Research on the structure and workings of the human brain. Covers prenatal brain development, structural changes in disease, gray and white matter, and brain stimulation.
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 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 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 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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A new study finds that exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapy for OCD improves cognitive control by strengthening connections between brain networks. This breakthrough sheds light on the mechanisms underlying EX/RP's effectiveness in treating OCD, paving the way for targeted therapies.
The Human Brain Project has achieved remarkable progress, delivering an open research infrastructure that will have a transformative impact in Europe and beyond. The project's legacy can be seen in its leading digital brain atlases, advanced brain simulation platforms, and outstanding advances in neuromorphic computing and AI.
Researchers have discovered a bidirectional interaction between amyloid-beta protein and sulfatides that may play a key role in the development of Alzheimer
Research found that higher cortical excitability is recorded during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle, suggesting a link between heartbeats and neural processing. This study has implications for treatments of depression and stroke, where TMS pulses stimulate nerve cells.
The ultra-high resolution NexGen 7T scanner allows neuroscientists to see functional MRI features 0.4 millimeters across, enabling the study of brain circuitry underlying different diseases with higher spatial resolution. This will help track signals propagating through the brain and reveal underlying causes of developmental disorders.
A Virginia Tech scientist has identified a molecule in the hypothalamus region of the brain linked to stress-induced emotional overeating. The discovery may lead to new therapy targets for alleviating emotionally triggered eating.
A study by the University of Ottawa found that various long-term memory types, such as semantic and episodic memory, rely on the same brain network to varying degrees. The research used neuroimaging techniques to compare brain activity across different memory conditions.
UTEP researchers develop a therapy based on caffeic-acid derived from spent coffee grounds to protect brain cells from damage. The treatment has potential to prevent neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by removing free radicals and inhibiting amyloid protein aggregation.
Researchers argue that the brain does not create new functions in previously unrelated areas but instead utilizes existing latent capacities. They provide alternative explanations for observed changes in brain activity following injury or deficit.
Researchers found that babies as young as four months old display enhanced somatosensory brain activity when a touch is preceded by an object moving towards them. This suggests that even in the first few months of life, babies can sense their surroundings and understand how their bodies interact with space.
Scientists studied how players' brains react when working together in a computer game called Pacman. They found that the brain's response is linked to the player's role during cooperation.
A novel AI system analyzing brain MRI scans can diagnose autism in children between 24 and 48 months with a 98.5% accuracy rate. This technology enables early detection of autism, potentially leading to improved independence, IQs, and therapeutic outcomes.
A study published at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting found that higher amounts of visceral abdominal fat in midlife are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research also showed that this type of fat is linked to brain inflammation, which may contribute to the development of the disease.
Researchers created an AI system with physical constraints to develop brain-like features, such as hubs and flexible coding schemes. The system solved a maze navigation task by combining multiple pieces of information, similar to human brains. This study sheds light on how physical constraints shape differences in brain organization.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh and KU Leuven identified 30 genetic regions associated with head shape, shedding light on the biological basis of craniosynostosis. The study also found that many genes play key roles in early head formation and bone development.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have successfully generated human norepinephrine neurons from stem cells using a key protein called ACTIVIN-A. These LC-NE neurons may serve as models for disease in humans, enabling scientists to screen drugs and answer questions about neurodegeneration.
A review of 23 years of neuroimaging research finds that screen time affects the pre-frontal cortex and other brain regions involved in executive functions, memory, and processing. Digital experiences may shape children's brains and influence cognitive development, with both positive and negative impacts.
Elea Abisamra's STEM writing program at Virginia Tech has been recognized by the journal Cell for its innovative approach to teaching science through storytelling. The program has already helped 95 kids publish books with over 150 tutors as editors, and plans to expand globally.
Multimodal neuromonitoring (MNM) tracks blood flow, pressure, oxygen and glucose levels in the brain to inform treatment decisions. MNM has improved clinical outcomes for patients with severe traumatic brain injuries at the University of Cincinnati.
A new study reveals that exposure to ultrafine particles from traffic alters the expression of many genes in human olfactory mucosa cells. The study found that different fuels and engines cause distinct effects on cell function, with renewable diesel causing less adverse effects than fossil diesel.
Scientists have found that microglia play a crucial role in regulating the number of cells that become neurons in the brain, enhancing our understanding of brain development and disorders. The discovery also reveals a unique pathway through which microglia interact with other brain cells, involving cholesterol transfer.
A new study found that neuroinflammation is a key feature of the brain response to blast exposure, affecting regions associated with memory retrieval, executive functioning, and sensory processing. Increased blast exposure also relates to reductions in volume and thickness of brain structures.