Articles tagged with Human Brain
A large-scale study revealed a profound link between dietary patterns and brain health, with a balanced diet associated with better mental health, superior cognitive functions and higher grey matter in the brain. The researchers suggest that gradual dietary modifications can lead to healthier food choices and improved wellbeing.
Researchers discovered a novel brain network condition called 'explosive synchronization' that correlates with pain crises in sickle cell disease. This finding could lead to predicting and preventing severe episodes of pain, improving patient outcomes.
Researchers used state-of-the-art imaging techniques to discover the metabolism driving Alzheimer's disease, suggesting new treatment strategies. Lipid droplet metabolism can malfunction in Alzheimer's, leading to a cycle of stress and inflammation that worsens the disease.
The position paper identifies eight key areas for digital neuroscience research, including near-term, middle-term, and long-term goals. It also discusses the potential of 'digital twin' approaches, ultra-high-resolution digital atlases, and neuro-derived AI and computing innovations.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that post-mitotic brain neurons re-entering the cell cycle rapidly succumb to senescence. This process is more common in Alzheimer's disease and may provide valuable information about neurodegeneration, while the technique used can be applied to other inquiries.
Researchers develop gene therapy to delay progression of metachromatic leukodystrophy by correcting enzyme deficiency and reducing neuroinflammation. Successful treatment has been demonstrated in mice, paving the way for potential human clinical trials.
A recent study published in Attention, Perception & Psychophysics found a correlation between pupil dilation and working memory. Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington discovered that individuals with better working memory had larger pupil dilations during tasks, indicating improved focus and attention.
Researchers used a new integrated wireless system to record brain activity in frontal areas of macaques' brains while they foraged. The results indicate that foraging strategies are based on a cortical model of reward dynamics.
Scientists have identified a consistent signature of multiple sclerosis in the blood of patients years before they develop symptoms. The discovery, published in Nature Medicine, could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease, affecting nearly 1 million people in the US.
Researchers at UCSF have identified laryngeal and tracheal neuroendocrine cells that sense water and acid in the upper airway, triggering a cough reflex. The discovery could lead to interventions to prevent pneumonia and treat certain types of chronic cough.
The American Heart Association has awarded $15 million to researchers studying the role of inflammation in cardiac and brain diseases. The four-year project aims to better understand the body's response to inflammation and prevent or treat inflammation-driven cardiovascular diseases.
A study published in Environment International found that exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during the first two years of life is associated with poorer attentional function in children aged 4-8, particularly in boys. The association persists even after adjusting for other factors.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have identified promising links between common HIV drugs and a reduced incidence of Alzheimer's disease. The study analyzed over 225,000 medical records and found that RT inhibitor exposure was associated with a statistically significant reduced incidence and prevalence of AD.
Researchers from SGH and NNI found side-to-side differences in the corticoreticular pathway of patients with AIS, which may lead to better diagnosis and treatment options. The study's findings suggest that scoliosis is fundamentally related to brain and spinal cord interactions.
A study published in Nature reveals the existence of source inhibitory neurons (dInNs) in humans that differ from other species. The researchers used mosaic variants to trace the lineage of brain cells and found that inhibitory and excitatory neurons share a common family name, indicating they share a cellular relationship.
A new review links poverty and low socioeconomic status to brain changes that influence educational attainment, psychiatric illness, and language development. Chronic stress, poor nutrition, and environmental hazards can impair brain development, leading to negative consequences for individuals and families.
Researchers from the University of Rochester found that blinking allows brains to process visual information more effectively, providing a new understanding of how humans see. By modulating visual input, blinks reformulate visual signals, enabling better perception of big patterns and overall visual scenes.
Researchers discovered that rats without prior knowledge of numbers can develop a sense of numbers when trained with sounds representing two or three numbers. The study found that the brain has a specific area for dealing with numbers, which is separate from the processing of magnitude.
Researchers found two key brain systems malfunctioning in people with psychosis, leading to hallucinations and delusions. The study used brain scan data from children, teens, and young adults with psychosis, confirming an existing theory of how breaks with reality occur.
Researchers used fMRI and predictive modeling to decode emotional dimensions of spontaneous thoughts, revealing the involvement of default mode, ventral attention, and frontoparietal networks. The study's findings hold promise for daydream decoding and potential applications in mental health.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo successfully connected lab-grown brain-mimicking tissue using axonal bundles, mimicking natural brain connections. This breakthrough enables the study of complex brain networks and their role in various neurological and psychiatric conditions.
A noninvasive brain stimulation treatment, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), improved depression and anxiety symptoms among older adults. The treatment benefits persisted at a one-year follow-up, particularly among those with moderate to severe state anxiety.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have assembled a comprehensive atlas of messenger RNA variants in the mouse and human brain, revealing intricate patterns of gene expression and its relationship to major brain disorders. The study provides valuable insights into brain development, neuron specialization, and disease mechanisms.
Research from the University of Washington's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences found that increased neural activity in response to social interaction at 5 months predicted enhanced language development at later ages. The study used magnetoencephalography to monitor infant brain activity during social and nonsocial interactions wi...
A researcher at West Virginia University is using 'reverse engineering' to study the structural characteristics of slot machines and their impact on players. The study aims to understand what makes these games immersive and how they interact with individual vulnerabilities, ultimately informing the development of safer gambling products.
Researchers at Hiroshima University explore the ethics of growing brain organoids from human fetal brain cells, highlighting concerns over consciousness, informed consent, and medical applications. The study emphasizes the need for a global regulatory framework to navigate the complex ethical landscape of fetal brain organoid research.
Dr. Olga Boukrina's research aims to test a novel hybrid approach combining aerobic exercise and targeted reading treatment for post-stroke aphasia, targeting 70 stroke survivors. The study seeks to enhance brain blood flow and rehabilitate damaged brain networks supporting reading.
A team of researchers at Trinity College Dublin has developed a new blood test that measures the immune response to Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), which is the leading risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). The study found that people with MS have a higher immune response to EBNA-1, a part of the EBV, compared to those without MS.
Researchers found TDP-43 drives nerve damage after injury and blocking cell surface protein KCNJ2 can correct faulty TDP-43, curbing nerve death. The study provides insights into traumatic brain injury and potential prevention methods.
A traumatic brain injury quadruples the risk of developing dementia and neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. USC scientists used lab-grown human brain structures called organoids to study TBI's effects. They identified a gene, KCNJ2, that helps protect nerve cells against injury.
A new study found that lonely women exhibit increased activity in brain regions associated with food cravings and motivation towards eating high-calorie foods. The researchers also discovered a link between social isolation, obesity, and poor mental health, highlighting the importance of holistic interventions to break the cycle.
Researchers found a link between Fontan circulation and accelerated epigenetic aging, which can cause complications like osteoporosis and renal impairment. The study suggests this acceleration starts in childhood and continues into adulthood, with potential new treatment opportunities to delay progression.
A new study identifies multiple emotion regulation systems in the human brain, providing targets for therapy. The research reveals that regions in the anterior prefrontal cortex and higher-level cortical hierarchies are involved in emotion regulation.
A new study found that postmenopausal women exhibit smaller cortical surface areas in certain brain regions, reduced thalamic subnuclei volumes, and decreased functional connectivity, suggesting a link between menopause-related symptoms and brain changes.
Researchers sequenced RNA transcripts from 18 primate brains to map every expressed gene, revealing remarkable variation in humans and chimps compared to other primates. The study identifies specific genes for further research and sheds light on human neurodegenerative disorders.
A new bioluminescence imaging technique allows researchers to observe oxygen movement in the brains of mice in real-time, providing insights into diseases such as Alzheimer's and strokes. The method reveals that small areas of the brain, called 'hypoxic pockets,' can be denied oxygen for brief periods, increasing risk for these diseases.
A study using a xenotransplantation model has revealed that human microglia respond to amyloid-β plaques with a complex immune response, influencing the disease course. The research highlights the importance of considering genetic factors in microglia-targeted therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
Research on aphantasia, a condition where people cannot visualize images in their mind's eye, reveals its subtypes and links to variations in physiology and behavior. A review of nearly 50 studies found that aphantasia is not a disorder but rather a variation in human experience with both advantages and disadvantages.
Researchers have introduced a refined method for analyzing brain signals, providing a more detailed understanding of the brain's complex activity. This enhancement enables scientists to better understand how brain activity correlates with different tasks and behaviors.
A new study suggests that artificial intelligence can accurately locate lesions in the brain after a stroke, identifying which side of the brain is affected and specific brain regions. The AI model achieved high sensitivity and specificity rates, but its accuracy depends on the quality of available health history information.
A new study led by Dr. Mareike Albert identified epiregulin as a growth factor involved in brain expansion in humans, but not in mice or other primates. The findings were made using 3D cell culture technology and brain organoids.
A new study has identified the likely origin of tone deafness in the brain, finding that strokes causing amusia affect the right hemisphere and a specific region called the superior temporal gyrus. This discovery highlights the differences between processing music and language in the brain, with implications for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers discover a significant association between chronic knee pain and accelerated brain aging, highlighting the need for early detection and intervention strategies. Brain regions critical for cognitive function show increased signs of aging in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
A new series of essays explores the ethics and social issues raised by brain research, including post-trial obligations for human participants in neural-device trials. The studies reveal that injury and illness rob individuals of personal identity, while neuromodulation can restore it.
A new study found that human brains are getting larger, with participants born in the 1970s having 6.6% greater brain volume and almost 15% larger brain surface area than those born in the 1930s. This increased brain size may lead to a higher brain reserve, potentially reducing the overall risk of age-related dementias.
A recent study published in Cell reveals significant similarities between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), two distinct neurological disorders. The research found shared gene expression patterns across various brain regions, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for both conditions.
Researchers have mapped the protein composition of brain endothelial cells, revealing dysregulation of key molecules involved in cellular processes. This study provides a framework for understanding endothelial signaling pathways during aging and serves as a data basis for future analyses of brain endothelial function.
University of Calgary researchers found that communication between the lungs and brain triggers symptoms of sickness, changing treatment approaches for respiratory infections and chronic conditions. The study also suggests targeting neurological pathways alongside antibiotics to combat infections.
A new Dartmouth study reports on a unique case of prosopometamorphopsia (PMO), a rare condition that distorts facial features. The researchers used computer software to visualize the patient's real-time perception of face distortions, providing accurate and photorealistic visualizations for the first time.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective method to spatially characterize and map brain epigenomes, providing a comprehensive map of the brain's biology at genome scale. The approach enables understanding of gene activity outside of DNA sequences and has implications for treating brain disorders.
A new study highlights the importance of differentiating between formal and functional competence in language learning models. Researchers argue that leveraging human neuroscience insights can help develop more powerful AIs that mimic the brain's modularity, leading to improved performance and natural user interaction.
Researchers at EPFL have successfully connected two artificial synapses using ions to process data, paving the way for brain-inspired computing. The device stores information in a readily accessible way, reducing energy costs and mimicking the brain's own processing mechanism.
A new UCLA study discovered a brain circuit that makes mice pursue fatty foods even when not hungry. People may possess the same cells, which could offer new insights into eating disorders. The research suggests that food-seeking neurons drive cravings for high-calorie foods, rather than hunger.
A new study has compiled a global archive of preserved human brains, challenging the notion that brain preservation is extremely rare. The archive reveals that nervous tissues persist in much greater abundances than traditionally thought, with many brains up to 12,000 years old and found in diverse environments.
Researchers argue that middle age marks a shift in brain aging and should be a focus for more research. The study identified changes in the brain's structure, function, and gene expression during this period.
A study from the University of Surrey suggests that anxiety in girls and young women is connected to an imbalance between GABA and glutamate. As young women mature, the levels of GABA increase while those of glutamate decrease, indicating a vital indicator of anxiety levels.
Researchers found that individuals who excel at synchronizing speech rhythms can learn new words more efficiently and have stronger connections between brain areas involved in language processing. This ability is stable across time and not dependent on language experience.
Researchers at WashU make the case that a public health priority focusing on these conditions can enhance brain development, cognition, and social-emotional development. The study evaluated 232 infants and found that even those from adverse conditions can thrive with access to these basic supports.
Researchers have discovered that neurochemicals influence neural activity, blood flow, and fMRI measurements. The study found that certain neurochemicals can cause constrictions in blood vessels, leading to negative fMRI signals.
Research found greater pain exposure in early life associated with altered maturation of neonatal brain connectivity, particularly in female infants. This alteration was linked to regional specificities in neurodevelopmental outcomes.