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.
A recent study at the University of Helsinki found that speech production and singing are supported by the same neural network in the brain, challenging previous notions about their separate functions. The left hemisphere plays a crucial role in both abilities, particularly in terms of singing.
A small pilot study found associations between specific microbe species and infants' performance in tests of social attention and rhythmic processing. The researchers observed higher levels of Actinobacteria and Bifidobacterium microbes in infants with better cognitive abilities.
A study found that border-associated macrophages play a crucial role in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. Deleting MHCII from these cells reduced neuroinflammation, suggesting they are essential for presenting alpha-synuclein antigens to T cells.
A new study using MINDWATCH brain-monitoring technology reveals that listening to music and drinking coffee can measurably alter brain arousal, improving performance in working memory tasks. Perfume had a modest positive effect as well.
Researchers from HSE University challenged the famous Libet studies on free will, revealing a lack of correlation between brain activity and decision-making. The study used advanced EEG techniques to investigate the timing of intention awareness and final decision, finding that the latter could be influenced by experimental procedures.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a fatty molecule in breast milk that triggers a process in which stem cells produce new white matter, reversing neurological damage. This finding holds promise for developing therapies to treat preterm babies with cerebral palsy.
A Monash University study using roundworms found that certain foods, such as apples and herbs, can help protect against brain function deterioration. The researchers discovered that a molecule present in these foods, ursolic acid, causes a gene to turn on, making a specific type of fat that prevents axon fragility.
A new economic model suggests that extreme climates during the Middle Pleistocene era drove human brain evolution through assortative mating. The study found that colder climates favored individuals with larger brains, leading to an increase in intelligence.
A Pitt Professor believes oligodendrocytes, the nerve insulating cells, hold the solution to BCI's nagging problem. By understanding and preserving these cells, researchers aim to improve BCI's performance and expand its applications beyond paralysis.
The study reveals altered magnitudes and coherence between oscillations in brain vasculature and brain waves in older adults. This finding has significant implications for the assessment of Alzheimer's disease and monitoring of neurodegenerative disorders.
A recent study by Tufts University researchers found that myo-inositol in human breast milk increases synaptic connections between neurons, indicating stronger brain connectivity. This finding could lead to improved infant formulas and better brain health outcomes for adults with certain psychiatric conditions.
A large cohort study found that a low intake of dietary fiber during pregnancy is associated with neurodevelopmental delays in children. The study analyzed data from over 76,000 mother-infant pairs and found that children of mothers who consumed less fiber were more likely to show delays in brain function development.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus discovered a brain protein link to cognitive decline. Altering this CaMKII protein in mice mimicked aging effects on memory and learning.
Researchers at Charité develop a world's first non-invasive bidirectional brain-computer interface using quantum sensors and temporal interference magnetic stimulation, aiming to treat psychiatric disorders. The system promises improved accuracy and accessibility over previous methods.
A muscle-building supplement called beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been shown to reduce plaques and increase factors for neuronal growth in mice with Alzheimer's-like pathology. The study found that HMB stimulates a nuclear hormone receptor to improve memory and learning in mice with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in two areas of computing: improving current semiconductor technology and developing new neuromorphic devices that think like the human brain. These advancements aim to increase efficiency, power, and processing capabilities for future technological leaps.
Scientists have identified a region of the brain where sustained visual images are retained during perception. This finding may help doctors determine whether coma patients are still aware of their surroundings and could lead to treatments for disorders of consciousness.
Researchers found that young and healthy human glial progenitor cells can outcompete older and diseased cells in the adult brain, replacing them with healthier ones. This breakthrough has strong therapeutic implications for treating neurological disorders like Huntington's disease.
The new Clinical Research Unit will investigate autoantibodies' role in neurological disorders, focusing on diagnosis and treatment. Researchers expect innovative therapies for patients with previously suspected diseases.
A study found that babies watching live music had higher heart rates and were more engaged than those watching recordings, even with identical audio. The researchers tracked the babies' responses using heart monitors and tablets, and noted that the live performance captured their attention for 72% of the show.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has developed an AI algorithm that can accurately count brain lesions on MRI scans in seconds. This tool helps neuroradiologists evaluate patients' brain diseases at earlier stages and identify the most significant lesions associated with stroke and small-vessel disease.
Scientists have created human brain organoids free of animal cells, which could greatly improve the study and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. The novel method uses an engineered extracellular matrix to support stem cell growth, resulting in more accurate models of brain development.
A Lehigh University professor has received $4 million in NIH grants to develop an AI-driven approach for precision mental health diagnosis and care. The project aims to identify biomarkers in the brain that can predict treatment response and personalize interventions for patients with depression and other mental disorders.
Using MRI instead of CT with CTA alone in patients presenting to the ED with dizziness was associated with greater critical neuroimaging results and more frequent echocardiography. Patients with dizziness undergoing MRI showed a lower frequency of 90-day ED readmissions compared to those discharged after CT with CTA alone.
Researchers found a correlation between somatic copy-number variants and schizophrenia, with genes NRXN1 and ABCB11 being identified as key players. These mutations occur early in development but after genetic material is inherited, and are present only in a fraction of cells.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered a new location for the brain's spoken word lexicon, which is located in the front of the primary auditory cortex. This finding has significant implications for recovery and rehabilitation following a stroke or other brain injury.
The study reveals five distinct brain types, each suited for its purpose, from a jellyfish's diffuse neural network to the human brain's reflective capabilities. Researchers suggest that autonomous machines can learn from coordination in bees, rapid thinking in birds, and single-mindedness in worms.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that depression after traumatic brain injury (TBI) has distinct abnormalities in brain circuitry compared to traditional major depressive disorder. The study proposes a new name for TBI-associated depression: 'TBI affective syndrome.'
Researchers at Korea University Medicine identified a new neuroimaging-based biomarker for MDD, the local gyrification index (LGI), which shows decreased cortical folding in patients. LGI values reflect long-drawn developmental processes and are stable markers compared to previous biomarkers.
A new study by investigators from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that lesions associated with epilepsy are connected to a common brain network, suggesting the brain connections disrupted by the lesions are key. This discovery may have clinical implications for predicting epilepsy risk and targeting treatments.
A team of scientists identified the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex as a key region in predicting rumination, which is linked to depression. The study's findings suggest that dynamic connectivity between brain regions can be used to decode rumination patterns.
A study at University of Turku found that reduced central thalamic nuclei activity is related to anesthesia-induced disconnectedness for propofol, dexmedetomidine, and sevoflurane. In contrast, S-ketamine was associated with increased left parietal cortex activity during disconnection.
A recent study published in Psychological Science discovered that lonely people exhibit dissimilar brain processing patterns compared to those who are not lonely. The researchers found that lonelier individuals show more unique and idiosyncratic brain responses, making it harder for them to establish social connections.
Three University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University research teams received $50,000 Collaborative Science Pilot Awards to explore innovative research projects. The awards aim to increase competitiveness and capacity for major external funding opportunities in key areas such as cancer, brain health and genetics.
Researchers discovered that a diet rich in the bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri can maintain associative learning ability in older nematodes. This finding suggests potential ways to use diet to reduce age-related cognitive decline in other animals, including humans.
Researchers used brain imaging to identify multiple subtypes of depression, finding distinct deviation patterns in functional connectivity among brain regions. This study provides leads for developing better treatments and personalized therapeutic interventions.
Researchers at TUM developed a new approach to measure human brain activity using microelectrodes and awake brain surgery. They found individual neurons specialize in handling specific numbers, providing insights into cognitive functions and developing solutions for brain function disorders.
A new study examining brain tissue from 631 former football players found that the cumulative force of hits, not just the number of concussions, was the strongest predictor of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The study suggests that reducing the force and frequency of head impacts could help prevent CTE in athletes.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed an innovative gene therapy that shows promise in treating Dravet syndrome, a severe developmental epilepsy affecting children. The treatment was found to be effective in improving epilepsy, protecting against early death, and enhancing cognitive abilities.
MIT engineers have developed a new technology to probe the connections between the brain and gut, using fibers embedded with sensors and light sources. The researchers demonstrated that they can control neural circuits connecting the gut and brain in mice, inducing feelings of fullness or reward-seeking behavior.
Research from Keck School of Medicine of USC found that everyday air pollution can alter brain development patterns in adolescents, linked to changes in brain connectivity over time. Exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide was associated with increased or decreased functional connectivity between brain regions.
A pilot study suggests that high-definition cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (HD C-tDCS) may be beneficial for acute ischemic stroke patients. In the study, patients who received HD C-tDCS showed improved blood flow and a significant rescue of threatened brain tissue, compared to those in the sham group.
Research by Fiona Baker of SRI's Human Sleep Lab highlights the deep connections between adolescent sleep and overall health. Studies have shown that poor sleep patterns can affect brain development, weight gain, cognitive decline, and socioemotional difficulties in adolescents.
A study found that social isolation is associated with a decrease in hippocampal volume, poorer cognitive performance, and an increased risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer's dementia. Conversely, maintaining a healthy social network can help preserve brain structure and function.
A University of Essex-led study found that fast-oscillating brain waves linked to brief pain and touch differ widely in scans, with individual patterns stable across time. The research challenges previous findings on the relationship between pain and gamma oscillations.
Researchers mapped receptor densities across the cortex, identifying two main arrangements that align with functional systems. The findings provide insights into how the brain adapts to a changing world, with potential applications for computational models and neuroscientific research.
The study identified two relevant circuits in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC), including the thalamo-frontotemporal region and the posterior cortical region. These findings bring a new understanding of brain networks and could improve diagnosis and treatment for people suffering from DoC.
Researchers have found that microglial cells in the brain can serve as a stable viral reservoir for latent HIV. This discovery provides new insights into how to target and eradicate the virus, particularly in the brain or peripheral blood.
Researchers found that the amyloid precursor protein (APP) regulates human neurogenesis, which could be linked to Alzheimer's disease. APP promotes a balance between stem cell proliferation and differentiation, suggesting its disruption may cause premature neurogenesis and cellular stress.
A new study suggests that simple limitations in neural responses explain visual illusions, rather than deeper psychological processes. Researchers developed a model that combines information on neural firing speeds, pattern perception, and natural scene assumptions to predict how animals see colour and understand visual illusions.
Researchers at IUPUI will lead two grants totaling $11.7 million to discover a drug treatment for hydrocephalus, a condition commonly associated with traumatic brain injury. The studies aim to test the effectiveness of treatments for three types of hydrocephalus and may lead to a new treatment option.
Researchers found spiral-shaped brain signals that organize activity and facilitate distributed neural computations, opening new avenues for understanding the brain and advancing powerful computing machines.
Researchers at City of Hope have developed a universal donor stem cell therapy that can treat degenerative brain diseases such as Canavan disease and Alzheimer's. The therapy, which uses an 'off-the-shelf' approach, has shown promising results in preclinical studies, reducing toxic accumulation of metabolites and improving motor function.
Researchers developed an innovative imaging approach using two-photon microscopy to analyze retinal microcirculation, revealing significant changes in blood flow that may indicate brain diseases. The study suggests that microcirculation in the retina could serve as a promising predictor of cerebrovascular diseases.
Scientists at RIKEN Center for Brain Science find that somatic mutations in six genes lead to intracranial aneurysms, which can be blocked with a drug. The study establishes the first non-surgical animal model of intracranial aneurysm and provides a potential new treatment option.
A nationwide Danish study found that both men and women with migraine have a similarly increased risk of ischemic stroke. Women with migraine may also have a slightly higher risk of heart attack and hemorrhagic stroke compared to men and the general population.
Researchers have developed a technique to measure the effectiveness of clemastine in repairing myelin, allowing for future therapies to be assessed. Patients with MS treated with clemastine experienced modest increases in myelin water, indicating myelin repair.
Researchers aim to understand how estrogen levels and menopausal status interact with memory-related brain function and behavioral outcomes in women aged 35-80. The study could help identify physiological factors underlying sex differences in Alzheimer's incidence and improve early disease detection and preventive therapies.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified distinct brain network connections for visual and motor anosognosia, as well as a shared network for awareness of deficits. The study found that the hippocampus and precuneus play a key role in memory-based recognition of neurological deficits.
Researchers from UTEP School of Pharmacy are exploring a new treatment for vascular dementia using the NIH grant to study the biological triggers behind the condition and test the effectiveness of candidate drug ZT-1a. The treatment aims to prevent cognitive impairments in dementia patients.