Articles tagged with Brain
Researchers at Monash University have identified a molecular switch in the brain that regulates fat storage after dieting. This switch, called carnitine acetyltransferase (Crat), instructs the body to replace lost weight through increased fat storage.
A IU-led study found that the neurotransmitter glutamate plays a role in some alcohol cravings and relapses. Glutamate levels decreased in the brains of individuals with alcohol abuse disorder after viewing cues associated with drinking.
Texas A&M researchers discovered that inducing persistent changes in drinking behavior by manipulating neural connections may hold the key to understanding and treating alcoholism. The study found that reversing these changes could potentially lead to a decrease in alcohol consumption.
Researchers found diverse landscape of gene expression changes across all cell types in visual cortex, involving 611 genes linked to neural connectivity. The study suggests that each cell has a unique genetic program tailored to its function within the neural circuit.
A study published in Scientific Reports has identified a drug that can reverse the damaging impacts of heavy alcohol consumption on brain cells. Tandospirone was found to improve brain neurogenesis and reduce anxiety-like behaviors associated with alcohol withdrawal, opening up new avenues for treating substance-abuse deficits.
Researchers developed 4-D goggles that allow wearers to feel a looming object on screen, such as an approaching spacecraft. The device synchronizes with entertainment content to deliver immersive multisensory effects near the face and enhance sense of presence.
Research suggests that over-the-counter pain medication can impact individuals' sensitivity to painful experiences, ability to empathize with others, and processing of information. This could have implications for public health and policymakers should consider potential risks and benefits.
Research suggests that EGR3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) play critical roles in the impaired cellular resilience seen in bipolar disorder. The study's findings may lead to new therapeutic strategies by modulating EGR3 expression.
A new study at D'Or Institute for Research and Education uses Magnetic Resonance machine to read participants' minds and identify the song they're listening to. The computer achieves 85% accuracy in identifying the correct song, paving the way for future research on brain decoding and communication.
A review explores the applications of neuroscience in law, highlighting the need for clear guidelines to balance potential benefits with civil liberties. The use of neuroscientific evidence raises concerns about individual rights and privacy, particularly in determining guilt and intent.
Researchers at the University of Alberta discovered that injecting a drug called chondroitinase ABC into the spinal cord can enhance recovery in stroke victims. The therapy, combined with rehabilitative training, showed significant improvements in sensorimotor deficits and allowed subjects to perform tasks at pre-stroke levels.
Researchers recorded laboratory-quality brain activity measurements outdoors using portable equipment, revealing differences in brain processing stimuli compared to indoor conditions. The findings suggest the brain may be compensating for environmental distractions, which could inform the creation of safer public spaces.
Dr. Alexis M. Stranahan's study suggests that an apple-shaped physique, characterized by fat depositing around the abdominal cavity, may be worse for the brain than previously thought. Conversely, subcutaneous fat under the skin appears to protect the brain from cognitive decline.
Researchers at New York University found that our brains use a Pavlovian learning mechanism to make judgments about strangers' trustworthiness based on past experiences. The study suggests that moral information encoded from previous encounters guides future choices, influencing how much we trust or distrust strangers.
New research suggests that language is learned in brain systems also used for tasks like remembering shopping lists and driving. Children learn their native language in evolutionarily ancient brain circuits, while adults learn foreign languages in both declarative and procedural memory.
A new study from the American Heart Association found that stress and high blood pressure are associated with an increased risk of brain bleeds in sub-Saharan Africa. Consuming green leafy vegetables has been shown to be strongly protective against these bleeds, according to researchers.
A specialized stenting system has been shown to benefit certain stroke patients by reducing the risk of complications. The Wingspan Stent System Post-Market Surveillance Study found a complication rate of just 2.6 percent among patients with intracranial stenosis due to cholesterol plaque.
A study found that only one-third of individuals with retinal infarction underwent basic testing, and fewer than one in 10 were seen by a neurologist. This highlights the importance of expediting stroke evaluation testing for those who have experienced a retinal infarction.
A recent study found that the MIND diet significantly slowed cognitive decline in stroke survivors, with a focus on brain-healthy nutrients like folate, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. By emphasizing these foods, individuals may be able to protect their brain health and reduce the risk of dementia.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center developed the MIND diet to promote brain health, which has been associated with reduced Alzheimer's risk and slower cognitive decline. Study results show that stroke survivors who adhered to the diet had substantially slower rate of cognitive decline compared to those who didn't.
The new guideline increases the window of time for selected patients to receive mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel strokes, up to 16 hours after a stroke. It also broadens eligibility for administering a clot-busting IV drug called alteplase, potentially increasing the number of people receiving intravenous clot-busting treatment.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that moving the eyes triggers vibrations in the eardrums, even without sound. This finding provides new understanding of how the brain coordinates visual and auditory information.
A long-term study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology researchers has shed new light on the consequences of very low birth weights on cognitive development. The study found that individuals born with very low birth weights have difficulties with cognitive control, including proactive and reactive systems.
An interdisciplinary team of scientists discovered that ATM and ATR regulate each other's levels in the brain to maintain a balance between excitation and inhibition. Regular brain activity also changes the levels of these proteins, creating a dynamic 'conversation' that helps keep the appropriate E/I balance.
Research scientist Ekaterina Dobryakova is studying the effects of performance feedback on cognitive fatigue levels in individuals with TBI. The goal is to develop a behavioral intervention that can reduce cognitive fatigue and improve quality of life for affected individuals.
A new mouse study suggests that a high-salt diet can impair blood flow in the brain, leading to cognitive dysfunction. The researchers found that changes in the gut caused by a high-salt diet led to reduced blood flow and dementia-like symptoms in mice.
A recent study published in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research reveals that signaling molecules play a crucial role in mild concussions. The research provides insights into the mechanisms underlying brain injury and recovery, potentially leading to the development of new treatments for traumatic brain injuries.
A recent review by CU researcher Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic examines the effects of general anesthesia on developing brains, revealing that multiple, shorter-lasting exposures during vulnerable periods cause significant impairments. The study's findings have important implications for pediatric surgery and anesthesia practices.
Researchers at Western University found that female rugby players experience brain changes during the regular season comparable to those caused by concussions, with glutamine levels reduced and potential implications for recovery. The study's authors suggest these metrics may be more sensitive to brain injury.
Researchers at Western University have discovered a unique neurobiological pathway triggered by head trauma that underlies both Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Lou Gehrig's disease. The study, published in the January 2018 issue of Neurology, identifies a common link between CTE and ALS-related cognitive impairment.
Researchers at Caltech developed TRACT, a method to visualize neural connections in real-time within living flies, enabling the creation of brain wiring diagrams. This technique could help scientists understand neurological and psychiatric conditions by monitoring neuronal connections in the brains of hundreds of flies daily.
A recent study by University of Utah Health researchers has discovered a novel protein, Arc, that resembles viral proteins and plays a significant role in cell-to-cell communication in the brain. The protein facilitates the transfer of genetic material between neurons, potentially altering our understanding of how memories are formed.
Researchers developed a new approach to detecting the cause of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the deadliest form of stroke. Combining a blood test with a brain scan can accurately spot cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a condition linked to ICH and increased risk of further strokes and dementia.
Research reveals general anesthetics disrupt synaptic connectivity, affecting communication between neurons across the entire brain. This disruption allows for effective anesthesia while patients experience grogginess and disorientation after surgery.
Researchers have found that brain implants can function with the help of glial cells, which are often overlooked as a potential target for treatment. The study suggests that glial cells play a critical role in maintaining optimal brain activity and suggest targeting them may improve current treatments for neurological diseases.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered monthly cycles of brain activity linked to seizures in patients with epilepsy. By analyzing data from implanted brain stimulation devices, the team identified patterns of electrical discharges known as 'brain irritability' that are associated with higher seizure risk.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $8 million to establish a new center for research into alcohol addiction. The Wake Forest Translational Alcohol Research Center will study behavioral and neurobiological factors associated with vulnerability and resilience to alcohol use disorder.
Researchers identified rare genetic variations in Thorase protein associated with schizophrenia, reversed anti-social behavior in mice using perampanel. The study provides preliminary support for Thorase's role in behavioral disorders.
Scientists have found that a naturally occurring virus called reovirus can act as an effective immunotherapy in patients with brain cancer or other cancers that have spread to the brain. The virus replicates and kills cancer cells, while also stimulating the body's own immune system.
A diabetes drug has been found to significantly reverse memory loss in mice with Alzheimer's disease through a triple method of action. The research, published in Brain Research, could bring substantial improvements in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
The new guidelines provide strategies for including patients with brain metastases in clinical trials, addressing the lack of data on drug effects in the brain. The approach includes three specific strategies based on initial understanding of a drug's possible activity in the brain.
A pilot study found that noninvasive brainwave mirroring technology significantly reduced symptoms of post-traumatic stress in military personnel. The treatment, HIRREM, improved insomnia, depressive mood, and anxiety symptoms, with durable effects through six months after use.
Researchers propose a new term, mapranosis, to describe the interaction between gut microbiota and brain proteins that contributes to neurodegenerative diseases. The process involves amyloid protein misfolding and inflammation in the nervous system.
Researchers have developed small shining molecules that can recognize specific proteins in the brain, such as amyloid beta and tau. These molecules emit light at different wavelengths when bound to their target protein, enabling potential diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases.
A 10-minute burst of exercise can measurably boost brain power, improving focus and problem-solving skills. Research found that exercising for a short duration primes the brain's problem-solving areas, leading to faster reaction times and improved cognitive performance.
Ben-Gurion University researchers identified a pattern of theta activity decline that predicts post-injury epilepsy development. This finding holds promise for predicting and treating the condition, as well as other neuropsychiatric complications.
A study published in Neurology found that eating at least one serving of green, leafy vegetables a day was linked to a slower rate of decline on tests of memory and thinking skills. The difference was equivalent to being 11 years younger in age.
A clinical trial found that implanting a shunt or endoscopically reducing intracranial pressure is equally effective in treating hydrocephalus, but endoscopy may have fewer long-term complications. The study also found that children with normal brain development had better outcomes.
A new study reveals that inflammatory mechanisms in the brain drive Alzheimer's disease progression. The research found a molecular complex of the immune system promotes aberrant aggregation of proteins, including Amyloid-beta, which accumulates in the brain and harms neurons.
A new study by Hebrew University researcher Ran Hassin reveals that our unconscious mind quickly registers faces associated with power and potential threat, while ignoring those deemed trustworthy. The findings have implications for understanding mental disorders such as autism and PTSD.
The project investigates the camel's ability to conserve water in a desert environment, using a molecular dialogue between the brain and kidney. By analyzing the camel's genome and gene expression, researchers aim to understand how animals adapt to deserts and climate change.
A University of Pittsburgh team is developing prosthetic devices that use sensory feedback to improve movement and balance in amputees. The researchers aim to reduce phantom limb pain, increase gait stability, and make prosthetic limbs feel more natural.
A team of researchers has developed a cryptography-inspired technique to decode brain data, predicting arm movements in monkeys with unprecedented accuracy. This approach could lead to the creation of prosthetic limbs that can directly interpret user thoughts, revolutionizing quality-of-life for individuals with paralysis.
A researcher at Case Western Reserve University is investigating the link between abnormal embryonic brain development and autism. The study aims to understand how cell-signaling defects lead to excessive early brain-cell growth and enlarged neonatal brains, resulting in long-term alterations in brain circuitry.
A meta-analysis of 15 years of research on action video games found that gamers showed significant improvements in cognitive abilities compared to non-gamers. The study suggests that playing action video games can train the brain and improve attention, spatial cognition, and reaction time.
A study found that young adults rely on food increasing neurotransmitter precursors like meat for a mood boost, while mature adults require antioxidant-rich foods and avoidance of stress-activating foods to maintain good mental health. Regular consumption of these specific foods can help prevent mental distress.
A new study from Stockholm University shows that the parasite Toxoplasma gondii takes control of immune cells, turning them into 'zombies' that spread the infection. This allows the parasite to infect the brain, which may be linked to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression.
A Dartmouth-led study found that humans rely on feature-based learning to reduce the complexity of choices and adapt quickly to new environments. Feature-based learning allows participants to selectively learn informative features without compromising precision.
Researchers found that a brief test can predict which patients will respond better to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or antidepressant medication. Participants with enhanced error-related negativity (ERN) signals in their brain responded better to CBT, suggesting it may be more effective for them.
A new study examines how opioids affect proteins in the brain beyond opioid receptors, revealing potential analgesic and toxic effects. The researchers found that certain synthetic opioids inhibit serotonin transporters, which may contribute to their pain-relieving properties but also increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.