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 study has identified Kif23 as a key regulator of embryonic brain development, highlighting its potential link to microcephaly. The research found that Kif23 is essential for neural progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation, with deficiency leading to decreased cell growth and increased apoptosis.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that Mexican American women are more likely to miss prescribed doses of stroke prevention medications. The study highlights sex-associated disparities in stroke care, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that sleeping improves ability to remember new words and complex grammatical rules. Researchers tracked brain activity of participants learning a miniature language called Mini Pinyin while sleeping or awake, revealing significant improvements in those who slept.
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.
Researchers at UCSF found a brain signature of resilience in mice that suggests a new way to treat severe depression. Stress changes activity in the amygdala, distinguishing resilient from less resilient mice. By stimulating neurons, the team improved decision-making and reduced ruminating in less resilient mice.
A study found that skeletal muscle loss, particularly in the temporalis muscle, is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease dementia. Participants with smaller temporalis muscle size were more than twice as likely to develop dementia over a median follow-up period of 5.8 years.
A Baycrest study has found that high blood sugar may impair brain health even in people without diabetes. Researchers analyzed data from 146 healthy adults and found a correlation between high blood sugar levels and lower brain activity.
A new OHSU study reveals that the human ability to conceptualize numbers is rooted deep within the brain, specifically in the putamen region. This finding has significant implications for improving learning among math-challenged individuals and for neurosurgical interventions.
A new study will evaluate the benefits and risks of endovascular thrombectomy for patients presenting beyond 24 hours. The trial aims to provide deterministic evidence of clinical benefit due to addition of endovascular thrombectomy to standard medical care.
Research reveals transgender and gender-diverse preteens are 15% less physically active than cisgender peers, with 1,394 fewer steps taken daily. This disparity may be due to stigma and discrimination discouraging team sports participation.
Professor Lavretsky's pioneering work integrates conventional psychiatric treatments with mind-body interventions, developing novel therapeutic combinations for treatment-resistant depression and cognitive disorders. Her research has transformed approaches to mental health and aging, emphasizing whole person health and prevention.
Researchers uncovered how mutated PSEN2 accelerates disease progression in familial Alzheimer's disease by impairing synaptic function and disrupting cellular processes.
A Baycrest study reveals that degeneration of the thalamus, a brain area distinct from stroke lesions, contributes to post-stroke symptoms. Innovative non-invasive treatments targeting this area may improve or reverse these life-altering consequences.
A Northwestern University study found that gut microbes from large-brain primate species, such as humans and squirrel monkeys, can increase energy production in mice, while those from small-brain species like macaques store more energy as fat. This suggests a link between the microbiota and brain evolution.
A new study published in PNAS found that human brain size increased rapidly over millions of years, challenging long-standing ideas about brain evolution. The research analyzed ancient human fossils and found a steady, incremental 'software update' within each species.
Researchers found that people with CTE and a family history of mental illness had an average score of 19 on aggression, compared to 17 for those without. A higher risk was seen among participants who died between 40-59 years old, indicating a potential link between genetic and environmental factors.
A new study found that brain stimulation effectiveness is linked to individual learning abilities, not age. The study used atDCS on participants with optimal and suboptimal learning strategies, revealing accelerated accuracy improvement in suboptimal learners.
A new study in Nature identifies strategies for tying brain function and structure to behavior and health, improving the reliability of brain-wide association studies. By strategically selecting participants and collecting multiple scans, researchers can obtain more dependable results with fewer participants.
Researchers found overlapping genetic underpinnings between rhythm-related skills and language-related traits, including dyslexia. The study identified 16 regions of the genome that overlapped between rhythm and language, suggesting a complex genetic architecture shared by these fundamental human traits.
A study published in Neurology found that children with multiple sclerosis from disadvantaged neighborhoods had greater brain inflammation and tissue loss. Social factors such as public health insurance, race, and parental education level were associated with worse MS outcomes.
A study by ULiège researchers reveals two distinct mechanisms behind neuronal degeneration, which act simultaneously to ensure reliable modulation of neuronal signals. This discovery sheds light on the principles of neuromodulation and has implications for improving artificial systems such as robots and AI devices.
Researchers developed MoPEDE, a method combining genetic data and brain activity to pinpoint epileptic seizure origins. This approach offers deeper insights into epilepsy mechanisms, potentially leading to personalized treatments.
Researchers at ISTA used miniature 2D organs and rubbery silicone molds to study morphogen signaling dynamics during spinal cord development. The study found that BMP morphogen signaling gradients emerge quickly, then fade away, only to reappear again, shedding light on the complex process of tissue development.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that great apes and adult humans alternate attention between two subjects when observing an event, similar to human language's agent-patient relationship. This suggests that the way brains order events evolved before language.
Researchers discovered a new component of the peripheral nervous system that acts by increasing energy metabolism in the body. This finding paves the way for simpler and cheaper drugs to control obesity and weight gain.
Leila Nabulsi is expanding her research program to pinpoint brain pathways affected by bipolar disorder. She will leverage the ENIGMA consortium and advanced statistical methods to build a database of brain changes, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers used fitness tracker data and machine learning to detect bipolar disorder mood swings with 80.1% accuracy for depression and 89.1% accuracy for mania. The study's findings move the field toward personalized algorithms suitable for all patients, regardless of compliance or device access.
Researchers developed a novel approach to deliver therapeutics into the brain, overcoming the blood-brain barrier. The BCC platform successfully reduced harmful gene activity in models of ALS and Alzheimer's disease, offering new possibilities for treating neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Researchers at DGIST have developed a fully embedded wireless brain neural signal recorder that enables real-time recording of brain neural signals in non-human primates. The system uses wireless power transmission and communication to record brain activity during natural behaviors, such as eating or moving freely.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found the 'lizard brain' is connected to newly evolved social cognitive network regions, which are involved in thinking about other people. This link helps shape the function of the social cognitive network by giving it access to the amygdala's role in processing emotionally important content.
The study found decreased NMDA receptors in synapses and increased extrasynaptic membranes in Alzheimer's patients, suggesting neuronal toxicity-related activity. The novel protocol allows for precise analysis of these receptors in human postmortem brains, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches.
A new study from Rice University and Houston Methodist reveals that NREM sleep enhances neuronal and behavioral performance by fostering brain synchronization and information encoding. Researchers replicated these effects through invasive stimulation, suggesting promising possibilities for future neuromodulation therapies.
Researchers from Michigan State University used brain-scanning tools to predict visitation patterns in urban environments. The study found that the brain's reward system can shape human behavior within cities, aiding in designing sustainable living spaces.
Researchers at Rutgers University have uncovered how various brain cell types work together to form large-scale functional networks in the human brain. The study found that certain cell-type distributions align with specific networks in the brain's cortex, highlighting a connection between cellular underpinnings and brain function.
A team of researchers at Georgia State University has made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding schizophrenia using fMRI scans. They identified unique spatial variation and enhanced sensitivity in the brains of patients with schizophrenia, offering an alternative way to identify early signs of the disorder.
Researchers found that recovery from anti-NMDAR encephalitis takes longer than previously thought, up to three years, with continued thinking and memory problems. The study also showed that participants who went back to school or work had better scores on well-being and processing speed.
Researchers examined 25 astronauts' cognitive performance over a 6-month ISS mission and found slower processing speed, working memory, and attention, but accuracy remained intact. No significant cognitive impairment or neurodegenerative decline was observed after the mission.
A study found that maternal immune activity during pregnancy affects offspring's long-term memory circuitry and function in childhood and midlife. Elevated levels of IL-6 and TNF-a in mothers were linked to adverse brain activity in memory circuitry, particularly in postmenopausal women.
A novel method has been developed to infer DNA methylation patterns in non-skeletal tissues from ancient specimens, providing new insights into human evolution. The study found over 1,850 sites of differential methylation specifically in prefrontal cortex neurons, linked to genes crucial for brain development.
A new framework describes the balance between automatic responses and goal-directed control in habit formation. This imbalance can lead to everyday action slips and compulsive behaviors. The research provides a 'playbook' for behavior change, including strategies like implementation intentions and clinical interventions.
Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a specific brain circuit responsible for slowing anxious breathing, connecting the frontal cortex to the brainstem. This discovery may offer a scientific explanation for the beneficial effects of practices like yoga and mindfulness on alleviating negative emotions and could lead to the devel...
A team of researchers led by Jeff Zacks used computer models to analyze over 25 hours of video footage of people performing everyday tasks. They found that the models were most accurate when responding to uncertainty, suggesting a more complex role for prediction errors in human cognition. Additionally, another researcher, Maverick Smi...
Researchers have trained AI models to distinguish brain tumors from healthy tissue using convolutional neural networks and transfer learning. The models achieved an average accuracy of 85.99% at detecting brain cancer, with the ability to generate images showing specific areas in its tumor-positive or negative classification.
A new USC study reveals that face masks make it harder for people of all ages to recognize emotions, especially sadness, behind masks. Parents reporting high stress levels struggle even more to decode sad emotions.
Researchers observed distinct growth patterns in brain functional networks during the birth transition, with some areas showing minimal changes and others undergoing dramatic reorganization. The subcortical network was found to exhibit significant increases in communication efficiency at birth.
A new review highlights the differences in brain aging and Alzheimer's disease between humans and non-human primates, revealing that primate brains are more resistant to aging-related damage. The study suggests that tau tangles play a critical role in Alzheimer's progression, challenging the amyloid cascade hypothesis.
Researchers propose a new working definition for CVI, a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in children. The definition is based on five key elements and includes early detection, neuroplasticity, and functional deficits.
A two-week arts intervention found to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being in adolescents with depression. The study suggests that engaging in the arts offers a pathway for exploring new ways of thinking, developing insights, and sparking self-discovery.
A new Harvard study finds humans possess higher metabolic rates than primates and apes, allowing for bigger brains, longer lifespan, and increased reproduction. Humans have 'escaped a tradeoff' between resting and active metabolism due to unique sweating ability.
Scientists have successfully used optogenetics to control seizure activity in living human brain tissue, opening doors to new treatments for epilepsy and other neurological diseases. By switching off specific neurons with light pulses, researchers can prevent seizures from occurring, providing a less invasive alternative to surgery.
Researchers linked disease-related proteins and genes to identify specific cellular pathways responsible for Alzheimer's genesis and progression. The study identified 38 proteins with causal effects in Alzheimer's progression, including 15 potential targets for medicines.
Mitophagy, a recycling process crucial for cellular health, increases and then declines in midlife brain cells, while lysosomes lose acidity with age. The study highlights the importance of developing new perspectives when studying brain aging in longer-lived species.
Dr. Philip Gold's landmark paper reveals depression's full-body impact, documenting structural brain changes and disruptions in hormone systems. His analysis highlights interconnected mechanisms underlying the disease, opening new therapeutic possibilities for innovative treatments targeting neuroendocrine dysfunction.
Researchers developed an AI-powered model called FastGlioma that can detect residual tumor tissue with high accuracy in 10 seconds. The technology outperformed conventional methods, reducing the risk of missed tumors by nearly 75%. This innovation could change the field of neurosurgery and minimize reliance on radiographic imaging.
Researchers at Rice University developed a minimally invasive neural interface technique called endocisternal interfaces (ECI), allowing for simultaneous access to the brain and spinal cord without skull surgery. The innovative method uses cerebral spinal fluid as a pathway to deliver targeted devices, enabling new possibilities for th...
Researchers analyzed nearly 200,000 cases of witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests to determine the effectiveness of bystander CPR within different time windows. The study found that people who received CPR within the first few minutes had a higher survival rate and better brain function than those who didn't.
A new study found that significant year-to-year fluctuations in cholesterol levels without medication changes could indicate an increased risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline. Researchers suggest that reducing cholesterol variability could potentially be a promising therapeutic target for dementia prevention.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that TYK2 transforms tau into a toxic protein contributing to Alzheimer's disease. Partially restraining TYK2 could be a strategy to reduce tau levels and toxicity.
A groundbreaking 25-year research program has unveiled key insights into how our brains age and what factors influence cognitive performance throughout life. Childhood cognitive ability is found to be a significant predictor of intelligence test scores in older age.
Researchers used fMRI scans to study how the brain responds to complex audio and visual stimuli while watching movies. They identified 24 distinct brain networks associated with specific aspects of sensory or cognitive processing, such as recognizing human faces or bodies, movement, and social interactions.