RESEARCHERS DISCOVER DEVASTATING DISEASE WHICH ALTERS BRAIN SIZE
University of Manchester researchers have identified a genetic disease that appears to affect the size of the brain, leading to developmental problems. The disease is linked to mutations in the RAC1 gene.… READ MORE…
SPLIT-BRAIN FRUIT FLY RESEARCH GIVES NEW INSIGHT INTO AUTISM
Researchers report they have identified a genetic mechanism that may disrupt neural pathways connecting the left and right brain hemispheres. The findings could have implications for new research into ASD.… READ MORE…
CBD MAY PROTECT AGAINST PSYCHIATRIC RISK FROM HIGH-THC CANNABIS STRAINS
Researchers report CBD, a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, can help protect against the psychiatric risks associated with THC.… READ MORE…
KETOGENIC DIET IMPROVES LIFESPAN AND MEMORY IN AGING MICE
Researchers report mice that were put on a ketogenic diet showed significant improvements in memory and were more likely to survive to older ages than those on different diets.… READ MORE…
LOVE YOUR BEAUTY REST? YOU CAN THANK THESE BRAIN CELLS
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified specific neurons in the zona incerta that appear to help promote sleep. The discovery could help develop new treatments for insomnia and other sleep disorders.… READ MORE…
WHY IS YAWNING SO CONTAGIOUS AND WHY SHOULD IT MATTER
According to a new Current Biology study, contagious yawning is triggered by primitive reflexes in the primary motor cortex.… READ MORE…
HOW THE HUMAN BRAIN DETECTS THE ‘MUSIC’ OF SPEECH
Researchers at UCSF discover neurons in the superior temporal gyrus change activity depending on where emphasis falls in a sentence.… READ MORE…
SCIENTISTS USE MAGNETIC FIELDS TO REMOTELY STIMULATE BRAIN AND CONTROL BODY MOVEMENTS
Researchers have developed a new, minimally invasive brain stimulation technique that can induce a range of bodily movements. The technique, magneto-thermal stimulation, can be used to target highly specific brain regions and could help researchers to advance brain mapping studies.… READ MORE…
COGNITIVE HEARING AID FILTERS OUT THE NOISE
A newly developed cognitive hearing aid can monitor brain activity to determine who a person is listening to and amplifies that voice to assist the listener. The technology can help a hearing impaired person follow a conversation in a noisy environment far more easily.… READ MORE…
ALZHEIMER’S PROTEIN MAY BE IMPLICATED IN CHILDREN’S COGNITIVE ABILITIES
According to a new Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease study, common genetic variants in amyloid precursor protein are associated with fluid intelligence in children.… READ MORE…
LATE BREAKING MUTATIONS MAY PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN AUTISM
A study in Nature Neuroscience reveals mutations that occur after conception could play an important role in autism. The study reports post-zygotic mutations occur disproportionately in genes expressed in the amygdala in those on the autism spectrum. … READ MORE…
SEIZURES FOLLOW SIMILAR PATH REGARDLESS OF SPEED
By capturing a cell by cell view of seizures propagating through a mouse brain, researchers discovered neurons fire in a sequential pattern, regardless of how quickly the seizure occurs. The findings confirm seizures are not a result of neurons going haywire.… READ MORE…