Articles tagged with Brain
A new Johns Hopkins University study found that rewards can improve learning incrementally but mask the true knowledge animals have attained. The researchers trained mice, rats, and ferrets on various tasks with and without rewards, revealing a distinction between knowledge and performance.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified average brain changes linked to Alzheimer's disease that occur 3-10 years before symptoms appear. Researchers found subtle cognitive test score changes and protein increases in cerebrospinal fluid an average of 34.4 years before cognitive impairment onset.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that large-scale systems in the brain interact with each other in distinct ways for different psychiatric conditions. The researchers used brain network connectivity data from over 1,000 individuals to identify correlations between brain networks and symptom...
The NIH is funding a new study that aims to discover the link between early life blood sugar levels and middle-aged brain health. The Bogalusa Heart Study will use advanced imaging techniques to assess brain health in participants, and the results could lead to new guidelines for managing childhood blood sugar levels.
A new model demonstrates how a network of neurons can act as a 'neuronal metronome' by accurately estimating time intervals between beats within tens of millisecond accuracy. This framework relies on rhythmic brain activity patterns known as gamma oscillations to keep track of time.
The Excellence in Prehospital Injury Care Project has doubled the survival rate of severe traumatic brain injury victims and tripled the survival rate among those who were intubated. First responders are now taught to treat and prevent the
A new study found that approximately half of former professional athletes with multiple concussions had higher than normal levels of tau protein in their cerebrospinal fluid, linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The athletes with high tau levels scored lower on cognitive tests and brain scans showed white matter damage.
Researchers found that electroconvulsive therapy corrects brain networks associated with learning and thinking impairments in individuals with depression. ECT reconfigures brain networks that promote flexibility in how people remember events, helping them cope better with daily challenges.
A new study found that a serotonin shortage in the gut can cause constipation, similar to depression, and that treatment increasing serotonin levels may alleviate both conditions. The research suggests that slow-release 5-HTP therapies could treat related brain-gut disorders.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that paper wasps possess the ability to use known relationships to infer unknown ones, similar to humans. This cognitive skill may be linked to their complex social behavior and dominance hierarchies, allowing them to rapidly make deductions about novel social relationships.
A recent study has discovered that female fruit flies can sense the sensation of sex and reject unwanted partners, independent of sperm presence. The 'copulation effect' involves a neural circuit that allows females to quickly determine if they've successfully mated.
Researchers determined that atrial fibrillation is independently associated with age-related and dementia changes. Longitudinal analysis showed increases in subclinical cerebral infarctions, sulcal size, ventricular size, and white matter hyperintensity volume in people with Afib.
The team's artificial synapse is similar to a battery, emulating how learning is wired in the brain, and processes data in one action. The prototype array outperformed expectations with high speed, energy efficiency, reproducibility and durability, paving the way for small devices to support artificially intelligent learning.
Researchers controlled specific neurons in macaques' brains with images generated by artificial neural networks, demonstrating a new tool for neuroscientists to design experiments. This breakthrough uses current computer vision applications to predict and control visually evoked neural responses in primate brains.
Researchers developed a chemical probe that enables live-imaging of microglia in the brain, crucial for understanding brain development and disease. The probe, CDr20, labels microglia in both human- and primate-derived cells, allowing for clinical-relevant studies.
Researchers created an algorithm that generated images to super-stimulate monkey neurons, showing the brain builds preferred images from scratch. The study reveals insights into how the brain learns to abstract statistically relevant features of its world.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a technique that facilitates precise placement of cancer drugs in the brain using positron emission technology and image-guided drug delivery. This approach shows promising results in improving treatment outcomes for difficult-to-treat brain cancers, such as glioblastoma.
A new experimental therapy has demonstrated potential in slowing the progression of a genetic form of ALS by reducing SOD1 protein levels. Patients who received the treatment showed improved breathing capacity, muscle strength, and functional abilities compared to those given a placebo.
Researchers found that resting state of signaling proteins are highly mobile and dynamic, affecting how they respond to drugs. This new understanding may explain previous disappointments in drug development for neurological diseases.
Scientists have developed a new method to quickly map brain connections, enabling systematic study of connection patterns within single individuals. The technique, combining infrared laser stimulation with functional MRI, reveals the direction of information flowing in the brain, critical for understanding brain processing.
A new form of dementia, Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), has been characterized by researchers. LATE affects multiple areas of cognition and its progression is more gradual than Alzheimer's disease. Further research into LATE may lead to the development of disease-specific drugs.
Researchers have identified a drug that can reverse hyperactivity induced by Toxoplasma gondii infection, reducing inflammation rather than parasite reduction. The study suggests the immune system plays a key role in behavioral changes caused by the parasite.
Research on brain-heart interactions may lead to life-saving therapies for heart failure and arrhythmia by manipulating specific nerves to emit electrical signals. Dr. Cheng's lab is developing a comprehensive map of neurons and their connections to the heart.
Studies found that all brain parts process touch signals, complementing each other for perception. Brain network processing information as a single network with partially different functions from situation to situation.
Research at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience reveals that insomnia may be caused by a failing neutralization of emotional distress. Good sleepers can settle past experiences as neutralized memories, but people with insomnia are unable to do so.
Researchers found that Integrator complex proteins regulate Earmuff, a transcription factor that prevents dedifferentiation. This process is critical for healthy brain development. Mutations in human Integrator genes are associated with neurodevelopmental syndrome.
A team of Arizona State University psychologists tested how people interpret the timing and sequence of physical touches, finding that people tend to prioritize their own action when sequencing events. The study used three experiments to test this effect, with consistent results showing a 50 millisecond delay in perceived time.
Researchers used brain signals from epilepsy patients to program a computer to mimic natural speech, potentially improving quality of life for paralyzed individuals. The study successfully recreated vocal sounds with varying accuracy and demonstrated generalizability across patients.
A new study found that CBD buffers against THC's effects on the brain, potentially making higher-CBD cannabis strains less harmful. The research used fMRI to gauge how different cannabis strains impact brain function.
A study found that exercise-induced cognitive improvements can be inherited by offspring via sperm. Exercise has been shown to increase the growth of immature neurons and improve mitochondrial function in the brain, leading to enhanced memory performance.
Researchers found that light-intensity physical activity is associated with larger brain volume and healthy brain aging. The study suggests that achieving even moderate levels of physical activity may be beneficial for preventing dementia.
A groundbreaking experiment has successfully restored some functions and structures in donated pig brains for up to four hours after they were butchered. The result challenges the notion that mammalian brains are fully and irreversibly damaged by a lack of oxygen, raising questions about when to save patients and organs.
A 30-person study found that the brain implements mathematically optimal principles for perception in a 'middle ground' between opposing literature. The results suggest that human perception is based on imprecise sensory inputs, but still follows optimal strategies.
Researchers at Georgia State University discovered that societal expectations around gender roles can alter the human brain at a cellular level. This finding suggests that epigenetic marks in the brain drive differences between males and females, influenced by gender identity rather than just biological sex.
Researchers have found that cannabidiol (CBD) can be used as a 'Trojan horse' to deliver medications across the blood-brain barrier and into the brains of mice. CBD was attached to lipid nanocarriers, which caused more fluorescent molecules to pass through brain cells, resulting in targeted delivery to the animal's brains.
Researchers study coelacanth specimens at different stages of cranial development, providing new insights into the biology of this iconic animal. The study reveals unique observations about the development of the living coelacanth skull and brain, and opens up new avenues for research on the evolution of vertebrate heads.
A new study provides fresh insights into the development of the Coelacanth skull and brain, revealing a unique 'intracranial joint' that allows the fish to survive despite its small brain size. The research also sheds light on the evolution of vertebrate species, including humans.
A recent study from Binghamton University found that negative behaviors like substance abuse can lead to a cycle of poor lifestyle choices, mental distress, and low grades. Positive behaviors, on the other hand, support brain chemistry profiles that promote mood maturity and rational thinking.
Researchers at MUSC found that procedure time is vital in thrombectomy success, with diminishing returns after the 60-minute mark. The study suggests that surgeons should pause and reassess if a procedure is worth continuing beyond this point.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that ICU patients with non-brain-related injuries often experience cognitive deficits, despite lack of brain injury. The study used online tests to detect cognitive impairments in 20 patients and revealed significant cognitive deficits in memory, attention, decision-making, and reasoning.
The PATHS program, funded by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grants, aims to empower underrepresented students to succeed in STEM fields at UC San Diego. The initiative replicates successful models from UMBC's Meyerhoff Scholars Program and offers research experiences, team learning, peer counseling, and more.
The Charisma for Youth program has shown strong results in improving social skills in children with autism, ADHD, and self-worth challenges. The program involves virtual sessions that teach real-world social scenarios, resulting in improved ability to understand others' points of view, start conversations, recognize emotions, and build...
A small-scale NIH-led clinical study found that pembrolizumab can slow or stop the progression of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a fatal brain infection caused by the JC virus. The treatment resulted in improved symptoms and reduced viral levels in five patients with PML.
Parvalbumin-containing cells have been found to regulate blood flow and volume in different brain regions, pulling back excess supply when activated. This discovery sheds new light on the role of these cells in neurovascular coupling and their potential involvement in neurological disorders.
A two-center study used EEGs to assess the impact of maternal stress on infant brain development, finding distinct patterns in brain activity at just 2 months old. Babies whose mothers reported higher levels of stress tended to have lower power in higher frequency bands and relatively higher power in lower-frequency bands.
A new mouse study found that consuming alcohol and a high-fat diet activate the same brain circuitry, leading to binge eating patterns. This research suggests that limiting access to high-fat foods may help curb excessive alcohol consumption.
A new study found that vegetarian volunteers who took a daily creatine supplement showed improved brain function and higher scores on a neurocognitive test compared to non-vegetarians. Vegetarian diets tend to have lower creatine levels, but supplementation can help bridge this gap.
Abnormal brain network interactions found in adults with major depressive disorder, associated with childhood trauma and current symptoms of depression. Traumatic experiences alter connectivity in multiple resting-state networks, including those involved in attention and sensory processing.
A Penn-led study confirms the relationship between childhood trauma and major depressive disorder, showing symptom-specific changes in brain network connectivity. The research suggests that resting-state network connectivity may serve as a biomarker for depression.
A study by Kazumichi Matsumiya found two distinct neural substrates for body localization and ownership, indicating a need to revise existing models. The findings suggest that spatial localization and body ownership are processed differently in the brain.
A new state-of-the-art sleep unit has opened at the University of East Anglia, pioneering research will investigate the link between sleep and dementia. The unit aims to determine whether treating sleep disturbances early on could help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study from York University found that children with more years of sport experience recover better from concussions and have quicker motor skill recovery times than those with fewer years of experience. This suggests that playing sports for longer periods may provide a protective effect against future concussions.
Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago are developing functional optical coherence tomography and OCT angiography to study minute changes in the retina indicating early stages of brain diseases. The technique, led by Xincheng Yao, aims to detect neurovascular coupling changes that precede clinical symptoms.
A new study reveals dopamine generates sustained activity in ensemble of cells in the prefrontal cortex, lasting up to 20 minutes. This coordinated activity supports complex functions such as motivation and attention to complete a task.
Michigan State University has landed a $1.8 million National Institutes of Health R01 grant to develop new brain implants that decipher complex chemical and electrical input and output for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, depression, and traumatic injuries.
Researchers from the University of Waterloo found that virtual reality can help individuals with autism and other neurological disorders recalibrate their internal clock. The study used a VR game to encourage participants to adjust their time perception, resulting in significant reductions in estimates of time by around 15 percent.
A University of Toronto study found that exposure to coffee-related cues can increase physiological arousal, leading to more alert and attentive thinking. The effect was stronger among Western cultures, suggesting a possible link between coffee consumption and arousal.
Researchers discovered that allergic reactions trigger changes in brain behavior development in unborn males and females. This study, published in Scientific Reports, found that immune cells play a critical role in sexual differentiation and may contribute to natural variations in male and female sexual behavior.
Researchers at HSE Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience propose preoperative training to enhance neurobiomechanical patterns for better motor activity. The study focuses on autotransplanting latissimus dorsi muscle for elbow flexion, showing promising results in accelerating rehabilitation.
Researchers have developed a portable mini microscope that allows for real-time brain imaging in living mice, reducing costs and enabling more detailed studies of diseases such as cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer's. The device records images from active brains of mice moving naturally around their environments.