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 recent article by John T. Bruer, Ph.D., states that neuroscience does not provide conclusive evidence to support the idea that children's early years are crucial for future learning outcomes. The brain remains adaptable and changeable throughout life in response to environmental stimuli.
A study by University of Chicago researchers has shed light on the vital role of fat and cholesterol transport in maintaining healthy brain function. The team found that certain genetic variants, such as apoE4, can disrupt this process, leading to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
University of Washington scientists investigate how estrogen replacement therapy protects against Alzheimer's disease by promoting neuron survival and protecting against toxic substances. They found that estrogen may activate an enzyme to increase the expression of neurotransmitter genes, facilitating learning and memory.
A review of 90 animal studies suggests that diet pills containing fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine can cause permanent loss of serotonin nerve terminals in the brain. This damage may lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, cognitive problems, and sleep disturbances.
Pediatric heart surgeons are using ultrasound to monitor patients for potential brain damage during and after open-heart surgery. The non-invasive method, Transcranial Doppler, can detect air in the brain circulation when it is ejected from the heart, providing valuable feedback for surgeons.
A new ultrasound technique using transcranial Doppler and duplex carotid ultrasound can accurately measure carotid artery blockages, reducing the need for cerebral angiography and associated risks. This method is a safer alternative for assessing blockage before deciding on surgery for stroke prevention.
Researchers use transcranial Doppler ultrasound to monitor brain activity as it happens, detecting increased blood flow during thinking and decreased flow when tasks are resolved. This technology has implications for treating mental illness, stroke recovery, and even lie detection.
Researchers found that motor skills are most vulnerable to impairment during the first 6 hours after learning, shifting to more stable neural pathways after 5-6 hours. This discovery has implications for skills training in educational and industrial settings.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that bilingual individuals who acquire a second language as young adults have distinct brain areas associated with their native and second languages. This information may be useful for neurosurgeons navigating around the brain's language-sensitive areas during surgery.
Researchers found that elevated homocysteine can be lethal to certain nerve cells, leading to cell death and strokes. A drug blocking NMDA receptor activation may have major benefits in treating hyperhomocysteinemia-related strokes in people under 50.
Researchers at UPMC and Carnegie Mellon University identified brain regions responsible for learning through subconscious awareness, potentially impacting disorders like OCD and addiction. This discovery may reveal a new perspective on how the brain learns and adapts to change.
A study led by Jackson Laboratory researcher Susan L. Ackerman identified a protein critical for brain development in mice, which may be linked to human disorders such as epilepsy and severe mental retardation. The research found that mutations in the rcm gene disrupt neuronal migration during brain development.
Cornell University psychologist Romi Nijhawan's experiment shows that the brain can decompose yellow into its constituent red and green based on motion of the stimulus. Human retinas cannot sense motion on their own, but the brain uses a process called motion extrapolation to correct for this delay.
Researchers propose optimality theory to explain how infants quickly learn complex languages. The idea suggests that a basic understanding of language is already present in the brain, requiring only fine-tuning mechanisms to acquire specific grammar rules.
A study found that serotonin function declines with age, particularly in the hippocampus region, leading to impaired cognitive function and increased risk of depression. Researchers hope to develop new therapeutic approaches based on these findings.
A new screening test can identify stroke victims in three minutes and facilitate faster treatment with clot-busting drugs. The Los Angeles Paramedic Stroke Screen has been shown to correctly diagnose ischemic strokes in 93% of cases, shortening time to actual treatment by an average of 90 minutes.
David Van Essen suggests that mechanical tension from axon connections creates brain folds. His hypothesis explains why human cortex is convoluted while others are smooth, and supports observations from transgenic mice studies. The theory could also account for individual differences in brain shapes.
The primary visual cortex, V1, is found to process optical illusions and complex images, contrary to previous beliefs. This discovery provides insights into how the brain cooperates to process different aspects of vision.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a link between nitric oxide levels and the severity of AIDS dementia. The study found that high levels of nitric oxide synthase in the brains of patients with advanced HIV infection led to brain cell destruction, affecting 20% of those affected.
Researchers found that a left-handed woman's writing ability was controlled solely by her right hemisphere, separate from her reading and speaking abilities. This discovery provides evidence that human brains have adapted older operations for written language.
Researchers found that people at high risk of developing hypertension have a decreased pain sensitivity, which may be due to an overactive brain center. This could lead to the suppression of pain signals and potentially affect blood pressure control.
A study in rats found that natural estrogen levels provide significant neuroprotection against stroke damage, sparing up to three times more brain tissue than male counterparts. Researchers are now investigating the optimal dose of estrogen for this effect and its potential as a brain-protective therapy.
Duke researchers found that aging female rats treated with estrogen had more connections in a brain area associated with memory formation than did similar untreated rats. The study suggests that replacing estrogens may alleviate minor memory losses sometimes associated with aging.
Researchers at Duke University found that small amounts of alcohol can inhibit learning and memory in young rats, while having little effect on adult brains. The study suggests that as little as two drinks could cause significant damage to a young person's brain, reinforcing the need for legal bans on under-age drinking.
Researchers studying small amphibians have discovered a hormone that can cause brain degeneration, similar to cortisol in humans. The study aims to develop a drug that can block this destructive effect, potentially leading to new treatments for Alzheimer's patients.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University discovered a natural brain chemical called orphanin FQ (OFQ) that counteracts the effects of opioids. This finding provides hope for developing new therapies to alleviate opioid-related side effects and treat addiction.
The study reveals that higher brain structures directly control the abstract information in a bird's song, while lower brain centers manage individual notes. Researchers hope to gain insight into how learning influences brain activity patterns.
Research at Brandeis University reveals the human brain's ability to quickly adapt to changing gravitational forces. Directed motions such as pointing and walking speed are significantly affected by changes in gravity.
A recent Cleveland Clinic study found a three-fold increase in gelatinase activity among patients with brain aneurysms, weakening the structural proteins in brain arteries. This discovery could lead to the development of a predictive test and preventive therapy for aneurysm formation.
Studies using high-resolution MRI scans show that long-term stress can cause a crucial part of the human brain to shrink. Research has found links between stress hormones and atrophy in regions responsible for memory and learning, such as the hippocampus.
A comprehensive brain imaging study confirms subtle structural abnormalities in the brain circuit responsible for executive functions in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study found smaller right hemisphere brain structures and abnormally symmetrical brains in boys with ADHD.
A study by NIH scientists found that individuals with dyslexia exhibit no activation in the V5/MT brain area, which specializes in movement perception. This suggests trouble processing specific visual information and may contribute to reading disabilities characteristic of dyslexia.
The striatum, a portion of the brain previously thought to control movement, is shown to keep track of short intervals from seconds to minutes. This finding has implications for understanding timing in learning and memory, as well as Parkinson's disease.
Scientists discover mutant mice lacking a gene fail to form distinct layers in the cerebral cortex, leading to fatal seizures and neurological disorders. The study provides new insights into neuronal migration and signaling pathways, potentially leading to breakthroughs in understanding human brain conditions.