Articles tagged with Brain
A study published in Current Biology found that people's reactions to repulsive images can forecast their political orientation. The strength of a person's reaction was enough to predict an individual's political ideology with high accuracy. This research suggests that neural responses associated with disgust may be inherited and linke...
Two major genetic studies have implicated dozens of genes in autism, affecting communication networks and fundamental biological mechanisms. The research provides a clear path forward for understanding the biology of autism and finding new treatments.
Elderly men with self-reported sleep disturbances are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. A 40-year follow-up period revealed that late-life sleep disturbances significantly increase the risk. Regular good sleep habits may support brain health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have identified the normal function of the TEM5 protein, which is crucial for embryonic blood vessel development. The findings suggest that TEM5 could be a good target for anticancer drug therapy and potentially improve drug treatment for brain diseases by temporarily disabling the blood-brain barrier.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored Herbert Pardes with its inaugural Humanitarian Prize for his significant contributions to the field of mental health. The prize recognizes Dr. Pardes' tireless work in education, prevention, treatment, and advocacy, as well as his championing of empathic healthcare.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that infants at 7 months old can distinguish between fearful and non-fearful eye expressions, indicating an early ability to detect social cues. This suggests that brain processes for automatic eye recognition develop during infancy.
Researchers discuss the limitations of brain simulations, citing the need to account for individual experience and social context. They also raise concerns about the potential creation of artificial consciousness and the technical challenges of simulating complex biological systems.
A team of researchers has successfully recorded sight neurons in a jumping spider's brain for the first time. The study reveals that jumping spiders use different sets of eyes to process acuity and motion, requiring integration of inputs from multiple eyes in the brain.
A study published in Anales de Psicología found that individuals with a higher vocabulary level had a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment. The research team measured vocabulary levels, years of schooling, and other factors in 326 subjects over 50 to explore the relationship between vocabulary and cognitive reserve.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have identified a protein called urokinase-type plasminogen activator or uPA that helps brain cells recover from injuries induced by loss of blood flow. The study found that treating mice with uPA after an experimental stroke can improve their recovery of motor function.
A recent study at McGill University found that people tend to choose high-calorie foods despite being poor at accurately judging calorie content. The study linked brain activity to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which encodes value and predicts immediate consumption.
A team of engineers has created invisible implantable medical sensor arrays that can continuously capture and associate fleeting brain signals with visible brain activity. The transparent sensors have applications in neuroscience, cardiac care, and contact lenses.
The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology awards Dick Swaab with the 2014 ECNP Media Award for his book 'We are our Brains'. The award recognises outstanding contributions to destigmatising disorders of the brain. Swaab's work aims to promote a better understanding of brain function and its impact on mental health.
Research suggests that pathological gamblers have a different response to the brain's opioid system, resulting in reduced feelings of euphoria compared to healthy individuals. This altered response may contribute to the addictive nature of gambling.
New research reveals widespread misconceptions among teachers worldwide about brain function, leading to ineffective teaching practices. The study highlights the importance of collaboration between neuroscientists and educators to improve education.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that vegetative patients may have well-preserved brain networks similar to those of healthy adults, indicating possible covert awareness. This discovery could improve clinical assessment and help identify patients who might be aware despite being uncommunicative.
Researchers at UCL discovered that new myelin must be made each time a skill is learned later in life, and its structure changes during practice. The team found that once a new skill has been learnt, it is retained even after myelin production stops.
Researchers found that eating breakfast, particularly protein-rich meals, increases levels of a brain chemical associated with feelings of reward, which may reduce food cravings and overeating later in the day. This study suggests that incorporating breakfast into daily routines can help prevent obesity.
A study by the Sahlgrenska Academy found that two hours of extra physical activity per week can improve school performance in twelve-year-olds. The results showed a larger proportion of students from schools with extra physical activity achieved national learning goals in all subjects compared to control groups.
The Braak hypothesis suggests that Parkinson's disease begins in the digestive tract and spreads to the brain. Researchers at Lund University have now found direct evidence of this process, tracking the spread of alpha-synuclein protein from the gut to the brain in rat models.
A team of scientists received funding to investigate how neural stem cells vary, which could lead to better treatments for neurological conditions. The study aims to identify molecular differences between types of neural stem cells, shedding light on their behavior and potential therapies.
Investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital developed a novel culture system that reproduces the full course of events underlying Alzheimer's disease. The system confirms the amyloid hypothesis, which suggests that deposition of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain is the first step in a cascade leading to neurodegenerative disease.
Neuroscientists at USC will establish two Centers of Excellence to mine brain data, aiming to identify new treatments for autism, Alzheimer's disease, and mental illness. The $23 million awards total $12 million and $11 million over four years, supporting large-scale analyses that could revolutionize neurological research.
A new study by UCLA researchers demonstrates how maternal inflammation can trigger excessive division of neural stem cells, leading to brain overgrowth and autism-like behavior in offspring. The findings suggest a potential environmental factor contributing to the complex disorder.
A study at Mount Sinai Hospital reveals that a set of molecules linked to insulin signaling in the brain may indicate an increased risk of developing diabetes. The researchers identified a key mechanism by which these molecules affect BCAA breakdown in the liver.
A study published in Neurology found that women with a healthy diet and lifestyle had a 54-percent lower risk of stroke compared to those with none of the five healthy factors. The study looked at factors such as diet, physical activity, and body mass index.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory scientists discovered that rats and mice exhibit comparable cognitive abilities, particularly in adaptive decision-making tasks. The study's findings suggest that genetic tools for mice could accelerate research on complex behaviors and learning.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have created a prosthetic hand system that allows amputees to discern familiar sensations across their artificial hands. The system, which uses electrical stimulation, has enabled patients to regain control over their prosthetic limbs and even perform tasks like holding grapes in their mou...
Researchers discovered that mice with Fragile X Syndrome exhibit perceptual learning deficits when using their whiskers to navigate through sensory-rich environments. This study may provide an effective model for investigating brain circuitry alterations and testing drugs to improve symptoms in children.
A new study from Brown University pinpoints working memory as a source of learning difficulties in people with schizophrenia. Researchers found that only working memory was impaired in individuals with the condition, highlighting its unique role in making learning more challenging.
Researchers found that exosomes from glial cells increase neuronal stress tolerance and improve signal conduction, biochemical signaling, and gene regulation. This discovery could lead to new strategies for treating neuronal diseases.
UC Berkeley researchers have discovered how our brains merge faces for stability and continuity. By identifying a 'Continuity Field' in facial recognition, they explain why we can't tell the difference between an actor's face and their stunt double's.
Researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a new pathway linking the brain to high blood pressure. The study suggests new approaches for treating hypertension and heart failure, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a new pathway that connects the brain to increased blood pressure, involving the unusual steroid ouabain. This discovery offers potential new approaches for treating high blood pressure and heart failure.
A new study suggests decreased brain connectivity between pain-related and sensorimotor areas may contribute to deficient pain regulation in fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia patients exhibit impaired normal pain perception due to functional decoupling of pain-processing brain regions.
A QUT researcher has developed a new navigation system for robots using computer algorithms that mimic the human eye and rat brain. This technology could improve robotic navigation in complex environments and even help researchers understand spatial memory loss in diseases like Alzheimer's.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that brain activity can predict abstract judgments, such as time reference, even when participants were unaware. The research also sheds light on how images can prompt people to think about the present or future, contributing to our understanding of impulsive behaviors.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati discover that electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes on the scalp can measure spreading depolarizations in injured brains, which are associated with worse outcomes. This non-invasive technique has the potential to revolutionize bedside neuro-monitoring.
Researchers at Salk Institute will create an epigenetic map of each cell type in the brain, allowing for deeper understanding of neurons' identity and functional differences. The study aims to reveal possible windows into brain development and disease.
Four CSHL scientists will conduct research in the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative, aiming to map the human brain and understand brain disorders. The initiative seeks to develop transformative tools for studying the brain's structure and function.
A nine-month study found that children who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity after school showed substantial improvements in attention, distraction avoidance, and cognitive flexibility. Brain imaging revealed widespread changes in brain function related to attention allocation and processing speed.
Researchers will merge biophysical and statistical approaches to create detailed computational models of neuronal activity. This could reveal insights into how proteins regulate computations in neurons, potentially shedding light on complex brain diseases.
Researchers found that exercise training induces changes in skeletal muscle that prevent the accumulation of a substance called kynurenine, which is associated with depressive behavior. In contrast, genetically modified mice with well-trained muscle characteristics showed no depressive symptoms despite being exposed to stress.
Researchers at Northwestern University have created the first mouse model for ALS dementia, allowing scientists to directly view the brains of living mice under anesthesia. This breakthrough enables rapid testing and real-time monitoring of test drugs, paving the way for accelerated development of effective therapies.
A new, easy-to-use EEG electrode set was developed to quickly attach on patients, reducing electromagnetic interference and allowing rapid diagnosis of severe brain function abnormalities. The set consists of 16 hydrogel-coated electrodes placed on hair-free areas, making it suitable for emergency care and field conditions.
A study on Gambel's white-crowned sparrows reveals how dying brain cells trigger the growth of new neurons each spring. The researchers hope to apply this knowledge to develop treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and depression.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded 200 NARSAD Young Investigator Grants to promising young scientists, valued at over $12.7 million, to conduct groundbreaking neurobiological research on psychiatric disorders affecting one in four people.
A systematic review supports the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who don't respond to other treatments. Bilateral DBS techniques are recommended for carefully selected patients, improving OCD symptoms by around 30 percent.
A study of 3,481 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage found that inpatient statin use was associated with lower mortality rates and higher discharge rates to home or rehabilitation. The study suggests that continuing statin therapy after brain hemorrhage may be beneficial for improved outcomes.
A GW researcher is investigating the phenomenon of global brain injury in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The study aims to understand the impact of ICH on clinical outcomes and develop more effective treatment strategies. With a grant of $154K, Dr. Shahram Majidi will analyze CT scans and clinical data from 354 patients.
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered how circular RNAs are produced, finding they compete with normal RNAs for expression. The study suggests a link between circRNAs and degenerative diseases like muscular dystrophy and potentially brain disorders.
A new study found that schizophrenia patients have lower levels of nicotine receptors in the brain and experience improved social withdrawal and cognitive function after smoking. Smoking-related increases in nicotine receptors were also associated with better outcomes in these patients.
Research from University of British Columbia suggests dopamine plays a key role in guiding risky decisions. The study found that altering dopamine signals can impact decision-making, leading to more or less conservative choices.
Researchers found that parts of the brain continue to make word classifications even while asleep. This ability may help explain everyday experiences like being sensitive to one's name or alarm clock sounds during sleep. The study also suggests unconscious processing isn't limited by task complexity but rather by automation.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania showed how brain distinguishes between errors of different magnitudes, critical for fine-tuning motor control. They found that longer air puffs corresponded to more climbing fibers sending signals to Purkinje cells, allowing the brain to learn and adapt.
Researchers identified a gene called AMPK that can slow the aging process throughout the entire body when activated remotely in key organ systems. Activating AMPK in fruit flies increased their lifespans by about 30 percent and kept them healthier longer.
Researchers will study changes in the addicted brain that lead to relapse, with a focus on transforming growth factor-beta signaling. The goal is to identify novel therapies for treating cocaine addiction and other psychostimulants.
Research finds that brain regions associated with learning and emotion regulation are activated when people perceive control over setbacks, promoting persistence. This knowledge has implications for education and treatment programs.
A new study from Michigan State University found that messages about intelligence can immediately impact brain activity, making people more willing to work hard. The research suggests that the human brain is receptive to the message that intelligence comes from environment, regardless of its accuracy.
Research suggests that e-cigarettes with nicotine can alter brain biochemistry and prime users to respond to other substances. This could lead to increased risk of addiction to marijuana and cocaine among adolescents and young adults.