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 found that Black and Hispanic women are more likely to develop idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a condition characterized by increased pressure in the fluid surrounding the brain. Obesity is the primary risk factor for the condition, which can cause chronic headaches, vision problems, and permanent vision loss.
Scientists have discovered a way to control brain circuits using a protein called parapinopsin, found in lamprey. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for mood disorders and unwanted behaviors.
A new study published in the American Heart Association's Circulation Journal found that managing children's weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol may help protect brain function in later life. Researchers analyzed data from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study and found a link between early childhood cardiovascular risk fact...
After cognitive behavioral therapy, serotonin transporter levels increased in individuals recovering from depression. This finding suggests that the serotonin system may play a role in protecting against depression, rather than causing it.
Researchers have identified a neurologic pathway that explains how non-damaging brain impacts cause long-term problems with learning and memory. A new treatment approach may reactivate and normalize cognitive function.
Researchers at the University of Sussex developed a new computational model that demonstrates a link between insect and mammalian learning. The model shows how dopamine neurons in a fruit fly's brain produce similar signals to those in mammals, enabling reliable instruction for learning.
Scientists at EMBL combined AI algorithms with advanced microscopy techniques to reduce image processing time from days to mere seconds while maintaining accuracy. This breakthrough enables researchers to track and measure fast biological processes in 3D.
Scientists have discovered nano-scaled apoptotic bodies as a new brain-targeting drug carrier, overcoming the blood-brain barrier challenge. The small apoptotic bodies (sABs) are stable in serum, have a long circulating time, and high drug loading efficiency, making them a promising candidate for drug delivery.
A new study suggests that consuming a Mediterranean diet rich in fish, vegetables, and olive oil can help prevent protein build-up and brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer's disease. The research found that individuals who followed the Mediterranean diet more closely had lower levels of amyloid and tau biomarkers and improved cogn...
Amino acid PET imaging improves diagnosis of recurring brain metastases and assesses patient response to new treatments. This non-invasive technique helps physicians optimize treatment strategies for patients with melanoma and lung cancer.
A recent Baycrest-Sunnybrook pilot study found that low-dose radiation therapy showed remarkable improvements in behavior and cognition within days in individuals living with severe Alzheimer's. The treatment used a CT scanner to deliver low doses of radiation, stimulating the body's natural protection systems to work harder.
Repeated transcranial direct current stimulation of the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex boosts the pain-relieving placebo effect while blunting the pain-enhancing nocebo effect. This suggests a potential new approach to modulating placebo and nocebo effects and improving pain management outcomes.
A new study wirelessly records human brain activity during daily activities, allowing for adaptive deep brain stimulation and personalized treatment plans. This technology has significant implications for disease management and patient care.
The eNeuro special collection explores the documentary In Silico, featuring reactions from leading neuroscientists on brain modelling and massive research collaborations. The commentaries discuss next steps for large-scale initiatives, charismatic leadership's impact, and the history of building brain models.
Researchers found that treating mice with experimental Alzheimer's drugs paired with a treatment to improve brain drainage reduced amyloid deposits more effectively than the anti-amyloid drugs alone.
Researchers from UNIGE used mice to study the complex processing of light by the retina, revealing that both light intensity and its temporal shape influence the signal sent to the brain. The findings, published in Science Advances, may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for eye weaknesses.
A new NIH-funded study in mice suggests that enhancing the brain's lymphatic system may lead to better clinical outcomes for Alzheimer's disease patients. The study found that treatments such as immunotherapies BAN2401 or aducanumab might be more effective when the brain's lymphatic system can better drain amyloid-beta protein.
A genetically encoded sensor, psychLight, can detect hallucinogenic compounds and rapidly alter brain connections, showing promise for treating mental illness. The sensor was used in high-throughput screening to identify a previously untested compound with antidepressant potential.
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that weight loss surgery is more effective than dieting in reducing brain pressure in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Bariatric surgery resulted in a significant reduction of brain pressure and weight loss, with the surgery group losing an average of 23Kg after 12 months.
A study published in The Lancet found that patients who incorporated vagus nerve simulation during physical or occupational therapy showed a significant improvement in arm and hand function, up to 2-3 times more than those with sham stimulation. This breakthrough could be one of the most impressive advances in decades for stroke patients.
A research team created a computer model that can simulate the impact of individual receptor types on brain activity. The model uses data from three imaging techniques to quantify receptor-specific modulations of brain states. By predicting changes in brain dynamics after receptor activation, the researchers hope to develop new diagnos...
Researchers have discovered significant subconcussive changes in cognitive brain function in male youth ice-hockey players following repetitive head impacts. The study, which monitored brain vital signs during pre- and post-season play, found more pronounced changes in Junior A players compared to Bantam age group members.
Researchers identified two distinct types of uncertainty affecting human anticipatory behavior: whether an event will occur and when it will happen. The brain dynamically adjusts its readiness to respond based on separate probability estimates of these two uncertainties, allowing for more accurate predictions in real-time.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona have found that Lafora bodies accumulating in glial cells, not just neurons, are responsible for the disease's progressive degeneration. This discovery could lead to new treatments and insights into other neurodegenerative diseases.
A new mouse model study by USF Health researchers reveals that chaperone protein imbalance can initiate toxic tau accumulation in the aging brain, a key step in Alzheimer's disease development. The study aims to identify therapeutic targets by restoring chaperone protein balance.
The brain's auditory system actively tracks the velocity of a sound, just like the visual system. This study reveals that people can improve their ability to track moving sounds over time.
Researchers are developing an opioid vaccine that targets fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, to reduce respiratory depression. The vaccine stimulates the body to create powerful antibodies that bind to opioid molecules, preventing them from reaching the brain and reducing overdose risk.
Researchers developed a new approach to sound location using bat-inspired technology, outperforming human ears. The system uses a single frequency and receiver, creating Doppler shift signatures that are interpretable with machine learning algorithms.
The new Neuropixels 2.0 probes have improved recording-site density and long-term stability, allowing scientists to track individual neurons for weeks. This enables the study of complex phenomena like learning and memory in mice.
A study published in JAMA Network Open explores the experiences of individuals with young-onset dementia and their partners, highlighting the importance of open communication and mutual problem-solving. The research team developed a couples-based framework to describe coping patterns, which can inform new interventions and increase qua...
Researchers have created a theoretical model that accurately predicts the neural activity of a mouse brain without requiring fine-tuning. The model uses critical phenomena to explain phase transitions in physical systems and may have applications for studying complex dynamical systems.
Research suggests that social and economic conditions in neighborhoods can affect brain health, with people living in disadvantaged areas showing faster decline on cognitive tests and more brain shrinkage on scans. The study's findings may indicate the earliest stages of dementia and highlight the importance of monitoring for early signs.
Scientists discovered three molecules involved in olfactory imprinting during critical periods in mice, which can modulate adult social behaviors. Oxytocin and signaling molecule Sema7A play a crucial role in forming sensory maps and neural circuits.
A study by TGen suggests that increasing ABCC1 expression could reduce Abeta production, preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer's. The gene modulates cellular processes involving amyloid precursor protein, potentially reducing plaque formation and cognitive decline.
A Marshall University researcher has received a $400K NIH grant to investigate sex-dependent interactions in brain cell development, aiming to develop targeted therapies for individuals with autism and schizophrenia. The research will uncover novel roles of sex and hormones in brain development, shedding light on neurological dysfunction.
The Baszucki Brain Research Fund has launched a multimillion-dollar program to advance therapeutic discovery for bipolar disorder, aiming to improve treatment options for affected individuals. The grant program will provide up to $200,000 per year to support pilot research and translational efforts.
Georgia State University researchers have received a five-year, $3 million grant to develop new strategies for identifying mood disorders using whole brain dynamics. The team will integrate four-dimensional brain imaging with clinical and cognitive data to identify clues about how mental illness presents in the brain.
A new paper by Kyoto University researchers highlights the ethical implications of brain organoid research, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases like dementia or schizophrenia. However, transplanting brain organoids raises concerns about consciousness, morality, and potential risks to patients.
Scientists have found that the parkin protein acts as a powerful antioxidant and storage site for dopamine radicals in brain cells. This discovery may lead to new treatments for early-onset Parkinson's disease by delivering antioxidants or a healthy copy of the parkin gene.
A new Heidelberg-based computerized approach recognizes motor impairments and provides information about underlying diseases through artificial intelligence. The uBAM algorithm uses machine learning to analyze movement patterns, highlighting pathological deviations and aiding in diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers used AI to identify three new MS subtypes based on brain images, which can help predict disease progression and treatment response. The study found a clear difference in patients' response to different treatments by subtype, paving the way for individualized treatment planning.
Scientists identified microRNA-29 as a powerful controller of brain maturation, which was found to be depleted in mice with autism-like symptoms. The study suggests that boosting levels of miR-29 could lead to therapeutic strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.
Sea urchin larvae use light to control digestion by opening and closing the pylorus, a critical component of the digestive tract. This finding suggests that early brain functions may have included regulating digestion, providing insights into animal evolution.
The film IN SILICO chronicles the ambitious quest to simulate the human brain on supercomputers, exposing controversy and ego in the scientific process. It encourages critical evaluation of brain research and technology, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to neuroscience.
A new study by Brigham Young University researchers found widespread glucose metabolism impairment in Alzheimer's Disease brains, while ketolytic metabolism remained relatively intact. The study proposes that dietary and lifestyle changes could slow cognitive decline associated with the disease.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a mechanical simulation of the whisker inside the follicle, discovering that bending creates an 'S'-shaped bend within the follicle. This deformation triggers sensor cells, sending touch signals to the brain, and can predict how whiskers activate different sensory cells.
Scientists developed a new method to understand how the brain builds associations between previously unrelated words. By measuring brain responses to incongruent sentence endings, researchers found that the brain learns new associations rapidly and independently of behavioral responses.
A new study by UC researchers uses brain imaging to predict treatment outcomes for adolescents with anxiety disorders. The study showed that medication can 'dampen' the overactivity of fear areas in the brain, leading to improved transmission of messages between neurons.
A new study found that drinking beetroot juice for ten days increased levels of beneficial oral bacteria linked to healthier blood vessels and brain function in older adults. The results also showed a significant drop in systolic blood pressure, suggesting potential benefits for cardiovascular health.
Researchers found that the lateral habenula (LHb) regulates cardiovascular responses via the serotonergic system, controlling heart rate and blood pressure. The study provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying stress-induced behavioral responses.
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed an experimental hearing implant that can register brain waves to measure hearing quality. This innovation enables smart hearing aids with objective, user-independent assessments and potentially automates self-adjustments.
Simonetta Sipione's research aims to clarify the therapeutic role of gangliosides in the brain, which help brain cells communicate with each other and the environment. The project seeks to develop a viable treatment that tackles the root cause of neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's and Parkinson's.
A recent study published in JAMA Network explores how COVID-19 affects the brain, highlighting potential mechanisms behind brain dysfunction. The research suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause inflammation and damage to specific brain regions.
Researchers led by Dr. Katrin Vogt found that fly larvae adjust their behavior in response to internal states and context, similar to human brains. The study, funded by the German Research Foundation and NIH, sheds light on how the brain controls sensory processing.
Researchers found that mice lacking Rev-erb gene exhibit characteristics similar to dawn phenomenon in type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that altered daily rhythm of Rev-erb gene expression may underlie the condition. Further investigations may lead to therapies.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in deep brain stimulation, a therapeutic treatment for Parkinson's disease. Electrical stimulation at higher frequencies can successfully recalibrate dysfunctional circuits causing movement symptoms.
Researchers at UBC found that a therapeutic bed called Calmer can help maintain steady brain oxygen levels in preterm babies during medical procedures. This is particularly relevant for infants whose brains are vulnerable to pain and stress.
Persistent midlife loneliness is linked to a higher risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease, while transient loneliness may actually reduce the risk. Researchers found that recovering from loneliness after 18 years may also lead to lower risk of dementia onset.
Researchers have identified BMI1 as a key player in protecting neurons from DNA disorganization, a phenomenon associated with Alzheimer's disease. The discovery adds to our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms leading to the disorder and brings hope for future treatments.
A new study by researchers at UT Southwestern shows that exercise programs for older adults with mild memory loss can increase blood flow to their brains. The results add to growing evidence linking exercise with brain health, suggesting that regular aerobic exercise may help improve cognition and memory in healthy older adults.