Articles tagged with Human Brain
Dr. Paola Arlotta's groundbreaking research on stem cell-derived brain organoids has redefined human brain development and neurological disease understanding. Her work provides access to the complexities of developing human brains, making her a deserving recipient of the ISSCR Momentum Award.
Researchers found that amlodipine significantly reduced hyperactivity and impulsivity in rats and zebrafish bred to exhibit ADHD-like symptoms. The study suggests a potential target brain pathway for treatments.
Researchers identified a region in the brain's visual cortex that responds to food and developed a theoretical framework to explain its origins. The study used the Natural Scenes Dataset, which revealed a pattern of food specialization present in every subject.
Researchers found that large language models use a semantic hub mechanism to process diverse data, integrating information from various modalities. They demonstrated that models can change their outputs by intervening with text in the dominant language, even when processing other languages.
A nationwide Danish study found that newborns with seizures are at a higher risk of developing epilepsy. The study analyzed data from over 1.3 million children and found that 20.4% of those with neonatal seizures developed epilepsy, compared to 1.15% of those without.
A new study identifies two groups of brain cells that help the mouse brain gauge the full range of possible rewards associated with a choice. The researchers used machine-learning concepts to study brain circuitry supporting reward-based decisions in mice, shedding light on how the human brain makes such choices.
New research found that neuroestrogens produced in the brain help suppress appetite, as confirmed by experiments where aromatase expression was restored specifically in the brain. This suggests a link between neuroestrogen levels and body weight regulation.
A global study by Amsterdam UMC found that new medication direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are equally safe and effective as vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for treating sinus thrombosis. Regular monitoring is no longer necessary, making it more user-friendly.
Researchers discovered a common cognitive feedback loop used by Buddhist jhāna meditation and Christian speaking in tongues practices to achieve profound focus and joy. This 'Attention, Arousal and Release Spiral' offers insights into cultivating deep states of tranquility and bliss.
Researchers created a computational method to track brain cell development over time, capturing unlabeled cells and fine structures in live cultures. The algorithm achieved high precision rates for detecting individual neurons, paving the way for studying neurological diseases and developing therapies.
Scientists at NUS Medicine have developed a novel approach using nasal bacteria to deliver therapeutic molecules directly to the brain, reducing appetite and improving glucose metabolism in preclinical studies. The engineered bacteria leverage the olfactory mucosa's unique properties to deliver medication with enhanced bioavailability.
Researchers at the Kavli Institute discovered that grid cells perform rapid, rhythmic sweeps into the space ahead of the animal, allowing it to probe the environment. This new understanding of spatial navigation reshapes our understanding of how the brain builds mental maps and tracks precise positions within these landscapes.
Finnish researchers found pituitary macrophages regulate hormonal balance and may be used to treat endocrine disorders. Macrophages have a local effect on hormone secretion, decreasing when removed.
A new framework has been unveiled for understanding time persistence in the human brain, exploring how long functional networks remain in a particular state before transitioning to another. The study found that network persistence is linked to cognitive performance and genetic factors.
Researchers found that a rare genetic syndrome causes different damage mechanisms in male and female brains, affecting neurogenesis and energy production. The study suggests that the ADNP protein plays a crucial role in brain development and aging, with distinct functions in males and females.
Researchers have created a geometric deep learning approach called MARBLE that can infer latent brain activity patterns across experimental subjects. The method uses dynamic motifs to analyze neural population recordings and has been shown to be more interpretable than other machine learning methods.
Researchers found that intracranial hemorrhages double the risk of dementia in people. The study analyzed Medicare claims and observed a two-fold increase in dementia diagnoses within 5.6 years after a hemorrhage.
A new clinical trial will evaluate whether adding ketamine to standard treatment can improve outcomes for patients suffering from status epilepticus. The trial, called KESETT, hopes to determine whether ketamine can terminate the seizures in more patients than current treatments.
A new study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham suggests that different brain regions activated by creative tasks are part of one common brain circuit. People with brain injuries or neurodegenerative diseases may have increased creativity due to changes in this circuit.
A group of nerve cells called POMC neurons are responsible for dessert cravings, releasing a feel-good opiate when mice eat sugar. This pathway is activated even before eating, and blocking it reduces sugar consumption in full animals.
Researchers identified specific non-frontal brain areas involved in speech intent, which can be used to distinguish between language production and perception. This study is a crucial step towards developing a brain-computer interface to treat patients with Broca's aphasia.
A study by Nagoya University researchers found that excessive neuronal activation over time leads to brain function decline, contradicting previous theories. Interventions targeting reduced neuronal hyperactivation, such as dietary changes, may mitigate age-related cognitive decline in humans.
A new study reveals that males and females respond differently to acute stress due to variations in the brain's molecular mechanisms. The research highlights a sex-specific difference in how stress is managed at the molecular level, with implications for personalized medicine and potential treatments for depression.
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered a novel genetic mutation associated with an accumulation of toxic proteins in Alzheimer's brains. The study found that people carrying a specific variation of this repeated DNA strand have more than double the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's.
A new study found that white children were nearly twice as likely to have completed genetic testing, despite similar rates of test requests. The study also showed that insurance coverage for genetic testing was denied at higher rates for Black children, with disparities that could not be fully explained by socioeconomic factors.
Researchers at University of British Columbia discovered a new brain cell type called 'ovoid cells' that play a central role in remembering and recognizing objects. These highly-specialized neurons activate when encountering something new, triggering the process to store objects in memory.
The Center for BrainHealth hosts its third annual BrainHealth Week, offering simple tools and effective measurements for proactively increasing brain fitness and performance. A recent national survey reveals that 75% of people do not know how to promote brain gains, which BrainHealth Week aims to address.
Studies identified 153 cases of psychosis caused by brain lesions, which connected to a common circuit in the hippocampus. The circuit, including the rostromedial prefrontal cortex, is a promising target for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, potentially improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Researchers discovered that mismatch repair genes are critical in eliciting damages to neurons vulnerable to Huntington's disease, triggering downstream pathologies and motor impairment. Targeting these genes may offer novel therapeutic approaches, including improving locomotor and gait deficits and reducing neuronal cell death.
Researchers identified a link between Alzheimer's disease, cell function, and cholesterol in the brain. Lowering oxysterol levels freed trapped ABCA1, restoring its healthy state, and showed potential as a new treatment approach.
Researchers develop new method to study glycosylation in proteins, discovering that gut bacteria can alter molecular signatures in the brain. The study found over 150,000 glycosylated protein forms in brain tissue samples from mice.
Research reveals that perceived trustworthiness of others alters brain activity in reward and salience networks, driving assessments of safety and risk. Higher perceived odds of HIV transmission lead to more distrust and activation of the salience network.
A new study found that the brain's cerebral cortex acts like a memory machine, encoding new experiences and predicting the near future. Novelty detection is a critical function for humans and animals, allowing them to adapt and improve their predictions of future events.
A new study suggests that delivering tenecteplase directly into a large brain artery after removing a blood clot can improve stroke survivors' function 90 days later. The treatment, which was tested in 127 patients, showed promising results compared to standard medical care.
Researchers found that clot-dissolving medication alteplase improved stroke patients' recovery by more than 50% when given up to 24 hours after the beginning of an ischemic stroke. This breakthrough may provide hope for stroke patients worldwide who may not have access to clot-dissolving medications within the approved time window.
Research reveals that even short-term exposure to high levels of particulate matter air pollution impairs cognitive functions such as selective attention and emotion recognition. This study highlights the urgent need for stricter air quality regulations and public health measures to combat the harmful effects of pollution on brain health.
A new AI-based tool can translate a person's thoughts into continuous text without requiring language comprehension, and it can be trained in under an hour. The system was developed by adapting a previous brain decoder to a new person using short, silent videos.
UCalgary researchers confirm that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is not effective for patients with blockages in medium-sized blood vessels. The ESCAPE-MeVO clinical trial found no improvement in outcomes for these patients compared to standard care. EVT was previously shown to improve patient outcomes after large-vessel strokes.
A University of Ottawa neuroscientist has led a Canadian research team to discover how neural stem cells integrate signals from different cell types and decode them. The study found that low daughter cell numbers trigger activation, while high numbers keep them in quiescence, offering new insights into cellular relationships and potent...
Researchers at McGill University found that a protein produced in muscles helps manage the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which promotes egg maturation. Lowering myostatin levels delayed puberty and reduced fertility, while restoring it boosted FSH levels.
The DISTAL trial found that endovascular therapy in addition to best medical therapy did not reduce disability more than clot-busting treatment alone for patients with medium distal vessel blockages. The study showed that mechanical clot removal was a safe option, but its benefits were uncertain.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have found that opioid delta-receptor agonists can alleviate stress-induced IBS symptoms in a validated mouse model by targeting the central nervous system. The study suggests that these drugs could provide a more definitive solution for IBS with minimal adverse effects.
Bess Frost, director of Brown University's Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research, received the 2025 Rainwater Prize for her groundbreaking findings on tau toxicity and retrotransposons. Her work may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and tauopathies.
Researchers used intracranial EEG recordings to find that meditation led to changes in the amygdala and hippocampus, key regions involved in emotional regulation and memory. Loving kindness meditation was specifically found to be associated with changes in brain wave activity.
A new drug developed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has shown significant promise in reversing memory loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The drug, GL-II-73, selectively targets GABA receptors to restore brain function and repair damaged neural connections.
Eleven scientists will be recognized for their individual exceptional professional achievements and contributions to stroke care and research. Four groundbreaking scientists are devoted to stroke research, while six others will be recognized for their new research findings presented during the meeting.
A team of researchers has developed a novel model of the Blood-Brain Barrier, which mimics the complex structure of cerebral blood vessels. This breakthrough enables scientists to study neuroinflammation and develop new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers have found alarmingly high levels of microplastics in human brains, with concentrations increasing by 50% over eight years. The plastic accumulation appears to be linked to food consumption and agricultural practices.
New research suggests lycopene treatment reverses depressive-like traits in mice by promoting synaptic plasticity via the BDNF-TrkB pathway. Lycopene also increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, a protein essential for brain function.
Researchers used fMRI data to uncover how the hippocampus coordinates memory processes by analyzing neural activity patterns. The study found that participants remembered scenes with lower novelty more accurately and that the hippocampus integrates diverse forms of novel information.
A recent study investigated hybrid diffuse optics to monitor changes in blood flow and oxygen levels noninvasively. The technology provided detailed insights into how oxygen is delivered and utilized in the body, suggesting improved outcomes for critically ill patients undergoing red blood cell transfusions.
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association found that frequent social activity may help prevent or delay dementia in old age, with socially active individuals showing reduced rates of cognitive decline over a five-year period. Social activity strengthens neural circuits and activates areas o...
A preliminary study found that regular dental flossing may lower the risk of stroke caused by blood clots and irregular heartbeats. The study, which followed over 6,000 participants for 25 years, found a significant reduction in irregular heartbeats among those who flossed regularly.
A Mediterranean-style diet was associated with improved brain health in Hispanic/Latino adults, showing enhanced communication between brain regions and reduced white matter atrophy. The study used specialized imaging techniques to investigate the effects of diet on brain integrity.
A preliminary study found that shorter protective caps at the end of chromosomes (telomeres) may be more likely to develop age-related brain diseases such as stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. Adopting healthier lifestyles could lower the negative effects of shorter telomeres.
Researchers have developed a blood test that can rapidly distinguish between brain bleeds and clot-caused strokes, even before patients arrive at the hospital. This test uses glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels to differentiate between hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes, which can lead to opposite treatments.
Researchers used single-cell sequencing to characterize different cell types in brain lesions and identify subpopulations involved in disease progression. The study provides a cellular view of focal cortical dysplasia, a malformation leading to drug-resistant epilepsy.
A new study finds that adding higher-intensity walking to standard physical therapy significantly improves mobility and quality of life in stroke survivors. The protocol, which aims for 2,000 steps with moderate intensity, was successfully integrated into standard-of-care practice in stroke units.
Researchers developed an AI model that analyzes electrocardiogram (ECG) data to predict biological age and potential cognitive decline. The study, based on UK Biobank data, found a link between higher ECG-age and poorer cognitive performance.
A recent study by Rei Akaishi at RIKEN CBS found that larger groups can actually promote greater cooperation. Participants in the 'prisoner's dilemma' game cooperated more frequently as group size grew, with brain scans showing increased activity in regions involved in prosocial behavior and memory processing. This challenges conventio...