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 study published in Scientific Reports found that longer spaceflight missions can cause ventricle volume expansion, which tapers off after six months. Astronauts who had shorter recovery times between missions showed little to no enlargement of their ventricles post-flight.
A study of 30 astronauts found that brain ventricles expand significantly after longer space missions, taking up to three years to fully recover. The expansion is caused by fluid shifting upward in the absence of gravity, leading to potential long-term health concerns for space travelers.
Researchers found that tightly curled scalp hair provided the best protection from the sun's radiative heat while minimizing sweat. This adaptation enabled human brains to grow to modern-day sizes without conserving water through sweating.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that semaglutide, a diabetes medication, significantly reduced alcohol intake and relapse-like drinking in rats. This study suggests that semaglutide may be effective in treating alcohol dependence, particularly for individuals with both obesity and diabetes.
Defective myelin promotes disease-related changes in Alzheimer's by accelerating amyloid plaque deposition and overwhelming immune cells. Slowing down age-related myelin damage could lead to new therapies and prevent or slow down the disease.
The study used transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) to stimulate the prefrontal cortex, a region involved in cognitive function. The results showed that tPBM modulated hemodynamic and metabolic activities in a wavelength- and site-specific manner.
Researchers at MIT have designed a computational model that can predict other people's emotions, including joy, gratitude, and regret. The model uses insights into human intuition, incorporating factors such as desires, expectations, and observation of actions to make predictions.
A team of researchers used MRI and audio recordings to demonstrate the association between caregiver speech and infant brain development. Infants who heard more words had slower-developing white matter, but eventually showed better linguistic performance when they began to talk.
Researchers developed a method using artificial intelligence to track changes in brain synapses, enabling better understanding of how connections change with learning, aging, injury and disease. Machine learning was leveraged to enhance image quality, allowing for detection and tracking of individual synapses.
Researchers built personalized brain network models to simulate brain dynamics and found that people with higher fluid intelligence took more time to solve difficult tasks compared to those with lower FI. This suggests that a synchronized brain is better at solving problems but not necessarily faster.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University and UCLA developed a method to improve memory consolidation by inducing deep-brain stimulation during sleep. The study found that precise timing of electrical stimulation enhances synchronization between the hippocampus and frontal cortex, leading to improved accuracy in recalling memories.
Researchers found that targeted deep-brain stimulation during a critical sleep cycle improved memory consolidation in patients with epilepsy. The study provided physiological evidence from inside the human brain supporting the main theory for how memory is consolidated during sleep.
Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science have identified specific neurons in the hippocampus that allow us to recognize individual social counterparts and update their value through interactions. The dorsal CA1 region plays a crucial role in this process, enabling long-term memories of individuals to be formed.
Research shows that bursts of electrical stimulation can modify activity in the subthalamic nucleus, influencing human behavior and potentially treating neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease. The study suggests a new approach to restore healthy brain function in people with these conditions.
Scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new immuno-therapeutic approach using twin stem cells that can target brain metastatic melanomas. The therapy, which uses an engineered 'twin stem cell model,' activates the immune system to suppress tumor growth and prolong survival in representative preclinical models.
A Monash University study found that the shape of a person's brain, rather than its complex connections, plays a crucial role in how we think, feel, and behave. The research used magnetic resonance imaging to identify eigenmodes, natural patterns of vibration, which are influenced by the brain's structural properties.
A recent study on canine brain networks has provided insights into the evolution of human brain function, revealing that the cingulate cortex played a central role in mammalian brain development. The research used fMRI to analyze brain activity in dogs and identified functional networks that differ from those in humans.
Researchers found that formalin fixation does not significantly alter the polarimetric properties of brain tissue, making it suitable for training machine-learning models. The study suggests that formalin-fixed brain tissue specimens can provide high-quality data for rapid and accurate diagnostic imaging in surgery.
A University of Maryland study found that walking strengthened brain connectivity and improved memory in older adults with normal brain function and those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. The research adds to the growing evidence that exercise slows cognitive decline and may delay Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have developed a wearable brain scanner that can measure brain function in people who are standing and walking. This breakthrough could help diagnose conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, stroke, and concussion. The system uses small sensors to detect magnetic fields generated by cellular activity in the brain.
A team of scientists has developed an automated algorithm to reconstruct the shape of each neuron inside a light microscopy image using deep learning. This breakthrough addresses the challenge of generalizing algorithms across diverse species, brain locations, developmental stages, and microscopy image sets.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute found that ghrelin activates specialized nerve cells in the amygdala, promoting food consumption and conveying hunger feelings. The study uncovers the physiological processes behind feeding behavior, which may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for eating disorders.
A national study published in Sleep Health found that screen habits linked to better sleep include keeping devices out of the bedroom and avoiding screens before bedtime. The study analyzed data from 10,280 preteens aged 10-14 and found that 15.5% reported trouble falling or staying asleep in the past two weeks.
Researchers discovered that marsupial brains exhibit region-specific patterns of cortical activity during early development. This finding provides valuable information about human brain development and may inform strategies for improving cognitive function in humans.
Researchers have developed a new method to study ant brain chemistry, revealing differences in neuropeptide distribution between two species. The approach integrates 3D chemical data with high-definition anatomical models, providing unbiased visualization of neurochemistry.
A University of Gothenburg study found that individuals who engaged in regular physical activity had smaller hemorrhages upon arrival at the hospital. Physically active patients experienced 50% less bleeding volume compared to inactive ones.
Researchers found that the brain's auditory cortex responds strongly to positive human sounds coming from the left, but not from the right or front. This bias may have an evolutionary advantage, as it could help detect potential threats or predators.
Luis Cuello, a professor at TTUHSC, has developed a method to express human potassium channels in bacteria, allowing for large-scale biophysical studies. This technology will be used to target several channels relevant to diseases such as epilepsy, arrhythmia, and diabetes.
Researchers used a radiotracer to investigate AMPAR trafficking in patients with epilepsy, finding a positive correlation between cell surface AMPAR density and gamma activity. The study suggests that Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity differentially regulate brain function in epilepsy.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found a way to enhance glymphatic transport using focused ultrasound with microbubbles, opening new opportunities for studying brain diseases and function. The non-invasive method shows promise for potentially mitigating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The development of SimulScan technology will help clinicians diagnose disordered swallowing more accurately. The researchers aim to investigate how swallowing behaviors change across the lifespan to create personalized treatments for patients with dysphagia.
A recent study found that a unique subset of microglia, ARG1+, plays a crucial role in cognitive functions and development. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and depression. Female animals exhibited more pronounced behavioral impairments caused by ARG1 microglial deficiency.
A team of Virginia Tech scientists has identified a brain pathway responsible for synchronized movement in individuals, including mice, without rehearsal. The study provides an underlying mechanism for coordinating group behavior, which is essential for understanding social communication in humans and developing therapies for ADHD, ASD...
Researchers found that modern dog breeds, which are genetically more distant from wolves, have relatively larger brain sizes compared to ancient breeds. This increase in brain size cannot be attributed to the roles or life history characteristics of the breeds.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that brain transmission speeds continue to increase into early adulthood, reaching a plateau around age 30-40. This may help clinicians offer therapies to treat disorders such as anxiety and depression that emerge during late adolescence and early adulthood.
Researchers create a human-brain-like environment to study microglia development and function for the first time in living human-derived tissue. The findings suggest that brain environment influences microglia development and function, particularly in diseases such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers identified the structure of a special type of amyloid beta plaque protein associated with Alzheimer's disease progression. Lecanemab, an approved AD treatment, can bind and neutralize these small aggregates, potentially slowing cognitive decline in patients with early AD.
Researchers used non-invasive electrical stimulation to modulate signals in the left prefrontal cortex, affecting facial expression predictions. The study showed that stimulation at a frequency of 20 Hz increased brain activity on the same frequency band, modifying behavior.
Research published in Radiology suggests that exposure to recurrent brain trauma, such as explosions, may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid-beta protein accumulation was detected in six out of nine military instructors who were exposed to subconcussive blast injuries.
Researchers found that oxytocin levels increase when partner touches arm, then decrease with stranger's touch. Brain activity suggests adaptive responses to recent social context.
A new study reveals that human vision can exploit defocus blur to infer perceptual scale but does so crudely, affecting our ability to accurately estimate object sizes. Researchers used blurred images of full-scale railway scenes and small-scale models to test participants' perceptions.
Researchers from Aston University and the University of York discovered new insights into how the human brain makes perceptual judgments of the external world. They found that humans can exploit 'defocus blur' to infer perceptual scale, but this process is crude and more heuristic than metrical analysis.
West Virginia University is leading a $20 million project to elevate neuroscience research, diversify the workforce, and enhance education. The initiative aims to study synaptic plasticity, expand data science education, and promote participation from underrepresented groups.
Human brain organoids, grown in labs from stem cells, raise questions about personhood. Researchers propose a legal framework to understand their potential personhood and uses.
Researchers develop a new online learning algorithm that enables the training of larger spiking neural networks with six million neurons. This allows for faster and more efficient processing of tasks such as speech recognition and object detection.
Scientists are investigating how brain immune cells called microglia change shape in response to hazards using gene transcripts as molecular mediators. The goal is to gain insights into the mechanisms involved and potentially develop new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Research supported by NIDA found that states with stronger social safety nets have lower socioeconomic disparities in brain development and mental health of children. Anti-poverty programs, such as cash assistance and Medicaid expansion, reduce these disparities.
Scientists successfully opened the blood-brain barrier using a novel ultrasound device, delivering chemotherapy to treat glioblastoma patients. The treatment increased drug concentrations by 4-6 times and was safe and well-tolerated.
A machine learning model helps explain how brains recognize the meaning of communication sounds, such as animal calls or spoken words. The study models sound-processing networks in social animals' brains and demonstrates their ability to distinguish between different sound categories.
Researchers found that older children can learn visual tasks and exhibit increased white matter plasticity after surgery to remove congenital cataracts. This suggests that the window of brain plasticity extends beyond childhood and that all children may benefit from treatment.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed a semantic decoder that translates brain activity into text, allowing individuals with speech disabilities to communicate. The system has been trained on extensive hours of podcasts and can decode continuous language, capturing the gist of what is being said or thought.
A new pilot study suggests rhythmic auditory stimulation can improve walking speed and quality of movement in children with severe acquired brain injuries. The technique, tested for the first time in this population, has been shown to facilitate smoother and more coordinated walking patterns.
Large structural changes in human ancestors' genomes may have sparked smaller changes that set human brains apart from other primates. Researchers found that many enhancers, which regulate brain development, are located near these regions, suggesting a link between DNA folding and brain evolution.
A recent study published in Sleep Medicine warns that AI-collected data may lead to misdiagnosis of childhood sleep disorders. The lack of pediatric data used to train AI models results in biased classification, causing errors in sleep stage identification and potentially severe consequences for young patients.
Researchers at Temple University Health System found that carbonic anhydrase inhibitors reduce inflammation, restore cell function and prevent cognitive impairment in mice with amyloid buildup. CAIs also improved cerebrovascular health and enhanced amyloid-clearing capacity.
A MedUni Vienna study examining the connection between brain structure and function found that brain shape evolved parallel to its capabilities. The research analyzed 90 species of Euarchontoglires, revealing clusters of growth patterns linked to cognitive abilities.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai created computational models to bridge the gap between
A new study reveals an association between poor air quality in India and impaired cognition in infants under two. The study found that air quality was poorer in homes that used solid cooking materials like cow dung cake, and that reducing cooking emissions could have benefits to infants' emerging cognitive abilities.
A groundbreaking study published in Nature Neuroscience shows that monkeys can think deeply about problems, consider multiple factors, and find optimal outcomes. This discovery challenges traditional views on animal intelligence and highlights the complexity of monkey cognition.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have made a groundbreaking discovery about how neurons consume and metabolize glucose, a process crucial for maintaining normal energy levels. The study found that neurons rely on glycolysis to break down glucose, and its disruption can lead to severe learning and memory problems in mice.