Articles tagged with Prefrontal Cortex
Researchers identify the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) as the brain region associated with moral inconsistency. Studies show that individuals with less vmPFC activity are more likely to be morally inconsistent, indicating a failure to integrate moral knowledge into daily behavior.
Researchers found differences in how brain regions work together during certain cognitive tasks in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The findings may lead to new treatment targets for OCD, especially when involving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet created the first activity-based maps of the prefrontal cortex, revealing a hierarchy of information flow rather than tissue structure. This challenges traditional definitions of brain regions and has major implications for understanding brain organisation overall.
Scientists discovered that the brain sorts emotionally significant stimuli into three independent channels: salience, valence, and value. This allows the brain to evaluate information efficiently and guide decisions.
Researchers at UVA Health System discover how traumatic brain injury increases Alzheimer's risk and find a potential prevention strategy using a hollowed-out virus to deliver repair supplies. The approach could help limit neurodegeneration and potentially prevent other neurological diseases.
Researchers identify abnormal sugar modifications linked to depressive behaviors, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Chronic stress disrupts sugar chains in the prefrontal cortex, triggering depression.
Researchers analyzed neuroimaging data from over 650 individuals aged 8 to 21, discovering a key organizational shift in the dorsal prefrontal cortex. The study found that this refinement of brain architecture is driven by specific changes in the medial part of the prefrontal cortex.
A new study found that tolcapone increases activity in the prefrontal cortex during self-control tasks, associated with better behavioral control and reduced alcohol consumption. The findings suggest that medications increasing prefrontal dopamine could be a promising lead for treating alcohol use disorder.
The study reveals highly refined axon targeting and arborization in primates, with distinct PFC neuron subtypes projecting to different brain regions. This finding suggests a modular network of intra-PFC connections providing a structural basis for working memory.
A new study published in PLOS Biology found that non-invasive brain stimulation can improve maths learning outcomes for individuals with weaker brain connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the posterior parietal cortex. The treatment also showed positive effects on GABA levels, a brain chemical involved in learning.
Older adults show increased locus coeruleus activity when processing hard-to-read facial expressions, which strengthens a neural pathway supporting mental well-being and resilience. This adaptive mechanism could help older individuals cope with cognitive decline or younger people with anxiety or depression.
Research finds that mild physical activity affects brainstem dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons, leading to improved executive function. Blink frequency increases in individuals showing cognitive benefits from exercise.
A USC study found that high levels of iron in the brain contribute to cell damage and oxidative stress, accelerating Alzheimer’s symptoms in individuals with Down syndrome. This connection could lead to targeted treatments and improved outcomes for those at risk.
Researchers have identified the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as the basis of emotional inference in animals and humans. In a study published in Nature, Xiaowei Gu and Joshua Johansen found that rats can learn inferred emotions by associating a neutral stimulus with an unpleasant experience.
A new study found that damage to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) makes people more likely to be influenced by other people's impulsive decisions. The researchers also discovered that this type of brain damage is linked to increased impulsivity, even before being influenced by someone else.
A randomized clinical trial of transcranial pulsed current stimulation found significant improvements in social functioning and sleep in children with autism spectrum disorder. The treatment, which targeted the prefrontal-cerebellar region, was well-tolerated and showed promise as a viable alternative to pharmaceutical interventions.
A study found that brain activity can predict a person's political affiliation with 80% accuracy when making food purchases. Researchers used fMRI to measure brain activity in Republicans and Democrats, finding distinct neural patterns for each group.
Researchers have identified specific brain structures that regulate political passion, finding damage to the prefrontal cortex increases intensity and amygdala decrease it. The study suggests emotion plays a role in shaping expressed political beliefs rather than determining ideology.
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.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience examines how different parts of the prefrontal cortex guide decisions to persist or quit. Participants with damage to specific regions waited less overall, particularly when persistence was optimal, highlighting the brain's role in evaluating subjective value and adapting to real-time fe...
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that targeting the prefrontal cortex with cognitive remediation and transcranial direct current stimulation can effectively slow cognitive decline in older adults at risk of cognitive decline. The treatment was particularly beneficial for those with remitted major depressive disorder and mild ...
Researchers found that fear memories start as broad associative memories, but become more specific over time. Individuals with high anxiety may struggle with integrating episodic memories, leading to persistent fear linked to cues.
Researchers have developed a novel platform for testing radiation therapy effects on brain cells, providing insights into how the brain reacts to cancer treatment. The study aims to improve treatment strategies by understanding the impact of radiation on neural circuits, ultimately leading to personalized care for patients.
Research on macaque monkeys reveals that neurons in the frontal cortex respond differently to real and filmed partners during turn-taking exercises. This finding suggests that these neurons may be involved in spatial perspective-taking, a cognitive operation that enables individuals to mentally rotate themselves into others' positions.
Researchers found a significant reduction in serine racemase protein levels in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampal subfields of aged rats compared to young rats, suggesting a role in age-associated decline of NMDA receptor function. No sex differences were observed in serine racemase expression.
Researchers at IIT have identified a brain network that enables the recognition of others' emotions, which could lead to more effective treatments for neurodevelopmental conditions. The discovery provides insight into how the brain processes social functions and may help develop targeted therapies.
This Neuron special issue highlights recent findings on consciousness research, including neural theories, sleep, anesthesia, coma recovery, and prefrontal cortex roles. It showcases how these areas contribute to our understanding of the complex topic.
Beta bursts regulate neuron activity to implement cognitive control, enabling flexible but controlled patterns of neural activity for intentional thought. Studying these bursts could aid in diagnosing and treating cognitive disorders, including ADHD, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers used fMRI and predictive modeling to decode emotional dimensions of spontaneous thoughts, revealing the involvement of default mode, ventral attention, and frontoparietal networks. The study's findings hold promise for daydream decoding and potential applications in mental health.
The study found that the cerebellum uses information about errors to refine movement and contributes to cognitive functions. The posterior lateral region of the cerebellum is interconnected with the prefrontal cortex and helps shape cognition.
A study published in Nature tracked neural activity of freely moving macaques using wireless eye tracking and neural monitoring. The research found that the visual cortex plays an active role in social behavior by providing signals to the prefrontal cortex, enabling the decision to cooperate.
A NTU Singapore study found that ageing alters brain cells' communication, leading to weakening connections and poorer memory in middle-aged mice. The research suggests strengthening these connections through memory training may delay age-related working memory decline.
Researchers found that brain waves are slower in deep cortical layers and faster in superficial layers, with gamma waves dominating the topmost layers. These oscillations may play a fundamental role in brain function and contribute to disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
New research found that rapid-acting antidepressants modulate affective biases associated with learning and memory. The study proposes a neuropsychological mechanism explaining both immediate and sustained effects of these drugs.
Researchers investigated the neural mechanisms of verbal working memory processing in healthy aging adults using magnetoencephalography. Age-related increases in theta activity were detected during encoding, and alpha and beta oscillations were stronger in older participants during maintenance and retrieval phases.
Researchers found that combined use of alcohol and THC affects the prefrontal cortex, impairing synaptic plasticity in rats. The effects were more pronounced in females and were likely due to changes in gamma-aminobutyric acid signaling.
A new study suggests that hormonal birth control used by adolescents may influence the development of their brain, leading to altered risk assessment. The researchers found increased myelination and decreased immune cells in the brains of treated rats, while also exhibiting signs of impulsivity in behavior tests.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging found that greater activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus predicts better recovery from early PTSD symptoms. This breakthrough suggests a potential role for cortical/cognitive regions in regulating fear and PTSD development.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that specific brain cells in the prefrontal cortex trigger mice to prepare for bed when tired, a behavior likely shared with humans. This hard-wired survival feature suggests that humans should prioritize sleep hygiene to maintain good health.
A Penn State-led research team discovered that somatostatin signaling acts to dampen communication among cell types in the prefrontal cortex, promoting exploratory and risk-taking-like behavior. The findings suggest that somatostatin fine-tunes circuits to promote certain behaviors, including decision making.
A study found that teenage smokers have less grey matter in their left frontal lobe, associated with decision-making and rule-breaking. This loss of grey matter may lead to increased impulsivity and a desire for smoking, as well as weaken control over nicotine use.
A recent study published in Nature Communications identified an important brain circuit for socially subjective reward valuation, finding that temporarily disconnecting the medial prefrontal cortex from the lateral hypothalamus reduces susceptibility to others' rewards but not individual expectations. This research has significant impl...
Scientists have identified a region of the brain where sustained visual images are retained during perception. This finding may help doctors determine whether coma patients are still aware of their surroundings and could lead to treatments for disorders of consciousness.
A team of scientists identified the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex as a key region in predicting rumination, which is linked to depression. The study's findings suggest that dynamic connectivity between brain regions can be used to decode rumination patterns.
Scientists found that drinking coffee increases connectivity in higher visual networks and executive control regions of the brain, leading to improved alertness and cognitive performance. In contrast, taking only caffeine did not replicate these effects, suggesting that the experience of drinking coffee plays a crucial role.
Researchers have discovered that inhibitory neurons can transmit information over long distances in the prefrontal cortex, allowing for adaptive changes in behavior. This synchronization of gamma oscillations is associated with the realization of new rules and enables cognitive flexibility.
Higher testosterone levels during adolescence enhance emotion control, but decrease in young adulthood; the study suggests a shift in testosterone's role across developmental periods. The findings may be related to mood disorders that arise during adolescence.
The study used transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) to stimulate the prefrontal cortex, a region involved in cognitive function. The results showed that tPBM modulated hemodynamic and metabolic activities in a wavelength- and site-specific manner.
A study by University of California, Riverside found that older adults are less likely to ignore distractors in their surroundings while engaging in a cognitive task and an effortful physical task. This decline is greater when simultaneously performing a physical task, such as driving or carrying grocery bags.
Researchers used non-invasive electrical stimulation to modulate signals in the left prefrontal cortex, affecting facial expression predictions. The study showed that stimulation at a frequency of 20 Hz increased brain activity on the same frequency band, modifying behavior.
Researchers found that enhancing NMDAR function via increased serine racemase expression improved attention and cognitive flexibility in middle-aged rats. Upregulating serine racemase in the medial prefrontal cortex also increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission, including NMDAR activity.
A team of scientists at MUSC identified a key gene that plays a role in the link between long-term stress and a common type of depressive behavior in mice. The study suggests that there may not be one central mechanism by which stress causes depression, but rather multiple pathways connecting stress with different symptoms.
Researchers used transcranial stimulation to regulate Autonomic Nervous System responses and increase oxygen saturation in hospitalized patients with Covid-19. The treatment improved ANS regulation and reduced symptoms without adverse effects.
A recent study found that heavy alcohol use changes signaling pathways in the brain, affecting cognitive functions like decision-making and impulse control. The mechanism involves the brain's immune system and the molecule interleukin 1β, which regulates inflammation and neurotransmitter release.
Research reveals that individuals with OCD exhibit lower-than-normal learning rates when rewards are less than expected, while those with problem gambling display boosted learning from high rewards and blunted learning from low rewards. This study highlights the benefits of using neurocomputational approaches to understand psychiatric ...
Researchers at Kyoto University found distinct patterns of gazing and brain activity in patients with kleptomania when shown relevant environmental cues. These results suggest a similar mechanism to drug addiction, potentially leading to the development of therapeutic treatments.
Researchers have discovered that cocaine addiction is associated with faster brain aging, with changes in DNA methylation in the prefrontal cortex contributing to this effect. The study, which analyzed cryo-preserved brains of deceased male donors, found that cells in this region appeared biologically older in individuals with CUD.
Researchers employed computer vision to extract social behaviors and linked them to brain synchronization patterns in a novel approach. During cooperative play, brain synchronization was strongest when participants shared gaze, while individual play showed increased within-brain synchronization.
A new study explores the relationship between fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) levels and heavy drinking patterns in young adults. Lower FAAH activity was associated with more severe drinking, increased cravings, and reduced sensitivity to alcohol's negative effects.
A new study finds epigenetic aging is associated with aberrant neural oscillatory dynamics serving visuospatial processing in people with HIV. Participants showed accelerated biological age and different brain activity patterns compared to controls, suggesting a link between biological aging and neural function in PWH.