Articles tagged with Central Nervous System
Dr. Danielle Beckman's research uses animal models to understand how viruses like COVID-19 trigger neurological damage and accelerate Alzheimer's disease. Her work has established critical connections between viral infections and neurodegenerative processes.
A new study published in PLOS Biology found that non-invasive brain stimulation can improve maths learning outcomes for individuals with weaker brain connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the posterior parietal cortex. The treatment also showed positive effects on GABA levels, a brain chemical involved in learning.
A recent study has discovered a connection between brain damage and an increased likelihood of committing crimes. The research, led by Harvard Medical School and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, found that damage to the right uncinate fasciculus was linked to criminal behavior.
The new edition of Mark Bear's neuroscience textbook emphasizes accessibility and excitement, presenting the hard science without making it hard. The book features over 100 'Path of Discovery' essays by prominent neuroscientists, including several Nobel prize winners.
A brain age gap refers to the difference between predicted age and actual chronological age. The study found that higher cognitive impairment risk factor scores were consistently associated with poorer cognitive performance, especially in areas like executive function and language. Researchers developed a brain age prediction model to ...
Dr. Sophia Shi's groundbreaking research reveals that the glycocalyx deteriorates with age, leading to blood-brain barrier dysfunction and cognitive decline. Her work provides concrete molecular targets for drug development and may lead to treatments that address the root causes of neurodegeneration.
Researchers have discovered a novel cell-clearance pathway linked to diseases such as Chediak-Higashi Syndrome, which affects immune system function. The study used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology and live imaging to characterize this pathway and identify key genes involved.
Researchers discovered that the brain's retrosplenial cortex (RSC) encodes competing navigation hypotheses in distinct neural activity patterns. These patterns allow animals to choose the correct path despite ambiguity, and can be used to compute how to reach a reward.
Researchers have discovered a new method to enhance brain waste clearance by precisely stimulating the lymphatics under skin on the neck and face. This non-invasive approach may offer a safer alternative to current treatments for age-related neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
The study reveals that white matter microstructure in infants' brains between 3-9 months predicts their emotional development. Infants with certain brain patterns are more likely to exhibit negative emotions or improved self-soothing abilities.
Research highlights potential link between microplastics in ultra-processed foods and brain health, with possible connections to depression and dementia. The studies propose a novel hypothesis connecting ultra-processed food consumption, microplastic exposure, and mental health outcomes.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham have identified a key predictor of stroke risk among women: brain health scores. Women with higher McCance Brain Care Scores (BCS) had a reduced risk of experiencing a cerebrovascular event, with those with a five-point higher baseline score being 37% less likely to experience an event.
A new technique using focused sound waves and microbubbles has shown great promise in treating debilitating brain lesions called cerebral cavernous malformations. The approach has halted the growth of lesions almost entirely, offering a potential paradigm shift in treatment.
Researchers discovered that the brain suppresses the current action without using another mechanism to inhibit it, enabling seamless transitions between actions. This finding could lead to the development of biologically-inspired robotic systems and improve clinical treatments for Parkinson's patients.
A new AI model developed by Uppsala University accurately diagnoses multiple sclerosis (MS) with an overall accuracy of 90%, identifying the transition from relapsing-remitting to secondary progressive MS in almost 87% of cases. This enables earlier diagnosis, reducing the risk of patients receiving ineffective medicines.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered FOXR2 activation in multiple pediatric CNS tumor types, including high-grade gliomas and pineoblastomas, with significantly different clinical outcomes. The study highlights the importance of combining molecular findings with other diagnostic approaches to improve treatment...
A review article reveals CD2AP's crucial role in amyloid metabolism, tau pathology, synaptic function, and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. CD2AP deficiency accelerates plaque formation, while its loss in neurons leads to reduced spine density and impaired synaptic plasticity.
A recent SFU study reveals how indirect brain damage affects thalamus function after a stroke, potentially leading to new treatments. Researchers found that the amount of damage to the thalamus correlates with the level of impairment in patients.
Researchers investigated neural mechanisms of stress-induced cardiovascular responses by activating lateral habenula in rats. Activation caused changes in blood pressure and heart rate, which were suppressed by pharmacological blockade of dopamine neurotransmission.
The InteReg project aims to create interactive biomaterials that instruct cells to regenerate after brain or spinal cord injuries, potentially treating MS and other neurological disorders. The project, funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, brings together experts in biology, chemistry, medicine, and polymer research.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft is establishing seven new Collaborative Research Centres (CRC) with a total funding of €92 million. The CRCs focus on innovative research projects in sustainable construction, electronic systems, and ecosystem services. Seven new Transregios are also being funded to tackle long-term challenges.
Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences have identified a potential new drug, PNA5, that targets cognitive symptoms in Parkinson's disease. The study found that PNA5 dials back inflammation in brain cells, which may prevent further degeneration and alleviate cognitive decline.
Research finds that adults outperform children in learning new motor skills, with older individuals improving faster and retaining skills longer. Better sleep appears to benefit children's learning and memory more, but other factors like sleep deprivation may also play a role.
A comprehensive evidence review on tethered spinal cord found that while surgery can benefit symptomatic patients, data for asymptomatic patients is lacking. The study also highlights the need for more research into conservative management and potential risks of surgical complications.
Scientists have identified a key driver of brain inflammation in neurological diseases, proposing a new treatment approach by neutralizing fibrin. This protein, involved in blood coagulation, triggers neurologic diseases by hijacking the immune system, resulting in damaged neurons.
A new study reveals that etizolam and gabapentinoids contribute to a rising culture of polydrug use and increased drug-related deaths in Scotland. The analysis of 18 studies found a significant increase in gabapentinoid-related deaths, primarily due to concurrent opioid use.
A new study by researchers at MIT and MGH found that even low stimulation currents could sometimes still cause electrographic seizures in awake mice, with a rate of 2.2 percent of tests experiencing seizures. The study cautions against the use of brain stimulation-based therapies without proper monitoring.
A new study found that 40Hz sensory stimulation preserves myelination, protects oligodendrocytes, and sustains electrical signal transmission in the brains of mice with cuprizone-induced myelin loss. The researchers also identified molecular mechanisms underlying these benefits.
Researchers at WVU created a motion-compatible brain scanner that allows patients to move around during imaging. The Ambulatory Motion-enabling PET (AMPET) scanner can help study human behaviors, balance, and emotions, and may be used to monitor brain activity for PTSD treatment and mindfulness meditation.
Chong Xie and his team at Rice University have won a $2.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop an implantable neural electrode system for high-resolution, long-term neural recording and stimulation. The project aims to improve the resolution of existing devices by increasing the density of neurons sampled.
A novel peptide, KS-133, has been developed to target genetic mechanisms associated with schizophrenia. The nanoparticle-based drug delivery system, where KS-133 is encapsulated with a brain-targeting peptide, shows effective distribution in the brains of mice and improves cognitive functions in mice with induced schizophrenia.
A Kobe University study finds that a new treatment for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder shifts the balance of immune cells, increasing anti-inflammatory signals. The discovery may enable clinicians to determine treatment effectiveness and move towards personalized medicine for autoimmune diseases.
A new study from Tsinghua University and Imperial College London reveals that social interactions can significantly enhance brain-computer interface (BCI) systems. The research found that familiar social connections and physical interactions like eye contact and hand touch improve BCI decoding accuracy and neural synchronization.
Researchers developed a modified sugar that increases the effectiveness and safety of antisense oligonucleotides, a treatment strategy for central nervous system disease. The modification, called BNAP-AEO, decreases toxic side effects while improving gene silencing in brain cancer cells and mice.
A new study uses computational modeling to understand how ketamine affects individual neurons, leading to changes in brain network function. The model predicts that ketamine can disinhibit network activity by shutting down certain inhibitory interneurons.
Researchers have developed a novel rigid endoscope system for visible-to-OTN hyperspectral imaging, enabling non-destructive imaging and visualization of lesions in normal tissues. The system demonstrated high accuracy in classifying molecular vibration information of various targets with an OTN wavelength range.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have identified a blood coagulation protein, fibrin, as the culprit behind toxic inflammation and neuron loss after a major head injury. This finding can inform new treatment strategies for traumatic brain injuries, which often lead to dementia, depression, and difficulty concentrating.
A team of researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology identified the molecular mechanisms involved in synaptic communication using Drosophila. They found that Side-IV/Beat-IIb immunoglobulin superfamily protein molecules play a crucial role in inducing synapse formation and regulating preferential signaling among neuron pairs.
Researchers discovered that mature oligodendrocytes, critical for brain function, can survive for up to 45 days after a fatal trauma, defying the classical programmed cell-death pathway. This finding opens new avenues for understanding and potentially preventing damage caused by aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers discovered that MEIS2 plays a critical role in activating genes necessary for the formation of inhibitory projection neurons, vital for motion control and decision-making. A MEIS2 mutation found in patients with intellectual disability disrupts these processes.
Researchers have solved the long-standing question of what triggers the alarm response in fish by identifying two distinct chemical signals: Daniol sulphate and Ostariopterin. These substances convey separate pieces of information that must be detected simultaneously to trigger a flight-or-freeze response.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute found that stimulating a key brain rhythm with light and sound increases peptide release from interneurons, driving clearance of Alzheimer's protein. The study suggests that 40Hz sensory stimulation promotes increased amyloid clearance via the glymphatic system.
A study conducted at a FAPESP-supported research center discovered a link between the protein VAPB and tumor cell proliferation in medulloblastoma, one of the most common and aggressive brain tumors in children. High expression of VAPB correlated with reduced patient survival.
A new brain pathway has been discovered linking motivation, addiction, and disease, with the cerebellum playing a crucial role. The basal ganglia and cerebellum are traditionally thought to function independently, but this connection may change our understanding of voluntary movements and conditioned learning.
The University of Rochester is establishing a new NIH-funded center focused on developing FDA-qualified drug development tools related to barrier functions in disease. Researchers will create microphysiological systems with ultrathin membranes of human cells, aiming to reduce animal trials and improve drug efficacy.
A study by researchers at the Medical University of Vienna found that natural killer cells may play a crucial role in protecting against multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. The investigation revealed that strong EBV-specific and autoreactive immune responses combined with poor autoimmunity control increase MS risk.
Researchers developed novel nanoparticles that deliver RNA to microglia immune cells, reducing inflammation linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study showed a 42% reduction of PU-1 expression and multiple inflammatory markers in human cell cultures and mice models.
A new study reveals that a genetic mutation in microglia can elevate Alzheimer's risk by reducing brain circuit connections, promoting inflammation, and impairing debris clearance. The mutation affects the TREM2 protein, leading to increased expression of inflammatory genes and impaired response to neuron injury.
Research suggests that consciousness requires synchronized communication across cortical regions; propofol general anesthesia cancels sensory processing by cutting it off. Neural activity in higher-level processing and cognitive regions fails to propagate during anesthesia.
Researchers found that patients with elevated NfL levels had a 91% higher risk of worsening disability with relapse within a year, and a 49% higher risk without relapse nearly two years later. The study suggests that interventions may prevent worsening symptoms by targeting nerve cell death.
Researchers discovered the STAT3 signaling pathway as a potential target for treating H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), a uniformly lethal central nervous system malignancy. The current standard of care, including palliative radiation and chemotherapy, remains ineffective in this disease.
A new study resolves a long-standing contradiction in brain function by revealing that familiar stimuli trigger brief neural spikes, known as visually evoked potentials (VEPs), which suppress activity. The findings advance understanding of visual recognition memory, enabling prioritization of attention.
Researchers at State University of Campinas found that coconut oil supplementation led to significant alterations in food intake, weight gain, and anxious behavior in mice. The study suggests that long-term consumption of coconut oil can contribute to the development of obesity and associated comorbidities.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have designed a probiotic to suppress autoimmunity in the brain, which is at the core of several diseases including MS. The treatment offers a more precise way to target brain inflammation with reduced negative side effects compared to standard therapies.
A Pitt Professor believes oligodendrocytes, the nerve insulating cells, hold the solution to BCI's nagging problem. By understanding and preserving these cells, researchers aim to improve BCI's performance and expand its applications beyond paralysis.
New research shows that electric fields drive neural activity and coordinate memory across two key brain regions. The findings could lead to improved brain-controlled prosthetics for people with paralysis.
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage-related hydrocephalus is a complex syndrome that can lead to cognitive impairment and neurological damage. The new consensus guideline recommends standard-of-care approaches, including history review, head CT scans, and medications or surgical interventions to manage excessive intracranial pressure.
A recent study found that microplastics and triphenyltin have a combined toxic effect on the gut-brain axis in common carp. The pollutants amplified toxicity when used together, causing changes in gut microbiome and immune system function.
Researchers identified potential neurological biomarkers of long COVID-19 in nonhuman primates, which could aid in diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. The study found elevated proteins associated with neurodegenerative disorders in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Researchers found that eating small amounts of high-fat and sugar foods regularly rewires the brain to prefer these types of foods. The brain's dopaminergic system is activated, leading to a subconscious preference for rewarding food.