Research on how the brain is built and how it governs body and behavior. Covers neural circuits, sleep, sensory systems, brain structure, and the brain-body connection.
A study by Max Planck researchers reveals that the ELAV protein acts as a global master switch for circular RNA (circRNA) production in neurons. The discovery explains the high prevalence of circRNAs in the nervous system, which are crucial for development and synaptic function.
The Lieber Institute is developing a new tool called GRAPE that combines generative and predictive AI to find new, more effective treatments for brain disorders such as schizophrenia. The institute is utilizing AWS gen AI and compute services to advance research and store its massive collection of genomic and other data in the cloud.
Research reveals shared genetic associations between type 2 diabetes mellitus and subcortical brain volumes, including hippocampus and amygdala. The study identifies 229 loci associated with T2DM and 220 loci with subcortical brain structures, providing critical genetic evidence for risk prediction and early intervention strategies.
Researchers have discovered a novel cell-clearance pathway linked to diseases such as Chediak-Higashi Syndrome, which affects immune system function. The study used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology and live imaging to characterize this pathway and identify key genes involved.
Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology offers new hope for individuals affected by paralysis, aphasia, and neurodegenerative diseases. BCIs are poised to influence cognition, ethical governance, and national security as they transform how we interact with the world.
Researchers discovered that the brain's retrosplenial cortex (RSC) encodes competing navigation hypotheses in distinct neural activity patterns. These patterns allow animals to choose the correct path despite ambiguity, and can be used to compute how to reach a reward.
A new study published in Neuron has identified a brain region, the fusiform gyrus, as key to distinguishing between real and imagined experiences. The region's strength of activity can predict whether someone judges an experience as real or imagined.
A team from UNIGE, Harvard, and McGill has discovered that the ventral tegmental area (VTA) encodes not only anticipated reward but also precise moment of expectation. This finding highlights the value of combining AI with neuroscience to reveal brain mechanisms.
Researchers have discovered a new method to enhance brain waste clearance by precisely stimulating the lymphatics under skin on the neck and face. This non-invasive approach may offer a safer alternative to current treatments for age-related neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that brain's dopamine neurons encode a map of possible future rewards across time and magnitude, guiding adaptive behavior in uncertain environments. This biological insight aligns with recent advances in AI, particularly distributional RL algorithms, which learn from reward distributions rather than averages.
A new study suggests that women who spend more time in their reproductive phase may experience slower brain aging. Estradiol, the most potent form of estrogen during this period, may help protect the brain from age-related decline. However, further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between estradiol and brain health.
A team of researchers constructed a cross-species single-nucleus RNA-seq atlas of amniote brains, uncovering conserved and divergent cell-type evolution. Functional divergence or loss of paralogous genes significantly drove the evolution of brain cell types, with distinct expression patterns across species.
Researchers found that aging increases the brain's vulnerability to low oxygen levels, disrupting the blood-brain barrier and leading to inflammation and cognitive decline. The study identified specific oxygen levels that trigger BBB disruption, with older mice showing increased sensitivity even at mild hypoxic levels.
Researchers have successfully modeled the synaptic vesicle cycle with unprecedented detail, shedding new light on how our brains function. The model predicts parameters of synaptic function that could not be tested experimentally, opening new avenues for neuroscience investigations.
Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is the third most common stroke type, accounting for 5-10% of all strokes. Despite declining age-standardized burden rates, SAH remains a major public health concern globally.
A new study from UC Berkeley reveals that the depth of small grooves on the brain's surface is correlated with increased connectivity between regions involved in reasoning. The researchers found that these tertiary sulci, unique to humans, may help explain individual differences in cognitive performance and serve as diagnostic indicato...
Research highlights potential link between microplastics in ultra-processed foods and brain health, with possible connections to depression and dementia. The studies propose a novel hypothesis connecting ultra-processed food consumption, microplastic exposure, and mental health outcomes.
A new framework for assessing traumatic brain injuries (TBI) will provide more accurate diagnoses and treatments, leading to better patient outcomes. The framework incorporates clinical symptoms, biomarkers, imaging scans, and modifiers to determine the severity of injury and predict recovery.
Researchers at The University of Osaka have identified the parvocellular red nucleus as a critical brain region involved in motor learning during reaching movements. This discovery has significant implications for developing new rehabilitation methods targeting precise brain regions to aid recovery in patients with motor impairments.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham have identified a key predictor of stroke risk among women: brain health scores. Women with higher McCance Brain Care Scores (BCS) had a reduced risk of experiencing a cerebrovascular event, with those with a five-point higher baseline score being 37% less likely to experience an event.
A new technology enables early and precise disease detection by capturing brain activity with an extremely thin, flexible imager smaller than an eyelash. The device can image mouse brain tissue for structural and functional imaging of brain activity.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified potential protein markers for frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a form of dementia affecting middle age. The study found changes in RNA regulation and brain connections that could lead to early diagnosis and targeted treatments.
A new technique using focused sound waves and microbubbles has shown great promise in treating debilitating brain lesions called cerebral cavernous malformations. The approach has halted the growth of lesions almost entirely, offering a potential paradigm shift in treatment.
Researchers identified a dual learning system in the brain that enables habits to form and provides a scientific basis for breaking bad habits. The study suggests that replacing an action consistently can lead to the APE system forming a new habit, offering a potential strategy for overcoming addictions.
The USPSTF recommends early, universal screening for syphilis infection during pregnancy to prevent congenital syphilis. Untreated syphilis can cause premature birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth in the fetus.
Brazilian researchers found that hevin, a glycoprotein produced by astrocytes, increases connections between neurons and improves cognitive function in aged rodents. The study provides insight into the role of astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease and offers potential new treatment strategies.
Research by MIT neuroscientists reveals that the brain separates its processing of spatial information to maintain cognitive advantage, yet seamlessly blends it with other features. The study also explores how the brain 'hands off' visual information between hemispheres.
Researchers at Linköping University developed a miniaturized iontronic micropipette to precisely modulate neuronal and astrocytic activity. The study revealed dynamic dynamics between cells, highlighting the importance of chemical signaling in brain function.
A new microscopy method, LICONN, developed by ISTA scientists and Google Research, can reconstruct mammalian brain tissue with all synaptic connections between neurons. This technique uses standard light microscopes and hydrogel to achieve high resolution and opens up possibilities for visualizing complex molecular machinery.
Researchers found that even small doses of high-intensity exercise can reduce the risk of dementia and promote healthy brain aging. The study suggests exercising regularly is crucial for preserving brain health, making it a key prevention measure against cognitive decline.
A new hairlike electrode made of 3D-printed hydrogel material has been developed to monitor brain activity for extended periods without the need for gels or skin preparation. The device's lightweight and flexible design allows for stable, high-quality recordings and minimizes discomfort, making it suitable for chronic monitoring.
A study by Helmholtz Munich researchers found that GIPR agonism and antagonism decrease body weight and food intake via different mechanisms. GIPR agonists use GABAergic neurons to exert their effect, while antagonists rely on the GLP-1 receptor signal.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute discovered a critical mechanism for mental health, where dopamine signals enable fear extinction. Dopamine activates specific amygdala neurons tied to reward, driving fear extinction and opening up new avenues for treating fear-related disorders like PTSD.
Research finds that 40Hz sensory stimulation promotes broad-based restorative neurological health response in mice with Down syndrome. The study shows improved cognition, increased neural activity, and enhanced neurogenesis, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.
A new study from the University of Missouri suggests that exercise can improve brain health and mitigate cognitive decline, even when ketone production in the liver is impaired. The research found that endurance exercise can prevent cognitive impairment caused by compromised hepatic ketogenesis.
A single dose of a psychedelic compound can enhance cognitive flexibility for weeks after administration, according to a groundbreaking study. Mice treated with the compound showed improved performance in reversal learning tasks compared to control groups when tested weeks later.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a new treatment approach for primary progressive aphasia (PPA) that combines traditional speech therapy with noninvasive brain stimulation. The technique, called transcranial direct current stimulation, was found to be more effective in managing PPA compared to speech therapy alone.
Researchers developed a machine learning model that analyzes over 100 variables to predict an athlete's risk of lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury after concussion. The model achieved 95% accuracy in identifying vulnerable athletes, highlighting the importance of tracking individual performance and medical histories.
A new study found that listening to favorite music activates the brain's opioid receptors, explaining why it evokes strong feelings of pleasure. The release of opioids is also linked to individual differences in music enjoyment and may help develop new music-based interventions for pain management and mental health disorders.
A new review from Marshall University researchers highlights emerging connections between gut health and sleep apnea, pointing to potential new therapeutic approaches for managing this common disorder. Alterations in gut microbiota composition have been consistently observed in individuals with sleep apnea, inducing systemic inflammati...
Scientists investigate whether living neurons can transport light through their axons, which would significantly change current models of the nervous system. If successful, it could have major implications for treating brain diseases and healing the brain.
MIT researchers have found that a computational model of the ventral stream, which processes object recognition, also performs well on spatial tasks such as determining an object's location and orientation. This challenges the dominant perspective that the ventral stream is optimized for object recognition.
A comprehensive longitudinal analysis of obesity trajectories identified distinct patterns affecting brain morphology, function, and cognition in middle-aged and older adults. The study suggests sustained obesity accelerates brain aging, highlighting the clinical importance of long-term monitoring and management.
Researchers have initiated a clinical trial using an investigational medicine to lower amyloid precursor protein, targeting Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome. The study aims to prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease by addressing its underlying genetic cause.
Researchers found that mouse brains process active and passive touch through different pathways, with one region responding to surprise at touch. This distinction may help mice navigate their environments more effectively.
A new study found that coordination during fear looks different in males and females, with opposite-sex pairs showing resilience under stress. Female mice were more responsive to their partners, while males tended to copy each other's actions, forming a strong social unit against stress.
Researchers found that immune molecule IL-17 influences brain regions to induce either anxiety in the amygdala or sociable behavior in the somatosensory cortex. This discovery highlights the interconnectedness of the immune and nervous systems.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method to track the development of cells in the nervous system and inner ear. The technique, known as ectoderm barcoding, reveals that cells in the inner ear develop from two main types of stem cells.
A new study found that a harmful build-up of the alpha-synuclein protein in nerve clusters near the heart may contribute to Parkinson's-related cardiac autonomic dysfunction. This suggests that targeting toxic protein clumps outside the brain could help manage symptoms and quality of life for people with Parkinson's.
A new simulation of brain metabolism has revealed potential targets for future dementia treatments, according to a study published in Frontiers in Science. The model, available on the Open Brain Platform, could help scientists accelerate research into interventions promoting healthy brain aging.
A new study by McGill University researchers sheds light on the disruption of calcium transport in the brain's AMPA receptors, linking it to autism and intellectual disability. The findings could pave the way for treatments targeting these receptors, offering hope for patients with related neurological disorders.
Researchers found that medical imaging experts can solve common optical illusions, including judging the size of objects. Training to improve visual perception can also make experts less susceptible to these illusions. This study has implications for training medical image analysts.
Researchers found that whales and dolphins use a unique sleep strategy by turning off one half of their brain at a time. This phenomenon is enabled by specific genes and pathways that enable secondary aquatic adaptation.
A new study by UNLV researchers finds that diabetes weakens the anterior cingulate cortex, suppressing reward perception and memory signals, leading to mild cognitive impairment. The connection between high blood sugar levels and Alzheimer's disease may be linked to altered hippocampal theta synchrony.
Researchers found that changes in gut bacteria after a stroke lead to an increase in harmful substances and a decrease in beneficial ones, potentially causing inflammation. Restoring these beneficial substances from gut bacteria could help reduce inflammation after a stroke.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have found that rejuvenating the network of vessels outside the brain can improve memory in old mice. The study lays the groundwork for developing therapies to overcome the challenges faced by conventional medications, which struggle to reach the brain due to the blood-brain barrier.
Despite severe sleep deficits, insomniac fruit fly mutants exhibit enhanced memory performance through altered PKA signaling in the mushroom body. This finding suggests a complex relationship between sleep and memory functions.
A review article reveals CD2AP's crucial role in amyloid metabolism, tau pathology, synaptic function, and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. CD2AP deficiency accelerates plaque formation, while its loss in neurons leads to reduced spine density and impaired synaptic plasticity.
Researchers are testing a brain pacemaker to treat severe alcohol and opioid addiction, aiming to develop effective treatments and understand the brain mechanisms driving addiction disorders. The trial, known as Brain-PACER, uses deep brain stimulation to modulate brain activity and cravings.
A new study found that viewing nature can help ease how people experience pain by reducing the brain activity linked to pain perception. The research suggests that the pain-relieving effect of nature is genuine and could provide an alternative way to relieve pain, potentially used in conjunction with medication.