Articles tagged with Human Brain
A new study led by Dr. Richard Naud of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Medicine tackles the mystery of neuronal response variability, controlling output with dendrites' inputs to the core and little antennas
A new study suggests that dopamine plays a key role in how moderate-intensity exercise improves reaction time and cognitive performance. The researchers measured the release of dopamine in the brain using a PET scanner and found that it was linked to faster reaction time during exercise.
A new study published in Current Biology shows that dopamine plays a critical role in keeping love alive and forming close relationships. Prairie voles with monogamous pair bonds exhibit unique chemical imprints on their brain's reward center, motivating them to maintain these bonds over time.
Researchers discovered a previously unreported neuron type with vulnerability in Parkinson's disease, shedding light on the complexity of the disease and potential therapeutic targets. The study identified distinct transcriptomic signatures of this neuron type and found reduced RIT2 expression in Parkinson's disease patients.
A study from Duke University found that people with PTSD have a significantly smaller cerebellum, especially in areas related to emotion and memory. Researchers hope this discovery will lead to targeted treatments and more research on the brain region's role in PTSD.
Research has shown that most people cradle babies in the crook of their left arm, as this allows for better sound quality and emotional connection. The theory suggests that this is because the heart is on the left side and humans perceive information faster with their left ear.
The European Commission has awarded €38 million to further develop EBRAINS, a digital ecosystem for neuroscientific research. The project aims to establish a new standard for brain atlases and push forward digital twin approaches.
Researchers developed a novel test that detects single ⍺-synuclein fibrils in patient samples to identify patients with Parkinson's disease earlier. This breakthrough has the potential to create early applicable molecular diagnostics, improve clinical trials, and facilitate drug screening for neurodegenerative diseases.
A recent study published in Behavioural Sciences found that romantic love changes the way our brains react to our partners, making them the center of our lives. The research, led by ANU and UniSA researchers, sheds light on the mechanisms behind romantic love's evolution.
Scientists have developed mini-brains from human fetal brain tissue that self-organize in vitro. These lab-grown organoids can study brain development and disease, including brain tumors. They offer a valuable means to untangle the complex network of molecules involved in directing brain development.
A team of scientists used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity in two key visual regions, the lateral occipital complex (LOC) and fusiform face area (FFA). The study found that fNIRS successfully measured LOC activity but had limitations in detecting FFA activity due to its depth. This research has th...
Researchers have identified a gene that links deafness to cell death in the inner ear, creating new opportunities for preventing hearing loss. The discovery suggests that UPR-blocking drugs could prevent deafness caused by loud noise exposure or aging.
A novel human brain organoid model generates all major cell types of the cerebellum, including functional Purkinje neurons. This breakthrough provides a new way to explore cerebellar development and disorders, advancing therapeutic interventions.
A new study finds that complex and unfamiliar sentences generate stronger responses in the brain's language processing centers. Sentences with higher surprisal and linguistic complexity evoke more activation, while extremely simple or nonsensical sequences elicit little response.
A new study published in Neurology found that high levels of radon exposure are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke and clonal hematopoiesis (CHIP) in middle-aged female participants. The study, which included over 10,799 women, found a significant association between radon exposure and CHIP, particularly among those w...
A new study by University of California Riverside researchers found that high-fat diets affect not only obesity and colon cancer but also the immune system, brain function, and potentially COVID-19 risk. The study, which analyzed genetic changes in mice fed different types of fat, showed that polyunsaturated fatty acids in soybean oil ...
Research reveals that the midbrain of midshipman fish initiates and patterns sounds used in vocal communication. The findings suggest a functional comparable periaqueductal gray node between fish and mammals, which can influence acoustic structure of social context-specific vocal signals.
Researchers created a new brain imaging method that allows diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) even when existing imaging techniques don't show structural abnormalities. The technique uses immune cells to carry imaging agents into the brain, increasing correctly diagnosed mTBI cases and improving patient care.
A Mount Sinai study found that human beliefs about nicotine can modulate brain activities in a way comparable to pharmacology, with potential implications for addiction treatment. The study used fMRI to explore the relationship between subjective beliefs and biological substrates in the human brain.
Researchers examine the dynamic nature of fear responses in varied environments, shedding light on physical manifestation of memory in the brain. The study reveals that fear memories are linked to pathological states like PTSD and generalized anxiety, with direct translational relevance for disorders involving dysregulated fear responses.
Researchers found that infants with enlarged perivascular spaces have a 2.2 times greater chance of developing autism compared to those with the same genetic risk. The study also indicates that these infants are more likely to experience sleep problems seven to ten years after diagnosis.
Neuronal activity stimulates gene expression in human brain cells by influencing transcription factors and chromatin modifiers, particularly CREB and CBP. The interaction between CREB and DNA requires prior acetylation mediated by CBP to activate gene expression.
The researchers designed a capsule about the size of a multivitamin, powered by a small battery, which vibrates to activate mechanoreceptors in the stomach. This activation stimulates hormone release patterns similar to those following a meal, reducing food intake and slowing weight gain by 40 percent.
Mayo Clinic researchers used genetic sequencing to study the measles virus's spread in a human brain. The study found that the virus acquired distinct mutations that drove its spread from the frontal cortex outward. This knowledge may help develop effective antiviral drugs to combat SSPE, a rare and lethal brain disease caused by measles.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati's Lindner Center of HOPE have developed a novel approach to treating depression using spinal cord stimulation. The study found that electrical stimulation of the spinal cord decreased depressive symptoms and showed therapeutic potential.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System discovered that tau proteins damage brain cells by warping their nuclei, altering gene function and increasing tau production. This finding could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies.
A study of 25 obese Chinese individuals reveals that intermittent energy restriction (IER) alters the gut microbiome and brain activity, leading to significant weight loss and reductions in obesity-related comorbidities. The changes are coupled over time, suggesting a complex relationship between the gut microbiome and brain.
Scientists are finding that risk factors for autism spectrum disorder boil down to a couple of core pathways in early human brain development, according to researchers using technologies like RosetteArray. This new understanding is helping identify potential targets for treatments.
Researchers have identified respiration as a potential pacemaker for brain activity patterns that reanimate memories during sleep. This finding suggests that breathing influences how memories are consolidated during rest.
Researchers discovered a striking similarity between AI models and the human brain's hippocampus, which enables powerful AI systems. By mimicking the NMDA receptor's gating process, they improved long-term memory in Transformer models.
Researchers used multimodal MRI data to compare human brain communication networks with those of macaques and mice. They found that only human brains transmitted information via multiple parallel pathways, which were as unique as fingerprints and could be used to identify individuals.
A study by Waseda University explores the effects of different vascularization strategies on brain organoids, improving cell differentiation and transcriptome profiles. Vascularized cerebral organoids exhibit a gene expression profile closer to fetal human brains than non-vascularized ones.
Researchers at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology have developed a new gene therapy that significantly reduces seizures in mice with focal cortical dysplasia. The treatment, which involves the overexpression of a potassium channel, has shown an average reduction of 87% in seizures without affecting the mouse's memory or behavior.
The study reveals functional clustering in dendrites with significant egocentric tuning, suggesting the existence of specialized channels for processing egocentric information about boundaries. The researchers found that boundary-representing cells are largely independent of visual landmark-representing cells, contributing to our under...
Scientists have successfully grown neurons from stem cells that can repair damaged brain tissue after stroke, offering new hope for treatments. The technology also holds promise for studying neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and spinal cord injury.
Researchers at Salk Institute assembled the most complete atlas of the mouse brain by analyzing over 2 million brain cells. The detailed atlas reveals thousands of cell types, their connections, genes, and regulatory programs active in each cell, providing new insights into human disease vulnerabilities.
Researchers found that most cell types in the retina are ancient and conserved across species, indicating a complex retina in the last common ancestor of all mammals. The study suggests that some cell types have been remodeled or repurposed over time to adapt to different visual needs.
A new study from MIT shows that computational models trained on auditory tasks display an internal organization similar to the human auditory cortex. Models trained on diverse tasks and background noise more closely mimic brain activation patterns.
Scientists have identified key stages in the 'wave of death' - a high-amplitude wave that marks the transition to complete brain silence after oxygen deprivation. The study found that this critical event induces neuronal death throughout the cortex and can be reversible with timely resuscitation.
Researchers have developed an AI-powered system to diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children using a single flash of light to the eye. The system uses electroretinography (ERG) to identify specific features that classify ASD, providing a faster and more accurate method for diagnosis than existing tests.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science found that smoking causes brain shrinkage and increases the risk of age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Quitting smoking can prevent further loss of brain tissue, but stopping does not restore the brain to its original size.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that people can quickly determine what someone is trying to figure out when they shake a box, including the number of items or their shape. This study reveals a key aspect of human cognition and demonstrates how our minds track visual cues.
Researchers at Linköping University used advanced diffusion MRI to examine the brains of patients with persisting symptoms after COVID-19 and found differences in white matter structure. This study provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms of post-COVID neurological problems.
A recent study reveals the importance of brain hubs in neural networks and their rapid compensation when lost. The researchers obtained direct recordings of human brain activity before and after surgically disconnecting a critical language hub.
A new hypothesis suggests that fermentation of cached food provided a more accessible form of nourishment, fueling the growth of larger brains in human ancestors. This idea is supported by the fact that the human large intestine is proportionally smaller than other primates and fermented foods are found across cultures.
The American Heart Association offers a new individual certification for healthcare professionals in tobacco cessation, aiming to standardize training and improve patient outcomes. The certification is based on evidence-based therapies and will help reduce the nation's dependence on tobacco.
A new study suggests that reading books is more effective at stimulating the imagination compared to watching images on screen. Participants in the study found that after viewing film clips, they were slower at mental comparisons than after reading texts.
Research found a correlation between early negative life events, orbitofrontal cortex thinning, and later depressive symptoms in young adults. A higher burden of negative life events and accelerated thinning of the region were associated with increased depressive symptoms.
Researchers use AI to develop dynamic modeling of brain graphs, capturing dynamics in continuous time for more accurate predictions and personalized treatment of brain diseases. The project aims to track disease development in individual patients and identify biomarkers associated with brain disorders.
Researchers have identified a new protein, TAF15, associated with frontotemporal dementia, a rare and debilitating condition. The discovery provides a potential therapeutic target for diagnostic tests and treatments, offering hope for patients and families affected by the disease.
A study found increased brain inflammation and structural changes in special operations personnel exposed to blasts, potentially increasing the risk of long-term brain-related disease. The research suggests that repetitive exposure to low-level blasts may cause brain injuries and highlights the need for better protective measures.
Researchers discovered how biological information travels between mothers and babies during pregnancy. Microscopic extracellular vesicles, produced by placental cells, act as a protective mechanism transporting important biological information to emerging neurons.
Researchers used brain imaging and machine learning to identify distinct patterns of brain connectivity in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), taking into account individual differences. The study reveals that certain brain features are shared across subtypes, while others are unique to specific individuals.
Researchers found that humans are born with brains at a typical development level for similar primate species, but grow much larger and more complex after birth. This challenges the prevailing understanding of evolutionary human brain development.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified a key brain molecule responsible for triggering overconsumption of comfort foods after stressful events. The lateral hypothalamic proenkephalin neuron plays a crucial role in driving threat-induced eating associated with negative emotional states.
A new study found that traumatic memories in people with PTSD are represented in the brain in a distinct way, deviating from regular memory processing. The hippocampus and posterior cingulate cortex regions showed different neural responses to traumatic and sad autobiographical memories.
Researchers at University College London have discovered that slow waves typically present during sleep can also occur during wakefulness in people with epilepsy, potentially protecting against increased brain excitability. These 'wake' slow waves decrease the impact of epileptic spikes on brain activity and may protect against seizures.
Researchers found high levels of a repair protein in the brains of former NFL athletes up to 12 years after they stopped playing, indicating persistent brain inflammation and long-term cognitive problems. The study suggests that repeated collision sports like football may have a direct link to long-term inflammation in the brain.
Research found a significant linear relationship between age of coronary heart disease onset and dementia, highlighting the detrimental influence of premature cardiovascular events on brain health. Adults diagnosed with coronary heart disease at a young age may be at increased risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascu...
Researchers used AI to analyze brain white matter tracts in adolescents with and without ADHD, discovering significant differences in nine brain tracts in individuals with ADHD. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to managing the condition.