Articles tagged with Brainstem
A new study reveals that astrocytes regulate inhibitory signaling in the cerebellum during development, enabling the emergence of flexible and precise motor coordination. In contrast, younger animals rely on neuron-derived tonic inhibition, which is replaced by astrocyte-derived tonic inhibition in late adolescence.
A new software tool developed by MIT researchers can reliably and finely resolve eight distinct nerve bundles in live diffusion MRI scans, shedding light on neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The BrainStem Bundle Tool (BSBT) reveals distinct patterns of structural changes in patients with these conditions.
A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, found that a specific brain region known as the caudate nucleus is strongly linked to physical strength in older adults. The discovery could help detect and prevent frailty before it begins.
A team of researchers has reconstructed how the cerebellum establishes its connections with the rest of the brain during earliest stages of life. The work describes the phases in which these neural connections emerge, expand, and are refined, offering a comprehensive map of cerebellar projections across the mouse brain.
Researchers have identified two key brainstem regions involved in pain relief, with distinct patterns of activity depending on the location of pain. This discovery may pave the way for safer, more targeted treatments for chronic pain without relying on opioids.
Research finds that mild physical activity affects brainstem dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons, leading to improved executive function. Blink frequency increases in individuals showing cognitive benefits from exercise.
Researchers developed a live brainstem imaging method to study the nucleus tractus solitarii's role in emotion regulation and body-brain interactions. The D-PSCAN technique enabled high-resolution visualization of NTS neural activity in response to vagus nerve stimulation and gut hormone cholecystokinin, shedding light on potential the...
Scientists at EPFL create a flexible auditory brainstem implant that closely conforms to the curved surface of the brainstem, enabling better tissue contact and reducing side effects. The device has been successfully demonstrated in macaques, showing promising results for high-resolution prosthetic hearing.
Researchers developed DeepCeres, a software that uses AI tools to measure 27 structures of the cerebellum with improved precision. This will help in studying neurological pathologies such as ALS, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's diseases.
Researchers have identified three cell types in the median raphe nucleus that control decisions on perseverance, exploration, and disengagement. These findings may help understand neuropsychiatric conditions such as OCD, autism, and major depressive disorder.
Researchers identified a novel role for the locus coeruleus in facilitating transition between NREM and REM sleep states while maintaining unconscious vigilance. Stress disrupts its functions, negatively impacting sleep quality. The study provides crucial insights into sleep disorders and could lead to improved treatments.
A new study has identified two neuron types in the brainstem that induce REM sleep, revealing a potential cause of Parkinson's disease. The discovery provides insight into the neural circuitry underlying REM sleep and its relationship to neurodegenerative diseases.
A recent study at the University of Missouri discovered that oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone cause the brainstem to become overactive, leading to hypertension. This finding can help develop targeted drugs to reduce high blood pressure in sleep apnea patients.
A breakthrough in brain-computer interfaces allows a patient to communicate using only the power of thought. The study, led by Dr. Ariel Tankus, enables individuals with paralysis to signal 'yes' and 'no' through electrical signals in their brain.
Researchers have developed a minimally invasive surgical technique to remove lesions in the skull base region, reducing damage to the brain and preserving neurological functions. The endoscopic approach results in shorter operative times and less blood loss compared to conventional microscopic surgery.
Brain stem cells express genes for both maintaining their identity and differentiating into neurons without conflicts. Researchers found that messenger RNAs of stem cell genes are retained in the nucleus, preventing translation and allowing cells to maintain their status as stem cells.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence have discovered a brain circuit that inhibits food intake during nausea. The circuit involves special nerve cells in the amygdala, which send appetite-suppressing signals to distant brain regions, resulting in a loss of appetite.
Researchers at UC San Diego discover that acute stress triggers a switch in neurotransmitters, leading to generalized fear responses. They also find that suppressing GABA production and using antidepressants can prevent this effect.
Researchers found a brainstem region that regulates breathing rhythm, ensuring breathing remains dominant over speech. The circuit also involves premotor neurons in the hindbrain region called the retroambiguus nucleus (RAm), which are activated during vocalization.
Scientists have discovered that the bat brainstem processes echolocation and communication calls differently, with a stronger response to less frequent calls due to better neural synchronization. The findings may also be relevant to medical applications in humans, such as understanding diseases like ADHD or schizophrenia.
Researchers have identified a network of neurons controlling right-left movements in the brain, which may help treat Parkinson's disease. The discovery provides insight into how essential movements are produced by the brain.
Researchers at University of California - San Francisco find that sense of taste signals brain to slow down eating. Using advanced techniques, they recorded brain activity in awake mice and found PRLH neurons controlled by mouth signals when eating normally, not gut signals as previously thought.
Researchers at UCSF and UC Berkeley have developed a brain-computer interface (BCI) that allows a woman with severe paralysis from a brainstem stroke to speak through a digital avatar. The system can decode brain signals into text at nearly 80 words per minute, making it a vast improvement over commercially available technology.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover that mechanical and chemical itch sensations are encoded by different brain pathways, which act together to drive chronic itch. The study reveals key molecules regulating these pathways and opens avenues for new therapies.
Researchers at Hokkaido University identify a nerve pathway in the brain stem involved in processing rewarding and distressing stimuli, opposing a previously identified pathway. This finding could lead to developing drug treatments for mental disorders like addiction and major depression.
Two studies by Harvard Medical School scientists show that the spinal cord and brainstem process touch information as it travels to higher-order brain regions. These findings highlight the importance of these areas in integrating and processing tactile stimuli.
Researchers discovered an inhibitory neuronal network in the brainstem that generates a synchronous rhythm, retracting mouse whiskers from their protracted positions. The oscillator consists of parvalbumin-expressing vIRt neurons firing bursts only during whisker retraction.
A team of researchers at Harvard Medical School has made new strides in understanding the basic biology of internal organ sensing, revealing spatial maps of neurons in the brain stem responding to feedback from internal organs. The study found that inhibition within the brain plays a key role in selectively responding to organs.
A new map of brain stem circuits controlling eating behavior could lead to better obesity treatments. The atlas, built from recent discoveries in mice and human studies, identifies two food intake-suppressing circuits in the brain stem, one causing nausea and another not.
Researchers found that the brain's cortex uses principles of calculus to implement a 'stop' signal, allowing for quick and precise decision-making in goal-directed behaviors. The study reveals how the brain integrates learned rules with sensory information to guide actions.
Researchers describe a mechanism by which inhibitory neurons in a specific brain region suppress nausea-causing excitatory neurons. Activating these inhibitory neurons with the chemical messenger GIP eliminates nausea behaviors in mice, offering an alternative approach to reducing nausea.
A Rutgers study analyzing brain stem cells of autism patients found irregularities in early brain development, supporting the concept that ASD arises from poor control of brain cell proliferation. The study discovered that some patients had NPCs producing too many brain cells while others had underproduced cells.
Research found that stimulating a specific brain circuit relieves pain and reduces defensive behaviors in rats, indicating potential physical and psychological relief. The pathway also increases reward and feeding behavior, suggesting improved emotional state.
A receptor protein called insulin receptor is pivotal for brain stem cell longevity, according to a Rutgers study. The researchers also found that the same protein plays a crucial role in sustaining brain cancer cells.
Researchers at UVA Health System discovered a cluster of cells in the brainstem that controls the body's response to severe blood loss. The study found that re-activating these neurons can restore blood pressure and heart rate in lab rats, offering new hope for treating traumatic injuries.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt recorded brain waves of bats to understand how they filter out essential signals from echolocation calls and communication signals. The study shows that rare sounds elicit stronger neuronal responses than frequent ones.
A new study found that the brainstem plays a key role in modulating pain signals in the spinal cord based on expectations, with increased activity linked to the placebo effect and decreased activity to the nocebo effect.
Researchers found that high-fat diets disrupt the body clock's satiety control, leading to overeating and obesity in rats. The study suggests that restoring the proper functioning of the body clock may help tackle obesity.
A new study has identified the periaqueductal gray as a critical hub for changes in spiritual identification, surprising researchers who previously thought it was associated with higher brain regions. The discovery could have significant implications for understanding spirituality's role in managing physical and emotional pain.
Research reveals microglia's essential role in refining auditory pathways, even when pruning is delayed. Without microglia, connections between neurons don't fully mature, leading to impaired hearing.
A study by University of Liège researchers links increased tau protein levels in the brainstem to higher cortical excitability, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that measuring cortical hyperexcitability could help identify people at risk before cognitive symptoms appear.
A study published in Nature reveals that a specific region of the brainstem is responsible for various fine motor activities of the forelimbs. The researchers used optogenetic and viral methods to mark neurons and observe their activity, identifying four neuronal subpopulations correlated with specific functions.
A recent study at the University of Helsinki found that brainstem neurons play a crucial role in controlling both normal behaviour and misbehaviour in mice. The researchers discovered that faulty gene regulation can lead to behavioural abnormalities such as hyperactivity and attention deficit. The study provides new insights into the d...
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba identify brainstem neurotensinergic neurons as crucial for regulating non-REM (NREM) sleep. The study found that these neurons promote NREM sleep by producing the neuropeptide neurotensin, which also plays a role in pain and metabolism.
Researchers discovered 48 genetic variations associated with brainstem and subcortical structure volumes, including those related to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The study's findings may lead to novel drug targets for treating these conditions.
Researchers at EPFL's Laboratory for Soft BioElectronic Interface have developed a next-generation soft hearing implant that can send targeted electrical signals to the auditory brainstem. The new implant overcomes the limitations of current ABIs, which can only provide sound perception and are stiff and inflexible.
A new study at Binghamton University reveals that obesity is connected to a weaker response to taste. Researchers found that obese rats showed smaller and less responsive taste reactions compared to lean rats.
Researchers discovered a genetic basis for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), suggesting that a specific gene mutation can disrupt brainstem cells controlling breathing. The study used mice with the mutation to test its effects, finding disordered breathing patterns and reduced inhibitory cell activity.
Researchers have discovered that laryngeal symptoms such as hoarseness and dysphoric breathing can be caused by compression of cranial nerves 9 and 10 at the brain stem. Neurosurgical decompression has been shown to significantly improve quality of life for patients with these symptoms.
Researchers found that even extensive thalamus damage does not severely impair consciousness, challenging decades-old medical dogma. The study identifies a new pathway from the brainstem through the hypothalamus and basal forebrain into the cortex as critical for maintaining wakefulness.
A novel technique developed by Hong Chen uses focused ultrasound to target drug delivery to the brainstem, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. This approach has shown promise in treating diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG), a childhood brain cancer with a five-year survival rate of less than three percent.
Researchers at EPFL have discovered that the brain reroutes task-specific motor commands through alternative pathways originating in the brainstem and projecting to the spinal cord. This rewiring leads to new connections between the brain and spinal cord, enabling rats to regain control over their paralyzed limbs.
Researchers identified a single gene mutation that makes some people more susceptible to viral brain infections like encephalitis. The DBR1 gene affects mRNA splicing, impairing immunity in the brain stem and leading to virus invasion.
Researchers have developed a new, highly sensitive LC-MS/MS method to identify and quantify Substance P (SP) and Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) in rat brainstem tissue. The study's findings provide insights into the levels of these neuropeptides during migraine attacks and stress, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets.
Research published in eNeuro reveals that fragile X syndrome affects the development of sound-processing neurons in the brainstem. The study found reduced cell sizes in mice with FXS, indicating a role for FMRP in auditory system development.
Frequent alcohol consumption can lead to the death of stem cells responsible for creating new nerve cells in adult brains. Females are particularly susceptible to this damage, which may help develop new approaches to treating alcoholism.
A study by researchers at the University of Basel and FMI identified specific neuron types in the brainstem that regulate high-speed locomotion. These neurons are intermingled with others that can elicit immediate stopping, and their activation can induce full body locomotion.
Researchers have identified a motor pathway in the sea lamprey that regulates swimming speed, which could be relevant to understanding movement disorders. The study suggests that dysfunction of this pathway may contribute to symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Experts say international variation in brain death definition must be cleared up to improve management of patients at end-of-life and increase successful organ donation. A universal definition and procedure are needed to reduce confusion and restore professional and public trust.
A new study reveals that blood vessels in the brainstem constrict when oxygen levels rise, unlike other parts of the body. This specialized response helps maintain proper breathing and is made possible by astrocytes releasing signaling molecules.