Articles tagged with Brain
Researchers at the University of Missouri have shed light on compensatory mechanisms used by amputees who lose their dominant hand, suggesting new rehabilitation techniques to improve quality of life. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed that brain areas formerly devoted to motor and sensory functions of the amputated...
Researchers found that higher cerebrospinal fluid alpha-synuclein levels predict faster cognitive loss in Parkinson's disease, but not motor symptoms. The study, published in the American Journal of Pathology, offers new insights into PD pathology and potential management strategies.
Researchers found that delaying the onset of decisions can improve response accuracy by allowing the brain to focus on relevant information and block out distractions. This mechanism is more beneficial than prolonging the decision process, which increases reaction times.
A study published in Psychopharmacology found that even moderate alcohol levels can affect driving abilities of older adults, potentially leading to reassessment of legal blood alcohol limits. Researchers tested two age groups, ages 25-35 and 55-70, and found that a single drink impaired older drivers' skills
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that birds exhibit individual lateralization biases when choosing flight paths, enabling flocks to split and avoid crowding. This allows them to navigate complex environments, such as dense bush and forests, with remarkable speed and accuracy.
Researchers at IUPUI used computer vision to study neurons in model organisms like fruit flies, revealing new insights into brain motor circuits. The study's findings may one day inform therapies for conditions such as stroke, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease.
Congenitally blind individuals can learn to recognize human body shapes through soundscapes, with an average of 70 hours of training required. The brain's visual cortex responds to sound patterns, allowing participants to detect posture and imitate movements.
Researchers found that sharp vision, specifically in the fovea, correlates with faster brain processing speeds. Training adults to improve their foveal vision can lead to improved vision and reduced reliance on reading glasses.
Researchers are exploring the potential of RM-131, a ghrelin agonist, to treat constipation in Parkinson's patients. The study aims to improve bowel function and reduce symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory demonstrate a way to observe the activity of inhibitory neurons linking sense of smell with memory and cognition in awake mice. These granule cells provide feedback to alter sensory interpretation based on past experiences.
Chronic methamphetamine use is linked to excessive glucose utilization in the brain, paired with daytime sleepiness. The paradox of these symptoms can be explained by a biochemical process that occurs during sleep, cleaning up unnecessary connections between brain cells.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel, citrus-scented pheromone in the essence of male goats that acts on female brains to turn their reproductive systems on. The study, published in Current Biology, identifies 4-ethyloctanal as the key ingredient with this effect.
Research shows that one-third of young adults who survive a stroke are unable to live independently or need assistance with daily activities 10 years after their stroke. The type of stroke and subsequent recurrent strokes can also impact functional outcomes, highlighting the need for effective interventions.
Researchers at the University of Iowa found that humans tend to forget sounds they hear, rather than visual or tactile information. The study suggests that our brain may use separate pathways to process auditory information, and that alternative strategies like increased mental repetition may be needed to improve memory.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's disease disrupts the biological clock in fruit flies, causing irregular sleep-wake patterns. The study suggests that the biological clock is still ticking but being ignored by other parts of the brain and body.
Fibromuscular dysplasia can cause high blood pressure, kidney failure, stroke, and other symptoms in women. A recent Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for this condition.
A new UBC study identifies a molecular change in the brain that occurs when we learn and remember. This biochemical modification is essential for producing changes in brain cell connectivity associated with learning and memory formation.
Scientists have observed intact protein interactions directly in a live animal's brain for the first time, using a novel imaging technique. The study reveals that proteins interact within neurons during brain development, forming complex networks.
Researchers demonstrate a clear causal effect of the mirror system on social understanding, finding that areas involved in action production also contribute to understanding others' actions. The study uses innovative magnetic stimulation techniques to reveal the brain's role in social cognition.
A diet rich in carbohydrates can lead to detrimental effects on brain health, increasing the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. Dr. David Perlmutter explains that carbohydrate calories have a more significant impact on human physiology than calorie sources from fat.
Researchers discovered a common link between dreams and delusions - faulty reality testing in the brain's higher order cognitive systems. This faulty 'reality testing' leads to persistent thoughts and actions that are not based on reality, causing immense mental health difficulties.
Researchers are exploring the properties of amyloid beta peptides, implicated in Alzheimer's disease. By understanding their behavior, they hope to identify structures that lead to toxic aggregates and develop treatments.
Researchers found that a 25-minute daily visual training program improved the players' acuity and peripheral vision. This resulted in better on-field performance, including reduced strikeout rates and increased runs scored.
A study led by University of British Columbia researchers reveals how the fatal neurodegenerative disease ALS is transmitted from cell to cell. The research shows that misfolded non-mutant SOD1 can be transmitted regionally in the nervous system, offering a molecular explanation for ALS progression.
Researchers have discovered a potential therapy to enhance brain repair after a stroke by stimulating the brain's inherent plasticity with molecular components of stem cells. This approach has shown promising results in promoting neurological recovery and may lead to revolutionary treatments for other diseases.
A study found that giving stroke patients intravenous magnesium within an hour of symptom onset does not improve stroke outcomes, while working with paramedics can increase the chances of administering potentially brain-saving drugs in time. The researchers plan to continue searching for new treatments and are grateful for the collabor...
Research links common infections such as Chlamydia pneumoniae and herpes simplex viruses to worse cognitive performance, including memory loss and decreased thinking speed. The study found an index of antibody levels associated with these infections was linked to poorer cognitive outcomes.
After delivering a baby, women's blood clot risk remains higher than normal for at least 12 weeks due to increased platelets and other blood-clotting factors during pregnancy. Researchers found the risk decreased over time.
Lactate triggers the release of noradrenaline, a hormone fundamental to brain function, via an unknown receptor. This discovery opens new avenues for pharmacology and could lead to novel treatments for conditions like stress, pain and depression.
A TGen study has uncovered possible genetic origins of breast cancer that spreads to the brain, providing potential new methods of diagnosis and treatment. The study identified common genetic alterations linked to key mechanisms of cancer, such as cell proliferation and cell-cycle progression.
Brain researchers discovered how Galileo's visual illusion works in the mind's eye, revealing that it occurs due to non-linear and exaggerated responses to light stimuli. This effect is responsible for various phenomena, such as why certain objects appear larger or smaller based on their dark parts in bright daylight.
Researchers have discovered that cells in the olfactory bulb release signaling molecules that trigger anti-viral interferon production in uninfected brain regions, preventing virus spread. The study shows promising potential for understanding and treating brain-infectious diseases.
A University of South Florida study found that a nutritional supplement containing blueberries and green tea improved cognitive processing speed in older adults without impairing memory. The supplement, NT-020, was tested on 105 healthy adults aged 65 to 85, with modest improvements seen after two months.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that monkeys fed a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids had brains with highly connected and well-organized neural networks. This similarity is remarkable, especially when compared to human brains using the same imaging techniques.
Researchers found that children's brains are less prone to creating false memories due to a less efficient semantic process. Adults, however, are more likely to generate false memories as their brain automatizes the process, making it less reliable.
A team of researchers developed the EyeMusic, a sensory substitution device that enables blind individuals to recognize basic shapes and colors through pleasant auditory representations. Users were able to correctly identify shapes and colors after minimal training, indicating potential for widespread use.
LeDoux highlights the confusion in neuroscience research on fear, conflation of behavioral and physiological responses, and how this affects the development of effective treatments for anxiety disorders. He calls for greater precision in defining fear to enhance existing scholarship and create superior remedies.
Researchers studied fruit fly behavior in wind tunnels, finding that they use a combination of smell and vision to locate food. When an attractive odor is present, flies begin to explore roundish objects with visual contrast, such as fruit or wine glasses, before landing on potential sources.
Johns Hopkins surgeons have developed a new technique to replace bone removed from the skull after brain surgery, resulting in fewer complications than standard restoration. The approach causes less harm to the brain and reduces infection risk by providing access to blood supply from both top and bottom.
Research suggests that intensive blood pressure and cholesterol lowering treatment does not lower the risk of cognitive decline in older patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus. In contrast, a lower brain volume was observed in patients who received intensive blood pressure-lowering therapy.
A new study published in PNAS found that recording the activity of just 50 neurons can accurately capture the behavior of larger neural networks. This challenges decades-long research on response time and accumulator models in psychology and neuroscience.
Researchers have developed a new methodology to measure brain activity in newborns and children, particularly those born prematurely. The technique uses Event-Related Potential (ERP) and is child-friendly, allowing for the investigation of cortical processing of touch and speech sounds.
Researchers at Hebrew University created a molecule that reduces brain cell death in diabetic rats by lowering inflammatory processes. This finding represents the first evidence of high blood sugar's link to an inflammatory pathway in the brain.
A Mayo Clinic study found that using a standardized medical management protocol and surgery can improve life expectancy for stroke patients. The treatment, which involves decompressing brain swelling, reduces pressure in the head and risk of death by about 50 percent.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation found an association between acute, severe spatial neglect post-stroke and long-term recovery of mobility. The study suggests early detection and intervention of spatial neglect may be necessary to achieve better return of mobility.
Researchers found a functional distinction between social groups, which are processed separately from animate and inanimate objects. The study used patients with dementia to demonstrate the double dissociation of these functions.
A staged approach to epilepsy surgery in children is a safe and effective treatment option, with complications decreasing as surgeons gain experience. The study found that the benefits of staged surgery outweigh the risks, making it an important treatment option for complex cases of childhood epilepsy.
Researchers have found that neurons in the basal ganglia can signal the concatenation of individual elements into a behavioural sequence. The study's findings suggest that the brain uses a mechanism called chunking to organize memories and actions.
Researchers identified a critical regulator of BACE1, an enzyme involved in Alzheimer's disease pathology. The study found that levels of this regulating protein, Rheb, are decreased in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and may be a significant factor in disease progression.
Researchers monitored brain activity of monkeys during planned and unplanned arm movements to understand the neural control of movement. They found that neurons go into a 'prepare-and-hold' state when anticipating movements, but not when reacting unexpectedly.
Researchers have discovered the molecular structure of NMDA receptor blockers, which could lead to new treatments for depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's diseases. The findings provide valuable insights into how these receptors work and offer hope for developing targeted therapies.
Researchers found a strong correlation between fast eye movements and impulsivity in decision-making. The study suggests that people who make quick decisions may have a different way of evaluating time and reward in their brains.
New research suggests that older brains may take longer to process increasing amounts of knowledge, leading to slower performance on cognitive tests. This finding challenges traditional assumptions about cognitive decline in older adults, and instead highlights the role of experience in shaping brain function.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a key player in triggering brain inflammation and nerve cell death in severe forms of Gaucher disease. This discovery may lead to new treatments, including those that can cross the blood-brain barrier to target neurological symptoms.
A recent discovery of quantum vibrations in 'microtubules' inside brain neurons supports the controversial theory of consciousness, Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch OR). The theory proposes that consciousness derives from deeper level microtubule vibrations, which could benefit various mental and neurological conditions.
A new IU study explores social learning dynamics and finds that being surrounded by copycats can lead to better problem-solving success. The researchers created a virtual problem landscape using a computer game and found that imitators often make their own improvements, which are then adopted and improved upon by others.
Researchers at NYU and NYU Langone Medical Center found that speech engages both sides of the brain, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery sheds new light on addressing speech-related inhibitions caused by stroke or injury, enabling more effective rehabilitation methods.
A study by University of York and Cardiff University found that some families prefer euthanasia by sedation to withholding or withdrawing treatment for loved ones in a permanent vegetative state. The research highlights the need for ethical consideration of alternative options, such as lethal injections, to reduce suffering.
Children with autism have difficulty integrating simultaneous information from their eyes and ears, according to a Vanderbilt study. The research suggests that deficits in sensory building blocks for language and communication can hamper social and communication skills in children with autism.
City of Hope researchers discovered that breast cancer cells can masquerade as neurons, allowing them to hide from the immune system and spread to the brain. The study found that these cancer cells exploit the brain's chemicals and proteins to deceive the immune system.