Articles tagged with Brain
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found a correlation between increased blood flow and social deficits in ASD, suggesting a compensatory mechanism. They also discovered lower levels of healthy neurons were linked to higher brain activity.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are developing a system that uses brain imaging and computer science to understand student emotions, thinking patterns, and learning behaviors. This project aims to create adaptive interventions in online learning platforms for better personalized education.
A study found that aerobic exercise improved executive function and increased brain thickness in participants between 20-67 years old. Regular exercise was shown to slow or prevent age-related decline in thinking skills, with significant benefits observed at both young and older ages.
A research study led by Georgia State University found that females are more sensitive to the rewarding actions of oxytocin (OT) than males in same-sex social interactions. The study also discovered an inverted U-shape relationship between OT, social reward, and neural activity among females.
A study published in Developmental Science reveals that newborn babies are born with the ability to identify words in continuous speech. The researchers used Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to measure brain activity and discovered two mechanisms that enable infants to pick out individual words from a stream of sounds.
Researchers discovered two mechanisms in newborn infants that enable them to pick out individual words from speech. The study, published in Developmental Science, highlights the innate skills of humans at birth.
A new study published in Psychological Review reveals that forming good habits depends more on repetition than satisfaction. The research suggests that our brains tend to stick with repeated actions, even if they're no longer rewarding, and opens up a better understanding of conditions like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
A new study led by the University of Arizona found that larger-brained dogs outperform smaller dogs in measures of executive functions. The research, which used data from over 7,000 purebred domestic dogs, showed that bigger breeds have better short-term memory and self-control.
Researchers studied blood flow and mechanical networks to understand how biological systems perform tasks. They found that both types of networks can accomplish multiple functions, despite differing physical principles.
Researchers developed a new test to examine theory of mind in people with autism. The study found that individuals with autism struggle with tracking Sally's beliefs about the environment and making logical conclusions about her behavior. This understanding can help develop treatments for autism in the future.
A recent grant award of $5.9 million will focus on identifying sex-specific mechanisms driving Alzheimer's disease and developing novel therapeutics for women and men. The study, led by Dr. Roberta Diaz Brinton, seeks to define biochemical pathways leading to sex differences in the disease.
Researchers have found a potential therapeutic pathway for Alzheimer's disease by targeting the regulation of critical cholesterol in neurons. Cholesteryl esters were identified as regulators of tau protein, which accumulates in abnormal aggregates that cause neuronal malfunction and death.
Researchers from UNIGE, HUG, and UNIL demonstrate that slow and repeated movement during sleep modulates brain wave activity, leading to improved deep sleep and memory consolidation. Rocking has been shown to synchronize brain waves and reinforce deep sleep, with benefits also observed in mice studies.
A 58-year-old female patient with advanced Alzheimer's disease showed significant improvement in brain metabolism and symptoms after undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The patient reported increased energy, mood, and cognitive function, and experienced reduced anxiety and disorientation.
Researchers found that dopamine plays a crucial role in music-evoked pleasure, with levodopa increasing motivation to purchase songs. The study used pharmacological manipulation to alter dopamine levels, revealing its impact on brain reward responses.
A genome-wide association study found genetic variants that influence head circumference and intracranial volume in 46,000 adults and children, revealing stable genetic influences during development. The study identified 9 novel loci associated with large effects on head circumference, including a rare variant of the TP53 gene.
Researchers found that inhibition decreases in autistic mice brains but does not affect spiking rates, instead stabilizing brain activity through compensation. This finding challenges the 'inhibition' theory of autism and suggests other mechanisms may contribute to disease symptoms.
A new brain training game, Decoder, has been shown to improve attention and concentration in healthy young adults after playing for 8 hours over a month. The game was tested against Bingo and no game controls, with significant improvements in focus and performance.
A new study using brain vital signs technology detected neurophysiological impairments and cognitive processing deficits in ice hockey players with concussions, even those who were cleared for return-to-play. The study also found significant delays in cognitive processing for players without diagnosed concussions.
Researchers at TU Dresden found that increasing the number of neurons generated from stem cells improves the sense of smell in mice. This breakthrough suggests that stem cells can be used to enhance brain function and may lead to new therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Research suggests that frailty makes older adults more susceptible to Alzheimer's dementia, regardless of brain changes. The study found a significant association between frailty and cognitive decline, suggesting that maintaining function and independence may help reduce dementia risk.
A new study published in the Journal of Marketing Research found that ambient food scent can directly influence food choices. Researchers discovered that participants exposed to the smell of unhealthy foods for longer periods were less likely to crave them, opting instead for healthier alternatives.
This special issue of Viral Immunology delves into the intricacies of viral brain infection, focusing on immune responses such as IFNα/ß signaling and chemokine CXCL10. Research reveals the importance of astrocytes, brain-resident memory T-cells, and chemokines in protecting against encephalitic viruses.
Researchers found that genetically engineered protein 3K3A-APC protects against Alzheimer's-like symptoms in mice by reducing amyloid-β toxin accumulation and inflammation. The study suggests 3K3A-APC as an alternative therapy for early stage Alzheimer's disease.
Research using rodents and human participants reveals gamma band oscillations as a reliable predictor of individual pain sensitivity. This finding suggests that brain activity patterns can distinguish between varying degrees of pain tolerance across species.
Researchers found that infected red blood cells from cerebral malaria patients bind more strongly to brain-derived cells than those from uncomplicated malaria patients. This suggests that specific PfEMP1 proteins on the infected red blood cells allow for efficient binding to brain vessels, a key feature of cerebral malaria.
Researchers developed a new class of hypnotic drugs called dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) that selectively target the brain's sleep/wake pathways. DORA-22 preserves the ability to wake in response to threats, unlike common sleeping pills.
UTSA researchers have discovered a disconnect between the brain's dopamine system and cocaine addiction. The study found that when working to obtain cocaine, rats experience a reduced dopamine surge compared to working for food, suggesting a different response to effort and reward.
IDIBELL researchers discovered a novel disease affecting brain white matter in children, caused by DEGS1 gene defect. Fingolimod treatment shows promise in correcting ceramide imbalances and promoting oligodendrocyte survival.
The My Brain Robbie campaign aims to fill an educational gap in dementia prevention by providing public health education for children aged 6-12. The project uses an animated video and free resources to teach eight simple steps to keep brains healthy, connecting with modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline.
Researchers at Columbia University have uncovered a striking resourcefulness in the genome that coordinates gene regulation to detect diverse scents. By rearranging its structure in three-dimensional space, the genome generates biological diversity needed for the nose to parse an infinite number of scents.
A study at the University of Göttingen found that people learn positive associations with words much faster than neutral or negative associations. The researchers used electroencephalography to analyze brain activity, revealing specific neuronal reactions after just 100 milliseconds for words associated with loss.
Researchers found a link between decreased deep sleep and increased levels of the toxic brain protein tau, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that poor-quality sleep may be an early indicator of deteriorating brain health.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that defective immune cells in the brain play a key role in Alzheimer's disease. Activating a specific gene, TREM2, can help prevent toxic deposits, but over-activation may have negative consequences.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a new technique to increase omega-3 fatty acid levels in the brain, with significant implications for the treatment of Alzheimer's and depression. By using a lysophospholipid form of EPA, the team was able to boost levels by 100-fold in mice, with minimal side effects.
Researchers at George Washington University discover that people pay attention to objects based on their real-world size rather than visual perception. The study suggests attention allocation can be trained, leading to improvements and efficiency in tasks such as radiology or airport security.
A new special report explores the definition of death, including the controversy over brain death and its implications for organ transplantation. Leading experts discuss areas of ongoing debate, such as whether brain-dead organ donors are truly dead.
A research team has identified the early neuropathology mechanism of structural characteristics of polyglutamine toxic protein on neurodegenerative brain disorders. The coiled-coil structure causes rapid deformation of neurons and leads to diseases like Huntington's chorea and spino-cerebellar ataxias.
Gut immune cells, specifically plasma cells producing Immunoglobulin A antibodies, migrate to the central nervous system and produce an anti-inflammatory effect during MS flare-ups. Increasing these cells blocks inflammation entirely in a preclinical model of the disease.
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have found that cilia are essential for normal brain development and functioning. In zebrafish larvae, groups of cells with cilia create a stable directional flow of cerebrospinal fluid within individual ventricles.
Researchers from Brigham Young University successfully conducted structural and functional MRI scans of 37 children and adolescents with autism, including those with low verbal and cognitive performance, without sedation. The study found that the brains of individuals with autism exhibited decreased activity between hemispheres and hig...
A new optogenetic system allows for precise control of light intensity and frequency, enabling independent stimulation of multiple brain areas. The device is powered by external magnetic fields and causes no adverse effects, with potential implications for medical devices like pacemakers.
A new study led by Salk Institute researchers challenges the long-held view that individual brain cells operate as filters. The study found that the same neurons can prefer coarse or fine details depending on the context, and teaming up endows networks of neurons with flexibility to adapt to changing conditions.
A new study found that patients with stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer have a median overall survival of 6.8 years, significantly higher than the 2 percent five-year survival rate for all NSCLC patients. This optimistic outlook is attributed to targeted therapies and careful surveillance.
Researchers discovered a process called neuritosis, where damaged mitochondria lead to neuronal disconnection and death in neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery opens new targets for therapy, as preserving mitochondrial health may prevent disease progression.
A new study by researchers from the University of Copenhagen reveals that glial cells play a crucial role in the development of Huntington's disease. The study found that glial cell maturation is severely impaired in patients with the disease, leading to behavioral and motor changes.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered that bees can solve simple counting tasks with minimal brainpower, using a miniature 'brain' with just four nerve cells. This finding suggests that intelligence and cognitive abilities do not require large brains, but rather efficient algorithms and specific strategies.
A new MRI technique reveals three distinct brain signatures associated with concussions in rugby players. The study confirms persistent changes in brain structure and function that persist six months after injury, even in healthy athletes.
Researchers found that ankylosaurs had a built-in air conditioner in their snouts, which was just as efficient as those in living animals. The long, twisty noses allowed for effective heat exchange and cooling of the brain.
Researchers used 3D modeling to simulate heat exchange in dinosaurs and discovered they had an intricate cooling system in their snouts. The study suggests that the length of their noses played a crucial role in warming and cooling respired air, keeping their brains cool.
Targeting chemical signals between the gut and brain may lead to a new treatment for obesity by disrupting nerve cells that send messages about food intake. Researchers found that nitric oxide reduces sensitivity of nerves, leading to increased food consumption in obese mice.
Researchers developed Structural Unsupervised Viewlets Models (SUVMs) to recognize object categories, inspired by brain's unsupervised learning ability. The SUVMs performed well on the face dataset but underperformed on airplane images.
A study involving over 800 participants found that unconscious assumptions about extramission theory led to different force estimates when a person gazed at an object. The results suggest the brain constructs a social model with an invisible energy beam from others' eyes, influencing perception.
Lipid nanoparticles have shown promise in delivering drugs to the brain due to their ability to cross biological barriers. By modifying their surface, these particles can effectively target brain cells and increase drug efficiency.
A major study has linked genetic variants to their molecular effects in the brain, revealing new mechanisms of diseases. The findings provide a roadmap for development of new therapies for psychiatric conditions. Thousands of RNA molecules are dysregulated in autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
When parents play with infants, their brain activity mirrors the child's attention patterns, suggesting a neural echo effect. This phenomenon, observed in joint play sessions, highlights how adults respond to and influence their babies' behavior.
Scientists have gained a clearer understanding of what happens in the brains of people with Huntington's disease, highlighting the crucial role of glial cells. Glial cell dysfunction is believed to drive neuronal loss and disease progression, leading to motor control problems and cognitive decline.
Stanford researchers have developed a way to study the firing of individual brain cells using only light, eliminating the need for invasive methods. The new approach measures subtle changes in cell shape when they fire, allowing for a cleaner and simpler way to study the brain.
A new study published in Diabetologia found that type 2 diabetes is associated with a decline in verbal memory and fluency over 5 years in older adults. In contrast to previous research, the study did not find a direct link between brain atrophy and cognitive decline in people with T2D.
Researchers found that greater cognitive activity throughout life delays the appearance of symptoms and reduces grey matter loss in the brain. Participants with higher educational levels, language proficiency, and cognitive stimulation showed better neuropsychological test scores and slower disease progression.