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.
Research suggests that global warming can affect brain development and plasticity, as well as lead to changes in cognitive function and overall health. The study calls for further investigation into the impact of extreme weather events on brain structure and behavior.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that AI's deep convolutional neural networks can identify faces but struggle to capture other important information like emotional state and trustworthiness. Brain activity scans revealed a weak correlation between AI's codes and human brain represent...
A new study has identified a brain connectivity variate that predicts psychiatric disorders in adolescents. The finding provides evidence for a transdiagnostic brain-based measure underlying individual differences in developing psychiatric disorders in early adolescence.
The UTSA MATRIX AI Consortium has received a $2 million grant to create new AI models that rapidly learn, adapt, and operate in uncertain conditions. The team aims to bridge the gap between human brain processing efficiency and current AI limitations, enabling more efficient and adaptive AI systems.
A new USC study reveals that variants of the autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 can disrupt early brain development in the cortex, a region involved in higher-order cognitive functions. The research found that disease-causing variants of SYNGAP1 alter the cells' cytoskeletons and lead to disorganized neural circuits.
Researchers found that the brain can distinguish between human error and non-error outcomes in as little as 1,000 milliseconds. In cases of human error, the brain takes additional time to catalog the mistake and inform the body to avoid repeating it.
A longitudinal study found that nine-to-10-year-old children who drink daily caffeinated soda are twice as likely to try alcohol within a year. Daily caffeine intake is associated with low working memory and high impulsivity, recognized risk factors for substance use disorders.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin discovered that autism-induced maternal immune response alters brain development and prevents infantile amnesia. Memories formed during infancy can be permanently reinstated through light-activated neural pathways in adults.
Regular cannabis users show a greater understanding of others' emotions, while their brains exhibit stronger connections between regions related to emotional sensing. This study suggests potential therapeutic applications for conditions involving social interaction deficits.
Two new studies by experts at Georgia State University's TReNDS Center highlight the potential of brain imaging to identify biomarkers for cognitive developments and psychiatric issues in adolescent brains. The research team analyzed functional network connectivity across scans and found associations with various health measures, inclu...
A study found that women using oral contraceptives had a thinner ventromedial prefrontal cortex than men, which is thought to sustain emotion regulation. The effects of COCs on brain development and emotional regulation are still not well understood, highlighting the need for further research.
Researchers found that changing treatment can lead to significant improvement in mobility and quality of life for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. A nationwide registry is planned to develop scientifically sound guidelines for combination therapies.
A new speech prosthetic developed by Duke neuroscientists and engineers can translate brain signals into spoken words, improving communication for people with neurological disorders. The device achieved an accuracy rate of 40% in predicting intended speech from 90 seconds of brain activity.
Researchers at DZNE and Charité developed a novel treatment for autoimmune encephalitis by reprogramming white blood cells to target misdirected antibodies. The new therapy, called CAAR-T cells, has shown accuracy in laboratory studies and is planned for clinical trials.
Researchers at Ohio State University will investigate the role of microglia cells in chronic inflammation and neuronal dysfunction after TBI, with a focus on preventing long-term consequences. The $7.7 million award aims to develop innovative healthcare solutions for traumatic brain injury survivors.
Greater PTSD symptoms were associated with higher carotid atherosclerosis and brain small vessel disease among midlife women. Women carrying the APOEɛ4 gene showed poorer cognitive performance in response to PTSD.
Scientists have discovered a genetic pathway between the heart and brain tied to fainting, suggesting that the heart sends signals back to the brain that can change its function. The study found that vagal sensory neurons play a key role in fainting, with their activation leading to rapid pupil dilation, suppressed heart-rate and breat...
A large brain autopsy study of women who experienced intimate partner violence found substantial vascular and white matter damage, but no evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The study also revealed significant medical comorbidity, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.
A recent study from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and colleagues found that Rumination-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RF-CBT) can reduce rumination in adolescents. The study also showed correlated shifts in brain connectivity, suggesting that RF-CBT can help young people break the painful mental loops that contribu...
Research from the University of East Anglia found that children who are too short for their age can suffer reduced cognitive ability due to differences in brain function as early as six months. The study discovered a link between stunted growth and disrupted visual working memory, making them more easily distracted.
Researchers found that people with cocaine addiction have weaker signals when receiving rewards, disrupting the brain's ability to learn from experiences. This dysregulation is linked to reduced activity in the ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex.
Researchers found that neural signaling during online exchanges was substantially suppressed compared to face-to-face conversations. The study used imaging tools to track brain activity in real-time, revealing increased coordination of neural activity and enhanced face processing ability during in-person interactions.
A brain-computer interface (BCI) has been successfully used to restore control of home devices for a patient with ALS, allowing the individual to navigate a communication board and smart devices without recalibration. The BCI device was implanted on the surface of the brain areas responsible for speech and upper limb function, enabling...
Researchers at King's College London are studying the effects of maternal prenatal exposure to COVID-19 infection on children's brain development. The six-year study will explore how the maternal immune system affects fetal brain development and identify potential impacts on childhood outcomes.
A new study from UTHealth Houston has found that the posterior temporal cortex and inferior frontal cortex are crucial for semantic integration during reading. This discovery may help illuminate the inner dynamics of aphasia, a disorder affecting language expression and comprehension.
An international team recorded real-time chemical activity in the human brain using clinical electrodes, providing insights into the brain's chemistry and its implications for various medical conditions. The groundbreaking methodology has opened a window to never-before-seen brain activity.
The WVU School of Medicine and Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources will support clinical trials and engineering technology development. The project aims to improve care and rehabilitation for people with neurological disorders through novel physician-engineer programs and human research.
Researchers found that hierarchical cortical organization is impaired in people with schizophrenia, leading to disruptions in processing stimuli from the external world. This disruption affects secondary processing of sensorimotor-visual gradients, explaining behavioral and clinical symptoms of the disease.
The 3rd annual Frontera User Meeting showcased the power of the NSF-funded supercomputer in various domains of science. Researchers presented findings on projects utilizing Frontera's capabilities, including compound storm surge models and nonlinear earthquake simulations. Additionally, scientists leveraged the system to analyze anonym...
Researchers developed a nanotechnology method to deliver medication through the blood-brain barrier, overcoming its selectivity and expanding therapeutic options for glioblastoma treatment. The technique demonstrated improved tumor shrinkage and survival rates in mice, paving the way for further preclinical studies.
Researchers found that deep neural networks often respond the same way to images with no resemblance to the target, generating unnatural signals. The models develop unique invariances that are different from human perceptual systems, causing them to perceive pairs of stimuli as similar despite their differences.
Researchers created the first 'multiome' atlas of brain cell development in the human cerebral cortex, revealing specific changes in chromatin structure that precede gene expression. The study pinpointed regions associated with genes linked to neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Researchers developed a neural network model to accelerate detection of brain rhythms, reducing feedback signal delay from 500ms to 10ms. The approach shows promise for treating attention deficit disorder and epilepsy.
A massive research consortium has created the largest human brain cell atlases to date, revealing over 3,000 different kinds of brain cells. This breakthrough study provides new insights into the cellular organization of the human brain and its modular, functional nature.
Researchers have created detailed cell maps of the human brain and nonhuman primate brain, paving the way for new generation of treatments for mental disorders. The study reveals a comprehensive inventory of brain cells, their organization, and gene regulation, setting the stage for developing targeted therapies.
Researchers assembled an atlas of hundreds of cell types that make up a human brain in unprecedented detail. The study uses techniques originally developed for mice to identify brain cell subtypes in human brains.
Researchers found that ordinary sleepers can pick up verbal information and respond to it by contracting facial muscles, even during most stages of sleep. The study suggests that standardized communication protocols may be possible with sleeping individuals to better understand mental activity changes during sleep.
Researchers mapped gene switches and brain cell types associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The study also developed AI tools to predict the influence of individual high-risk gene variants on disease.
Two parallel projects publish detailed cell atlases of the adult human brain and brain development, revealing over 3,000 cell types, including new insights into brain diseases and potential therapeutic targets. The freely available brain atlases will enable researchers to compare healthy brains with diseased ones.
Researchers measured metabolite concentrations of two herbicides in urine samples from Ecuadorian adolescents and found negative associations with attention, memory, and language. Glyphosate was also linked to social perception issues.
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour has uncovered a neural pathway preferentially involved in pain perception across species. The researchers identified the central role of the medial-dorsal thalamic nucleus in pain perception, which exhibited a more pronounced activation in response to painful stimuli.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have published a guide for prioritizing the next steps in completing the human genome catalog. The study highlights the importance of cataloging non-coding RNA genes and enhancing databases of gene variations that cause illness and disease.
The new consensus practice guideline integrates guidance for adults and children into a single guideline, providing clinicians with a comprehensive way to evaluate someone who has sustained a catastrophic brain injury. The guideline outlines the standardized procedure for trained clinicians to evaluate people for brain death, including...
A study found that daily mindfulness training at home reduced kids' stress levels and negative emotions, while a remote, app-based intervention showed improvements in mental health. Researchers suggest that mindfulness can support mental well-being and promote mental health in diverse children.
A study by researchers at the University of California - Riverside found that certain aspects of video game play can stimulate dopamine release and potentially aid in treating Parkinson's disease symptoms. The research suggests a promising new approach for managing the condition.
Researchers found that humans can make abstract choices without linking them to motor actions, and the brain processes these choices separately. This study provides new insights into how our brains process decisions related to perception and action.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital developed an algorithm called HistoAge that predicts age at death based on human brain tissue specimens using artificial intelligence, revealing insights into aging mechanisms and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
A new study shows that XEN1101 can reduce seizure frequency by more than 50% in some patients and sometimes eliminate seizures altogether. The medication, a potassium-channel opener, boosts the flow of potassium out of nerves to stop them from firing.
Researchers found that antidepressant escitalopram increases synaptic density in the brain over weeks, leading to greater brain plasticity. This explains why effects of antidepressants take time to kick-in, with significant differences in synapse density between treatment and placebo groups.
Researchers created a unique, cell-by-cell atlas of the amygdala to identify potential new treatments for cocaine addiction. The study revealed connections between addiction behaviors and genes involved in energy metabolism, offering a brand-new way of thinking about the molecular biology of cocaine addiction.
Scientists at Temple University's Alzheimer's Center have identified a promising new therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease: the protein ABCA7. The study found that cholesterol depletion and inflammation suppress ABCA7 levels in human brain cells, potentially contributing to disease onset.
A genome-wide association study reveals 34 genes potentially involved in choosing a vegetarian diet, including those related to lipid metabolism and brain function. The findings suggest that genetics play a role in the ability to subsist on a vegetarian diet.
A breakthrough technique has been developed by University of Oxford researchers to repair brain injuries using 3D printing. Neural cells can be printed to mimic the architecture of the cerebral cortex, showing structural and functional integration with host tissue.
New research from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory explores how adult brains adapt through critical periods of learning, such as caring for young. MECP2 dysfunction causes neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome, but the study finds that brain circuits can be rapidly rewired in adults.
Researchers discovered that around 13% of brain proteins differ between males and females, with some proteins more abundant in females and others in males. The study also found that genetic variation influences protein expression, with sex-related differences prominent at the protein level.
Studies suggest that humans process small and large numbers differently, with smaller numbers detected more quickly and accurately. Neurons in the brain fire at different rates for specific numbers, with errors increasing as numbers grow larger.
Researchers used custom-designed headsets to evaluate headpulse biometrics among Australian Rules Football players and found brain abnormalities in 81% of those inflicted with concussion. These alterations lasted 14 days beyond expected recovery times.
A Leipzig-based meta-analysis of over 400 neuroscientific experiments has provided new insights into the organisation of language processing in the human brain. The study found that brain regions below the cerebral cortex, including the cerebellum and amygdala, play a key role in language processes, influencing emotion and memory.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that reattribution of pain to mind or brain processes can lead to significant reductions in chronic back pain intensity. Participants who received pain reprocessing therapy reported being pain-free or nearly so after treatment, compared to those receiving placebo controls.
Researchers found that lonely individuals' brains show a blurred boundary between real friends and favorite fictional characters, such as those in Game of Thrones. The study suggests that lonelier people may turn to fictional characters for a sense of belonging lacking in their real life.