Articles tagged with Human Brain
Baycrest leaders Dr. Allison Sekuler, Dr. Nicole Anderson, and Melissa Turzanski have been named winners of the WXN's Top 100 Awards for their groundbreaking work in aging and brain health research and innovation. Their contributions have transformed industries, communities, and country through exceptional leadership.
Researchers mapped how HSV-1 enters the brain, infects critical regions, and triggers neurological diseases. The virus was found in areas controlling vital functions, such as sleep and movement, and interacted with immune cells that led to chronic inflammation.
Scientists at UC Davis have identified new clusters of cells with differing gene expression patterns in the human and non-human primate amygdala. These findings suggest that alterations in specific cell types may contribute to disorders such as anxiety, and could lead to more targeted treatments.
Yihao Zheng and his team are developing a fiber-optic probe that analyzes artery blockages in the brain and guides procedures for blockage removal. The technology uses light and advanced calculations to determine the properties of blood clots, enabling doctors to make informed decisions about how to remove them.
Researchers develop transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) as a non-invasive therapy for brain-related issues, with potential for personalized treatments. A 'search and rescue tool' for the brain, TUS enables precise targeting of specific areas before treatment.
A magnetic field applied to both sides of the brain has been shown to rapidly treat depression in patients who have not responded to standard treatments. The therapy, known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), targets two areas of the brain implicated in depression and corrects imbalances in key processes.
A new study shows that preventing F-actin accumulation in the brains of aging fruit flies can maintain cellular recycling, extend lifespan and improve cognitive function. This discovery may offer a promising direction for developing interventions to promote healthier aging in humans.
A study by Northwestern University found that cross-talk between the hippocampus and cortex can predict chronic pain, with higher anxiety levels increasing precision. The researchers suggest targeting anxiety after injury to prevent chronic pain, paving the way for novel treatments.
Researchers at MIT have discovered additional brain pathways that modulate dopamine release, influencing movement and emotional decisions. The newly identified pathways appear to relay emotional information that helps shape motivation to take action.
Researchers found that the brain's language comprehension system can detect the basic structure of a short sentence in roughly 150 milliseconds, similar to visual scene perception. This rapid processing capacity suggests that our brains may be able to make snap decisions based on quick messages.
Scientists found that sleep deprivation during early life can negatively impact key brain functions, leading to lasting effects on behavior and social skills. The study also suggests that genetic risk for autism spectrum disorder can interact with sleep disruption to cause long-lasting changes.
A study led by Graciela Pineyro and Tomas Paus found that cannabis use in adolescence can lead to thinning of the cerebral cortex, affecting communication between neurons. The researchers used a combination of methods to demonstrate THC's impact on brain cells and identified genes associated with cortical thinning.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that middle-aged people with uncontrolled risk factors and poor lifestyle habits are at a higher risk of stroke, dementia, or depression. The study's results highlight the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle choices to promote brain health.
Researchers are combining large datasets to understand the impact of environmental factors on mental health and develop new ways to reduce the burden. A 4-step approach is being used to integrate complex data across many studies, resulting in a detailed perspective of individuals within their environment.
A UK study found that menopausal hormone therapy may have moderate effects on brain health, but these depend on past surgical history, treatment duration, and age at last use. The research revealed no significant differences in brain health between women who used MHT and those who did not, but those on MHT had higher grey and white-mat...
A new clinical guideline from the American Stroke Association outlines strategies to support brain health and prevent stroke throughout a person's lifespan. The guideline recommends regular health screenings, identifying risk factors, lifestyle interventions, and medications to reduce the risk of a first stroke.
Researchers identified 254 genetic variants that shape key brain structures, including those controlling memory, motor skills, and addictive behaviors. The study provides a roadmap for understanding the genetic basis of brain-related disorders like Parkinson's disease and ADHD.
Researchers reported a complete and long-lasting response to immunotherapy in a stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patient with brain metastases. The patient achieved overall survival of 87 months and progression-free survival of 73 months after treatment sequencing.
A new study found that people with opioid or alcohol use disorder who take Ozempic or similar medications have a lower rate of opioid overdose and alcohol intoxication. The medication, which treats diabetes and weight-related conditions, may also alter the brain's reward-response pathways associated with substance use.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the rare autoimmune disease anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can cause psychosis, hallucinations, and blackouts. The study found that different antibodies bind to NMDA receptors in unique ways, suggesting personalized medicine may be key to treating the condition.
Researchers found that female mouse models of Rett syndrome have a mosaic-like distribution of cells expressing wild-type and mutant MeCP2 protein, leading to dysregulated genes. The study also discovered an unusual disease progression, with females having more dysregulated genes at the pre-symptomatic stage than later on.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have identified a new EEG-based measure of sleepiness that could provide a diagnosis in just two minutes. The method tracks neuronal excitability, corresponding with the brain's sleep-wake processes and has wide-ranging implications for managing sleep disorders and workplace safety.
Researchers at EPFL have developed the e-Flower, a flower-shaped 3D microelectrode array that enables real-time recording of neural activity from 3D neural spheroids. This breakthrough technology allows for more accurate and gentle monitoring of brain cells, paving the way for further research on brain organoids.
A cohort study found no association between maternal COVID-19 exposure and abnormal neurodevelopmental screening results in children aged 24 months. Continued research is needed due to the developing fetal brain's sensitivity to maternal immune activation.
Children who survived childhood brain cancer are more likely to struggle academically, with a greater chance of being held back and performing poorly on state testing. The study's findings highlight the need for better support and resources to help these students succeed.
Researchers analyzed 84 brains to find that the first phase of Alzheimer's disease damages a specific type of inhibitory neuron, triggering neural circuit problems. The study confirms previous findings and identifies new changes during the disease.
A new study has identified two neuron types in the brainstem that induce REM sleep, revealing a potential cause of Parkinson's disease. The discovery provides insight into the neural circuitry underlying REM sleep and its relationship to neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at EMBL Hamburg and CSSB have uncovered the molecular details of vitamin B1 absorption, revealing critical transporters and barriers that hinder its progress. The study sheds light on rare diseases caused by SLC19A3 mutations and potentially life-threatening hidden deficiencies triggered by certain medications.
Researchers found that two human-specific genes, SRGAP2B and SRGAP2C, regulate the SYNGAP1 gene involved in autism spectrum disorder. The study provides a direct link between human brain evolution and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Mayo Clinic scientists created mini brain models in a dish that closely match key features seen in the brains of patients with Lewy body dementia. The team identified four potential drug compounds that may offer approaches to treating the disease.
A new study suggests that introducing a smaller vial size for the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab could reduce waste by 74% and save Medicare up to $336 million per year. This is due to the high amount of unused medication being discarded, with each patient often receiving a dose lower than the available vial sizes.
Researchers identified three key trauma features - boggy swelling to the head, abdominal bruising, and thigh swelling or deformity - that prompt immediate review and prioritized treatment. The study found children brought in by carers were seen within an average time of 58.5 minutes, highlighting the need for improved triage alerts.
A new study found that brain endurance training (BET) improves attention and executive function, as well as physical endurance and resistance exercise performance in older adults. BET outperformed exercise-only training in terms of cognitive and physical performance improvements.
Scientists have developed novel magnetic nanodiscs that can remotely stimulate parts of the brain, potentially treating neurological and psychiatric conditions. The devices were injected into specific brain regions in mice and triggered by a weak electromagnet, demonstrating precise control over neural activity.
Researchers from Charité have shown that deep brain stimulation using electrical impulses can accelerate movement and shorten delays in Parkinson's patients. By decoding the intent preceding voluntary movement seconds before action, they discovered that dopamine significantly speeds up this process.
A new magnetic gene therapy technology allows for precise control of specific brain circuits non-invasively with magnetic fields. The technology has shown promise in reducing abnormal movements in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, and may have potential applications for treating psychiatric disorders and chronic pain.
A study published in Nature elucidates the role of individual brain neurons in human odor perception, revealing distinct neural responses to smells, images, and names. The research demonstrates that different brain regions process specific functions of olfaction, shedding light on the complex mechanisms behind human scent detection.
A new citizen science study has found that a person's subjective impression of their own memory problems is strongly linked to modifiable risk factors for dementia. The research used a smartphone app to gather data from 3,327 people and found a stronger association between subjective memory impairment and risk factors such as depressio...
A new supplement celebrating the 100th volume of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease presents insights into the state of art in AD research. Recent advancements in geroscience have led to the development of preventive medical strategies targeting aging, holding promise for reducing disease risk.
A UCLA-led study has mapped DNA modification in the developing human brain, shedding light on how gene regulation evolves and shapes lifelong mental health. The research provides new insights into early brain development and its connection to neuropsychiatric conditions like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers found that positive expectations lead to increased activity in pleasure-related brain regions, while negative expectations prime pain processing. The study suggests a dissociable impact of hedonic information, with positive expectations facilitating reward processing and negative expectations heightening anxiety.
A longitudinal study tracked one person's brain activity for five months, revealing how daily life affects brain function. The research found that physical activity positively influences brain regions, while subtle shifts in mood and heart rate leave lasting imprints for up to fifteen days.
A recent study found that tau protein buildup disrupts the salience network, a crucial communication network in the brain, leading to behavioral changes. The study used advanced medical imaging to analyze the brains of 128 people with early-stage dementia and showed a strong association between tau disruption and behavioral symptoms.
Research has shown that people with hip osteoarthritis are unable to activate their muscles as efficiently due to the brain's inhibitory response. Dr. Myles Murphy and his team investigated muscle function in patients with hip osteoarthritis, finding a strong correlation between muscle activation and joint degeneration.
A new study has definitively revealed the presence of an efficient waste-clearance system within the human brain, showing that cerebrospinal fluid flows through specific pathways to clear metabolic wastes generated by brain energy. Lifestyle measures and medications can maintain and enhance this system.
A new article investigates whether auditory magic tricks can be created for a blind audience, finding that the brain processes visual and auditory information differently. This study underscores the importance of making magic more inclusive for people with blindness.
Researchers found that prenatal exposure to synthetic cannabinoid led to cardiovascular problems in female rats and increased respiratory sensitivity to carbon dioxide in male rats. Sleep quality also deteriorated in both sexes, with males experiencing sleep fragmentation due to frequent wakefulness episodes.
Researchers found that people with schizophrenia who experience auditory hallucinations have impaired brain processes, including a 'broken' corollary discharge and 'noisy' efference copy. This impairment may contribute to the loss of ability to distinguish reality from fantasy.
A new study published in Current Biology found that our brains organize experiences into individual events based on what we currently care about and are paying attention to. The researchers used audio narratives to test this hypothesis, finding that people's brain activity creates new chapters depending on their perspective.
Researchers have developed a peptide inhibitor called RI-AG03 that effectively prevents Tau protein aggregation in lab and fruit fly studies. The breakthrough targets both major aggregation-promoting 'hotspots' of the Tau protein, potentially paving the way for more effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
A study by UW researchers found a direct correlation between feeling 'wonder about the universe' and interest in astronomy. Populations with low light pollution reported higher levels of wonder, which led to increased interest in astronomy.
Researchers at UConn have discovered a novel miRNA-141-3p inhibitor that successfully reduces stroke damage and extinguishes inflammatory fires in the brain. The treatment has shown swift restoration of motor function and memory in mouse models, offering new hope for patients affected by strokes.
A team of scientists has successfully mapped the entire brain of Drosophila melanogaster, a fruit fly, using electron microscopy dataset and connectome analysis. The complete map will help researchers understand how different circuits work together to control behaviors like motor control, courtship, and decision-making.
The study found that individuals with higher melanin levels experience decreased signal quality and lower oxygen saturation readings. To enhance reliability, researchers advocate for incorporating melanin level measurements and using specific wavelengths less absorbed by melanin.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered how a brain cell surface molecule shapes neuron behavior, finding that it suppresses selectivity in neurons. The study's findings may help scientists better understand causes of autism, schizophrenia, and epilepsy.
A Dartmouth-led study found that people are more skilled at inferring past events from conversations than predicting future events. This phenomenon is attributed to the asymmetrical nature of human knowledge about their own lives and experiences, which influences how people converse.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that ChatGPT's diagnostic performance for brain tumors was comparable to that of neuroradiologists, with an accuracy rate of 73%. The model's performance varied depending on the type of clinical report written, with higher accuracy when using reports from neuroradiologist writers.
A systematic review of 40 studies found associations between outdoor air pollution and differences in children's brain volumes, connections, and markers for Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that even low-level pollution can impact brain development, highlighting the need for policy changes to reduce exposure.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh discover that deep brain stimulation instantly improves arm and hand strength and function weakened by traumatic brain injury or stroke. The therapy stimulates the motor thalamus, a key relay hub of movement control, and significantly improves activation of muscles and grip force.
Researchers developed an AI-driven approach to model complex hand movements, overcoming current limitations in neuroscience and biomedical engineering. The model achieved a 100% success rate in controlling virtual Baoding balls, showcasing its strength in various challenging situations.