Articles tagged with Brain
Researchers found that long-term antibiotic treatment decreased levels of amyloid plaques and activated inflammatory microglial cells in mice brains, while altering the gut microbiome. The study suggests a link between the gut microbiome's composition and immune system activity impacting Alzheimer's disease progression.
A new study from Carnegie Mellon University reveals four distinct stages of problem solving: encoding, planning, solving, and responding. The research uses functional MRI to analyze brain activity patterns and provides insights into how students think when solving math problems.
Researchers created a new approach to scanning brain synapses using PET technology, revealing synaptic loss in patients with epilepsy. The technique may help diagnose and treat various disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
New research suggests that greater fluctuations in 'bad' cholesterol levels may be associated with lower cognitive performance in elderly adults. The study found that participants with the highest LDL cholesterol variability took longer to complete a cognitive test, indicating poorer brain health.
A new study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that cognitive training improves executive function and memory, while aerobic exercise increases global brain flow. The study also showed that both mental and physical exercises produce observable benefits for brain health.
A new study from New York University neuroscientists reveals the brain's role in decision-making. By using confidence to gauge errors, the brain revises its approach, even in complex situations like medical diagnoses and financial investments.
Researchers at UMMS found that T-cells play a pivotal role in social development, with elevated IFN-γ signaling linked to social brain function. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders.
Researchers review physicochemical properties necessary to penetrate the BBB and conclude a list of properties that can increase the chances of small molecule penetration into the brain. The study emphasizes the importance of retaining the pharmacophore and working it into a structure that emphasizes the presented properties.
A study by Brain State Technologies found that young athletes with long-term concussion symptoms showed significant improvements after using HIRREM neurotechnology. The athletes experienced durable changes in heart rate variability, suggesting enhanced capacity for rapid adaptive adjustments in their pumping function.
A new $13 million study will revisit patients first screened between the 1960s and 1980s to evaluate how early life risk factors affected brain health and dementia risk. Researchers aim to explore racial and ethnic differences in dementia rates and risk factors.
A new study using Bayesian inference models shows that humans anticipate future events based on past experiences, but the accuracy of their responses differs from reality when stimuli are accelerated or delayed. This suggests that our brain continuously updates probability of encountering future stimuli.
A new study published in Nature found that musical preferences depend on exposure to Western musical culture, not innate brain wiring. In a remote Amazonian tribe with limited exposure to Western music, dissonant chords were rated as likeable as consonant chords.
The FDA has approved the ExAblate focused-ultrasound device to treat essential tremor in patients who do not respond to medication. The procedure shows promise as a less invasive alternative to deep-brain stimulation, with significant reductions in tremor symptoms after three months and one year.
A new study reveals that artificial sweeteners can stimulate appetite by integrating sweetness with energy content in the brain, leading to increased food consumption. Researchers found that chronic exposure to sucralose increased the animal's motivation to eat more food, even when they had enough calories.
Researchers found that middle-aged adults activated the medial prefrontal cortex instead of the visual cortex when recalling details, suggesting a change in what information they prioritize as they age. This shift may be beneficial for daily life tasks but could impact memory performance if not adapted to.
The gut microbiome's impact on brain health and disease is a growing area of research. Dr. David Perlmutter discusses the link between the gut microbiome and conditions like Alzheimer's, ALS, and multiple sclerosis.
MIT biologists identify a key protein inhibited by lithium, leading to reduced worm activity, suggesting a mechanism for lithium's effects on the brain; the findings propose a new hypothesis linking BPNT1 inhibition to mood stabilization in humans
Researchers found that cockroaches exhibit head-direction-like activity and evidence of contextual cue processing in their brains. This suggests that insects rely on the same sensory inputs as humans and process them in a similar manner.
Scientists at Salk Institute discovered that microRNA miR-19 regulates new neuron placement in adult brains and is disrupted in schizophrenia patients. The study paves the way for understanding how adult brains control new neuron growth and its potential link to neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
Researchers used a new artificial neural network method to simulate the atomic interactions of water molecules, explaining its melting temperature and density maximum. The study provides insights into the unusual properties of water, which cannot be understood solely on the basis of its chemical composition.
Researchers from Rush University Medical Center found that diseased blood vessels in the brain may contribute more significantly to Alzheimer's disease dementia than previously believed. The study analyzed medical and pathologic data on 1,143 older individuals and found an association between worsening brain vessel diseases and higher ...
A study by Dr. Chantel Prat and colleagues found that a five-minute measurement of resting-state brain activity can predict how quickly adults pick up a second language. Participants with larger 'beta' networks in their brains learned French twice as quickly, suggesting a link between brain activity and language learning speed.
Researchers have developed a computer game and mobile app to help people control unhealthy eating habits and lose weight. The game improves inhibitory control, while the app detects patterns in eating habits and provides personalized strategies to stay on track.
Researchers developed an anti-apoE4 specific monoclonal antibody that reverses key brain-related pathological effects of apoE4 and associated cognitive deficits in mice. The treatment also accumulates in the brain and binds to apoE4, suggesting a novel approach for AD therapy.
A new Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study funded by Grand Challenges Canada estimates that early life growth faltering results in a $176.8 billion reduction in potential career earnings for children born each year. Investing in better childhood growth could yield a threefold return.
Researchers found that microcephaly screening alone is insufficient to detect all cases of Zika virus in newborns. The study suggests that signs and symptoms of brain abnormalities should also be included in screening criteria.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows that revenge is not just bitter, but also sweet, with people experiencing both positive and negative emotions. The study used three experiments involving over 600 participants to explore the emotional consequences of revenge.
Researchers have demonstrated that retinal cells carry out key processing tasks, paving the way for improved retinal implants and potentially restoring vision to those with macular degeneration. This breakthrough could significantly improve artificial retinas and enhance the sight of thousands affected by age-related macular degeneration.
Two studies in mice reveal that rescuing MeCP2 activity in certain neurons can improve symptoms of Rett syndrome, with different types of neurons playing distinct roles. Researchers are now exploring drugs to improve inhibitory and excitatory neuron balance, offering new hope for potential therapies.
A new consensus statement on physical activity in schools and during leisure time reveals that exercise boosts kids' brain power and academic prowess. Regular physical activity improves heart health, metabolism, and develops life skills, boosting self-esteem and social inclusion.
Researchers found a unique 'texting rhythm' in approximately 1 in 5 patients using smartphones while having their brain waves monitored. The study suggests that texting can change brain waves and may have significant implications for brain-computer interfacing, gaming, and driving.
A Weizmann Institute study found that viral infection during pregnancy disrupts the fetal immune system, leading to abnormal brain development and increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. The study suggests a possible explanation for how maternal infections raise the risk of autism and schizophrenia in offspring.
Stent retrievers effectively reverse strokes by removing gelatinous blood clots, outperforming intravenous drug tPA in reducing disability. The devices will impact stroke systems of care and treatment location, routing higher severity patients to centers capable of neuroendovascular procedures.
Researchers found that the LRP4 molecule is crucial for regulating glutamate levels in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. Without it, glutamate release is reduced, leading to intellectual impairment and seizures. However, blocking the receptor ATP eventually activates ameliorates the negative impact on mice.
Research reveals a close relationship between Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes, with drugs used to treat diabetes potentially alleviating Alzheimer's symptoms and vice versa. The study found that dementia-related complications can lead to changes in glucose handling and ultimately diabetes.
A recent study found that a pipeline device can safely and effectively treat difficult-to-treat brain aneurysms located near the front of the brain. The device was used to successfully occlude 77.8% of aneurysms, with a success rate of 70% for previously treated cases.
Researchers found that newborn mice brain's neural activity does not trigger a corresponding boost in blood flow, unlike the adult brain. The study reveals how the growing brain feeds itself and sheds new light on brain development.
Research shows that older adults experience age-related deficits in inhibition, leading to slower processing of visual information. This decline affects their ability to distinguish between familiar and novel objects, making it harder for them to perceive shapes and objects clearly.
A study published in Neuron reveals how smell preference is computed in the brain, suggesting that most glomeruli contribute to attraction or aversion. The model predicts that relative preferences can flip depending on other odors present.
Researchers found that learning and training improve perception in older adults, despite degraded tactile perception. Computer simulations revealed that the brain's compensatory mechanism is strengthened, resulting in enhanced brain activity and improved perception.
A new study from Johns Hopkins University suggests that exercising children's intuitive number sense can improve their math skills. Researchers created a five-minute computer game that trained the number sense of 40 kindergarteners, who then showed significant improvements in math performance.
Researchers found that the testes of larger, more aggressive dark-eyed juncos produced more testosterone, leading to flashier plumage and other traits influenced by testosterone. The study challenges the prevailing theory that hormonally regulated trait differences are controlled largely by the brain.
A recent study published in an online supplement of the journal Sleep found that normal older adults with excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue had more brain atrophy and lower cognitive scores. The research may help identify individuals at higher risk for dementia before symptoms appear, allowing early interventions to prevent progr...
A new study found that older people's brains absorb irrelevant information subconsciously, making it harder for them to recall details. This 'clutter' in their minds negatively impacts their ability to clearly remember relevant information.
Researchers found long-term damage to the blood-spinal cord barrier after ischemic stroke, leading to a 'toxic environment' in the spinal cord. This damage can cause further disability and exacerbate disease pathology, including motor neuron deterioration and motor dysfunction.
A study by the Center for BrainHealth found that strategy-based reasoning training can improve executive function and memory span in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The training focused on higher-level brain functions such as strategic attention, integrated reasoning, and innovation.
Researchers developed a novel robot microscope system to track freely moving small animals and manipulate their brain activity. The system, called OSaCaBeN, uses projection mapping to reveal functional diversification of dopamine-releasing nerve cells in the nematode C. elegans.
The now-or-never bottleneck theory explains how the brain processes linguistic input immediately, before it's lost. This process involves chunking linguistic material into increasingly abstract representational formats to learn and understand language.
Duke University researchers have created a system that allows real-time observation of the enteric nervous system, which controls digestion and communicates with the immune system. This innovation enables the exploration of the gut's neural activity in response to medications, diseases, and other stimuli.
Oxford University researchers found that infants' cuteness appeals to all senses, triggering caregiving behaviors vital for infant survival. This study reveals the complex choreography of slow, deliberate prosocial behaviors eliciting fundamental brain pleasure systems.
Scientists at USC developed GFE3 protein to modulate brain connections, potentially treating conditions like schizophrenia and cocaine addiction. The protein degrades inhibitory synapses in specific cells, increasing electrical activity.
Researchers at the University of Sussex found that a circuit comprising just two neurons in a snail's brain drives complex decision making. The system enables energy-efficient behavior by reducing brain activity when food is not found.
Researchers used tadpoles to study sensory integration in the brain, finding that immature brains overreact to simultaneous stimuli. As brains mature, inhibitory neurons gain balance with excitatory neurons, allowing for more refined discrimination between simultaneous and non-simultaneous inputs.
A team of senior neuroscientists recommends changes to neuroscience education to adapt to the new reality that more than half of graduates will work outside academia. The report calls for incorporating computational science, promoting interdisciplinary skills, and informing students about various career paths.
A new study of over 25,000 people found that declining levels of dopamine in the brain may be responsible for older people's reduced willingness to take risks for potential rewards. Older adults were less likely to choose risky gambles to win points, but not to avoid losing points.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have developed a simple way to measure brain health over time using non-invasive electrodes, tracking the brain's electrical activity for key functions. This breakthrough technology makes it possible to translate complex brainwaves into objective and practical brain vital signs.
Research by Texas A&M University scientists found that shift workers are more prone to severe ischemic strokes due to disrupted circadian rhythms. Estrogen levels may play a role in protecting women from stroke severity, but men face increased risks, especially after age 50.
The study reveals that mutations in the enzyme DHHC9 lead to reduced neuron growth, branching, and excitability, while affecting inhibitory synapse formation. This understanding can help identify novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases.
A new study finds that bipolar patients' blood is toxic to brain cells and affects neuron connectivity. The more episodes a patient has, the more cellular components are produced that impair the brain's ability to deal with environmental changes.
Researchers are exploring whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) can provide relief for patients with bipolar disorder who do not respond to medications. The study aims to identify structural targets in the brain that may be involved in the disorder and potentially treat it through DBS.