Articles tagged with White Matter
Researchers found that older children can learn visual tasks and exhibit increased white matter plasticity after surgery to remove congenital cataracts. This suggests that the window of brain plasticity extends beyond childhood and that all children may benefit from treatment.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that intensive blood pressure treatment significantly reduces the risk of adverse cerebrovascular events such as stroke. Participants with hypertension who received intensive treatment showed reduced white matter lesions and improved blood flow, indicating better overall brain health.
High blood pressure damages specific brain regions, including the putamen and white matter areas, leading to cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia. The study uses a combination of MRI, genetic analyses, and observational data to identify these affected regions.
The study found sex differences in brain structure and developmental changes in white matter during early childhood. In 5-year-olds, the pattern of white matter asymmetry resembled adult-like patterns, suggesting a possible transient feature in brain development.
A new Boston University study suggests that repetitive blows to the head in tackle football may lead to less white matter in the brain, potentially causing impulsive behavior and other cognitive issues. Researchers found players who start playing at a young age or play for over 11 years are at greater risk.
A new study found that long American football careers are linked to reduced white matter in the brain, which can lead to impulsive behavior and cognitive problems. The study also suggests that starting tackle football at a younger age contributes to more white matter loss.
A study led by the University at Buffalo found that cortical, deep gray matter, and spinal cord damage are key factors in severe MS disability, rather than lesions. Patients with severe disabilities showed more pronounced loss of neurons and atrophy of the medulla oblongata compared to their less-disabled counterparts.
Research suggests that poor oral health may contribute to declines in brain function and cognitive abilities. A recent study analyzed the relationship between oral health and brain health among approximately 40,000 adults and found a potential link between gum disease and white matter hyperintensities.
A new study suggests that intensive blood pressure treatment may slow the accumulation of toxins in the brain's perivascular spaces, a dynamic area involved in brain clearance. This finding is significant for understanding the relationship between high blood pressure and cognitive decline.
Researchers found that white matter hyperintensities are independently associated with premature brain aging, leading to progressive age-like brain atrophy. The study used machine-learning algorithms to estimate brain age and analyzed the relationship between WMH load and BrainGAP scores.
Researchers found three distinct white matter pathways unique to autistic brains, distinguishing them from those with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). These patterns correlated with emotional performance and/or autism severity, shedding light on the biological basis of autism.
Researchers created a detailed map of the hippocampus's connections to the rest of the brain, finding fewer links with frontal lobes but more with visual networks. This discovery may change how we think about human memory and cognition, potentially shedding light on why some primates excel at certain memory tasks.
Researchers propose a new network approach to understand brain function, suggesting that connections between brain regions are key to cognitive tasks. This new view also sheds light on individual variability and can be applied to predict symptoms in patients with brain lesions.
Researchers found white matter differences in post-treatment Lyme patients using advanced imaging scans, correlating with cognitive difficulties and immune response. Axonal leakage in white matter was associated with better outcomes but also indicative of changed physiology.
A study found an association between air pollution exposure during pregnancy and the first 5 years of life with altered white matter structural connectivity in children's brains. Exposure to fine particulate matter was also linked to changes in brain volume, particularly in preadolescents.
A recent study highlights the importance of physical exercise, social relationships, and passion in maintaining brain health. By adopting these three factors, individuals can improve their cognitive function and reduce the risk of age-related decline.
A large study found associations between steroid use and structural changes in brain white and grey matter, which may explain neuropsychiatric side effects. Steroid use was associated with reduced white matter structure and altered brain structures involved in cognitive and emotional processing.
Researchers found that microscopic blood vessel disease in the brain's white matter is associated with worse cognitive function and memory deficits in individuals with Alzheimer's. Lifestyle changes such as reducing hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and inactivity may help prevent or slow disease progression.
Research finds that preschoolers' brain maturation improves inhibitory control abilities, with 4-year-olds outperforming 3-year-olds in tasks requiring stopping actions. The cognitive control network's distinct regions and white matter connections are associated with different aspects of self-control development.
A study published in Neurology found that postmenopausal women have more white matter hyperintensities than premenopausal women or men of the same age. Researchers also discovered that menopause accelerates the increase in brain biomarkers, which may be linked to an increased risk of stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive decline.
A new study by McGill University researchers has shed light on the complex relationships between concussion symptoms and brain damage in children. The findings suggest that certain combinations of brain injury can lead to specific symptoms, such as attention difficulties and sleep problems.
A study found that high blood adenosine levels at 15 days of life correlated with white matter lesions and brain injury in very low birth weight premature infants. Adenosine may play a role in oligodendrocyte maturation and neuronal development, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for complications of prematurity.
Researchers found a strong association between subjective memory complaints and larger white matter hyperintensity volumes, indicating abnormal brain structure. The study also showed faster cognitive decline among those with subjective memory complaints, highlighting their importance as an early sign of cognitive impairment.
Researchers investigated the association between early adulthood blood pressure trajectories and brain health in midlife, including gray and white matter volume and cerebral blood flow. The study found that individuals with higher systolic blood pressure during young adulthood had lower gray matter volume at midlife.
New research from the University of Kansas suggests that representative bureaucracy is a positive step, but the neutral effects of white male overrepresentation need further understanding. The study argues that acknowledging the value of diverse perspectives can improve outcomes for all members of a community.
A new study found that white matter structural tracts are relatively stable throughout typical development, but show increased instability in children with psychosis spectrum symptoms. The integrity of these tracts was lower in children with psychosis and associated with cognitive function.
Lesions in white matter carry messages between neurons, damaging it and leading to cognitive deficits. Researchers found that strain on ventricular walls explains where lesions develop in the aging brain.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine showed that a fast-tracked stroke drug, 3K3A-APC, protected mice from injury to the brain's white matter, a leading cause of dementia. The drug may also be effective in slowing down progression of cognitive impairment.
A new study reveals a link between brain lesions and long-term harm from repetitive head impacts. White matter hyperintensities, seen on brain scans, were associated with neuropathological changes, dementia, and CTE.
A new study provides preliminary data for a human clinical trial of a treatment that targets the root cause of Alexander disease. The treatment has shown promising results in halting the progression of the disease and even reversing some symptoms in rat models, which better represent the human condition.
A pilot study examines graph-theoretical properties of brain networks in traumatic brain injury and controls, showing association with balance impairment and structural damage. The study uses EEG-based functional connectivity measures during a balance perturbation task to explore underlying neural mechanisms.
Researchers at Hebrew University developed a novel approach to mapping brain white matter fiber architecture using Nissl staining. The technique, called Nissl-ST, reveals the hidden patterns and organization of glial cells in white matter, opening new avenues for studying brain development, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Research reveals that lupus patients with higher white matter free water have more severe cognitive dysfunction, related to increased cumulative dosage of medical steroids. The study suggests that reducing steroid dosage may alleviate cognitive decline in SLE patients.
New research published in eNeuro found that premature babies' brain connections at birth can predict their future emotional and social development. The study discovered a link between the strength of the uncinate fasciculus, a white matter tract involved in emotional regulation, and emotion moderation skills in preschoolers.
A study of 44 elite rugby players found significant changes in white matter and volume over time. The research suggests that professional rugby participation may be associated with structural changes in the brain that could have long-term implications for player health.
A new study reveals that learning Braille changes the brain's white matter, with somatosensory and visual cortices strengthening connections at varied rates. The research found that white matter in both regions underwent significant reorganization, with notable differences in timing and extent.
Researchers found that HIV prevents oligodendrocytes from maturing, reducing myelin production. The virus secretes glutamate, which activates the integrated stress response, further disrupting cell development.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine researchers has identified significant alterations in white matter, including loss of oligodendrocytes and changes to oligodendroglial subtypes, in CTE brains. These findings may lead to new treatments for the progressive brain disease associated with repetitive head trauma.
Researchers discovered that a population of regulatory T cells serve as tissue repair engineers to promote functional recovery after stroke. Boosting these cells improved behavioral and cognitive functions in mice for weeks after a stroke, pointing to potential immunotherapy.
Researchers visualized and studied white matter pathways in human brains developing in the womb using advanced medical imaging. The study provides a detailed understanding of normal developmental trajectories of white matter tracts, which will help inform treatment strategies for diseases affecting preterm infants.
A new study challenges the idea that gray matter is more important than white matter for cognitive health. Damage to dense structural connections in the brain was found to be a better predictor of poor outcomes than damage to functional hubs.
Damage to densely-packed white matter regions is strongly associated with cognitive impairment compared to gray matter regions; this suggests that white matter hubs are crucial for cognition. The study's findings provide insights into how brain damage affects cognitive abilities and may help explain differences in cognitive decline.
A clinical trial revealed that bone marrow cell injections can lead to a reduction in brain injury after a stroke, with improvements seen in the corticospinal tract 12 months post-treatment. The study suggests a potential approach for regenerative therapies to improve brain health for millions of patients affected by stroke.
According to a study published in American Journal of Roentgenology, COVID-19 is associated with leukoencephalopathy on brain MRI. The condition, known as CRDL, can cause extensive white matter lesions and microhemorrhages, highlighting the importance of considering it in patients with neurologic manifestations of coronavirus disease.
Researchers discovered white matter hyperintensities are more common and severe in people with frontotemporal dementia compared to Alzheimer's disease and healthy controls. The study suggests these changes contribute to cognitive problems rather than vascular factors.
Research finds musicians have stronger brain connections compared to non-musicians, with younger start dates showing more significant differences. Musicians with absolute pitch also exhibit enhanced auditory region activity and white matter connections.
Researchers have developed a noninvasive method to measure the stiffness of tissues within the brain's gray and white matter, which can reveal clues about traumatic brain injuries. The new technique, known as waveguide elastography, merges acoustic imaging methods and algorithms to provide diagnostic insights.
Researchers found a strong association between diastolic blood pressure before age 50 and brain damage in later life. Controlling diastolic blood pressure in midlife may be crucial for preventing white matter hyperintensities.
Research suggests that psychosis symptoms may be linked to impaired information spread in the brain, with altered white matter contributing to delusions and other symptoms. The study found increased consciousness thresholds in patients with psychosis, correlating with greater white matter connectivity.
A study using spectroscopic imaging found COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms exhibit similar metabolic disturbances in the brain as those with hypoxia from other causes. However, there are also distinct differences, including elevated metabolites such as lactate and myo-inositol.
A new mapping tool for analyzing tissue damage seen on MRI brain scans accurately detects early signs of cognitive decline, correlating with worsening dementia and other brain-damaging conditions. The tool offers a standardized method for calculating the volume and location of white matter lesions in the brain.
A multidisciplinary team has successfully visualized superficial white matter in living human brains using high-field MRI. The study reveals that this region contains significant amounts of iron, necessary for myelination, which can occur throughout lifespan but is predominant during development.
Researchers discovered a potential way to prevent long-lasting brain damage in newborn children by targeting the histamine H2 receptor. A protein known as the histamine H2 receptor inhibits the formation of mature oligodendrocytes, leading to improved recovery from hypoxia-ischemia in mice treated with cimetidine.
Researchers discovered a deficiency in S1P, a type of fatty molecule, in schizophrenia patients' brains. Preventing S1P degradation might lead to new treatments for the disorder, which affects one in three patients with ineffective current therapies.
A new study found that an enriched environment with physical activity, socialization, and cognitive stimulation helps heal young, injured brains in premature newborns. The study suggests that recovery of the brain's white matter requires a combination of all experimental interventions, not just a single one.
A UCLA-led study found that six blood proteins can be used to gauge a person's risk for cerebral small vessel disease, which affects an estimated 11 million older adults in the U.S. The test correlates with white matter changes in the brain and provides a more quantitative scale for evaluating the disease.
A larger hippocampus may not guarantee better memory in older adults, with a new study highlighting the significance of its white matter connectivity. The research analyzed over 330 participants and found that faster learning was only seen in those with both a larger hippocampus and uniform white matter structure.
A new study reveals that scarring in the brain's white matter can affect not only the surrounding areas but also distant parts of the brain. Research by Asta Håberg found that smoking and high blood pressure increase the risk of developing these scars, which can lead to a higher risk of dementia and stroke.
Researchers discovered disruptions in white matter fibers within specific pathways linked to patient-reported impairments in physical health and illness duration. The findings advance current understanding of FND mechanisms and may identify biomarkers for diagnosis and clinical outcomes.
A large study found that physical fitness is associated with improved cognitive ability and healthy white matter in the brain of young adults. The research used a publicly available database of 1206 MRI brain scans from the Human Connectome Project.