that this technique can block pain signals in the brain without affecting other sensory systems or motor skills.
A University of Kansas study examined three key cognitive functions in teaching writing to Hispanic English learners, revealing word retrieval skills, verbal language skills, and working memory are crucial for success. The research highlights the negative effects of a lack of bilingual education on these students' writing abilities.
Researchers at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre have successfully delivered antibody therapy to breast cancer metastases in the brain using focused ultrasound. The treatment, which temporarily opens the blood-brain barrier, has shown promising results with tumor size reductions of up to 21% in patients.
Participants with elevated blood pressure, even within the normal range, have older-looking brains and increased risk of health problems. Maintaining optimal blood pressure can help prevent accelerated brain aging, according to ANU researchers.
The Baycrest-developed Cogniciti Brain Health Assessment is as accurate as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in identifying problems with memory and attention, but outperforms MoCA in detecting subtle cognitive decline. The self-administered online assessment can provide important information for clinical assessment of memory an...
A national review of nocardia infection in kidney transplant patients found that those with compromised immune responses are more vulnerable to the opportunistic agent. Nocardiosis can lead to pneumonia and brain abscess, and screening is crucial, especially in combination with pneumonia symptoms.
A study found that meditation training reduced chronic stress by 25% through decreased cortisol levels in hair. The researchers used a 9-month training programme to measure the effect, and the results showed that only sufficiently long training leads to significant stress-reducing effects.
Dr. Eric Lazartigues received a $2.6 million NIH grant to establish mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the brain, testing whether the virus can infect the brain and cause disease. The project aims to determine the cell types most affected by the virus and the effect on respiration control by the brain.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have found a way to make deep brain stimulation (DBS) more precise, resulting in therapeutic effects that outlast what is currently available. The new protocol uses short bursts of electrical stimulation to target specific neuronal subpopulations, providing longer-lasting benefits.
The CARE Consortium has received $42.65 million in new funding to follow athletes for up to 10 years after concussive injury, examining the impacts of head injuries on brain health. The study aims to validate advanced biomarkers and identify neurobiological pathways contributing to long-term negative consequences.
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