Articles tagged with Brain
Perlecan domain V protects nerve cells from death and promotes blood vessel growth after stroke, enhancing brain repair. Elevated levels of perlecan domain V were detected in rodent models of stroke, suggesting it may provide a nontoxic therapy to improve stroke outcomes.
Researchers found that vitamin D injections improved the removal of amyloid beta from the brain of mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for preventing Alzheimer's disease. Transporter proteins at the blood CSF barrier also play a crucial role in removing amyloid beta from the brain.
Researchers found that neurons can prefer multiple signals simultaneously and choose based on competing signals. This discovery could lead to more efficient brain implant design for treating neurological disorders.
A team of scientists identified the MB-V2 nerve cells as crucial for recalling associative memories in fruit flies. The study showed that these cells receive information from the mushroom body and relay it to other nerve cells, enabling memory 'read-out' and guiding behavior.
Researchers found that genetic mutations cause rare human diseases by disrupting a protein called Tectonic1, which forms a crucial collar around the base of cilia. This discovery provides new targets for diagnostics and treatments.
Scientists from Queen Mary University of London and UCL are investigating whether robots can learn to recognize faces like humans do. This research aims to develop software that allows robots to interact with humans in a natural way, understanding facial expressions and emotions.
A VIP signaling pathway is key to normal brain development, and environmental factors can affect the final brain size. Researchers used a mouse model to study microcephaly, identifying a cellular and molecular mechanism that disrupts brain development.
A randomized controlled study using Brainwave Optimization to treat insomnia was conducted at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. The study found that participants who underwent Brainwave Optimization sessions experienced improved symptoms and brain balance, suggesting a potential treatment for insomnia.
A Tel Aviv University researcher suggests investors can master their fear of the market by analyzing and understanding its dynamics. The team's study reveals a strong correlation between volatility and price variations, enabling investors to redefined risk parameters and enrich their portfolios with stocks that behave in different ways.
Scientists discovered that brain activity increases when viewing same-race and other-race faces, but only predicts whether an other-race face will be remembered. The study suggests that individuation process is fragile for other-race faces due to lack of practice and social categorization.
Researchers found that humans experience the Motion Aftereffect, even with brief background motion, due to neural processes in the brain. The study reveals a rapid motion adaptation that occurs every time we see moving objects, but its purpose remains unknown.
Researchers found that aged mice showed increased activity and anxiety-like behaviors before sleep, similar to sundowning in humans. Changes in brain regions associated with attention, emotions, and arousal were also observed, suggesting a biological basis for the syndrome.
A study at McMaster University found that practice can lead to precise and long-lasting changes in the brain's ability to retain information about visual patterns. Researchers observed significant improvements in accuracy rates over time, even when participants were shown new images closely resembling those they had seen previously.
A new study by UW-Madison sleep researchers found that fruit flies with enriched learning environments need more sleep due to increased synaptic growth. The study suggests that sleep is driven by the need to reduce brain energy needs, providing structural evidence for the theory of synaptic homeostasis.
A new study finds neural synchronization abnormality in autistic toddlers' brains related to language and communication symptoms, indicating possible early diagnosis tool. This brain abnormality was present in 70% of autistic toddlers but rare in typically developing or language-delayed children.
Researchers at Yale University found that spontaneous brain activity in the womb plays a crucial role in shaping the visual system, challenging the idea that genes are the primary determinants of brain development.
Neurobiologists have found that the fly brain requires only two distinct motion detectors to recognize movement, shedding light on the complexity of visual processing in both humans and insects. This discovery has implications for our own understanding of how we perceive motion.
Research finds that gently rocking hammocks facilitate faster sleep onset and boost stage N2 sleep duration. The study also discovers a lasting impact on brain activity, increasing slow oscillations and bursts of activity known as sleep spindles.
A new study suggests that unhappy consumers are more likely to crave tactile experiences, such as hugging a teddy bear, to alleviate negative emotions. This is because their brain systems mimic those of mammals, which prioritize comfort and security in times of stress.
Researchers found that when people use summary perception to perceive general properties of objects, they are unable to learn relationships between the objects. On the other hand, when there are relationships to be learned, people are worse at perceiving general properties.
A new study by Taoli Zhang and colleagues found that Chinese people fluent in English quickly translate Chinese words into English without conscious thought. This suggests a strong connection between languages stored in the bilingual brain.
New research from UC Davis found that high theta waves before recalling a memory are associated with better performance, contradicting the assumption that the brain waits for external stimuli. The study suggests that most of the brain is busy with internal activity unrelated to the outside world.
A new study found that older adults who engage in regular moderate to intense exercise are 40% less likely to develop small brain lesions, also known as 'silent strokes'. This reduces the risk of falls, memory problems, dementia, and stroke. Exercise does not appear to have a similar benefit for those with limited access to healthcare.
Researchers found that people's brains become distracted by previously associated rewarding objects, such as money, even when they're not important in the task. This effect persists for weeks and is linked to impulsivity levels.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a brain function that governs the decision to stay or go in search of food, a fundamental problem in evolutionary history. The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex steadily increases its activity during foraging decisions until a threshold level is reached, prompting the individual to move on.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that attention and awareness are distinct mental states. The researchers used the phenomenon of visual pop-out to demonstrate that people can pay attention to a stimulus without being aware of it, especially when distracted.
A new study by University of Wisconsin professor Martha Alibali and colleagues reveals that body movements significantly impact problem-solving. Participants who were restricted from using their hands or feet used abstract, mathematical strategies more often than those with free movement.
Research by Baylor College of Medicine reveals MeCP2 is required throughout life to maintain healthy brain function. The findings suggest that certain treatments may need to be maintained throughout the lifetime of individuals with Rett Syndrome.
Computer science researchers at Brown University have developed a new way to visualize the human brain's neural connections using 2D maps. These simplified representations can help medical professionals identify potential pathologies, such as autism, and understand how neural bundles differ among individuals.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that our brain uses multiple senses to understand spatial awareness, challenging the long-held assumption that sight is the primary trigger. The study's findings suggest that technologies can be developed to help the visually impaired through tactile means.
Researchers used fMRI to identify how precision-tinted lenses work, finding that they normalize brain activity in patients with migraine headaches. The study showed a 70% improvement in symptoms compared to control lenses, suggesting a potential biomarker for identifying patients who may benefit from tinted lenses.
A University of Missouri study found that playing violent video games reduces brain response to violence and increases aggressive behavior in young adults. Participants who played violent games set louder noise blasts for their opponents during a competitive task, indicating increased aggression.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discover that the size of one's own body affects perceived space around us. They create illusions of tiny and giant bodies to demonstrate this effect.
Researchers found blind echolocators' brains process clicks and echoes in the 'visual' part of their brain, enabling independence. Sighted controls did not show similar echo-related activity.
Blind individuals who have learned to echolocate use the 'visual' part of their brain to process clicks and echoes, allowing them to sense their surroundings and perform tasks like mountain biking and basketball. This study provides insight into the neural basis of natural human echolocation in blind experts.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that impairments in the posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS) brain area contribute to difficulties in reading social cues. This abnormal brain activation leads to misconstruing human actions and intentions in individuals with schizophrenia.
Astrocytes, the most common cell in the human nervous system, have been cultivated in a lab dish using embryonic and induced human stem cells. This breakthrough allows researchers to better understand their functions and develop new therapies for neurological disorders such as dementia and Parkinson's disease.
Research shows that eating triggers anxiety in individuals with anorexia nervosa, rather than the expected feeling of pleasure. The study uses brain imaging technology to demonstrate a paradoxical response to food in people with the disorder, highlighting the need for effective treatment strategies.
Researchers discovered that early mammals developed larger-than-expected brains to enhance their sense of smell. The study used CT technology to reconstruct the brains of two ancient species and found that they had more developed olfactory centers than expected.
Carnegie Mellon University researchers used a video game to study adult language learning, discovering that listeners quickly recognize word-like units. With just two hours of play, participants could reliably extract sound categories and apply them to advance through the game.
Researchers used EEG to measure brain's response to tones, finding smaller mismatch negativity in individuals who developed schizophrenia. The test showed promise as a potential predictor of psychosis development.
A new study using brain scans reveals that simple line drawings can activate similar patterns of brain activity as color photographs when viewing natural scenes. This suggests that the brain uses abstract representations to categorize scenes and doesn't need features like texture and color to tell a beach from a street scene.
Researchers have analyzed the physical and chemical properties of memristors using highly focused x-rays, providing a detailed insight into their behavior. This study is crucial for understanding how memristors work, which will lead to novel applications in semi-autonomous robots and complex electronic circuits.
A Stanford study suggests that digestive problems early in life may increase the risk of developing depression. Researchers found that laboratory rats subjected to mild stomach irritation showed signs of anxiety and depression, including changes in behavior and stress hormone levels.
Researchers discovered that estrogen receptors in the brain help turn off genes leading to chronic inflammation. This finding may lead to new treatments for multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Researchers found that a steroid hormone called ADIOL moderates inflammation in the brain and may lead to new treatments for patients with neurodegenerative conditions. The discovery could also help predict risk or responses to drugs that mimic its actions.
Weizmann Institute scientists discover that adverse experiences can impair perception, making it harder to distinguish between similar stimuli. This finding may contribute to the development of anxiety disorders like post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Stephen L. Boehm II, Ph.D., a behavioral neuroscientist at IUPUI, has been awarded the 2011 Young Scientist of the Year by the International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society for his research on binge drinking's impact on gamma-aminobutyric acid neural circuits. His lab is also recognized for its mentorship of students.
The Einstein Aging Study will explore the relationship between cognitive and motor aging, as well as pain and stress, as novel risk factors for Alzheimer's. Researchers will assess biomarkers, genes, and neuro-imaging procedures to facilitate earlier diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Research by Dr. Wei Ji Ma and colleagues found that the brain can perform visual search tasks near optimally, even in complex environments. By weighing different pieces of visual information based on reliability, humans can quickly integrate data to detect targets.
BC scientists are part of an international team creating a vast resource bank for gene function research. The project aims to build tools to discover mutant genes' roles in human diseases, potentially leading to medical therapy advances.
Researchers found that increased NOTCH activity helps sleep-deprived fruit flies learn and behave normally. Boosting NOTCH may provide a natural way to combat cognitive deficits caused by prolonged wakefulness.
A team of researchers used a virtual computer model, called DISCERN, to simulate excessive dopamine release in the brain, revealing distinctly schizophrenic-like memory recall. The study supports the hyperlearning hypothesis and provides insights into how neural networks can help understand human schizophrenia.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience reveals that social stress can increase inflammation among brain cells, leading to anxiety-like behaviors. The researchers found that immune cells migrated to the brain in response to social stress, triggering an inflammatory response and a specific activation pattern of neurons.
Research suggests that recreational Ecstasy use is associated with chronic changes in brain function, particularly increased brain activation in visual processing areas. The study's findings may have implications for the potential therapeutic benefits and risks of Ecstasy use, as well as its impact on mental health over time.
The invention of optogenetics enables scientists to control and observe brain circuits using genetically encoded molecules targeted by light. This technique reveals how entire neural circuits operate, allowing researchers to determine the roles of specific neurons in various behaviors and brain functions.
Researchers have found that brain enlargement in autism is due to increased folding on the surface of the brain and not an increase in gray matter. Brain growth in children with autism begins as early as 1 year old and continues until age 2.
A recent NIH-funded study demonstrates that moderate levels of secondhand smoke deliver nicotine to the brain, increasing vulnerability to nicotine addiction. The study's findings support policies banning smoking in public places, particularly around children.
Researchers discovered a novel role for aquaporin-4 in brain inflammation, which causes astrocyte swelling and cytokine release. The study suggests that inhibition or down-regulation of aquaporin-4 expression may offer a new therapeutic option for diseases like multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica.
Researchers found that infants' brains develop the ability to determine light and dark cycles independently of visual stimuli. The study suggests that this innate ability is a hard-wired feature of development, allowing animals to synchronize their circadian rhythms with daily changes in light exposure.