Articles tagged with Human Brain
Females with more subcutaneous fat are protected against brain inflammation, a risk factor for dementia and stroke. Removing subcutaneous fat increases brain inflammation in females, even on low-fat diets.
Research by Virginia Tech scientist Sora Shin reveals how early life trauma alters the brain's signals to stop eating, increasing the risk of binge eating. The discovery identifies a specific brain circuit vulnerable to stress, providing new insights into therapeutic targets for treating the disorder.
Scientists create an artificial brain in a petri dish to study the effects of the Zika virus. The study reveals that viral noncoding RNA helps the virus evade antiviral responses and cause cell death in developing brains.
A study published by Tufts University has found a link between higher levels of vitamin D in brain tissue and improved cognitive function in adults. The research, which analyzed brain tissue from over 200 participants, suggests that vitamin D may play a role in protecting the aging brain against diseases such as Alzheimer's.
A new Dartmouth study uses a subjective approach to investigate how people perceive social interactions. The results show that the brain responds more strongly to information interpreted as social versus non-social, highlighting humans' tendency to see social connections.
Scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered gene usage similarities between COVID-19 patients' brains and aging brains. This study suggests a link between severe COVID-19 and accelerated brain aging, with potential implications for neurological follow-up in recovered individuals.
Researchers investigated neuronal response to excessive iron accumulation associated with age-related neurodegenerative diseases. They identified two genes, CLU and HERPUD1, that responded to aging-related iron accumulation, highlighting potential preventative strategies.
A study published in Science Advances shows that tPBM can improve working memory in people with conditions like ADHD. The therapy, applied to the right prefrontal cortex, showed significant improvements in memory performance and brain activity.
Research reveals that brain function networks are affected differently by aging, gender, and blood immune factors. The study found correlations between cytokine clock, brain shrinkage, and gender, with females having a faster ticking cytokine clock.
Researchers discovered that synchronized neural oscillations in the right hemisphere of the brain induce empathic behavior in mice, allowing them to perceive and share each other's fear. The study identified the causal relationship between 5-7 Hz oscillations in the cingulo-amygdala circuit and empathic responses.
A Stanford University study reveals pandemic-related stressors have physically altered adolescents' brains, making their brain structures appear several years older than peers before the pandemic. The study found reduced cortical thickness and increased hippocampal and amygdala volume in teens who experienced COVID-19 lockdowns.
Researchers at MIT have discovered that the adult brain contains millions of silent synapses, which may explain how the brain forms new memories without modifying existing connections. These inactive connections can be recruited to help form new memories when important new information is presented.
A recent study published in Nature Computational Science reveals that specific regions of the brain process both individual and combined words, while others focus solely on individual words. The research could contribute to the development of wearable neurotechnology devices that can decode language directly from brain activity.
Researchers developed a novel optical technique to directly monitor cerebral oxygen consumption and blood flow in real-time. The technique uses phosphorescent probes to track the brain's oxygen gradient, providing valuable insights into brain activity and metabolism.
Higher weight and BMI z-scores in pre-adolescence are associated with poor brain health, including structural changes and decreased connectivity. The findings provide an important mechanistic explanation for the link between childhood obesity and impaired cognitive function.
A new biomarker has been identified with up to 89% accuracy for corticobasal degeneration, a primary tauopathy. The discovery could accelerate progress toward therapies for this rare brain disease, which is often misdiagnosed due to similar symptoms.
A new study has identified brain markers of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children using MRI data. The researchers found changes in almost all regions of the brain, including abnormal connectivity, a thinning of the brain cortex, and significant white matter microstructural changes.
Researchers found that individuals with persistent asthma have higher levels of inflammation and artery plaque, which may increase heart attack or stroke risk. The study also highlights the importance of addressing risk factors for cardiovascular disease in people with persistent asthma.
Two studies by Harvard Medical School scientists show that the spinal cord and brainstem process touch information as it travels to higher-order brain regions. These findings highlight the importance of these areas in integrating and processing tactile stimuli.
A new study found that low to moderate levels of stress improve working memory and brain function, allowing individuals to optimize cognitive performance. In contrast, chronic high-stress levels can lead to changes in brain structure and increased susceptibility to illnesses like heart disease and high blood pressure.
A Rutgers-led study found that a gene mutation associated with autism causes an overstimulation of brain cells, disrupting the normal information flow. The researchers used human stem cells and transplanting them into mouse brains to understand how the mutation affects brain development.
A new Baycrest study found that using adaptive language-learning software is extremely beneficial in helping stroke survivors regain their language skills. The researchers used an online program to practice identifying images, and participants showed significant improvement after just two weeks.
Researchers from Kessler Foundation are enrolling participants in a national trial testing a breakthrough device for improving recovery after stroke. The EMAGINE Stroke Recovery Trial pairs therapeutic exercise with electromagnetic stimulation to enhance brain and spinal cord function.
Researchers demonstrate a new way to deliver medication to malignant brain tumors in mice, using a modified peptide that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier. The study shows promising results, with a 50% increase in survival rate for treated mice, and offers hope for future treatment breakthroughs.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze high-frequency oscillations in patients' brains during deep sleep, distinguishing between epileptogenic and non-epileptogenic regions. The study achieved an 85% accuracy rate, suggesting a promising method for predicting seizure outcomes.
The APOE4 gene variant increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease by disrupting the insulation of brain wiring. Research found that oligodendrocytes mismanage cholesterol, failing to transport fat molecules to myelinate axons. This deficiency may contribute to the pathology and symptoms of Alzheimer's.
A new MIT study found that children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds have distinct brain patterns linked to reading difficulties, differing from those of higher-SES students. The research suggests that tailored interventions may be necessary for different groups of children.
Children's brains exhibit rapid GABA boosts during learning sessions, allowing for efficient consolidation of new information. Adults' brains, on the other hand, struggle to stabilize learned knowledge due to reduced GABA levels, leading to slower learning rates.
The Julich Brain Atlas provides detailed maps of brain cells and receptors, enabling better understanding of brain connectivity and function. The atlas allows for correlation between brain network activity and underlying anatomy, aiding in the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders.
The DiaQNOS project aims to develop quantum sensors for improved brain tumor surgery. Magnetic field sensors will refine neuronavigation, enabling more precise incision paths. Researchers from Mainz University and partners will create a device suitable for use in surgery.
A study published in Current Biology found that children exhibit rapid boosts of GABA during visual training, stabilizing new learning and making it more efficient. This discovery suggests that children may acquire new knowledge and skills faster than adults, with implications for teaching and learning strategies.
A three-year research project led by Aston University aims to prevent epileptic seizures in children. The team will explore how epilepsy becomes established in the brain and test new drugs using living tissue samples.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo found that rats can move their heads in time to music, demonstrating innate beat synchronization. The optimal tempo for nodding along depends on the brain's time constant, similar across species, suggesting a widespread ability among animals to interact with music.
New research presents neurotechnology as a powerful tool for studying the brain and enabling targeted therapies for neurological disorders. Devices like nerve stimulators and brain implants can monitor or modulate neural activity, offering potential treatments for conditions such as paralysis and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Researchers are developing a comprehensive cell atlas for the human brain, which would cover billions of cells and provide a holistic description of its properties. Advanced visualization techniques have been developed to catalog brain regions and cell types, enabling better resolution and accuracy in studying neural circuits.
Research shows COVID-19 can cause long-term changes to brain function through inflammation, affecting mood, concentration, and cognitive abilities in both young and old patients. Millions are potentially affected by this condition, also known as Long COVID.
New research reveals profound effects of pregnancy on maternal brain physiology, mood, and behavior. Maternal mental health conditions like depression and anxiety affect 20% of new mothers in the US, with untreated cases having long-term negative impacts.
Researchers at USC found significant differences in gray matter density between boys and girls with binge eating disorder, suggesting unique brain structures and potentially different treatments. The study underscores the need to include males in future research on eating disorders.
The study highlights the importance of the gut microbiome in metabolic conditions like obesity and neurological diseases such as Parkinson's. Pesticide exposure is also found to disrupt the gut microbiota, leading to brain-gut alterations that can exacerbate these conditions.
Research reveals natural genetic variation impacting brain development contributes to autism's diverse behaviors, with implications for tailored support. The study sheds light on the complex relationships between genetics, brain development, and behavior in individuals with autism.
Researchers found age-related changes in the balance of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence. This study provides first-ever evidence of plasticity in the frontal cortex during this critical developmental period.
Researchers created a detailed map of the hippocampus's connections to the rest of the brain, finding fewer links with frontal lobes but more with visual networks. This discovery may change how we think about human memory and cognition, potentially shedding light on why some primates excel at certain memory tasks.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Andre Sousa investigates the differences and similarities of cells in the prefrontal cortex between humans and non-human primates. The researchers found five cell types unique to humans and differences in cell abundance across species.
A new study from Aarhus University found that breathing impacts our emotions, attention, and how we process the outside world. Brain rhythms are closely tied to the rhythm of breathing, making us more sensitive to the outside world when breathing in.
A study published in Current Biology found that undetectable very low frequency sound increases dancing at a live concert, with participants moving 12% more when the speakers were on. The researchers speculate that this is due to physical processes affecting the motor system and brain mechanisms involved.
A new study from the University of Ottawa reveals that morning types tend to have superior verbal ability, contrary to previous research suggesting that evening types have an advantage. The study found that accounting for factors like bedtime and age, morning individuals outperformed their evening counterparts in verbal intelligence.
The HUSH complex is involved in normal brain development, neuronal individuality, and connectivity. The complex also regulates repetitive-like gene clusters, including protocadherin gene clusters, which are essential for neuron-to-neuron interactions.
Researchers from UCLA have developed a strategy to identify novel treatments for cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases by exploiting sex differences in the brain. The study provides a roadmap for disentangling the contribution of sex-specific factors, which can yield treatments optimized for each sex.
The Human Brain Project researchers have developed a unique method called 3D Polarised Light Imaging (3D-PLI) to visualize nerve fibers at microscopic resolution. By combining different experimental methods and integrating data into multilevel atlases, the team gained new insights into brain connectivity.
Researchers propose a new network approach to understand brain function, suggesting that connections between brain regions are key to cognitive tasks. This new view also sheds light on individual variability and can be applied to predict symptoms in patients with brain lesions.
Researchers at the University of Calgary found that vaccination against influenza significantly lowers the risk of stroke among adults. The study analyzed health records of over four million Albertans and showed that the risk of stroke was reduced in all age groups, not just those at high risk.
A large study of over 5,800 tween children found that growing up in a socioeconomically disadvantaged household can have lasting effects on brain development, with different patterns of connections between brain regions observed. Parental education emerged as the most significant factor associated with variations in brain connections.
Mount Sinai researchers catalogued thousands of sites in the brain where RNA is modified throughout the human lifespan, increasing with age. This study provides a model depicting how A-to-I editing evolves over a lifetime, shedding light on its role in health and disease.
Dr. Ralph L. Sacco, a top stroke neurologist, has advanced understanding of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases through his research on race-related stroke risk. He is recognized for his work in creating targeted stroke prevention programs.
Researchers at Texas A&M University used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to monitor participant responses during human-robot collaborations. They found that faulty robot actions decreased operator trust and associated it with increased brain activity in the frontal, motor, and visual cortices.
A new funding grant will be used to investigate the effectiveness of 'Fastball EEG' in detecting three major types of dementia, including frontotemporal dementia and Vascular Dementia. The technology has shown high accuracy in picking up small changes in brain waves associated with memory recall.
A new computational model based on fruit fly brain data may help explain how humans process memories and experiences. The model suggests that living organisms, including humans, use a similar '1-2-3-many' count sketch to track encounters with familiar sights and smells.
A study led by Stockholm University researchers discovers a protein that Toxoplasma uses to reprogram the immune system, allowing it to spread efficiently. The parasite infects immune cells and tricks them into thinking they are other types of cells, changing their gene expression and behavior.
Researchers aim to identify electrical activity in brain consolidation and test targeted brain stimulation to strengthen memories. The study could advance understanding of neural mechanisms involved in memory formation, potentially benefiting people with Alzheimer's disease.
A team of Rutgers physicians successfully treated a 5-year-old girl with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, a rare brain disorder, using blood plasma exchanges. The treatment, which involved nearly a dozen exchanges, led to the child's full recovery, highlighting the potential for late-stage treatment.