Articles tagged with Neuroimaging
Researchers found that children can perform approximate division, even before learning the formal symbol, improving potential for at-risk students. The study's results support harnessing intuitive arithmetic abilities to close the achievement gap in math education.
Researchers at MUSC and University of Florida successfully visualize the complete human brain lymphatic system in living humans using a new non-invasive MRI technique. This breakthrough enhances our understanding of brain function and may provide insights into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Research finds that subconcussive head impacts in youth football can impair cognitive brain function, particularly in attention and processing sensitivity. The study used brain vital signs to track changes in brain function over time, providing a predictive relationship between head impact exposure and cognitive impairment.
A noninvasive imaging method called virtual intracranial EEG (ViEEG) has been developed to replace electrodes in epilepsy surgery planning. The method uses magnetoencephalographic (MEG) imaging to create a dynamic map of the brain during seizures, enabling precise identification of brain networks involved in seizure generation.
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that living through the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to brain inflammation and symptoms like fatigue, concentration difficulties, and depression in uninfected people. The research suggests that societal and lifestyle disruptions during the pandemic may trigger this inflammatory response.
A new UCLA study has found that hippocampal neurons in rats accurately map the position of a moving object even when stationary, challenging prevailing hypotheses about brain function. The findings open up new research avenues into memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at UC San Diego's Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind discovered that fruit flies possess more sophisticated cognitive abilities than previously known. Using virtual reality and real-time brain imaging, they found attention, working memory, and conscious awareness-like capabilities in flies.
Researchers compared two treatment methods for wide-neck aneurysms: microsurgery with clips and coils/stents deployed via catheters. Microsurgery was found to be longer-lasting, but endovascular therapy showed superior clinical outcomes in unruptured aneurysms.
A new microscope allows for real-time aberration-free dynamic speckle microscopy using compressed time-reversal matrix technology. This enables almost real-time volumetric adaptive optical imaging with reduced data acquisition time and improved lateral resolution.
Chronic pain may lead to changed eating behavior and obesity due to altered brain responses to sugar and fat. Brain scans reveal a smaller nucleus accumbens in patients with chronic pain who experience disrupted satiety signals.
A new wearable magnetic metamaterial helmet can create better brain scans by boosting MRI performance. It fits over a person's head during a brain scan, creating crisper images that can be captured at twice the normal speed.
A study by UC Davis MIND Institute researchers found that autistic children have distinct amygdala changes, with larger volumes associated with traditional anxiety and smaller volumes linked to autism-distinct anxieties. The study used brain scans of 71 autistic and 55 non-autistic children between ages 2-12.
A team of scientists has identified hundreds of new genomic loci associated with brain structure, shedding light on how the human brain is shaped. The study used genetically informed brain atlases to uncover the largest number of genetic variants linked to cortex size and thickness.
Researchers analyzed data from over 35,000 adults who had no history of stroke or dementia. Those with optimal cardiovascular health showed a 2.4% higher brain volume, equivalent to a 7-year younger brain. Good blood pressure control and healthy blood sugar levels also contributed to healthier brain imaging measures.
Studies using magnetic resonance imaging found a correlation between decreased blood flow in specific brain areas and tinnitus severity. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explored these links to better understand the causes of tinnitus.
The US healthcare system is failing to provide adequate care for traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors, experts warn. A recent report recommends using a comprehensive classification system that incorporates the Glasgow Coma Scale score, CT scans, and blood tests to better assess the severity of TBI.
The Epstein Family Foundation has donated $50 million to USC and UC San Diego to accelerate Alzheimer's research and discover effective therapies for the disease. The collaboration aims to compress study design, patient recruitment, and clinical trials to expedite the discovery of better treatments and a cure.
Researchers found that moderate aerobic cycling improved auditory verbal learning and processing speed, as well as increased volumes of the hippocampus and cerebellar cortex. The study suggests exercise interventions may be an attractive option for improving cognitive function in individuals with traumatic brain injury.
New research reveals the brain's flexibility in multitasking while walking, improving stability and performance. The study uses a Mobile Brain/Body Imaging system to record brain activity while participants walk on a treadmill or perform cognitive tasks.
A UCLA-led study found that aducanumab's ancillary care services, such as MRIs and neurologist visits, account for nearly 20% of total Medicare costs. The estimated annual spending on the drug could increase Medicare premiums.
A team of Weill Cornell Medicine investigators created a comprehensive atlas, called Tau interactome, that maps all the Tau protein's interactions with other proteins in human neurons. They found that mutations diminish Tau-mitochondrial protein interaction may hamper energy production and lead to cognitive decline.
The new sensor grids offer 100 times higher resolution than existing technology, allowing for more precise identification of seizure origins and preservation of healthy brain tissue. Longer term, the technology holds potential for permanent implantation to improve life quality for people with paralysis or neurodegenerative diseases.
A new wearable headset, Kernel Flow, monitors brain activity using time-domain fNIRS. The system can record high-resolution brain signals from across the brain with performance similar to conventional systems.
A new MRI technique has been developed to detect changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) at an earlier stage. This technique, proton MR spectroscopy with a 7-tesla magnet, can visualize brain changes that appear normal on conventional MRI scans.
A new tissue expansion method, eMAP, has been developed to improve neural imaging. It allows for the imaging of proteins at neural connections, enabling the measurement of their relative distances and abundance. The technology facilitates high-throughput analysis and enables multiscale imaging of synapses along whole neuronal branches.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a portable brain imaging procedure using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to detect acute impairment from THC intoxication. The technique shows promise in distinguishing between impairment and mild intoxication, with accuracy confirmed by machine learning models.
Researchers have discovered a new biomarker, microstate D, associated with increased sleep disturbance and inattention symptoms in adults with ADHD. The study, published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, provides evidence for a more precise diagnosis of the disorder.
A new study by researchers from Eötvös Loránd University found that dog brains can differentiate between two languages, with distinct activity patterns in primary and secondary auditory cortices. The study used brain imaging to compare dogs' responses to speech and non-speech stimuli in Spanish and Hungarian.
Automated brain volumetry in memory-impaired patients shows significant differences and systematic biases between conventional and ultrafast 3D T1-weighted MRI sequences. Most regions demonstrated substantial agreement but also significantly different mean values and consistent biases.
A new study reveals that the superior colliculus, a lesser-studied region responsible for saccades and facial recognition, dynamically changes its clustering of neurons depending on the mouse's conscious state. This finding suggests that the brain optimizes visual information processing based on its awake or anesthetized state.
A new study found that white matter structural tracts are relatively stable throughout typical development, but show increased instability in children with psychosis spectrum symptoms. The integrity of these tracts was lower in children with psychosis and associated with cognitive function.
A pilot study of exercise and cognition in progressive multiple sclerosis found that cardiorespiratory fitness and free-living physical activity were not associated with improved cognitive performance. The study, which analyzed data from 240 individuals with progressive MS, suggests that other mechanisms may be at play.
Research using fNIRS found that young children's ability to appreciate humor varies with age and sex. The study suggests differences in brain activity between boys and girls, as well as developmental stages, when it comes to recognizing humor.
Researchers found improvements in verbal learning and memory and preservation of hippocampal volume in participants with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis after 12 weeks of supervised treadmill walking exercise. A targeted pilot randomized controlled trial demonstrated the effectiveness of this intervention for managing cognitive ...
A new theory suggests that stuttering is caused by anomalies in the brain's initiation circuit, which chooses a word to speak. This circuit is separate from the muscle-coordinating circuit, and its impairment leads to stuttering. Researchers believe this could lead to targeted treatments for stuttering with fewer side effects.
Researchers at Göttingen University have developed a new X-ray imaging method to detect changes in neuronal cell nuclei, indicating altered activity of neurons. This technique enabled the identification of changes in neurons in Alzheimer's disease.
The human brain contains trillions of contact points, requiring massive computational resources. Researchers outline the need for exascale computing power to tackle brain complexity.
A new confocal platform using artificial intelligence and multiple lenses improves volumetric resolution by over 10-fold while reducing phototoxicity. The platform uses Deep Learning algorithms to distinguish between high-quality images with low signal-to-noise ratio and better images.
A new 'image analysis pipeline' called TDAExplore gives scientists rapid insight into how cells are changed by disease, using a combination of microscopy, topology, and artificial intelligence. This approach can provide objective information on cell changes, such as the movement of proteins like actin, even with limited training data.
A recent study reveals that child maltreatment is associated with altered oxytocin gene methylation, leading to atypical brain structures and function. This finding suggests a potential biological mechanism for targeting during adolescence to improve the lives of victims of childhood abuse.
Researchers at the University of Trento discovered brain cells acting as a compass for navigating conceptual spaces, similar to those found in physical environments. These 'head-direction cells' signal direction even when movement occurs in abstract spaces, suggesting a complementary mechanism for conceptual navigation.
Convolutional neural networks trained to identify abnormalities on upper extremity radiographs are susceptible to a ubiquitous confounding image feature: radiograph labels. Covering these labels increases accuracy, while using them alone leads to decreased performance.
Researchers have used advanced microscopy to study the ultrastructure of huntingtin inclusions, revealing different mechanisms of aggregation that lead to distinct biochemical properties. The findings suggest targeting inclusion growth as a potential therapeutic strategy for slowing Huntington's disease progression.
Studies using virtual reality environments revealed that individuals with anxiety disorders exhibited increased brain activity in response to perceived threats, even in safe areas. The findings highlight the need for personalized treatments that help patients regain control over their body.
A new international study found that routine non-contrast computed tomography (CT) screening yielded similar outcomes to advanced imaging modalities like CT perfusion and MRI for eligible stroke patients. The data showed faster times to treatment for patients screened with less-costly, more accessible imaging technologies.
Researchers developed a method to image lithium in living cells, finding that neurons from bipolar disorder patients accumulate higher levels of lithium than healthy controls. This new tool could help optimize lithium dosage and improve treatment outcomes for patients with bipolar disorder.
A study of 5.9 million radiological examinations found no significant difference in major and minor discrepancy rates for acute community setting exams between concordant and discordant with radiologists' fellowship training. However, advanced examination discrepancies were higher when concordant with radiologists' fellowship training.
Longitudinal study reveals cortical thinning in people with bipolar disorder, especially those with more manic episodes. The findings suggest that bipolar disorder may be a neuroprogressive disorder, worsened by the progression of symptoms.
A recent study suggests that Long-COVID symptoms, such as cognitive deficits and fatigue, may be attributed to fatigue rather than pathological changes in the brain. Neuroimaging results showed no significant differences in cerebral glucose metabolism or brain pathology between patients with long-COVID and healthy controls.
A recent study used gene-targeting drugs to suppress areas of the brain and then imaged brain activity, revealing how this affects other complex operational networks. The research team found that silencing specific brain regions can cause stimulatory and inhibitory changes in brain activity, which can be identified using fMRI.
A pilot study examines graph-theoretical properties of brain networks in traumatic brain injury and controls, showing association with balance impairment and structural damage. The study uses EEG-based functional connectivity measures during a balance perturbation task to explore underlying neural mechanisms.
Researchers at GIST create an optical technique called optical speckle image velocimetry that can image dynamic changes in cerebral blood flow, allowing for the diagnosis of brain health. The technique provides high-time resolution and measures both speed and direction of blood flow.
A new MIT study suggests that pedestrians choose routes that point most directly toward their destination, even if those routes are longer. This strategy, known as vector-based navigation, may have evolved to allow the brain to devote more power to other tasks.
Researchers have discovered that each person has a unique brain fingerprint that can be identified in just over a minute using functional connectomics. The study's findings have significant implications for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, autism, and stroke.
The Human Brain Project unveiled its 8th annual Summit with presentations of new scientific insights and technologies. The project has developed a powerful new infrastructure called EBRAINS, which will serve generations of brain scientists.
Researchers have identified that moment-to-moment brain signal variability can reliably predict the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with social anxiety disorder. This finding suggests that neural variability may be a reliable indicator of individual differences in treatment response, particularly when using ...
New research reveals that microglia in the brain take up more glucose than previously thought, leading to altered PET scan images. This finding has significant implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and developing new diagnostic tools.
A novel neuroimaging technique using bacterial enzymes and inhibitors enables better live visualization of brain circuitry. The technique facilitates in vivo imaging without disrupting the blood-brain barrier, allowing for the detection of undetectable tau protein assemblies in neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have proposed a wearable, flexible scanner to enable patients to move naturally during brain scans. The technology uses photoacoustic imaging to visualize the cerebral cortex without the need for sedation or confined spaces.
A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University has discovered how the brains of advanced physicists organize highly abstract scientific concepts. They found that physicists' brains group concepts into measureable versus immeasurable size, and that these patterns are organized separately in their brains. This study provides insight...