“Zombie neurons” shed light on how the brain learns
Researchers discovered a class of cerebellar inputs, called climbing fibres, are essential for associative learning to occur. These
Neurophysiology
Articles tagged with Neurophysiology
Imaging detects transient “hypoxic pockets” in the mouse brain
Researchers used bioluminescent oxygen indicator to track pO2 changes in mouse cortical astrocytes, finding transient hypoxic pockets that lasted several seconds to minutes and decreased with exercise. The findings suggest physical inactivity may directly affect tissue pO2 by favoring capillary occlusions.
Smelling danger in the water: Schreckstoff mystery solved after 86 years!
Researchers have solved the long-standing question of what triggers the alarm response in fish by identifying two distinct chemical signals: Daniol sulphate and Ostariopterin. These substances convey separate pieces of information that must be detected simultaneously to trigger a flight-or-freeze response.
Effects of “blue light” on human health still unclear
The ICNIRP panel states that research on SWL exposure is inconsistent, with some studies indicating possible effects on alertness or sleep and others not supporting such effects. The panel also notes that potential long-term adverse effects of SWL exposure are unclear, particularly regarding its impact on chronic diseases and conditions.
A new channel for touch
Scientists have identified a crucial role of the newly discovered ion channel Elkin1 in converting mechanical stimuli into electrical signals, enabling normal touch sensation. The findings also suggest Elkin1 may play a part in transmitting painful mechanical stimuli, opening up new potential targets for chronic pain treatment.
New algorithm disentangles intrinsic brain patterns from sensory inputs
Researchers developed a new machine learning method to analyze brain data, separating intrinsic neural patterns from sensory inputs. The method revealed surprisingly consistent hidden patterns in three subjects' neural activity despite different tasks.
Oxytocin: the love hormone that holds the key to better memory
Research reveals oxytocin neurons in mouse brain modulate object recognition memory, with activation boosting long-term memory and implicating Alzheimer's disease. Oxytocin's role in social memory also highlighted, suggesting a potential link to loneliness or limited social engagement.
A flicker of truth: Piercing the “continuity illusion”
The study reveals that the superior colliculus is vital in the transition from seeing individual flashes to smooth motion, and may be a key component in creating the continuity illusion. Different methods of measuring the Flicker Fusion Frequency threshold suggest other parts of the brain also play a role in this process.
Challenging the traditional views on how the brain processes movement and sensation
A study by Fujita Health University researchers unveiled novel insights into the brain's processing of movement and sensation. The findings suggest that signals from motor cortices do not primarily modulate sensory responses in primary sensory cortices, but rather pathways from secondary somatosensory cortex (S2) and sensory thalamus (...
Researchers find possible neuromarker for ‘juvenile-onset’ Batten disease
A new study found that changes in brain function, specifically the auditory sensory memory system, may be a potential biomarker for Batten disease. Researchers measured brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) and found a decline in response as the disease progressed.
Chinstrap penguins asleep thousands of times per day, but only for seconds at a time
A study on chinstrap penguins found that they accumulate over 11 hours of sleep per day through thousands of 4-second microsleeps. This breaks traditional notions of prolonged sleep bouts and suggests an incremental approach to sleep accumulation.
Unraveling the mysteries of the brain with the help of a worm
A team of neuroscientists and physicists at Princeton University studied the brain of Caenorhabditis elegans to understand how information flows through a network of interacting neurons. They used optogenetics to activate individual neurons and observe how other neurons responded, shedding light on the complex neural connections.
Traumatic memories can rewire the brain
Researchers have discovered that traumatic memories create new neural networks and associations between distinct networks, enabling fear-based learning and recall. The study used optical and machine-learning approaches to visualize the dynamics of brain activity during memory formation.
Understanding how choice overload in ChatGPT recommendations impacts decision-making
Researchers found that participants preferred 60-70 options from ChatGPT, citing high perceived accuracy and increased intent to purchase. This contradicts traditional choice overload theories, highlighting the impact of personalized recommendations on consumer decision-making.
Jellyfish are smarter than you think
Caribbean box jellyfish have demonstrated complex learning capabilities, including associative learning and memory formation, despite having only one thousand nerve cells. This discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary success of jellyfish and raises questions about the universality of advanced learning mechanisms in animals.
Brain implants, software guide speech-disabled person’s intended words to computer screen
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed a brain-computer interface that can decode the intended words of a speech-disabled person and display them on a computer screen. The technology has shown promise in restoring communication for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who are unable to speak.
Stanford Medicine-led research identifies gene ‘fingerprint’ for brain aging
A study in mice found that white matter, a type of nervous system tissue, shows the most pronounced changes as the animals age. The researchers identified 82 genes frequently expressed in different brain regions and developed an aging score to assess gene activity changes with age.
Mathematical theory predicts self-organized learning in real neurons
Researchers used a mathematical theory called the free energy principle to predict how real neural networks learn and organize themselves. The study successfully mimicked this process in rat embryo neurons grown in a culture dish, demonstrating the principle's guiding force behind biological neural network learning.
An escape signal for the nematode: Artificial intelligence helps elucidate structure of a novel light sensor
A team of scientists has successfully elucidated the structure and function of LITE-1, a biomolecule used by Caenorhabditis elegans to detect danger. The researchers used artificial intelligence to predict the structure of LITE-1, which is a channel protein that forms a pore in the cell membrane allowing charged particles to pass through.
Biomarkers may hold key to precision mental health diagnosis, care
A Lehigh University professor has received $4 million in NIH grants to develop an AI-driven approach for precision mental health diagnosis and care. The project aims to identify biomarkers in the brain that can predict treatment response and personalize interventions for patients with depression and other mental disorders.
How the ear can inform the brain of whether hearing is impaired
A study by Pierre Hakizimana at Linköping University found that the DC signal in the cochlea can provide an indication of ear health status, allowing the brain to decode faint sounds. The discovery may contribute to new research on diagnosing noise-induced hearing loss and has implications for preventing permanent damage from loud sounds.
Keeping time: Understanding the master clock in the brain
A study by researchers from the University of Tsukuba found a key molecule involved in sleep homeostasis also plays a critical role in circadian behavior. The SIK3-HDAC4 pathway modulates the length of the circadian period through NMS-producing neurons, contributing to the sleep/wake rhythm.
CHOP researchers comprehensively assess the safety of using your head in youth soccer
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that repeated soccer headers equivalent to a throw-in did not cause immediate neurophysiological deficits for teens. However, oblique headers resulted in higher levels of angular head motion, suggesting proper training is necessary to reduce the risk of injury.
Using a new tool, researchers find elephant seals sleep only two hours a day during short dives deep below predators
Researchers found elephant seals use short sleep cycles at depths below predators to enter full REM sleep with lower risk. These 'sleeping dives' are crucial for the species' survival in open ocean environments.
Diet/lifestyle program reverses biological age: a female case series
A new case series study found that an 8-week methylation-supportive diet and lifestyle program reduced biological age by 4.60 years, with five of six participants exhibiting significant age reversal. The study suggests that this intervention may favorably influence biological age in both sexes.
Revealed at last: Tsetse fly volatile pheromones, which could help curb diseases they spread
Researchers have discovered volatile compounds in tsetse flies that control mating behavior and potentially aid disease management. The findings may lead to the development of new tools to combat trypanosomiasis, a life-threatening illness transmitted by these insects.
Origins of pleasurable touch traced from skin to brain in mice
Researchers have identified a full pathway from skin neurons to brain pleasure centers, revealing the neurobiological basis of pleasurable social touch. The study suggests that touch-based therapies may alleviate anxiety, stress, and depression, with potential applications for autism and other conditions.
I do not see, I do not hear, but I know
A new study by Italian neuroscientists found that blind and deaf individuals' brains possess an innate functional architecture for integrating sensory information. This suggests that brain architecture can develop independently from sensory experience, adding weight to the 'nature versus nurture' debate.
How animals find their way
A Collaborative Research Centre investigates animal navigation using the Earth's magnetic field. The study focuses on vertebrates, including birds and fish, aiming to protect endangered migratory species.
Latest neural signals recorded with ABILITY brain-computer interface and new details of the system presented at Society for Neuroscience meeting
The Wyss Center's ABILITY system, a fully implantable brain-computer interface, records neural activity in sheep with high accuracy, decoding fine movement intention from small brain areas. The device is designed to improve quality of life and independence for people with severe paralysis.
Why late-night eating leads to weight gain, diabetes
Research at Northwestern University finds that eating during the daytime is ideal for dissipating energy as heat, while nighttime eating disrupts this process. This study's findings have broad implications for dieting, sleep loss, and patient nutrition, particularly in cases of Type II Diabetes.
Introducing DIANA - a noninvasive approach for in vivo direct imaging of neuronal activity
Researchers introduced DIANA, a noninvasive neuroimaging method for direct imaging of neuronal activity in living mice. This approach overcomes the limitations of BOLD-fMRI by providing millisecond precision and detection of rapid sequential propagation of neuronal activity across neural pathways.
Shedding light on the happy hormone
A novel fluorescent sensor has been developed to visualize the release of oxytocin, also known as the 'happy hormone', in living animals. The sensor, called MTRIA OT, allows for real-time measurement of extracellular oxytocin dynamics in the brain, revealing variability in OT levels dependent on behavioral and physical conditions.
Can we reverse the effects of age related memory loss? Experts say yes
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience found that a 20-minute non-invasive treatment regimen can improve both short-term and long-term memory in individuals 65 years and older. The treatment involves electrical brain stimulation delivered through scalp electrodes, and its effects were observed to last at least one month.
Neurofeedback shows promise for addressing ‘chemo brain’ in UCLA pilot study
A pilot study from UCLA researchers found that neurofeedback training significantly normalized brain wave frequencies and improved cognitive function in cancer patients with chemo brain. The study's results support further research into the effectiveness of neurofeedback as a treatment approach.
Rapid eye movements during REM sleep represent gaze shifts in dreaming mice
Rapid eye movements during REM sleep encode direction and amplitude of a mouse's dream environment, providing an external readout of internal cognitive processes. This finding reveals a coordination that may underlie the realistic experience of dreams.
A warming planet could mess with our sleep – and make us more vulnerable to infectious disease
Research suggests rising temperatures could disrupt sleep patterns and blunt the immune response, making people more susceptible to infections. This is particularly concerning for low-income communities and communities of color who face heightened risks from heat and limited access to air conditioning.
Wireless activation of targeted brain circuits in less than one second
Researchers from Rice University, Duke University, Brown University and Baylor College of Medicine developed a magnetic technology to wirelessly control neural circuits in fruit flies. They used genetic engineering to express heat-sensitive ion channels in neurons that control the behavior, and iron nanoparticles to activate the channels.
How sound induces pain relief in mice
Researchers discovered that low-signal-to-ambient noise ratio sounds cause analgesia by inhibiting inputs from the auditory cortex to specific somatosensory thalamus regions. This finding provides a model for investigating the mechanistic underpinnings of sound-induced pain relief.
Social defeat stress in mice triggers restorative, anxiety-reducing sleep
Researchers have discovered a small group of neurons in the ventral tegmental area that detects stress after social defeat and induces restorative sleep. This process alleviates stress levels and mitigates stress-induced anxiety in mice, restoring mental and body functions.
Message received: Scientists identify the molecular mechanisms behind learning and memory, may open door to new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers elucidated the molecular mechanisms of acetylcholine in learning and memory, revealing a signaling cascade involving protein kinase C. The study opens doors to new therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
Baby’s kick in the womb may be key to treating disease and training robots
A new model from researchers at the University of Southern California and Lund University suggests that spontaneous movements made by a fetus in the womb are key to getting the body's nervous system 'wired up.' This discovery has implications for treating neuromuscular disorders and designing better robots.
Nerve stimulation promotes resolution of inflammation
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve promotes healing in acute inflammation by shifting the balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules. This finding opens new avenues for treating inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune and cardiovascular conditions.
Both nature and nurture contribute to signatures of socioeconomic status in the brain
A new study found that genetics and environmental influences both contribute to socioeconomic status's impact on the brain, with different effects on various brain regions. The research used the UK Biobank dataset to analyze nearly 24,000 individuals and identified specific brain regions related to socioeconomic status.
Eating sea squirts may reverse the signs of ageing, study shows
A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Deep brain stimulation driven by motor cortical activity can effectively treat Parkinson’s disease
Researchers developed a new method of deep brain stimulation driven by motor cortical activity to treat Parkinson's disease. This approach, known as adaptive DBS (aDBS), uses γ2 band activity from the primary motor cortex to modulate stimulation parameters and reduce battery consumption.
Nerve stimulation with the help of implantable mini solar cells
Scientists have created a new technology using colour pigments from the food industry to stimulate nerve cells with the help of implantable mini solar cells. This innovation could lead to accelerated healing and prevention of complications in severe brain injuries, as well as potential applications in pain therapy and retinal implants.
Ready, set…GO! Scientists discover a brain circuit that triggers the execution of planned movement
Researchers identify a neural circuit in midbrain, thalamus, and cortex that orchestrates neuronal activity to trigger planned movement. The discovery has important clinical implications for motor disorders like Parkinson's disease.
Astrocyte networks in the mouse brain control spatial learning and memory
A study found that intact astrocyte networks are essential for neural homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, and spatial cognitive abilities in adult mice. Disrupting these networks impairs spatial learning and memory due to altered neuronal excitability and compromised synaptic transmission.
Discovering dopamine’s involvement in transition to REM sleep in mice suggests a druggable sleep disorder target
A new study found that increased dopamine levels in the brain's basolateral amygdala trigger the transition from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This discovery raises hopes for developing targeted treatments for sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and Parkinson's disease.
Vision scientists discover new angle on path of light through photoreceptors
Researchers found that mitochondria act as microlenses to focus light on outer segments where it's converted into nerve signals, shedding new light on the retina's optical properties. This discovery has potential clinical implications for detecting retinal diseases.
A bioelectronic tongue ‘tastes’ sweetness
Researchers have developed an ultrasensitive bioelectronic tongue that mimics human taste buds to measure sweetness. The device responds to sweet-tasting compounds at the 0.1 femtomolar level, making it a powerful tool for industries such as healthcare and food.
Constant tinnitus is linked to altered brain activity
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet developed a novel method to diagnose constant tinnitus using auditory brainstem responses (ABR). The study found that people with occasional tinnitus are at increased risk of developing constant tinnitus, while those with existing constant tinnitus are more likely to experience persistent symptoms.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University identified the biological mechanism causing nerve destruction in the Motor Neuron disease ALS
Researchers from Tel Aviv University have identified the biological mechanism causing nerve destruction in ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease. They found that TDP-43 protein accumulation in neuromuscular junctions inhibits local protein synthesis and mitochondrial activity, leading to degeneration and death of motor neurons.
Saving patients an unnecessary procedure
A new web-based application can predict which epilepsy patients will not benefit from stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG), a costly and invasive procedure. The '5-SENSE' score reliably identifies patients who will not have a focal seizure onset zone, allowing clinicians to avoid unnecessary procedures.
Seeing and hearing: how they interplay in the brain
A recent study published in iScience found that congenitally blind individuals and normal sighted people are equally good at discriminating between sounds. However, those who lost sight later in life had more difficulties with tasks requiring detailed auditory processing, suggesting an adaptation to the new condition.
How can our brain still perceive familiar objects even when they become indistinct?
Researchers found that low-contrast preferring neurons in primary visual cortex increase after repeated experiences, enabling perception of familiar objects. This flexible mechanism allows for consistent perception of objects with varying contrast.
The insular cortex balances the mind and body’s responses to fear in mice
A new study in mice reveals that the insular cortex plays a crucial role in balancing fear responses, integrating sensory and bodily signals to maintain an adaptive range. The InsCtx function depends on bodily feedback signals, dampening excessive fear-evoked activity and promoting healthy fear regulation.
When algorithms get creative
Researchers at the University of Bern have developed an approach called 'evolving-to-learn' (E2L) that enables computers to discover mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, leading to improved learning capabilities. The algorithm was tested in three scenarios and successfully solved new tasks by mimicking biological evolution.
New life for a cancer drug that reprograms pain pathways to treat chronic pain
Researchers at Duke University and UC Irvine identify Kenpaullone, a cancer drug, as an effective analgesic for chronic and challenging-to-treat pain. The compound enhances Kcc2 gene expression, which resets maladaptive genetic switches in neurons, leading to pain signal silencing.