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 case series suggests that an extended course of Paxlovid may help some patients with long Covid experience sustained improvements in their symptoms. The study, published in Communications Medicine, found that five out of 13 patients experienced significant symptom relief after taking the antiviral drug for 15 days.
A new study has found HSV-1 proteins embedded in Alzheimer's brains, linking the virus to tau protein changes. Researchers suggest that inhibiting viral activity or modifying the brain's immune response could slow or stop Alzheimer's progression.
Researchers discovered a link between HSV-1 and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that viral infections play a role in the disease. The study also found that tau protein initially protects the brain from the virus but contributes to brain damage later.
A study published in Nature found that new memories are replayed and consolidated when the pupil contracts during non-REM sleep, while older memories are replayed when the pupil dilates. This micro-structure separates new learning from old knowledge, preventing 'catastrophic forgetting'.
A new technique detects brain metastasis in mice by inserting a thin probe into the brain, providing information on chemical composition. The technique uses vibrational spectroscopy and has the potential to analyze molecular changes caused by tumors or injuries without altering the brain beforehand.
A study of nearly 10,000 adolescents found distinct brain structural differences between those who used substances before age 15 and those who did not. These differences appeared to exist prior to any substance use, suggesting a role for brain structure in substance use risk.
Researchers explore circadian nutrition as a potential solution for industrialized societies plagued by fatigue. Time-restricted feeding and night/active phase-restricted feeding have shown promise in improving muscle endurance and reducing cognitive dysfunctions.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered the brain actively prevents learning both types of memory, leading to confusion. The brain prioritizes one type of learning over the other using a strategy to resolve conflicts.
Neuroscientist Inga Neumann discusses groundbreaking research on oxytocin, a neuropeptide that shapes social behavior and emotional responses. Her work has significant implications for treating social anxiety disorders and understanding stress resilience.
Researchers created a whole-brain atlas to visualize regions of the brain connected to V1 interneurons, a group of cells necessary for movement. The findings provide a framework to further understand the anatomical landscape of the nervous system and how the brain communicates with the spinal cord.
Dr. Gail Cornwall is investigating the structure of the brain extracellular matrix, a network of proteins and polysaccharides found in the space between neurons and glia. Her research aims to identify novel structural elements and mechanisms that enable brain plasticity and sex-specific responses.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet used AI to analyze brain images from 70-year-olds and found that factors like inflammation and high glucose levels are associated with an older-looking brain. A healthy lifestyle, on the other hand, was linked to brains with a younger appearance.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys used two sequencing methods to reveal new mRNAs associated with Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Parkinson's disease. The study found vast mRNA isoform diversity in genes related to neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers developed a preclinical model of brain stimulation therapy that enhances the brain's ability to process conflicting evidence. This improvement in cognitive flexibility could lead to more effective treatments for conditions like depression, ADHD, and addiction.
Researchers at Waseda University found that somatosensory electrical stimulation on the wrist can bias subsequent motor decisions, increasing the likelihood of using the stimulated hand. This phenomenon highlights a connection between sensory input and motor choices, with potential implications for individuals with motor impairments.
Researchers found a link between chronic gut infection with cytomegalovirus and the development of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that the virus may contribute to immune system changes and brain inflammation. The study suggests that existing antiviral drugs could potentially treat or prevent this form of Alzheimer's.
Researchers have identified molecular changes that occur long before symptoms appear, shedding light on the development of Rett syndrome. These findings hold promise for developing safe gene therapies and monitoring biomarkers to track MECP2 gene function.
Researchers found that neural stem cells have a rejuvenating effect on nearby brain cells, while T cells promote stress and damage. The study opens new avenues for research into slowing or reversing brain aging.
A recent study published in Neurology has found that people with sleep apnea tend to have a larger hippocampus, a region crucial for memory and thinking. The study, which included mostly Latino participants, also discovered that lower oxygen levels during sleep were associated with increased brain volume and white matter hyperintensities.
The Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative is partnering with Janssen Research & Development and Beckman Coulter Diagnostics to advance the validation of blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) for Alzheimer's disease. This collaboration aims to develop globally generalizable blood tests that can be used in diverse populations, including those from low...
Researchers are studying individuals with a silent mind, known as anauralia, to understand its effects on attention and creativity. The University of Auckland is hosting a global conference to share insights from scientists, philosophers, musicians, and writers.
The McKnight Brain Research Foundation has awarded $750,000 grants to researchers Janine Kwapis and Sanaz Sedaghat for transformative studies on cognitive aging and memory loss. Their projects focus on improving cognitive flexibility in old age and developing biological aging clocks.
Researchers found that a blunted response to reward feedback in teens predicts the first onset of depression, but not anxiety or suicidal ideation. This study contributes to understanding neural risk factors for mental health disorders and developing new methods to assess mental health risks.
The study aims to identify early warning signs and potential treatment for cerebral small vessel disease, a condition linked to vascular dementia. Researchers will analyze cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues using cutting-edge technologies to map mRNA within cells affected by the disease.
A recent SFU study reveals how indirect brain damage affects thalamus function after a stroke, potentially leading to new treatments. Researchers found that the amount of damage to the thalamus correlates with the level of impairment in patients.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers found that breathing rhythms coordinate hippocampal brain waves during sleep, strengthening memory consolidation. This synchronization is critical for proper memory formation and retrieval, with implications for treating disordered breathing during sleep, such as sleep apnea.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed lab-grown neurons that form complex networks resembling animal nervous systems. These networks exhibit diverse neuronal ensembles and can be reconfigured through repetitive stimulation, mimicking neural plasticity.
A new study sheds light on how age-related changes affect financial skills, finding that verbal representations and language processing play a crucial role. Individuals with better language skills and higher household income are more likely to excel in financial tasks.
Researchers at UniSA found that certain sedentary behaviors, like reading, are beneficial for cognitive function, while others, such as watching TV, have a negative effect. The study suggests a nuanced approach to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviors and cognitive function.
A new study suggests that excessive screen time can lead to reduced sleep quality in preschool-age children, worsening behavioral problems such as poor attention and emotional symptoms. The research also found a correlation between screen time and decreased sleep quality.
A new study has identified a specific connectivity pattern of brain atrophy in schizophrenia, distinct from brain networks associated with other psychiatric disorders. The findings suggest that this network may be a core characteristic of schizophrenia and could inform treatment plans.
A research team from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia has identified a key brain mechanism that modulates how animals react to others' emotions. This finding provides new insights into psychiatric conditions such as PTSD, autism, and schizophrenia.
The study found that slow electrical waves during deep sleep strengthen synaptic connections and make the neocortex more receptive to information. This enhances memory formation by creating a state of elevated readiness in the cortex.
Researchers uncover human hippocampal CA3 region's unique neural connectivity and synaptic properties. The team found that the human CA3 network codes information efficiently to maximize associations and memory storage, with sparser connections and more reliable synapses compared to mouse models.
Researchers used brain connectivity data to predict individual intelligence scores, finding that global brain connections were most important for performance. The results suggest a more complex understanding of intelligence and challenge existing theories, which often focus on specific brain regions.
A study by University of Essex researchers found that women who notice and attend to internal bodily signals, such as heartbeats and sensual touch sensations, experience more frequent orgasms. The research suggests that focusing on the body rather than the mind can lead to increased orgasm satisfaction.
Researchers found that prenatal exposure to Akkermansia muciniphila increased offspring's stem cell activity, leading to less anxiety and faster recovery from colitis. Postnatal exposure did not replicate these effects. The study suggests microbiome-based intervention strategies may improve child health.
Researchers found structural and functional alterations in specific brain regions of individuals with opioid use disorder, including increased global connectivity. Women in the group had smaller medial prefrontal cortex volume compared to men.
Researchers developed nanocomposites that effectively reduce noise and improve signal transmission for brain pacemakers. The materials use a combination of graphene and clay to absorb and disperse energy, reducing the impact of external electrical fields on patients.
Researchers used machine learning to predict multiple types of intelligence from brain connections, with general intelligence performing best. The model's accuracy improved when trained on theory-driven connections, suggesting there are still unknown aspects of intelligence to discover.
The InteReg project aims to create interactive biomaterials that instruct cells to regenerate after brain or spinal cord injuries, potentially treating MS and other neurological disorders. The project, funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, brings together experts in biology, chemistry, medicine, and polymer research.
A USC study reveals that forming social ties relies on learning from positive outcomes, such as rewards, and tracking relational value. The findings help explain why we are drawn to certain people and how we navigate relationships, with implications for mental health and social behavior.
Marco Celotto and Simone Russo were awarded the Lagomarsino Prize for their groundbreaking research in neuroscience, which combined excellent scientific results with outstanding methods for data analysis, data management, and Open Science. Their work has led to pioneering discoveries on brain stimulation and its potential applications ...
Researchers use real-time neuroimaging and neurofeedback to modify brain activity patterns, enabling faster learning and treatment of psychiatric disorders. The study demonstrates the ability to inscribe new patterns into the brain without physical manipulation.
The study reveals that electrical signals enhance calcium entry into cells, amplifying localized signals and extending their influence to neighboring cells through E-Ca coupling. This creates a synchronized system that adjusts blood flow both locally and across wider distances.
Researchers at Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center found that cumulative repetitive head impacts drive specific patterns of brain degeneration in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The study also identified tau protein accumulation as a key mechanism in neuronal loss and synaptic changes.
A recent study by Duke-NUS Medical School has discovered that foetuses possess a functional immune system capable of combating infections before birth. This breakthrough finding suggests that fetuses are not defenceless against diseases and infections like Zika, which can cause serious health conditions such as microcephaly.
A new study by Reichman University reveals a digital treatment protocol improving spatial memory tasks and brain connectivity in aging adults. The innovative mobile app harnesses neuroplasticity to enhance navigational knowledge and potentially mitigate age-related cognitive decline.
A new grant will support a five-year investigation into the role of the brain's reward network in two neurodevelopmental conditions. Researchers will use high-resolution fMRI scans to analyze how the reward network interacts with other parts of the brain in autism, ADHD, and co-occurring autism and ADHD.
Researchers have developed a network-based approach to understand how immune cells called microglia transform and drive harmful processes like neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. The study identified three unique subtypes of harmful microglia that promote disease progression, with genetic signatures driving their behaviors.
Researchers linked genes to hallmark features like tau tangles and amyloid plaques, as well as other less understood brain changes. The study identified a genetic variant in the APH1B gene directly influencing tau tangle formation, and confirmed the APOE gene's role in granulovacuolar degeneration.
A new brain mapping technique has revealed fresh insights into how higher-order functions like language, thought, and attention are organised. Researchers used data from fMRI scans to create accurate models of brain activity and interactions between regions.
Researchers found that women who had both ovaries surgically removed before age 50 are at high risk of late-life Alzheimer's disease, with a fourfold increase in risk linked to the APOE4 allele. Hormone therapy reduces this risk by half in these women.
Researchers from Juntendo University discovered a four-step neural pathway involved in response inhibition, involving visual processing, sensory integration, action control, and execution of inhibition. The study aims to develop targeted therapeutic strategies for conditions like ADHD and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
A UT Health San Antonio study found that brain volume changes correlate with social behavior differences in psychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Tbx1 deficiency was associated with decreased brain volume in the amygdala and surrounding cortical regions, affecting desire for social interaction.
A USC-led study found that neurogenesis in adults supports verbal learning and memory, enabling people to have conversations. The discovery could lead to new approaches to restore cognitive function in patients with epilepsy and other conditions.
Scientists have created a living cell therapy that can navigate to specific organs using a
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found a link between the chromosomal disorder 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and schizophrenia, with malformations in the cerebellum causing Tbx1 gene loss leading to improper skull formation.
Researchers have identified structural grey matter differences in the brains of women with a history of peripartum depression compared to those without. The study found that hormone fluctuations during pregnancy and childbirth may be key to understanding this condition.
A new study reveals that glyphosate exposure in mice can cause lasting brain inflammation and accelerate Alzheimer's disease-like pathology, even after a significant pause from exposure. The herbicide's byproducts have been found to accumulate in brain tissue, raising serious concerns about its safety for human populations.