Articles tagged with White Matter
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.
A new study at Georgia State University links delay of gratification in chimpanzees to white matter connectivity between the caudate and dorsal prefrontal cortex. The researchers found that higher connectivity was associated with better delay of gratification performance, a crucial ability for mental health.
A new study published in Radiology found that degeneration of white matter in the brain may be an early marker of specific types of Alzheimer's disease. White matter damage was found to be more severe and widespread in patients with atypical AD forms, suggesting a potential biomarker for early diagnosis.
Researchers discovered structural brain abnormalities in white matter among those experiencing loss of consciousness due to mTBI, linked to decreased verbal memory performance. The study highlights the importance of diffusion tensor imaging in detecting subtle white matter changes associated with mild TBI.
Researchers found a pattern of white matter damage and gray matter atrophy associated with facial affect recognition impairment in individuals with TBI. This deficit may impact social functioning, relationships, and daily life.
Researchers developed a new brain image analysis method to track beta-amyloid plaque deposition in Alzheimer's disease, using positron emission topography (PET). The new approach, which uses cerebral white matter as a reference region, improves the tracking of amyloid changes and evaluates investigational treatments.
A study of abandoned Romanian children reveals significant associations between childhood neglect and altered white matter in the brain. Early intervention into foster care promoted more normal development in previously neglected children.
A study found that high school football players exhibit measurable brain changes after a single season of play, even without concussion. The researchers discovered areas of decreased fractional anisotropy in the brain's white matter among heavy hitters, suggesting microstructural abnormalities.
A study by Brown University researchers found that older adults exhibit plasticity in their white matter, a different part of the brain than younger learners. This contradicts the long-held assumption that learning becomes more difficult with age.
Researchers found reduced white matter tracts in abstinent alcoholics compared to healthy light drinkers. Chronic drinking may particularly damage frontal white matter tracts, interfering with cognitive and inhibitory control.
Researchers have found structural abnormalities in the brains of people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a debilitating disease affecting over 1 million adults and children. The study suggests that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help diagnose and track CFS, using specific biomarkers to measure brain structure and function.
A randomized clinical trial found that cooling dialysis fluids to 0.5°C below body temperature protects against progressive white matter brain injury due to blood pressure instability. This simple intervention does not just improve patient comfort but completely prevents brain damage in patients undergoing dialysis.
Researchers used brain scans to forecast early reading difficulties in kindergarteners, finding that white matter development predicts reading ability. The study suggests a new tool for clinicians to spot dyslexia and other reading challenges before they arise.
Researchers studied white matter damage and cognitive impairments in patients with traumatic axonal injuries. The study found that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can detect early white matter compromise and associate it with functional outcomes.
A study found that high-dose EPO administered within 42 hours of birth reduced brain injury and white matter damage in preterm infants. The treatment was associated with improved neurodevelopmental outcomes, including lower rates of encephalopathy of prematurity.
Chronic use of codeine-containing cough syrups is associated with brain white matter deficits, particularly in regions involved in impulse control. These changes are linked to increased impulsivity traits and correlate with the duration of CCS use.
A new study found that physically fit children have more fibrous and compact white-matter tracts in the brain, linked to faster nerve activity. The researchers used diffusion tensor imaging to analyze water diffusion into tissues, revealing significant fitness-related differences in brain integrity.
Researchers found decreased structural brain connections in specific sensory regions for children with SPD, differing from those with autism. This study provides new insights into the neural underpinnings of these conditions.
Researchers detected age-related changes in lateral ventricular width and periventricular white matter using DTI, which may correlate with cognitive and sensory motor deficits. The study published in Neural Regeneration Research found increases in fractional anisotropy value related to ventricle enlargement.
A Rutgers University-Newark researcher is studying skilled readers to determine whether their choice of word meaning vs. word sounds impacts their reading ability. He found that good readers differ in how they use word meanings when reading aloud, with variations even among the most proficient readers.
A study published in Radiology found that males with concussions took an average of 66.9 days to recover, compared to 26.3 days for females. DTI scans revealed abnormalities in the white matter tract UF, which correlated with recovery time and was a stronger predictor than initial symptom severity.
A new study using MRI analysis found that patients who responded to subcallosal cingulate (SCC) deep brain stimulation showed a common pattern of three distinct white matter bundles passing through the SCC. Non-responders did not show this pattern, suggesting that precise mapping is crucial for successful treatment.
Researchers used MRI to identify regional white matter damage in brain regions associated with chronic dizziness and vestibulopathy after concussion. The study suggests that MRI can speed the onset of effective treatments for concussion patients.
A study published in Neurobiology of Aging has found a connection between the integrity of white matter connections in the brain and cognitive health in adults with Down syndrome. The research team identified biomarkers connected to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, which could potentially lead to earlier intervention and retard...
Researchers found that Kaixin Jieyu Fang reduces cerebral white matter damage by increasing Bcl-2 protein and mRNA expression, while decreasing Bax protein and mRNA expression. This compound may provide a potential therapeutic approach for treating vascular depression through its protective effects on the brain.
Veterans exposed to explosions may have brain damage despite lacking symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to researchers at Duke Medicine. The study found comparable white matter damage in both groups, with no clear link between brain injury and cognitive problems such as reaction time or decision-making.
Researchers have identified the 'scaffold' of human brain networks, detailing connections that have the greatest influence over all other connections. The study found not all brain connections are equally important and some may be more vulnerable to damage, with implications for understanding brain injury and disease.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry investigates the relationship between age and neurocognitive performance in 296 healthy volunteers. The researchers found that white matter tracts developed during adolescence and young adulthood are associated with learning, memory, and planning abilities.
A study found a positive correlation between healthy white matter quality and addition and multiplication proficiency in 12-year-olds. The researchers also suggest that this link may explain why some children with dyslexia or dyscalculia struggle with arithmetic problems.
A study by Dr. Jun Pu and colleagues found similar characteristics of brain diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) in healthy adult rhesus monkeys and young people. Fractional anisotropy values were comparable, with low values in the caudate nucleus and thalamus, and high values in the splenium of the corpus callosum.
Researchers found significant differences in brain white matter between varsity football and hockey players and non-contact-sport athletes. The study suggests that repeated blows to the head without concussions may cause cognitive decline, warranting further investigation into identifying susceptible athletes.
Researchers found that blows to the head during a single season of football or ice hockey can affect brain white matter and cognitive abilities. A subgroup of athletes who performed poorly on memory tests showed more change in the corpus callosum region of the brain.
A study using MR spectroscopy found that preterm infants' brains develop differently than full-term infants, with a disruption in the timing and synchronization of white and gray matter maturation. This false start in brain development may contribute to long-term problems such as autism and ADHD.
Researchers have identified genes associated with brain aging, revealing a heritable basis for neurocognitive deterioration and decreased white matter integrity. The study used large pedigrees of Mexican Americans to disentangle genetic from non-genetic influences on aging.
Researchers used brain scans to find an anatomical marker for chronic pain in the brain, which may lead to changes in treatment. The study found a consistent difference in white matter between subjects who recovered and those with persistent pain.
Researchers discovered abnormalities in both myelin and axons among patients with schizophrenia, suggesting a complex relationship between the two. The findings indicate that strategies targeting both axonal health and myelin synthesis may be needed to restore normal brain functioning in this condition.
A Rutgers University professor's advanced analysis of cerebrospinal fluid has found that multiple sclerosis may originate in the gray matter of the brain, challenging long-held assumptions about the disease. This new understanding could lead to more effective treatments and earlier diagnoses.
Researchers have developed a tri-linear interpolation algorithm for accurate white matter fiber tracking, resulting in longer tracked fibers with smoother orientations. This method achieved reliable tracking results that aligned with actual brain anatomy and disease conditions.
A study by Evan Fletcher and colleagues found that white matter loss in the fornix may be an early sign of cognitive decline in healthy elderly individuals. Changes in fornix volume were highly significant predictors of cognitive deterioration.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that high-altitude flying increases the risk of brain lesions. The research found that pilots had nearly four times the volume and three times the number of brain lesions as non-pilots, with lesions evenly distributed throughout the brain.
Research reveals delayed brain development in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) compared to those without the disorder. Children with FASD show greatest gains in reading ability among other cognitive measures as their brains develop.
Researchers have found quantifiable differences in brain structure among children with sensory processing disorders (SPD), which are often overlooked and misunderstood. The study provides a potential biological basis for the disease, using advanced MRI techniques to examine white matter tracts in the brain.
Researchers have identified a genetic change associated with delayed language acquisition and brain imaging abnormalities in children from Southeast Asia. The chromosomal deletion affects the TM4SF20 gene, which may be responsible for early childhood language delay in a large number of children from this region.
Researchers found a striking resemblance between white matter brain abnormalities in concussion patients and those seen in early Alzheimer's dementia. The study suggests that the true problem facing concussion patients may be their brain's response to injury, rather than the injury itself.
A study published in Radiology found that frequent heading in soccer is associated with white matter microstructural changes and cognitive impairments, similar to those seen in traumatic brain injury patients. Players who headed the ball over 1,800 times per year showed poorer memory scores.
A new MRI study by Brown University researchers reveals that exclusive breastfeeding for at least three months enhances brain development in infants, particularly in areas related to language and emotional function. The study found a 20-30% increase in white matter growth in breastfed babies compared to formula-fed babies.
Researchers found that aortic arch pulse wave velocity is a strong predictor of white matter hyperintensities, which are associated with accelerated cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. The study used MRI to measure aortic arch pulse wave velocity in 1,270 participants and found a significant association between the two variables.
A new study finds that aerobic exercise benefits brain white matter integrity, even in individuals with heavy alcohol consumption. Regular exercise appears to counteract negative neural changes associated with aging and disease. The study suggests that exercise may prevent or repair alcohol-related neurological damage.
A CU-Boulder study found that regular aerobic exercise is associated with less damage to the brain's white matter among heavy alcohol users. The study suggests that exercise might repair the damage caused by heavy drinking and could be a promising treatment approach for alcohol problems.
A Mayo Clinic study found that blood's tendency to clot may contribute to areas of brain damage called white matter hyperintensities, which can lead to memory problems and increased stroke risk. Women with higher levels of thrombogenic microvesicles were more likely to develop these changes.
A recent study found that soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mild TBI have measurable abnormalities in their brains, including 'potholes' in the white matter. These abnormalities are related to the severity of the injury and are correlated with cognitive deficits.
Longitudinal study of adolescents with heavy substance use histories found reduced white-matter integrity compared to those who abstained. This compromise may impair cognitive processing, memory, attention, and decision-making.
A study found that brain changes in children who suffered a concussion persisted for over three months, despite the disappearance of symptoms. The researchers used advanced imaging techniques to monitor recovery and suggested that using these methods could help diagnose and treat concussions in children.
A nine-year follow-up study found that women with migraines did not exhibit declining cognitive abilities, unlike previous research suggesting a link between migraine and impaired cognition. Brain changes associated with bright spots on MRI scans were present in both men and women with migraines.
A new study found that high blood pressure causes structural damage to the brain's white matter and gray matter, even among young adults. The research suggests that vascular brain injury develops insidiously over time, leading to accelerated brain aging and a higher risk of cognitive decline.
A study published in Neurology found that people over 70 who exercised regularly showed less brain shrinkage and had more grey matter than those who did little exercise. Regular physical activity was also linked to fewer damaged areas in the white matter of the brain.