Neuroimaging
Articles tagged with Neuroimaging
FAU study maps first brain blueprint of a fly’s split-second great escape
A new study at Florida Atlantic University maps the neural wiring system linked to a fly's split-second escape behaviors, revealing a decentralized communication strategy. The findings provide insight into how brains process information at extraordinary speed and may represent a conserved blueprint shared across species.
Antibody spurs nerve fiber regrowth following spinal cord injury
A novel antibody, NG101, accelerates the regeneration of damaged spinal cord tissue by neutralizing a protein that blocks nerve fiber growth. This therapy enables new nerve fibers to form functional connections, allowing patients to become more independent and potentially recover arm and hand function.
New MRI technology provides a comprehensive view of the human brain
Researchers developed multiplexed MRI technology, enabling simultaneous imaging of signals from multiple molecules in the brain. The technology provides a comprehensive view of the brain's structure, physiology, and molecular processes, allowing for more precise diagnosis and individualized treatment planning.
Genomic Press launches Brain Health, a new peer-reviewed journal of lifelong brain resilience, with inaugural interview featuring Luísa Pinto on glial plasticity
Genomic Press launches Brain Health, a new peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the science of lifelong brain resilience, featuring research on glial plasticity and recovery from depression. The inaugural issue explores the intersection of fields including cognitive reserve, sleep, aging biology, nutritional psychiatry, and social sciences.
Two to tango: Study shows dancers’ brains sync up as they move together
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered that experienced ballroom dancers' brains synchronize when they move together. The study used EEG caps and movement sensors to track brain activity and found that neural synchronization increased as dancers moved in sync, revealing a phenomenon called interbrain coupling.
For the first time, the direction of neural signals in the brain has been determined non-invasively from neuronal spontaneous activity using functional MRI
For the first time, researchers have identified the direction of neural signals in the brain using functional MRI. The study showed that feedforward and feedback nervous impulses each have unique signatures that can be detected with a new method called uFLARE.
Group averages obscure how an individual’s brain controls behavior, Stanford Medicine study finds
A new Stanford Medicine study shows that brain-scan averages obscure individual brain dynamics, particularly in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. By analyzing data from over 4,000 children, researchers found distinct patterns of brain activity when data is analyzed individually versus as a group.
Study finds three distinct patterns of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers found three distinct trajectories of cognitive decline: stable, slow and fast decline. Biomarker data showed that participants who declined faster had higher P-tau217 levels and smaller hippocampi.
We may be born with 2 complex cognitive functions already established
A new study suggests that language and theory of mind, two complex cognitive functions, have distinct origins in the brain in young children. Researchers found separate but related brain regions for these skills, which do not overlap or grow more distinct as the mind matures.
EBRAINS Roadmap Symposium to convene neuroscience community in Munich
The EBRAINS Roadmap Symposium will bring together the global neuroscience community to shape the EBRAINS 10-Year-Roadmap. A total of 159 submissions from 134 unique contributors across 25 countries have been received, reflecting the momentum of Europe's digital neuroscience landscape.
Individual Brain Charting: new data advances high-resolution mapping of human cognition
The Individual Brain Charting project has released its fifth update with a new set of cognitive tasks, expanding the dataset to 40 hours of scanned data per participant. This provides an exceptionally rich resource for studying individual variability in brain organisation and understanding brain function.
Ten early-career neuroscientists selected as 2026 Leon Levy Scholars across New York City
The 2026 cohort of Leon Levy Scholars in Neuroscience will pursue research projects addressing neurological disorders and developing new treatments. The program provides scientific and professional career development opportunities, including mentorship and networking.
Scientists engineer a tool to “edit” brain circuits and enhance memory
Researchers develop molecular tool called SynTrogo, which enables selective dismantling of synaptic connections in brain circuits. By harnessing astrocytes, the system reduces synapse number while strengthening remaining connections, leading to enhanced long-term potentiation and improved memory.
Hippocampal pathways once thought separate converge to integrate “where” and “why” in reward processing
Researchers from UMBC discover that inputs from the dorsal and ventral hippocampus interact closely on the same neurons in the nucleus accumbens, integrating memories of places and contexts with drive to pursue rewards. This convergence may help animals form associations between rewarding outcomes and environments, essential for survival.
USC researchers awarded NIH grant to build a new model of hippocampal neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease
The research team will analyze mouse models and human brain tissue to identify cell types that show early signs of stress before neurons die. The multiscale model simulates how the progressive loss or disconnection of specific neurons disrupts memory-related brain networks.
Chinese Medical Journal article white matter lesions modifying endovascular therapy outcomes in large ischemic core stroke: A secondary analysis of the ANGEL-ASPECT trial
A secondary analysis of the ANGEL-ASPECT trial found EVT to be beneficial for patients with anterior-circulation LVO and a large ischemic core and absent-to-moderate white matter lesions. In contrast, those with severe WMLs showed less pronounced benefits, suggesting uncertainty about EVT's efficacy in this subgroup.
Targeting a deep brain region without surgery or medication
Researchers have demonstrated that noninvasive brain stimulation can alter the activity of the hippocampus, a critical deep brain region involved in emotion and memory. Personalizing the stimulation site using a patient's unique brain connectivity pathway increases the neuromodulation effect.
NIH awards $15.8 million to UC Davis Health for major Hispanic-Latino brain health study
The NIH grant will support the creation of a comprehensive long-term dataset on Hispanic and Latino brain aging, examining the factors that matter most for healthy cognitive aging. The study aims to understand how Alzheimer's disease, vascular injury, and other brain changes develop over time in Latino adults.
Imagination is more than sensory replay
A Northwestern University study found that imagination is not just a copy of sensation, but emerges at later stages of processing when the brain represents information holistically. The researchers mapped brain activity during imagination and perception, finding overlap in higher-level association areas.
Shedding light on the brain: new method controls neural pathways
A new study uses optogenetics to control specific communication pathways in the common marmoset brain, offering a clearer view of complex behavior and brain disorders. This method enables researchers to manipulate individual long-range brain circuits with greater precision than before.
USC study identifies brain rewiring mechanism that may aid stroke recovery
Researchers discovered that stroke survivors with severe motor impairment show signs of brain 'youthfulness' in undamaged regions, suggesting the brain's ability to adapt and compensate. This finding provides new insights into neuroplasticity and may guide personalized rehabilitation strategies.
The brain’s ability to grasp the “gist” of a visual scene begins earlier than expected
A research team led by LEE Doyun and KIM Yee-Joon found that the primary visual cortex encodes motion summaries and variability before higher brain regions transform them into category signals. This process, known as ensemble perception, allows the brain to capture the overall structure of a scene at a glance.
University of Houston BRAIN Center finds exposure to nature associated with reductions in negative emotions
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 33 studies found that nature exposure is associated with reductions in negative emotions and increases in positive emotions. Experts recommend integrating nature into urban design to promote brain health and treat mental illnesses.
Vivid dreaming makes sleep feel deeper
Researchers found that immersive dreaming, even with wake-like brain activity, leads to a greater feeling of deep sleep. Vivid dreams are associated with subjective deeper sleep, while abstract thoughts are related to more shallow feelings.
Why chronic pain leads to depression for some but not others
Research suggests that persistent pain drives progressive changes in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in emotional regulation. This can shape whether people develop depression or remain emotionally resilient. The study's findings challenge the idea that depression is an inevitable consequence of long-term pain.
A sea slug taught her how the brain works, and she never looked back
Dr. Phillips's laboratory identifies abnormalities in prefrontal-striatal-limbic circuitry as biomarkers for bipolar disorder before symptoms appear. Her team tracks neural network development from infancy through young adulthood.
Forget the bulky helmets: Can this “invisible” behind-the-ear patch read your mind and control cars?
Researchers have developed an 'ECI patch' that reads brain signals and controls cars with 93.5% accuracy. The patch, powered by ultra-thin sheets called MXene, detects fatigue and mental states without causing skin irritation.
A new reagent makes living brains transparent for deeper, non-invasive imaging
Researchers at Kyushu University develop a new tissue-clearing reagent, SeeDB-Live, enabling repeated, reversible, and real-time imaging of living brains at greater depth and clarity. This breakthrough allows scientists to visualize neural activity in living mice and brain slices, offering new insights into brain dynamics and function.
Discovering the “brain fingerprints” of chronic pain
A team of researchers has developed a method to decode fluctuations in spontaneous pain intensity in individuals with chronic pain using extensively sampled functional MRI data. The study found that neural patterns underlying pain differ markedly between individuals, highlighting the importance of individualized brain-based biomarkers.
Visionary leaders launch the Society for Brain Health
The Society for Brain Health is a new collaborative body dedicated to enhancing cognitive capacity, longevity, and proactive health optimization through cutting-edge research and tools. Its founding members include prominent neuroscientists and experts in the field of brain health.
The neurobiology of why some brains cannot move on from loss
Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is characterized by intense emotional pain and longing for the deceased. Research highlights disruptions in reward-related brain networks as key to explaining why grief persists in some individuals.
Brainwaves of mothers and children synchronize when playing together – even in an acquired language
Researchers found that brain synchrony between mothers and children is equally strong when playing in the native language or an acquired second language. This suggests that multilingualism can support healthy communication and learning without disrupting the brain-to-brain connection.
European research lays the groundwork for future stem cell clinical trials
Researchers have explored how human mesenchymal stem cells can help repair brain injury in children born preterm. The PREMSTEM project has investigated the use of h-MSCs to address brain injury caused by early-life birth, with promising results showing a positive impact on brain damage and inflammation.
Different visual experiences give rise to different neural wiring
A new study by Leopoldo Petreanu's team shows that different visual experiences result in distinct patterns of organization in feedback connections. Mice with miniature goggles biased to see edges oriented at specific angles had unique tuning properties and patterns in these connections.
Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum 2026, 6-10 July, Barcelona, Spain
The FENS Forum 2026 will be Europe's largest neuroscience congress, covering areas of basic to translational research. Journalists can register for free and attend symposia and poster sessions.
Key to human intelligence lies in how brain networks work together
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame investigated how brain networks are organized and work together to form a unified system. They found evidence for system-wide coordination in the brain that is both robust and adaptable, suggesting that intelligence reflects how brain networks are coordinated and dynamically reconfigured.
New brain maps challenge traditional descriptions of the brain
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.
Can exercise turn back the clock on your brain? New study says yes
A 12-month aerobic exercise program reduced brain age by 0.6 years, while a control group showed a slight increase. The study suggests that following current exercise guidelines may help keep the brain biologically younger in midlife, supporting clearer thinking and stronger memory.
JMIR Publications’ JMIR Neurotechnology invites submissions on novel technological advances for neurological disorders
JMIR Publications' JMIR Neurotechnology journal now accepts submissions on novel technological advances for neurological disorders. Researchers can submit review articles exploring emerging technologies, such as neurofeedback, neurosurgery, and brain-machine interfaces.
Musical improvisation: pure inspiration or dynamic brain reconfiguration?
Research finds that musical improvisation involves a dynamic reconfiguration of the brain between emotion, technique, and structure. The study proposes a scalable method for exploring the neural basis of spontaneous creative behavior, highlighting the importance of interaction between networks over time.
Disappointment alters brain chemistry and behavior
A mouse study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers has found that acetylcholine release is essential for breaking habits and enabling new choices to be made. The study's findings may help understand diseases such as Parkinson's disease, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Sophisticated neuroimaging reveals PTSD in WTC responders is linked to measurable physical changes in brain structure
A study among WTC responders with chronic PTSD found measurable physical changes in their brain structure, including cortical changes and imbalance of myelinated to unmyelinated neurons. These changes were most strongly associated with re-experiencing symptoms in individuals with PTSD.
Is bioluminescence the key to safe, effective brain imaging?
Researchers at Brown University have created a bioluminescence tool that enables the measurement of activity in living brain cells without damaging them. The CaBLAM tool uses bioluminescent light production to capture single-cell and subcellular activity at high speeds, allowing for longer recordings and reducing hardware requirements.
Identification of an immuno-inflammatory biomarker in the brain supports potentially more effective personalized treatment for major psychiatric disorders
A study published in Biological Psychiatry identifies a distinct immuno-inflammatory biomarker in the brain linked to immune system dysfunction and poorer response to standard treatments. The findings provide potential value for clinical prediction and precision therapies.
Researchers from NUS Medicine and the Institute of Mental Health detect early brain changes linked to future psychosis development
The study used advanced neuroimaging methods to identify early, network-level changes in over 3,000 individuals at varying levels of risk for psychosis. Individuals at high clinical risk exhibited early disruptions in brain network organisation despite mild clinical symptoms.
How brain activity changes throughout the day
Researchers developed an experimental protocol to monitor brain activity in mouse models, finding that brain activity shifts from inner layers to cortex throughout the day. This discovery could lead to new methods for assessing fatigue and understanding mental health issues.
Miniature microscope captures real-time voltage signals in awake animals
The MiniVolt microscope enables recording of both rapid electrical spikes and smaller sub-threshold voltage changes in freely moving animals. This allows for a more complete view of how brain cells process information during natural behavior, leading to potential new treatments for neurological disorders.
EBRAINS Summit brings world-leading neuroscientists to Brussels
The EBRAINS Summit 2025 will bring together experts to assess how neuroscience can drive medical progress, digital innovation, and responsible data use. Preliminary results from the EPINOV clinical trial, integrating virtual brain technology for epilepsy surgery planning, will be presented.
X-rays bring high-resolution brain mapping within reach
Researchers have developed a new method to image brain tissue using X-rays, achieving unprecedented resolution and resolving the long-standing challenge of studying connectomics. The technique uses a specially designed epoxy resin and cooled stage to stabilize the sample, enabling the study of synapses and neural connections in three d...
Non-invasive technology can shape the brain’s reward-seeking mechanisms
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have successfully used transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) to change the function of a deep region of the human brain, specifically the nucleus accumbens. This tiny element is triggered by enjoyable experiences and helps us learn behaviours that lead to rewards.
How neuroscientists used Hollywood films to map out the human experience
Researchers analyzed clips from Hollywood films to identify brain structures linking visual and tactile experiences. They discovered eight remarkably similar maps in the visual cortex, mirroring the body's organization in the somatosensory cortex.
Scientists identify five ages of the human brain over a lifetime
Researchers identified five phases of brain structure, each supported by four turning points between birth and death, revealing key developments in cognitive performance, neural efficiency, and regional compartmentalization. The study provides context for understanding why brains develop differently at various stages of life.
USC study maps brain wiring differences in youth with autism
A USC study mapped tiny structural differences in white matter among children and young adults with autism, pinpointing patterns that earlier methods would have missed. The findings highlight the importance of developing new methods to better understand brain differences in autism.
Brain mechanisms in acute and chronic depression vary, according to new research
A new study found that individuals with a history of major depression showed higher MRI markers associated with neuroinflammation in the VTA, suggesting increased extracellular inflammatory processes. Current depressive symptom severity was associated with distinct microstructural changes indicating different underlying pathophysiologi...
FAU Engineering secures NIH grant to explore how the brain learns to ‘see’
Researchers will study neural mechanisms of visual perceptual learning (VPL) to generalize across the visual field, improving vision rehabilitation and AI systems. The project aims to develop a unified model of visual processing, VPL, and attention.
New cell-scale method reconstructs whole-brain fiber tracts from routine histology
Researchers developed a novel method called cytoarchitecture-based link estimation (CABLE) to infer axonal pathways from routine histology, reconstructing three-dimensional whole-brain fiber tracts at cellular scale. CABLE outperforms existing neuroimaging tools in resolving complex geometries and has potential applications in psychiat...
Carnegie Mellon researchers bring sickle cell disease pain into focus
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University's Wood Neuro Research Group uses advanced brain imaging and a digital visualization tool to better understand how pain is processed in the brain for people with sickle cell disease. The team found that patients had reduced connectivity across key brain networks linked to pain perception, partic...
Brain activity goes to extremes in soccer fans
A study published in Radiology found that soccer fans' brain activity is triggered by positive and negative emotions when watching their favorite team play. The researchers used fMRI to examine the brain's response to goal sequences from matches, revealing patterns of neural activation associated with social identity and fanaticism.
New brain atlas offers unprecedented detail in MRI scans
A new brain atlas developed by UCL researchers enables analysis of brain scans at an unprecedented level of detail, opening up possibilities for studying neurodegenerative diseases and ageing. The atlas uses AI to identify hundreds of brain regions in living patients quickly and consistently.