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Showing posts from February, 2021

Nanoparticles Help Untangle Alzheimer’s Disease Amyloid Beta Plaques

Amyloid plaques can cling to newly developed bowl-shaped nanoparticles. The findings provide a new way to study the Alzheimer's related plaques and provides novel treatment options for dementia. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bIwSbs

Five Ways Boredom Could Be Changing Your Behavior, for Better or Worse

Researchers investigate why boredom can be both good and bad for our mental health and behaviors. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3r3dJrd

Picture Books Can Boost Physical Activity for Youth With Autism

A new picture book with step-by-step instructions on how to do basic exercises like jumping jacks, helps increase levels of physical activity in young people with ASD. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3r63XVb

Genetic Treatment Extends Fruit Fly Lifespan and Prevents Alzheimer’s Damage

Modifying the levels of two different proteins active in two different brain cells extended the life of fruit flies by 7-9%. The treatment also reduced the buildup of Alzheimer's related amyloid plaques within the brain. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3kzVgAe

‘Explicit Instruction’ Provides Dramatic Benefits in Learning to Read

Those who received explicit instructions about the relationship between sound and spelling experienced dramatic improvements in their reading ability. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2ZWuloz

Reactivating Aging Stem Cells in the Brain

Increasing lamin B1 levels in aging mice resulted in neural stem cell division and an increase in the number of new neurons. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3kulWlK

Psychological ‘Signature’ for the Extremist Mind Uncovered

Researchers conclude the mind of an extremist is marked by a mixture of conservative and dogmatic psychological signatures. Extremists tend to be cognitively cautious, slower at perceptual processing, and have weaker working memory. This is compounded by impulsive personality traits that seek sensation and risky experiences. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3uMas1V

How Exercise Keeps Your Brain Healthy and Protects It Against Depression and Anxiety

From helping improve cognitive health to improving symptoms of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, researchers examine the benefits of exercise on brain health. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2O2MLBl

Social Media Use Driven by Search for Reward, Akin to Animals Seeking Food

The use of social media, specifically to drive "likes" to our content, follows a pattern of "reward learning", much like when an animal is trained to seek food rewards. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3qTNu6t

A New Substance to Suppress Neuroinflammation

Hymecromone, a commonly prescribed spasmolytic medication, is able to suppress immune response in astrocytes in the central nervous system. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2PhujFO

Heart Problems Alter Gene Activity in the Hippocampus

Cardiovascular problems can alter gene activity in the hippocampus, increasing the risk for cognitive decline and memory deficits, a new study reports. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2PgknMN

The Impact of Patient Sex on Treatment Strategies for Spinal Cord Injuries

Both the ApoE genotype and the sex of the mouse impacted the manner in which the animals with spinal cord injury responded to hypoxia treatment. Females with the ApoE e4 gene had a negative response to intermittent hypoxia. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3dWnwM9

Making Music Tunes up Wellbeing During Lockdown

Online music improvisation collaborations helped improve mood, reduce feelings of loneliness, and promote feelings of community for participants. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3ksNc3V

Sexual Intimacy Is a Natural Sleep Aid for Insomnia

Sexual activity before sleep increases oxytocin and reduces the stress-related hormone cortisol. Researchers say sexual activity at bedtime can help reduce symptoms of insomnia and reduce sleep disruptions. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3uDSMoP

Early-Warning for Seizures Could Be a Game-Changer for Epilepsy Patients

A new mathematical algorithm examines data from EEG and brain implants to learn each epilepsy patient's unique brain pattern signatures. The system can predict the onset of a seizure within an hour, allowing the patient to take necessary interventions. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3dMmcvb

New Signaling Pathway in Neurons

Study details a signaling pathway that prevents the overproduction of snRNPs when they are not required. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3snPQee

Exercise May Help Slow Memory Loss for People Living With Alzheimer’s Dementia

Embarking on a six-month aerobic exercise regime may help reduce cognitive decline for older adults living with Alzheimer's disease. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2NAEKE4

How Amyloid Beta Contributes to Loss of Smell in Alzheimer’s Disease

Regions of the olfactory system in mice with higher amyloid beta expression exhibited lower activation of olfactory sensory neurons and decreased odor detection. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2NWlyjL

Promising Results for Focused Ultrasound Treatment of Alzheimer’s

Focused ultrasound targeting the hippocampus may induce an immunological healing response for those with Alzheimer's disease. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3su1d4s

Study Defines Ideal Children’s Bedtime Routine

Researchers outline six key measures that should be implemented to optimize your child's bedtime routine. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bDVLoF

How Light Could Activate Neurons

Study provides a broader understanding of light's ability to break chemical bonds and release active molecules. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3dNiNw8

High Smoking Dependence Linked to Depression

Smokers with a higher dependency on tobacco had a greater probability of reporting symptoms of depression. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/37Mr4g3

Two New Genes Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease Discovered

A new study of gene expression in the hippocampus has unveiled two new genes potentially implicated in Alzheimer's disease. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3uwZg98

Gut Health and Mood Genetically Entwined

Researchers have identified a genetic link between depression and an increased risk of developing stomach ulcers. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2ZTYTHm

Artificial ‘Brain’ Reveals Why We Can’t Always Believe Our Eyes

A new artificial neural network based on the human brain sheds light on how we process moving images. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2NHO495

Changes in Gut Microbiome Connected to Alzheimer’s-Like Behavior

Study reveals a correlation between the composition of the gut microbiome and behavioral and cognitive performance in mice with Alzheimer's related genes. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bCOfdG

Weill Neurohub Joins With Genentech and Roche to Advance Neuroscience Research

Weill Neurohub announces a long-term research partnership with Genentech and Roche Holding AG to advance the development of new therapeutics for debilitating brain and central nervous system diseases. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/37NNEEQ

Effective Anxiety Therapy Changes Personality

Researchers report a reduction in neuroticism for people with generalized anxiety disorder who successfully completed metacognitive therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3km2urr

Plant-Based Diets Improve Cardiac Function and Cognitive Health

Plant-based diets, such as the DASH diet and MIND diet, can reduce the risk of heart failure and ultimately decrease the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2NYA0Yv

Botulinum Toxin for Novel Therapeutics

Genetically engineering botulinum toxin could help advance new treatments for everything from neurodegenerative disorders to cytokine storms. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Pd90W1

The Appearance of Robots Affects Our Perception of the Morality of Their Decisions

People consider moral decisions made by humanoid robots to be less ethically sound than when another human or traditional-looking robot makes the same decision. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3aRjYbP

Uncovering the Molecular Mechanism Behind Synapse Loss in Alzheimer’s Disease

Over-expression of the synaptic protein RAPGEF2 drives synaptic loss associated with Alzheimer's disease. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bEahfZ

People With Depression and Anxiety May Develop Alzheimer’s at Younger Age

People with depression and anxiety may be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease earlier than those without the conditions. On average, people with depression developed Alzheimer's symptoms two years earlier, and those with anxiety three years earlier, than those who did not suffer from the mental health disorders. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3uxfbnJ

Machine Learning Used to Identify Autism Blood Biomarkers

Using machine learning to analyze blood samples, researchers have identified a group of new biomarkers that could lead to early diagnosis of autism. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/37GzGVi

Atheists and Believers Both Have Moral Compasses, but With Key Differences

Atheists are more likely to believe the morality of an action is based on its consequences, while theists are more inclined to endorse moral values that promote group cohesion. Both believers and non-believers share moral values related to protecting vulnerable individuals and liberty versus oppression, a new study concludes. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3aOwvg7

Capturing the Choreography of a Developing Brain

Combining microscopy with artificial intelligence, researchers were able to visualize the complex architecture of interconnected neurons in live C. elegans. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3khvX5K

Pain Perception Could Help Diagnose Alzheimer’s Before Symptoms Occur

Altered pain perception could be a new biomarker to assess late-onset Alzheimer's risk in cognitively healthy individuals with the AopE4 gene before symptoms occur. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3pOFFNV

Changes in Writing Style Provide Clues to Group Identity

Study reveals that group normative behavior is reflected in a person's writing style. Researchers say people alter their writing style to impress their audience and this may be based on the group identity that is influencing them at the time. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3snwCp1

New Experiences Enhance Learning by Resetting Key Brain Circuit

Novel experiences dampen previous memory representations in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, facilitating flexible strategy encoding in mice. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3pQM1wk

‘Night Owls’ May Be Twice as Likely as Morning ‘Larks’ to Underperform at Work

Study reports night-owls are more likely than early birds to underperform at work and retire early due to ill health or disability. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3upBoUT

Light Activity, Such as Gardening or Walking, Preserves Women’s Mobility During Aging

Women in their 60s who spent a few hours a day performing light physical activities, such as gardening or strolling, had a 46% lower risk of mobility loss than those who were less active. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3kjy88E

Phone Call Anxiety: Why So Many of Us Have It, and How to Get Over It

A significant number of people report feeling anxious when they hear their phones ring. Researchers explore why so many people experience phone call anxiety and address how to limit anxious reactions. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Mn20om

For Breakthroughs in Slowing Aging, Scientists Must Look Beyond Biology

Researchers say including social and behavioral factors in addition to biological mechanisms is critical for improving research on aging. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3pQT08u

Seeing Schizophrenia: X-Rays Shed Light on Neural Differences

Neurons from brain tissue samples of people with schizophrenia showed greater deviation, both from neurons from samples of people without the condition and from others with schizophrenia. Researchers say the structure of the neurons is unique to each individual with schizophrenia. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3sjl4TG

Novel Neurofeedback Helps in Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders

Neurofeedback study reveals when people review their brain patterns in real-time, they are able to regulate activity in specific brain regions. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3qS6Nx8

Exercise May Reduce Migraine Triggers

Migraine sufferers who embarked on two-and-a-half hours of moderate to vigorous exercise per week reported a significant decline in their migraine triggers, including stress, depression, and sleep problems. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3aONT4k

Beta Blockers Can Repair Malformed Blood Vessels in the Brain

Propranolol, a beta-blocker commonly used to treat haemangioma in children and cardiovascular disease, can also be used to treat cerebral cavernous malformations, a condition characterized by misshapen neural blood vessels. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bwllMd

Fear of Memory Loss Impacts Well-Being and Quality of Life

Older adults with higher fear of memory loss and dementia report a significant decrease in their quality of life and reported more failures in memory. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bwvOHI

‘Walking’ Molecule Superstructures Could Help Create Neurons for Regenerative Medicine

A new 3-D printed biomaterial is able to mimic the properties of living brain tissue. The new material could be used to enhance regenerative medicine therapies. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3sfgW78

Actively Preparing or Watching Others Prepare Food Can Lead to Eating More

Actively preparing your food, or watching others prepare your meal for you, can increase your desire to eat and lead you to consume more, a new study reports. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2NRA0JZ

Targeted Delivery of Highly Toxic Anti-Cancer Drug to Brain Tumors

Researchers have developed a Dp44mT nano-carrier that can directly target glioblastoma and other brain cancer cells. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2OUNwgb

ALS Neuron Damage Reversed With New Compound

NU-9, a novel, non-toxic compound, targets upper motor neurons and reverses damage associated with ALS within 60 days of treatment. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bw40mB

Basic Cell Health Systems Wear Down in Huntington’s Disease

Huntington's disease may progress to advanced stages as a result of degradation of the cells' health maintenance system than due to the increased disease pathology itself. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3skEo2T

Loss of Sense of Smell and Taste May Last up to 5 Months After COVID-19

51% of COVID-19 patients report they experienced the loss of smell and taste up to five months after infection. On average, once their senses were restored, people reported a loss in sensitivity to smell and taste. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3dBMfVP

Seasonal Variation in Daylight Influences Brain Function

The seasonal duration of daylight influences the number of opioid receptors in the brain. The findings shed new light on a potential mechanism behind seasonal affective disorder. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bMHLJx

Music Is a Must for Young Drivers

Young drivers say it's "almost impossible" for them to concentrate on driving and road conditions without listening to music while on the road. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bsyiXz

Inconsistent Sleep Times Linked to Higher BMI Percentile in Toddlers

Young children with inconsistent sleep times at night have, on average, a higher body mass index than those who sleep at regular times. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3aLoicw

A Healthy Sense of Disgust Can Prevent Sickness

Exposure to unpleasant stimuli that might make you feel queasy or disgusted may be evolution's way of keeping us healthy and helping us to avoid infection. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3khYVCn

Target for Stroke Therapy in Blood-Brain Barrier Discovered

The stroke byproduct acrolein activates the precursor of heparanase, an enzyme that degrades the glycocalyx in the blood-brain barrier. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/37GpyvE

A Sleep Disorder Associated With Shift Work May Affect Gene Function

Study sheds light on DNA methylation related to sleep deprivation in those with shift-work disorder. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3sfYsDC

Politics and the Brain: Attention Perks up When Politicians Break With Party Lines

Neuroimaging study reveals that when politicians take politically incongruent stances, people show stronger activation in the insula and anterior cingulate. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3dBpAJ0

‘Mini Brain’ Organoids Grown in Lab Mature Much Like Infant Brains

Brain organoids, or mini-brains, created from human stem cells appear to develop in much the same way as a human brain. The organoids follow an internal clock that guides their maturation in sync with the timeline for human brain development. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bu6Oki

Grit but Not Growth Mindset Linked to Flow State in Musicians

Musicians with grit, or greater perseverance and passion, are more likely to lose themselves in the "flow" of their musical performance. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bttLE9

Scientists Repair Injured Spinal Cord Using Patients’ Own Stem Cells

Injecting a patient's own bone marrow derived stem cells significantly improved motor function within weeks in those with spinal cord injuries. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3aEWuXs

Distorting Memories Helps the Brain Remember

The brain exaggerates differences between similar events in order to encode them in memory. This results in divergent brain activity that allows for better memory performance. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2Nw4TDF

Sleep Is Vital to Associating Emotion With Memory

Following exposure to visual stimuli, the neurons activated by the stimuli remain more active during subsequent sleep. Sleep is vital for these neurons to connect an emotional or fearful memory to a sensory event. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3sv3P23

Predicting Words’ Grammatical Properties Helps Us Read Faster

When reading, people are not only able to predict the next word, but also the words' grammatical properties. This allows us to read faster. The findings could help with the development of new neural networks focused on natural language processing. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/37Aoh9y

Capuchin Monkey Genome Reveals Clues to Its Long Life and Large Brain

A new genetic study reveals the evolution of longevity and larger brains in capuchin monkeys. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3k8r52N

Gulf War Illness Not Caused by Depleted Uranium From Munitions

New findings dispute the long-standing belief that exposure to depleted uranium is the cause of Gulf War Syndrome in veterans. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3khCPjC

From Trippy Drugs to Therapeutic Aids – How Psychedelics Got Their Groove Back

From microdosing to improve cognition, to treating a range of mental health disorders, researchers evaluate the rise in the use of psychedelics and their potential as medicines. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3dAtKkj

Protein Linked to Alzheimer’s and Strokes Cleared From Brain Blood Vessels

An antibody called HAE-4 targets APOE and removes Alzheimer's related amyloid plaques in mouse models. The antibody improves blood vessel function in the brain without raising the risk of brain bleeds. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3pG8KuY

Proprioception, Our Imperceptible 6th Sense

Proprioception allows us to determine the position, speed, and direction of each of our body parts, and enables our brains to guide our movements. Researchers explore what happens in the brain when proprioception is lost. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3sfBRah

Prolonged Sedentary Time Linked to Distractibility in Adults With Obesity

Obese and overweight people who were sedentary for twenty minutes or more were less able to overcome distractions. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3kbw9Dx

Understanding Cellular Clock Synchronization

Using new imaging technology, researchers find cellular clocks in a given organ can be synchronized without the intervention of external signals. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bpYBNV

Do You Look Like Your Name?

Study reveals the stereotype that a given society has of a first name can influence the way people look. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3scLO8u

Neural Pathway Critical to Correcting Behavioral Errors in Psychiatric Disorders Identified

Study identifies a neural pathway associated with error monitoring and attention function in some psychiatric disorders such as ADHD, ASD, and schizophrenia. Researchers say the pathway could be modulated with the help of transcranial magnetic stimulation or transcranial direct current stimulation. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2OOzvAE

Depression, Anxiety, Loneliness Are Peaking in College Students

A new study reveals an increase in students reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. 83% of students surveyed reported their mental health had impacted their academic performance within the past month. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3aDte3p

Circadian Rhythm Genes in Key Brain Region Are Involved in Binge Drinking

The circadian CLOCK gene in the nucleus accumbens shell plays a crucial role in binge drinking behaviors in mouse models. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3aExakl

Prediabetes May Be Linked to Worse Brain Health

People with prediabetes who have higher than average blood sugar levels are at increased risk of cognitive problems and vascular dementia. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/37t806j

How a Longevity Gene Protects Brain Stem Cells From Stress

FOXO3, a gene linked to longevity in humans, protects neural stem cells from the negative effects of stress. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2OZ4n1x

Boys Who Play Video Games Have Lower Depression Risk

Eleven-year-old boys who play video games often are less likely to develop symptoms of depression three years later than their peers who don't. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3aApfo8

First-in-Human Clinical Trial to Assess Gene Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers launch the first-in-human phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a gene therapy which will deliver BDNF to the brains of those with Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3qCuklu

Stereotypes Can Harm Performance Of Older Adults On Cognitive And Physical Tasks

When older people feel personally stigmatized as being physically or cognitively deficient, they fail to live up to their actual abilities when tested, a new study reports. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3ufzeqM

Making Sense of the Mass Data Generated From Firing Neurons

A new framework outperforms previous models in predicting and assessing neural network properties. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2ZvKL70

Work Addiction Can Be Harmful to Mental Health

From increasing the risk for depression and stress, to impacting a person's social and family lives, researchers explore the detrimental effects of work addiction. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3pC0lIQ

How Mouse Brains Reorganize Old Memories When New Ones Are Laid Down

Researchers map how the structure of existing memories is reorganized in the brain as new experiences are committed to memory. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3aADJob

Study Pinpoints Role of Language Disruptions in Psychosis

People who experienced language and communication difficulties as a result of psychosis showed weaker connectivity in the superior temporal area, an area of the brain associated with language processing. Those with greater language problems had greater connectivity in other areas of the brain, suggesting the brain may utilize other areas to compensate for language in patients with psychosis. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2M5l1eH

Links Found Between Fetal Head Growth and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Measuring fetal head growth during pregnancy could help doctors identify which children are at risk of ASD. Researchers found fetuses with narrower heads during mid-gestation are more likely to be diagnosed with autism during childhood. The head development abnormalities appear to be sex-specific, with males and females showing different head shapes. Additionally, the head abnormalities appear to be related to the severity of ASD symptoms. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3aA1xbC

New EBRAINS-Enabled Tool to Help Guide Surgery in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Patients

A new computational tool locates areas in a patient's brain where their epileptic seizures occur. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2ZAnKQk

Deep Brain Stimulation Prevents Epileptic Seizures

Hippocampal deep brain stimulation prevented seizures in mouse models of temporal lobe epilepsy. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2NM4YDi

How the Brain Processes Sign Language

The Broca's area, an area of the brain associated with spoken language processing, plays a crucial role in the ability to process sign language. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3saWF2B

Brain Activity Can Predict Resilience Against Post-Traumatic Stress

Higher activity in the anterior prefrontal cortex was associated with more resilience to the effects of post-traumatic stress. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3dsEbGI

Early Behavioral Problems Predict Adolescent Mental Health Difficulties

Children who experience behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity and anxiety, are more likely to develop mental health problems and emotional difficulties as teens, a new study reports. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3bmdP6D