LINK BETWEEN BRAIN’S MEMORY CENTER AND HEART FUNCTION
Vanderbilt researchers report elderly people whose hearts pump less blood have reduced blood flow in the temporal lobe. Previous studies report the temporal lobe is a critical brain area for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.… READ MORE…
A RECIPE TO MAKE A HUMAN BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER
NEUROSCIENCE NEWS
Researchers have defined a process that can help to create more realistic human blood-brain barriers in a dish.… READ MORE…
FEATUREDNEUROSCIENCEOPEN NEUROSCIENCE ARTICLES6 MIN READ
BURSTS OF BETA WAVES, NOT SUSTAINED RHYTHMS, FILTER SENSORY PROCESSING IN BRAIN
In both human and animal subject, bursts of beta wave activity in the brain help to filter distraction in order to process different sensations, a new study reports.… READ MORE…
BRAIN IMAGING REVEALS ADHD AS A COLLECTION OF DIFFERENT DISORDERS
NEUROSCIENCE NEWS
A new study sheds light on ADHD, reporting teens with the disorder fit into one of three specific subgroups with distinct brain impairments and no common abnormalities between them.… READ MORE…
FEATUREDMOST POPULARPSYCHOLOGY5 MIN READ
HIGHER ESTROGEN LEVELS LINKED TO INCREASED ALCOHOL SENSITIVITY IN BRAIN’S REWARD CENTER
Neurons in the ventral tegmental area, an area of the brain considered to be the reward center, fire more rapidly to alcohol when estrogen levels are elevated, a new study reports. The study may shed light on how alcohol addiction develops in some women.… READ MORE…
SOURCE OF EARLY BRAIN ACTIVITY IDENTIFIED
A new study reveals a mechanism that may explain the link between sound input and cognitive function in the developing brain.… READ MORE…
ROLE OF THYROID HORMONE IN BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Researchers report a thyroid hormone is critical for the earliest stages of brain development.… READ MORE…
BLAME TIRED BRAIN CELLS FOR MENTAL LAPSES AFTER POOR SLEEP
UCLA researchers report sleep deprivation prevents neurons from correctly connecting with each other, resulting in temporary cognitive lapses in visual perception and memory.… READ MORE…
HIGHER BRAIN GLUCOSE LEVELS MAY MEAN MORE SEVERE ALZHEIMER’S
A new NIH study reveals abnormalities in brain glucose metabolism could be linked to the severity of Alzheimer’s pathology.… READ MORE…
BRAIN TREATS DIALECT AS LANGUAGE
A new study reports the brain treats language and different dialects in the same way.… READ MORE…
EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN TECHNOLOGY CAN REWIND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Researchers report repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can help to reverse some of the signs of Alzheimer’s disease. So long as patients receive the treatments, cognitive decline appears to halt and, in some cases, cognitive abilities improve.… READ MORE…
WHY OUR BRAINS NEED SLEEP, AND WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T GET ENOUGH
NEUROSCIENCE NEWS
From consolidating memories to cleaning out toxins in the brain that accumulate during waking hours, researchers explore why sleep is so important and what happens when we don’t get enough.… READ MORE…
BRAIN ACTIVITY IS INHERITED: FINDINGS MAY INFORM TREATMENT FOR ADHD AND AUTISM
Machine learning study reveals that, much like genetics, brain connectivity patterns are passed down from parents to children. … READ MORE…
HERE’S WHAT WE THINK ALZHEIMER’S DOES TO THE BRAIN
A new paper explores different findings about the development of Alzheimer’s and considers how personalized treatments may help combat this complex disease.… READ MORE…
SLEEPING THROUGH SNORING: NEURONS THAT ROUSE BRAIN TO BREATH IDENTIFIED
Researchers have identified a mechanism that helps rouse the brains of mice suffering from simulated sleep apnea. The findings could help develop new treatments for people with obstructive sleep apnea and provide new insights into SIDS.… READ MORE…
BRAIN’S ALERTNESS CIRCUITRY CONSERVED THROUGH EVOLUTION
Optogenetics research reveals brain circuits critical for alertness.… READ MORE…
BLOOD CLOTTING PROTEIN PREVENTS REPAIR IN THE BRAIN
A new study sheds light on demylination diseases like Multiple Sclerosis. Researchers discovered a blood clotting protein can leak into the central nervous system and prevent myelin production.… READ MORE…
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY UNCOVERS UNEXPECTED CONNECTIONS IN FRUIT FLY BRAIN
Microscopy technology allows researchers to discover new connections in brain areas associated with memory and learning in fruit flies.… READ MORE…
HOW NEWBORN NEURONS FIND THEIR PROPER PLACE IN THE ADULT BRAIN
CSHL researchers document how neuroblasts make their journey through the rostral migratory stream to their target destination in the olfactory bulb.… READ MORE…
TOO MANY BRAIN CONNECTIONS MAY BE AT THE ROOT OF AUTISM
Researchers report too many connections form between neurons in the cerebellum and learning difficulties are expressed in mice who lack the RNF8 gene.… READ MORE…
MIDDLE AGE INFLAMMATION LINKED TO BRAIN SHRINKAGE DECADES LATER
According to a new study, people who have inflammation biomarkers in their blood during middle age are more likely to have increased brain shrinkage as they grow older. Researchers report the brain cell loss associated with inflammation was most prevalent in areas affected in Alzheimer’s disease.… READ MORE…
HOW DO ADULT BRAIN CIRCUITS REGULATE NEW NEURON PRODUCTION?
UNC researchers have identified a brain circuit that runs from near the front of the brain to the hippocampus that helps to control neurogenesis.… READ MORE…
AUTISM TREATMENTS MAY RESTORE BRAIN CONNECTIONS
Researchers report they have identified potential treatments that could restore brain function in people on the autism spectrum who lack a gene critical for neural connections.… READ MORE…
MATURITY MOLECULE HELPS ADOLESCENT BRAIN GROW UP
Mice lacking a gene called laminin alpha 5 suffer defects in synaptic maturation during teen brain development, leading to fewer synapses in adulthood. This may contribute to neuropsychological conditions, such as Schizophrenia, which can appear during later adolescence.…READ MORE…
NEUROSCIENCE OF MUSIC – HOW MUSIC ENHANCES LEARNING THROUGH NEUROPLASTICITY
Neuroscience research into the neuroscience of music shows that musicians’ brains may be primed to distinguish meaningful sensory information from noise. … READ MORE…
THOUGHT CONTROL OF PROSTHETIC LIMBS FUNDED BY DARPA
Thought control of prosthetic limbs via brain-controlled interfaces will be tested and developed with funding from DARPA. Human subjects will test neural interface systems used to control prosthetic limbs. … READ MORE…
GUT BACTERIA CAN AFFECT ONSET OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Gut bacteria, previously considered benign, has the ability to alter the immune system of mice enough to affect the rate of Multiple Sclerosis occurance. … READ MORE…
NEUROBIOLOGY RESEARCH FINDS GABA INTERFERES WITH MEMORY OF NEUROFIBROMATOSIS TYPE 1 PATIENTS
Neurobiology research from UCLA indicates the possibility of GABA interfering with working memory in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1, or NF1.… READ MORE…
3 BLIND MICE COULD SEE? IPRGCS HELP RODS AND CONES WITH IMAGE FORMATION
Mice without rods and cones were able to use ipRGCs to detect light and possibly form low acuity images.… READ MORE…
RESEARCH SHOWS SIRT1 ENHANCES SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY AND MEMORY
Researchers at MIT have discovered that Sirtuin1, a protein encoded by the SIRT1 gene, promotes synaptic plasticity and boosts memory.… READ MORE…
CHEMICAL P7C3 GROWS NEW NEURONS AND IMPROVES LEARNING
Scientists find the chemical P7C3 grows new neuronal growth within the dentate gyrus and improves learning and memory.… READ MORE…
AUTISM RESEARCH: MISOPROSTOL INTERFERES WITH NEURONAL CELL FUNCTION
Neuroscience research on Autism has shown how misoprostol interferes with neuronal cell function. … READ MORE…
NATURAL MECHANISM THAT CONTROLS COCAINE USE DISCOVERED
A natural mechanism that controls cocaine use was discovered by Scripps Research scientists.… READ MORE…
SCIENTISTS PREDICT YOUR BEHAVIORS BETTER THAN YOU
Scientists predict your behavior better than you according to new neuroscience research.… READ MORE…
COFFEE AND NIGHTTIME JOBS DON’T MIX, STUDY FINDS
Night-shift workers should avoid drinking coffee if they wish to improve their sleep, according to research published in the journal Sleep Medicine.… READ MORE…
NEW GUIDELINES IDENTIFY BEST TREATMENTS TO HELP ALS PATIENTS LIVE LONGER, EASIER
ST. PAUL, Minn. – New guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology identify the most effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often ca…READ MORE…
NEUROBIOLOGICAL MARKERS FOR DEPRESSION
Neuroscience researchers suggest that utilizing fMRI studies could help to provide biomarkers for the diagnosis of depression. A recent fMRI study of patients with depression showed marked abnormal activations in the medial prefronal cortex. Researchers believe that by identifying the neurobiological markers for depression, psychiatrists can tailor medications and therapies to suit the needs of individual patients.… READ MORE…
NERVE CELL REGENERATION IN HIPPOCAMPUS CAN PREVENT MEMORY LOSS
New research released from the University of Florida suggests the production of new nerve cells within the Hippocampus could prevent memory loss and assist in improving memory.… READ MORE…
OLDER CORPUS COLLOSUM CROSSTALK SLOWS RESPONSE TIMES
This research shows that the loss of connections in the corpus collosum could be partly responsible for slower response times seen in older animals and humans due to too much crosstalk and confusion between the brain hemispheres.… READ MORE…
SINGLE NEURONS AND DENDRITES CAN DETECT DIFFERENT INPUT SEQUENCES
UCL neuroscientists have shown that a single neuron, and even a single dendrite, can respond differently to unique sequences of input.… READ MORE…
PERFORANT PATH IDENTIFIED IN HUMANS – EARLY ID OF ALZHEIMER’S POSSIBLE
UC Irvine researchers have identified the perforant path in humans with the diffusion tensor imaging technique.… READ MORE…
REGENERATION OF NERVE CONNECTIONS AFTER SPINAL CORD INJURY – PTEN DELETION
Deleting the enzyme PTEN allowed neurology researchers to regenerate corticospinal tract neurons after spinal cord injuries in rodents.… READ MORE…
GRID CELLS FOUND IN PRESUBICULUM AND PARASUBICULUM IMPORTANT TO NAVIGATING ENVIRONMENT
Grid cells have been found in the presubiculum and parasubiculum of the rat brain.… READ MORE…
ARTIFICIAL BEE EYES SHOW WORLD FROM BEE’S POINT OF VIEW
Researchers have developed a camera system that mimics the bee eye. The artificial bee eyes allow the researchers to take images that are believed to be similar to the bee’s viewpoint.… READ MORE…
MEMORIES WITH EMOTIONAL CONTENT FORM EVEN WHEN AMYGDALA IS DAMAGED
A new study from researchers at UCLA indicates that new memories with emotional content can be formed even if the amygdala is damaged. Researchers believe that other areas compensated for the damaged amygdala, and aided learning and memory.… READ MORE…
NEUROGLOBIN COULD BE KEY TO PREVENTING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Research scientists from UC Davis and the University of Auckland have discovered that neuroglobin might be key to preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Neuroglobin can prevent apoptosis in response to nautral stress. … READ MORE…
HARD TO CATCH UP ON SLEEP LOSS STUDY FINDS
Sleeping in on the weekends may not allow you to recover from the sleep lost during the work week according to a recent sleep study.… READ MORE…
EARLY EDUCATION FIGHTS DEMENTIA
Brain research reveals a correlation between amount of education and dementia.…READ MORE…
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FIRST DIRECT EVIDENCE THAT ADHD IS A GENETIC DISORDER FOUND
Neuroscience researchers from Cardiff University have found the first direct evidence that ADHD is a genetic disorder.… READ MORE…
EARLY LIFE STRESSES COULD HAVE LASTING EFFECTS ON GAD1 GENE
Neuroscience research published in September’s Journal of Neuroscience suggests early life stresses may modify the GAD1 gene, which controls the production of GABA. Through their research on rats, researchers were able to note that those who experienced a lack of affection showed an obstruction within the DNA which controls the GAD1 gene. As it is believed that GABA deficits might be apparent within schizophrenic patients, researchers propose that the modification of GAD1 might determine a child’s predisposition to mental illness.… READ MORE…
CHANGING RIGHT HANDERS TO LEFT HANDERS
Neuroscientists at UC Berkeley have discovered that stimulation of a certain area of the brain can cause a change in which hand a person favors to perform a task. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation on right handed test subjects, researchers discovered that stimulating the posterior parietal cortex on the left side caused an increase in the use of the left hand. Researchers suggested this finding might be useful in discovering methods to help patients overcome learned limb disuse.… READ MORE…
GAMERS HAVE ADVANTAGE IN PERFORMING VISUOMOTOR TASKS
A study published in October’s Cortex has shown young people who regularly play video games have an advantage in performing tasks which require visuomotor skills. The study also found that gamers show increased activity in the prefrontal cortex when asked to perform visuomotor tasks. By contrast, non-gamers had more reliant use of the parietal cortex, an area which involves hand-eye coordination, when performing visuomotor tasks.… READ MORE…
CAN CAREER CHOICES INFLUENCE DEMENTIA?
Correlating data from 588 patients diagnosed with frontotemporal lobe degeneration (FTLD), researchers found that subjects with professions which related highly for verbal skills had greater tissue loss on the right hand side of the brain. By contrast, those whose professions required less aptitude for verbal skills, for example flight engineers, had more tissue damage to the left hand side of the brain.… READ MORE…
DISABLING THE RGS14 GENE MAKES MICE SMARTER
Researchers have discovered that disabling the RGS14 gene in mice can make them smarter. When the RGS14 gene was disabled within the CA2 region of the hippocampus, researchers found that mice were better able to remember objects they had explored and learn to navigate mazes better than regular mice. … READ MORE…
INTROSPECTIVE PEOPLE HAVE LARGER PREFRONTAL CORTEX
Neuroscience researchers have discovered the anterior prefrontal cortex appears to be larger in people with strong introspective abilities. Additionally, the structure of white matter within this area of the brain is also linked to the process of introspection.… READ MORE…
PHYSICALLY FIT CHILDREN HAVE BIGGER HIPPOCAMPAL VOLUME
Neuroscientists have reported they have found an association between physical fitness and brain development in children. The report suggests children who are physically fitter tend to have larger hippocampi and perform better in memory based tests than their less fit counterparts. … READ MORE…
DECREASED NEURAL INHIBITION MAKES DECISION MAKING HARDER FOR THE ANXIOUS
New psychology research from CU-Boulder suggests that “neural inhibition” is a critical component in our ability to make choices. Psychologists have proposed people who suffer from anxiety could have decreased neuronal inhibition, which makes it more difficult to make important decisions.… READ MORE…
NEW MOLECULAR PATHWAY UNDERLYING PARKINSON’S DISEASE IDENTIFIED
Neuroscience researchers have identified a new molecular pathway underlying Parkinson’s disease. The pathway involves polyamines, which were discovered to be responsible for increased build-up of other toxic proteins in neurons. The research also suggests polyamine lowering drugs could have a protective effect from Parkinson’s disease. … READ MORE…
TWO STEPS DURING LTP REMODEL INTERNAL SKELETON OF DENDRITIC SPINES
Neuroscience researchers have discovered how a structural component within neurons performs coordinated movements when connections are strengthened. Researchers also distinguished two separate steps during long term potentiation which are involved in remodeling the internal “skeletons” of dendritic spines. The research could be influential in providing further understanding of many neurological, cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases.… READ MORE…
