Articles tagged with Brain
Research suggests that anesthetics could have a lasting effect on children's cognitive abilities, with those under three years old at higher risk of adverse effects. The University of Toronto team recommends avoiding anesthetics for young children unless necessary for life-saving procedures.
Researchers found that humans can flexibly combine and repurpose pre-existing computations to address new challenges, including online dating and social media. This adaptation allows for rapid deployment of neural resources in new contexts.
A study suggests that Republicans and Independents are more likely to disapprove of lenient neurolaw reforms, while Democrats support equally across framing conditions. This finding underscores the need for careful public presentation of neuroscience in law to maintain a non-polarizing stance.
A seven-year study found that responsive direct cortical stimulation significantly reduced seizures by up to 60% and improved quality of life. The Long-Term Treatment Study showed that 84% of participants experienced some improvement, with 16% being seizure-free for at least three months.
Researchers at Columbia University find that brain neurons apply Wald's sequential probability ratio test to make simple decisions, just like Alan Turing did with the Enigma code. This neural implementation of the test allows for rapid weighing of probabilities and rational decision-making.
Researchers at Northwestern University have found a secret bodyguard for the ears - a newly discovered connection from the cochlea to the brain that warns of intense incoming noise. This novel pain system protects the ear from very loud or damaging noise, which may be why people jam their fingers in their ears when exposed to loud soun...
Researchers at Yale University found that marijuana activates neurons in the brain that normally suppress appetite, leading to increased hunger. The study provides insights into why people often experience extreme hunger after using cannabis.
Research suggests that motorized cycling can prime the brain for relearning everyday tasks and improve motor function in stroke patients. In a small study, 17 stroke survivors showed a 34% improvement in motor skills after exercising on a motorized stationary bike compared to voluntary cycling or no aerobic exercise training.
A six-year clinical trial found that patients with low blood flow to the back of the brain are at a higher risk of recurrent stroke. The study used specialized software to visualize and quantify blood flow, identifying a quarter of patients with low posterior blood flow.
Researchers discovered that brain's grid cells are anchored to one wall and rotated by a specific angle (7.5 degrees) to minimize symmetry and errors in navigation. The rotation is necessary to ensure accurate mapping of environments, even when landmarks are far apart.
Arturo Hernandez, a University of Houston developmental psychology professor, has received the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award for his groundbreaking work on how the brain processes language. His research has significant implications for teaching and learning multiple languages, including second languages.
A new study presents a non-invasive test using optic nerve ultrasound to measure sheath thickness, which can help identify acute stroke patients at high risk of dying within days or months. The findings suggest that larger nerve sheath measurements are associated with increased death risk and disability six months later.
A Florida State University and Russian Academy of Sciences team found that space travel may impair the body's ability to regulate blood flow to the brain, contributing to temporary or permanent vision problems experienced by astronauts. The research team plans to conduct further experiments to find solutions.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that endovascular treatment can dramatically improve patient outcomes after an acute ischemic stroke, increasing positive outcomes from 30% to 55%. The treatment resulted in a 50% reduction in deaths and restored blood flow to the brain.
A landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows a dramatic improvement in restoring blood flow to the brain after adding stent thrombectomy to standard clot-dissolving therapy. The new treatment restores blood flow to 89% of patients, with 71% returning to independent living.
Researchers discovered that the nucleus prepositus plays a crucial role in generating head direction signals, in addition to its function in eye movements. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding our sense of spatial orientation.
A study found that increasing klotho levels can protect against learning and memory deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, counteracting the effects of Alzheimer-related toxins. Klotho's benefits may be due to its effect on neurotransmitter receptors involved in learning and memory.
A study published in The BMJ found that children who drowned and suffered cardiac arrest with hypothermia have poor outcomes if resuscitation continues for more than 30 minutes. Most children (89%) died, while only 11% survived with severe neurological damage.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that eltoprazine significantly reduced Parkinson's disease patients' dyskinesia while maintaining anti-Parkinsonian effects. The treatment was well-tolerated and shows promise as a new therapeutic principle for treating L-dopa-induced dyskinesia.
A team of researchers from Northwestern University and Carnegie Mellon University has made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to the development of flat-screen displays featuring active touch-back technology. By understanding how the brain interprets data from fingers, the team can design haptic technologies that produce certai...
Researchers found that associating foreign-language terms with gestures and images enhances learning outcomes, outperforming methods relying on listening or reading alone. The brain's motor system plays a crucial role in this process.
A team of chemists at IRB Barcelona has developed a shuttle that can cross the blood-brain barrier and transport various substances into the brain, opening up new possibilities for treating diseases such as glioblastoma and Friedreich's Ataxia.
A study published in Current Biology establishes a molecular-level link between a slow-down in the biological clock and genetic deficits in Angelman syndrome. Experimental treatments targeting the paternal copy of UBE3A gene show promise for treating sleep disorders and other symptoms.
Researchers found diverse genomic changes in single neurons from Alzheimer's patients, showing that over 90% of sporadic Alzheimer's disease brains display highly significant DNA increases. Neurons from patients with sporadic Alzheimer's disease were four times as likely to contain more than two copies of the Alzheimer's-linked gene APP.
A new method has been developed to deliver promising treatments to stroke patients quickly, thanks to the work of paramedics. By working with paramedics in the field, intravenous medications can be given to patients within the 'golden hour,' the window in which brain damage is minimized.
Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies report substantial postnatal changes in the functional properties of brain circuits. These changes improve the ability of brain cells to encode information, enhancing brain function.
A study by the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that cocaine's addictive potential is linked to a second brain mechanism involving glial cells and Toll Like Receptor 4. Blocking this mechanism could lead to a new drug treatment for cocaine addiction.
A new study reveals that individuals with TBI struggle with gist reasoning, a complex cognitive capacity. The Center for BrainHealth's assessment tool shows promise in predicting daily life functionality and estimating brain health.
A new study found that HIV penetrates the blood-brain barrier by relying on proteins expressed by mature monocytes. These proteins could serve as a target for preventing HIV from reaching brain cells. The research aims to shed light on novel mechanisms for improving drug delivery to the brain.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered a new reset button for the brain's master biological clock, which can be stimulated using light to alter sleep patterns. This finding has the potential to lead to new treatments for conditions like seasonal affective disorder and reduce adverse health effects of night shifts.
A new study found that older adults with musical training were 20% faster at identifying speech sounds than non-musicians. The research suggests that music instruction can enhance brain areas supporting speech recognition, even in old age. Music training may help counteract cognitive decline and improve auditory processing abilities.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers identified a critical threshold in alpha-synuclein protein levels that increases the chances of aggregation and neurodegeneration. The findings provide a mechanistic description of the initial molecular events leading to Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have discovered Neuroprotectin D1, a molecule that protects cells from damage and promotes recovery from stroke. This breakthrough could lead to therapeutic solutions for age-related macular degeneration and ischemic stroke.
Neuroscientists studied animats with complex neural networks that evolved to master video games of varying difficulty. The research found that in more complex environments, the animats developed intricate neural connections and increased their ability to integrate information, supporting the theory of Integrated Information Theory (IIT).
Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found a significant elevation of brain inflammation in people with clinical depression. Brain scans revealed increased activation of immune cells, which play a key role in the brain's inflammatory response.
A new LA BioMed study found that platelet transfusions and DDAVP are not effective in preventing further bleeding or death in patients with traumatic brain injuries. The researchers analyzed data from 408 patients and found no significant differences in mortality or hemorrhage progression between those who received the treatments and t...
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that a genetic polymorphism may be responsible for why standard treatments for hypothyroidism fail some patients. The researchers suggest that personalized medicine could lead to effective treatment for all patients, and identify potential targets for new therapies.
Researchers found that inhibiting the activity of a signaling protein called MEKK3 could prevent CCM-related heart defects and potentially treat the disorder. The study also identified a previously unknown signaling pathway involved in CCMs.
Researchers discovered that an anti-inflammatory protein can increase plaque formation in the brain by binding to amyloid-beta and accelerating its buildup. The study suggests that Alzheimer's treatment should be tailored to patients carrying specific APOE variants, such as APOE4, which is a major genetic risk factor for the disease.
Research explores how gut bacteria influence brain activity, sleep, stress responses, and disease development. The human microbiome's role in brain function is a growing area of study, with potential therapeutic applications through dietary modification.
Researchers have made breakthrough discoveries in understanding Pelizaeus Merzbacher disease (PMD), a devastating neurological condition. The study found that myelin-producing cells are still active and can be stimulated to produce more myelin, potentially leading to new treatments for PMD and multiple sclerosis patients.
A new study found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder tend to display uniquely individualistic brain organization patterns. The researchers suggest that these idiosyncrasies may be a result of disrupted interactions with the environment.
The 'Open MIND' collection features 39 original articles and commentaries from leading researchers, covering topics like conscious thought processes, perception, and ethics. The project showcases a novel approach to publishing, with peer-reviewed quality control and fast production times.
New research reveals that individuals with autism display 'idiosyncratic' brain synchronization patterns, which are distinct from those of typically developing individuals. This finding has significant implications for early diagnosis and future treatments of the disorder.
A study published in Current Biology found a causal link between serotonin neuron activation and patient behavior in mice, contradicting the notion that increased serotonin leads to reward. Researchers used optogenetics to activate serotonin neurons, observing longer waiting durations in mice with stronger activation.
Researchers at Washington State University have found a brain protein called AcPb that helps regulate sleep and speeds up animal recovery from influenza. The study reveals that without this protein, animals develop more severe symptoms of infection and die at higher rates.
Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that playing catch can improve balance and prevent falls in seniors by enhancing anticipatory postural control. The study also showed a transfer effect, where training improved performance on other tasks beyond the specific activity.
Monkeys can be taught to recognize themselves in a mirror through visual-somatosensory training, demonstrating the neural basis of self-awareness. The study's findings have hopeful implications for people with brain disorders affecting self-recognition.
Researchers found that distinct motor memories can be learned with unique follow-throughs, allowing for faster learning of multiple skills. Practising consistent follow-through enables tasks to be learned quickly, while variable follow-through activates multiple motor memories.
A research team at McGill University has identified a complex of neurons in the lateral prefrontal cortex that interact to filter visual information while ignoring distractions. The discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding diseases such as autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia.
A new study reveals that adolescents have dramatic misperceptions about their peers' behaviors, leading to conformity to social norms. Teens overestimate the amount of drug- and alcohol-use and sexual behaviors among their peers, while underestimating the time spent on studying or exercise.
Researchers found improvement in movement and motor skills in people with Huntington's after one month of triheptanoin therapy. The study showed that the synthetic oil could improve brain metabolism in early stages of the disease.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that the flow of calcium ions into synapses activates CaMKII, which then unhooks SynGAP from scaffolding, spurring Ras signaling to begin. This discovery moves neuroscientists closer to understanding how learning and memory work and developing interventions for problems related to them.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have designed new peptides that interact with gephyrin to enhance brain signaling, with effects up to 1,000 times stronger than natural counterparts. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for mental disorders with fewer side effects.
Researchers at the Center for BrainHealth found individuals with depressed mood experience 12% memory deficit when exposed to depressive thoughts. The study suggests therapeutic approaches teaching cognitive inhibition may be effective in treating depression-related cognitive deficits.
A new system between the gut and nervous system may be more direct than hormone release in signaling fullness. The connection also suggests a potential pathway for foodborne viruses to infect the brain.
A new study from Indiana University finds that a patient self-reporting version of the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor is reliable and valid. The tool measures 27 items on a four-point scale to assess cognitive, functional and psychological symptoms, providing valuable information for busy physicians.
Scientists at the University of Southampton have created a new technique called multicolour RGB tracking to mark individual brain cells. This approach allows researchers to color-code and distinguish between cells that were previously indistinguishable.
Researchers found that crows can spontaneously solve higher-order relational matching tasks, a feat previously only achieved by humans, apes, and monkeys. The study suggests that crows possess advanced cognitive abilities, challenging the notion of human exceptionalism in cognition.
Researchers found specific brain markers linked to social and moral evaluation processes in children, predicting their generous behavior. The study demonstrates the role of automatic and controlled neural responses in guiding prosocial actions in children as young as three years old.