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.
Groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia shows that any form of exercise can significantly boost brain function and memory across children, adults, and older adults. Regular exercise improves general cognition, memory, and executive function in both healthy individuals and those with clinical conditions.
Researchers from Syracuse University found potential benefits of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on attention and fatigue in post-stroke patients, but results were mixed. Participants who received real tDCS showed decreased fatigue, while actual treatment did not improve attention tests.
A team of researchers has identified a common brain network that generalized seizures hijack, which is located in the region where deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes are placed. This finding could help explain why DBS is effective in alleviating generalized seizures and potentially improve treatment outcomes.
A team of researchers from Bonn and Tübingen investigated the brain's ability to retain a sequence of events in memory using implanted electrodes. They found that the traditional theory was contradicted by their data, but an alternative mechanism emerged through AI simulations.
Researchers found that perceiving prices significantly different from expectations triggers a strong N400 signal in the brain, engaging regions involved in evaluating rewards and learning. This suggests that consumers' perceptions of value are part of automatic cognitive mechanisms activated long before conscious decision-making.
Researchers at WVU have discovered a way to fine-tune zinc activity to improve messaging in the brain, with potential applications for treating conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The study identified new compounds that can selectively change synaptic connections by modulating zinc levels.
A new Concordia-developed app, iSurgARy, uses augmented reality to guide catheter insertion into the brain, improving ventriculostomy safety and accuracy. The app provides spatial awareness of patient anatomy, allowing surgeons to better aim at their target points.
Researchers at UCL identified key brain regions involved in remembering words, finding shrinkage in the front and side of the brain linked to difficulty recalling words. Detailed MRI scans showed a dispersion network for creating and storing word memories, crucial for understanding epilepsy conditions.
A University of Cincinnati study found that machine learning models can aid clinicians in treating patients with spreading depolarizations (SDs), a condition that can cause significant brain damage. The algorithm was able to identify SD events with high sensitivity and specificity, detecting many events not identified by human scoring.
A new study found that parakeet brains generate patterns seen in humans as they speak, suggesting a similar connection between higher brain activity and sound production. This discovery may help develop new treatments for speech disorders affecting millions of Americans.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that constructed languages such as Esperanto and Klingon elicit similar responses in the brain's language-processing network, suggesting that meaning is a key feature of language. This discovery helps define some of the key properties of language and narrows down the question of what a language is.
Researchers have identified distinct protein degradation patterns in key brain regions for individuals who witnessed trauma, differing from those who experienced it firsthand. Sex-specific differences also emerge, with implications for targeted treatments and a better understanding of PTSD development.
A new study by UCLA Health has discovered a drug that fully reproduces the effects of physical stroke rehabilitation in model mice. The drug, DDL-920, excites parvalbumin neurons, leading to significant recovery in movement control after stroke.
Virginia Tech researchers Pamela VandeVord and Gunnar Brolinson received a $2.17 million grant to investigate cranial osteopathic manual manipulation as a potential treatment for traumatic brain injury symptoms, particularly headaches. The noninvasive technique aims to enhance brain fluid motion and balance the autonomic nervous system.
Researchers identify how a balance of innate structure and flexible learning produces our remarkably organized visual brains. They found that regions in the ventral temporal cortex have distinct cellular organization and white matter connections from birth.
A review of research on childhood adversity sheds light on its long-term consequences on brain development and introduces innovative methods for tackling mental health issues. Emerging factors like societal inequality and pollution are gaining recognition as potential contributors to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Researchers compared cortical organization between humans and macaques, as well as humans and chimpanzees, to identify distinctively human neuroanatomical features. Unique prefrontal cortex organization and connections between brain regions associated with emotional regulation, social cognition, and language processing were found.
A new stem cell therapy trial at UTHealth Houston aims to reduce neuroinflammation in patients with presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease. The study, which is sponsored by Weston Brain Institute, will enroll 12 patients and use PET imaging to determine whether stem cells reduce brain inflammation before symptoms develop.
Researchers have created a new open-source tool to optimize the placement of visual brain implants on a large scale. The tool, developed by the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, uses data from participants with intact vision to predict optimal implant locations and minimize safety risks.
Research from the University of Florida found that mutations in the Syngap1 gene can lead to disrupted perceptual learning in mice, affecting their ability to interpret touch-based information. This study provides possible answers for understanding autism, intellectual disability, and other conditions with sensory processing issues.
Researchers developed a portable system using AI to spot cognitive impairment by measuring subtle differences in motor function. The device accurately identified 83% of participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), offering potential for early intervention and improved outcomes.
The PREMSTEM Conference will present cutting-edge research on neonatal brain repair, focusing on human mesenchymal stem cells as a potential therapy for preterm birth-related brain injury. Associate Professor Atul Malhotra's keynote address will highlight successes and lessons learned from his ongoing stem cell-based therapy trials.
Researchers have discovered a new diterpene-based drug that facilitates the repopulation of mature functional neurons in brain regions damaged by traumatic injuries. The study found that these new cells are integrated into neural circuits and develop functional characteristics similar to those eliminated by the injury.
The American Heart Association emphasizes the importance of brain health, citing a growing burden of dementia and neurological conditions worldwide. By adopting healthy behaviors and addressing modifiable risk factors, individuals can improve their cognitive function and reduce the risk of age-related decline.
A new study reports that Raman spectroscopy, a noninvasive technique, can distinguish between abnormal FCD type II tissue and healthy brain cells with remarkable accuracy. This method could provide real-time guidance for surgeons to more accurately identify and remove affected tissue during surgery.
Research finds that certain viral antibodies and genetic risk factors can increase MS risk, with elevated antibody levels combined with a specific gene variant associated with strong increased risk. The study also identifies potential biomarkers for early diagnosis.
A study by Dr. Keum Sehoon's team identified key neural ensembles in the anterior cingulate cortex that encode empathic freezing, a behavioral response to witnessing distress in others. The researchers found that observing another's pain triggers activation in the ACC as if the observer were experiencing pain themselves.
A University of Illinois Chicago study reveals that intranasal herpes infection can cause severe neurobehavioral symptoms, including anxiety and cognitive issues. The research suggests that the virus exploits a cellular enzyme to produce behavioral symptoms, emphasizing the need for prevention and treatment.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that poor sleep quality among older adults disrupts the brain's glymphatic system, leading to memory decline. The research team found that deactivation of the restorative glymphatic system negatively impacts normal brain function and cognitive health.
Researchers used advanced technology to analyze over 100 hours of brain activity during real-life discussions. The study found that the brain processes language in a sequence, from thinking about words to forming sounds and vice versa.
The Center for BrainHealth has assembled a seasoned team, including retired Navy Admiral William McRaven's match gift commitment, to expand its Optimal BrainHealth for Warfighters program. The program aims to improve cognitive capacity in the military and leverage brain health tools to prevent or mitigate health issues.
A study of over 2,200 children found that high ambient temperatures are associated with lower connectivity in key brain networks, potentially impacting processes such as attention and memory. The association was strongest on the day before a brain scan and decreased on subsequent days.
A study led by Dr. Rodrigo Quian Quiroga has confirmed that individual neurons represent concepts learned in any context, enabling abstract relationships and human intelligence. This finding contradicts previous research on animals, where memories were thought to be stored in different groups of neurons.
A new brain-mapping technique identified memory-related brain cells vulnerable to protein buildup, a key factor in Alzheimer's disease. The study found that certain cell types in the hippocampus and cortex were more affected by tau buildup.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have enabled a paralyzed man to control a robotic arm through a device that relays signals from his brain to a computer. The device, known as a brain-computer interface (BCI), worked for a record 7 months without needing to be adjusted.
A new Cochrane review has found evidence that music-based therapy may benefit people living with dementia, particularly by improving symptoms of depression. The review suggests that music therapy probably improves depressive symptoms and may improve overall behavioural problems by the end of treatment.
A new Northwestern University study found that enhancing the brain's immune cells can clear Alzheimer's plaques and restore a healthier brain environment in immunized patient brains. The findings could reshape the future of Alzheimer's treatments by shifting the focus from removing plaques to harnessing the brain's natural defenses.
Researchers have discovered that the developing brain can reorganize its sensory maps in response to the absence of sensory stimuli from birth. The study found that the thalamic region adapts a genetic profile similar to that of the affected area, enabling cortical reorganization and functional changes.
Researchers at Lancaster University are developing high-performance memory devices using self-assembled molecular technology to overcome the von Neumann bottleneck in computing. The Memristive Organometallic Devices (MemOD) project aims to deliver faster, more stable, and energy-efficient AI hardware.
A large-scale study found that police officers with more active amygdalae before training were more likely to experience PTSD symptoms after traumatic events. The study suggests that understanding individual differences in amygdala activity can help make people more resilient to trauma.
A study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that women over 70 who took hormone therapy had faster tau accumulation than those who didn't. This increase was seen in specific brain regions vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest delaying hormone therapy may lead to worse Alzheimer's outcomes.
Researchers discovered that females' dormant X chromosome reactivates in late life, expressing genes related to brain development and cognitive health. This phenomenon may explain why women outlive men and retain their cognitive abilities longer.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that pupil dynamics is related to specific patterns of brain activity and arousal levels, contradicting previous assumptions about low arousal during sleep. The study uses pupil measurements to monitor brain activity in humans for the first time.
Researchers found differences in genes and brain wiring between forest and desert flies, explaining how climate change impacts insects. Forest flies show increased avoidance of heat, while desert flies are attracted to warmer temperatures.
A recent study found an association between chronic stress and an increased risk of stroke in younger women, but not men. The study, which looked at 426 participants aged 18-49 who experienced an ischemic stroke with no known cause, found that moderate stress levels were associated with a 78% increased risk of stroke.
The Mount Sinai Hospital has become the first in the US to perform a deep brain stimulation (DBS) implantation procedure as part of a clinical trial investigating its effectiveness for treatment-resistant depression. The study aims to gather evidence on the impact of DBS systems developed by healthcare company Abbott.
Neuroscientists Michelle Monje and Frank Winkler's groundbreaking discoveries show that neural activity promotes glioma initiation, growth, and treatment resistance. Their findings have transformed our understanding of brain cancer biology and offer new opportunities for treatment.
Researchers have discovered alarming levels of microplastics in human brain tissue, with concentrations 3-5 times higher in individuals with dementia diagnoses. The study highlights the need for large-scale human studies to determine dose-response relationships between microplastic exposure and chronic health outcomes.
Studies have consistently shown that 40Hz gamma stimulation can improve cognitive function and reduce Alzheimer's pathology in mice. In human clinical trials, participants exposed to 40Hz light and sound experienced significant slowing of brain atrophy and improvements on some cognitive measures compared to untreated controls.
A Northwestern University study discovered a region of the brain processes subtle changes in voice pitch, transforming them into meaningful linguistic information that guides human understanding. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about speech perception and have implications for speech rehabilitation, AI-powered voice assist...
Researchers developed a new brain imaging technique to predict and guide stroke patients' recovery by analyzing white matter tracts leading to the limbs. The study found that atrophy in these tracts is strongly correlated with motor recovery after a stroke, enabling clinicians to tailor rehabilitation strategies.
A research team at the University of Cologne has identified a specific form of the tau protein, 1N4R, responsible for mediating toxic effects of protein clumps in human brain cells. This breakthrough understanding could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have discovered column-like structures in the visual cortex of mice, where neurons processing stimuli from the same eye form clusters. This finding sheds light on the structural organization of the brain and may help solve the mystery of cortical columns' function.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that overexpressing cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) in astrocytes promotes resilience to chronic social stress by reducing anxiety levels and depressive symptoms. The researchers also discovered an association between CB1 receptors and depressive symptoms in human brains.
Researchers discovered a horizontally distributed and modular organization of cortical movement units, with different types of neurons forming functional clusters in distinct regions. The study also found that the brain re-networks and adapts to learn new motor skills.
A new study found that parents show patterns of brain connectivity that directly oppose typical age-related changes, with the effect strengthening with each additional child. Parents also showed higher levels of social connection, with more frequent family visits and larger social networks.
Scientists found that parts of human chromosomes have evolved rapidly to enable complex brain development in humans. However, this acceleration may also lead to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. The study used artificial neurons derived from human and chimpanzee cell lines.
A new study reveals that schizophrenia's complexity is reflected in the individual brain structures of patients, with some experiencing perceptual disturbances and others cognitive impairments. The research suggests a precision medicine approach could tailor therapies to each patient's unique neurobiological profile.
Aging mice show significant changes in glycocalyx, the sugary armor on cells that form the blood-brain barrier. Restoring glycals improves cognitive function and reduces neuroinflammation. The study offers new avenues for treating brain aging and related diseases.
A team from the University of Trento combined AI techniques with neuroimaging measurements to analyze how emotions and language structure influence brain activity during interactions. The results show that neural synchrony is associated with emotional content and semantic structure, with implications for understanding human relationships.