Articles tagged with Hippocampus
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.
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.
Researchers found two patients with hippocampal damage showed strikingly different patterns of memory performance, one with no deficit and the other impaired. The study suggests that subtle differences in brain pathology may be critical to understanding memory outcomes.
A study of 500 people aged 50-85 found a link between occasional memory lapses and smaller hippocampus volumes. Researchers discovered that these subjective memory complaints were associated with reduced brain volumes, potentially indicating early signs of cognitive decline.
Researchers have discovered that our brains contain a built-in navigation system, much like satellite navigation, with in-built maps, grids and compasses. The hippocampus is the key area responsible for learning, memory and navigation, which becomes more refined and powerful in London taxi drivers over years of experience.
Scientists at UCLA and the Weizmann Institute of Science recorded individual brain cells as they recalled memories from epilepsy patients' brains. The study confirms that spontaneous memories arise with activity of the same neurons that were recorded as they fired when the memory was first being made.
A new study published in Neuron reveals that the perirhinal cortex can contribute to forming memories by creating simple associations between items. This finding expands our understanding of how brain areas involved in memory formation are organized, potentially leading to new insights into memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
A new automated system for measuring brain tissue with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help physicians accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease at an earlier stage. The technique, which uses computer software developed by researchers, shows significant promise in reducing processing time from hours to minutes.
Research found that long-term cannabis users may have structural brain abnormalities, with the hippocampus and amygdala being affected. The study suggests heavy daily use of cannabis might be toxic to human brain tissue, highlighting the need for further research.
A new study by Deniz Erten-Lyons shows that a larger hippocampus in the brain may protect individuals from the effects of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers compared the brains of 12 people with sharp memories to those of 23 individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, finding a significant difference in hippocampus volume
Researchers found that brain's memory consolidation process occurs at a rate of six or seven times faster than real-time experiences. This 'thought speed' allows the brain to replay memories in 8-10 minutes instead of an hour, revealing the biological trick behind this phenomenon.
Research reveals lead exposure reduces new neuron birth and survival, and alters their development in the hippocampus, a crucial region for learning and memory. This impairment affects the formation of new connections between neurons, leading to decreased communication and learning abilities.
Patients with hippocampal damage experience severe impairments in imagining new experiences and planning for the future. They struggle to visualize complex scenarios, instead seeing fragmented images. Researchers suggest a common brain mechanism underlying memory recall and imaginative thinking may be affected.
The hippocampus predicts future events by recalling associated memories and comparing past experiences to present ones. Damage to the hippocampus affects sequence memory and navigation abilities.
Researchers challenge long-held theory of memory storage by discovering the neocortex drives dialogue between old and new brain regions during deep sleep. The study uses single-cell recordings to show synchronized communication, suggesting a reversal in traditional understanding of memory consolidation.
Researchers found a reduction in total hippocampus volume among adult male veterans with a history of heavy drinking, suggesting injury to the brain structure. The study's results may explain some memory impairment and cognitive deficits observed in chronic alcoholics.
A team of UCLA researchers has developed a new three-dimensional imaging technique that tracks the spread of Alzheimer's disease through the hippocampus. The study reveals distinct patterns of atrophy in specific brain regions, shedding light on the progression of the disease.
MIT researchers confirm the existence of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus when learning occurs. Using advanced techniques, they found that certain key connections among neurons strengthen with learning, providing conclusive evidence for a fundamental learning mechanism.
The 'brain-chip' from Martinsried allows biophysicists to visualize the influence of pharmaceutical compounds on neural networks. This breakthrough enables a novel test system for brain and drug research, advancing neurochip prosthetics and neurocomputation.
Researchers have mapped a link between the size of the hippocampus and progression to Alzheimer's dementia. The technique allows for subtle anatomical differences to be detected, which holds great promise for predicting cognitive decline and improving patient counseling.
A team of Cornell University researchers used golden hamsters to study individual recognition, finding that different brain areas react differently depending on emotions attached to memories. The study's findings may have implications for understanding and treating social anxiety disorders, Asperger syndrome, and autism.
A mouse model of depression reveals a persistent molecular scar left by chronic stress in the brain's hippocampus. Antidepressants temporarily restore gene expression but fail to remove silencer molecules, highlighting the need for new treatments.
New research suggests that the hippocampus plays a crucial role in recognizing familiar and recalling specific details, contradicting recent findings. The study used six memory-impaired patients with localized hippocampal damage to test verbal recognition memory, finding that recognition accuracy was identical between groups.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method to track neuronal cell death in the hippocampus, a key memory center, which may lead to early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that 49% of Alzheimer's patients and 24% of mild cognitive impairment patients showed significant density decreases.
Researchers found that sleep-restricted rats showed reduced neurogenesis in the hippocampus after learning a spatial task. However, those who used visual and odor cues to navigate had better performance on the task, suggesting an adaptive strategy to compensate for lack of sleep.
Researchers identified two forms of mild cognitive impairment that progress at the same rate to Alzheimer's disease. Using 3D brain imaging, they found distinct patterns of brain damage in people with MCI-A and MCI-MCD, suggesting new avenues for diagnosis and treatment.
A study published in Neuron identifies the pre-frontal cortex as the origin of fear memory, contradicting previous research that linked it to the hippocampus. The researchers found that NMDA receptors play a critical role in developing fear memory, and blocking these receptors can reduce fear response.
Researchers studied two human volunteers with amnesia who could learn simple object discrimination tasks through repetition and habit learning. The volunteers' ability to select the correct item improved over time, suggesting that humans have a capacity for habit memory that is independent of conscious memorization.
A research team at UCLA and Caltech found that individual neurons can recognize specific images, including faces and letter strings of names. The discovery suggests a consistent code for transforming complex visual representations into long-term memories.
A new computer program, HipMask, uses brain scans to predict future Alzheimer's disease, offering a possible tool for early screening. The technique measures metabolic activity in the hippocampus, which diminishes in size as Alzheimer's progresses.
Research reveals chimpanzees' brain anatomy is asymmetric in key areas, particularly the hippocampus, similar to humans. This finding suggests that asymmetry may be a fundamental aspect of primate nervous systems and influences behavior, such as facial expressions and spatial memory.
A study found that word retention drops sharply after two minutes among men undergoing testosterone deprivation therapy, despite initial encoding being similar to healthy men. The lack of testosterone affects the function of the hippocampus, a curved ridge in the brain controlling learning and memory.
A UCI study found that increased CRH can inhibit normal brain-cell development, leading to poor dendrite growth. The researchers believe this may be related to autism, depression, and dementia, and may have potential preventive treatments.
Researchers at Boston University found that rats use recollection to recognize items they've recently experienced. The hippocampus plays a critical role in this process, similar to its function in humans. By studying rat brain activity, the team discovered evidence of both familiarity and recollection in rodents.
Researchers recorded activity of individual hippocampal neurons as monkeys retrieved well-learned information from memory, finding stronger response to familiar stimuli. The study provides strong evidence for a memory signal specific to well-learned information and may inform treatments for Alzheimer's Disease.
New research suggests two distinct brain areas, the hippocampus and subiculum, work together to process and store information for short-term memory. This finding broadens understanding of how memory works and could lead to more sensitive tests and treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have discovered that the anterior cingulate cortex plays a crucial role in storing and retrieving lifelong memories. The study, led by Dr. Paul Frankland, found that older memories are transferred from the hippocampus to the cortex over several weeks, likely during sleep.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that monkeys' brains sort computer clip art pictures into categories for recall, such as people, buildings, flowers, and animals. This process could lead to ways to improve memory in humans by reducing detail and categorizing information.
Researchers found that adolescents with early onset depression had significantly smaller left hippocampuses compared to healthy controls. The study also revealed that those with longer histories of depression had larger hippocampuses, suggesting that initial differences may not be apparent in adult patients.
A recent study using MRI has found significant volume loss in the hippocampus, a key role player in memory functions, among patients with Korsakoff's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that awareness of these clinical and radiological similarities can aid in early detection of each disorder.
Researchers from Mount Sinai Hospital identified a key role for the hippocampus in forming episodic memories. The study used rats to examine brain activity while they searched for food in a maze, revealing place cells that signaled location alone and others sensitive to recent or impending events.
Max Planck researchers found that reducing SK3 channel production in the hippocampus of aged mice prevented learning and memory deficits. The study provides new insight into the mechanisms of age-related cognitive decline and suggests a potential therapeutic approach.
A research team at NYU has identified cells in the hippocampus that signal new memory formation, shedding light on how associations are formed in the brain. The discovery is a major breakthrough in understanding the brain basis of memory and could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers Mark Gluck, Catherine Myers, and Martijn Meeter propose a novel interpretation of how the brain organizes sensory input into memories. They suggest that the entorhinal cortex handles incremental learning, while the hippocampus stores episodic memory.
Marine biologist Sara Lourie identifies a new species of pygmy seahorse, Hippocampus denise, found in tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean. The diminutive fish, averaging 16mm in length, may be safe from over-exploitation due to its camouflage abilities.
A study has identified a specific human gene variant, nicknamed 'met,' that affects memory and hippocampal function in humans. Individuals inheriting at least one copy of the 'met' version showed lower verbal episodic memory scores compared to those with two copies of the more common 'val' version.
Research shows that memories in the amygdala and hippocampus can be reactivated and require protein synthesis for restoration, contradicting long-held theories of memory storage. Dr. Nader's findings also explain false memory syndrome by revealing the biological basis of reconsolidation.
Research suggests that moderate drinking during pregnancy may cause subtle, long-lasting cognitive problems in offspring. Studies found that adult rodent offspring of mothers who consumed low to moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy had impaired spatial learning and reduced synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.
Buszaki's research published in Science and Nature reveals the neural code used by brain cells to communicate, including wave-like bursts that shape connections in the newborn brain. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding how memories are formed and how the brain develops.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that the CA3 region of the hippocampus is essential for 'pattern completion', allowing memories to be recalled from partial representations. The study involved genetically engineered mice with impaired NMDA receptor function in the CA3 region, which displayed deficits in memory recall.
Researchers have discovered that MRI scans can identify individuals at high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease decades in advance. The study used postmortem brain scans to show that shrinkage of the hippocampus, a key region affected by the disease, occurs early on.
Researchers found late-onset schizophrenia to be a distinct condition characterized by tau protein abnormalities. The study analyzed brain tissue from patients and found that changes in the hippocampus were caused by hyper-phosphorylation of tau.
Researchers have found that birds excel in tasks such as combining objects in specific orders, using vocal labels, and learning complex songs. This suggests that the neural machinery involved in these abilities may not be unique to primates, but rather has evolved separately in birds.
The study found that in older people with MCI, the brain produces more choline acetyltransferase, an enzyme important for memory and cognitive functions. This increase may be the brain's attempt to maintain normal function as neurons die.