Articles tagged with Human Brain
Researchers developed a brain decoder to restore communication between the brain and spinal cord, allowing for rehabilitation and potentially restoring movement. The decoder used electroencephalography to predict movement intention, outperforming previous methods.
Research from the University of Oklahoma suggests that women with adequate iron levels in their blood perform better on cognitive tasks during menopause. Having enough iron does not necessarily mean accumulating more iron in the brain, which is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
A new study found that staying active through moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with significantly better processing speed, working memory, and executive function in older adults. Even small changes to daily activities can have big impacts on brain health.
A recent study used AI to discover that phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) is a causal gene for spontaneous Alzheimer's disease. The researchers found that altering PHGDH expression levels can significantly impact the progression of the disease, suggesting a novel therapeutic target.
Mind blanking is a common experience characterized by lapses in attention, memory issues, and cessation of inner speech. Studies have shown that it's associated with specific neural signatures and changes in arousal levels, leading to malfunctions in key cognitive mechanisms like memory and language.
The Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience (SCENE) is a 10-year program that will support projects aiming to uncover how the world shapes representations in the mind and brain. By integrating sensory and motor information, researchers hope to discover fundamental principles of cognition applicable across species.
The World Sleep Society releases recommendations on wearable sleep trackers, providing clear guidelines for consumers, clinicians, researchers, and manufacturers. Key takeaways include choosing a device suitable for individual use cases and focusing on fundamental sleep measures rather than specific stages of sleep.
A new study reveals promising progress toward predicting how patients with major depressive disorder will respond to antidepressant medications. Brain connectivity patterns were found to significantly improve predictions of treatment response across two large, independent clinical trials.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have found that the brain forms memories of cold experiences and uses them to control metabolism. The discovery may lead to new treatments for conditions such as obesity and cancer, which are influenced by thermoregulation and metabolism.
A study published in Neurology found that metabolic syndrome is associated with a higher risk of young-onset dementia. Researchers identified nearly two million people between the ages of 40 and 60 who had a health check-up, and found that those with metabolic syndrome were more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer's disease...
Research found that adolescents who slept longer performed better at cognitive tests, with those sleeping 7-25 minutes more performing better. The study also found differences in brain volume and structure between the groups.
A team of researchers developed Lp-Convolution, a novel method that uses multivariate p-generalized normal distribution to reshape CNN filters dynamically. This breakthrough improves the accuracy and efficiency of image recognition systems while reducing computational burden.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that individuals who receive dynamic facial-expression feedback from an avatar's face tend to gamble more than those receiving real human feedback. The amygdala plays a key role in this facilitation, with increased valuation of uncertainty contributing to increased risk-taking behavior.
Common prescription medications can disrupt sterol biosynthesis, potentially causing developmental disorders. The editorial highlights the need for mandatory sterol biosynthesis screening in clinical practice.
Researchers found that the brain prioritizes more important items, representing them with higher precision and lower resolution for less important ones. The frontal cortex communicates with the visual cortex to decide which item receives more working memory resources.
A clinical trial found that using EEG to monitor consciousness safely reduced anesthetic use in children, resulting in quicker recovery, reduced delirium, and lower healthcare costs. The study also showed a significant reduction in pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium.
Two brain proteins, Imp and Sdc, play a crucial role in preventing seizures by regulating neuronal growth and brain circuit development. Reducing either protein can lead to seizure-prone behavior in flies, highlighting their importance in seizure regulation.
Researchers investigated how brains process language during real-life conversations, employing AI to analyze neural activity and linguistic features. They found that speaking and listening engage widespread networks of brain areas in the frontal and temporal lobes, with highly specific patterns changing depending on words and context.
A team of researchers, led by Jean-Paul Noel, has discovered that the brain's motor area largely coincides with the onset of intention. The study used a brain-machine interface to separate intentions from actions in a paralyzed participant, revealing a compressed temporal binding between intention and action.
Researchers at UCL developed a new scoring system, CAR, to identify patients with narrowed carotid arteries who can be effectively treated with optimised medical therapy. The study found low rates of recurrent strokes and heart attacks among patients treated with medication alone.
A novel cannula delivery system allows repeated, nondisruptive delivery of imaging agents to the mouse brain during long-term multiphoton microscopy. This innovation enhances longitudinal studies on brain function, disease progression, and potential treatments.
Dr. Rhonda Winegar investigates the effectiveness of music therapy in supporting neurological care, including its ability to reduce anxiety and depression in Alzheimer's patients. Her research also highlights its potential to regulate heart rate and blood pressure, as well as improve motor function in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
A new study has found that older age is linked to higher levels of three dementia biomarkers in the blood. Researchers also discovered sex differences in biomarker levels, with female participants having higher levels of glial acidic proteins.
The Feihe Pediatric Brain Development Research Initiative at Boston Children's Hospital aims to improve brain development through genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors. The initiative has awarded funding to seven researchers working on projects related to prenatal and postnatal brain development.
A new brain imaging study found that age and brain shape significantly impact the strength of connections between olfactory brain regions in dogs. Younger dogs and those with elongated brains had stronger functional connectivities, while older dogs and rounder-headed individuals performed worse in smell tests.
A team of researchers at UCL has identified key brain regions essential for logical thinking and problem-solving. They used lesion-deficit mapping to study patients with brain lesions caused by stroke or tumors and found that damage to the right frontal lobe impaired reasoning skills.
A new global study found common genetic factors contributing to drug resistance in focal epilepsy, affecting 20 million individuals. Researchers identified specific genetic variants in CNIH3 and WDR26 genes associated with a higher risk of drug-resistant epilepsy.
The human brain can learn to suppress early visual processing of distracting stimuli, such as roadside billboards, after repeated exposure. This learned suppression enhances attention to relevant stimuli and improves performance in tasks that involve frequent distractions.
The research aims to bridge the translational gap between animal and human studies, exploring how obesity impacts decision-making around food. The team will measure brain chemical activity while participants consume sugary drinks and complete emotion-related tasks.
A new study by Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found that brain stimulation can influence decisions, making choices faster with anodal stimulation and slower with cathodal stimulation. The research used transcranial direct current stimulation to activate or inhibit specific brain regions.
Researchers found that SIRT2, a previously unknown enzyme, plays a key role in excessive GABA production associated with Alzheimer's disease. This process leads to brain inflammation and memory impairment. By targeting SIRT2, scientists can selectively block its harmful effects on memory without affecting other brain functions.
Researchers evaluated different types of Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) scores among US trauma center patients. They found that GOSE-All scores capture the combined effect of brain and extracranial injuries, while GOSE-TBI scores exclude extracranial injury effects.
A study found that marathon runners experience a decrease in brain myelin content, but it recovers fully two months later. Myelin acts as an energy reserve, and the study opens new insights into brain energy metabolism.
A new study found that a specific brain circuit is associated with the intensity of political involvement, regardless of political ideology. The researchers analyzed data from 124 male military veterans who had experienced penetrating head trauma and found lesions to this circuit in both liberal and conservative participants.
Researchers have found that puberty triggers significant changes in brain connectivity patterns in individuals with a rare genetic disorder tied to autism. The study suggests that synaptic dysfunction during development may contribute to the condition's behavioral challenges.
A Baycrest study reveals that sleep actively enhances memory for event sequence, improving recall of everyday experiences. This discovery deepens our understanding of the critical role of sleep in integrating experiences into memory.
A Baycrest study reveals that vivid visual imagery is associated with a higher risk of developing PTSD, while individuals with strong spatial imagery are less likely to develop the disorder. This research provides valuable insights into how trauma processing and memory contribute to PTSD.
Natalia S. Rost, a Boston-based stroke neurologist, has been elected as the new president of the American Academy of Neurology. With over 25 years of involvement in the AAN, Rost is renowned for her expertise in vascular neurology and big-data science applications to personalized clinical outcome prediction in stroke.
A novel brain study uncovers the critical role of the HDAC5 enzyme in regulating gene expression and neuronal activity, which can trigger relapse in individuals with substance use disorders. The study highlights a new molecular target for developing novel treatments to reduce relapse risk.
Researchers at The University of Texas at San Antonio are working on a new AI tool to improve lives after brain injury. They plan to analyze data from 3,000 veterans and develop an interactive dashboard for clinicians to use, providing insights that could revolutionize treatment.
A new study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that having a father with Alzheimer's disease may be associated with a greater spread of tau protein in the brain. Female participants also showed a heavier buildup of tau protein, highlighting potential vulnerabilities.
Researchers developed a method to detect epileptic seizures in humans using canine EEG data. The approach leverages feature similarities across species and modalities, reducing input space discrepancies. Euclidean alignment and knowledge distillation are key components of the proposed joint alignment mechanism.
The WNFC's player ambassadors will amplify public service announcements, social media content, and local community education events to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and CPR education in women. The league has also implemented a requirement for all coaches to be certified in CPR, AED, and first aid.
A global team of neuroscientists has created the most detailed wiring diagram of a mammalian brain, revealing new cell types, characteristics, and organizational principles. The MICrONS Project's findings have transformative potential for neuroscience and medicine, offering a blueprint for understanding intelligence and disorders like ...
Researchers have validated a blood test for early detection of Alzheimer's disease, achieving over 90% accuracy in hospital patients. The test uses a biomarker called phospho-tau217 and has the potential to reduce costs associated with current diagnostic tests, improving access to care and treatment.
New research reveals changes in brain connectivity during chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, particularly in the frontal-limbic system and cerebellar cortex. These changes worsen as treatment continues, suggesting that chemotherapy can quickly disrupt brain function in breast cancer patients.
A study found that brain activity can predict a person's political affiliation with 80% accuracy when making food purchases. Researchers used fMRI to measure brain activity in Republicans and Democrats, finding distinct neural patterns for each group.
Dr. Romina Mizrahi's PET-based neuroimaging sheds light on brain workings, integrating genetics, environment and imaging to understand psychiatric illness as a complex biological puzzle. She advocates for precision psychiatry paradigm with customized treatments based on molecular profiles, and calls for diversity in academic leadership.
Researchers analyzed brain tissue from individuals with severe Tourette syndrome and identified three key changes: altered gene activity, regulatory element modifications, and interneuron loss. These findings provide unprecedented insights into the disorder's biology and may explain why individuals experience involuntary movements and ...
A new Northwestern University study finds that NU-9 improves neuron health in animal models of Alzheimer's disease by addressing the underlying mechanisms of misfolded proteins. The drug reduces protein buildup and prevents inflammation, showing potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed a personalized deep brain stimulation platform to treat drug-resistant epilepsy. The study found that this approach reduced seizures while also improving memory and sleep in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
A study of over 9,000 participants found that early life adversities correlate with diminished white matter connections, increasing the risk for cognitive difficulties. However, supportive relationships such as neighborhood cohesion and positive parenting may offer protection against these effects.
A new AI tool called MindGlide can extract key information from brain images to measure damaged areas and highlight subtle changes in MS patients. The tool performed better than other AI tools and expert clinical analysis, enabling researchers to unlock valuable insights into multiple sclerosis.
Two studies detail the intricate brain-immune crosstalk that underlies inflammation's impact on mood and behavior, offering new insights into autism and anxiety. Inflammation-driven cytokines regulate the brain's fear center, while anti-inflammatory signals calm neurons.
Neuro-immunologist Stephen Hauser has won the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his role in identifying the immune system's primary driver of damage to nerve cells in multiple sclerosis. His B-cell theory has led to the development of therapies that have transformed treatment, reducing relapses and improving prognosis.
A study found that people process movements differently based on avatar appearance, with a neural system dedicated to perceiving others' movements playing a key role. The findings may help scientists improve human-AI interactions.
The International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) will hold its 24th Annual Meeting in Seattle, featuring 1600 posters, 28 oral sessions, and keynotes on topics such as daily challenges faced by the autism community and implementation science aimed at enhancing systems of care.
Researchers found that immune molecule IL-17 influences brain regions to induce either anxiety in the amygdala or sociable behavior in the somatosensory cortex. This discovery highlights the interconnectedness of the immune and nervous systems.
Researchers have developed a novel wearable brain scanner that measures high frequency brain waves, revealing changes in E-I balance with age. This new technology allows for unprecedented precision in studying brain function in young children, potentially leading to better understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.
The Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships in Brain Health support research into vascular disease's impact on cognitive decline, dementia, and brain health. Researchers Hortense Triniac and Katy Walsh will study protein interactions to reduce stroke risk and investigate cerebral amyloid angiopathy.