Articles tagged with Brain
A new study published in Nature Microbiology reveals how Zika virus causes brain calcification, a common birth defect associated with prenatal infection. The research team identified the proteins BMP2 and NS3 as central players in the development of calcifications, suggesting novel strategies to prevent this birth defect.
A new study from the University of Bern has developed a simplified computational model to accelerate brain research. The approach uses a mathematical relation to reduce complexity while retaining accuracy, allowing for easier characterization and simulation of large neural networks.
Researchers measured brain activity in Hindi speakers describing different images to study sentence planning before speaking. They found that having fewer grammatical distinctions makes planning particularly demanding for the brain and requires more neural activity.
Research from the Center for BrainHealth reveals that a shortened training protocol can lead to lasting improvements in first responders' brain health. The Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Tactics (SMART) training improved cognitive function, particularly in integrated reasoning abilities among military personnel.
The Cleveland Clinic has received two grants totaling $4.6 million to investigate the therapeutic potential of lenalidomide in early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The studies aim to determine if lenalidomide safely reduces inflammatory biomarkers and improves cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
A new study suggests that people with enlarged fluid-filled spaces in the brain around small blood vessels are more likely to develop cognitive problems and dementia over time. Researchers found that those with severe cases were nearly three times more likely to develop dementia than those with fewer or no enlarged spaces.
A specific astrocyte sub-population serves a protective, anti-inflammatory function in the brain based on signals regulated by gut bacteria. The discovery guides researchers toward innovative therapies for neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis and brain tumors.
Researchers develop prototype to automate processing of brain data, allowing for accurate identification of epileptic focus; potentially saving up to 90% of time spent reviewing data. The tool has been validated by physicians and is expected to have a clinical impact.
G3BP proteins inhibit MTOR, a key signaling protein in tumor diseases and developmental disorders, preventing excessive metabolic activity and cell growth.
The MOANA Project aims to create a dual-function wireless headset that can read and write brain activity, restoring lost sensory function. The team successfully demonstrated the technology using light and magnetic fields in a proof-of-principle research.
Researchers found that the brain processes letters and words similarly to how it processes other visual stimuli, using statistical frequency of specific symbols. This common cognitive process, known as unsupervised learning, is also seen in animals such as baboons that can learn to recognize words.
Researchers at Swansea University found a six-fold increase in brain pressure disorder cases among women between 2003 and 2017. Obesity rates in Wales rose significantly during this period, and women from deprived areas had a higher risk of developing the condition, independent of body mass index.
Brain cells produce brief electrical impulses triggered from highly specialized regions that adapt to sensory experiences. The study found that these trigger sites shrink with increased experiences and grow larger with reduced input.
A Northwestern University study finds that deep sleep has an ancient power to clear waste from the brain, including toxic proteins that may lead to neurodegenerative disease. This waste clearance process is substantially enhanced during deep sleep.
University of Kentucky researchers discovered that low blood amylin levels may protect against Alzheimer's disease progression, suggesting a potential therapeutic target. The study found that modulating blood amylin levels could improve cognitive decline and slow the disease.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine are developing a novel brain imaging technique to detect chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in living patients. A two-year study involving former NFL players and controls aims to identify the tau protein associated with CTE using a second-generation tau PET tracer.
Researchers found increased blood flow and dilation of brain arterioles during non-REM and REM sleep stages, indicating the brain's ability to clear waste products. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of how disrupted sleep affects mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
Researchers developed a test to distinguish between forms of BDNF proteins, which can predict depression and bipolar disorder. The test uses serum mBDNF levels as a biomarker for diagnosis.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg developed a cheap blood test that can detect Alzheimer's disease earlier than current methods. The test analyzes phosphorylated tau protein levels in blood and shows potential for predicting and monitoring disease progression.
Researchers found a strong correlation between following the MIND and Mediterranean diets and later onset of Parkinson's disease in women up to 17.4 years and men up to 8.4 years. The study suggests nutrition could potentially delay the disease.
A team led by Dr. Julian Packheiser recorded brain activity of romantic couples while cuddling, kissing, or discussing happy memories at home. Positive emotions were mainly processed in the left half of the brain, confirming the valence model of emotional lateralisation.
Researchers have discovered turbulent-like dynamics in the human brain using fMRI, suggesting a new way to analyze and model whole-brain dynamics. This finding could lead to improved mental health treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases.
A multidisciplinary team of experts calls for medical institutions to support and promote the safe return to work for all health care workers disabled from lingering COVID-19 symptoms. Current national guidelines focus on infection status, leaving institutions to establish their own policies or for employees to opt for medical leave.
Stroke survivors regained clinically significant arm movement and control using a brain-machine interface coupled with a robotic device. The therapy showed potential for long-term benefits, suggesting a novel approach to rehabilitation.
Hydrogen sulfide has been shown to improve cognitive and motor function in mice with Alzheimer's disease by 50%. The compound reversed behavioral outcomes of the disease. Research also revealed a change in enzyme activity that could lead to new therapies.
A team of specialists developed an award-winning 4D simulator technology to train neurosurgeons and reduce complications during brain aneurysm surgery. The simulator accurately models blood vessels, pulse, and flow, enabling enhanced planning and pre-op practice.
A large international study found that COVID-19 patients in ICUs were subject to a significantly higher burden of delirium and coma, with 82% comatose and 55% delirious. The study attributes this to outdated sedation practices and reduced family visitation.
Researchers found that Hydra exhibit characteristics at a molecular and genetic level associated with sleep in animals with central nervous systems. The four-hour cycle of active and sleep-like states in hydras indicates that sleep may have evolved independently of brain development.
Researchers at York University found that individuals differ in their reliance on visual information to interpret their environment, leading to varying perceptions of self-motion. This study's findings have practical applications for space travel, virtual reality game design, and understanding aging-related changes in mobility.
Researchers at the University of Freiburg found that sleep is essential for brain recovery and improvement in performance after intense training or work. During deep sleep, brain activity strengthens relevant connections and weakens unused ones.
A study by Weizmann Institute of Science researchers found that spontaneous brain activity in the visual centers can trigger vivid visual hallucinations in blind individuals with Charles Bonnet syndrome. The findings suggest a shared neural system for vision, imagination, and hallucination.
Researchers have developed a novel method for visualizing the intricate structure of 'mini-brains' using high-resolution 3D imaging, shedding light on brain development and disease progression. This breakthrough could accelerate personalized medicine studies and reduce animal testing.
The 1907 Trailblazer Awards support pioneering early-career mental health researchers Dr. Benjamin Bartelle, Dr. Laura Lewis, and Dr. Katherine Scangos with two-year grants valued at over $120,000 each. Their projects aim to advance our understanding of depression symptom severity in major depression and develop novel treatments.
A novel nanoparticle platform facilitates therapeutically effective delivery of encapsulated agents to the brain, opening possibilities for treating neurological disorders. The technology showed three times more accumulation in brain than conventional methods and was therapeutically effective in mouse models.
A research team studied processing speed deficits in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and found similar brain activation patterns with older healthy individuals. The study suggests that SCI individuals compensate for processing speed deficits by relying on executive control and memory areas of the brain.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have discovered a potential new RX strategy for stroke, combining an LSU Health-patented drug with selected DHA derivatives to protect brain cells and increase recovery. The study found that this combination therapy significantly reduced lesion volumes and improved behavioral scores, offering hope ...
Research shows that mammals with larger brains tend to be less abundant in local areas than those with smaller brains. This is because bigger brains require more food and other resources, leading to a need for more space. Understanding which animals are most abundant in different areas is crucial for conservation.
A new study published in The Journal of Physiology found that hand-eye coordination is impaired by more than 20% at BAC levels as low as 0.015%, even below the legal limit for driving.
Researchers at Université de Genève have developed a technique that can predict epileptic seizure periods between one and several days in advance. By recording neuronal activity over six months, they can detect individual cycles of epileptic activity and provide information about the probability of a future seizure.
Researchers at Indiana University will study the effects of repetitive subconcussive head impacts on adolescent brain health using computerized mouthguards and neurological imaging. The goal is to establish safety guidelines for young athletes exposed to head impacts.
A newly developed behavioral monitoring system, CAPTURE, combines motion capture and deep learning to continuously track the three-dimensional movements of freely behaving animals. The system allows for precise measurement of behavior in naturalistic settings, providing valuable insights into brain function and behavior.
A new study published in Nature Communications used brain imaging techniques to examine how people purge thoughts from their working memory. The researchers found that 'clear' and 'replace' strategies led to faster forgetting, while 'suppress' was more effective for making room for new information.
Researchers developed a molecule that regulates copper circulation in the brain, extracting trapped copper from amyloid plaques. Administered to Alzheimer's mice, it inhibits memory loss and has shown promise in non-transgenic models closest to human reality.
Researchers at Tohoku University discovered molecular mechanisms that cause Fragile X syndrome by studying fetal brain development in mice. The study identified key molecules associated with neurogenesis, autism, and intellectual disability.
A new study has created the most complete annotated resource of proteins present in synapses, which could aid in early diagnosis and specific drug targets for brain diseases. Researchers identified 1466 synaptic vesicle proteins, many of which were previously unknown, and found that lower-abundance proteins often have crucial functions.
Researchers found that microglial surveillance helps maintain normal neuronal activity levels by preventing overactive neurons. This discovery opens new avenues for treating neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and autism.
Researchers found that apathy can signal cognitive decline in people with frontotemporal dementia, even decades before other symptoms appear. The study used brain scans and memory tests to track changes in apathy over time and found that it predicted cognitive problems in individuals with a genetic mutation.
Researchers used advanced imaging and 3-D modeling to digitally rebuild the brain of Thecodontosaurus, finding it may have eaten meat and walked on two legs. The study also suggests the dinosaur was relatively agile and had a high hearing frequency, indicating social complexity.
A research team led by Prof. Gordon Cheng aims to develop a 'soft' exoskeleton that can sense user movement intentions and provide real-time feedback, integrating with brain-machine interfaces. The goal is to create an exoskeleton that works as an extension of the human body, enabling users to control their movements with their minds.
Researchers have discovered AAV capsid-promoter interactions in the non-human primate brain, which dictate cell-specific transgene expression. This finding has profound implications for vector design in gene therapy, challenging the traditional concept of the AAV capsid as a delivery truck.
Researchers found that brains work harder to process motion descriptions in unfamiliar languages, a phenomenon known as the P600 effect. This study, published in Neuropsychologia, suggests that language influences how our brains perceive and interpret physical movement.
Scientists created brain organoids from patients with Rett syndrome to study the disease and identify potential treatments. The study found two drug candidates, Nefiracetam and PHA 543613, that restored calcium levels, neurotransmitter production, and electrical impulse activity in the organoids.
A recent study published in Cancer Cell reveals that YTHDF3 plays a significant role in the spread of cancer to the brain, with increased expression correlating with poor survival outcomes. The gene is required for multiple steps in the brain metastatic process and may provide a target for new drugs.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze brain network data from people with major depressive disorder, identifying distinct patterns of coordinated brain activity. The new brain network signature achieved 70% accuracy in detecting major depression across different imaging protocols.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing has identified GLP-1R-expressing neural circuits in the brain that reduce cocaine-seeking behavior. The research found that activating these endogenous anti-craving circuits can significantly reduce cocaine craving-induced relapse.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that a high density of chandelier cells in the visual cortex impairs depth perception. The study, published in Neuron, suggests that pruning these cells is essential for efficient communication between the two visual hemispheres.
Research reveals that processing factual information elicits stronger brain activity compared to uncertain information in narratives. The brain adds new information to a model of the developing situation, with stronger activity in frontal medial areas for updating one's own beliefs.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison introduce a new framework for emotional well-being, focusing on specific skills that can be learned. The framework emphasizes four pillars: awareness, connection, insight, and purpose, which have been studied in the lab and shown to improve well-being.
A new spin-out company, Cerca, has launched a groundbreaking wearable brain scanner that allows people to move freely while being scanned. The Cerca Scanner uses magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology, adapted from quantum sensors, to capture high-resolution images of brain activity with millimetre accuracy. This innovation promises t...
The study describes how the different neurons form during fetal development, a process that follows different principles to brain neurons. The researchers identified twelve different kinds of ENS neuron, including subgroups of sensory neurons activated by substances in the intestines and affecting the immune system.