Articles tagged with Brain
Researchers from Kessler Foundation share progress in rehabilitation research for individuals with multiple sclerosis and stroke, highlighting potential benefits of pharmacological agents, brain stimulation, and aerobic exercise. These studies investigate cognitive complications and explore strategies to improve outcomes.
A new test developed by researchers can better understand how the human brain decodes letter sequences and distinguish words with jumbled letters. The study aims to provide solutions for helping people with dyslexia or other reading difficulties, potentially leading to new approaches in overcoming reading problems.
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience received $1.257 million in grant funding to study Parkinson's and epilepsy. Researchers aim to develop new molecular tools to analyze the human brain, with potential breakthroughs in treatments and cures.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that inhibiting the brain's filter can improve performance in creative tasks. Inhibiting the left prefrontal cortex reduced missed responses and increased correct answers by a second when completing an uncommon-use task.
A new study introduces an automated decision-support system that enables care coordinators to track the health of older adults' brains and provide personalized care plans. The software captures and monitors various symptoms and provides evidence-based non-pharmacological protocols.
Researchers at UCLA successfully treated two patients with severe ventricular arrhythmias using a minimally invasive technique normally employed in treating brain aneurysms. The coil embolization procedure helped stop the electrical storms and eliminate the blood supply to the affected area, allowing the heart to return to normal rhythm.
Research by Antonio Zadra dispels myths about sleepwalking, revealing that sleepwalkers can recall their actions and that a genetic factor plays a significant role in the disorder. The study also found that sleepwalking is not just a problem of transitioning between deep sleep and wakefulness.
Researchers found that preschoolers can use introspection to improve accuracy in decision-making. They were more likely to choose a 'don't know' option when uncertain. The study, published in Child Development, suggests that children as young as 3 are aware of their uncertainty and can use it to inform their decisions.
A University of Michigan Stroke Program study suggests that the combination of blood thinners and tPA treatment for stroke does not increase the risk of brain bleeding. The research, based on data from 830 patients, found no significant difference in brain bleeding rates even among those taking aspirin or clopidogrel.
Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) is being tested as a potential treatment for schizophrenia, targeting brain-based impairments and social cognition skills. The study aims to compare CET with Enriched Supportive Therapy in addressing core impairments.
A global panel of concussion experts has developed new guidelines for evaluating and treating concussions, which emphasize the importance of medical clearance before returning to competition. The guidelines also suggest a gradual return to activities after the first week post-injury.
Researchers developed a system with on-chip sensors and a central processor to detect and respond to faults, achieving significant power reduction and improved performance. The self-healing capability was demonstrated in high-frequency integrated circuits, opening up possibilities for next-generation electronics.
Heavy drinkers show greater and faster acetate uptake and metabolism in the brain compared to light drinkers. Acetate can serve as an alternative energy source, potentially alleviating withdrawal symptoms during detoxification.
Heavy drinkers show enhanced brain acetate metabolism, which may provide an energetic reward to compensate for drops in blood glucose levels. Additionally, planar cell polarity genes guide the formation of gut neurons, and their dysfunction is linked to gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found that buphenyl increases beneficial proteins in the brain, protects neurons, and improves memory and learning in mice with AD-like pathology. The study offers a promising avenue for treating Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that the brain prioritizes neural diversity over number of neurons when faced with limited nutrients, a strategy essential for survival. This discovery may have implications for understanding human brain development and addressing intrauterine growth restriction.
Researchers at UTHealth found CCSVI occurs at a low rate in people with multiple sclerosis and non-MS volunteers. The study suggests CCSVI is unlikely to be the cause of MS or contribute to disease worsening.
Researchers at University of British Columbia have found that blood vessels in the brain can be normalized with amyloid beta immunization, reducing plaque build-up and brain capillary growth. This discovery suggests that drugs targeting blood vessels could be effective in treating Alzheimer's disease.
A new study from Princeton University provides evidence for how the brain performs this feat. Grid cells are neurons that become electrically active as animals travel in an environment, and their activity ramping up and down corresponds with a proposed mechanism of neural computation called an attractor network.
A pilot study found DBS to be effective in improving mood and BMI in severely anorexic patients. After surgery, patients began stabilizing or gaining weight, with three maintaining higher weights than before. Improvements in mood and obsessive-compulsive behavior were also observed.
The Human Connectome Project has released a major dataset on brain connectivity, featuring high-resolution imaging and behavioral information from 68 healthy adult volunteers. The data will enable scientists to explore relationships between brain circuits and individual behavior.
Researchers found that news consumers with 'reward-seeking' personalities are more likely to read news online, engage with websites, and use mobile devices. To maximize online revenue, news organizations should target these reward seekers with brain-friendly designs and emotional storytelling.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered that green tea extract can prevent the misfolding of specific proteins in the brain, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study found that a molecule in green tea, EGCG, prevented aggregate formation and broke down existing structures in proteins containing metals.
Researchers identified specific EEG signatures that indicate loss and regain of consciousness under propofol anesthesia. The study provides precise markers for monitoring patient unconsciousness and predicting recovery, potentially revolutionizing general anesthesia care.
Research on sugar gliders and grey short-tailed opossums reveals a distinct pattern of handedness based on gender. Unlike other mammals, quadruped marsupials show reversed sex-related handedness, with males being right-handed and females left-handed, particularly for more complex tasks.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that excessive serotonin release triggers central fatigue, a condition where the brain and nervous system become exhausted during exercise. The findings may help develop better drugs for conditions like spasticity and cerebral palsy, as well as improve understanding of antidepressant side effects.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that patients undergoing cerebral angiography and neurointerventional procedures are at a very low risk of infection, even without preventive antibiotics. The authors suggest that the minimally invasive nature and short duration of these procedures may contribute to this low risk.
A study published in Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that patients with left-sided brain injuries are more susceptible to hospital-acquired infections. The research suggests that optimizing the balance between left and right brain activity may improve infection resistance and lead to novel interventions.
Researchers found that making a left-hand turn requires significant brain activation and involves multiple areas of the brain. Talking on a hands-free cell phone further reduces visual cortex activity, compromising vision and alertness.
Researchers at UGA discovered a neural pathway in fly larvae that triggers impulsive eating behavior when exposed to appetizing odors. This finding suggests that humans and flies share similar mechanisms for responding to rewarding cues, which can lead to compulsive eating.
Researchers identified a possible treatment window for brain plaques linked to Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that medications may be effective in slowing plaque buildup for several years. The study found that the rate of plaque accumulation accelerates initially before plateauing at high levels.
Researchers found that moderate pain can be perceived as comforting when it's the lesser of two evils. The brain processes pain differently depending on context and expectation. This study may lead to new ideas for treating chronic pain and substance dependence.
Researchers at the Zoological Society of London found that chimpanzees enjoy solving a challenging puzzle as much as humans do. The chimps used sticks to redirect red dice through pipes until they fell into an exit chamber, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and ability to experience satisfaction without food rewards.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are enrolling participants in a pilot clinical trial to assess the safety and feasibility of recording brain activity for control of assistive devices. The goal is to bypass severed connections between the brain and paralyzed muscles using brain-computer interfaces.
Researchers have identified a key molecular system responsible for the inflammatory reaction in Alzheimer's disease. Signalling through CSF1R receptor is crucial for microglial population expansion, and targeting this pathway with selective inhibitors may delay clinical symptoms.
Researchers discovered that ancient sea anemones use the same genes to form their heads as humans and other animals, providing insight into brain evolution. The study found that these 'head genes' control development of sensory centers in both sea anemones and higher animals.
A University of Illinois study found a possible link between high-fat diets and childhood brain-based conditions like ADHD and memory-dependent learning disabilities. High-fat diets triggered anxious behaviors and learning deficiencies in juvenile mice, which were reversed by methylphenidate treatment.
Researchers at Indiana University found that people playing rock-paper-scissors subtly influence each other, converging on similar ways of reasoning over time. This 'cyclic game dynamics' occurs when individuals try to anticipate others' decisions, leading to synchronized behavior in various real-world situations.
Researchers found that adding simple movements to mental rehearsal improved performance by 45% for high jumpers, compared to 35% with internal visual imagery. Dynamic imagery also shortened the number of jumps required.
Northwestern University researchers found that consistent encoding of sound undergirds the reading process, with unstable representation of sound associated with poorer readers. The study suggests that auditory training can improve response consistency and potentially alleviate dyslexia.
A study of 26,389 coronary patients found that 17% had a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), associated with increased risk of heart attack and hemorrhagic stroke. Higher doses of anti-platelet or anti-coagulant therapy were linked to a high risk of bleeding complications.
Professor Barbara Sahakian emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health, citing one in four adults suffering from a mental disorder. She advocates for regular monitoring and early detection through innovation and technology to promote prevention and effective treatment.
Nicole Calakos studies synaptic defects in the basal ganglia that underlie compulsive behavior, including Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases. Mice with overactive metabotropic glutamate receptors exhibit impaired synaptic plasticity, leading to obsessive-like behaviors.
Researchers examine how our evolutionary history contributes to current health problems, such as obesity and childbirth complications. They suggest that understanding our past can help us better address these issues with alternative solutions like doula support during birth.
Researchers discover that neuronal activity induces tau release from healthy neurons, suggesting a physiological process that can be regulated by neural activity. The study suggests that altered tau release may occur in response to changes in neuronal excitability in the Alzheimer's brain.
Researchers found that two patients with severe dystonia experienced prolonged symptom relief despite interrupted deep brain stimulation therapy. The study suggests that younger brains and shorter disease duration may be more responsive to treatment.
Researchers tracked observer eye movements during video clips of the 'Cups and Balls' trick to illuminate how our brains can be misdirected. This study advances our understanding of human cognition and perception, shedding light on how magicians manipulate attention.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that vascular brain injury, not amyloid plaques, has the greatest impact on cognitive domains. Vascular brain injury was associated with worse memory and executive function, while amyloid deposition had little to no effect.
A new study by researchers at the University of Bergen found that an iPhone app, iDichotic, produces as reliable results as laboratory tests. The app measures brain function in language processing and attention, opening up new possibilities for psychological research and remote testing.
A recent study published in Neurosurgery found that pregnancy and delivery do not increase the risk of brain aneurysm rupture. In fact, women with unruptured aneurysms have a high rate of cesarean deliveries, which may be unnecessary. The study also suggests that prompt treatment after rupture can help decrease poor outcomes.
Researchers find that broken molecular motors cause stress and anxiety in mice, potentially leading to new anti-anxiety drug candidates. The discovery highlights the critical role of these motors in transporting serotonin receptors, which regulate mood and behavior.
A recent study found that soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mild TBI have measurable abnormalities in their brains, including 'potholes' in the white matter. These abnormalities are related to the severity of the injury and are correlated with cognitive deficits.
A molecule called Dickkopf-1 accumulates with age and inhibits the formation of new neurons in the brain. Researchers found that blocking production of Dkk1 can restore youthful levels of neurogenesis and improve memory performance.
A randomized controlled trial involving 656 patients found that intra-arterial device-based approach plus standard drug therapy did not improve functional independence after 90 days. Intra-arterial therapy was more effective at removing clots and re-establishing blood flow, but it did not lead to improved disability.
A study found that traumatic brain injury complications, including cerebral vasospasm and intracranial hypertension, are prevalent among US combat soldiers. Researchers analyzed data from 122 patients with traumatic brain injuries and found that over 40% had high intracranial pressure.
A training program to adjust motor reflexes may help individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries walk more efficiently. The study found that participants who could suppress hyperactive reflexes experienced significant improvements in their walking speed and gait symmetry.
Cats and humans share a similar form of epilepsy caused by an autoimmune response targeting nerve cell proteins. Researchers have discovered antibodies reacting to these proteins in the blood of affected cats, which is consistent with a similar human condition.
Scientists have developed a new technology to see thoughts 'swim' through the brain of a living fish, allowing real-time visualization of neuronal activity during perception. This breakthrough has the potential to unlock complex behaviors, including learning, memory, and emotions, by interpreting specific combinations of neurons.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered four major adaptations in owl anatomy that enable them to rotate their heads almost fully without damaging delicate blood vessels. The team found contractile blood reservoirs and vascular network variations that allow owls to pool blood to meet energy needs during head rotation.
Researchers confirm the value of the Pipeline embolization device in treating difficult-to-reach brain aneurysms. The study showed that the device is a safe and effective tool for patients, with 68% achieving complete occlusion of their aneurysm.