Articles tagged with Hippocampus
A large international study has found that certain versions of four genes may speed up the shrinkage of the hippocampus, a brain region involved in making new memories. The research suggests that these gene variants may increase vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease by accelerating hippocampus shrinkage.
Researchers at BUSM identified four genetic loci associated with decreased hippocampal volume, a trait linked to Alzheimer's disease and aging. The findings suggest that specific genes may influence cell death, brain development, and memory performance.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that chronic stress triggers the production and accumulation of insoluble tau protein aggregates inside brain cells, similar to neurofibrillary tangles. This may explain why people prone to stress are more likely to develop sporadic Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that a memory training strategy can help people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remember specific information, such as object locations. The technique showed increased activity in the hippocampus, a critical brain region for forming new memories.
Research by child psychiatrists and neuroscientists reveals that children with more nurturing mothers have larger hippocampi, a key structure important for learning and memory. The study provides concrete evidence of the powerful effect of early childhood parenting and nurturing on brain development.
A new study published in Neuron found that a larger posterior hippocampus and smaller anterior hippocampus are linked to better recollection ability in healthy adults. The researchers suggest that functional connections between the posterior hippocampus and other brain regions play a key role in enhanced memory consolidation.
Researchers detect hippocampal atrophy in Parkinson's patients with cognitive impairment, leading to early cognitive decline. A newly developed structural pattern identifies diffuse gray and white matter atrophy associated with dementia in Parkinson's disease.
A study by Eleanor Maguire found that taxi driver training increases gray matter in the hippocampus, a brain area responsible for memory and spatial navigation. The brain's plasticity allows it to adapt to new tasks, even in adulthood.
Acquiring London's complex street layout causes structural changes in the brain and improvements in memory, particularly for capital-based information. This suggests that even adult life can lead to brain plasticity and adaptation through learning.
Researchers at UT Dallas are studying the brain's response to noise-induced tinnitus, discovering that plasticity in the hippocampus can lead to long-term effects. Exposure to loud noises induces changes in brain function, which could lead to new medical interventions.
Researchers at UC San Diego used functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess how memories are formed and compared recollected and familiar items. The data showed that the hippocampus is actively involved in both strong recollections and familiarities, challenging earlier assumptions about their separate functions.
Researchers found that passive viewing of 2D images can lead to sustained changes in nerve cell connections, facilitating the expression of persistent hippocampal long-term depression. This discovery has implications for developing strategies to improve digital learning and reduce apathy towards traditional teaching methods.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) stimulates specific brain regions to produce new cells that enhance memory. In a mouse study, DBS led to a two-fold increase in new cells in the hippocampus, which improved spatial learning and memory.
A new study has confirmed that abnormal brain blood flow continues or worsens over time in veterans with Gulf War illness. The research used a novel technique to assess hippocampal regional cerebral blood flow and identified a special MRI procedure to diagnose the condition more accurately.
New research finds that hippocampal neurons encode every sequential moment in a series of events, bridging gaps between discontiguous events. The activity of these 'time cells' signals the timing of key events and can differentiate between different types of sequences.
Researchers found that rats' place cells behave like new environments when they don't explore, highlighting the importance of direct experience in creating stable episodic memories. This discovery translates to humans, where recalling past experiences relies on autobiographical memory and direct recollection of events.
A case study published in Cortex reveals that severe damage to the hippocampus resulting from lack of oxygen in infancy can hinder episodic memory recall. In contrast, semantic memory remains intact, supporting the theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for distinct types of memory.
A new study suggests that a small hippocampus is more likely an effect of depression rather than a cause. Researchers found that individuals with depression declined in volume over time, but those with smaller hippocampus were not at higher risk to develop depression.
A study of 122 Spanish university students found a clear association between binge drinking and poorer verbal declarative memory, even after controlling for other confounding variables. The research suggests that heavy episodic drinking may affect the brain's hippocampus, leading to impaired learning and memory abilities.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that aging brains have difficulty processing new information due to reduced input from the rest of the brain. This leads to confusion and a greater reliance on old memories, making it harder to recall recent events.
A UCSF study has found a link between chronic brain inflammation and memory decline in older adults. The study, which examined the effects of C-reactive protein on memory, showed that high levels of this protein correlate with poorer verbal recall and smaller medial temporal lobes.
A new study finds that larger hippocampal volumes are linked to recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), implying that the hippocampus may play a role in reversing damage caused by chronic stress. The research suggests that treatment for PTSD could be viewed as a form of brain restoration, rather than just symptom relief.
A new study has revealed the brain networks involved in person recognition using both face and voice information. The research found that specific regions of the left angular gyrus and right hippocampus are activated when recognizing people from combined visual and auditory cues.
A new study led by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that one year of moderate physical exercise can increase the size of the brain's hippocampus in older adults. The increased hippocampal size is associated with improved spatial memory function. The researchers also discovered a correlation between increased hippoca...
A study published in Neuron found that the perirhinal cortex plays a crucial role in forming unconscious conceptual memories. Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to map brain activity while participants performed memory tests, revealing that damage to this area impairs memory formation.
New research confirms that actively controlling learning situations boosts ability to remember information. Brain imaging revealed that the hippocampus is more engaged when individuals have control over their learning environment.
Researchers found that dim light exposure caused physical changes in the brains of female Siberian hamsters, including a reduced density of dendritic spines in the hippocampus. This is associated with increased depressive-like behaviors and may be linked to melatonin production.
Research at University of Illinois found that physically fit children have a bigger hippocampus and perform better on tests of memory. A study using MRI measures found associations between aerobic fitness and improved cognitive tasks in pre-adolescent children.
Researchers discovered that neuronal stem cells exist in the human brain, even in adulthood, and can form new neurons. Physical activity and pathological stimuli like epileptic seizures reactivate dormant stem cells, promoting the formation of new neurons.
Scientists discovered that brain tissue produces a natural form of the clot-busting drug tPA, which acts as a neuroprotectant and may prevent strokes. The finding suggests a potential new approach to preventing ischemic stroke by prolonging the effects of naturally produced tPA.
The protein tPA provides protection for nerve cells in the hippocampus by preventing death caused by reduced blood flow during stroke. Analysis of tPA's protective process reveals implications for therapeutic strategies to prevent nerve cell death.
A computer algorithm was able to predict which film a volunteer was recalling based on their brain activity, suggesting that memories are recorded in regular patterns. The key areas involved in recording episodic memories were the hippocampus and its immediate neighbors.
Researchers found that replaying recent events in the hippocampus is not just for memory, but also for creating cognitive maps and making better navigation decisions. The study suggests that the brain uses replays to build a complete representation of its environment, allowing animals to plan novel routes.
Researchers found that a midday nap significantly improves learning capacity by clearing the brain's short-term memory storage and making room for new information. This finding supports previous data on the negative effects of prolonged wakefulness and all-nighters on cognitive function.
Regular exercise has been shown to increase hippocampal volume in both healthy individuals and those with schizophrenia, suggesting the brain retains some plasticity despite the disorder. This finding offers hope for potential benefits of incorporating physical activity into treatment plans for patients with schizophrenia.
Researchers at UCLA have made a breakthrough in identifying the earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease using brain imaging techniques. By tracking subtle changes in brain structure over time, they were able to predict a brain's progression to Alzheimer's disease, allowing for potential early interventions.
Researchers at New York University found that memory consolidation strengthens during periods of awake rest, not just sleep. This process boosts brain activity in the hippocampus and cortex, leading to better retention of information and improved cognitive function.
A new study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology found that children with PTSD symptoms exhibit poor hippocampus function, which can lead to avoidance and numbing symptoms. The research provides a potential biomarker for early detection and improved treatments for traumatized children.
Researchers from the University of Toronto have discovered that the hippocampus is only activated when context cues enable memory recall. This finding sheds light on the mysterious process of retrieving memories, particularly in individuals with damage to the hippocampus, such as those with Alzheimer's or Epilepsy.
A study led by Penn researchers identified a molecular pathway in the brain that causes cognitive impairment due to sleep deprivation. Reducing the concentration of a specific enzyme using PDE inhibitors reversed cognitive deficits, including impaired focus and memory.
Scientists discovered a way to track stored memories using eye movements, even when individuals are unable or unwilling to report what they remember. The study highlights the role of the hippocampus in memory and awareness, suggesting that conscious memory may depend on interactions between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
A recent study found that excessive drinking can lead to reduced activity in the amygdala and hippocampus, two brain regions responsible for processing facial emotions. This can result in emotional difficulties, such as misperceiving facial cues, emotional flatness, and apathy, which can negatively impact interpersonal relationships.
Researchers have identified a combination of brain imaging, memory tests, and protein analysis that can accurately diagnose early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The study used data from the ADNI initiative and found that combining these methods resulted in classification accuracy rates of up to 95.7%.
Researchers aim to create a brain map that can help diagnose early-stage schizophrenia and guide more effective treatment. The study, led by Northwestern University, uses topographical brain maps to compare the structures of individuals with schizophrenia to those without, hoping to identify key differences in brain function.
Male seahorses choose partners based on body size to increase reproductive output and bigger offspring, challenging conventional sex roles. A study found choosy males and indiscriminate females, with striking differences in courtship behavior.
Researchers investigated hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and prehepatic portal hypertension in rats. The study found increased GS activity and decreased glutamate uptake in the hippocampus, leading to CNS damage. These findings may help understand HE mechanisms and develop new treatments.
A fully automated procedure measuring brain structures is effective in predicting the progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease. The technique can be used in clinics to measure brain atrophy and help physicians predict decline in MCI patients.
A study in PLOS Biology found that the intermediate hippocampus plays a critical role in translating rapid place learning into behavior. The researchers used a water maze experiment to test rats and found that disabling a specific region of the hippocampus impaired their ability to return to a platform.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that brain cell loss in the hippocampus area precedes Alzheimer's disease. People with smaller hippocampal volumes and higher rates of shrinkage were two to four times more likely to develop dementia.
Severe pediatric epilepsy is generated from within the memory-forming hippocampus, according to a study by UC San Diego researchers. The discovery could pave the way for improved treatments of childhood epilepsy, which affects over two percent of children worldwide.
Researchers at Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging discovered that brain activity can be used to predict spatial memories and locations. The study's findings challenge current scientific thinking and offer insights into how memories are encoded across neurons.
Scientists have discovered that the hippocampus works in a structured and predictable way, enabling them to predict where someone is standing within a virtual reality room based on brain activity. The findings offer compelling evidence for mindreading and could potentially decode individual episodic memory traces from human brain imaging.
Scientists have found that memories are recorded in the hippocampus with a specific structure, allowing for the prediction of spatial memories. This breakthrough challenges current scientific thinking and opens up possibilities for understanding how information is processed in the brain.
Researchers found that physically fit elderly adults have larger hippocampi and better spatial memory than their less fit counterparts. The study suggests that exercise can influence brain structure and cognitive function, with implications for aging and independence.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a new cellular mechanism that requires both types of neuronal metabotropic receptors to produce biochemical changes, increasing neuron firing and strengthening signals to other brain regions.
UC Davis researchers are using MRI scans to identify distinct brain patterns that can detect the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to predict the rate of cognitive decline and provide a method for differentiating healthy aging from cognitive decline due to diseases like Alzheimer's.
Scientists analyze brain structure and find PHLPP enzyme silences vital cell-survival protein, leaving vulnerable cells susceptible to damage. The discovery could lead to solutions for age-related memory loss and provide insights into the mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers led by Prof. Itzhak Fried discovered that the same neurons excited during an experience are also activated when remembering it, providing a clearer picture of how memory recall works. This finding has important implications for understanding dementias like Alzheimer's.
Researchers at the University of Bonn found that the brain's 'wiring' plays a significant role in shaping personality traits and behavior. Individuals with well-developed neural connections between the ventral striatum and hippocampus tend to be more open to new experiences and seek out challenges.
Researchers found asymmetrical synaptic structure and molecule composition between left and right hippocampus synapses. This discovery sheds light on the distinct neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory processes.