Articles tagged with Brain
A new weight loss program has been shown to reverse the addictive power of unhealthy food and increase preference for healthy foods. The study found that participants who underwent the program had increased sensitivity to healthy foods and decreased sensitivity to unhealthy foods.
A new study published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience throws doubt on the notion that serotonin deficiency is key to depression. Despite being 'depressed' due to a lack of serotonin production, mice lacked this ability showed no signs of depression-like symptoms.
Researchers used functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine brain activation during a working memory task in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls. The study found differences in brain activation patterns between the groups that were dependent on task load.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago discovered hyper-connected emotional and cognitive networks in the brains of young adults who had previously experienced depression. These hyper-connectivities were related to rumination, a maladaptive strategy that can lead to depression and relapse.
A new study found that weight loss surgery can improve cognitive function and reduce altered brain activity associated with obesity. Bariatric surgery may contribute to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease in obese people, according to researchers.
A new study published in Radiology found that using the Wii Balance Board system can induce favorable changes in brain connections associated with balance and movement in patients with multiple sclerosis. The device helps improve balance, reducing the risk of accidental falls and related comorbidities.
Robo Brain is a large-scale computational system that learns from publicly available internet resources. It will process images to pick out objects and connect them with text to recognize patterns and behaviors. The system employs structured deep learning, allowing robots to understand how the world works and interact with humans.
Researchers use a virus and zebrafish to map the living brain, revealing connections between cells and potential causes of conditions like autism and schizophrenia. The study's findings could lead to better understanding of neural circuits and related behaviors.
A new study published in CMAJ found that people with cognitive impairment have a significantly increased risk of stroke, with a 39% higher risk than those with normal cognitive function. The study analyzed data from 18 studies and observed a higher rate of stroke in individuals with cognitive impairment.
A new study led by Northwestern University anthropologists reveals that energy is funneled to the brain early in life, dominating metabolism and leading to slow body growth during childhood. The study finds that brain development peaks at age 5, when it consumes glucose at a rate comparable to 66% of the body's resting metabolic rate.
A new review paper explores the use of dimensionality reduction in neuroscience to uncover the complexity of brain function. By analyzing the activity of hundreds of neurons concurrently, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how the brain distinguishes between different odors, makes decisions under uncertainty, and thinks abo...
Researchers at Champalimaud Foundation establish the effect of serotonin on sensitivity to pain, revealing a significant decrease in pain perception when serotonin is released. This breakthrough provides new insights into chronic pain treatment.
A study found that elderly individuals with Alzheimer's disease have fewer inhibitory neurons, leading to fragmented sleep. The researchers discovered a correlation between the number of remaining ventrolateral preoptic neurons and sleep fragmentation, highlighting a potential link between aging and sleep disorders.
Scientists used zebrafish as a model to study the regulation of stem cells in nerve tissue, discovering a previously unknown process that may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. They found that reducing miRNA-132 levels in zebrafish impairs stem cell development and blocks further maturation into nerve cells.
A new study from the University of British Columbia found that male stickleback fish with bigger brains are more likely to care for their young. The research compared regular male sticklebacks to white sticklebacks, which do not care for offspring, and found a link between brain size and parental behavior.
A new study by psychologists from Aberdeen, York, and Sydney found that Australian passport office staff have a 15% error rate in matching people to their photos, equivalent to several thousand fake passports. The researchers suggest that security measures would be enhanced if passports carried multiple images of a person.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered that early changes in brain DNA methylation are involved in Alzheimer's disease. The study found correlations between methylation levels and Alzheimer's disease in specific genes, suggesting a potential role for epigenomic modifications in disease susceptibility.
A recent study has found that a rare genetic mutation in the DISC1 gene can corrupt neural connections, leading to disruptions in brain circuitry. The research, published in Nature, used induced pluripotent stem cells to model the effects of the mutation on human neurons.
New research suggests that bats' brains use the temporal binding hypothesis to focus on targets in cluttered scenes, which could inspire new navigation technology. By studying bat echolocation, scientists have developed a better understanding of how to design radar and sonar systems for real-time performance.
Scientists discovered that people learn new motor tasks faster when they recall the errors made during the first attempt. The brain uses this information to fine-tune its performance and adapt to future similar tasks. This study sheds light on how our brains learn from mistakes.
Researchers found triheptanoin oil to be an efficient treatment for Glut 1 deficiency, reducing seizure frequency and improving brain metabolism. The oil has been shown to have a positive impact on neuropsychological performance in patients with the rare disease.
Researchers found a 40-year-old man with no apolipoprotein E had normal cognitive function despite being at high risk for Alzheimer's. The study suggests reducing apoE levels may be beneficial in treating neurodegenerative disorders like AD.
Researchers used 3D models of the woodpecker to understand its anti-shock biomechanical structure, which stores most impact energy in the body and reduces it in the head. This study could provide guidance for designing anti-shock devices and structures for humans.
Research by Nina Kraus and Margaret Martin finds that musical training improves neural function, learning abilities, and communication skills in low-income youth. The study shows that music programs can help close the academic gap between affluent and disadvantaged students.
Researchers have solved a longstanding puzzle in neuroscience by revealing the three-dimensional atomic structure of netrin-1, a guidance protein that can attract or repel brain cells. By understanding how this protein works, scientists may be able to develop new ways to steer cell behavior and potentially treat diseases such as cancer.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that individuals with depression and mild cognitive impairment after age 65 are more likely to experience accelerated brain aging. This accelerated process increases their risk of developing dementia.
A study at the University of Adelaide found that certain areas of the brain remain protected from aging, enabling spatial attention skills to remain consistent across ages. The research challenges current models of cognitive aging and may have implications for understanding Alzheimer's disease.
Research found that cognitive decline before a stroke increases the risk of stroke five-fold in African-Americans, while slower brain function is linked to higher chances of stroke and death. Examining mental health may help prevent future strokes in older adults.
Researchers have discovered that interfering with a basic metabolic pathway in insect brains can increase aggression in fruit flies and honey bees. The team found that suppressing key genes involved in energy generation leads to increased aggression, but this effect is lost in chronically stressed individuals.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a new drug compound, TC-2153, that inhibits the negative effects of STEP protein and reverses cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease. The compound was found to improve cognitive function in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue for treating the disease.
Researchers are studying how a new IBS drug, linaclotide, helps alleviate stomach pain by normalizing gut-brain communication. The study assesses the effectiveness of linaclotide in 45 IBS patients over 10 weeks.
Researchers developed flyPAD technology to monitor fruit flies' feeding behavior, finding that they eat by rhythmically extending their proboscis in a stereotyped fashion. The study also shows that the way flies adapt to starvation is similar to how mammals do it.
Research suggests that physical responses and deep-seated psychology are at the core of political differences, with conservatives exhibiting a negativity bias towards negative stimuli. This finding is supported by over 50 peer-reviewed articles discussing the study in a leading journal.
The study reveals that early neurons make many connections but correct mistakes, while later neurons are highly accurate in their target selection skills. The findings provide insight into normal brain development and have implications for understanding autism and other disorders.
Women with postpartum depression exhibit elevated levels of the enzyme monoamine oxidase A in their brains. The study suggests that reducing MAO-A levels could help prevent the condition, with lifestyle strategies like quitting smoking being key to lowering levels.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a genetic alteration linked to stress reactions that could lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The study suggests that a blood test based on this finding may be able to identify individuals at increased risk of suicide attempts, allowing for early intervention and prevention.
A new study found that obese individuals with a specific genetic mutation have similar brain activity when shown appetizing foods, whereas overweight individuals without the mutation showed lower response levels. This suggests a link between the MC4R pathway and food cravings.
A twin study found that brain appetite centers respond more to immediate nutritional needs than genetics and upbringing. The study used fMRI scans to compare identical twins' responses to high- and low-calorie foods, showing a greater response in the twin with lower blood glucose levels.
A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that preterm children's cognitive abilities as teenagers can be comparable to those born at term, if they experience no brain injury early on. The quality of the home environment plays a crucial role in brain development and cognition.
A recent UCL study discovered that the human habenula, a tiny part of the brain, tracks expectations about negative events like painful electric shocks. This tiny region suppresses dopamine, driving motivation, and its activation can signal how bad outcomes are expected.
Scientists have identified a potential oral therapy for Alzheimer's disease using compounds initially developed for cancer treatment. The study found that these molecules can stabilize microtubules in the brain, which are critical for transporting nutrients and other essential molecules.
Research identifies four proteins that increase with age, making brain connections more rigid and reducing ability to adapt. The findings may lead to new treatments for learning disorders and memory loss in neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study reveals that microglia can increase neuronal firing and enhance brain cell survival after traumatic brain injury, potentially slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. The research found that activated microglia dislodge inhibitory synapses, leading to increased firing and enhanced survival.
A Dartmouth study tested brain waves and found that automatic word processing skills do not develop until after fifth grade, contrary to the fourth-grade reading shift theory. This suggests that teachers at all levels of elementary school should think of themselves as reading instructors.
Researchers have found the fossilized remains of the brain of the world's earliest known predators, which lived in the oceans 520 million years ago. The discovery reveals a surprisingly simple brain compared to its prey, and similarities with modern-day velvet worms.
A new study found that regular use of fish oil supplements was associated with a significant reduction in cognitive decline and brain atrophy in older adults. The study also showed that participants who took fish oil supplements demonstrated less brain shrinkage compared to those who did not use the supplements.
A new noninvasive optical imaging device has been shown to detect changes in the retina that occur before clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The device, developed at Cedars-Sinai, can differentiate between Alzheimer's and non-Alzheimer's diseases with high sensitivity and specificity.
Virtual Finger technology allows scientists to access & analyze 3D image data more efficiently, speeding up data collection and analysis by 10-100 times. This breakthrough tech has far-reaching implications for various biological experiments and methods of data analysis.
Virtual reality interface devices reorganize brain neural networks in patients with chronic stroke and cerebral palsy, improving hand function and balance. This application enhances the quality of life for individuals with neurological diseases.
The University of Nevada, Reno has won a $10 million COBRE grant to study brain and neurological disorders. Researchers are using visual illusions like the Dynamic Ebbinghaus illusion to gain insights into sensory perception and the visual brain.
A chronic subdural haematoma was reported after a Motörhead concert, highlighting the potential dangers of headbanging. The case study suggests that heavy metal music's fast tempo may contribute to such injuries.
Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have identified a chemical switch controlling neuron generation and survival in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and stroke victims. This switch, MEF2, may be a potential therapeutic target to protect against neuronal loss in various neurodegenerative diseases.
A study has identified a genetic mutation that may cause parkinsonism in young people, particularly those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The mutation affects the brain's transport of dopamine, leading to movement disorders and mental health issues.
A study suggests that early humans who relied on an insect diet during lean seasons may have developed bigger brains and higher-level cognitive functions. Capuchin monkeys' foraging patterns for insects reveal a link between seasonal food scarcity and sensorimotor skills, including tool use and problem-solving.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that individuals at high risk for addiction share similar neurobiological signatures with addicted individuals. The research suggests a common brain mechanism that promotes the use of addictive substances in vulnerable people and those with long-standing habitual substance use.
A study by neuroscientists at Brigham Young University found that addiction starts with an overcorrection in the brain, triggering oxidative stress and a protein called BDNF. This process can lead to withdrawal symptoms like pain and anxiety.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a method to measure the response of an individual neuron to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a procedure used to treat psychiatric disorders. By recording activity from single neurons during TMS, the team gained a basic understanding of the technique's physiological mechanisms.
The Meixner Postdoctoral Fellowship program invests in rising talent within the autism research community, focusing on neuroinflammation, genetic interactions, neural biomarkers, and novel intervention programs. The new postdoctoral fellows will advance Autism Speaks' mission to develop effective treatments for ASD.
Researchers found that monkeys consistently show the hot-hand bias, even when faced with random rewards, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation for foraging in the wild. The study's findings could inform treatment for gambling addiction and provide insights for investors.
Daphne Maurer has spent decades studying human sensory development and brain plasticity. Her research on infants born with cataracts reveals that temporary blindness can lead to permanent visual deficits. Maurer also explores the potential of video games to improve eyesight in adults.