Articles tagged with Neuroimaging
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 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.
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 study using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reveals new details about the brain's white matter tracts, allowing radiologists to better understand conditions such as tumors, hemorrhages, and strokes. DTI provides a comprehensive view of brain anatomy, including connectivity between regions.
Studies using brain imaging have identified distinct regional vulnerabilities within five intrinsic networks, suggesting a class-wide phenomenon of network degeneration. These findings support the hypothesis that spatial patterning of disease relates to structural or physiological aspects of neural network biology.
Researchers aim to create a whole-brain circuit map in the mouse brain within two to three years, providing insights into neurodevelopmental illnesses. The project would involve tracing inputs and outputs of each area using standardized protocols and technologically feasible techniques.
Researchers have developed new powerful software that reduces the time it takes to process brain mapping data from decades to a few months. This technology allows scientists to build brain maps from their desktops, enabling the exploration of traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and epilepsy.
A novel framework reconstructs neural networks with high-throughput tools, accelerating brain mapping and enabling global collaboration. The technology enables the creation of terabyte-scale volumes and gigabyte-scale mosaics, providing a blueprint for healthy neural tissues.
Long-term follow-up of patients with coiled and clipped aneurysms reveals improved survival rates for coiled aneurysms at five years. However, the risk of rebleeding is slightly higher for coiled aneurysms in the first five years.
A collaborative study by McGill University researchers discovered a positive correlation between cognitive ability and cortical thickness in the brains of healthy 6 to 18-year-olds. The link was found in regions integrating information from different parts of the brain, including 'multi-modal association' areas.
The ADNI has completed a high-density genome-wide analysis of over 800 participants, providing a unique opportunity for researchers to explore genetic factors related to Alzheimer's disease. The data will be shared with scientists worldwide for further analysis and gene discovery.
Researchers created detailed brain maps using MRI and CT scans of 241 patients with cognitive impairment. The study found that verbal comprehension and working memory indices share overlapping brain regions, suggesting they may represent the same type of intelligence.
Researchers used innovative brain-scan technology developed at UCLA to help diagnose brain aging, often before symptoms appear. The study combined PET scans with patient-specific information on Alzheimer's risk and found that older age correlated with higher concentrations of abnormal protein deposits in the brain.
Researchers at UC San Diego are creating a new imaging process, MoBI, to study human brain and body dynamics during natural activities. This technology combines EEG recordings with motion capture, allowing scientists to explore distributed brain dynamics supporting human behavior.
The SINAPSE project brings together six Scottish universities to advance research into conditions like strokes, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia. The collaboration will enable the sharing of state-of-the-art technology to film brain workings, leading to new discoveries for treating brain conditions.
A Salk Institute team identified p75 as an unexpected factor that helps keep retinal axons from going astray. The protein previously known for regulating cell survival leads a double life as an axon guidance protein.
Researchers mapped and digitized smells, discovering a multidimensional map of odors that reveals the distance between molecules. The study found that the brain recognizes this map, similar to musical scales, supporting the theory that there are universal laws governing smell perception.
The adolescent brain experiences increased connectivity and integrative processing, with gray matter peaking in childhood and declining thereafter. These changes enable increased executive functioning, novelty seeking, and risk-taking behaviors during adolescence.
A study of 42 amateur boxers found microhemorrhages in three cases, a potential precursor to Parkinson's disease and dementia. However, the differences were not statistically significant, leaving conclusive statements unclear. Further research on professional boxers is planned to assess intensive exposure to blows.
Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center have identified a unique language feature in the human brain that differs from our closest living relative, the chimpanzee. The study used DTI to compare human brain structures and found a larger and more widespread projection of fibers in the middle temporal lobe.
Alzheimer's research reveals that computers can distinguish between brain scans of patients with the disease and healthy individuals or those with other forms of dementia. The accuracy rate is as high as 96%, making it a potentially game-changing tool for early diagnosis and treatment.
Mental illness is subject to biological and socio-cultural factors, according to Arizona State University bioethicist Jason Robert. He argues that personalized medicine must consider the person, not just their genome or brain scans. Robert will discuss the complexity of diagnosis and management of mental illness at the AAAS annual meet...
Young infants can detect small changes in the number and identity of objects, and these abilities are processed by distinct neural pathways. The study found that the infant brain responds to both changes in different brain regions, similar to adults.
The McGovern Institute researchers will investigate the origins of autism and dyslexia using advanced neuroimaging methods. They aim to develop methods for early diagnosis, identify key markers for diagnosing and tracking progression, and explore therapeutic interventions.
A new brain mapping technique has refined scientists' understanding of language organization within the human cortex, identifying new regions involved in speech production, reading, and naming. The technique allows for safer tumor removal and better outcomes for patients with language-related difficulties.
A study by Montreal Neurological Institute researchers found that tone-deaf individuals have a thicker cortex in regions involved in auditory and musical processing. This parallels the observed cortex thickness in dyslexia, suggesting abnormal neuronal migration or cell pruning during development may contribute to the disorder.
A Rice University research team has found that damage to the ventrolateral nucleus (VL) of the thalamus can lead to cross-wiring in the brain, resulting in synesthesia. The study, led by Tony Ro, used neuroimaging and behavioral studies on a patient with a rare stroke to demonstrate the VL's role in sensory processing.
Patients who experience a significant drop in blood pressure during bypass surgery may be at risk for early difficulties in thinking, learning, and memory. Those with higher pre-surgery blood pressure levels were more likely to have decreased cognitive scores after the procedure.