Articles tagged with Brain
Researchers at Michigan State University developed a simple 'noun-verb' test to measure creativity, finding that those who gave creative answers in the test were indeed the most creative as measured by other methods. The test could help create better educational and training programs to foster creativity.
Research at Georgia State University reveals that infant pain can permanently alter future responses to anxiety, stress, and pain. The study found site-specific changes in brain receptors that affect behavioral sensitivity to stressful situations.
A study at Washington University in St. Louis found that a small molecule called VIP can temporarily desynchronize brain cells, but also enables them to re-synchronize more quickly to abrupt shifts in daily light-dark schedules. This effect may be useful for travelers and shift workers who struggle with jet lag.
Researchers found that rhesus macaque monkeys have specialized nerve cells in their brains that respond to images of snakes. This suggests that primates may have evolved to detect and avoid snakes due to the presence of venomous snakes during their ancestors' time.
Researchers have discovered that single neuronal dendrites can perform computations, producing specific electrical signals in response to visual stimulation. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that computation occurs only with large numbers of neurons working together.
A recent study confirms that medication and lifestyle changes are safer and more effective at preventing stroke than surgical stenting. The study found no significant benefit of surgery in reducing the risk of new strokes or death among patients with narrowed brain arteries.
A NIH-funded study found that a therapy combining medication and lifestyle changes is more effective than surgically implanted stents at preventing recurrent stroke. The novel approach resulted in lower stroke rates and improved blood pressure and lipid levels among participants.
A new study finds that an experimental drug called 3K3A-APC reduces brain damage and eliminates brain hemorrhaging in stroke-afflicted mice and rats. The drug extends the therapeutic window of FDA-approved clot-busting therapy tPA, counteracting its tendency to induce bleeding.
A study by Max Planck Institute researchers found that treating juvenile zebra finches with nerve growth factor 'BDNF' enhances their ability to copy songs from their fathers. The treated birds showed a higher similarity with the song of their fathers compared to normally reared juveniles.
A new model of institutionalizing interdisciplinary research has been developed by a team of social and life scientists at the University of Pennsylvania. The collaboration aims to bring together researchers from diverse disciplines to understand how neural processes inform large-scale effects on populations.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered how fruit fly neurons integrate multiple signals to identify one unique smell. The brain uses a group of neurons called Kenyon cells, which have long protrusions that grasp projection neurons with a claw-like structure.
A new study funded by NIH suggests that sleep plays a crucial role in removing toxic molecules from the brain, which can contribute to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. The glymphatic system, a plumbing system in the brain, is found to open during sleep, allowing fluid to flow rapidly and clearing out toxins.
Researchers have discovered a 520-million-year-old fossilized nervous system in an extinct marine arthropod, revealing a spider-like brain structure. The ancient creature, Alalcomenaeus, had a central nervous system similar to that of horseshoe crabs and scorpions, linking its ancestors to the modern chelicerates.
A new Pain and Interoception Imaging Network (PAIN) will feature hundreds of brain scans and clinical information to tease out similarities and differences between chronic-pain conditions. The database aims to improve research and treatment development for conditions like migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Research in mouse whiskers reveals a surprise -- at the fine scale, the sensory system's wiring diagram doesn't have a set pattern. The results highlight a 'one-to-many, many-to-one' nerve connectivity strategy that allows for a large repertoire of textures and forms.
A study published in Neurology found that elderly individuals with hardening of the arteries are more likely to have beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study also showed that increased arterial stiffness was associated with a higher risk of developing dementia.
A study found that stroke patients who participated in cardiac rehabilitation programs for six months showed significant improvements in walking function, with average gains of 21% in limb strength, 19% in walking speed, and 16% in walking distance. Early referral to the program was crucial for better results.
A new study from McGill University has discovered that nerve cells have a special mechanism, known as the 'pre-assembly' technique, which enables rapid protein production at synapses. This allows the brain to quickly form memories and adapt to new experiences, with potential implications for treating neurodevelopmental disorders.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have made a breakthrough in developing prosthetic limbs that can mimic human sensations, including touch, pressure, and contact. The research uses neural interfaces to stimulate the brain, allowing for real-time sensory feedback, which could increase the dexterity and clinical viability of roboti...
A team of researchers has developed a model system using fruit flies to study traumatic brain injury (TBI), revealing the genetic underpinnings of susceptibility and links to human TBI. The findings suggest that genetics play a crucial role in determining the outcome of an injury, which may explain why current TBI drugs have failed in ...
Researchers have identified irisin, a molecule produced during endurance exercise, as having neuroprotective effects on the brain. Artificially increasing irisin levels in mice improved cognition and reduced symptoms of neurological diseases.
Researchers developed a new approach to selectively permeabilize the blood-brain barrier at sites of brain metastases using tumor necrosis factor. This allows for more effective delivery of anti-breast cancer drugs to brain metastases.
New research suggests that brain training programs strengthen working memory capacity but do not improve general fluid intelligence. The study found that students who trained on complex span tasks showed transfer to other working memory tasks, but none of the groups showed benefits on measures of fluid intelligence.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered a link between newborn infections and later behavior and movement problems. The study found that inflammation in the brain blocks cells from accessing iron needed for brain development, leading to reduced myelination and behavioral impairments.
Research suggests that slow tactile stimulation can increase brain's ability to construct body ownership and create a healthy sense of self. The study found that participants who received synchronized slow touch believed the rubber hand belonged to them more than those who received faster neutral touch.
A definitive imaging study has found no connection between vein narrowing and multiple sclerosis, challenging the controversial CCSVI theory. Venous narrowing was present in over two-thirds of people with MS, their siblings, and healthy volunteers, but differences were not statistically significant.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that specific cells in the fruit fly brain respond to food odors, predicting how much flies like a given odor. By manipulating these neurons, researchers can influence fly behavior, shedding light on human obesity and food choice.
Researchers suggest targeting the glutamatergic system as a viable target for antidepressant drug development, with potential to rapidly alleviate symptoms of depression. A phase II trial demonstrated a surprisingly rapid antidepressant effect in humans, and further studies indicate extended efficacy.
Researchers used brain imaging and fossil evidence to confirm earlier studies on somatotopic maps in humans and monkeys. Early hominids evolved dexterous fingers when still quadrupeds, while bipedal locomotion led to a separate adaptation of the big toe for balance control.
A team of pediatric neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists at Johns Hopkins developed a way to minimize radiation exposure in children requiring repeat CT scans of the brain. They reduced exposure without compromising diagnostic accuracy or treatment decisions.
Researchers found significant cortical thinning and subcortical atrophy in Parkinson's patients with mild cognitive impairment, indicating faster neurodegeneration. This pattern may serve as a predictor of dementia in PD patients in the future.
A University of Houston researcher has won a $330,000 NSF grant to develop signal-processing techniques that interpret electrical activity recorded by deep brain stimulation probes. This technology aims to provide real-time feedback to neurosurgeons, allowing them to guide probe placement and perform surgeries faster and more accurately.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers discovered that higher brain levels can accurately predict sound source location from electrical activity in a small population of neurons. The findings have implications for designing devices to improve hearing in noisy environments, such as restaurants or with cochlear implants.
Researchers at UT Dallas have developed a new treatment for stroke recovery using vagus nerve stimulation, which showed full recovery of forelimb strength in rats. The treatment involves pairing stimulation with rehabilitative training to enhance neuroplasticity and improve recovery outcomes.
Researchers identified a chemical compound that reduces vasospasm and allows oxygen-filled blood to flow into the brain. The study found that the compound keeps glutamate 'in check,' preventing dangerous constriction of blood vessels.
A study published in Journal of Neurotrauma found that traumatic brain injury during childhood can cause significant deficits in working memory. The authors propose identifying neuroanatomical biomarkers to detect early signs of impaired working memory.
Researchers have discovered anti-tau antibodies that can prevent the accumulation of toxic tau proteins, improving cognitive function and reducing pathology in mouse models. The findings suggest a potential basis for treating Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
A team of researchers led by LA BioMed's Patricia Dickson will use state-of-the-art brain imaging to study the brains of disease models with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), a genetic disease causing cognitive deterioration, memory loss and dementia. The goal is to gain greater understanding of MPS brain disease and develop new treatments.
Scientists have made breakthroughs in delivering medicines to the brain via the nose, with improved liposomes and polymers allowing for more efficient transport of active substances. The new method could lead to reduced side effects and improved treatment outcomes for patients with neurological diseases.
Researchers discover how anxiety affects olfactory processing, linking emotional centers of the brain. Neutral smells become distasteful under anxiety, leading to a vicious cycle that can heighten distress and lead to conditions like anxiety and depression.
Scientists validate a proposed system for detecting preclinical Alzheimer's disease in cognitively normal elderly individuals, finding that it is common and associated with future mental decline and mortality. The new findings offer reason for encouragement, showing that the system can predict which individuals will develop symptoms of...
Researchers create sensory illusion where subjects believe an artificial finger is their own, finding that brain uses muscle signals alone to build body representation. The discovery provides insight into clinical conditions like stroke, schizophrenia, and phantom limb syndrome.
A new study found that artificial sweeteners are less effective at reducing calorie intake because they don't provide the same energy reward as sugars. The brain prefers sugars over artificial sweeteners due to the release of dopamine, a chemical necessary for reward signalling.
Researchers found that neurofeedback techniques can improve whole-brain signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for clearer thought and concentration. This technology has implications for brain rehabilitation and treatment of disorders such as traumatic injury or stroke.
Researchers at University of Otago discover key cellular location of kisspeptin-Gpr54 signalling, crucial for fertility. The study reveals that targeting this signalling can enable new therapies for infertility and approaches to controlling fertility.
The Society for Neuroscience has created a Latin American Neuroscience Training Program to serve hundreds of promising young scientists. The five-year initiative will provide in-person and remote learning opportunities, covering topics such as manuscript publishing, animal research ethics, and Brain Awareness Week activities.
A study has found that market bubbles leading to financial crashes may be self-made due to brain processes that help traders predict others' behavior. This research offers insight into the biology of financial decision-making, suggesting that unproductive behaviors can drive cycles of boom and bust.
Chronic Toxoplasma infection causes mice to lose innate fear of cats, which persists even after parasite clearance and inflammation markers are undetectable. The infection alters the brain's mechanisms underlying fear responses, leading to a lasting behavioral change.
Researchers identified key function of CYFP1 at synapses, orchestrating two biological processes to regulate brain cell connections. Poorly developed and dysfunctional synapses are linked to conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and intellectual disabilities.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience suggests that people who can move to a beat show more consistent brain responses to speech than those with less rhythm. The findings imply that musical training could improve the brain's response to language.
A study published in Gastroenterology found that carbonation can trick the brain into perceiving artificially sweetened drinks as just as sweet as regular ones. This effect may facilitate weight loss by making low-calorie drinks more palatable, but it also increases sugar and food consumption.
A new study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that low-level blast explosions can cause symptoms similar to sports concussions, including neurocognitive deficits and self-reported symptoms. The research, conducted on a group of soldiers called 'breachers', identified biomarkers capable of detecting changes in this population.
Researchers found a widespread neural network responsible for human imagery manipulations, resembling the 'mental workspace' theorized to facilitate creative thinking and problem-solving. The discovery may help advance artificial intelligence by understanding how humans create new ideas and think flexibly.
The Center for Brains, Minds and Machines (CBMM) will focus on understanding human intelligence from multiple perspectives. The center aims to develop a computational understanding of intelligence through research in vision, language, motor skills, neurobiology, electrical engineering, and more.
The Center for Brains, Minds and Machines aims to foster collaboration across disciplines to understand intelligence and develop intelligent machines. The center will focus on four main research themes: integrating intelligence, circuits for intelligence, developing intelligence in children, and social intelligence.
Two neurology researchers propose that prion-like protein aggregates drive multiple brain diseases associated with aging. These seeds disrupt nervous system function and can stimulate the aggregation of other proteins, suggesting therapeutic strategies to combat these diseases.
A multidisciplinary team will investigate production of social behavior in the brain using honey bees, mice, and stickleback fish. The study aims to identify shared gene actions guiding social behavior across species.
Rice University has been awarded a $2.8 million National Science Foundation grant to establish a multidisciplinary training program in neuroengineering for graduate students. The program, led by bioengineer Robert Raphael, will focus on problem-based learning and the development of online educational resources.
Researchers discovered a defect in microglia's internal recycling program, leading to faulty phagocytosis and accumulation of A-beta protein. This impairment may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease by allowing toxic substances to remain in the brain.
UC Riverside researchers have created a novel transparent skull implant made of yttria-stabilized zirconia, allowing doctors to aim laser-based treatments without repeated craniectomies. This technology has strong potential for positive impact on patients with life-threatening neurological disorders.