Articles tagged with Brain
A comprehensive analysis of medical outcomes research found that few brain aneurysm patients receive specialized care at high-volume stroke centers. Patients who receive care in experienced centers are more likely to have definitive repair and good recovery.
A Princeton University study found that people are more likely to yawn in winter than summer due to ambient temperatures. The researchers believe that yawning could serve as a method for regulating brain temperature.
Scientists have found that nanoparticles can cause brain injury in fish, leading to the formation of vacuoles and nerve cell death. The results may influence policy regulations on environmental protection and human safety.
Bertil Fredholm received the 2011 ECNP Neuropsychopharmacology Award for his groundbreaking research on brain adenosine. His work has led to a better understanding of CNS mechanisms in health and disease, with potential applications in treating conditions such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and neuropathic pain.
Scientists discovered a previously unknown compensatory pathway that protects the brain and organs from genetic and environmental threats. The NMD pathway is vulnerable to insults, but human cells have evolved a way to overcome attacks by sending reinforcement molecules to compensate for losses.
Researchers reconstructed the evolutionary history of molluscs using genomics and computational approaches. They found that complex brain formation in mollusks occurred independently at least four times, with surprising outcomes such as cephalopods being an early branch.
The study found that brain patterns from objects can be used to decipher scene patterns, providing a new insight into how the brain processes surroundings. This discovery could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with brain injuries affecting scene recognition.
A study of 74 musicians and 89 non-musicians found that being a musician can delay age-related decline in central auditory processing, allowing older musicians to understand speech in noisy environments as well as younger non-musicians. This advantage was particularly pronounced for older musicians.
A recent study has found a significant link between high cholesterol levels and the presence of brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers tested 2,587 people aged 40-79 and found that those with high cholesterol had significantly more brain plaques than those with normal or lower cholesterol levels.
A retrospective study of 17,872 patients found no association between statin use and increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage after ischemic stroke. The study's results contradict previous findings and suggest that current treatment guidelines recommending statin therapy for most patients with a history of ischemic stroke may be safe.
Researchers from Boston Medical Center will study neurological and brain abnormalities in former extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANS) with a $13 million NIH grant. The study aims to identify infants at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders and establish a method for prophylactic interventions.
A new study reveals that infants' brain networks mature enough to identify pain distinct from touch around 35-37 weeks gestation. This finding may impact treatment and development of premature newborns, who can exhibit altered pain behavior due to excessive noxious input during neonatal care.
A series of papers on Australopithecus sediba reveals a surprisingly unique combination of advanced features, including a modern pelvis and evolved hand. The findings suggest that Au.sediba is the best candidate for the genus Homo.
A new X-ray scan has provided the highest resolution and most accurate image of an early human ancestor's brain case. The study challenges previous models of brain evolution by revealing a surprisingly small brain volume and a mix of characteristics that resemble both humans and chimpanzees.
Researchers found that babies' brain activity changes from non-specific 'neuronal bursts' to localized activity in specific areas of the brain, indicating they can perceive painful stimulation as separate from touch. This shift may occur around 35-37 weeks gestation.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered how dopamine levels affect brain cells involved in movement control, offering new hope for treating Parkinson's disease. A study found that a lack of dopamine alters the interaction between two groups of brain cells, leading to difficulties controlling movement.
A study published in Science magazine has found significant transitional fossils that support the evolutionary link between Australopiths and Homo. The discovery, led by Texas A&M University researcher Darryl de Ruiter, provides key insights into human development and evolution.
A new study identifies a novel link between neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease pathology, revealing that an inflammatory mediator enhances A² protein plaque formation. The research also highlights the potential therapeutic target of NOS2 inhibition for treating AD.
Patients with narrowed brain arteries who received intensive medical treatment had fewer strokes and deaths than those who received a brain stent. Medical management was found to be the most effective treatment option for preventing stroke prevention.
In a large nationwide clinical trial, intensive medical treatment reduced strokes and deaths by 70% compared to brain stent placement in high-risk patients. The study found no benefit from stenting, suggesting it may dislodge unstable plaque in arteries.
A recent brain stent study found aggressive medical treatment without stenting may be better for high-risk stroke patients, but experts at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center believe the procedure is appropriate for certain patients who haven't responded to medication. The study's limitations and exclusions have raised concerns among researchers.
A large clinical trial found that intensive medical treatment reduced strokes and deaths by 50% compared to brain stenting in high-risk patients. The study, SAMMPRIS, showed that aggressive management of risk factors and lifestyle changes can significantly impact stroke prevention.
The Wellcome Trust report highlights progress in human functional brain imaging, including breakthroughs in statistical and computational modeling. The review emphasizes the need for continued funding and collaborations to translate findings into clinical applications.
A landmark study reveals that mental disorders have become Europe's largest health challenge, affecting 514 million people. The study highlights a significant treatment gap and calls for increased funding and improved care to address the critical challenges facing mental and neurological disorders.
Researchers discovered microscopic lesions in 30% of brains without diagnosed brain disease or stroke, linking small vessel disease to age-related decline. The study highlights the need for new diagnostic tools to capture these undetected cases and potentially mitigate their impact.
A new study from the University of Missouri found that alcohol impairs a person's ability to monitor their own behavior and make adjustments accordingly. The study showed that while alcohol reduces self-control, it does not necessarily decrease awareness of mistakes.
A study found that microscopic lesions in 30% of older brains without diagnosed disease could cause common signs of aging, such as slower walking and balance issues. The researchers suggest that undiagnosed small vessel disease needs additional tools for detection.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's brains consistently show lower levels of ubiquilin-1, a chaperone protein that helps regulate amyloid precursor protein (APP). Lower ubiquilin-1 levels disrupt APP folding and lead to the formation of toxic aggregates.
Research reveals that four basic tastes are processed by distinct areas of the brain, with unique taste receptors and neurons arranging discretely in a gustotopic map. This discovery sheds light on how our brains represent the last of the classical five senses.
Researchers at Princeton University have matched brain activity with categories of words related to abstract ideas. The study reveals how the brain processes complex thoughts and identifies 'semantic threads' connecting related concepts.
A new study found that bilingual babies' brains remain flexible to languages for a longer period, possibly due to greater exposure to speech sounds at home. Bilingual infants also produced more words in the dominant language, while monolinguals lagged behind.
Researchers have imaged individual cancer cells and their routes as they spread in a mouse model of glioblastoma multiforme. The novel cryo-imaging technique provides unprecedented insights into how tumor cells invade and disperse.
Researchers found that trial-and-error learning benefits older brains more than errorless learning in certain conceptual tasks. Older adults outperformed younger peers in memory tests when learning through trial-and-error., This challenges the long-held assumption that making mistakes hurts memory performance for older adults.
A study using advanced brain imaging techniques found that 33% of participants had high levels of amyloid-beta deposits, indicating an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study also discovered a link between these deposits and changes in brain metabolites, which may help identify people at risk for the condition.
Scientists at UCSF have discovered two distinct pools of vesicles in neurons, each with unique proteins that determine their behavior. The finding sheds new light on neurotransmitter packaging, transport, and release from neurons, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treating neurological diseases like Parkinson's.
Research reveals that depression-related rumination is associated with a brain network imbalance, where the default mode network (DMN) dominates over the task-positive network (TPN). This imbalance leads to maladaptive thinking and less effective coping mechanisms, exacerbating depressive symptoms.
A study found that older adults consuming high amounts of sodium in their diet, coupled with low physical activity, are at a greater risk of cognitive decline. Researchers discovered that low-sodium intake combined with moderate exercise levels can mitigate this risk.
The University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is receiving over $7 million from the National Institute on Aging to continue its research and clinical initiatives focused on treating Alzheimer's disease. The funding will support ongoing programs, including telemedicine services, brain donation, and outreach efforts.
Scientists have discovered a new binding site on the most common subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which could lead to the development of better medicines for psychiatric disorders. The findings challenge existing scientific ideas and provide a general mechanism that applies across the receptor family.
Research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory reveals that fruit flies' mushroom body neurons represent odors in a consistently sparse fashion, with patterns of firing being randomly distributed within the brain area. This finding suggests that the fly's brain uses sparsity to form accurate memories.
A team of researchers used advanced imaging techniques to study a 400 million-year-old fossilized jawless fish. They found evidence that the brain of early vertebrates was reorganized before the development of jaws, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of vertebrates.
Researchers found that bumblebees significantly reduced flight distances by learning and memorizing individual flower locations, prioritizing the shortest route. This innovative approach demonstrates that bees can solve complex routing problems without a sophisticated cognitive representation of space.
Engineers create epidermal electronic systems (EES) with miniature sensors, light-emitting diodes, tiny transmitters and receivers to measure human physiological data. The devices are seamlessly integrated onto the skin, providing opportunities for non-invasive medical monitoring.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Engineering used new measurement technologies and analytical mathematics to study the neurological explanations for movement planning. They found that neural activity varies depending on direction, distance, and speed of a pending movement, departing from previous theories.
Patients with advanced Parkinson's disease who received deep brain stimulation implants showed sustained motor function improvement, including reduced tremors and rigidity, even after 10 years. However, axial signs such as posture and balance progressively declined over time.
Scientists have found a heat-detecting molecule called TRPV1 on the noses of vampire bats, which helps guide their bites to veins. This discovery highlights how small genetic changes can lead to major evolutionary adaptations.
A formal model of counting has been developed, revealing that children's number sense can be improved through proper training. The study suggests that children struggle to map numbers to words due to competing information in their learning process.
German researchers have successfully used electroencephalography (EEG) to detect drivers' intentions to brake, reducing reaction time by 130 milliseconds. The system uses EEG and myoelectric activity to detect emergency situations before they occur, potentially saving thousands of car accidents caused by human error.
A new cognitive neuroscientific study challenges traditional models of working memory, introducing a 'multiple-component framework' that considers different capacities operating simultaneously. This framework has practical implications for education and interventions for aging or brain damage.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a non-invasive brain computer interface that allows users to control computers and robotic prosthetic limbs with their thoughts. The technology, known as UMD brain cap, uses EEG signals to translate brain waves into movement commands.
A signaling pathway plays a key role in determining the type of new neurons generated from postnatal neural stem cells. The study found that sonic hedgehog signaling, which is active in specific locations within the subventricular zone, influences neuron production and can redirect adult stem cell fate.
A study by Johns Hopkins physicians found that stents can prevent brain aneurysms from recurring after minimally invasive coiling procedures. The research suggests that stenting can make coiling a more promising option for the 30,000 people diagnosed with brain aneurysms each year in the US.
Researchers found that shifting attention towards healthy food options can influence decision-making, leading to healthier choices. External cues, such as instructions to consider healthiness or tastiness, can also help individuals exhibit more self-control.
Research reveals microglia cells prune connections between neurons, shaping brain wiring. The discovery could help understand autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers have identified a molecular pathway affected in schizophrenia and successfully alleviated symptoms using a cancer drug. The study found that reducing p35 enzyme levels led to cognitive impairment, which was addressed by administering the cancer drug MS-275.
Dr. Ed Ruthazer's study shows that environmental stimulation enhances visual acuity and refines nerve cell connections in developing brains. The research identifies molecular mechanisms underlying the changes, including the activation of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which plays a key role in plasticity.
A new study found that people associate small numbers with short time intervals and large numbers with longer intervals, indicating a brain-wide connection. This association affects how individuals perceive time, with larger numbers leading to slower time perception.
A study found that participants with high levels of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's, had twice the typical annual rate of falls for their age group. This suggests that falls may be an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease in people with preclinical symptoms.
A recent study found that infants can perceive flicker or movement but struggle to identify individual elements within a moving scene. This suggests that babies have a slower visual processing speed than adults, with a limit of around half a second.
New research explains how positivity bias in the brain contributes to successful aging, with increased engagement in positive emotions leading to greater emotional stability. The study suggests that focusing on the positive can help individuals age successfully.