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.
Researchers at McGill University found that analyzing gene activity can classify brain diseases into five primary groups, improving diagnosis accuracy. The study identified previously unknown relationships among diseases, such as language development disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which share common genes and cell types.
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.
A recent study published in Nature has identified specific brain areas that integrate planning, purpose, physiology, behavior, and movement. Researchers found that stimulating certain areas of the brain can calm both the body and mind, providing new insights into the mind-body connection.
A recent study found that humans process social situations similarly, with an extensive neural network processing various social information. The study identified main dimensions of social perception, including antisocial behavior, sexual or affiliative behavior, and communication.
A recent study published in NeuroImage found that older adults with improved cognitive performance during dual-task walking had flexible neural resource allocation. This discovery suggests a potential method for tracking brain health and identifying individuals at risk of aging-related cognitive decline.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered how oligodendrocyte-lineage cells transfer cell material to neurons in the mouse brain, providing a new mechanism for understanding brain maturation and finding treatments for neurological conditions. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and P...
Researchers at UTHealth Houston identified two brain networks involved in reading, working together to integrate word meanings. The study used electroencephalography recordings from patients with epilepsy to measure neural activity while reading complex sentences.
HBP researchers develop a robotic platform capable of learning as humans do while navigating around a space. The simulated hippocampus alters its own synaptic connections to remember paths, a marked improvement over current methods relying on deep learning.
Researchers have identified hundreds of genes with significant stroke-driven changes and likely relevance in human strokes. The study found alterations in sphingolipid production, which are involved in regulating blood vessels, and pinpointed several molecular pathways that can be targeted for stroke treatment.
Researchers have found that fermented sugar-based products and fermented vegetable-based products show promise in improving gut and brain health. Preliminary results suggest these foods contain beneficial metabolites that can positively impact mental health.
Research at Texas A&M University reveals that a father's alcohol consumption before conception can lead to FAS-related craniofacial differences in offspring. The study challenges the existing dogma that only maternal alcohol exposure causes fetal growth defects.
Research finds that endocannabinoids protect against addiction in individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment. The 'resilient' group showed increased function of the endocannabinoid system and different brain activity compared to other groups.
Researchers found that players' brains respond differently to human and machine opponents, with desynchronization indicating active calculations. The study suggests that training with machines may not replicate the experience of playing against humans.
A Penn Medicine study identified a developmental sequence in brain maturation during adolescence, revealing regions supporting cognitive and social functions remain malleable until late adolescence. The study found that socioeconomic environments have a significant impact on brain development in these regions.
A new UC Davis study found that high blood pressure in young adulthood is associated with lower regional brain volumes and worse white matter integrity, both factors linked to dementia. The research also showed sex differences in the negative brain changes, with men exhibiting stronger effects than women.
A team of scientists at MUSC identified a key gene that plays a role in the link between long-term stress and a common type of depressive behavior in mice. The study suggests that there may not be one central mechanism by which stress causes depression, but rather multiple pathways connecting stress with different symptoms.
A study found that bilingual readers process Latin and Chinese characters in different ways due to the formation of specialized cortical areas within the Visual Word Form Area (VWFA). In English-Chinese bilinguals, areas were only stimulated by recognition of Chinese logograms, while English-French bilinguals showed equal activation fo...
A new study published in Neurology shows that younger brain age is associated with superior post-stroke outcomes, suggesting a potential biomarker for stroke rehabilitation. The research team used multi-site data sets and 3D brain structural MRIs to analyze the relationship between brain age and stroke recovery.
A recent study has identified 60 unique brain proteins that may influence body weight via their expression in the brain. Genetic factors are believed to contribute to up to 50-75% of BMI variation, with the brain playing a critical role in regulating energy homeostasis.
Researchers have developed a new type of microscope objective inspired by the eyes of scallops, which can capture images in various immersion media, including liquids. This innovative approach uses a mirror instead of lenses and has been shown to provide excellent image quality in homogeneous fluids as well as in air.
The Human Brain Project has achieved significant scientific breakthroughs, including world-leading 3D brain atlases and personalized medicine based on computational modeling. The project's legacy will leave a lasting impact on the research community.
A new study found that LGB preteens ages 10-14 reported 10.4 hours of daily recreational screen time, which was nearly four hours more than their straight peers. The researchers argue that parents should regularly talk to their children about screen usage and develop a family media use plan.
Researchers are developing cartographic visualisations that tap into internal brain processes to enhance spatial orientation skills. The project, funded by the European Research Council, involves adding distinctive lines or graphic patterns to maps to stimulate grid cell activity in the brain.
A new study by Boston University researchers reveals that visual stimulation can induce large-scale changes in cerebrospinal fluid flow during wakefulness. The findings have implications for treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease, which are associated with declines in fluid flow.
Researchers successfully connected human brain to computer for simple computational imaging tasks, using ghost imaging to reconstruct images of an object behind a wall. The use of real-time feedback from the visual cortex improved both imaging speed and image quality.
Researchers at the Human Brain Project present novel clinical uses of advanced brain modelling methods, enabling clinicians to simulate epileptic seizures and identify target areas. The approach has broad applicability in neuroscience, medicine, and neurotechnology, with potential improvements in data resolution and patient specificity.
A recent study found that the mitochondrial antioxidant MitoQ can reverse the detrimental effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy on organs such as the brain, heart, and liver. The researchers used humanized mice infected with HIV and treated them with MitoQ for three months.
A new national study finds that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth are twice as likely to report trouble falling or staying asleep than their straight peers. This is attributed to greater depression, stress, and family conflict among LGB youth, which can make it harder for them to get a good night's sleep.
A new study by Cedars-Sinai investigators has determined that the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) plays a primary role in weighing value-based choices, such as choosing which book to read or which slot machine to play. The discovery could help understand neurological disorders like addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
A new study has uncovered the brain's internal compass, which helps it navigate changing environments. The research found that the brain uses a mechanism called 'network gain' to reorient itself after being disoriented, allowing for rapid recovery of its sense of direction.
A study by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft researchers found that consuming small amounts of high-fat and high-sugar foods regularly rewires the brain, leading to a preference for these types of food.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology found that Russian-speaking readers, including both children and adults, rely on orthographic information during parafoveal pre-processing. The participants were able to recognize words with incorrect letter order more easily than those with pseudohomophones.
Researchers discovered brain speed doubles between 4 and 40 years old, with frontal lobe development outpacing movement areas. The study provides important data for creating realistic computer models of the brain.
A new Boston University study suggests that repetitive blows to the head in tackle football may lead to less white matter in the brain, potentially causing impulsive behavior and other cognitive issues. Researchers found players who start playing at a young age or play for over 11 years are at greater risk.
A study at Imperial College London used advanced brain imaging to track DMT's effects on brain activity before, during, and after the experience. Increased connectivity across the brain and dysregulation of high-level brain systems were found in areas linked with imagination.
A new study has found that increased rumination is a predictor of greater severity of suicidal ideation in young people with major depressive disorder. The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggests that elevated cognitive rumination is associated with lower cortical surface area and suicidal ideation.
Researchers found that dogs with anxiety have altered brain connectivity, particularly between the amygdala and hippocampus. The study used fMRI to characterize abnormal neural networks in anxious dogs, providing insight into anxiety disorders in both animals and humans.
Researchers have discovered that altered neuronal avalanches in epilepsy patients' brains are tied to cognitive performance. The study found that even during rest, the brain's network dynamics are altered, which can be used for a new diagnostic method.
A new study by Tufts University researchers has identified a small molecule, Compound 350, that may help treat people with epilepsy whose condition has become resistant to traditional anti-seizure drugs. The compound was found to reduce seizure activity in rodents with drug-resistant seizures and lower brain cell death.
Researchers from Dartmouth and University Medicine Essen found that strong links between brain measures and traits can be obtained when machine learning algorithms are utilized. This approach allows for high-powered results from moderate sample sizes, opening up studies of many traits and clinical conditions previously inaccessible.
Researchers developed memristors based on halogenated perovskite nanocrystals for more powerful and energy-efficient computing. Inspired by the human brain's synapses, these components combine data storage and processing, reducing energy consumption.
Researchers have identified a key cause of metastasis from aggressive brain cancer in children and found a potential new therapy. Medulloblastoma cells hijack neurodevelopmental signaling pathways to promote tumor cell spreading. Targeting these pathways with a drug called dasatinib has shown promise in killing metastatic tumors.
Researchers explore how AI language models like ChatGPT understand and respond to user input, mirroring their users' intelligence. The Reverse Turing Test reveals that chatbots reflect the intelligence level of their interviewers, incorporating their biases into responses.
A novel deep brain simulation approach has been developed to treat intractable epilepsy, with the potential to be a safer and more effective treatment than conventional methods. The sequential narrow-field stimulation method accurately detects seizure onset and alleviates symptoms while minimizing side effects.
Scientists create optical imaging method to detect specific neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine using fMIP-NPs. The technique demonstrates feasibility in selective detection of neurotransmitters released in the brain.
A new UC Davis study has identified 194 significantly different genes in the brains of people with autism, with many linked to brain connectivity, immune response, and inflammation. The research also found age-dependent differences in genes related to synaptic function and cell loss.
Researchers created a novel approach to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to brain tumor sites in children, targeting specific locations while sparing normal brain regions. This targeted delivery method enhances the efficacy of existing treatments and reduces adverse side effects.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston received $15 million in NIH BRAIN grants to study brain processes related to speech, epilepsy, and reading. A new minimally invasive device will be developed to record brain activity during speech, while another project aims to disrupt seizures using neuromodulation.
Children with autism may not process visual illusions in the same way as their peers, indicating a potential issue with predicting and filling in missing visual information. This finding has implications for understanding and supporting individuals on the autism spectrum.
A tiny worm called C. elegans is enabling scientists to explore the emerging theory that Parkinson’s disease starts in the gut, where a sticky protein causes neurons to die. The worms have a digestive tract and neurotransmitters similar to humans, making them a great model for studying cognitive problems associated with Parkinson's.
Researchers create lab-grown brain organoids as biological hardware to drive computing forward. These three-dimensional cultures can process information faster and more efficiently than current silicon computers.
Researchers identify duplicated gene as cause of social deficits and seizures in autism type, finding that reducing PRRT2 levels can restore normal brain activity and behavior. This discovery could lead to novel therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders with brain over-activation.
Researchers have successfully grown electrodes in living tissue using the body's molecules as triggers, paving the way for fully integrated electronic circuits in living organisms. This breakthrough method allows for substrate-free organic bioelectronics and targets specific biological substructures for nerve stimulation.
A new study published in Genes, Brain and Behavior found that genetic variants in LINGO2, OAS1, and HECTD1 are associated with different mathematical abilities in Chinese children. The study refined genome-wide association studies of math skills and added population diversity to the literature.
Taiyun Chi develops a neural interface with neural recording channel counts over 10 times higher than current technology and creates a noninvasive deep-brain-stimulation system based on temporally interfering electromagnetic waves.
A neuroimaging study of 8,900 children aged 9-11 reveals sex differences in brain connectivity and cognitive performance. The findings suggest that girls mature faster than boys, which may impact future development of brain developmental trajectory charts.
A study by the University of Antwerp and University of Liège found that prolonged microgravity affects human cerebral connectivity, with some changes persisting even after returning to Earth. The research used MRI data from 14 astronaut brains before and after their space missions.
Researchers developed a testing model to understand cognitive challenges of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), a rare condition causing sound-induced dizziness and hearing abnormalities. The Mongolian gerbil model shows promise for accelerating recovery with reversible diagnostic findings characteristic of patients with SSCD.
A new study found that stroke patients experience a daily rhythm in cerebral blood flow regulation, with greater regulation during afternoon hours compared to morning and night times. This discovery may improve health outcomes by guiding daily activity and personal care during stroke recovery.
Researchers have developed a novel experimental platform that combines optical and fMRI techniques to study large-scale brain networks. The platform identified the anterior insular cortex as a key player in controlling the Default Mode Brain Network, which is active during daydreaming, memory retrieval, and envisioning the future.