Articles tagged with Brain
Researchers used MEG to identify two distinct spectral features in schizophrenia patients, which were significantly different from healthy control subjects. The study also found four features that changed with age, suggesting the disease affects brain activity over time.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology have identified a specific class of skin sensory neurons that react to massage-like stroking, paving the way for further study of pleasurable sensations. The discovery uses genetically modified mice and novel recording techniques to pinpoint individual neurons activated by touch.
The study focuses on targeting four conditions, including PTSD, TBI, insomnia, and depression, as well as ADHD and Asperger Syndrome in specific populations. Researchers aim to scientifically evaluate the potential benefits of HIRREM as a safe, effective, noninvasive therapy.
The European Commission has chosen the Human Brain Project, a decade-long research initiative backed by 1.19 billion euros, to study the human brain. Eight Israeli scientists will lead a team from top research institutions across Europe and the world.
The Human Brain Project will integrate data across all scales to improve understanding of brain development and combat brain disorders. Led by McGill University's Dr. Alan Evans, the project aims to reconstruct the brain in supercomputer-based models and simulations.
Researchers from RIKEN Brain Science Institute found that pairs of macaque monkeys modify their body movements to be in tune with others. This phenomenon may reflect bonding and facilitate human interaction, shedding light on conditions like autism spectrum disorders.
A study published in BioMed Central's Stem Cell Research & Therapy journal found that stem cells from bone marrow or fat improved brain and nerve repair after stroke in rats. The treated animals showed significant functional recovery, even without the stem cells migrating to the damaged area.
A new Notre Dame study examines the dual-use aspect of nanotechnology research, exploring both its benefits and threats. The report discusses the potential for nano-sized particles to breach the blood-brain barrier and deliver targeted medicines, while also posing a serious threat in combat situations.
Research reveals glial cells regulate blood vessel development, leading to potential insights into Alzheimer's and hemorrhagic stroke. A chance finding in a mouse study uncovered a previously unknown crosstalk between the nervous system and blood vessels.
A new USC study found that the brain works hard to understand those with different bodies when watching them in action. Increased visual exposure improves understanding and can alleviate stigma. Individuals with higher empathy levels showed more activity in motor regions when observing actions made by residual limbs.
The CSIC has reconstructed the brain of an ampelosaur in 3D using its fossilized skull, showing a small brain and inner ear. The research suggests that sauropods may not have favored increased brain size during evolution.
Socially isolated rats are more susceptible to addiction to amphetamine and alcohol due to enhanced reward sensitivity. They exhibit quicker preference formation for environmental cues associated with the rewarding substance, making extinction harder to achieve.
A new study found that the brain's pattern of blood flow in the prefrontal cortex alters with age during multitasking. Healthy older people had a higher and more sustained increase in oxygenated haemoglobin, indicating increased brain activity. This change is associated with normal aging and may impact dual-task performance.
Researchers exposed fruit flies to daily temperature changes to understand how temperature affects the circadian clock. They found that different brain cells play a crucial role in synchronising the clock at warmer and cooler temperatures.
The article highlights the contributions fMRI has made to understanding human thought over the past two decades, with some researchers questioning its usefulness. The special section features 12 provocative articles exploring the impact of fMRI on cognition and brain function.
A new robot technology called RP-7 enables remote presence in programming brain and spine stimulators, allowing non-expert nurses to be guided by specialists. The study found no significant difference in accuracy or clinical outcomes between remote-presence and conventional programming.
A new study from MIT researchers suggests that some epileptic seizures may originate in non-neuronal glial cells. Mutations in a gene called zydeco, which influences glial-cell communication with neurons, appear to make neurons more excitable and prone to seizures.
Researchers at Université Laval have identified a molecule that stimulates the activity of the brain's immune cells, which could lead to a treatment and vaccine for Alzheimer's disease. Weekly injections of MPL eliminated up to 80% of senile plaques in mice with Alzheimer's symptoms, improving cognitive function.
A NIH-funded study confirmed that some children who were accurately diagnosed with autism in early childhood can lose the symptoms and diagnosis as they grow older. The research team documented a small group of school-age children and young adults who no longer exhibit signs of the disorder, now comparable to their mainstream peers.
A study found that countries consuming large amounts of milk have a higher number of Nobel laureates, possibly due to the boost in vitamin D levels which can enhance cognitive function. However, the relationship may not be solely driven by education, as some nations with high milk consumption also exhibit strong educational systems.
A new study reveals that a mutation in the Timothy syndrome gene causes abnormal brain circuitry by retraction of dendrites in response to neural activity, leading to cognitive impairment. The finding may have implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered that brain cells code location through indirect communication and electrical activity, allowing us to navigate with our eyes shut. The study's findings could have implications for understanding conditions like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
A team of researchers has shown that our visual brain can make rapid judgments about causality without relying on cognitive reasoning. The study suggests that certain causal judgments are processed at an early level in the visual system, ending a long-standing debate over how these events are processed.
Researchers found that children and young adults are at increased risk of repeat traumatic brain injury due to a metabolic slowdown in the brain. A specific time frame after initial injury, hours to days, poses the greatest risk.
A new study reveals that the tripartite synapse model, long accepted by the scientific community, is incorrect in adult brains. The model, which proposes that multiple cells collaborate to move signals in the central nervous system, does not accurately represent brain signaling beyond development.
Researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that smaller radiation fields can be safely used to treat glioblastoma patients without compromising treatment efficacy. This study suggests that focusing radiation on smaller areas of the brain may help preserve cognition and reduce symptoms associated with radiation toxicity.
A study published in Brain and Language found that six weeks of intensive language therapy improved naming objects and cognitive potential in seniors with chronic aphasia. The therapy also integrated the default mode network, a brain system involved in 'on standby' activity, suggesting long-term recovery potential.
A study found that beta blocker medications reduced brain abnormalities associated with Alzheimer's disease and microinfarcts in elderly Japanese-American men. The results suggest that beta blockers may delay or prevent dementia in people with high blood pressure, particularly those taking the medication alone.
Researchers discovered a key protein receptor plays a crucial role in motivation during physical exercise, explaining why many people struggle to stick to their fitness goals. The CB1 cannabinoid receptor regulates the brain's reward system, controlling how long individuals engage in voluntary physical activity.
Researchers found a significant link between climate and infant brain infections, with rainfall affecting the number of hydrocephalus cases. The study suggests that environmental conditions can quench bacterial infections, making some cases potentially preventable if understood better.
A new study on guppies reveals that bigger brains come at a cost, with larger brain sizes associated with reduced reproductive output and smaller guts. The research supports the idea that relative brain sizes among species are shaped by a balance between selection for increased cognitive ability and the costs of a big brain.
A new study published in Journal of Neurotrauma reveals that the premotoneuronal system in the cervical spine may be involved in permanent limb impairment after spinal cord injury. The research proposes a potential target for therapeutic strategies to promote recovery and repair.
Researchers discovered that babies differentiate between native and foreign languages just hours after birth, indicating they absorb language while still in the womb. The study shows fetuses learn prenatally about specific speech sounds of a mother's language.
Scientists have created a statistical explanation for why some things are harder for the brain to learn than others by studying songbirds. They found that adult birds correct small errors in their songs more rapidly and robustly than large errors, which may help develop human behavioral therapies for vocal rehabilitation.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide discovered that dragonflies can lock onto one visual target while ignoring others, a phenomenon similar to selective attention in humans. This finding has significant implications for neuroscience and engineering applications.
The use of virtual reality (VR) and robotic technologies is expanding in neurosurgery, providing opportunities for training, planning, and performance. However, significant technical and economic challenges must be overcome before these technologies become widely used.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have identified a new target for stroke treatments using candesartan, which increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor and stimulates angiogenesis. This approach has the potential to improve recovery outcomes for stroke patients and may also benefit veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
Researchers identified ADF and cofilin as crucial proteins in the shape change of young brain cells, enabling them to develop connections with other cells. The study found that these proteins facilitate neurite formation, which is essential for brain development and regeneration.
A clinical trial of a gene therapy cocktail has shown promising results in treating Canavan disease, a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The treatment uses an adeno-associated virus to deliver a replacement ASPA gene to the brain, reducing NAA levels and improving symptoms.
Scientists at the University of Bonn have identified a new signaling pathway involved in chronic inflammation, which contributes to nerve cell malfunctions and death. By deactivating key genes, they observed reduced inflammation, memory loss, and beta-amyloid peptide deposition in genetically modified mice.
Researchers have found that blocking the NLRP3 inflammasome can prevent Alzheimer's disease. The study, which involved human and mouse subjects, suggests that suppressing inflammatory reactions may be a promising new approach to therapy.
A Western University-led study found that intelligence quotient cannot be measured by a single test, with three distinct cognitive components: short-term memory, reasoning and verbal ability. The research also showed that brain function is influenced by factors such as age, gender and computer gaming habits.
Researchers used brain imaging technology to identify young people at risk of bipolar disorder, showing clear differences in brain activity when compared to controls. Young people with a genetic risk of bipolar displayed reduced brain responses to emotive faces, particularly fearful faces.
A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found a correlation between increased glutamate activity and suicidal behavior. Anti-glutamate drugs are being developed as a potential tool to prevent suicide.
The European Science Foundation published a report calling for an advanced understanding of the human brain, highlighting five key opportunities for research. The initiative aims to provide a framework for discussion on future research and practice in light of changes in our understanding of the brain.
A clinical trial by NIH found that AZD6765 briefly improved depression symptoms in minutes, with fewer side effects than ketamine, and better residual effects.
Researchers found that body-movement synchronization increases after short cooperative training, indicating a measurable indicator of social interaction. This study may provide a powerful tool for identifying neural underpinnings of social interactions and impaired interactions like autism.
A study found that brain changes in children who suffered a concussion persisted for over three months, despite the disappearance of symptoms. The researchers used advanced imaging techniques to monitor recovery and suggested that using these methods could help diagnose and treat concussions in children.
A study by Sliman Bensmaia and colleagues found that the timing and frequency of vibrations in the skin transmit specific messages about texture to the brain, similar to how sound is perceived. This new understanding has implications for simulating tactile sensations, such as haptic rendering and prosthetic technology.
A new study by the University of Montreal found that ending a high-fat diet can cause withdrawal-like symptoms and increased sensitivity to stress in mice. The research suggests that brain chemicals associated with depression are altered by diet, leading to a vicious cycle of poor eating.
Scientists at UCSF have identified a specific nerve cell subset and protein called NOMPC responsible for sensing gentle touch in fruit flies. The discovery sheds light on the fundamental sense of gentle touch and its role in human experience.
Researchers found that pulsed ultrasound can selectively activate functional subsets of nerve fibers, providing a new method for studying pain pathways. The discovery has implications for diagnosing and treating neuropathy, affecting millions worldwide.
Researchers discovered that moths use two distinct olfactory channels to navigate their food sources. The first channel governs their innate preferences for certain flowers, while the second allows them to learn about alternate sources of nectar. This study provides insights into how moths survive in changing floral environments.
A new study has identified the mechanism by which Toxoplasma gondii infects the brain, leading to increased risk-taking and higher incidence of schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. The parasite manipulates the GABA system, inhibiting fear and anxiety responses.
Researchers will use Drosophila melanogaster to define how the brain organizes different types of memories among its neurons and understand Pavlovian conditioning.
A study suggests that linagliptin, a commercialized diabetes drug, can stimulate neuroprotection and largely reduce brain damage following stroke. This could lead to better prognosis for type 2 diabetic patients after a stroke.
A recent study at Boston University School of Medicine describes 68 cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) among deceased athletes and military veterans. The research, the largest case series to date, found that CTE can only be diagnosed postmortem but may not progress in all individuals.
A new study published in CMAJ found that rules limiting aggression in ice hockey, such as bodychecking, can significantly reduce injuries among young players, including serious brain and spine injuries. The study suggests that interventions based on rule changes showed the greatest likelihood of making ice hockey safer for youth.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota's Center for Drug Design developed a synthetic compound, psi-GSH, that prevents neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease in a mouse model. The compound enables the brain to use its own protective enzyme system against the disease process.
A study using PET/CT imaging found statistically significant decreases in regional brain metabolism associated with symptoms of chemo brain phenomenon. Researchers hope to establish a prospective study to improve treatment for patients experiencing this debilitating condition.