Articles tagged with Neuroimaging
A recent study published in Nature has identified a complex neural network in the fruit-fly brain that shapes behavior and decision-making, particularly when it comes to food choice. The 'appetite map' created by the researchers reveals how internal states, such as nutrient deficiencies and pregnancy, interact to guide behavior.
Researchers develop speckle-based compressive imaging technique to improve deep-tissue imaging in Alzheimer's disease studies. The method reduces pixel measurements needed, producing high-resolution images up to 11 times faster and three times bigger than traditional raster-scan approach.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign created a high-resolution map of the bearded dragon's brain, providing a standardized protocol for future clinical cases. The study identified nine anatomic structures in the brain and developed a safe and efficient MRI and sedation protocol.
A newly expanded data set of brain scans from stroke patients called ATLAS now includes 1,271 MRI images with manually segmented lesions, facilitating large-scale stroke recovery research. Researchers hope to develop algorithms to automate lesion segmentation, enabling clinicians to predict patient responses to therapies.
Researchers used CT and MRI perfusion techniques to analyze 19 patients with successful free flap reconstruction and five with wound failure. The study found that both methods showed significant differences between the two patient groups. Early postoperative scans could help surgeons intervene earlier, potentially reducing hospital stays.
Researchers found that walking enhances performance on cognitive tasks in 14 participants by increasing frontal brain function, while 12 others showed no improvement. This discovery highlights the flexibility of a healthy brain and has implications for understanding aging and neurological disorders.
A new approach uses a single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan to diagnose Alzheimer's disease with high accuracy, identifying changes in regions not previously associated with the condition. This method has the potential to revolutionize diagnosis and treatment, allowing for early intervention and improved patient outcomes.
Researchers developed a semi-ecological approach combining behavioral assessment and brain imaging to assess disinhibition in frontotemporal degeneration. The study found that compulsivity and social disinhibition are key components of the symptom, which can be distinguished using neuroanatomical correlates.
A new study by an international group of researchers has found substantial reductions in grey matter in people with anorexia nervosa, a condition characterized by severe food restriction and low body weight. Early intervention and treatment can help the brain repair itself, according to the research team led by Dr. Paul M. Thompson.
A HKUST research team developed a microscope combining 3PM with adaptive optics, achieving high-resolution imaging of neuronal structures in mouse cortices up to 750µm below the skull. This technology holds great potential to advance in-vivo imaging techniques and facilitate study of living brain.
Research reveals that healthy brain temperature varies significantly by brain region, age, sex, and time of day. Daily brain temperature cycles strongly correlate with survival in traumatic brain injury patients, suggesting potential improvements in understanding and treatment of brain injuries.
A novel somatostatin-receptor targeting peptide has shown excellent imaging in patients with meningiomas, identifying previously undetected lesions. The new agent offers significant logistical advantages, including a longer half-life and large-scale production capabilities.
Researchers will track changes in the blood-brain barrier, neurovascular function, and cognition in over 850 participants with genetic variants at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study aims to improve understanding of the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and identify effective interventions.
A major study of nearly 2,000 brain scans found significant reductions in cortical thickness, subcortical volumes, and cortical surface area in individuals with anorexia. Early treatment and weight gain were shown to positively impact brain structure, suggesting the potential for long-term recovery.
Researchers used AI to compare brain images of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder to computer-generated simulations, revealing links between brain anatomy and symptoms. The discovery could help understand ASD causes and develop targeted interventions.
The JNM Molecular Imaging of Neurodegeneration Supplement provides an overview of molecular imaging techniques in neurodegenerative disorders. The supplement aims to improve early and differential diagnosis, as well as stratify and monitor therapy in these disorders.
A recent study published in PNAS Nexus found that brain scans can accurately predict a person's political ideology, regardless of whether they are performing tasks or simply thinking. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans and artificial intelligence techniques to analyze the brain activity of 174 healthy adu...
Researchers developed a new ultrasound localization microscopy technique to image blood vessels and measure blood flow in the brain. The method uses microscopic bubbles as a contrast agent and accelerates post-processing to 10-30 seconds, enabling rapid imaging of whole-brain microvasculature.
A small study suggests that maternal psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic may be associated with changes in the brain of developing fetuses. The study found decreased brain structure and volumetric measures in fetuses from the pandemic cohort compared to the pre-pandemic cohort.
Researchers have developed a new tool to visualize leukocytes in the brain vasculature during in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy. The tool uses a fluorescent antibody targeting CD45, a ubiquitously expressed protein on white blood cells, allowing for tracking of circulating leukocytes over time and space.
Researchers have developed an imaging technique to capture information about brain tissue at the subcellular level, combining seven methods to visualize neural networks and individual cells. This approach allows for a complete picture of brain structure and function, overcoming challenges of imaging tissues at different scales.
Researchers will investigate neural mechanisms during learning in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with and without clinical depression. The study aims to identify new knowledge about the effect of depression on the injured brain, which may lead to interventions for rehabilitation.
A study led by Flinders University reveals that Australia's Letter-winged kite may not have enhanced vision for nighttime hunting as previously thought. The research found similar eye dimensions to its daytime-hunting relatives, contradicting decades of speculation about the kite's visual system.
A new statistical method for brain mapping is proposed to improve accuracy by removing redundant associations. The study uses simulations to test the method's performance on fake diseases and scores, revealing its superiority over existing approaches. The next step is to apply this refined analysis to study Alzheimer's disease.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have created a method to scan and image the blood flow and oxygen levels inside a mouse brain in real-time. The new imaging approach breaks long-standing speed and resolution barriers, enabling researchers to uncover insights into neurovascular diseases like stroke, dementia, and acute brain injury.
Researchers have mapped the brain's changes during depression treatment using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The study found that certain brain regions activated by rTMS were associated with better treatment outcomes. This new understanding could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of depression.
A team of researchers has developed a novel method using infrared imaging to assess glymphatic function, which is crucial for understanding neurological conditions. The technique allows for the measurement of temporal dynamics of glymphatic functions and provides insights into brain fluid exchange and clearance.
Recent advances in neuroimaging technology show promise in helping tES to effectively treat visual hallucinations (VH) in psychiatric disorders. These advances, combined with individualized modeling techniques and advanced electrical field modeling, may provide a sound foundation for subsequent research on using VH.
Researchers are developing a novel MRI nanotechnology that targets specific markers in solid tumours, including high-grade brain cancers. The new imaging technology has shown promising preclinical results and is set to be tested in a first-in-human clinical trial.
Researchers suggest a novel neuroimaging technique can unveil Alzheimer's disease secrets and predict symptom risk. The 'neuromelanin-sensitive MRI' method provides insights into the brain's noradrenergic system, linked to aggressive behavior and cognitive decline.
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.
Researchers discovered that mosquito brains use a surprisingly simple mechanism to recognize human odor, involving just two nerve centers. The team identified the specific compounds decanal and undecanal as key components of human scent, which are also present in other mammal odors.
The University of Texas at El Paso has received a $5M NIH grant to build an imaging and behavioral neuroscience facility focused on addressing Hispanic health disparities. The new facility will enable researchers to study the mechanisms contributing to cancer and neurological disorders in Hispanic populations.
The latest neurophotonic tools and techniques are reviewed in a new status report, covering advances from molecular nanoprobes to cortical column imaging. The report provides an overview of current state and future directions for brain science research.
A team of researchers developed a prognostic model using automated brain scans and machine learning to predict survival and recovery in severe TBI patients. The model accurately predicted risk of death and unfavorable outcomes at six months after the injury, potentially improving clinical decision-making and patient care.
A team of UTHealth Houston researchers has been awarded a $2.85 million NIH grant to study a new technique assessing cerebrospinal fluid in babies with hydrocephalus, which affects 400,000 newborns globally each year.
A new robotic system allows surgeons to remotely treat patients experiencing a stroke or aneurysm, providing teleoperated endovascular treatment during the critical golden hour. With just one hour of training, neurosurgeons can successfully operate the system to guide a wire through complex vessels and reach difficult-to-reach areas.
A new study by researchers at the University of Birmingham has identified two distinct brain structure patterns associated with poor outcomes in patients with recent onset psychosis and depression. The study used MRI scans to analyze grey matter volume and found that lower volumes were linked to poorer outcomes, while higher volumes we...
A research team at HKUST has developed a long-term in vivo imaging technique to study spinal cord injury, allowing for repeated and stable imaging without triggering inflammation. The breakthrough enables researchers to track microglia and understand their interaction with degenerating and regenerating axons.
Researchers have identified a biomarker that indicates high risk of impending stroke post-subarachnoid hemorrhage, enabling early treatment initiation in comatose patients. Electrodiagnostic monitoring detects 'spreading depolarizations' caused by toxic by-products of blood breakdown, allowing clinicians to intervene before it's too late.
Researchers are developing technologies to image tens or hundreds of human brains at unprecedented speed, generating comprehensive brain-cell atlases to uncover behavior, emotion, and cognition. The team aims to chart the diversity of brain cells, including neurons and glial cells, to gain insights into normal brain function and disease.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that frontotemporal dementia patients with extrapyramidal symptoms have significant brainstem atrophy and reduced metabolism, facilitating differential diagnostics for FTD. This can help distinguish between FTD and other diseases causing extrapyramidal symptoms.
The BrainChart platform benchmarks brain development based on MRI data from over 100,000 individuals, creating a standardized chart like those for height and weight. The tool identifies previously unreported neurodevelopmental milestones and provides a common language to understand brain images from different sources.
Researchers created brain charts spanning human lifespan, revealing rapid brain growth in early life and slow decline with age. The charts use aggregated MRI datasets, covering a range of ages from fetus to 100-year-old adult, and aim to create a common language for describing brain development and maturation.
Researchers analyzed prenatal MRI scans of children later diagnosed with autism and found significant differences in brain structures at 25 weeks' gestation. These differences may be a strong biomarker for predicting ASD emergence, with the insular lobe showing increased volume.
Dystonia is characterized by involuntary movements and postures, limiting daily activities. A new study maps specific brain networks for treatment success in patients with cervical and generalized dystonia. The findings reveal distinct stimulation sites depending on the type of dystonia, offering a more targeted approach to improving t...
Researchers at Boston University have developed optoacoustic neurostimulation with single neuron and subcellular level precision. Optoacoustic neuromodulation may offer advantages over ultrasonic neuromodulation, including higher spatial temporal resolution.
A recent brain imaging study has found evidence of weakening connections between key brain areas in adolescents at high genetic risk of developing bipolar disorder. This study suggests that early intervention strategies may be effective in preventing the progression towards major changes in the brain.
Mayo Clinic researchers propose a novel computational model that links Alzheimer's disease symptoms to brain anatomy, revealing a complex relationship between mental processing and brain function. The model uses machine learning to analyze patient brain imaging data and compresses complex brain anatomy into a conceptual framework.
Researchers at UVA Health System discovered a cluster of cells in the brainstem that controls the body's response to severe blood loss. The study found that re-activating these neurons can restore blood pressure and heart rate in lab rats, offering new hope for treating traumatic injuries.
Researchers collected hundreds of cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with Diffuse Midline Glioma, tracking changes in cell-free tumor DNA over time. The findings suggest that this method could provide data about tumors sooner than MRIs alone, allowing clinicians to address aggressive brain cancer more effectively.
Scientists have developed a new technology to decode brain activity and infer the meaning of a person's mental picture. The study used electrocorticogram to detect patterns in brain activity while patients imagined different images, revealing distinct representations for each concept. This breakthrough could lead to the development of ...
A comprehensive literature review of molecular imaging findings indicates that COVID-19 neurological complications such as fatigue and cognitive impairment are often reversible. The study identifies important implications for other neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Brainwide association studies need thousands of individuals to yield higher reproducibility, as smaller samples often uncover strong but spurious associations. Larger sample sizes lead to more likely reproductions of correlations, with effect sizes decreasing as the number of participants increases.
A Johns Hopkins study shows that a higher dose of the antibiotic rifampin may be more effective in treating TB meningitis, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes. The research suggests that high doses of rifampin can kill bacteria faster while minimizing brain inflammation.
A USC-led study reveals that children with binge eating disorder show abnormalities in gray matter density compared to unaffected peers, indicating a possible link between the disorder and brain development. The findings suggest that treatment may need to address underlying brain abnormalities.
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.
The new device, Bio-FlatScope, uses a custom algorithm to reconstruct images of micron-scale targets like cells and blood vessels inside the body. The light captured by Bio-FlatScope can be refocused after the fact to reveal 3D details, making it potentially valuable for detecting cancer or sepsis.
A new study using a dataset of over 36,000 adults found that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption was associated with reductions in overall brain volume. The association grew stronger with increasing levels of alcohol consumption, comparable to aging two and three years, respectively.
A multicenter study validates the accuracy and reliability of NS-RADS for classifying and grading peripheral neuropathies, with high interrater agreement across different reader experience levels. The study shows promising results for routine practice, suggesting NS-RADS as a standardized guideline for reporting peripheral neuropathies.