Scientists have identified for the first time the region in the brain responsible for the “placebo effect” in pain relief, when a fake treatment actually results in substantial reduction of pain, according to new research from Northwestern Medicine and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC). Pinpointing the sweet spot of the pain killing placebo effectContinue reading “Scientists pinpoint the brain region responsible for ‘placebo effect’ in pain relief”
Tag Archives: brain
High BMI linked to cognitive decline through systemic inflammation
There are plenty of reasons it’s important to maintain a healthy weight, and now you can add one more to the list: It may be good for your brain. Researchers from the University of Arizona have found that having a higher body mass index, or BMI, can negatively impact cognitive functioning in older adults. How?Continue reading “High BMI linked to cognitive decline through systemic inflammation”
Altered brain activity found in specific brain regions of patients with insomnia
Specific brain regions, including those involved in awareness of self and tendency to ruminate, show altered activity in patients with insomnia when compared to good sleepers, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine published this week in the journal SLEEP. In what is the largest study ofContinue reading “Altered brain activity found in specific brain regions of patients with insomnia”
Ionizing radiation may be confounding factor in Alzheimer’s disease
More humans than ever are exposed to higher levels of ionizing radiation from medical equipment, airplanes, etc. A new study suggests that this kind of radiation may be a confounding factor in the neurodegenerative disease Alzheimer´s. Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause for dementia in the elderly, and its global prevalence is supposed to increaseContinue reading “Ionizing radiation may be confounding factor in Alzheimer’s disease”
Do you lose nerve cells when stressed?
Chronic stress has the ability to flip a switch in stem cells that turns them into a type of cell that inhibits connections to the prefrontal cortex, which would improve learning and memory, but lays down durable scaffolding linked to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Kaufer concludes that moderate or ‘good stress’—such as studyingContinue reading “Do you lose nerve cells when stressed?”
Toxic drugs , brain and Dopamine levels
Drugs Synapse Activity Decreases. These brain scans highlight dopamine receptors, with areas of highest density shown in red. The meth abuser has severely reduced receptor levels. Other drugs, including alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, have the same effect. Aging An overwhelming number of studies have reported age-related changes in dopaminesynthesis, binding sites, and number of receptors.Continue reading “Toxic drugs , brain and Dopamine levels”
Concussion Leaves The Brain Vulnerable To PTSD
There’s growing evidence that a physical injury to the brain can make people susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder. Studies of troops who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have found that service members who have suffered a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury are far more likely to develop PTSD, a condition that can cause flashbacks,Continue reading “Concussion Leaves The Brain Vulnerable To PTSD”
What is your molecular age? P16 protein can ID your molecular age
Aging biomarket test – coming soon Researchers report the development of a new blood test that they say may show your “molecular age,” as opposed to your chronological age. That test measures levels of a protein called p16. A new study shows that p16 levels rise as people age, that smokers have higher levels ofContinue reading “What is your molecular age? P16 protein can ID your molecular age”
Behavior, brain SPECT scan, hormones, gratitude, neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, is an umbrella term that describes lasting change to the brain throughout an individual’s life course. The term gained prominence in the latter half of the 20th century, when new research[1] showed many aspects of the brain remain changeable (or “plastic”) even into adulthood.[2] This notion contrasts with theContinue reading “Behavior, brain SPECT scan, hormones, gratitude, neuroplasticity”
Obesity ages the brain by 10 yrs
The team then calculated how white matter volume related to age across the two groups. They discovered that an overweight person at, say, 50 years old had a comparable white matter volume to a lean person aged 60 years, implying a difference in brain age of 10 years. Strikingly, however, the researchers only observed theseContinue reading “Obesity ages the brain by 10 yrs”
Depression is a brain disease
In a genome-wide study, Perlis and colleagues found 17 genetic variations linked to depression at 15 genome locations. In addition to hinting at a link between depression and brain gene expression during development, there was also evidence of overlap between the genetic basis of depression and other mental illnesses. While the genome sites identified stillContinue reading “Depression is a brain disease”
Neurons ‘Predict’ Drinking’s Restorative Effects Well Before They Unfold
By Leigh Beeson A new UC San Francisco study shows that specialized brain cells in mice “predict” the hydrating effects of drinking, deactivating long before the liquids imbibed can actually change the composition of the bloodstream. The results stand in stark contrast to current views of thirst regulation, which hold that the brain signals forContinue reading “Neurons ‘Predict’ Drinking’s Restorative Effects Well Before They Unfold”
Aggression in alcoholic brain
The link between alcohol and aggression is well known. What’s not so clear is just why heavy drinkers get belligerent. What is it about the brain-on-alcohol that makes fighting seem like a good idea “and do all intoxicated people get more aggressive” or “does it depend on the circumstances”? New research by University of KentuckyContinue reading “Aggression in alcoholic brain”
Early first 12 years of brain growth via learning
In a study about human memory, brain growth and learning, the first 12 yrs of human growth and learning is very critical to the future brain health. In contrast, the rats exposed to the shock compartment at 24 days of life learned and retained the memory for a long time and avoided this place—revealing aContinue reading “Early first 12 years of brain growth via learning”