Articles tagged with White Matter
A new study reveals that close-range blast exposure among Iraq and Afghanistan war vets may lead to degradation of white matter, a key factor in neurodegeneration. Veterans with the APOE ε4 allele, a well-known genetic risk factor for AD, are more susceptible to these effects.
A study led by John Wood, MD, PhD, finds that patients with sickle cell disease experience reduced oxygen delivery to the white matter of the brain, despite normal total oxygen delivery. This disparity leads to debilitating silent strokes with significant effects on executive function.
A Baycrest study reveals that adults experiencing frequent forgetfulness or distraction may be displaying earlier symptoms of cerebral small vessel disease, a 'silent stroke'. Individuals with brain damage from these strokes reported poor attentiveness and being sidetracked more frequently on day-to-day tasks.
A new study by Cardiff University reveals that aging damages white matter cells, which can affect grey matter in the hippocampus and cognitive function. Researchers found that damage to support cells in white matter may lead to tissue health issues in the hippocampus, a region important for memory and involved in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found a correlation between increased blood flow and social deficits in ASD, suggesting a compensatory mechanism. They also discovered lower levels of healthy neurons were linked to higher brain activity.
Research found that patients with high blood pressure and progression of periventricular white matter hyperintensities show signs of cognitive impairment despite medication. The study suggests a six-fold increased risk of mild cognitive decline in patients with progression of periventricular white matter abnormalities.
Researchers used MRI brain scans to predict Alzheimer's disease, achieving 89% accuracy in identifying patients at risk. The study found that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) identified quantifiable differences in the brains of those who developed the disease.
A study found that neural tissue density in a specific white matter pathway, the vertical occipital fasciculus (VOF), correlates with individual differences in stereoacuity. The VOF connects key visual areas involved in stereopsis and is crucial for understanding its neural basis.
A study of over 10,000 participants found that gray matter volume in certain DMN subregions was associated with white matter microstructure changes. Variations in functional coupling patterns were also linked to connectivity changes between major brain networks.
A new study published in the journal Radiology found that women soccer players exhibit more extensive changes to brain tissue after repetitive 'heading' of the soccer ball. Women showed lower fractional anisotropy values across a larger volume of brain tissue compared to men.
A study of over 1,500 participants found that rising chronic inflammation in middle age was associated with brain damage and poor cognition. Researchers suggest reducing inflammation through lifestyle changes may help prevent or delay dementia.
Researchers used laser stimulation to increase oligodendrocyte proliferation and alter myelination in the mouse brain, highlighting potential mechanisms underlying brain stimulation and connectivity. These findings suggest a new avenue for exploring the neural basis of brain stimulation therapies.
A University of Washington study found that specialized tutoring can change brain connections and improve reading performance. After eight weeks, neural circuitry strengthened in struggling readers, leading to improved reading skills.
A new study identifies a molecule that triggers a pathway blocking white matter repair, leading to chronic injury. The molecule, hyaluronic acid (HA), accumulates in lesions and prevents oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from producing myelin.
Researchers discovered a new molecule that blocks brain repair after injury, halting myelination and causing dramatic disruption to brain function. The molecule prevents the development of brain cells needed for repair, but FoxO3 may serve as a biomarker for its effects.
Researchers used MRIs to show that babies with fragile X syndrome had less-developed white matter compared to infants without the condition. The study identified 12 fiber tracts with significant differences in development, which could serve as an objective marker for treatment effectiveness.
A study found that prenatal choline intake increases grey and white matter in piglets' brains. Piglets from mothers with sufficient choline had higher concentrations of grey and white matter, while those from deficient mothers had smaller brain regions.
A new study reveals that QNZ-46 can protect the brain from damage caused by excessive glutamate release in stroke. The novel drug targets the source of damaging glutamate, leading to a reduced risk of myelin breakdown and functional deficit in white matter.
USC researchers found that nearly 50% of dementias begin with damaged gatekeeper cells, leading to small vessel disease and white matter disease. Controlling fibrinogen levels may reverse or slow white matter disease in a mouse model.
A new study at Drexel University suggests that brain signals 'stick' to white matter networks are associated with cognitive flexibility. The research found that the alignment between brain signals and structural anatomy is linked to greater flexibility, but also a measurable mental cost.
A new study using advanced MRI techniques has discovered disrupted brain connectivity in obese adolescents, affecting regions involved in appetite regulation. The findings suggest a possible underlying cause for the rising rates of childhood obesity and its associated health risks.
Researchers found widespread disruptions in brain white matter across several regions, linked to higher pain levels and fatigue. The study suggests poor white matter health may contribute to persistent widespread pain experienced by Gulf War veterans.
A new study found that playing position and career duration influence brain damage in former football players, with non-speed players experiencing more localized damage. The researchers used MRI techniques to analyze brain structure and function, suggesting that position-specific helmets may be warranted.
A large international study found that schizophrenia affects the entire brain's communication system, with frayed white matter wiring evident throughout. The study's findings could lead to the identification of biomarkers for treatment and a better understanding of the disease's causes.
Researchers found that video game genres impact cognitive training, with strategy games offering unique benefits for memory and processing speed. Strategy games were associated with improved white matter connectivity in brain regions related to memory, while action games were linked to a brain region governing mood.
A new study reveals consistent correlations between white matter structural patterns and autistic symptoms in both ASD and ADHD, highlighting potential shared disease mechanisms. The study's findings suggest that biomarkers could guide more specific diagnostic tests and treatments.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that cardiac arrests in predominantly black neighborhoods are more likely to result in delayed CPR and defibrillation, which can lead to poorer survival rates. The study analyzed over 22,000 cases of cardiac arrest outside the hospital and found a significant disparity in CPR ...
Researchers found a significant decrease in white matter volume and integrity in infants who underwent general anesthesia and surgery, with implications for long-term brain development. The study suggests that further research is needed to understand the full impact of early anesthesia on human brain development.
Exposure to a complex environment with new sights, sounds, and experiences can strengthen infants' developing brains, helping maintain a smooth neural network. Environmental enrichment also plays a crucial role in strengthening motor and cognitive function in both children and adults.
A new study published in Radiology uses a combination of MRI techniques to identify brain regions associated with cognitive impairment in active professional fighters. The researchers found that lower gray matter volume and white matter tract integrity at baseline measurements were linked to increased risk of cognitive decline over time.
A major scanning study identified changes in white matter of the brain in people with depression, shedding light on the biology of the condition. The study used a cutting-edge technique to map brain structure and found reduced white matter integrity in those reporting depressive symptoms.
A new study finds that HIV-positive young adults with limited treatment history have significant disruptions in brain structural networks, poorer connections, and reduced cognitive performance. The study suggests that anatomical brain connectivity is a useful biomarker for white matter disruption in HIV infection.
A study found that breast milk feeding in premature infants (weighing less than 1,500 grams) improves white matter microstructural organization, which may predict better neurologic outcomes. This increase suggests more robust fiber tracts and microarchitecture of the developing white matter.
A new study found that children with delayed visual perception after head injuries may experience structural changes in their brains, leading to normal development interruptions. Early intervention may help identify patients at risk for prolonged recovery and develop targeted treatments.
A new biomarker may help predict which children will take longer to recover from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Half of the children with moderate to severe TBI had slow transfer times, indicating progressive decline in white matter.
A new study suggests that the communication between brain hemispheres is key to creativity. Highly creative individuals have significantly more nerve connections between their right and left hemispheres, particularly in the frontal lobe.
Researchers mapped premature infant brains using MRI scans to predict future disabilities. A greater volume of white matter injury was linked to movement and thinking problems at 18 months.
A study by Children's National Hospital found that Sirt1 plays a crucial role in regenerating glial cells from endogenous progenitor cells after hypoxia-related brain injury. The protein's activity can be modulated by sirtinol, an off-the-shelf drug, and may help alleviate developmental delays in preterm infants.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that patterns of white matter microstructure present at birth and after birth predict cognitive function in children at ages 1 and 2. The study used diffusion tensor imaging to identify 12 white matter fiber tracts important for cognitive function, which wer...
Researchers found microstructural brain alternations in autism spectrum disorder using Automated Fiber Quantification technique, which provides increased sensitivity to white matter changes. The study supports the hypothesis that autism is caused by large-scale disruptions in brain connectivity.
A new study has found measurable brain changes in children after a single season of playing youth football, even without a concussion diagnosis. The research team analyzed head impact data and multimodal neuroimaging to determine the risk-weighted cumulative exposure associated with a single season of play.
Researchers identified a characteristic feature of oligodendrocyte myelination, which selectively targets axons from specific brain regions. This discovery may provide insights into neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis and suggest new avenues for understanding higher brain function.
A new study found a correlation between microscopic brain damage and impaired cognitive performance in patients with symptomatic carotid artery disease. The researchers used diffusion tensor imaging to assess white matter tract skeleton mean diffusivity, which showed the closest correlation with cognitive impairment.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found a link between calcium supplement use and increased dementia risk in older women with cerebrovascular disease. Women who took calcium supplements were twice as likely to develop dementia, particularly those with white matter lesions.
Research reveals that obese individuals' brains display differences in white matter similar to those in lean individuals ten years older, from middle-age onwards. Obesity may affect the onset and progression of brain aging, with potential implications for health and cognitive abilities.
Researchers found similar brain impairments in children with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The study linked these impairments to symptoms that occur across different conditions.
Athletes may experience long-term brain changes even after recovery from a concussion, according to new research. The study found alterations in brain white matter six months post-injury, with more severe symptoms at the time of the concussion being a predictor of these changes.
Research suggests that individuals with intermittent explosive disorder (IED) exhibit reduced connectivity in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), a region connecting the frontal and parietal lobes. This disruption may impair social cognition, contributing to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of others' intentions.
A new study found that genetic variations of the COMT gene and white matter in the brain predict a student's performance in a second-language class, accounting for 46% of the variance. This research sheds light on why individuals learn differently and could lead to interventions that improve learning.
A large Danish cross-sectional study investigated the association between migraines with aura and silent brain infarcts. The research team found no evidence of a connection, which may be reassuring for patients suffering from migraines with aura.
Researchers found abnormalities in white matter tracts of patients with insomnia, affecting sleep regulation and cognitive function. The thalamus, which regulates consciousness and sleep, was particularly affected.
A new study published in Radiology suggests that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can predict long-term effects of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in veterans. The study found associations between initial post-deployment DTI measurements and neurobehavioral symptoms, timing of injury, and subsequent functional outcomes.
A study published in JAMA found that treatment with inhaled xenon gas combined with hypothermia resulted in less white matter damage among comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, there was no significant difference in neurological outcomes or death at 6 months.
Children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) have altered brain connectivity pathways compared to typically developing children, affecting auditory and tactile processing. The study found strong correlations between white matter integrity and sensory functioning, paving the way for personalized treatments.
A study of over 2,400 participants found that higher levels of NT-proBNP, a heart failure marker, were associated with microstructural changes in the brain and reduced brain volume. This suggests an early link between heart disease and brain health.
A recent study by King's College London and Sapienza University of Rome found that frequent use of high potency 'skunk-like' cannabis can cause damage to the white matter in the brain. White matter consists of large bundles of nerve cell projections, enabling communication between different regions of the brain.
A study of 70 individual twins and 130 healthy control twins found that reduced white matter integrity shares common genes with schizophrenia risk. The findings suggest a genetic overlap between structural brain connections and schizophrenia, highlighting potential new avenues for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers investigate remote conditioning, a technique that uses blood pressure cuffs to restrict blood flow to limbs and activate natural protective mechanisms in the brain, potentially reducing dementia symptoms. The approach has shown promise in improving white matter health and may help prevent dementia.
Researchers found that individuals with MS exhibit weaker connections between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior brain regions, leading to slowed cognitive speed. The study suggests that therapies targeting white matter structures may help alleviate cognitive deficits.
A study of 1403 women found that those exposed to higher levels of air pollution had reduced white matter in their brains. Ambient particulate air pollutants may have a deleterious effect on brain aging, according to researchers.