Articles tagged with Cerebral Cortex
A new study found that preterm babies experience delays in auditory brain development, which are associated with speech and language impairments at age 2. The researchers used diffusion neuroimaging to track the development of the primary and nonprimary auditory cortex in the brains of preterm infants.
A brain imaging study found that preterm infants with developmental disturbances in the Heschl's gyrus, a part of the brain involved in speech and language, exhibit reduced expressive language ability. The study suggests that preterm birth may impact language development due to altered auditory cortex maturation.
UCLA researchers have developed a map of gene regulation in human neurogenesis, identifying factors that govern brain growth and set the stage for brain disorders. The study reveals key genes involved in neurogenesis and their roles in human cognition.
Researchers found that altering the clothing worn by actresses affected empathic responses, with reduced feelings towards objectified women and reduced brain activity in empathy-related areas. The study suggests a link between objectification and diminished emotional understanding.
Researchers found that transcranial alternating current stimulation at 20 Hz increased voluntary risky decision-making, suggesting a link between reward processing and beta oscillatory activity. This discovery provides insights into the neurobiological mechanisms of risky decision-making.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum investigate the brain area responsible for storing odours as long-term memories. They found that the piriform cortex is involved, but only works in interaction with other areas, and requires instruction from the orbitofrontal cortex to establish long-term memory.
Research at Kanazawa University identifies FGF signaling as essential for gyri formation in the cerebral cortex, enabling large-scale neuron development and brain functions. The study uses a ferret model to analyze genome-level interactions, revealing the importance of FGF signaling in gyrus formation.
Researchers successfully used microstimulation to elicit movements in monkeys by associating specific areas of the premotor cortex with particular actions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of brain/computer interfaces that bypass damaged brain areas, benefiting individuals with stroke or neurological disorders.
Researchers found that pigeons process space and time in ways similar to humans and other primates, using a common neural coding mechanism. This suggests that abstract concepts are not processed separately and that lower-order animal species can exhibit high-level decision-making abilities.
Researchers used fMRI to study neurofeedback training's potential in treating tinnitus, finding a significant relationship between controlling the primary auditory cortex and attentional processes. The training involved participants focusing away from sound to decrease brain activity.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University have identified the posterior cingulate cortex as a key brain region that motivates behavior change. By stimulating this area, people can become more exploratory and creative, suggesting its role in foraging efficiency and landscape adaptation.
Researchers observed coordination between high-frequency oscillations and parts of the association cortex, which helped explicit memories transition from hippocampus to association cortex for long-term storage. The coupling was strengthened during sleep after learning.
Scientists have discovered that the thalamus, a deep brain structure, plays a crucial role in regulating critical periods of learning and development. The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, have important implications for understanding developmental problems such as intellectual disability and albinism.
Researchers at UC Berkeley are building a new MRI brain scanner with improved resolution, allowing them to image functional regions in the cortex and connect individual neurons. The new scanner will enable studies of human brain function and circuitry on a finer scale.
The study found that neurons on the upper-layer cerebral cortex play a crucial role in gyrus formation, and that Cdk5 is an important gene involved in this process. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of brain evolution and development, as well as new treatments for diseases caused by gyrus impairment.
Researchers will use state-of-the-art imaging techniques to gain new insights into neural circuit function, critical for addressing visual and neurological disorders. The grant aims to fill a major gap in understanding how neurons process information, crucial for treating brain-related conditions.
Researchers have discovered that low-frequency activities in the hippocampus drive brain-wide functional connectivity in the cerebral cortex, enhancing sensory responses and learning. This breakthrough suggests the hippocampus is a key region in the brain, with potential therapeutic implications for Alzheimer's disease.
A new study published in PLOS Biology found that sexual touch can contribute substantially to the acceleration of puberty in rats. The researchers observed that young female rats housed with male rats experienced an expansion of their genital cortex, a finding that was not seen in females housed with other females or males separated by...
Researchers discovered how brain processes visual information to make navigation decisions, creating a 'map' of location and linking actions. This finding may help understand breakdowns in Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that brain area relevant for smelling is activated before an odour is perceived, affecting how positive or negative the smell is perceived to be. The piriform cortex processes visual information and creates an expectation about the scent's smell, influencing perception.
Scientists have identified new subtypes of brain cells in mice and humans using DNA analysis, revealing a complex diversity of neurons. This breakthrough opens the door to understanding how many types of neurons exist, which could lead to improved treatments for brain-related diseases.
Researchers have developed a new way to map differences in brain cells by analyzing chemical modifications in their DNA. The study identified 16 subtypes of neurons in mice and 21 in humans, offering new insights into the diversity of brain cell types and potential for understanding brain development and dysfunction.
Research by LSU Health New Orleans scientists may lead to a treatment for long-term sensory problems in cardiac arrest survivors. The study used rodent models and computer modeling to show that cardiac arrest damages the cerebral cortex, leading to decreased sensory responsiveness.
Researchers discovered cooperative neural networks in posterior parietal cortex, allowing information persistence over time, and contrasted with independent auditory cortex neurons.
Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science used optogenetics to manipulate thalamic spindles in mice, affecting their ability to recall memories. The study found that artificial spindles administered at specific timing enhanced memory consolidation, while reduced spindles impaired recall.
Researchers have identified a new brain mechanism that contributes to learning an association between an auditory warning and a fearful event. Changes in lattice-like structures in the brain known as perineuronal nets are necessary to capture and consolidate the fear association, which can aid research into combating PTSD.
A summer reading program showed significant improvement in children from lower-income families, with anatomical changes in the brain detected. Higher socioeconomic backgrounds were initially expected to show more improvement, but the study found that family income level was the most predictive factor.
A study by Queen Mary University of London researchers found significant neuronal loss in MS brains, with a 39% difference in neuron count compared to healthy controls. Cortical volume and density were also affected, highlighting the importance of early treatment.
Researchers find Lgl1 controls neural stem cell proliferation, producing neurons and glia cells in the developing cortex. The study reveals two mechanisms of Lgl1 function: one for embryonic development and another for postnatal brain growth.
Researchers created 3D brain organoids that replicate human forebrain circuitry, revealing the role of cell migration in autism. They successfully corrected defective neuron migration using a drug, paving the way for personalized treatments.
Researchers found that healthy college students with smaller inferior frontal cortex tend to experience more anxiety and display a stronger negative bias. The study suggests that larger IFC volume confers resilience against negative bias through lower levels of trait anxiety.
Research by SISSA found that individuals with more developed anterior superior temporal sulcus (aSTS) are more likely to forgive those who have caused harm unintentionally. The aSTS is involved in representing others' mental states and comprehending the unintentional nature of actions.
The study reveals that CD38 is essential for postnatal glial cell development, particularly astrocytes. The gene's absence leads to retardation of glial cell development and aberrant interactions among cells, resulting in developmental disorders.
Researchers found that SuperAgers' brains shrink more slowly than peers', resulting in greater resistance to memory loss and dementia. The study suggests that age-related cognitive decline is not inevitable, contradicting traditional approaches to Alzheimer's research.
A study from the University of Iowa Health Care found that cerebellar stimulation in rats with schizophrenia-like thinking problems restored normal brain activity in the frontal cortex and corrected timing deficits. The researchers used optogenetics to stimulate the rats' cerebellar region, which led to improved cognitive function.
A team of neuroscientists has found that somatostatin-expressing (Sst) interneurons play a key role in controlling the flow of information in the brain. The researchers discovered that these cells operate like a switchboard, selectively blocking or encouraging the flow of information to help animals make informed decisions and guide th...
UD researchers identified 45 students with MTS, showing a unique brain processing pattern. The study found that the brain matches the video hand to their own hand, suggesting hyperactive somatosensory networks.
A four-year research project published in Science offers a direct visual proof of the synaptic homeostasis hypothesis, which suggests that sleep is essential for brain plasticity and learning. The study found that synapses in mice brains shrink by nearly 20% during sleep, creating room for growth and learning the next day.
A preclinical model reveals that congenital heart disease disrupts cerebral oxygen supply, leading to reduced cortical growth and abnormal neurogenesis in the subventricular zone. Restoring NSPCs' neurogenic potential may help lessen long-term neurological deficits in children with CHD.
A study found that in utero environmental factors, such as placement in the womb and access to nutrition, affect cortical structure and lead to differences in brain volume by teenage years. Epigenetic processes also play a role in this relationship.
A study published in Science found that the entorhinal cortex replays memories of movement independently of the hippocampus, challenging the long-held view of the hippocampus as the primary memory region. The medial entorhinal cortex acts like a navigational system, providing cues for location and movement to the hippocampus.
Researchers at UC Berkeley observed the brain's re-tuning process when listening to previously unintelligible speech after priming. The study confirms speculation that neurons in the auditory cortex continually tune themselves to pull meaning out of a noisy environment, enabling individuals to quickly comprehend garbled speech.
A study by University of Illinois researchers links higher blood serum levels of lutein to better performance on crystallized intelligence tests in older adults. Participants with higher lutein levels also showed thicker gray matter in the parahippocampal cortex, a brain region associated with preserved cognitive function.
Researchers found that specific cells in the medial septum fire at higher rates when a mouse moves faster, influencing activity in the brain's navigation center. This 'speedometer cell' data bus relays speed information to the entorhinal cortex, essential for spatial orientation.
Researchers found that rats only enjoy ticklishness when they are in a good mood, similar to humans. The study also suggests that the somatosensory cortex may play a role in regulating mood.
Researchers from HSE Neurolinguistics Laboratory presented their work expanding Alexander Luria's neuroanatomical model of semantic aphasia by adding white matter tracts to it, which connect various regions of the cortex.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University used network theory to map the human cortical network, revealing a hierarchical structure with different shells of low and high connectivity. The 'nucleus' shell, comprising 20% of nodes, supports global information integration and is linked to consciousness.
Research by George Washington University researchers found a special amplifier that boosts weak neural signals in the developing brain, allowing for accurate information transfer. This unique amplification circuit is thought to be responsible for the differing levels of seizures in young and old individuals.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mass migration of inhibitory neurons into the brain's frontal cortex during the first few months after birth. This late-stage migration may play a role in establishing fundamentally human cognitive abilities.
Researchers used the DecNef technique to associate neutral faces with positive or negative feelings in volunteers, resulting in changes in facial preferences. The study suggests that the cingulate cortex is involved in handling both sides of emotion, leading to significant changes in ratings for faces rated as positive or negative.
MAPseq successfully demonstrates a revolutionary new way of mapping the brain at individual neuron resolution. By using RNA sequencing, researchers can rapidly and inexpensively trace the long-range projections of thousands of neurons in a single experiment.
A new MIT study reveals that brain regions dedicated to reading already exist with pre-existing connections even before children learn to read. These connections can predict the precise location where each child's word recognition area develops.
A new study reveals that genetic factors play a crucial role in shaping the brain's cortical pattern, with close relationships between genetic variants across different regions. The findings suggest potential functional relationships among cortical brain regions, shedding light on the complex mechanisms underlying brain development.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that the auditory cortex of profoundly deaf and hearing people has virtually identical neural architecture. The research raises questions about the role of experience in processing sensory information and could lead to potential new avenues for intervention in deafness.
A team of neuroscientists has mapped single neural connections over long distances in the brain, discovering that the wiring is more complex than previously thought. The results reveal connections 'skipping' layers, allowing for more efficient processing and potentially enabling specialized detection of visual features.
Researchers have developed a new mouse model to study the role of the entorhinal cortex in spatial memory. The model showed that silencing the entorhinal cortex led to scrambled memory codes and impaired navigation. This study provides insights into how dysfunction of this circuit may contribute to memory loss in Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience found that dendrites play an active role in cortical processing and shape how neurons encode visual information. The arrangement of synaptic connections within the dendritic field supports this active role, enabling neurons to exhibit diverse selectivity.
Researchers monitored nerve impulses in awake mice to study the flow of information between sensory perception and behavior. They discovered that different layers of the cortex handle impulses in unique ways while remaining coordinated with each other.
A new study found that a narrow band of green light significantly reduces photophobia and can reduce headache severity in patients with migraines. The researchers discovered that blue and red lights generated larger signals in the brain, while green light generated smaller signals.
A new study from Harvard Medical School reveals that pure green light significantly reduces photophobia and headache severity in patients with migraines. The narrow band of green light is least likely to exacerbate migraine, providing a potential therapeutic option for sufferers.