Articles tagged with Neuroimaging
The cerebellum contributes to creating a cognitive map of the environment through altering chemical communication between its neurons. Inactivation of this ability impairs navigation, as seen in transgenic mice lacking long-term depression in cerebellar neurons.
Research finds that IQ can increase or decrease significantly during adolescence, with changes linked to brain structure. Brain scans revealed correlations between improved verbal and non-verbal IQ scores and increased grey matter density in specific brain areas.
A study using MRI techniques has identified patients with recent strokes who can benefit from timely thrombosis treatment. The technique, combining diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), enables the pinpointing of the stroke's onset time, which is crucial for determining treatment efficacy.
A new study suggests that Alzheimer's disease symptoms are less noticeable in people over 80 compared to those between 60-75. Brain scans revealed that executive function, memory, and attention were less abnormal in older adults.
Scientists studied brain cells in rats and found that only place cells were sensitive to height, with weak responsiveness. The brain's sense of space is more accurate in horizontal directions, suggesting a flat map of space for altitude.
A study found that long-term meditators have stronger connections between brain regions and show less age-related brain atrophy. The effects are evident throughout the entire brain, not just in specific areas.
The Cornell-developed Planar Fourier Capture Array (PFCA) is a pinhead-size, lens-free camera that can resolve images about 20 pixels across. It uses the principles of the Fourier transform to capture multiple angles of light and has numerous applications in science, including surgery and robotics.
Researchers used a brain scan to assess amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in adults with Down syndrome, revealing higher levels in all brain regions compared to healthy controls. The study found significant associations between increased age and higher binding values in specific brain areas.
Researchers have created a 3-D movie of brain activity while an individual loses consciousness, revealing a change in electrical activity and communication between brain cells. The findings support a hypothesis that consciousness is formed by neural assemblies, which work efficiently together or not, depending on sensory stimulations.
Researchers used advanced imaging technique to detect blast-related injuries in US military personnel, finding abnormalities in brain white matter. These findings suggest fundamental differences between blast-related and civilian traumatic brain injuries.
Computer science researchers at Brown University have developed a new way to visualize the human brain's neural connections using 2D maps. These simplified representations can help medical professionals identify potential pathologies, such as autism, and understand how neural bundles differ among individuals.
The National Academies Keck Futures Initiative has awarded $1 million for 13 interdisciplinary research projects in imaging science, aiming to improve detection and treatment of diseases. The selected projects focus on developing new biomedical imaging methods, including adaptive optics, statistical analysis, and multiscale modeling.
Researchers develop a new method to visualize lipid distribution in the human brain, revealing detailed information about neurodegenerative diseases. The study uses imaging mass spectrometry and functional autoradiography to identify 43 types of lipids in three distinct brain regions.
Researchers mapped spinal cord function using MRI to improve injury diagnosis and treatment. Attention levels impact spinal cord processing, affecting pain management for those with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers found that individuals who treated for alcohol use disorder and relapsed had thinner cortices in the brain's reward system compared to those who remained abstinent. The study suggests that neurobiological factors play a crucial role in relapse and may be associated with impaired problem-solving, mood, and impulse control.
Researchers have discovered a link between a variation of the BDNF gene and Alzheimer's disease, with those carrying the gene more likely to exhibit thinner temporal lobe structures and disrupted neural connections. This breakthrough study could lead to early identification and intervention for the disease.
Researchers at Vancouver Coastal Health and UBC found that mini-strokes can create lasting damage to the brain, even when symptoms resolve quickly. The study used transcranial magnetic stimulation to detect changes in brain cells, showing a significant increase in excitability on the affected side.
Brain scans show children with ADHD struggle to control brain activity when bored, but perform better with incentives or medication. The study provides insight into the neural mechanisms underlying attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Scientists created a 3D map of the fruit fly brain's neural networks, revealing 41 local processing units, 6 hubs, and 58 tracts. The breakthrough enables researchers to analyze how the brain processes information and control behaviors.
University of Utah researchers discovered a miniature map in the brain that helps us focus attention on different stimuli. This map is found in multiple areas of the brain and has important implications for understanding diseases such as autism, schizophrenia, and attention deficit disorder.
Dr. Charles DeCarli, an international leader in neuroimaging, has received the 2010 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine for his groundbreaking research on imaging of the aging brain and its connection to vascular diseases.
A new computer program helps researchers map brain connectivity in children and adults, showing how white matter improves with age. The tool may aid epilepsy and schizophrenia research, and inform brain surgeons about potential surgical sites.
Researchers at the University of Utah Health used MRI to identify areas where the left and right hemispheres of the brains of people with autism do not properly communicate. The study found functional connectivity abnormalities in the entire brain, adding to the understanding of this disorder.
Researchers have identified neuroimaging techniques that can predict Parkinson's disease in patients with REM sleep disturbances, enabling early neuroprotective treatment strategies. A study found that 19% of patients developed a neurodegenerative disorder within two and a half years, with 5 cases of Parkinson's disease among those sho...
Researchers have identified neuroimaging abnormalities in patients with rapid-eye-movement sleep behaviour disorder that predict the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The study found decreased striatal dopamine transporters uptake and midbrain hyperechogenicity to be risk factors for developing Parkinson's disease, dementia wi...
A team of scientists has created a brain atlas that maps the connections between different parts of the human brain. This atlas will help researchers better understand disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, which are believed to be caused by abnormal connections among different regions within the brain.
Scientists have found 'grid cells' for the first time outside of the entorhinal cortex in the rat brain, expanding our knowledge of how the brain generates internal maps. These grid cells work together with other neural cells to create a series of maps that help with navigation and recognition of specific landmarks.
Researchers at UC Davis have found a distinctive pattern of brain imaging and biomarker deviations that may indicate an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease. The study, published in Neurobiology of Aging, analyzed data from over 800 older adults and identified three subgroups with distinct imaging and laboratory measures.
A new study has identified two tests - episodic memory test and PET brain scan - that can accurately predict the development of Alzheimer's disease. These tests are nearly 12 times more effective than others in predicting disease progression.
Researchers developed a new radiotracer, florbetapir F18, to distinguish between Alzheimer's disease patients and healthy volunteers on brain scans. The compound has a longer half-life than previous options, allowing for more widespread use and potential applications in diagnosing dementia and tracking disease progression.
A study found that genetic variants and neuroimaging measures are associated with Alzheimer's disease risk, providing new insights into the condition's mechanisms. The research identified three new genetic loci linked to Alzheimer's disease, as well as two new targets for future study.
A study by UCLA researchers found that nearly half of US adults with European ancestry carry the FTO gene variant, which is associated with weight gain but also linked to brain tissue loss. The findings suggest that individuals carrying this gene allele are at risk for a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer's and dementia.
A special issue of NeuroRehabilitation presents a comprehensive review of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HI-BI), including neuropathophysiology, neuroimaging assessment, and management strategies. The issue highlights the challenges of treating HI-BI patients and provides insights into current research.
Researchers at University College London have identified 'grid cells' in the human brain for the first time, which may help explain how we create internal maps of new environments. These specialized neurons are involved in spatial memory and have been previously discovered in rodent brains.
Neuroscientists and computer scientists identified how the brain arranges noun representations, using a neural Rosetta Stone. The three basic features of the brain's dictionary concern physical interaction, eating, and shelter or enclosure. This discovery has implications for treating psychiatric and neurological illnesses.
A study using positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans identified different forms of Parkinsonism with high accuracy. The research found that image-based classification had excellent specificity and positive predictive value for idiopathic Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy.
A new brain scan, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), has been shown to detect changes in the hippocampus that are associated with memory decline. DTI-MRI scans were found to be more accurate than traditional MRI in identifying changes related to Alzheimer's disease.
Intensive reading instruction improves reading skills and alters brain tissue, increasing white matter quality and communication bandwidth. The study provides new insights into treating reading disabilities and developmental disorders.
New studies demonstrate the thalamus' importance in sensory processing, refuting its previous view as a passive relay station. The structure is found to be involved in higher-order cortical functioning, including auditory and visual systems.
Researchers have developed a new method using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to improve the removal of benign tumors in children. By visualizing nerve fiber bundles, DTI enables surgeons to avoid damaging critical brain tissue and achieve more complete tumor removal.
A study published in JACR found that on-call radiology residents can accurately interpret emergency neuroradiology CT scans after hours. The accuracy of image interpretation is crucial for diagnostic radiology, with clinicians relying solely on preliminary interpretations to make treatment decisions.
A recent UCLA study found that blindness causes structural changes in the brain, leading to compensatory growth in non-visual areas. This adaptation enables individuals with visual impairments to develop enhanced skills in other senses.
Researchers developed a fast and accurate method to quantify subtle brain volume loss in Alzheimer's patients, outperforming existing measures. The new technique identifies changes in memory regions, particularly the entorhinal cortex, as sensitive markers for early disease stages.
A study found that left- and right-handed individuals have distinct body maps in the brain, influencing how they perceive their physical bodies. Left-handers estimated both arms as equal length, while right-handers consistently perceived their right arm as longer.
Researchers Partha Mitra and Josh Dubnau will use their grants to create the first brain-wide circuit diagram for the mouse, aiming to determine alterations in corresponding circuits of neuropsychiatric disorder models. They also aim to trace how brain proteins are regulated at synapses, a complex process that is not well understood.
A new study has found that nearly three percent of healthy people have an abnormality on a brain MRI scan, raising concerns about the benefits of commercial brain screening. The researchers argue that there is limited medical evidence to support treatment for incidental abnormalities, potentially creating anxiety among patients.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School used two-photon microscopy to track calcium levels in neurons during electrical stimulation, revealing a scattered and widely distributed set of neurons switch on. The findings contradict a long-standing hypothesis and suggest that axons are being stimulated rather than cell bodies.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found a strong link between concussions and brain tissue injury, using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to detect subtle changes in the brain. The study suggests that DTI scanning could help diagnose concussions and predict lasting loss of executive function.
A study by Scripps Research, UCSD, and University of Oslo teams found that genetic variations in the MECP2 gene correlate with brain structure, particularly in males. The research opens up new avenues for understanding autism and other neurological conditions, and may lead to potential treatments.
The IBMISPS Annual Awards honored the courage and dedication of Bob Woodruff, a veteran injured in Iraq, and Colin Rich, a decorated Special Forces soldier. The awards also recognized Senator John Kerry's support for medical research and healthcare reform.
A study of 679 people aged 65 and older found that white matter hyperintensities were strongly linked to memory loss, while infarcts predicted non-memory cognitive problems. The results suggest that brain damage visible on scans may be a predictor of memory decline in old age.
Researchers at UCI have identified TOMM40 as a gene that increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by twice its presence in healthy individuals. The study also found that those with ApoE-4 are three to eight times more likely to develop the disease, highlighting new potential therapeutic targets.
The Alzheimer's Association honored six researchers with lifetime achievement awards for their pioneering work in advancing Alzheimer's research. The awards acknowledged significant advancements in anti-dementia drug therapies and early detection, paving the way for defeating the disease.
Researchers aim to create a brain map that can help diagnose early-stage schizophrenia and guide more effective treatment. The study, led by Northwestern University, uses topographical brain maps to compare the structures of individuals with schizophrenia to those without, hoping to identify key differences in brain function.
Researchers at UAB have created a 3D computer protein map of the acid-sensing ion channel-1 protein, which can help identify new drug targets and test compounds to slow brain-cell death, halt brain cancer, and improve pain control.
A fully automated procedure measuring brain structures is effective in predicting the progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease. The technique can be used in clinics to measure brain atrophy and help physicians predict decline in MCI patients.
Michael R. Kilbourn, a professor at the University of Michigan, received the prestigious Paul C. Aebersold Award for his contributions to molecular imaging and nuclear medicine. He has advanced research efforts in various areas, including positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals.
Researchers developed software to analyze brain images, identifying anatomic differences in three regions: hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and supramarginal gyrus. This allows for accurate diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease with high accuracy.
A multidisciplinary study using NASA's electronic nose found that it can detect odour differences between normal and cancerous brain cells, opening up possibilities for new diagnosis and treatment methods. The device has shown promise in detecting cellular trafficking, brain cancer metastasis, and stem cell migration.
A recent report by the Royal College of Physicians found that up to a quarter of stroke patients do not receive optimal treatment in specialist units. The editorial advocates for increased public awareness and priority for stroke care, citing the importance of rapid recognition and admission to acute units.