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 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.
Research highlights three key periods of dynamic brain changes sensitive to alcohol's effects: gestation, later adolescence, and older adulthood. Low or moderate drinking during pregnancy is associated with poorer outcomes in offspring, while binge drinking in adolescence and aging affects brain volume and cognitive functions.
Researchers at Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience developed high-resolution brain implants that enable recognition of artificially induced shapes and percepts. The breakthrough technology allows for a rudimentary form of vision restoration, enabling profoundly blind individuals to navigate and interact more easily.
Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered a previously unknown biochemical cascade in the brain that leads to the destruction of synapses in Alzheimer's disease. The study found that abnormal chemical reactions, termed 'protein transnitrosylation reactions,' contribute to synapse loss.
Researchers found a brain molecule called Pth2 that changes expression levels in response to social conditions. When zebrafish are isolated, Pth2 disappears, but its levels rapidly rise when they're added back into a group, indicating a 'thermometer' effect.
Researchers found that shorter delays in neurofeedback training significantly increase efficacy, enabling sustainable changes. This breakthrough opens new potential for NFB therapy in anxiety, depression, epilepsy, and other conditions.
The Alzheimer's Association, Global Brain Health Institute, and Alzheimer's Society have partnered to fund 23 small-scale pilot projects addressing global challenges in dementia. These projects focus on innovative approaches to awareness, diagnosis, treatment, and care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that liquid-liquid phase separation facilitates tau protein aggregation, a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders. The researchers discovered a novel regulatory mechanism involving different variants of tau protein, which may influence disease clinical outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a potential window to the brain in Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare and untreatable form of childhood-onset dementia. The study uses retinal imaging techniques to monitor disease progression and therapeutic efficacy, providing new hope for patients.
Research finds that taking turns in 'conversation' with caregivers relates to synchronized activation in language areas, shaping brain function. Weaker connectivity in the bottom-up subnetwork is associated with more conversational turns at home.
Researchers tracked brain activity and pupil dilation of basketball fans watching March Madness games to understand how the brain processes surprise. They found that shifts in brain activity only occurred when the outcome contradicted the fan's current beliefs.
A recent study published in Psychophysiology found that the essence of human being remains stable throughout life, with a component of self-awareness remaining intact. The study suggests that changes to physical aspects, attitudes, and values are more likely to occur over time.
A study published in Neuron found that surprise during sports viewing leads to changes in brain patterns, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and pupil dilations. The researchers also discovered a link between dopamine-rich regions and increased activity when subjects' preferred teams scored.
A study published in PNAS found that stronger initial memories are easier to update with new information, allowing for better comprehension and adaptation. Older adults showed poorer memory performance but more confidence in their recall, possibly due to relying on general, generic responses rather than specific situational features.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that domperidone, an anti-nausea medication, can significantly reduce how much volunteers look away from disgusting images. The study suggests that stabilizing the stomach's electrical signals may be a key cause of disgust avoidance.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have created a compact, low-power 'head only' MRI scanner for brain imaging. The device can be mounted in ambulances or clinics and emits less noise than traditional scanners.
Researchers found previously unknown changes in brain networks after polio and neurological diseases like MND/ALS, suggesting abnormal communication between muscles and brain. The study increases understanding of brain plasticity and its implications for rehabilitation and new biomarker development.
Research suggests that psychosis symptoms may be linked to impaired information spread in the brain, with altered white matter contributing to delusions and other symptoms. The study found increased consciousness thresholds in patients with psychosis, correlating with greater white matter connectivity.
Researchers have found that excessive calcium triggers inflammation in ischemic strokes, leading to worse outcomes. Targeting this calcium overload may offer a new way to control inflammation and improve patient recovery.
A team of researchers developed an AI model that estimates thoughts by evaluating behavior, then tested it on a trained artificial brain. The study found neural activity associated with those estimates, providing new insights into the brain's computations involved in complex behavior.
A study found that COVID-19 can lead to rare but potentially devastating neurological complications, including strokes, brain bleeds, and blocked blood vessels. Patients with pre-existing high blood pressure and/or type 2 diabetes were at higher risk for these complications.
A molecule called Ldlrad3 has been identified as a key player in the virus's ability to infect cells. By creating a decoy version of this protein, scientists have found that it can prevent the virus from causing deadly brain infections in mice.
A UTEP researcher is developing an animal model to investigate the effects of nicotine vapor exposure on adolescent behavior. The study aims to understand how nicotine affects impulse and risk-taking decisions in teens.
Scientists discover a chain reaction leading to Alzheimer's disease starts earlier than thought, triggering toxic protein deposits. An antibody, aducanumab, has been shown to remove seeds of aggregation and reduce brain damage in transgenic mice.
New research suggests that T. gondii infection alters human behavior by lowering norepinephrine levels, which control stress response and neuroinflammation. This finding may contribute to the development of antipsychotic treatments for schizophrenia and other neurological disorders.
Researchers at the National Eye Institute have decoded brain maps of human color perception, finding unique patterns of brain activity for each color. The study may have implications for the development of machine-brain interfaces for visual prosthetics.
A new study found that noradrenaline helps us adapt to uncertain situations by allowing rapid learning and adjusting our behavior. In contrast, Propranolol blocks the action of noradrenaline, making people more reliant on past experiences in the face of uncertainty.
A new machine learning algorithm has been developed to isolate patterns in brain signals that relate to specific behaviors, enabling the decoding of these behaviors. The algorithm was tested on standard brain datasets and showed significant improvement over standard algorithms in predicting movement kinematics.
Researchers found that exercising your brain with 'neurobics' before surgery can help prevent post-surgery delirium. Patients who played brain games for at least five hours a day saw a significant reduction in delirium rates, with those playing up to 10 hours experiencing a 61% decrease.
A UT Southwestern study found that retired football players with a history of concussions and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) scored similarly to non-athletes on verbal memory and learning tests. However, they showed lower scores on naming tests, which may be related to age-related decline rather than concussion effects.
A University of Missouri researcher has developed procedures to define the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease, which can help drug developers identify potential beneficiaries of a future treatment. The study found that 42% of individuals with Alzheimer's-related brain pathology showed no signs of cognitive decline.
Researchers developed a new method for designing spontaneous behaviors in robots, inspired by complex temporal patterns in animal brains. The approach uses high-dimensional chaos and reservoir computing to implement humanlike cognitive functions.
A new study reveals that astrocytes can remove cellular debris from the brain when microglia are impaired. This finding could lead to new therapies accelerating debris clearance and reducing neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can cross the blood-brain barrier and be captured by neuronal cells, enabling direct drug delivery to the brain. This breakthrough finding holds promise for improved treatment of neurodegenerative diseases affecting millions of Canadians.
Researchers at USask are conducting a groundbreaking study to investigate the impact of maternal cannabis use during pregnancy on fetal brain development. They will be testing the hypothesis that chronic exposure to high-THC cannabis leads to increased anxiety and reduced cognition in rat pups.
Researchers from USTC and SIAT successfully observed individual GABAA receptors and their organization on the synaptic membrane using in situ cryo-electron tomography. The study revealed a 11-nm social distancing among receptors, forming a mesophasic assembly that regulates neurotransmitter release.
A three-year study published in 'Alzheimer's & Dementia' shows that a multinutrient formulation can significantly slow the deterioration of cognitive performance and brain atrophy in early Alzheimer's patients. Patients who received the nutrient drink suffered between 40-70% less cognitive impairment than those in the control group.
Researchers have developed AI algorithms to decipher waveform bio signals from the heart and brain, identifying individuals at risk for cardiovascular death. By analyzing these signals during sleep, they can detect hidden signatures indicating homeostatic imbalance or early onset of potentially fatal diseases.
Researchers at HKUST have identified novel molecular targets for Alzheimer's drug development, focusing on endothelial cells and microglia. The study reveals a link between blood vessel dysregulation and AD pathogenesis, as well as potential therapeutic interventions through the cytokine IL-33.
New York University researchers have created a developmental atlas of gene expression in neurons using gene sequencing and machine learning. The study reveals new types of neurons, including a previously unknown type present only before flies hatch, and highlights the highest levels of molecular diversity during development.
A new form of computerized brain-training called Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) has been shown to reduce early relapse by 17% in individuals undergoing inpatient alcohol withdrawal treatment. The CBM smartphone app SWiPE is designed to train the subconscious brain to avoid alcohol cues and promote healthier behaviors.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that bats use a combination of echolocation calls and head movements to predict the future position of their prey. This discovery enhances our understanding of auditory-guided behaviors in animals and humans, including sight-impaired individuals who rely on sound to navigate.
Swollen neurons are less likely to exhibit overactivity associated with long-term TBI complications. Researchers propose a more nuanced approach to managing cerebral swelling, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injuries.
Octopuses' arms may have a mind of their own due to their unique nervous system, with over two-thirds of neurons located in the arms. Researchers found that octopuses can learn to associate arm movements with rewards, suggesting some sense of self-movement from the arms.
A follow-up study of infants found that those with asymptomatic subdural hemorrhages as newborns had normal neurodevelopmental scores and gray matter volumes at age two. The research suggests that small brain bleeds may not have a significant impact on cognitive development.
A new study by University of Barcelona reveals that alterations in dopaminergic receptors D1R and D2R in the hippocampal area of the brain cause memory deficits and psychotic behaviour in mice with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. The findings hold promise for developing more efficient antipsychotic drugs.
Researchers have found a way to circumvent a centuries-old theory that allows them to effectively cancel magnetic fields. This breakthrough has practical benefits for various fields like medicine, quantum technology, and neuroscience.
Researchers from India and the UK developed a new brain-computer interface that uses EEG signals to control a robot arm with reduced positional error. The system achieves this by utilizing the P300 signal, which allows the robotic arm to make finer adjustments and reduce errors.
A recent study published in Cell reveals that microglia, a type of immune cell, promote breast cancer metastasis to the brain by suppressing T-cells. The activation of VISTA checkpoint suppresses immune response, allowing cancer cells to spread and form secondary tumors.
A brain protein that regulates time-keeping also plays a crucial role in normal memory formation, according to new research in fruit flies. Memory regulation by this protein, PDF, likely occurs without direct signaling to the main memory structure.
The BrainHealth Project aims to redefine brain health as a critical asset, improving emotional, behavioral, and cognitive functioning. By investing in employees' brain health, organizations can tap into their limitless potential, catalyze innovative thinking, and strengthen productivity.
Emery N. Brown, a neuroscientist and practicing anesthesiologist, has won the SfN's Swartz Prize for his contributions to neural signal processing, anesthetic mechanisms, and statistical methods. His research advances neuroscientific understanding of how anesthetics affect the brain, improving patient care.
Scientists identified changes in the brain that drive alcohol abuse among people with PTSD, highlighting sex-specific differences that could lead to targeted treatments. Researchers found that males and females exhibit different symptoms and brain features of PTSD and alcohol use disorder.