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.
IST Austria professor Peter Jonas is one of three Austrian collaborators in the €1 billion Human Brain Project. He contributes his research on cellular and subcellular parameters, crucial for accurate modeling of the brain.
The Human Brain Project, led by King's College London, aims to simulate the human brain in a supercomputer. The project will explore social implications and develop neuromorphic computing for medical advances.
The Human Brain Project will integrate data across all scales to improve understanding of brain development and combat brain disorders. Led by McGill University's Dr. Alan Evans, the project aims to reconstruct the brain in supercomputer-based models and simulations.
The Human Brain Project seeks to integrate fragmented knowledge of the human brain through supercomputer-based models. Researchers will test conceptual models using simulated and real systems, aiming to refine models and develop new technologies.
The European Commission has chosen the Human Brain Project, a decade-long research initiative backed by 1.19 billion euros, to study the human brain. Eight Israeli scientists will lead a team from top research institutions across Europe and the world.
Researchers mapped out how 1,705 distinct object and action categories are represented across the brain's surface, finding a continuous semantic space that organizes similar categories together. The study's results demonstrate an efficient way for the brain to represent diverse categories in a compact spatial manner.
The European Science Foundation published a report calling for an advanced understanding of the human brain, highlighting five key opportunities for research. The initiative aims to provide a framework for discussion on future research and practice in light of changes in our understanding of the brain.
Short-term alcohol intake increases brain activity and GABA-mediated signal transmission in healthy social drinkers, altering the brain's resting-state network. The study suggests a potential mechanism for the effects of alcohol on the brain.
Researchers have detected male DNA in female brain tissue, a phenomenon known as microchimerism, which is common and affects multiple brain regions. The findings suggest that this long-lasting fetal DNA may be associated with altered risk of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study tracked brain growth in human and chimpanzee fetuses, finding that human brains begin to show remarkable differences after 22 weeks of gestation. The findings suggest a faster rate of brain growth in humans compared to chimpanzees.
The study reveals that human brains are more similar than different, with the same basic molecular blueprint across individuals. Key findings include regional similarity in biochemistry, homogeneous cortex structure, and widespread gene expression across brain areas.
A new UCLA study identifies uniquely human patterns of gene activity in the brain that could deepen our understanding of human evolution and brain diseases. The research suggests that complex signaling pathways and enhanced cellular function in the frontal lobe created a bridge to human evolution, enabling higher rates of learning.
The human brain's unique cognitive capacity is attributed to a specific protein domain, DUF1220, which has more copies in humans than other species. The protein's dosage is linked to brain size, with higher numbers associated with macrocephaly and lower numbers with microcephaly.
A Yale research team has identified a single genetic switch that triggers loss of brain connections and contributes to depression. The study found that the transcription factor GATA1 represses genes necessary for synaptic connection formation, disrupting circuits involved in emotion and cognition.
The overall winner of the Wellcome Image Awards is a visceral photograph of a living human brain, showcasing its beauty and fragility. The image, taken during a surgical procedure to treat epilepsy, highlights the importance of medical photography in helping doctors make diagnoses.
A study using MRI scans found that sleep deprivation disrupts the higher brain areas responsible for making food choices, rather than basic reward centers. This impairment may explain the link between sleep loss and obesity.
A handful of genetic changes in early mammalian development created the complex structures of the human brain, including fine motor skills and cognitive abilities. Researchers identified key regulatory DNA regions that control the formation of the corticospinal system.
Researchers created a new brain map using diffusion tensor imaging, identifying 358 landmarks related to memory, vision, language, and other bodily operations. The map provides a clearer picture of brain connections and their relation to basic brain function.
Researchers used fMRI technology to scan the brains of alert dogs, revealing how they react to human signals. The study aims to decode canine mental processes and understand their empathy and language abilities.
Researchers analyzed 1,000 genes in human and mouse brains, finding high similarity and only 5% difference among humans. The dataset offers insights into neural evolution, cell-to-cell communication, and species-specific functions.
Researchers have identified extended synaptic development in human brains relative to other primates, shedding light on the biology and evolution of human cognition. This finding suggests that the human brain remains highly plastic during early childhood, allowing it to absorb environmental information and develop intellectual skills.
A study found that the human brain's ability to process information is the dominant limiting factor for exponentially growing internet data. The distribution of internet files shows a Weber-Fechner law, where the total amount of information grows slower than our ability to handle it.
Researchers from University of Warwick and Cambridge teamed up to apply fusion plasma expertise to study human brain networks. They developed methods to deal with data analysis problems similar to those faced by neuroscientists, making the first map of dynamically changing brain networks in response to surprise.
Researchers analyzed long-term imaging data to uncover coordinated anatomical changes in brain development across the cortex. They found that functionally connected regions mature together and exhibit tightly coupled patterns of growth, with notable differences between males and females.
A new study found that human brain development differs from chimpanzees and macaques, with hundreds of genes showing unique developmental patterns in the prefrontal cortex. MicroRNA activity patterns also showed significant differences, potentially linked to human-specific changes in cognitive abilities.
The Allen Institute for Brain Science has launched a new brain atlas resource, the Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas, which provides a three-dimensional map of neural connections throughout the mouse brain. The Atlas will help scientists understand how the brain is wired and what goes awry in brain diseases and disorders.
A massive study found hundreds of genetic differences between males and females as their brains develop in the womb. Genes associated with psychiatric illnesses are expressed before birth, suggesting a complex link between genetics and mental health.
A new study finds that young human-specific genes are correlated with the development of advanced brain structures, such as the neocortex and prefrontal cortex. The genes are most often expressed during fetal or infant development, indicating an early role in shaping the complexity of the human brain.
Researchers found that young, human-specific genes are more likely to be expressed in the developing human brain. This correlation suggests that these genes may play a key role in constructing the uniquely powerful human brain.
This emerging technology uses diffusion tractography to visualize white matter in the brain, offering a new window into human brain anatomy. Recent developments may tackle limitations and challenges, revealing the architecture of the human brain and its breakdown in disease.
Researchers analyzed a 2-million-year-old skull from Sediba, suggesting a more 'mosaic' pattern of human brain evolution. The brain was found to be primitive but with early glimmers of reorganization towards a human pattern.
A modified form of the enzyme Cdk5 is elevated in Alzheimer's disease patients, triggering damage to nerve cell connections. This discovery suggests that SNO-Cdk5 could be targeted for the development of new Alzheimer's disease therapies.
A recent study tracking chimpanzee brain development found that both humans and chimps have immature forebrains at birth. The study's findings suggest that this developmental delay may provide an extended period of plasticity, enabling both species to develop complex social skills.
Researchers have developed a method to reconstruct neural networks in detail, using computer programs KNOSSOS and RESCOP. The team successfully mapped over 100 neurons from the retina with high accuracy, reducing the time required compared to previous methods.
Researchers found that humans experience significant brain shrinkage and degeneration with aging, unlike chimpanzees who do not display comparable losses. The study suggests evolution led to large brains in humans, but also increased vulnerability to age-related brain diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers have developed a novel gene therapy system using nanoparticles that can be freeze-dried and stored for up to three months. The technology shows promise in treating brain cancer with high efficacy and minimal risk of complications, offering a potential alternative to traditional therapies.
Researchers at The University of Western Ontario used fMRI to decode action intentions from brain activity, predicting which action a person was planning seconds before execution. This breakthrough understanding of brain planning could lead to controlling prosthetic limbs for movement-impaired patients.
A recent study published in Brain Connectivity suggests that ongoing, intrinsic brain activity accounts for the majority of human brain energy usage. This finding challenges previous assumptions and highlights the complexity of brain function and structure.
Researchers at Yale University discovered a link between a genetic variation and the formation of brain convolutions, a hallmark of human intelligence. The study found that a deletion of two genetic letters in the LAMC3 gene was responsible for abnormal brain development in Turkish patients.
Researchers develop a new method to visualize lipid distribution in the human brain, revealing detailed information about neurodegenerative diseases. The study uses imaging mass spectrometry and functional autoradiography to identify 43 types of lipids in three distinct brain regions.
Researchers found that the Stripe of Gennari develops in blind individuals from birth and remains intact, suggesting a role in processing tactile stimuli. This could contribute to improved Braille reading abilities and enhanced sense of touch.
Researchers investigate how temporal patterns in languages influence phonological, semantic, and syntactic information processing. Bilinguals' brains store fundamental regularities of speech, enhancing language efficiency.
A new study suggests that human creativity may have evolved as a way for parents to bond with their children, passing on cultural knowledge and traditions. This theory challenges the idea that creativity emerged from courtship behaviors, proposing instead that it arose from parental influences.
A recent study found that the brains of newborn humans and Neanderthals are similar in size and appearance, but differ significantly in shape after birth. The differences reflect changes in brain circuitry and may underlie cognitive differences between the two species.
Researchers used PET scans to image aromatase, an enzyme responsible for estrogen production, in the human brain. The study found that aromatase is concentrated in unique regions, differing from animal studies.
A five-year, $30-million Human Connectome Project will generate a map of the brain's major circuits using powerful scanners and analysis techniques. The project aims to understand brain connectivity and function to advance brain health and develop new treatments for disorders like autism and schizophrenia.
A study found that the human brain regions growing during infancy and childhood are similar to those with the most changes when comparing humans to apes and monkeys. This research helps assess adverse effects of premature birth on brain development, including increased risks of learning disabilities and cognitive impairments.
Researchers have identified Pax6 as a critical genetic factor in human brain development, governing the differentiation of stem cells into various brain cell types. This discovery may lead to the creation of customized brain cells for therapeutic purposes.
Research at University of Toronto Scarborough found that the human brain is more reactive to people of one's own race, producing significantly more motor-cortex activity, whereas observing others from a different race results in reduced activity. The study suggests that this phenomenon may contribute to prejudice and limited empathy.
Researchers found that human brains, nematode worms and computer chips have a Russian doll-like architecture and exhibit Rentian scaling. This discovery challenges the notion that the human brain is unique and highlights the importance of studying simple organisms like the worm to gain insights into our own evolution.
Researchers mapped over 4 billion neuronal interactions to reveal synchronized brain areas during working memory tasks. The study shows that rhythmic activity between brain regions is linked to both memory maintenance and content.
Researchers found that infants as young as 7 months old display sensitivity to human voice and emotional prosody in their brains, mirroring adult brain activity. The study suggests that critical neurodevelopmental processes underlying impaired voice processing in disorders like autism may occur before 7 months.
A study by UCL scientists found that people tend to accept the status quo and avoid making complex decisions, even when it leads to errors. The study used fMRI scans to examine the neural pathways involved in 'status quo bias' and discovered a key role for the subthalamic nucleus in overcoming this bias.
Researchers found that the brain responds more strongly to a poor person receiving a financial reward than a rich person, even if the brain being studied belongs to the rich individual. This study suggests that the human brain is wired to respond to inequality, contradicting the prevailing view of human nature as solely self-interested.
Researchers found that unexpected stimuli enhance early and late electrical potentials in the hippocampus, with a memory recall for unexpected items. The nucleus accumbens is also involved, influencing subsequent processing to promote memory encoding.
Emory neuroscientist Lori Marino raises concerns about dolphin captivity citing complex brain structures and self-awareness. She advocates for reevaluation of industry practices due to potential psychological harm to dolphins.
Researchers at the University of Washington studied brain signals in eight patients awaiting epilepsy surgery, finding that imagined movements can strengthen brain activity. After less than 10 minutes of practice, brain signals from imagined movement became significantly stronger than when actually performing the physical motion.
Researchers identified associations between genetic variations and brain surface area, suggesting a key role for microcephaly genes in human brain evolution. The study found significant links with regulatory regions of the CDK5RAP2 gene, indicating a need to focus on these processes for future research.
Researchers found that broad differences in gene activity between humans and chimps are coordinated by about 90 transcription factors, which affect nearly 1,000 genes. This suggests a unique regulatory mechanism in the human brain that allows for larger brains and different organ functions.
A UCLA/Emory study discovered significant differences between the human and chimp versions of the FOXP2 gene, which may explain why humans developed language while chimps did not. The research provides insight into the evolution of the human brain and may lead to new drug targets for disorders characterized by speech disruption.