Who is responsible if a brain-controlled robot drops a baby?
Researchers propose guidelines for semi-autonomous systems, including veto control and data protection. The possibility of 'brainjacking' also raises concerns about security solutions.
Brain
Articles tagged with Brain
Baycrest and CMHA partner to evaluate caregiver mental health program
A multilingual group program for older adult caregivers in Ontario uses talk therapy principles to improve their mental well-being. The program has helped over 275 caregivers since its launch in 2015 and aims to provide a cost-effective treatment option for those in need.
Mice provide insight into genetics of autism spectrum disorders
Studies in mice with a mutated CHD8 gene reveal cognitive impairment, increased brain volume, and excessive DNA packaging, shedding light on the genetic basis of autism. The findings suggest that CHD8 plays a role in brain development throughout life.
Beyond bananas: 'Mind reading' technology decodes complex thoughts
Researchers use machine learning algorithms with brain imaging technology to identify complex thoughts, such as 'The witness shouted during the trial.' The study found that the mind's building blocks for constructing complex thoughts are formed by the brain's various sub-systems and are not word-based. With an accuracy rate of 87%, the...
Novel viral vectors deliver useful cargo to neurons throughout the brain and body
Researchers at Caltech have developed two new viral vectors that can deliver genetic cargo to neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The vectors, AAV-PHP.eB and AAV-PHP.S, can reach their targets via the bloodstream and are customizable for gene therapy applications. They offer a significant improvement over existing me...
Paracetamol during pregnancy can inhibit masculinity
A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that paracetamol can reduce sex drive and aggressive behavior in mice by inhibiting testosterone development. The research suggests that pregnant women should exercise caution when taking paracetamol, as it may have unintended effects on their children's masculinity.
Study answers why ketamine helps depression, offers target for safer therapy
A new study from UT Southwestern Medical Center has identified the key protein responsible for ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects in the brain. The study reveals that ketamine blocks the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, creating an initial antidepressant reaction and extending its duration.
UV-sensing protein in the brain of a marine annelid zooplankton
A marine annelid zooplankton has been found to use its brain photoreceptor cells to detect UV signals. This helps the animal regulate its daily vertical migration behavior, known as DVM, and avoid damaging UV irradiation. The discovery sheds light on the molecular basis of this unique adaptation.
CAMH researchers discover brain inflammation in people with OCD
A new brain imaging study by CAMH researchers shows that brain inflammation is more than 30% higher in people with OCD compared to those without the condition. The study provides compelling evidence for a new potential direction for treating this anxiety disorder.
Neurons that regenerate, neurons that die
A new study found that a specific transcription factor can help certain neurons regenerate, but simultaneously kill others, in the optic nerve. This discovery may lead to new treatment strategies for restoring vision or repairing injury by regenerating functional connections and considering combination therapies.
Systems pharmacology modelers accelerate drug discovery in Alzheimer's
Researchers have developed systems-pharmacological modeling to analyze and predict the dynamics of new drugs for Alzheimer's disease. The models can accurately match cerebrospinal fluid analysis results with brain processes, allowing for optimal drug administration and therapy selection.
Long-term memories made with meaningful information
Researchers at Baycrest Health Sciences found that focusing on the meaning of words rather than repeating them creates better short-term memories. The study used brain scans to identify brain activity related to memorizing through sound and meaning.
Familiar faces look happier than unfamiliar ones
Researchers found that even when facial expressions are objectively identical, familiar faces are judged more positively. The study suggests that prior experience with a face can influence how happy it appears, highlighting the dynamic nature of emotion perception processes.
Psychiatric medication protects developing mouse brain from birth defects
A daily low dose of valnoctamide reduces CMV infection in newborn mice and suppresses replication in the brain, normalizing neurological development. The treatment also attenuates neurobehavioral dysfunctions and brain abnormalities associated with CMV infection.
A no-brainer? Mouse eyes constrict to light without direct link to the brain
Neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine report that mouse eyes can constrict in response to light without involving the brain. Melanopsin, a light-sensitive pigment, is found in the iris sphincter muscle and causes it to contract.
Mathematical modeling uncovers mysteries of HIV infection in the brain
A new mathematical model developed by researchers at the University of Alberta predicts HIV growth and progression in the brain, revealing a viral reservoir. The model enables scientists to backtrack the development of HIV infection, informing treatment strategies and potential nasal spray therapies.
Modeling the brain with 'Lego bricks'
A new computational method uses data from medical imaging to create a color-coded 'digital lego brain' model that predicts organ deformation under surgical action. This allows surgeons to virtually rehearse operations and anticipate potential complications.
Pre-clinical study suggests Parkinson's could start in gut endocrine cells
Duke University researchers have identified a potential new mechanism for Parkinson's disease, suggesting that misfolded alpha-synuclein protein spreads from gut endocrine cells to the brain. This finding could lead to earlier diagnosis and development of therapies targeting the protein.
Massachusetts General researchers explore why those with autism avoid eye contact
A team of investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered that individuals with autism spectrum disorder experience overactivation in subcortical brain structures when viewing eye contact, leading to an aversion to direct gaze. This finding supports the hypothesis of an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling n...
Egocentric hearing: Study clarifies how we can tell where a sound is coming from
A new UCL and University of Nottingham study found that most neurons in the brain's auditory cortex detect sound location relative to the head, but some track the actual position in the world. The researchers monitored ferrets while they moved around a small arena surrounded by speakers, using electrodes and LEDs to track movement.
More amyloid in the brain, more cognitive decline
A new study found that increased amyloid plaque buildup in the brain predicts faster cognitive decline in middle-age adults over four years. The research used PET scans to detect amyloid deposits in 184 healthy middle-age and older adults, revealing a link between higher amyloid amounts and vocabulary decline.
Making art activates brain's reward pathway -- Drexel study
A Drexel University study found that art-making activities like doodling activate the brain's reward pathways, regardless of skill level or experience. The study used fNIRS technology to measure blood flow in the brain during various art activities, revealing increased activity in the prefrontal cortex and positive emotional responses.
Molecule may help maintain brain's synaptic balance
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered a molecule, LRP4, that plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The molecule is specific to excitatory synapses, suggesting a parallel molecule may exist for inhibitory synapses.
Why does an anesthetic make us lose consciousness?
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt discovered that anesthetics decrease local information generation in specific brain areas, which can lead to reduced signal transmission and consciousness loss. This finding challenges the previous assumption that anesthetics disrupt signal transmission between brain areas.
Acting and thinking -- are they the same for our brain?
Researchers propose that a single neural network, the fronto-parietal network, relies on 'emulation' to perform various cognitive tasks. This process creates an abstract dynamic image of movements, enabling the brain to strengthen motor skills and construct precise representations.
Can a single exercise session benefit your brain?
A new review of research on acute exercise found that it improves executive function, enhances mood, and decreases stress levels in humans. Neurophysiological and neurochemical changes also show widespread brain activation after a single bout of physical activity.
UNIST engineers robotic device helping stroke survivors recover
A new robotic tool has been introduced for assessing muscle overactivity and movement dysfunction in stroke survivors. The robotic-assisted rehabilitation therapy is expected to improve the mobility of patients surviving a stroke.
Balance and movement improved in animal model of Parkinson's disease
A new study found that a molecular compound called CLR01 improves balance and coordination in mice with early-stage Parkinson's disease. CLR01 reduces the amount of toxic alpha-synuclein protein in the brain, which is thought to contribute to the development of the disorder.
Human brain tunes into visual rhythms in sign language
A new study reveals that humans can entrain to the temporal structure of sign language, regardless of whether they are fluent or non-fluent signers. The researchers developed a novel metric to measure visual rhythms in sign language and found that brain waves locked into specific frequencies of sign language.
Researchers identify immune component up-regulated in brain after viral infection
Complement component C3 is produced by microglia in the brain within days of viral infection, suggesting a localized immune response. This finding adds to understanding of how increased expression of immunologic factors contributes to neuroinflammation and seizures following viral infection.
How the brain recognizes what the eye sees
Researchers analyzed how neurons in V2 respond to natural scenes, discovering three principles: combining edges, cross-orientation suppression, and repeating patterns. This work provides insight into the brain's ability to recognize faces, cars, and other objects.
Simple tasks don't test brain's true complexity
Neuroscientists propose using nonlinear message-passing and probabilistic models to simulate real-world conditions in the brain. This approach aims to better understand the brain's ability to perform approximate probabilistic inference.
How cells divide tasks and conquer work
A new mathematical framework developed by Tatyana Sharpee and colleagues provides a theoretical understanding of how different cell types divide work among themselves. This framework could help explain greater efficiency and reliability in cell function, as well as the impact of disease when division of labor is not effective.
Retinal cells 'go with the flow' to assess own motion through space
Researchers discovered that direction-selective ganglion cells in the retina sense their owner's motion through space by detecting radial optical flow. This allows the brain to integrate information from visual and vestibular systems to sense rotation and maintain image stabilization.
Scientists improve people's creativity through electrical brain stimulation
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London used transcranial direct current stimulation to enhance creative problem-solving ability by suppressing a key brain area. Participants who received the intervention showed improved ability to think outside the box and solve complex problems.
Researchers shed light on how our eyes process visual cues
Scientists at The University of Queensland discovered that dendrites in the retina's nerve cells play a critical role in decoding images. The study reveals that dendritic processing enables the retina to convert and refine visual cues into electrical signals.
Can you hear me now?
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that the Lombard effect, a phenomenon where animals raise their voices to be heard over noise, occurs in just 30 milliseconds, making it a fundamental temporal reflex. This discovery sheds light on human speech control and reveals a shared auditory process among species.
Alectinib potential new standard of care for ALK-positive non-small lung cancer
The ALEX trial demonstrates alectinib's superiority over crizotinib as first-line therapy for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, with improved progression-free survival and brain metastasis outcomes. Alectinib achieved a 53% reduction in progression risk and 68.4% one-year progression-free rate compared to crizotinib.
How neurons use crowdsourcing to make decisions
Researchers found that neurons initially rely on many neurons for good prediction of a macaque monkey's decision, but eventually each neuron is maximally predictive as the decision point approaches.
Brain State Technologies: Successful clinical trial shows reduction of insomnia symptoms
A clinical trial found that HIRREM closed-loop neurotechnology significantly reduced insomnia symptoms, with improvements in heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity compared to a placebo intervention. The study showed that HIRREM is more effective than placebo at reducing insomnia symptoms.
Memory loss and other cognitive decline linked to blood vessel disease in the brain
Researchers found strong association between cognitive decline and small blood vessel disease in the brain, with 61% of older adults having at least one component of the condition. The study, part of the Atahualpa Project, suggests that vascular neurology may be an important factor in stroke and neurological disorders in Latin America.
Cell phone use and distracted driving begins in the mind
Researchers at the University of Iowa found that even simple conversations on a cell phone can affect drivers' brain ability to focus on the roadway. The delay is about 40 milliseconds, which compounds and contributes to impaired driving.
Alectinib halts lung cancer growth more than a year longer than crizotinib
A phase III clinical trial found that alectinib, a next-generation ALK inhibitor, extended the median time to progression by about 15 months compared to crizotinib. Alectinib also caused fewer severe side effects and was more effective in preventing brain metastases.
Scientists discover plant 'brain' controlling seed development
A new study reveals a group of cells acting as a 'brain' in plant embryos, assessing environmental conditions and dictating germination timing. The plant's decision on when to germinate is controlled by two types of cells promoting dormancy or germination, communicating through hormone signals.
Two combination therapies shrink melanoma brain metastases in more than half of patients
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center present two combination therapies that significantly shrink metastatic brain tumors in over half of patients with stage IV melanoma. The trials demonstrate the feasibility of conducting clinical trials for these patients and offer new hope for those with brain metastases.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research invests in new brain health research at Baycrest
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has invested over $1.8 million in brain health research at Baycrest, led by Dr. Tomáš Paus and Dr. Bradley Buchsbaum. The studies aim to understand how cannabis use affects brain development and memory in young adults, as well as develop targeted treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Social laughter releases endorphins in the brain
Researchers found that social laughter leads to increased release of endorphins and opioid peptides, promoting social bonding and feelings of safety. This chemical response may underlie individual differences in sociability, highlighting the importance of vocal communication in maintaining human social networks.
Uncovering why playing a musical instrument can protect brain health
A recent study found that learning to play an instrument alters brain waves, improving listening and hearing skills in older adults. The study demonstrates the brain's ability to rewire itself and compensate for injuries or diseases.
New evidence challenges popular hypothesis for how anesthesia works
Research suggests that anesthesia may work by decreasing available information within brain areas, rather than disrupting connection between them
Making prosthetic limbs feel more natural
A new surgical technique devised by MIT researchers could allow amputees to sense and control artificial limbs through coordination of existing nerves, muscle grafts, and prosthetic limbs. The approach has the potential to reduce the rejection rate of prosthetic limbs and improve patient care.
Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination
A team of Kyoto University researchers has successfully used neural network-based artificial intelligence to decode and predict visual content in the human brain. The technology, known as Deep Neural Network (DNN), shows promise for improving brain-machine interfaces and potentially even understanding consciousness.
How our brains integrate online reviews into our own product preferences
UCL researchers found that people factor in the number of reviews when making judgments, as well as the average rating, to assess a product's desirability. The study used fMRI scans and showed that brain areas active in social cognition are involved in integrating online reviews.
Storytime a 'turbocharger' for a child's brain
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that engaging with children while reading books gives their brain a cognitive boost. The study shows that 'dialogic reading,' where the child is encouraged to actively participate, can improve literacy skills and comprehension.
Prenatal stress predisposes female mice to binge eating
A study found that stressed mouse mothers gave birth to pups exhibiting binge-eating-like behavior, which was reversed by a balanced diet. The researchers identified an epigenetic signature in the embryo's brain and suggest non-invasive dietary interventions may prevent binge eating.
Wake-promoting compound validated
Researchers have successfully developed a non-peptide compound that promotes wakefulness and remedies narcoleptic symptoms in mouse models. The compound, YNT-185, penetrates the blood-brain barrier and induces significant wakefulness without desensitization or sleep rebounds.
Legalizing marijuana will harm health of youth in Canada
The Canadian Medical Association Journal argues that marijuana legalization will jeopardize young people's health due to its toxic effects on brain development. The journal calls for restrictions on potency and quantity to minimize risk, citing evidence that the human brain continues to mature until age 25.
Penn Medicine researchers identify brain network organization changes
A study published in Current Biology reveals that brain networks become increasingly divided into distinct modules during adolescence, which influences improvements in executive function. The findings suggest that modular sub-networks are critical for complex cognition and behavior, and may predict risks for mental illnesses.
First study shows tie between probiotic and improved symptoms of depression
A McMaster University study found that a specific probiotic improved both gut and psychological symptoms in adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and mild to moderate anxiety or depression. The pilot study showed significant improvements in depression scores, associated with changes in brain areas involved in mood control.
CNIO researcher funded by Melanoma Research Alliance to study brain metastasis in melanoma
A CNIO researcher has been funded by the Melanoma Research Alliance to study brain metastasis in melanoma, focusing on blocking cancer cell spread by targeting the microenvironment. The goal is to develop a new concept of treating metastasis in personalized medicine.
Scientists identify a neural circuit that rotates a fly's internal compass
Researchers have identified a neural circuit in flies that updates its internal compass based on the insect's own movements, allowing it to track turns and navigate in the dark. This mechanism is similar to what has been suggested to exist in larger mammalian brains, including humans.