Articles tagged with Brain
A new study found that children with autism perceive motion twice as quickly as their peers, suggesting a fundamental cause for the developmental disorder. This heightened sensitivity to motion may contribute to painful sensory experiences and complex social and behavioral deficits.
Scientists have reevaluated the role of the APOE gene in Alzheimer's disease, finding minimal interaction between APOE and amyloid beta in cerebrospinal fluid. This suggests a need to rethink therapeutic strategies targeting APOE, as current approaches may not be effective.
Researchers from LCSB have discovered that microglial cells in the brain produce itaconic acid, an endogenous antibiotic that prevents bacterial growth. This finding has implications for understanding Parkinson's disease and its connection to the immune system.
A study published by the American Heart Association found that increased heart disease risk factors can negatively impact cognitive function in young adults. The study revealed a significant association between smoking, diabetes, and poor cognitive scores, with heavy smokers experiencing a lower cognitive function than non-smokers.
A Wake Forest University researcher and four colleagues found that measurements of brain activity in the prefrontal cortex can help assess a person's potential for leadership. Leaders with higher levels of neurological self-complexity demonstrate greater adaptability when facing novel situations.
A genetic mutation in the casein kinase I delta gene has been linked to a typical form of migraine, with evidence showing its impact on pain threshold, cortical spreading depression, and astrocyte activity. This discovery offers hope for developing better therapies for migraine sufferers.
Adult human brain cell production is triggered by early life experiences, with female pups raised by two parents showing enhanced white matter production and improved motor coordination. Male pups raised by dual parents displayed increased grey matter production, improving learning and memory.
Researchers developed an implantable device that detects abnormal brain activity and predicts seizures with a high accuracy rate. The technology has the potential to improve management strategies and potentially allow patients to avoid dangerous situations.
A world-first study led by Professor Mark Cook has accurately predicted epilepsy seizures in humans using a device implanted between the skull and brain surface. The system correctly predicted seizures with a high warning rate of 65% of the time, offering new management strategies for epilepsy.
Researchers suggest using haptic devices early in children fitted with visual prosthetics and for older congenitally blind and late-blind individuals. Haptics provide supplementary information that helps train the brain to understand electrical input from prosthetics, leading to improved outcomes.
Researchers have identified nine biomarkers associated with the buildup of toxic protein amyloid beta in the brain, which occurs years before symptoms appear. The discovery has the potential to lead to the development of an early screening test for Alzheimer's disease, giving those at risk a better chance of receiving treatment earlier.
Michel M. Modo and Thomas B. Freeman received the 2013 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for Brain Repair for their groundbreaking work in neurorestorative biology, stem cell transplantation, and Parkinson's disease research. The awards recognize their outstanding contributions to advancing neural therapy and brain repair.
Researchers develop new methods to visualize calcium signals in entire astrocytes, revealing their role in modulating synaptic activity and regulating local blood flow. These findings pave the way for future exploration of astrocytic physiology.
Researchers discovered a protective CD33 gene variant that enhances the brain's immune system to clear away toxic A-beta protein, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. This finding raises the possibility of using CD33 inhibitors as a potential new approach to treating and preventing Alzheimer's.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that rats adopt a new chemical code when exposed to large changes in day and night cycle, leading to anxiety and depression. The discovery opens up new ways to treat brain disorders like Parkinson's by switching neurotransmitters.
A new study reveals that Parkinson's disease protein alpha-synuclein can harm cells in the same way viruses do. It breaks out of lysosomes and releases enzymes toxic to the cell.
Researchers have identified a structure deviation in microglia cells, allowing for their visualization and behavior study. This breakthrough enables the monitoring of microglia function over time in rats and mice, with potential applications in studying Parkinson's disease and stroke.
The BRAIN initiative aims to develop new tools to listen to conversations among millions of neurons in the brain. The project could establish a basis for new treatments for clinical depression, autism, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and other brain conditions.
Brain training programs, such as MyBrainSolutions, improve measured scores in anxiety, stress, and depression. The BRAINnet Foundation uses standardized protocols to pool data across mental disorders, sites, and studies, aiming to understand mental illness as a brain disease.
Researchers from Saint Louis University and the University of Toronto have decoded the western painted turtle's genome, revealing genes that may be key to managing human health disorders such as stroke and heart attack. The study also identified genes that could lead to the development of safer anesthetics for human patients.
Researchers at UCL and Montreal found a way to train the brain to accurately predict event outcomes by providing idealised scenarios that conform to statistical probability. This 'cleans' their memory and provides good quality evidence for decision-making.
Rats fed a berry diet for 2 months showed significant protection against radiation-induced aging, with improved autophagy and reduced toxic protein accumulation. Berries may help alleviate age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that close family members of people with Alzheimer's disease are more likely to develop silent buildup of brain plaques associated with the disease. The study suggests unidentified genetic factors may influence the development of Alzheimer's before dementia onset.
A new study using fMRI brain scans aims to detect memories and identify lies. Researchers have successfully decoded patterns of brain activity associated with recognition, but struggled to determine actual past experiences. The technology's limitations raise questions about its use in legal settings.
A study at Princeton University suggests that erroneous decisions arise from errors in external information rather than brain processing. The researchers created computer models to analyze the brain's decision-making process and found that internal mental processes are remarkably reliable.
A new study found that pianists' performance improved after practicing a new melody followed by a night of sleep. However, gains in speed and accuracy declined when two similar melodies were practiced one after the other before sleep. Replaying the first melody before sleep seemed to counteract this interference and enhance skills.
Scientists developed tiny devices containing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to activate brain cells with light. Using these devices, mice were taught to poke their noses through a hole in a maze, triggering the system to release dopamine and associate rewards, revealing potential for treating depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method to induce the sensation of having a phantom hand in non-amputated individuals. Participants experienced an invisible hand when touched, revealing that multisensory integration can lead to embodiment of empty space.
Researchers have shed light on microglial cells in Alzheimer's patients, finding they lose two biological functions as the disease progresses. The study suggests beta-amyloid peptides trigger this process, and reversing microglial function could lead to treatments for the disease.
Research found that mutations in neuroligin-3 protein block endocannabinoid signals, affecting brain excitability and communication between neurons. The study suggests targeting the endocannabinoid system may help reverse autism symptoms.
Researchers found that playing sounds synchronized with slow brain oscillations during sleep enhances these oscillations and boosts memory. The approach is non-invasive and easy to apply, making it a potential tool for improving sleep and enhancing memory.
Researchers have found that people can perceive flavors in foods before tasting them, and the eyes play a crucial role in this process. Studies have shown that smells can even override taste buds, making certain flavors undetectable.
Researchers found that adaptable leaders have more complex and differentiated brain networks in areas associated with self-regulation, decision-making, and memory. They also demonstrated greater adaptability and effectiveness in a hypothetical military scenario.
Researchers propose that the brain automatically assesses its environment, making trade-offs in resource allocation. This adaptation process can lead to improved sensitivity for one stimulus at the expense of another.
Scientists have developed a way to predict pain levels by analyzing brain scan patterns, with accuracy of 90-100%. This breakthrough may lead to the development of reliable methods for doctors to objectively quantify patient pain. The study also explores potential applications in measuring anxiety, depression, and other emotional states.
Researchers found that high levels of cytokine TGFβ cause neural stem cells to become dormant, leading to reduced neurogenesis in aging and irradiation. Targeted therapies targeting TGFβ may improve cognitive function in elderly individuals.
The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute aims to develop advanced personalized therapeutic solutions for patients with devastating brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The institute will conduct bench-to-bedside research to test novel therapeutics in cutting-edge clinical trials.
Researchers at CSHL found that transposons increase in abundance and activity in the brains of fruit flies as they age, correlating with neurological degeneration. This 'transposon storm' may contribute to age-related brain defects in humans.
Stress circuits in the brain can self-tune following a single stress, preparing for subsequent challenges. Unique time windows exist after brief stress challenges, where learning is increased or decreased.
Research suggests that motor skills decline gradually after the age of 64, but healthy older adults can still create accurate internal models for action. This study aims to help clinicians identify abnormal loss of function in patients by pinpointing when deficits begin.
A new study has identified genetic markers that may signal individuals at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The research found mutations in certain genes influencing protein accumulations in the brain and spinal fluid, which can lead to cognitive decline.
Research on hallucinations of musical notation reveals that seven out of eight case studies were gifted musicians. The hallucinations are generally unreadable and seem to be a result of complex perceptual processes. Dr Sacks' findings provide a rich field of study for understanding neural basis of such hallucinations.
Brain researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute have discovered that healthy observers and neurological patients scan visual scenes with the same general strategy, regardless of scene size or fixation status. This finding challenges previous concepts of exploration and fixation as fundamentally different behaviors.
The new awake imaging device enables motion compensation reconstruction, removing blur caused by motion and allowing for transparent pictures of the functioning brain. Researchers aim to better understand brain development in babies, teens, and individuals with neurological conditions.
Researchers identified rare variants in genes involved with the NMDA receptor network, which regulate brain cell connections and signal transmissions. These findings support the hypothesis that decreased NMDA receptor-mediated nerve-signal transmissions contribute to schizophrenia.
The Brain Activity Mapping (BAM) Project seeks to develop tools for greater understanding of the brain's intricate networks, potentially leading to treatments for neurological diseases. Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology hold promise for probing the brain at a nanoscale.
Researchers found that recurrent hypoglycemia enhances neuronal uptake of lactate, allowing the brain to retain normal neural activity. This suggests that lactate supports neuronal function and indicates potential benefits of supplementing alternative fuels during hypoglycemia.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a protein MKP-5 as a negative regulator of muscle stem cell function, enhancing muscle regeneration in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Additionally, studies suggest that lactate supports neuronal function and may protect the brain during hypoglycemia.
A new study found that neuroimaging data can predict the likelihood of reoffending following prison release. Inmates with lower anterior cingulate cortex activity were twice as likely to reoffend compared to those with higher activity.
Researchers found that certain protein particles can multiply and spread from one cell to the next, contributing to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This discovery may lead to new methods for treatment by preventing the spreading of disease-related protein particles.
Researchers found that exposure to combined pesticides interferes with the learning circuits in bees' brains, causing slower learning or forgetting important associations. This has profound implications for honeybee colony survival as bees unable to learn will not be able to find food.
A $619,618 grant has been awarded by the National MS Society to Dr. Victoria Leavitt to study predictors of memory decline in Multiple Sclerosis using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The study aims to identify a brain marker that can predict which patients are at risk of memory decline, enabling early interventions.
New technique allows for direct reprogramming of human cells into nerve cells, opening possibilities for treating Parkinson's disease and other conditions. Researchers at Lund University have made a breakthrough in the field of cell therapy by successfully reprogramming skin cells and support cells into nerve cells.
Researchers found that the extra chromosome 21 leads to reduced SNX27 protein levels, disrupting brain function. Restoring SNX27 in Down syndrome mice improves cognitive function and behavior.
Children at risk of schizophrenia have brains that function differently than those not at risk, with a neural circuitry that is hyperactivated or stressed by tasks. This finding suggests early warning signs or vulnerability markers for schizophrenia and may help identify individuals who can be intervened to minimize risk.
A new study published in Brain Connectivity found evidence of aberrant neural communication in toddlers with autism, indicating a disorder of connectivity. The researchers observed reduced brain connectivity and diminished capacity for neural communication in autistic children's brains.
A new study demonstrates that sleep consolidation helps retain both new memories, overcoming interference from learned tasks. Researchers measured starlings' ability to recognize new songs and found that a good night's sleep improves performance on previously learned tasks.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a new test that measures involuntary changes in heart rate and blood pressure to identify the severity of concussions. The test, known as autonomic reflex testing, shows significant changes in those with concussion, providing a potential tool for diagnosing and monitoring recovery.
Researchers found that individuals with autism have broader tuning of neurons in the fusiform face area, leading to difficulties in recognizing faces. This impairment affects social interactions and limits facial expression understanding.
Researchers found that elite athletes outperformed nonathletes in cognitive tests such as memory recall, task-switching, and peripheral vision detection. Female athletes also showed significant advantages over their male peers in certain tasks, minimizing the typical performance gap between women and men.