Articles tagged with Brain
UCF researchers identify molecular changes caused by high levels of Propionic Acid, a common acid in processed foods, reducing neuron development in fetal brains. The study suggests a potential link between maternal diet and autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have successfully developed a noninvasive brain-computer interface (BCI) that enables continuous control of a robotic arm using only thoughts. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize the lives of paralyzed patients and those with movement disorders.
Researchers at King's College London have identified the earliest signs of Parkinson's disease in the brain, many years before symptoms appear. The study found changes to the serotonin system as a key early warning signal for the disease.
A Yale-led study reveals the mechanisms by which leptin increases appetite in response to low energy levels. The research found that reductions in plasma leptin concentrations stimulate food intake through a chain of events involving the brain, endocrine system, and AgRP neurons.
A specific gene associated with a lower amount of a certain nicotine receptor in the brain increases the risk of cannabis abuse. The study, conducted by Aarhus University, analyzed the complete genome of over 2,000 cannabis abusers and found a strong association between the genetic variant and cannabis abuse.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School discovered that a protein complex called CRL4 is essential for reactivating dormant neural stem cells in fruit flies, which can then generate new neurons. This finding could lead to therapeutic treatment of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
University of Houston researcher Margaret Cheung is exploring the molecular structure of memories at the precise moment they are formed in single neurons. She aims to understand how calcium signaling and calmodulin affect cellular processes, including human cognition.
Researchers propose a personalized model to study age-related cognitive decline, considering individual risk factors, genetic variants and lifestyle. The goal is to maintain brain health throughout the entire adult lifespan.
A new paper suggests that variation in brain energy expenditure during childhood may influence patterns of energy expenditure and weight gain. The study proposes a hypothesis linking the brain's energy demand to obesity risk, highlighting the need for further research into the role of brain development on body weight.
Childhood brain energy expenditure inversely related to body weight gain; variation may explain obesity timing and lifetime risk. Researchers hypothesize that brain energy demand could help predict obesity risk.
A University of Queensland researcher has identified a potential solution to improve skier safety on snow-covered slopes by modifying the grooming patterns used at ski resorts. By altering the size and spacing of these patterns, visibility can be improved in cloudy conditions, reducing the risk of accidents.
Scientists at the University of York have identified two separate pathways for seeing 3D motion in the human brain, allowing people to perform tasks like catching a ball. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for lazy eye syndrome and improve virtual reality systems.
Research in hypertensive rat models found impaired glymphatic transport and increased ventricles, suggesting hypertension's impact on brain clearance of waste molecules. Treatments targeting hypertension could reduce Alzheimer's disease buildup and delay onset.
The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) will continue to support the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dementia through its second phase. The new study, CAN-THUMBS UP, aims to identify individuals at risk of dementia and provide combination interventions to prevent progression.
A researcher has received funding to develop new models that use brain imaging and genomic data to predict mental health disorders. The goal is to improve diagnosis accuracy by analyzing a patient's genetics and brain activity.
Researchers found a link between sleep patterns and Alzheimer's disease pathology, suggesting new diagnostic tools and prevention strategies.
Research found that superoxide dismutase improves cognition by fighting oxidative damage but loses effectiveness when tau proteins increase, suggesting a losing battle against Alzheimer's disease. Increasing SOD1 production may delay progression of the disease, according to Iowa State University researchers.
The Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences supports young researchers investigating connections between embryos and their mothers, tick-borne diseases, and sensory information processing. The program aims to drive significant scientific discoveries by investing in promising scientists at the beginning stages of their careers.
Researchers found that a pregnant woman's sense of personal space expands only during the third trimester of pregnancy. This expansion is believed to be an adjustment made by the brain to protect the vulnerable abdomen from daily interactions.
A new microfluidic organ chip model of the human blood-brain barrier has been developed, allowing for in vivo-like transport of drugs and therapeutic antibodies. The model recapitulates the physical barrier functions and transport abilities of the human BBB, offering a significant advance in drug development.
Researchers found that the nerve cell activity in one bird's brain synchronizes with its partner when they start singing together. The brains of both birds essentially function as one, leading to perfect duet coordination.
A mouse study published in the Endocrine Society's journal Endocrinology found that BPA exposure may contribute to autism by disrupting nerve cell connections in the brain. Mice exposed to BPA during pregnancy showed social behavioral deficits similar to autistic behavior.
Researchers found that smarter, more educated people have a 'cognitive reserve' that helps them perform better at baseline, but this doesn't affect their actual decline rate. Higher education levels are associated with lower rates of Alzheimer's disease in midlife, regardless of age or brain amyloid beta protein levels.
Researchers found that poison dart frogs possess a sophisticated brain capable of forming a cognitive map of their environment. They demonstrated this by testing the frogs' spatial awareness in a modified Morris water maze, where they successfully located a hidden platform using visual cues and landmarks.
Neuroscientists have discovered that controlling brain waves through rhythmic neural stimulation can improve memory performance. The study, published in Trends in Neurosciences, suggests that this technique may be a promising tool for improving memory and potentially treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
A new study suggests that abnormal chemical changes in specific brain areas may cause functional motor symptoms, which can be treated with medications modulating glutamatergic activity. The study found increased levels of glutamate and glutamine in the limbic areas of people with these symptoms.
Researchers have found that anle138b can reduce alpha-synuclein clumps, restore dopamine levels and stop the progression of Parkinson's. Early treatment may be crucial in stopping the condition in its tracks.
A study found that four out of five people with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) experience lasting physical difficulties, with 80% still having symptoms in their arms and legs 14 years later. Doctors are urged to provide realistic prognoses and encourage targeted treatment for patients.
A new study published in Diabetologia found that type 2 diabetes in midlife is associated with a 30% increased risk of serious brain artery blockage leading to stroke. Additionally, individuals with T2DM at ages 40-59 years had double the risk of cerebral occlusion and a 30% higher risk of cerebral infarction.
A small randomized pilot study found that lower-amp ECT was as effective as standard amplitude ECT in treating suicidal thoughts, with faster relief and fewer cognitive side effects. Patients receiving low amp ECT also experienced higher degrees of relief from depressive symptoms.
A new digital meditation training program called MediTrain improved attention and memory in healthy young adults by tailoring the length of sessions to their abilities. The program, which required just 20-30 minutes of practice per day, showed significant effects on attention and working memory.
A study by University of Zurich researchers found that fathers' reliable care is crucial for brain development, while help from other group members is less essential. This discovery explains why some animal species with large-brained mammals have bigger brains due to their fathers' dependable assistance.
A recent study has confirmed a link between gut problems and autism, revealing that the same gene mutations in the brain can also affect the gut nervous system. The discovery suggests that gastrointestinal issues may stem from the same mutations responsible for brain and behavioral issues in autism.
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan found that low-frequency magnetic stimulation improved cognitive and motor function in rodents with concussions. The therapy also protected the brain from future degeneration and restored normal sleep patterns.
A recent brain study reveals that our brains can identify objects by performing lightning-fast statistical calculations, incorporating previous experiences, to calculate a complete mental representation of an object. This study challenges conventional views on how our brains extract information from the environment.
Researchers observed brain activity while participants made choices between lotteries, finding neural activity responsible for both rational and irrational decision-making. The study suggests that occasional inconsistent choices are fundamental to how a typical brain works, contradicting previous theories.
Research using functional MRI found that music-based care plans enhanced brain circuit connectivity in preterm infants. This suggests music may improve future socio-cognitive function and prevent brain deficits.
A new study found that middle-aged individuals' health can predict their brain function later in life. Factors such as smoking, diabetes, and a history of head injury were associated with increased risk of brain aging.
A new study provides policy recommendations to help legal authorities determine the accuracy of testimonies from children and adults. The authors suggest using scientifically-established protocols, open-ended questions, and analyzing supporting and opposing elements to verify memories.
A Canadian study found women experiencing minor strokes or TIAs are 10% more likely to receive non-stroke diagnoses. Researchers highlight the importance of recognizing atypical symptoms and accurate diagnosis for prevention and treatment.
A recent study led by McGill University researchers offers a crucial step in unlocking the mystery of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy's cause. The team found that superoxide spreading among cells connecting the eye to the brain is likely the cause of the disorder.
Researchers developed stem cell-based disease models to investigate early brain development linked to Down syndrome. They found that inhibiting the OLIG2 gene improved cognitive function in mouse models, suggesting it as a potential prenatal therapeutic target.
Researchers tracked outcomes from 537 people with brain haemorrhage while taking antiplatelet medicines, finding fewer recurrences compared to those who didn't take these treatments. The study suggests treatments may reduce rather than increase risk of further bleeding in the brain.
A team of neuroethicists examined 41 wearable brain devices, identifying issues with claims made by companies about their products. The study highlights the need for more transparent communication about potential outcomes, as well as consideration of ethical implications and potential risks.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that neonatal nicotine exposure changes the biochemistry of the reward circuitry in mice brains, increasing their preference for nicotine in later adulthood. This study suggests a potential mechanism for how early life exposure to nicotine may contribute to addiction later in life.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism that accelerates aging in the brain and gives rise to the most devastating biological features of Alzheimer's disease. This finding unifies three long-standing theories behind the disease's origins into one cohesive narrative.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in developing an objective, brain-based test to diagnose autism. The study used fMRI to measure the response of autistic children to social cues, finding that their brains respond differently than typically developing children.
A study from the University of Oregon suggests that specific angles and sharpness of brain waves in unfiltered EEG data may indicate Parkinson's disease. Researchers used raw, unfiltered beta waves to distinguish between patients on and off medication, providing a potentially new approach for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that older adults who regularly participate in word and number puzzles have improved brain function, particularly in attention, reasoning, and memory. The study suggests that engaging with these puzzles can lead to cognitive improvements equivalent to a decade younger in age.
Researchers found that the risk of stroke at middle age declined by 39% and at older age by 53% between 1998-2005 and previous periods. Lifestyle choices like exercise and a healthy diet can reduce stroke risk across all ages.
Researcher Pat Levitt will investigate how genetic factors interact with early experiences to influence brain circuit development, with a focus on the MET receptor gene. The study aims to determine the brain cells dependent on proper MET function to form healthy connections.
Researchers found that messages about corruption from the rival party have a greater impact on Spanish Popular Party voters' brains, triggering areas related to risk, disappointment, and rejection. This biased rejection affects PP voters more intensely, regardless of whether the message is positive or negative.
A study by Lund University researchers shows that blocking the galectin-3 protein reduces Alzheimer's plaque and inflammation in mice. The protein is also involved in Parkinson's disease and stroke inflammation. Inhibiting galectin-3 with inhibitors can reduce its effects, offering potential treatment avenues.
Researchers found that rTMS improved working memory performance in both young and older adults, with the effect most pronounced when participants were actively using the information. The study suggests that brain stimulation may be a viable treatment option for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
Researchers captured detailed images of infants' skulls and brains before and during delivery using 3D MRI, finding that fetal head molding occurs in all seven infants, with different parts of the skull overlapping. The study suggests that infants experience greater skull stresses during birth than previously thought, potentially under...
A study published in Gastroenterology suggests that patients with IBS who have multiple intestinal and brain abnormalities experience more severe symptoms, making combination therapy a potential solution to improve treatment outcomes
Research found thalidomide alters CRBN protein function in neural stem cells, leading to smaller brains and embryonic malformations. Increasing CRBN availability results in larger brains.
A new brain-controlled hearing aid technology developed by Columbia engineers can identify and amplify the correct speaker in a crowded environment. The device uses artificial intelligence to monitor wearers' brain waves and boost the voice they want to focus on, solving the 'cocktail party problem' that modern hearing aids struggle with.
Many Americans in their 50s and early 60s worry about declining brain health, taking supplements or doing puzzles to stave off brain decline. However, few have talked with their doctors about evidence-based ways to prevent memory loss, potentially missing out on proven strategies.
A La Trobe University study has found significant levels of fatigue and poor brain function can persist after concussion, with implications for diagnosis and treatment of persistent post-concussion syndrome (PCS). The study used innovative brain technology to assess brain functioning in a way that has never been done before.