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For good health, trust your gut

University of Cincinnati assistant professor Ashley Ross is developing tools to detect and study chemical signals between the brain and immune system using a federal grant. Her research aims to understand how neurons regulate inflammation and develop new therapies.

What happens in your brain when you 'lose yourself' in fiction

A study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that highly identified fans of 'Game of Thrones' characters activate the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) when thinking about the characters, similar to how they think about themselves. The vMPFC is a brain area involved in self-referential processing.

SourceOhio State University·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateMar 15, 2021

Study uncovers clues to COVID-19 using imaging

A global multicenter study has uncovered a correlation between the severity of COVID-19 in the lungs and brain using CT/MRI scans. Researchers found that patients with more severe respiratory disease are more likely to experience neurological symptoms, such as stroke and brain bleeds.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalAmerican Journal of Neuroradiology·DateMar 12, 2021

Immune cells in cerebrospinal fluid predict response to immunotherapy

Researchers have identified a novel method using immune cells in cerebrospinal fluid to predict response to immunotherapy for patients with brain metastases. The analysis reveals similarities between immune cells in cerebrospinal fluid and those in brain metastasis, providing valuable insights into tumor microenvironment characterization.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2021

Watching the brain learn

Researchers at Göttingen University have discovered that adult mice brains display increased experience-dependent spine removal, a hallmark of critical period-like plasticity. This study reveals structural changes in the visual cortex associated with silent synapses and sheds light on lifelong neural plasticity.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2021

Early-warning for seizures could be a game-changer for epilepsy patients

Researchers at USC have developed a powerful mathematical model that can predict seizures with high accuracy, providing epilepsy patients with an early warning of up to five minutes. This breakthrough could revolutionize epilepsy management and treatment, allowing patients to take necessary interventions to prevent seizure onset.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateFeb 25, 2021

Assessing brain capillaries in COVID-19

This case series examines brain samples from COVID-19 patients with severe pulmonary pathology to understand the impact on brain capillaries. The study provides valuable information on the neurological consequences of COVID-19, shedding light on potential underlying mechanisms.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateFeb 12, 2021

Lemurs show there's no single formula for lasting love

A new study comparing lemurs, distant primate cousins of humans, found few consistent differences between monogamous and promiscuous species. However, researchers discovered that the brain chemistry behind love in lemurs may involve a combination of multiple hormones and interactions rather than a single formula.

SourceDuke University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 12, 2021

Specific genes in placenta may predict size of baby's brain and risk for schizophrenia

A genetic scoring study published in PNAS found that specific genes in the placenta can predict a baby's brain size at birth and its rate of cognitive development, which may lead to schizophrenia later in life. The study suggests that targeting placental health may reduce schizophrenia risk, particularly in males.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 8, 2021