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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers developed chronological age prediction models by analyzing gene expression changes in the prefrontal cortex, identifying genes associated with aging and potential mechanisms. The models showed high correlation with age and demonstrated female and male-specific differences.
A Duke University-led study suggests that targeting disadvantaged neighborhoods for dementia prevention programs could help lower dementia risk. People living in poorer neighborhoods show early signs of cognitive decline and have measurably poorer brain health as early as age 45, regardless of their own personal income or education.
Researchers at UC San Diego discover that acute stress triggers a switch in neurotransmitters, leading to generalized fear responses. They also find that suppressing GABA production and using antidepressants can prevent this effect.
Research at the University of Washington School of Medicine found that veterans who suffered mild traumatic brain injuries from blasts had changes in spinal fluid proteins similar to those seen in people with Alzheimer's. The study suggests a possible link between mTBI and an increased risk of developing dementia.
A recent study by Boston Children's Hospital researchers found that activity in the dentate gyrus helps keep us focused on our environment when our mind wanders. This neural activity also aids in forming memories.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin found that babies who were prompted to touch their own faces developed self-recognition earlier than those who did not. This suggests that active experiences, such as touching one's body, play a crucial role in the development of self-awareness.
Spending time with dogs increases alpha-band oscillations, associated with relaxed wakefulness, and beta-band oscillation strength, linked to heightened concentration. Participants reported reduced fatigue, depression, and stress after dog-related activities.
Researchers developed a custom-built, low-cost mesoscope that can adapt to different neuroimaging experiments in live mice and rats. The system offers excellent spatial and temporal resolutions, achieved through its reversible tandem lens configuration, which enables flexible experimentation.
Researchers have discovered that specific neurons in the thalamus are actively involved in processing cardiac and respiratory signals. This breakthrough understanding of brain-body integration may help characterize how subcortical regions process signals through a functional pathway from internal organs.
A team of researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina has discovered a novel protective response by which the brain naturally repairs itself after traumatic brain injury. Protein p17 plays a crucial role in this process, triggering the restorative mechanism of mitophagy to remove damaged tissue and initiate healing.
A new AI language model identifies clinical symptoms in medical summaries and links them to brain tissue, providing new insights into individual disease progression. The model contributes to a better understanding of common misdiagnoses of brain diseases and may assist in making more accurate diagnoses.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a flexible paper-based sensor that operates like the human brain, enabling low-power and efficient health monitoring. The device can distinguish 4-bit input optical pulses and generate currents in response to time-series optical input, with rapid response times.
A new study found that the brains of polyglots process their native language with minimal effort, while more proficient languages activate the language network stronger. The researchers explored how polyglots' brains respond to different languages and proficiency levels.
Researchers at Brown University's Carney Institute for Brain Science discovered how the brain coordinates attention and filtering functions to perform complex tasks. The study found that multiple brain regions work together to adjust focus and filter out distractions, providing insight into human cognitive flexibility.
Researchers at Columbia University discovered that brain waves move from back to front while forming new memories, but reverse direction when recalling information. The study's findings advance fundamental neuroscience research and may lead to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for memory-related disorders.
A new study combines virtual reality exposure with transcranial direct current stimulation to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans. The innovative approach shows significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity and accelerates psychological adjustment, offering hope for an effective treatment.
A study published by the University of Florida suggests a connection between elevated amyloid blood levels and subtle brain microstructural changes in individuals without dementia. Researchers used diffusion MRI to detect free-water in the brain, revealing associations with structural abnormalities even when PET scans were negative.
Scientists trained AI models on brain activity data from mice to detect hippocampal ripples, a biomarker of memory, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. The model toolbox can be applied to non-human primate and human data with similar recording techniques.
A preliminary study found that people with headaches after concussions tend to have higher levels of iron in areas of the brain, suggesting damage to brain cells. The more concussions and frequent headaches individuals experience, the greater the likelihood of increased iron accumulation in certain brain regions.
UCSF scientists discover delivering therapeutic molecules to amniotic fluid can effectively treat Angelman syndrome and other neurological conditions. The treatment uses antisense oligonucleotides, which can alter gene expression, and has shown improved motor function and learning outcomes in mice.
A global study finds that people from different cultures favor simple integer ratios in music rhythms, but with varying degrees of bias. The research team gathered data from 39 groups across 15 countries and found a degree of universality in music perception and cognition.
A new study from Drexel University's Creativity Research Lab reveals that the creative flow state involves two key factors: extensive experience and release of control. High-experience musicians experienced flow more often and intensely than low-experience musicians, suggesting expertise enables flow.
A new study highlights the contributions of 50 top scientists from elite universities to transforming medicine through cutting-edge biomedical engineering advances. Five primary medical challenges are identified, including precision engineering for personalized care and tissue engineering for human health.
Research suggests that magnetite particles, found in air pollution, can induce signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The study exposed mice to fine particles of iron, magnetite, and diesel hydrocarbons, finding that magnetite induced Alzheimer's disease pathologies, including neuronal cell loss and amyloid plaque formation.
UCLA Health researchers found a group of astrocytes in the central striatum regulate neurotransmitter communication and gate perseverative behavior. The discovery may lead to potential therapies for disorders like autism, OCD, and Tourette syndrome.
A new study found a significant link between healthcare disparities and stroke treatment, with patients from disadvantaged backgrounds receiving clot-busting drugs less frequently. The study identified factors such as race, income, and housing as contributing to these disparities.
Researchers at Salk Institute have created a novel organoid model of the human brain that includes mature, functional astrocytes. This allows for the study of inflammation and stress in aging and diseases like Alzheimer's with greater clarity, revealing a relationship between astrocyte dysfunction and inflammation.
A study by researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that chronic cocaine use alters the functional networks in the brain, including the default mode network and salience network. This disruption can make it harder for individuals to focus, control impulses, or feel motivated without the drug.
A research team developed a model of the blood-brain barrier using modularized tissue derived from human cells. The 'Tissue-in-a-CUBE' system accurately mimics the real blood-brain barrier in terms of structure and function, allowing for the testing of drugs without animal testing.
A meta-analysis of 30 studies involving 3,501 women found that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions significantly improved anxiety, depression, memory, and concentration difficulties. CBT was also the most cost-effective option for menopause management.
A new neuroscientific paradigm, the synergistic model, allows better understanding of brain-body-environment interactions. This framework enables more accurate personalized diagnoses and treatments of brain diseases.
Scientists at UCSF discovered a new way to test for autism by measuring how children's eyes move when they turn their heads. Children with severe autism have an unusual form of the vestibulo-ocular reflex, which can be measured with a simple eye-tracking device.
A new study by Baycrest and the University of Toronto suggests that talking speed is a more important indicator of brain health than difficulty finding words. Changes in general talking speed may reflect changes in the brain, indicating its importance in detecting cognitive decline faster.
A recent study conducted at the University of Zurich found that live performances stimulate a stronger emotional response in the brain compared to listening to recorded music. The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain activity during both live and recorded music sessions, revealing a significant difference in amy...
Recent research shows that many mechanisms contributing to obesity affect the brain, particularly dopamine pathways. This insight may impact treatment approaches, including medication and initiatives to make fattening foods less accessible. Society must also take responsibility for destigmatizing obesity.
Scientists have discovered that the bat brainstem processes echolocation and communication calls differently, with a stronger response to less frequent calls due to better neural synchronization. The findings may also be relevant to medical applications in humans, such as understanding diseases like ADHD or schizophrenia.
A team of researchers used deep brain stimulation to localize disrupted neural pathways in patients with Parkinson's disease, dystonia, OCD, and Tourette's syndrome. The study identified specific brain circuits associated with each disorder, revealing overlapping malfunctions that suggest a complex network of brain dysfunctions.
Research finds that living in violent neighborhoods can alter a child's brain to detect threats more easily, leading to poorer mental health. Nurturing parents can help protect kids from these detrimental effects by reducing exposure to community violence and promoting resilience.
Scientists have uncovered a novel form of MRI scan that shows how Long-COVID affects the human brain's delicate network of blood vessels. The study found disruption to the integrity of blood vessels in patients with Long COVID and brain fog, highlighting a potential target for targeted therapies.
A new study from Mass General Brigham used deep brain stimulation to identify specific brain circuits associated with different disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and obsessive compulsive disorder. The researchers were able to apply these findings to fine-tune DBS treatments and demonstrate preliminary improved results in three cases.
A new study published in eClinicalMedicine found that the iTalkBetter app significantly improved patients' ability to talk after six weeks of use. The app provided digital speech therapy for over 200 commonly used words, with a 13% increase in naming items and improvements in spontaneous speech.
Researchers found differences in brain and immune systems of people with post-infectious ME/CFS. Abnormalities in the temporal-parietal junction and low levels of catecholamines were associated with fatigue, cognitive symptoms, and motor performance.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine unveiled a new AI model that accurately identified sex differences in brain activity with over 90% accuracy. The study suggests that understanding these differences is crucial for addressing neuropsychiatric conditions that affect women and men differently.
Researchers at University of California - San Francisco have developed a precise map of what is happening in the brain’s auditory cortex when someone hears a melody. The study found that some aspects of music are entwined with how we understand speech, while other important aspects stand alone. The brain uses two sets of neurons to ass...
A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that the human brain can segregate direct speech from its echo, allowing for reliable recognition of echoic speech. This neural separation is essential for understanding conversations in noisy environments and is supported by magnetoencephalography recordings.
A recent twin study published in Human Brain Mapping has found that genetics play a significant role in brain activity during emotional and cognitive tasks, with some factors being exclusive to environment. The study used functional MRI scans on twins to analyze the relationship between genetics and environment in brain function.
A team of scientists has successfully used a neural prosthetic device to recall specific memories in adults with epilepsy. The device uses a person's own memory patterns to facilitate the brain's ability to encode and recall memory, showing promise for cognitive enhancement technologies.
Researchers have identified a network of neurons controlling right-left movements in the brain, which may help treat Parkinson's disease. The discovery provides insight into how essential movements are produced by the brain.
Researchers found that injecting a substance to block an artery and combining it with surgery significantly reduced the risk of repeat surgery for patients with subdural hematomas. The study, published at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference, showed a nearly 3-fold reduction in re-operation rates.
A Northwestern University study found epigenetic changes in Alzheimer's patients' blood that increase the risk of the disease. The researchers discovered altered immune genes and proteins in the blood that could be triggered by previous viral infections or environmental pollutants, potentially leading to brain damage.