Articles tagged with Human Brain
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 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 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...
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
Researchers developed a method to visualize AMPA receptors using PET scans, revealing differences in density and distribution between healthy subjects and those with psychiatric disorders. This discovery may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers will develop a high-resolution PET scanner that can accurately detect amyloid plaques and tau tangles, enabling earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The portable scanner aims to improve accessibility and portability for underserved communities.
Researchers found that improved blood sugar control significantly impacts brain health, slowing down age-related brain atrophy by up to 50%. The Green Mediterranean Diet, rich in polyphenols, shows promise in supporting metabolic and brain health.
Researchers have developed a new protocol to exclusively access and quantify proteins carried by extracellular vesicles in the blood. This breakthrough may lead to early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders, providing treatment opportunities before symptoms appear.
Scientists have developed a polymer-based therapeutic for Huntington’s disease, which disrupts protein interactions to preserve cell health. The treatment successfully rescued neurons and reversed symptoms in mouse studies, showing promise as a potential delay or reduction of disease onset.
A team led by Dr. William Killgore is investigating a non-invasive treatment for insomnia using magnetic pulses that suppress the default mode network in the brain. Preliminary findings suggest that this approach can improve sleep quality in individuals with chronic insomnia.
Researchers identified hundreds of brain proteins associated with inter-individual differences in functional connectivity and structural covariation. The proteins were enriched for those involved in synapses, energy metabolism, and RNA processing, providing insights into the mechanistic basis of human cognition and behavior.
The F.M. Kirby Research Center has driven critical breakthroughs in understanding the human brain in health and disease, aiding discoveries of effective diagnoses and interventions for various conditions.
A team of researchers has identified a genetic link between rare brain malformations and protein folding defects in children. The study found that specific genetic changes can affect the function of proteins within cells, leading to abnormal cell behavior.
Baycrest leaders Dr. Allison Sekuler, Dr. Nicole Anderson, and Melissa Turzanski have been named winners of the WXN's Top 100 Awards for their groundbreaking work in aging and brain health research and innovation. Their contributions have transformed industries, communities, and country through exceptional leadership.
Researchers mapped how HSV-1 enters the brain, infects critical regions, and triggers neurological diseases. The virus was found in areas controlling vital functions, such as sleep and movement, and interacted with immune cells that led to chronic inflammation.
Scientists at UC Davis have identified new clusters of cells with differing gene expression patterns in the human and non-human primate amygdala. These findings suggest that alterations in specific cell types may contribute to disorders such as anxiety, and could lead to more targeted treatments.
Yihao Zheng and his team are developing a fiber-optic probe that analyzes artery blockages in the brain and guides procedures for blockage removal. The technology uses light and advanced calculations to determine the properties of blood clots, enabling doctors to make informed decisions about how to remove them.
A new study found that the heart sends signals to the brain to increase sleep after a heart attack, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. This communication between the heart and brain is mediated through the immune system and can lead to improved recovery and reduced risk of further cardiovascular events.
Researchers develop transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) as a non-invasive therapy for brain-related issues, with potential for personalized treatments. A 'search and rescue tool' for the brain, TUS enables precise targeting of specific areas before treatment.
A new study shows that preventing F-actin accumulation in the brains of aging fruit flies can maintain cellular recycling, extend lifespan and improve cognitive function. This discovery may offer a promising direction for developing interventions to promote healthier aging in humans.
A magnetic field applied to both sides of the brain has been shown to rapidly treat depression in patients who have not responded to standard treatments. The therapy, known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), targets two areas of the brain implicated in depression and corrects imbalances in key processes.
A study by Northwestern University found that cross-talk between the hippocampus and cortex can predict chronic pain, with higher anxiety levels increasing precision. The researchers suggest targeting anxiety after injury to prevent chronic pain, paving the way for novel treatments.
Scientists found that sleep deprivation during early life can negatively impact key brain functions, leading to lasting effects on behavior and social skills. The study also suggests that genetic risk for autism spectrum disorder can interact with sleep disruption to cause long-lasting changes.
A study led by Graciela Pineyro and Tomas Paus found that cannabis use in adolescence can lead to thinning of the cerebral cortex, affecting communication between neurons. The researchers used a combination of methods to demonstrate THC's impact on brain cells and identified genes associated with cortical thinning.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that middle-aged people with uncontrolled risk factors and poor lifestyle habits are at a higher risk of stroke, dementia, or depression. The study's results highlight the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle choices to promote brain health.
Researchers at MIT have discovered additional brain pathways that modulate dopamine release, influencing movement and emotional decisions. The newly identified pathways appear to relay emotional information that helps shape motivation to take action.
Researchers found that the brain's language comprehension system can detect the basic structure of a short sentence in roughly 150 milliseconds, similar to visual scene perception. This rapid processing capacity suggests that our brains may be able to make snap decisions based on quick messages.
Researchers are combining large datasets to understand the impact of environmental factors on mental health and develop new ways to reduce the burden. A 4-step approach is being used to integrate complex data across many studies, resulting in a detailed perspective of individuals within their environment.
A UK study found that menopausal hormone therapy may have moderate effects on brain health, but these depend on past surgical history, treatment duration, and age at last use. The research revealed no significant differences in brain health between women who used MHT and those who did not, but those on MHT had higher grey and white-mat...
Researchers identified 254 genetic variants that shape key brain structures, including those controlling memory, motor skills, and addictive behaviors. The study provides a roadmap for understanding the genetic basis of brain-related disorders like Parkinson's disease and ADHD.
A new clinical guideline from the American Stroke Association outlines strategies to support brain health and prevent stroke throughout a person's lifespan. The guideline recommends regular health screenings, identifying risk factors, lifestyle interventions, and medications to reduce the risk of a first stroke.
Researchers reported a complete and long-lasting response to immunotherapy in a stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patient with brain metastases. The patient achieved overall survival of 87 months and progression-free survival of 73 months after treatment sequencing.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the rare autoimmune disease anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can cause psychosis, hallucinations, and blackouts. The study found that different antibodies bind to NMDA receptors in unique ways, suggesting personalized medicine may be key to treating the condition.
Researchers found that female mouse models of Rett syndrome have a mosaic-like distribution of cells expressing wild-type and mutant MeCP2 protein, leading to dysregulated genes. The study also discovered an unusual disease progression, with females having more dysregulated genes at the pre-symptomatic stage than later on.
A new study found that people with opioid or alcohol use disorder who take Ozempic or similar medications have a lower rate of opioid overdose and alcohol intoxication. The medication, which treats diabetes and weight-related conditions, may also alter the brain's reward-response pathways associated with substance use.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have identified a new EEG-based measure of sleepiness that could provide a diagnosis in just two minutes. The method tracks neuronal excitability, corresponding with the brain's sleep-wake processes and has wide-ranging implications for managing sleep disorders and workplace safety.
Researchers at EPFL have developed the e-Flower, a flower-shaped 3D microelectrode array that enables real-time recording of neural activity from 3D neural spheroids. This breakthrough technology allows for more accurate and gentle monitoring of brain cells, paving the way for further research on brain organoids.
A cohort study found no association between maternal COVID-19 exposure and abnormal neurodevelopmental screening results in children aged 24 months. Continued research is needed due to the developing fetal brain's sensitivity to maternal immune activation.
Researchers analyzed 84 brains to find that the first phase of Alzheimer's disease damages a specific type of inhibitory neuron, triggering neural circuit problems. The study confirms previous findings and identifies new changes during the disease.
A new study has identified two neuron types in the brainstem that induce REM sleep, revealing a potential cause of Parkinson's disease. The discovery provides insight into the neural circuitry underlying REM sleep and its relationship to neurodegenerative diseases.
Children who survived childhood brain cancer are more likely to struggle academically, with a greater chance of being held back and performing poorly on state testing. The study's findings highlight the need for better support and resources to help these students succeed.
Researchers at EMBL Hamburg and CSSB have uncovered the molecular details of vitamin B1 absorption, revealing critical transporters and barriers that hinder its progress. The study sheds light on rare diseases caused by SLC19A3 mutations and potentially life-threatening hidden deficiencies triggered by certain medications.