Articles tagged with Cerebral Cortex
A study using transcranial magnetic stimulation found that temporarily inhibiting a specific brain region can alter the way people look at others. This technique offers new therapeutic possibilities for individuals with autism who often struggle to maintain eye contact.
Researchers at UCL have made significant discoveries about the brain's role in imagination and navigation. Grid cell activity has been observed in healthy volunteers imagining moving through an environment, suggesting a potential link between grid cells and Alzheimer's disease.
A team of researchers has successfully replicated the folding of a human brain in three-dimensional form using a simple mechanical principle. The study suggests that the unique shape of the human brain plays a crucial role in determining its folds, which are essential for maintaining proper brain function.
A study identified a subset of immune signaling proteins associated with autism development in mice. Blocking these proteins during pregnancy eliminated autism-like behavior in offspring, hinting at a potential prevention method.
The thalamus enhances and stores sensory information, allowing the brain to filter out important data and forward it in an amplified form. Researchers have identified the higher-order thalamus as a key player in this process, which has implications for understanding sensory perception and behavior.
A trio of molecules, hevin, neurexins, and neuroligins, orchestrate neuron connections in the developing brain that are responsible for processing sensory information. The study may provide insight into brain disorders including autism, depression, and addiction.
A gene linked to mental disorders helps lay the foundation for a crucial brain structure during prenatal development. Mutations in this gene can lead to severe depletion of neurons in the cortex, compromising its ability to communicate with other brain areas.
Two studies by the University of Exeter Medical School shed light on how two parts of the brain's navigation system malfunction in dementia, leading to loss of orientation. The findings suggest that fine navigational detail is not correctly represented in patients with dementia.
Researchers found that stories dealing with core values activate the default mode network in the brain, which was previously thought to be an autopilot system. The level of activation varied across cultures, with Iranians showing the greatest response.
Researchers found elevated concentrations of synaptic soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers in early-stage AD patients compared to controls. The study suggests that therapies targeting synaptic Aβ oligomers may be more effective than anti-amyloid therapies in preventing or delaying AD-related dementia.
Researchers used optogenetics, fMRI, and electrophysiology to track brain activity and show how stimulation frequencies affect arousal. They found that altering deep-brain circuit firing frequency dramatically alters forebrain activity and alertness levels.
A new study identifies brain processes in mice that may help explain how weak sensory inputs are interpreted differently in the same brain. Activity in higher-level perception areas of the brain is shaped by lower-level sensory input, adding a cellular layer to our understanding of perception.
Researchers found that aerobic exercise improves the volume of the entorhinal cortex, an area crucial for memory, in healthy young adults. This study suggests that regular physical activity may be beneficial for brain health and cognitive function in younger generations.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to reduce histamine-induced itching and shorten its duration in a new study. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the development of novel methods to inhibit itching.
Young adults with genetically increased Alzheimer's risk show altered activation patterns in the entorhinal cortex, a key region for spatial navigation. This alteration may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's dementia in the long term.
Researchers found that directing magnetic energy into the brain reduced belief in God by 32.8% and increased positive feelings towards immigrants by 28.5%. The study used transcranial magnetic stimulation to temporarily shut down specific brain regions.
A brain circuit has been identified that processes the 'when' and 'where' components of memory, separating location and timing into two streams of information. This discovery sheds light on how the brain represents time and place in episodic memories.
A study suggests that a missing part of the brain, called the vertical occipital fasciculus, may provide a fundamental white matter connection between the visual system's object identification and spatial orientation functions. This 'highway' structure could play a critical role in coordinating information transmission between brain ar...
A study by Penn and German researchers reveals that cognitive flexibility is predicted by the degree to which brain networks reconfigure themselves. Participants who performed best on alternating tasks showed more rearrangement of connections within their frontal cortices and new connections with other areas of their brains.
A newly discovered brain network, the Parietal Memory Network (PMN), processes incoming information based on its familiarity. Activity in this network decreases when encountering a new stimulus and increases when recognizing a familiar face or object.
The study identifies the retrosplenial cortex as a critical brain region for navigating complex environments, combining mapping interior and exterior spaces. The findings support computational modeling research and clinical observations of Alzheimer's disease, with potential applications in robotics and early disease detection.
Researchers found a strong correlation between the three-dimensional shape of the cerebral cortex and ancestral background. The study used data from over 1,200 children and adolescents to analyze genetic and neuroimaging information.
Scientists have successfully reconstructed basic units, words, and complete sentences of continuous speech from brain waves. The 'Brain-to-Text' system combines neuroscience, medicine, and informatics to extract the most likely word sequence from cortical information and linguistic knowledge.
Interneurons from the medial ganglionic eminence migrate to the striatum through a mechanism involving Eph/ephrins signalling. The study reveals parallel mechanisms of target chemoattraction and off-target chemorepulsion for interneuron migration.
Researchers have developed mini cultured 3-D structures that grow and function like the outer mantle of the brain, allowing for modeling and understanding of mental illnesses. The new 'human cortical spheroids' buzz with neuronal network activity, providing a potential breakthrough in personalized medicine.
Researchers discover that neurons in auditory cortex encode temporal patterns using excitatory and inhibitory inputs. This breakthrough could lead to the development of state-of-the-art neural prosthetic devices capable of mimicking brain coding patterns.
A massive data compilation of 40 years' worth of research on rat brains reveals local networks of neurons, similar to the Internet, governing various functions such as vision, learning, and bodily concerns. This discovery opens a new avenue for connecting human brain studies with animal models, potentially leading to breakthroughs in n...
Researchers at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience will investigate a newly discovered circuit in the visual cortex using novel imaging technologies. The project aims to understand how this circuit processes visual information and interacts with other neural circuits.
Researchers discovered a type of neuron in the olfactory cortex that serves as a tuner and volume control for various neuronal inputs, increasing signal-to-noise ratio and improving odor discrimination. This discovery has implications for understanding epilepsy, which often affects the olfactory cortex.
The cerebral cortex region is crucial for each phase of the sexual pleasure cycle, including wanting, having, and inhibiting sex. Alterations in brain networks are linked to sexual dysfunction, highlighting the importance of brain function in sexual experiences.
Research at Harvard Medical School identifies basal forebrain GABA parvalbumin neurons as crucial for triggering synchronized brain waves associated with conscious thought and perception. These neurons use the neural inhibitor GABA to create a pulsing rhythm, fine-tuning cognition and organization of data from the world around us.
Researchers at Brown University found that the brain uses specific patterns of brain wave synchrony to suppress attention and ignore distracting stimuli. By harnessing this process, scientists hope to develop new treatments for pain and depressive thoughts through non-invasive brain stimulation techniques.
Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have developed a brain-imaging technique that can detect autism spectrum disorder in children. The test, which involves measuring perspective-tracking responses, has shown promising diagnostic potential and may revolutionize the way autism is diagnosed.
Scientists have identified a neural circuit in the mouse brain that regulates attention and sensory processing, providing insight into how the brain filters out distractions. The discovery has implications for devastating psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, which are characterized by significant attention deficits.
Scientists have pinpointed a novel role of FMRP in the embryonic development of the brain cortex, leading to delays in proper formation and affecting postnatal life and brain connectivity. The study may provide insights into cellular mechanisms affected in patients with Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that mutations in the ARMC5 gene promote the growth of benign tumors in the adrenal glands and meninges. This discovery provides new insights into the causes of Cushing's syndrome, a disease characterized by elevated cortisol levels.
Scientists at UC Davis used optogenetics to erase specific memories in mice, showing coordinated activity between the cerebral cortex and hippocampus during memory retrieval. The study confirms a long-standing idea about memory processing, providing new insights into how the brain functions.
A new study from Lund University reveals that both the cerebral cortex and other levels in the brain play a greater role in processing touch than previously thought, with a larger proportion of brain structures involved.
Research finds associations between psychotic disorders and reduced cortical folding patterns in key brain regions, suggesting alterations in brain development early in life. The study's results also indicate a potential familial risk marker for psychotic illnesses.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine discovered that the volume of the parietal cortex in the brain can predict where people fall on the risk-taking spectrum. The study found that individuals with larger volume in this part of the brain were willing to take more risks.
A study found that just a few nerve cells in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) may control the switch between internal thoughts and external distractions. The TRN's firing patterns were altered using laser light, revealing its role in regulating consciousness and mental states.
A recent study by Dartmouth researchers reveals that the retrosplenial cortex plays a critical role in forming contextual memories, which enable us to recall events along with their associated physical locations. This breakthrough finding has significant implications for understanding memory-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have developed a novel imaging technique that allows for real-time visualization of brain sound processing in mice. This breakthrough enables the study of complex neural interactions and may lead to better treatments for hearing loss.
A study published in Ear and Hearing reveals that prolonged exposure to loud noise can lead to permanent damage of the hair cells in the ear. This damage affects the brain's recognition of speech sounds, potentially increasing difficulty in distinguishing them. The researchers used rats to simulate two types of noise trauma and found t...
Researchers are investigating whether brain estrogens enhance learning and memory in young birds and adults, with the goal of developing targeted treatments for cognitive disorders. Studies will use drugs to manipulate estrogen levels and electrophysiology to assess memory consolidation.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have identified a brainstem circuit in mice that links visual processing with physical movement. The discovery suggests that active movement can enhance sensory perception, potentially leading to new treatments for motor dysfunction and neuroplasticity enhancement.
A recent Duke University study has found that the mutated Huntington's disease protein is crucial for normal brain development and synaptic circuitry in early life. The research suggests that faulty connections may be the root cause of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's, with potential implications for treatment strategies.
A new study reveals that the brain uses two distinct regions to navigate: one calculates the straight-line distance and another tracks the path along the way. The findings have significant implications for our understanding of brain function and navigation.
Dr. Ingrid Johnsrude's research reveals that brain regions beyond primary auditory cortex play a crucial role in understanding speech, especially in noisy environments. The study also highlights the critical role of attention and prior knowledge in facilitating comprehension.
University of Toronto researchers have found that the 'Jesus in toast' phenomenon is a result of physical causes and human brain's unique wiring. The study suggests that people can see images such as faces or words due to expectations and brain activation, revealing the role of frontal cortex in visual perception.
Researchers mapped the hippocampus in children aged 8-14 to understand its development and expansion with age. They found that three subregions grew with age, particularly the CA3/dentate gyrus, which was linked to better memory performance.
Researchers discovered that smell is connected to memories through an associative process where neural networks are linked via synchronised brain waves of 20-40 Hz. This coherence evolved in parallel with learning and was observed in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, demonstrating long-distance communication mediated by waves.
A study found that autism is caused by disruptions in early brain development, specifically in the formation of cortical layers. The researchers analyzed 25 genes in post-mortem brain tissue and discovered focal patches of disrupted development in most children with autism. These findings suggest that the brain can sometimes rewire con...
Researchers found that autism is caused by disrupted development of cortical layers in the brain, which leads to absent genetic markers and focal patches of abnormality. The study suggests that early treatment can lead to clinical improvement as the brain rewire connections to circumvent these defects.
Researchers used EEG to track emergence of rule structures in frontal cortex and predict behavior. Participants tended to infer cues of context and rules, with individual variation in structure-forming activity correlating with application in subsequent tasks.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that working memory uses similar brain circuits to those involved in planning motion. They found that the caudate and dorsal anterior premotor cortex contribute to output gating, a crucial process for selecting from working memory. The study's findings provide insight into how the brain effici...
Researchers compared ventrolateral frontal cortex connectivity in humans and monkeys, finding many similarities in language and complex thought processes. The study suggests that some uniquely human traits may rely on an evolutionarily conserved neural apparatus.
A team of Oxford University researchers has identified a unique brain area in the ventrolateral frontal cortex that is involved in advanced planning and decision-making processes. This area, which does not have an equivalent in monkeys, is also linked to language processing and 'multi-tasking'.
A study published in the journal Pain found that individual differences in grey matter in certain brain regions are related to pain sensitivity. People with higher default mode activity and better attention control tend to have reduced sensitivity to pain.
Researchers found that girls' brains undergo a selective process called preferential detachment, preserving long-distance connections that integrate information. This process may explain why brain function improves during maturation in females.