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Showing posts from December, 2022

Why Do We Like What We Like? The Neuroscience Behind the Objects That Please Us

Researchers say hedonic value isn't simply a biological and psychological mechanism, it's also vital for our survival. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/qWFta7T

Autopsies Show COVID-19 Virus in Brain and Elsewhere in Body

Autopsy tissue samples of 44 people who died of COVID-19 showed SAR-CoV-2, the virus responsible for coronavirus, spread throughout the body and to the brain, with traces of the virus lingering for 8 months. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/aVdSIRh

A Year in Neuroscience: Top 20 Neuroscience News Articles of 2022

2022 has been a fantastic year for neuroscience and brain science research. Here, we take a look back over some of the most popular neuroscience research articles of the year. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/UOSHfc9

Ketamine Found to Increase Brain Noise

By inhibiting NMDA receptors, ketamine increases noise to gamma frequencies in one layer of the thalamic nucleus and one lay of the somatosensory cortex. Findings suggest psychosis may be triggered by an increase in background noise impairing thalamocortical neurons which may be caused by a malfunction in NMDA receptors affecting the balance of inhibition and excitation in the brain. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/bkUw5fi

Human Brain Organoids Implanted Into Mouse Cortex Respond to Visual Stimuli for First Time

Researchers used innovative recording technology to show human brain organoids transplanted into mice establish functional connectivity in the cortex and respond to visual stimuli. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/5jAp7za

Holding Information in Mind May Mean Storing It Among Synapses

Findings support modern thought that neural networks store information by making short-term alterations to the synapses. The study sheds new light on short-term synaptic plasticity in recent memory storage. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/83slzLi

Brain Area Necessary for Fluid Intelligence Identified

Researchers have identified and mapped regions of the brain associated with fluid memory, or the human ability to solve problems without prior experience. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/8TrEhPH

Investigators Develop New Therapy for Autism Subtype

Researchers have developed a new treatment that could potentially be used to treat patients with the Phelan-McDermid syndrome autism subtype. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/xGL59os

Spontaneous Baby Movements Are Important for Development of Coordinated Sensorimotor System

A new study reveals the spontaneous, random movements babies make aid in the development of the sensorimotor system. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/9GeTt25

Females on Average Perform Better Than Males on a ‘Theory of Mind’ Test Across 57 Countries

A new study of over 300,000 people that spans 57 countries reveals women are, on average, more empathetic than males. Consistent across all age groups and most nationalities, women tend to score higher on tests of cognitive empathy, or "theory of mind" than males. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/AQ7cPDJ

When Elders Can’t Hear Words at a Noisy Holiday Gathering, Too Many Brain Cells May Be Firing at Once

Older mice were less capable than younger mice at "turning off" certain actively firing neurons when exposed to ambient noise. The result causes a fuzzy soundscape that makes it difficult for the brain to focus on one type of sound and filter out other surrounding sounds. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/OzBYn3U

Music and Ayahuasca’s Role in Treating Substance Use Disorders in Men

Researchers study the positive effects icaros, a type of traditional Peruvian music, in combination with psychotherapy and the psychedelic drug Ayahuasca has on treating addiction. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/GrbgjEM

Can the AI Driving ChatGPT Help to Detect Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease?

OpenAI's ChatGPT program can identify clues from spontaneous speech that are 80% accurate in predicting the early stages of dementia. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/hesfRHy

Evidence of Horizontal Gene Transfer Between Human Maternal Microbiome and Infant Gut Microbiome

A new model of vertical microbiome transmission between mother and child has been reported. Researchers say microbes in the maternal gut share genes with those in the infant's gut during the perinatal period directly following birth up to a few weeks postbirth. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/54VAUQK

Stem Cells May Help Identify New Schizophrenia Drugs

Researchers identified 20 drug candidates that reduce C4 immune protein secretion from astrocytes. The discovery could pave the way to treating schizophrenia and other disorders associated with C4 dysregulation in astrocytes. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/1YoZbmp

Smoking May Increase Chances of Mid-Life Memory Loss and Confusion

Middle-aged smokers are more likely to report memory problems and cognitive decline than those who do not smoke. The likelihood of cognitive decline is lower for those who have quit smoking, researchers report. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/au9oZpA

Child Body Weight Has Limited Effects on Mood and Behavioral Disorders

Despite common belief, a new study reveals a child's body weight has little impact on mood or behavioral disorders. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/3eDUMLz

A Link Between Hearing Loss and Autism Spectrum Disorder

MEF2C, a gene critical for brain development and regulating circuit formation in the brain also plays a significant role in inner ear development. Mutations of MEF2C have previously been linked to ASD. Researchers found mice with only one copy of the MEF2C gene had reduced activity in the auditory nerve. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/QYeB9Es

Myelin Determines Energy Metabolism in Inhibitory Brain Cells

In PV cells, axons with myelin contain more mitochondria. When myelin is decreased in PV cells, mitochondria also decrease. However, mitochondria increase when myelin is lost in excitatory cells. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/fV9IuSh

Appreciation for Artwork Affects How Viewers Remember It

Aesthetic experience is not just limited to the visual features of a piece of art, but also the moment at which it is viewed. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/5RBs2AQ

A Protective Probiotic for ALS Found

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114, a non-commercial probiotic reduces neurodegeneration and has neuroprotective effects in lab models of ALS. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/RNpkdeO

Newly Identified Neuromarker Reveals Clues About Drug and Food Craving

Researchers have identified neural biomarkers associated with food and drug cravings. The findings could help pave the way for new treatments for addiction. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/uxAwzbO

Network Neuroscience Theory Best Predictor of Intelligence

Study reveals how various brain regions and neural networks contribute to a person's problem-solving abilities and general intelligence. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/zHTt0hX

During Sleep, Brain Regions Synchronize to Create Motor Memory

Study reveals how motor memory is consolidated during sleep. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/iCyx1Uv

How Many Free Hot Drinks and Cookies Are Excessive?

Researchers question, when free snacks and hot drinks are offered, how much is it reasonable to take before it becomes "excessive"? from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/wb8EP5A

Soft Brain Probe Could Be a Boon for Depression Research

Researchers have developed a soft, implantable brain probe that can monitor serotonin and dopamine activity in real-time. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/OEp2ekx

How the Human Brain Drains Fluid

A new study of the recently discovered brain's lymphatic system may shed new light on various brain diseases and how fluid drainage may play a role. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/tqr0AP5

Stranded Dolphins’ Brains Show Common Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers found the brains of three species of stranded dolphins had classic biomarkers associated with human Alzheimer's disease. The findings add weight to the "sick leader" theory, where a group of healthy dolphins finds themselves in dangerously shallow waters after following a group leader showing signs of confusion. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/sMjoO7L

Some Claim Culture Affects Our Basic Visual Perception

The basics of visual perception, such as object orientation, are largely independent of cultural variation and apply broadly across human populations. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/JYm7qU4

Octopuses May Link Evolution of Complex Life to Genetic ‘Dark Matter’

Findings support the theory that microRNAs are essential for the development and evolution of intelligent life. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/UNLwt1v

Why Does the Alzheimer’s Brain Become Insulin-Resistant?

Insulin binding receptors are predominantly located in the microvessels within the blood-brain barrier. In patients with Alzheimer's, the abundance of these receptors is decreased. This decrease could lead to the loss of insulin response in the Alzheimer's brain. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/ecv4P5h

What Pretend Play Tells Us About Social Cognition

By the age of two, most children are able to embark on pretend play and adopt a perspective that does not fit reality. This enables children to develop the ability to attribute perspective to others that they don't share. Findings suggest the ability to adopt perspectives, an important aspect of developing social cognition and the attribution of mental state, is already present in young children. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/r1PpRLv

New Project Aims to Map Cellular Variation in the Healthy Human Brain

Researchers aim to create a new brain atlas of variation in human brain cells. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/H5qRoic

Walnuts the New Brain Food for Stress

Walnut consumption was associated with increased improvements in self-reported mental health and stress. It was also linked to improved sleep quality and metabolic biomarkers. Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, melatonin, and other vitamins and nutrients associated with mental and gut health. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/sxTaKfi

Microbiota Transfer Therapy Provides Long Term Improvement in Gut Health in Children With Autism

Following microbiota transfer therapy, researchers found improvements in microbial taxa and genes implicated in microbial pathways associated with improved behavioral and physical symptoms of ASD. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/iOJNSMg

Brain Stimulation Found to Improve Reading Ability in Macular Degeneration Patients

Transcranial direct current stimulation can help improve reading for those with age-related macular degeneration. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/AJ4YV35

Patterns of Lifespan Weight Gain and Loss May Predict Dementia Risk

Changes in body weight over a person's lifetime may predict dementia later in life, a new study reveals. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/QDobLYg

Gut Microbes Can Boost the Motivation to Exercise

Researchers have identified two gut bacterial species that produce fatty acid amides, stimulating CB1 endocannabinoid receptors in the gut which causes an increase in dopamine in the ventral striatum during exercise. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/IN2qkYo

Brain Stimulation Could Help Treat Alzheimer’s Disease

Deep brain stimulation at the intersection of two fiber bundles linked to memory formation appears to alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/XDAYvdw

Patients With Treatment Resistant Depression at Higher Risk of Death

Study reveals people with treatment-resistant depression have a 23% higher risk of death than those without the condition. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/HNsywLR

Four Genes Identified as Heightening Risk of Suicidal Thoughts and Actions

Researchers have identified four genes, ESR1, DCC, DRD2, and TRAF3, that are associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/ogJnMtI

Olfactory Viral Inflammation Associated With Accelerated Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease onset may be accelerated by viruses that inflame and disrupt signals from the olfactory system to the hippocampus, a new study reports. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/N1wanWF

Should You Believe Your Eyes? Not Necessarily in Virtual Reality

Perception in virtual reality is more strongly influenced by expectations than visual information, researchers report. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/sPQBaGu

Exercise and Mindfulness Don’t Appear to Boost Cognitive Function in Older Adults

While exercise and mindfulness help older adults stay physically fit and mentally well, they may not have such a strong beneficial impact on cognition as previously believed. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/SfRCNAe

New Immune Culprit Discovered in Alzheimer’s Disease

In patients with cognitive decline, the cerebral spinal immune system is dramatically altered. The findings shed light on how inflammation and the immune system play a role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/blIWFKv

Kids Get Holiday Stress, Too

Researchers discuss the best ways to keep a child's stress at bay during the holiday season. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/NFYaWiB

The Concept of Belief Changes Related to Psychedelic Experiences

A single psychedelic experience increases beliefs about consciousness, meaning, purpose, and a range of nonphysicalist beliefs. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/dxo54nJ

CAR-T-Cell Shows Promise in Patients With Lymphoma of the Brain and Spinal Cord in Early Trial

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel), a form of CAR-T therapy appears to be safe and has encouraging signs of efficacy in treating both lymphoma of the brain and spinal cord injury. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/dfeHsvj

Swelling Along Brain’s Axons May Be True Culprit in Alzheimer’s Disease

The formation of plaques can cause the accumulation of spheroid-shaped swellings along axons near the amyloid plaque deposits. The swellings are caused by lysosomes, which digest cellular waste. As the swelling enlarges, it can block the transmission of signals from one area of the brain to another. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/7GpeQ6w

Visual Snow, a Rare Disorder

Visual snow, or visual static is a rare disease in which people see a type of "TV static" in their vision. The condition affects around 2% of the population. While the disorder itself can not be treated, it is possible to treat symptoms associated with the disorder. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/kl7ry9o