Vertex-wise comparisons between ADHD (N = 60) and controls (N = 23), and between ADHD responders (N = 42) and non-responders (N = 18). Credit: Nature Mental Health (2024).
New research has found that the effectiveness of ADHD medication may be associated with an individual’s neuroanatomy.
Although there are still some aspects pending confirmation for its use in the clinical setting, and its resolution needs to be improved slightly, a new study has shown that a method routinely used to carry out ophthalmological tests can also be used to monitor the neurodegeneration that occurs in Parkinson’s patients.
Scientists have uncovered a mechanism in the brain that allows cocaine and morphine to take over natural reward processing systems.
New research has identified a specific pattern of autoantibodies in the blood that precedes the clinical onset of multiple sclerosis (MS), potentially paving the way for early diagnosis and treatment. Their study found that 10% of MS patients displayed a unique set of autoantibodies against both human proteins and common pathogens like the Epstein-Barr Virus years before showing symptoms.
Researchers have identified a promising new approach to treating persistent neurological symptoms associated with Lyme disease.
A new study investigates why everyday actions like locking a door are often forgotten. The study revealed that while emotionally charged or unique events are initially memorable, even these can fade within 24 hours, particularly positive experiences. This research provides insight into the selective nature of memory and suggests that our brains prioritize and even forget information to manage cognitive load.
Managing a stroke patient’s blood sugar levels after they receive powerful clot-busting drugs might help them survive their health crisis, a new trial finds.
Researchers have created a thin film that combines an electrode grid and LEDs that can both track and produce a visual representation of the brain’s activity in real time during surgery. The device is designed to provide neurosurgeons with visual information about a patient’s brain to monitor brain states during surgical interventions to remove brain lesions including tumors and epileptic tissue.
New research has found a significant association between participating in low to moderate intensity exercise and reduced rates of depression. However, this was not strongly observed for high-intensity exercise. Physical activity was also significantly associated with reduced risk of severe mental health conditions, including a reduction in psychosis/schizophrenia by 27%.
An international collaborative research team has discovered a novel mechanism underlying memory involving rapid changes in a specific DNA structure.
People who take acid-reducing drugs may have a higher risk of migraine and other severe headache than people who do not take these medications, according to a study published in the online issue of Neurology Clinical Practice.
Eye movements associated with blinks and their consequences on luminance transients. (A) Distributions of blink-induced gaze displacements. Data represent the offsets in horizontal (top) and vertical eye position (bottom) between the times at which the eyelid starts moving and its return to normal opening. (B) Contributions of eye movements to the strength of the luminance modulations caused by blinks. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Scientists at the University of Rochester, in the U.S., have found that eye blinking does more than simply wet the eyes—it also helps to keep vision sharp by maintaining the strength of visual signals.
A new study investigates the brain’s mechanisms behind deep focus. The research employs fMRI to explore low-frequency fluctuations in brain networks during focused and less-focused states. The team discovered that certain brain networks synchronize and desynchronize, affecting an individual’s ability to maintain attention. This insight into the dynamic nature of brain activity could lead to better strategies for enhancing focus and attention in various cognitive tasks.
Researchers released new findings on how sex and gender influence cognitive abilities. The research found that while spatial cognition correlates more with biological factors such as sex at birth and hormones, verbal cognition is more influenced by sociocultural factors like gender identity.
Scientists have published a study in Neuron that identified two types of interneurons, the inhibitory neurons of the brain, as instructors of a key developmental process in the brain.
A new study involving jazz guitarists has explored the brain processes that enable creative flow. The research reveals that achieving flow requires a solid foundation of expertise, after which one must learn to relax conscious control to allow creativity to flourish.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking approach using Diffusion MRI to explore the brain structures of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
A new study emphasizes the importance of brain rhythms in understanding cognition. The research explores how rhythmic electrical fields, generated by neurons, influence and align neighboring neurons, enhancing cognitive function.
The harder your brain works at your job, the less likely you may be to have memory and thinking problems later in life, according to a new study published in Neurology.
Researchers have shed light on how individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) process emotions differently due to abnormalities in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. By using stereotactic electroencephalography (sEEG), they were able to observe how these brain regions react to positive and negative stimuli, revealing a significant imbalance in emotional processing.
Researchers have linked a region in the brain to how humans redirect thoughts and attention when distracted. The connection is important because it offers insights into the cognitive and behavioral side effects of a technique being used to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Finally this week, some people with tough-to-treat epilepsy might benefit if doctors target a brain region newly linked to the disorder, a new study suggests.
This video explores the essence of creative flow, challenging existing theories and offering new insights into how we can harness our brain’s potential for effortless and enjoyable productivity.
Scientists have been working on neural speech prostheses, special devices that can help people who have trouble speaking by translating brain activity into speech.
New research findings provide a novel understanding of how the human brain regulates emotions, distinguishing between emotion generation and regulation. By analyzing fMRI studies, researchers identified specific brain regions, including areas of the anterior prefrontal cortex, that are key to emotion regulation.
The sense of smell is highly influenced by the cues from other senses, while the sense of sight and hearing are affected to a much lesser extent, shows a new study in Journal of Neuroscience.
Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown source of two key brain waves crucial for deep sleep: slow waves and sleep spindles. Traditionally believed to originate from one brain circuit linking the thalamus and cortex, the team’s findings,published in Scientific Reports, suggest that the axons in memory centers of the hippocampus play a role.
Earlier menopause combined with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease is linked to an increased risk of thinking and memory problems later, according to new research.
A noninvasive brain stimulation treatment improved depression and anxiety symptoms among older adults in a new study. The findings, published in the journal Brain Stimulation, suggest the treatment, known as transcranial direct current stimulation, or tDCS, holds promise as a noninvasive, drug-free option to treat depression and anxiety symptoms, which affect 1 in 4 older adults.
A new study explores the influence of personalized music on cognitive arousal and performance.
To the left of the figure, the red-yellow color denotes the regions that degenerate earlier than the rest of the brain, and are vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease. These brain areas are higher-order regions that process and combine information coming from our different senses. To the right of the figure, each dot represents the brain data from one UK Biobank participant. The overall curve shows that, in these particularly fragile regions of the brain, there is accelerated degeneration with age. Credit: G. Douaud and J. Manuello.
In a new study published in Nature Communications, researchers investigated the genetic and modifiable influences on fragile brain regions by looking at the brain scans of 40,000 UK Biobank participants aged over 45.
Scientists have shown for the first time that a type of thinking that has been described for over a century as a developmental milestone of adolescence may grow teenagers’ brains over time.
A team of neurologists, stem cell specialists and molecular biologists affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. and led by a group at Stanford University School of Medicine has found evidence that the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease may be fat buildup in brain cells. The study is published in the journal Nature.
New research highlights the critical role of unique gut bacteria in newborns, producing serotonin to educate immune cells and prevent allergic reactions early in life.
People continuously exposed to bright, artificial light at night may be at increased risk of developing conditions that affect blood flow to the brain and having a stroke, according to research published in Stroke.
Researchers reveal new findings on the complexity of age-related memory decline and neural dedifferentiation, challenging existing theories on cognitive aging.
A new study has found that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) exhibit strikingly similar cellular and molecular characteristics, despite affecting different brain regions and showing distinct clinical symptoms.
New research reveals how the human brain processes vital signals from the heart and lungs, offering new insights into the complex brain-body integration essential for health and cognition.
In a new study, AI processed text from health histories and neurologic examinations to locate lesions in the brain. The study, which looked specifically at the large language model called generative pre-trained transformer 4 (GPT-4), is published in the online issue of Neurology Clinical Practice.
Bilingualism may serve as a powerful tool against age-related cognitive decline, particularly in social cognition areas such as the theory of mind. A new study demonstrates that early bilingualism leads to beneficial structural changes in the brain, including increased gray matter volume and cortical thickness, which contribute to a stronger cognitive reserve.
In a study published in Nature Mental Health, scientists have found that individuals suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) may face a higher risk of brain aging.
A new analysis involving over 13,000 people has found changes to blood vessels in the brain that can increase the risk of stroke and dementia are common in people with a range of heart conditions, regardless of whether they have experienced a stroke.
A Canadian-led study has identified genes that may be partially responsible for the development of cerebral palsy.
Researchers have introduced a new, refined method for analyzing brain signals, enhancing our understanding of brain functionality. This research has the potential to improve treatments for neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, pain, epilepsy and depression.
A study reveals that Lewy body disease, a major neurodegenerative disorder, may start developing in individuals as early as middle age, well before symptoms manifest.
Researchers have shown that the brain chemical GABA regulates activity in the retina of the eye in autistic and non-autistic individuals differently. Autistic people have larger responses to single light flashes in the retina of the eye and this new study shows that increasing GABA activity can reduce this response.
Finally this week, a study by the University of Sheffield has cast doubt on the efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in improving visual working memory.
Findings from a mega-analysis of differences in seed-based subcortico-cortical connectivity in youths with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and unaffected control subjects. Credit: American Journal of Psychiatry (2024).
Researchers have discovered that symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are tied to atypical interactions between the brain’s frontal cortex and information-processing centers deep in the brain.
A new study has identified a genetic mutation underlying a rare form of epilepsy and reveals novel molecular and cellular mechanisms by which the disorder manifests in patients.
For the first time, researchers have shown that non-invasive brain stimulation can change a specific brain mechanism directly related to human behavior. This is a major step forward for discovering new therapies to treat brain disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
A test that shows how good or bad we are at perceiving the rhythm of language can predict the ability to acquire language, and may also help us understand individual differences in brain biology.
A new study reveals the mechanisms behind proprioception, our body’s innate ability to sense limb position and movement, critical for movement without visual cues. Utilizing musculoskeletal simulations and neural network models, researchers have advanced our understanding of how the brain integrates sensory data from muscle spindles to perceive bodily position and motion.
Specialized brain scans may accurately predict whether a psychotic patient will go on to develop treatment-resistant schizophrenia, Dutch researchers report.
Researchers have uncovered a significant correlation between social isolation and accelerated biological aging, indicating that individuals with limited social connections are at a higher risk of premature mortality.
Scientists have revealed new insights into how the brain processes speech and listening during conversations through advanced investigations using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
A unique multicenter study, including about 3,500 youth between 10 and 25 years old from across the globe, shows that artificial intelligence—specifically machine learning—can identify individuals with anxiety disorders based on their unique brain structure.
Researchers have identified four distinct sleep patterns linked to long-term health outcomes, revealing the profound impact of sleep habits on chronic health conditions.
A new study uncovers the nuanced effects of spaced learning on memory, emphasizing the importance of the content’s variability and the intervals between learning sessions. The study contrasts the impact of learning identical content versus content with variations, across different timescales, on memory retention.
Finally, this week, spending quality time with dogs reduces stress and increases the power of brain waves associated with relaxation and concentration, according to a recent study.
Graphical representation of the analysis procedure to relate word-by-word predictors of linguistic complexity to BOLD activity. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024).
How does the brain respond to sentence structure as we speak and listen? In a neuroimaging study published in PNAS, researchers investigated sentence processing during spontaneous speech for the first time.
A research team has achieved a breakthrough in stem cell research, offering tools that can be used for patients who require highly personalized care.
Researchers demonstrated promising results for PTSD treatment in military veterans by combining brain stimulation with virtual reality exposure therapy. The clinical trial showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms among participants who received low electrical current brain stimulation during virtual reality sessions designed to simulate warzone experiences.
A new study involving participants from 15 countries, shed light on the universal preference for simple integer ratios in rhythms, revealing significant cultural variations in musical perception.
Researchers have uncovered a strikingly similar suite of changes in gene activity in brain tissue from people with schizophrenia and from older adults. These changes suggest a common biological basis for the cognitive impairment often seen in people with schizophrenia and in the elderly.
A new study reveals a strong link between daytime physical activity and improved sleep quality among both children and adults. Analyzing the daily routines of over 2500 participants, the research highlights how higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity correlate with fewer sleep disturbances, less daytime tiredness, and overall better sleep quality.
In an innovative study published in Science Advances, researchers have unveiled new insights into the intricate relationship between emotion and perception.
Even people whose physical activity levels fall short of recommended guidelines, but who manage to do some during their leisure time, are likely to have a lower risk of stroke than their sedentary peers, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published online in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
A recent study showcases a significant leap in the study of brain oscillations, particularly ripples, which are crucial for memory organization and are affected in disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.
People who have headaches after experiencing concussions may also be more likely to have higher levels of iron in areas of the brain, which is a sign of injury to brain cells, according to a preliminary study that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 76th Annual Meeting taking place April 13–18, 2024.
The COVID-19 virus can persist in the blood and tissue of patients for more than a year after the acute phase of the illness has ended, according to new research.
Researchers identified sildenafil, known commercially as Viagra, as a promising candidate for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Leveraging artificial intelligence the team analyzed vast amounts of data, including insurance claims and brain cell observations, to highlight sildenafil’s potential benefits in reducing Alzheimer’s prevalence and neurotoxic proteins.
A new study provides some of the most detailed insights yet into the brain mechanisms that help people pay attention amid such distraction, as well as what’s happening when they can’t focus.
A new AI language model identifies clinical symptoms in medical summaries and links them to brain tissue from donors of the Netherlands Brain Bank. This yields new insights into the development of individual disease progression and contributes to a better understanding of common misdiagnoses of brain diseases. The model may, in the future, assist in making more accurate diagnoses.
Researchers have discovered a brain circuit that drives vocalization and ensures that you talk only when you breathe out, and stop talking when you breathe in.
For the first time, neuroscientists have established a link between shifts in our visual perception and the cadence of our steps while walking.
A new study examines the potential of artificial intelligence to shift chronic pain treatment from opioids to mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Utilizing machine learning to analyze extensive patient data, the study aims to predict which patients will benefit most from MBSR, a critical step toward personalized medicine.
Finally this week, new research reveals how the human brain processes vital signals from the heart and lungs, offering new insights into the complex brain-body integration essential for health and cognition.
The brain is a complex organ responsible for regulating various bodily functions, including movement, sensation, cognition, and emotion. It is divided into different regions, each with its own specific functions and structures. Over the years, scientists have named these parts of the brain based on their location, shape, or function. By understanding the names of these parts, scientists can better understand the role each plays in the overall function of the brain. In this post, we will explore some of the most common names of brain regions and how they got their names.
Hippocampus: A Seahorse in the Brain
The hippocampus, a crucial structure for memory and learning, derives its name from the ancient Greek word “hippos,” meaning horse, and “kampos,” meaning sea monster. The name is a nod to the structure’s curved shape, resembling that of a seahorse. This term was first coined by the renowned anatomist Julius Caesar Aranzi in the 16th century, who recognized the hippocampus’s distinctive appearance in the brain.
Amygdala: The Almond-Shaped Emotion Center
Nestled deep within the temporal lobe, the amygdala is responsible for processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure. Its name is derived from the Latin word “amygdala,” which means almond. The term reflects the amygdala’s characteristic almond shape and was popularized by the anatomist Albrecht von Haller in the 18th century.
Thalamus: The Inner Chamber
The thalamus, a central relay station for sensory information, owes its name to the Greek word “thalamus,” meaning inner chamber or bed. This choice of nomenclature emphasizes the thalamus’s role in relaying sensory signals to different areas of the brain, acting as a gateway for information processing.
Cerebellum: The Little Brain
Sitting at the back of the skull, the cerebellum is involved in motor control and coordination. Its name, “cerebellum,” is a Latin diminutive form of “cerebrum,” meaning brain. The term highlights the cerebellum’s smaller size compared to the cerebral hemispheres while underscoring its critical role in fine-tuning motor movements.
Frontal Lobe: The Foremost Part of the Brain
The frontal lobe, responsible for executive functions such as decision-making and personality, gets its name from its location at the front of the cerebral cortex. The term “frontal” is derived from the Latin word “frons,” meaning forehead, emphasizing the anterior position of this brain region.
Occipital Lobe: The Region at the Back of the Head
As the name suggests, the occipital lobe is located at the rear of the cerebral cortex, playing a key role in visual processing. The term “occipital” is derived from the Latin word “occiput,” meaning back of the head. This naming convention reflects the lobe’s anatomical position and its primary function in vision.
From the seahorse-shaped hippocampus to the almond-shaped amygdala, these structures’ names convey their physical characteristics and the curiosity of the scientists who explored the brain throughout history. Exploring the brain’s intricacies remains an ongoing and fascinating journey as our understanding of it advances.
For people with drug-resistant epilepsy, having a dog companion trained in detecting seizures and other epilepsy-related tasks may reduce the amount of seizures they have, according to new research published in Neurology.
New research shows that continued cocaine use disrupts communication between major brain networks.
Researchers are embarking on a pioneering study to uncover how genes associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) converge to affect brain neurons, particularly leading to heightened sound sensitivity. This research aims to identify common neural circuit mechanisms that may underlie the diverse genetic pathways contributing to ASD, focusing on auditory hypersensitivity, a condition that significantly impacts individuals’ lives.
Two new studies explore how closely attention and eye movements are linked and reveal how the brain coordinates the two processes.
A pioneering new study using virtual reality (VR) aims to identify early signs of Alzheimer’s disease through impaired spatial navigation in asymptomatic adults at risk. By testing 100 middle-aged adults with genetic, familial, or lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer’s, the study discovered that spatial navigation difficulties in VR environments precede traditional cognitive decline symptoms. Notably, this impairment was more pronounced in men than women, suggesting a gender-specific vulnerability
Mounting research shows that COVID-19 leaves its mark on the brain, including significant drops in IQ scores.
A daily fiber supplement improved brain function in people over 60 in just 12 weeks. The study, published recently in Nature Communications showed that this simple and cheap addition to diet can improve performance in memory tests associated with early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
A new study has found mutations in key brain cells among individuals with chronic opioid use that could shift how we think about treatment strategies for opioid use disorder.
According to a Mayo Clinic study published in Nature Neuroscience, the cells that act as the central nervous system’s first line of defense against harm also play a role in helping the brain awaken from anesthesia. This discovery could help pave the way for innovative methods that address post-anesthesia complications.
Scientists have trained a bank of AI models to identify patterns of brain activity that signal memory formation.
People who experience sleep apnea may be more likely to also have memory or thinking problems, according to a preliminary study that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 76th Annual Meetingtaking place April 13–18, 2024.
Schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease events, with the association stronger in women, according to a new study.
New research delves into the genetic underpinnings of language development in early childhood and its implications for later cognitive abilities and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Interestingly, the research highlights a developmental shift in the genetic associations with ADHD symptoms, suggesting that the role of genetics in language development and its impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes is complex and changes over time. This study underscores the importance of understanding the early linguistic journey as a window into a child’s future mental health and cognitive prowess.
A cell membrane is illustrated to show the surface in red. Blue objects are proteins, including ion channels, which can send electrical impulses into cells. Lipids, or fats, are in yellow. In this cross section, an ion channel associates with a lipid raft. The function of the lipid structures is regulated by cholesterol. Mechanical force can deplete the cholesterol and release the ion channel, changing activity within the cell. Credit: Scott Hansen, Ph.D., The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute
New research shows how physical pressure on cells can reduce pain signals, while excessive cholesterol clumps in cell membranes can interfere with that process.
Researchers have advanced our understanding of the neuronal basis of spatial memory. Their research reveals that during spatial memory tasks, different types of nerve cells activate in unison, coordinated by brain waves known as “ripples.”
Researchers have unveiled a pioneering technology capable of real-time human emotion recognition, promising transformative applications in wearable devices and digital services.
Children who lived in areas with higher levels of airborne lead in their first five years of life appeared to have slightly lower IQs and less self-control, with boys showing more sensitivity to lead exposure, according to a new study.
A neurotransmitter previously thought only to calm neurons may also play a role in waking them up, according to a study published in the journal PLOS Biology, a discovery that challenges the textbook view of how neurons communicate with one another in the brain.
Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in mapping the brain’s ‘dysfunctome’—key dysfunctional circuits linked to disorders like Parkinson’s, dystonia, OCD, and Tourette’s syndrome.
Scientists have delved into the world of chemical neuromodulators in the human brain, specifically dopamine and serotonin, to reveal their role in social behavior. The study revealed a previously unknown neurochemical mechanism for a well-known human tendency to make decisions based on social context—people are more likely to accept offers from computers while rejecting identical offers from human players.
Live music significantly amplifies emotional responses in the brain compared to recorded tunes. By measuring amygdala activity, researchers found that live performances evoke stronger emotional reactions, fostering a deeper cognitive and affective processing throughout the brain.
A new study reveals that oxygenation levels in the placenta during the last trimester of pregnancy are a key predictor of the development of the cerebral cortex and likely childhood cognition and behavior.
Blood vessels that cross-connect adjacent arterial trees regulate blood flow to the brain in stroke patients. Researchers have now shown that these vessels prevent brain hemorrhage following treatment to remove blood clots.
Researchers have developed a simulator that enables artificial visual observations for research into the visual prosthesis.
A cross-cultural study has revealed that music universally influences bodily sensations and emotions, transcending cultural boundaries. Researchers from Western and East Asian backgrounds discovered that emotional and structural characteristics of music consistently evoke similar bodily sensations—such as changes in the chest, limbs, and head regions—regardless of cultural background.
New research has unveiled a crucial role of sleep: brainwaves facilitate the cleansing of the brain by flushing out waste. This discovery not only underscores the brain’s non-dormant state during sleep but also highlights a sophisticated system where neurons’ synchronized activity powers the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, effectively removing metabolic waste and potentially neurodegenerative disease-causing toxins.
Finally this week, COVID-19 may have an impact on people’s cognitive and memory abilities that lasts a year or more after infection, according to a new study by Imperial College London researchers.
Melodic pitch, pitch-change, and expectation modulate STG activity during music listening. (A) Three melodic features visualized for an example melody. (B) Electrodes across all participants (N = 8) plotted on a common brain. Color indicates the peak evoked high-frequency activity (HFA) averaged across all musical phrases. (C) Responses at three example electrodes demonstrating distinct tuning to pitch. Credit: Science Advances (2024)
Researchers have developed a precise map of what is happening in the cerebral cortex when someone hears a melody.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying a rare lipid as a crucial factor in ferroptosis, a unique form of cell death. The findings provide new detail on how cells die during ferroptosis and could improve understanding of how to stop ferroptosis in contexts where it is harmfully occurring– in neurodegenerative diseases, for example– or induce it in contexts where it could be useful, such as using it to kill dangerous cancer cells.
An intensive meditation-based intervention (iMI) significantly improves positive symptoms, particularly refractory hallucinations and delusions, in male patients with schizophrenia, according to a new study.
Indigenous people may be more likely to have a stroke than non-Indigenous people, according to a systematic review that looked at populations around the world.
A new study highlights the critical link between sleep, circadian rhythms, and psychiatric disorders, suggesting that disturbances in sleep and internal body clocks can trigger or exacerbate mental health issues. The research underscores the prevalence of sleep-circadian disturbances across all psychiatric disorders, pointing to the need for holistic treatments that address these factors.
For individuals with post-COVID-19 condition, cognitive symptoms are common, according to a study published online Feb. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence model that accurately determines the sex of individuals based on brain scans, with over 90% success. This breakthrough supports the theory that significant sex differences in brain organization exist, challenging long-standing controversies.
A new population-based study reveals the roles of maternal and fetal genes in the growth of a baby’s cerebral cortex.
A new study explains how dopamine influences movement sequences, offering hope for Parkinson’s disease (PD) therapies. Researchers observed that dopamine not only motivates movement but also controls the length and lateralization of actions, with different neurons activating for movement initiation and reward reception.
New research sheds light on what goes on inside people’s heads as they make decisions to obtain information about the future.
Moderate/severe and penetrating traumatic brain injury (TBI) are associated with an increased risk for subsequent development of brain cancer, according to astudypublished online Feb. 15 in JAMA Network Open.
For the first time, researchers have mapped out the proteins implicated in the early stages of motor neuron disease (MND).
In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, scientists demonstrated the effectiveness of using low-intensity focused ultrasound to modulate the activity in a critical region in the brain that processes and regulates pain signals.
Finally this week, new research shows how empathy can be socially transmitted.
A new study has found the immune system in the blood of Alzheimer’s patients is epigenetically altered. That means the patients’ behavior or environment has caused changes that affect the way their genes work.
Many patients continue to struggle in the wake of the pandemic as they grapple with ongoing symptoms triggered by COVID-19 infection, a condition commonly known as long COVID. However, the onset of symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, headache, and other types of pain is not unique to COVID infection, according to a new study.
Researchers have discovered a molecular complex crucial for the transport of mitochondria within neurons, offering new insights into preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
A landmark advancement in neural prosthetics has been made, demonstrating the ability to recall specific memories using a newly developed memory decoding model (MDM). The study, involving 14 adults with epilepsy, showed that MDM stimulation significantly improved memory performance, particularly in those with impaired memory, offering hope for treating conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, or head injury. This research signifies a major step toward creating interventions that can restore lost memory functions, potentially aiding individuals in living more independently.
A new study reveals that excessive stress during adolescence can lead to long-lasting changes in gene expression in the brain, particularly those related to bioenergy functions.
Researchers developed an innovative AI tool, DeepGO-SE, that excels in predicting the functions of unknown proteins, marking a significant advance in bioinformatics. Leveraging large language models and logical entailment, this tool can deduce molecular functions even for proteins without existing database matches, offering a groundbreaking approach to understanding cellular mechanisms.
Smoking not only affects immune responses in the short term but also leaves a lasting imprint on the body’s defense mechanisms. This is the finding recently made by a team of scientists at the Institut Pasteur using the Milieu Intérieur cohort of 1,000 healthy volunteers, established to understand variability in immune responses.
Taking an anticoagulant, or blood-thinning medication, can increase one’s risk of—or exacerbate—a brain bleed, also known as a brain hemorrhage, which is the deadliest type of stroke. Now, new research finds that faster treatment for these patients is associated with a greater likelihood of survival.
Throughout history, love has captivated human beings as a complex and powerful emotion. From Shakespeare’s poetic verses to the modern scientific exploration of the brain, the phenomenon of falling and being in love has been a subject of fascination. As neuroscience advances, researchers are now able to peer into the workings of the brain and understand the chemical and neural processes involved in love.
The Chemistry of Love
At the heart of the love experience is a cocktail of chemicals that shape our emotions. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter known as the “feel-good” chemical, floods the brain in the initial stages of attraction. This surge in dopamine is responsible for new love’s euphoric feelings.
Another key player is oxytocin, known as the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone.” Intimacy, bonding, and physical touch release oxytocin, which fosters trust between partners and deepens emotional connections.
Love is also governed by serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood and happiness. Serotonin levels can fluctuate when we are in love, affecting our mood and affecting how we experience emotion.
The Role of the Brain
Neuroimaging studies using techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have provided valuable insights into the brain regions involved in the experience of love. The ventral tegmental area (VTA), a region associated with reward and motivation, becomes highly active, releasing dopamine and contributing to the pleasurable sensations of love.
The caudate nucleus, part of the brain’s reward system, is also implicated in romantic love. Studies have shown increased activity in the caudate nucleus when individuals view pictures of their loved ones, indicating its role in the reinforcement of romantic attachment.
The Impact of Love on Cognitive Function
Interestingly, being in love has been shown to influence cognitive function. Research suggests that individuals in the early stages of romantic love may experience impaired concentration and obsessive thinking about their beloved. This heightened focus on the object of affection is believed to be a result of increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, a region associated with decision-making and personality expression.
Long-Term Love and Attachment
As relationships progress, the dynamics of love evolve. Long-term love and attachment are associated with the release of oxytocin, fostering a deeper connection between partners. The brain’s reward system continues to play a role, but the nature of the reward shifts from the thrill of new love to the comfort and security of a stable, committed relationship.
Watch this interesting TED talk for more on this topic.
A new study reveals epigenetic alterations in the immune system of Alzheimer’s patients’ blood, suggesting environmental or behavioral factors could influence Alzheimer’s risk. The study indicates these epigenetic changes affect genes associated with Alzheimer’s susceptibility, potentially due to factors like viral infections or pollutants.
Almost half of people who suffer a sports-related traumatic brain injury are still experiencing physical symptoms after six monthsaccording to new research findings.
A new study suggests a novel link between depression and higher body temperatures, analyzing data from over 20,000 participants worldwide. While the causal relationship remains unclear, findings indicate that body temperature increases with the severity of depression symptoms, offering a potential new avenue for treatment.
Acupuncture may improve language function in patients with poststroke motor aphasia, according to a new study.
Researchers have found that adolescents being bullied by their peers are at greater risk of the early stages of psychotic episodes and in turn experience lower levels of a key neurotransmitter in a part of the brain involved in regulating emotions.
The contraceptive pill also affects the brain and the regulation of emotions, say researchers.
An international research team has developed a computational biology tool, based on multi-level network analysis, to achieve an integrated vision of multiple sclerosis. This tool could be used to study other complex diseases such as types of dementia.
A new scanning study of 390 babies has shown distinct patterns between term and pre-term babies in the moment-to-moment activity and connectivity of brain networks.
Researchers have developed a machine-learning tool that accurately identifies individuals at high risk of psychosis through MRI brain scans. This innovative approach, which achieved an 85% accuracy rate in training and 73% using new data, offers a promising avenue for early intervention in psychosis, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers have unveiled the “MiniTouch,” a revolutionary device that equips prosthetic limbs with the ability to convey thermal sensations to amputees, bridging a significant gap in sensory feedback technology. This breakthrough allows a transradial amputee to differentiate between objects of varying temperatures and experience more human-like touch, enhancing both functional use and emotional connection with the prosthesis.
A new study presents a compelling case for the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT into neuroscience, highlighting their potential to transform research by analyzing vast datasets beyond human capability. The authors suggest that LLMs can bridge diverse neuroscience fields by communicating with each other, thus accelerating discoveries in areas such as neurodegeneration drug development.
Finally this week, researchers have developed a robotic sensor that incorporates artificial intelligence techniques to read braille at speeds roughly double that of most human readers.
Researchers have developed the world’s first 3D-printed brain tissue that grows and behaves similarly to natural brain tissue, marking a significant leap forward for neurological and neurodevelopmental disorder research.
For patients withParkinson diseasedifferences in quality of life outcomes are seen with deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS), according to a recent study.
New findings published in the journal Nature Neuroscience have shed light on a mysterious pathway between the reward center of the brain that is key to how we form habits, known as the basal ganglia, and another anatomically distinct region where nearly three-quarters of the brain’s neurons reside and assist in motor learning, known as the cerebellum.
Researchers have shown that a blood test can pinpoint the underlying cause of brain injury in newborns.
A new study suggests that high-intensity training (HIT), compared to conventional training, may improve walking ability in patients with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI). Possible secondary benefits may include improved aerobic capacity/efficiency and cognition.
Combining brain stimulation with intense physical rehabilitation helped stroke survivors recover movement in their arms and hands and maintain these improvements for one year, according to a study to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2024.
Psychologists have investigated the extent to which neuromodulation of the brain with ultrasound waves influences people’s behavior. The results can also be used as a basis for therapeutic purposes.
A preliminary study reveals that intravenous injections of ginkgo biloba components could significantly improve early cognitive recovery in ischemic stroke patients. Conducted across multiple centers in China, the research tested the effects of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine (GDLM) on 3,163 stroke survivors, showing notable improvements in cognitive scores compared to a placebo group.
A new study gives insights into the underlying mechanisms of the formation of protein clumps in Alzheimer’s disease. The study could pave the way for new treatments for this devastating neurodegenerative disorder.
Finally, this week, engaging in music throughout your life is associated with better brain health in older age, according to a new study.
In an era dominated by digital communication and keyboard input, the timeless art of handwriting might seem like a relic of the past. However, research suggests that the act of putting pen to paper is not only a fundamental skill but also a powerful tool for enhancing brain connectivity. Aside from the surface-level strokes and curves, handwriting stimulates neural pathways in a unique and meaningful way.
One of the primary ways in which handwriting contributes to enhanced brain connectivity is through the development of fine motor skills. The intricate coordination of fingers, hands, and wrists required for handwriting engages and strengthens neural pathways associated with motor control. The physical act of forming letters and words on paper involves a complex interplay of muscles and nerves, creating a dynamic neural network that supports precise motor movements.
The tactile experience of holding a pen or pencil and the sensation of the paper beneath one’s hand provide valuable sensory feedback. This tactile input is thought to enhance neural connections and contribute to a deeper understanding of the written information. Unlike the smooth surface of a keyboard, the varied textures of different writing tools and paper types engage the senses, adding a layer of richness to the learning experience.
Handwriting requires individuals to visually track lines and shapes, fostering the development of visual-spatial skills. This engagement with spatial relationships on the page is believed to stimulate brain areas associated with spatial processing and visual recognition. Additionally, research suggests that the manual act of writing may enhance memory encoding. The deliberate process of forming letters and words by hand creates a stronger memory trace compared to typing, leading to improved retention and recall of information.
The act of handwriting engages both hemispheres of the brain. The coordination between the dominant and non-dominant hand, coupled with the integration of visual and motor skills, facilitates communication between the two hemispheres. This cross-talk between brain hemispheres is thought to enhance overall brain connectivity and contribute to a more holistic cognitive experience.
Digital Age Challenges and the Art of Personalization
Despite the undeniable benefits of handwriting, the rise of digital devices and keyboards has altered the educational landscape. While technology offers its advantages, there is a growing recognition of the unique contributions that traditional handwriting brings to the table. Handwriting allows for personalization and creativity in presenting information. The freedom to choose writing styles, vary letter shapes, and incorporate doodles or illustrations can engage creative processes, stimulating additional neural networks.
In a world increasingly dominated by keyboards and touchscreens, the neurological benefits of handwriting should not be overlooked. In addition to the cognitive advantages, handwriting also holds a unique personal connection. The individuality of one’s handwriting is a reflection of personality and character, carrying an emotional and nostalgic value that transcends the utilitarian nature of digital text.
Microscopic photos observed through changes of the flourescence of the synapse sensor (SynapShot) by cultivating the neurons of an experimental rat and expressing the SynapShot. The changes in the synapse that is created when the pre- and post-synaptic terminals come into contact and the synapse that disappears after a certain period of time are measured by the fluorescence of the SynapShot. Credit: KAIST Optogenetics & RNA therapeutics Lab
A new study reveals significant findings in the fight against Long Covid. Through a comprehensive analysis of blood serum from 113 patients, researchers discovered changes in blood serum proteins related to the complement system, coagulation, and tissue injury in Long Covid patients.
A new study employs generative AI to shed light on how the human brain processes memories for learning, imagination, and planning. The study used a computational model resembling the hippocampus and neocortex’s neural networks to simulate memory encoding and retrieval.
A new study has reported that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, can infect dopamine neurons in the brain and trigger senescence—when a cell loses the ability to grow and divide.
Researchers have taken the first steps to treat Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Type 2 diabetes by creating multiple patent-pending compounds shown to inhibit protein aggregation associated with those diseases.
A neuroscientific study is paving the way for improving the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s.
A new study reveals limitations in the current use of mathematical models for personalized medicine, particularly in schizophrenia treatment. Although these models can predict patient outcomes in specific clinical trials, they fail when applied to different trials, challenging the reliability of AI-driven algorithms in diverse settings.
Research into the nature of memory reveals how cells that store information are stabilized over time.
A new study explores how infants and toddlers acquire language. Findings reveal early comprehension begins around 6-7 months, and significant improvements in language understanding occur around a child’s first birthday.
New research looks at ways to predict when a migraine attack will occur.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found overactivation in many brain regions, including the frontal and parietal lobes and the amygdala, in unmedicated children with anxiety disorders. They also showed that treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) led to improvements in clinical symptoms and brain functioning.
A ribbon of brain tissue called cortical gray matter grows thinner in people who go on to develop dementia, and this appears to be an accurate biomarker of the disease five to 10 years before symptoms appear, scientists report.
3D bioprinting sheds light on why blood vessel curvature may foster brain cancer metastasis.
Researchers achieved a significant advancement in robotics by replicating human-like variable speed walking using a musculoskeletal model. This model, steered by a reflex control method akin to the human nervous system, enhances our understanding of human locomotion and sets new standards for robotic technology.
Researchers conducted a study to explore the neuroscientific basis of fairness in social situations, investigating the interplay between personal interests and societal norms. By applying electric brain stimulation to 60 participants, the researchers pinpointed specific brain regions crucial to fairness decisions.
Finally this week, scientists have made a significant discovery using an artificial neural network model, suggesting that musical instinct may emerge naturally from the human brain.
Three experiments to test how dopamine affects cognitive performance during acute exercise. Credit: The Journal of Physiology (2024)
A study exploring the mechanisms behind why cognitive performance improves in response to exercise, has found that dopamine plays a key role.
Researchers have discovered that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) develop distinct attentional preferences compared to typically developing children, focusing more on non-social stimuli like objects and textures.
Recent research contrasts the learning mechanisms of the human brain with those of deep learning in AI. Despite having fewer layers and slower, noisier dynamics, the brain can perform complex classification tasks as effectively as AI with hundreds of layers.
A new study uncovers a unique aspect of human memory: our ability to recall events is sharper after experiencing negative emotions.
A major clinical trial has shown that by using MRI and tracking to guide the delivery of magnetic stimulation to the brains of people with severe depression, patients will see their symptoms ease for at least six months, which could vastly improve their quality of life.
New research reveals that coming off antidepressants like Prozac can cause not only physical symptoms but also emotional, cognitive, and social difficulties.
Through transcriptomic profiling of more than 300,000 cells in human substantia nigra, a part of the brain that helps control the body’s movements, a research team has identified a previously unreported neuron type with vulnerability in Parkinson’s disease. This novel finding could help explain the complexity of the disease symptoms and direct new therapeutics development.
Researchers have found evidence suggesting that children exposed to elevated levels of early life adversity exhibit an accelerated pattern of brain development during the preschool years.
New research for the first time reveals the function of a little-understood junction between cells in the brain that could have important treatment implications for conditions ranging from multiple sclerosis to Alzheimer’s disease, to a type of brain cancer known as glioma.
Finally this week, a third major study finds that multivitamin supplements improve memory and slow cognitive aging in older adults.
Researchers carried out a study exploring the impact of context on goal-directed decision-making. Their findings, published in Neuron, suggest that goal-seeking ‘compresses’ spatial maps in the hippocampus and orbitofrontal cortices in the brain.
Learning a second language strengthens neural connections in the language network, a new study shows.
A recent review highlights significant advancements in wearable electroencephalogram (EEG) technologies for non-invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). This review is particularly valuable for researchers and clinicians new to BCI applications, offering insights into mainstream wearable non-invasive BCIs and the latest research reports.
New research may create some respite for patients of two medically unexplained fatigue-inducing conditions: myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM).
A new study has found that people with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery had stable cognition two years later suggesting that bariatric surgery may mitigate the natural history of cognitive decline expected in people with obesity.
Researchers have discovered that a protein called phosphorylated α-synuclein, which is associated with several neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, is also involved in the normal processes of how neurons communicate with each other in a healthy brain.
Adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have smaller cerebellums, according to new research from a brain imaging study.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry has identified previously unknown alterations in neural connectivity that promote psychomotor disturbance—a slowing or reduction in movement—in individuals with major depressive disorder.
Finally this week, new research explores the potential of aesthetic chills, intense emotional responses characterized by shivers and goosebumps, as a novel intervention for depression.
Sleep is a fundamental aspect of human existence, yet the reasons behind why we sleep have puzzled scientists for centuries. Recent advancements in neuroscience have shed light on the mechanisms and functions of sleep, revealing its impact on cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall health. In this post, we will explore the neuroscientific perspective on why we sleep and the vital role it plays in maintaining optimal brain function.
Restoration and Repair
One of the primary functions of sleep is to facilitate physical and mental restoration. During the waking hours, the brain accumulates metabolic waste products that can be detrimental to its proper functioning. Studies [1] have shown that during sleep, the glymphatic system becomes highly active, clearing away toxins and waste products that accumulate in the brain throughout the day. This process promotes cellular repair, ensuring that the brain is in optimal condition for the next day’s activities.
Memory Consolidation
Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, a process in which newly acquired information is stabilized and integrated into existing knowledge networks. The hippocampus, a brain region vital for memory formation, is particularly active during specific stages of sleep, such as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Research [2] suggests that the reactivation of neural pathways during sleep strengthens synaptic connections, contributing to the consolidation and organization of memories.
Emotional Regulation
The emotional resilience of an individual is closely tied to the quality of their sleep. Studies [3] have revealed that sleep is essential for regulating emotional responses and processing negative experiences. The amygdala, a key player in emotional processing, undergoes a recalibration during sleep, helping individuals better cope with stress and emotional challenges. Disruptions in sleep patterns have been linked to heightened emotional reactivity and an increased risk of mood disorders.
Learning and Cognitive Function
Sleep is intricately connected to learning and cognitive performance. Evidence [4] suggests that sleep facilitates synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time. This process is crucial for learning new skills, acquiring knowledge, and adapting to changing environments. Lack of sleep has been shown to impair attention, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities, highlighting the integral role of sleep in maintaining optimal cognitive function.
Hormonal Regulation
Sleep has a profound impact on the regulation of hormones, influencing various physiological processes. Studies [5] have demonstrated that sleep deprivation can disrupt the balance of hormones related to appetite, metabolism, and stress. This imbalance may contribute to weight gain, increased inflammation, and a higher risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Sleep is a complex and dynamic process that serves multiple essential functions for the brain and body. From the restoration of cellular integrity to the consolidation of memories and the regulation of emotions, sleep plays a critical role in maintaining overall well-being. As our understanding of the neuroscience of sleep deepens, it becomes increasingly clear that prioritizing healthy sleep patterns is fundamental to promoting optimal cognitive function and sustaining a balanced and fulfilling life.
Notes
[1] Xie et al. (2013): “Sleep Drives Metabolite Clearance from the Adult Brain.”Nedergaard, M. (2013); “Garbage Truck of the Brain.”
[2] Diekelmann, S., & Born, J. (2010): “The memory function of sleep.” ; Walker, M. P., & Stickgold, R. (2006): “Sleep, memory, and plasticity.”
[3] Walker, M. P., & van der Helm, E. (2009): “Overnight therapy? The role of sleep in emotional brain processing.” ; Goldstein, A. N., & Walker, M. P. (2014): “The Role of Sleep in Emotional Brain Function.”
[4] Stickgold, R. (2005): “Sleep-dependent memory consolidation.” ; Rasch, B., & Born, J. (2013): “About Sleep’s Role in Memory.”
[5] Spiegel, K., & Leproult, R. (1999): “Impact of sleep debt on metabolic and endocrine function.” ; Taheri, S., et al. (2004): “Short Sleep Duration Is Associated with Reduced Leptin, Elevated Ghrelin, and Increased Body Mass Index.”
A new study has identified a neural coding mechanism that allows the transfer of information back and forth between perceptual regions to memory areas of the brain. The results are published in Nature Neuroscience.
Perceived time has a significant impact on the actual time it takes to heal physical wounds, according to new research.
Researchers have identified a wide range of risk factors for young-onset dementia. The findings challenge the notion that genetics are the sole cause of the condition, laying the groundwork for new prevention strategies.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking synaptic transistor inspired by the human brain. This device can simultaneously process and store information, mimicking the brain’s capacity for higher-level thinking.
People who have more disrupted sleep in their 30s and 40s may be more likely to have memory and thinking problems a decade later, according to new research published in Neurology.
With help from an artificial language network, neuroscientists have discovered what kind of sentences are most likely to fire up the brain’s key language processing centers. The new study reveals that more complex sentences, either because of unusual grammar or unexpected meaning, generate stronger responses in these language processing centers. Very straightforward sentences barely engage these regions, and nonsensical sequences of words don’t do much for them either.
Finally this week, scientists have identified a molecular anchor that stabilizes mitochondria near synapses to support memory formation.
Multitasking, the art of handling multiple tasks simultaneously, has become a fundamental aspect of daily life in our fast-paced society. It’s normal for us to divide our attention throughout the day, navigating a multitude of both routine and significant tasks, whether we’re answering work emails while watching TV, brainstorming shopping lists during meetings, or listening to podcasts while doing dishes.
Engaging in two things at once doesn’t always result in the same level of productivity or safety. The challenge with multitasking arises when tasks become intricate or require a substantial amount of energy, such as driving a car while talking on the phone. We tend to perform worse in one or both tasks in these situations.
In this article, you’ll discover why this occurs and how our multitasking skills evolve with age.
The Brain’s Executive Control
To multitask effectively, the brain’s executive control system, a neural network that orchestrates cognitive processes, must be activated. This system navigates the complex landscape of multitasking, which is predominantly associated with the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex, situated in the frontal part of the brain, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the seamless integration of various cognitive functions.
One of the key features of the executive control system is its ability to shift attention dynamically. This involves the ability to swiftly redirect focus from one task to another, allowing individuals to adapt to changing demands and stimuli in their environment. Furthermore, our ability to structure and coordinate multiple tasks effectively depends on the executive control system.
In addition to attention, planning, and organization, the executive control system plays a central role in decision-making. It is the nexus where choices are evaluated, priorities are established, and actions are initiated. In the prefrontal cortex, executive functions work synergistically to harmonize the myriad components of multitasking.
The prefrontal cortex’s executive control system is not static; rather, it adapts and refines itself as it experiences and practices. The executive control system becomes adept at allocating cognitive resources optimally as individuals engage in diverse tasks. Individuals who have honed their multitasking skills through specialized training or regularly engage in complex activities exhibit this adaptability. Highly skilled individuals, such as experienced surgeons, demonstrate greater efficiency in handling multiple tasks simultaneously compared to less experienced counterparts. This suggests that highly automated skills and efficient brain processes contribute to enhanced flexibility in multitasking. In a busy operating suite, skilled surgeons can navigate complex procedures while managing additional cognitive demands.
The Young Brain and Multi-Tasking
Children, with their developing brains, face distinct challenges when it comes to multitasking. Both brain capacity and experience contribute to adults having a greater multitasking capacity compared to children. The maturation of the prefrontal cortex, responsible for sharing cognitive resources between tasks, plays a crucial role in reducing the costs associated with multitasking. However, children often experience a decline in walking speed and smoothness when engaged in cognitive tasks, highlighting the ongoing development of neural pathways during childhood and adolescence.
Brain Maturation and Multitasking Efficiency
The maturation of the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex and the white matter tract connecting the hemispheres (corpus callosum), significantly influences multitasking efficiency. A larger prefrontal cortex enables better sharing of cognitive resources, allowing for improved performance in both motor and cognitive tasks. However, in children and adults with motor skill difficulties or developmental coordination disorders, multitasking errors are more common, emphasizing the intricate relationship between brain maturation and multitasking abilities.
Age-Related Changes
As individuals age, the neurobiology of multi-tasking undergoes subtle yet significant changes. Studies have shown that the prefrontal cortex experiences a gradual decline in volume and synaptic connections with age. This reduction in neural resources affects the brain’s ability to allocate attention and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Furthermore, the neurotransmitter systems crucial for executive functions, such as dopamine, may become less efficient, impacting motivation and sustained attention. The aging brain may struggle with task-switching, leading to slower cognitive processing and increased susceptibility to distractions.
Neuroscientific research indicates that older adults often experience challenges in filtering out irrelevant information, which can result in reduced efficiency during multitasking. This phenomenon is linked to changes in the connectivity between brain regions, affecting the coordination required for seamless task-switching.
Assessing multitasking capabilities becomes crucial, especially for older adults, as it can provide insights into the risk of future falls. Simple tests, such as walking while performing cognitive tasks, can help identify potential challenges and areas for improvement.
Interventions aimed at improving multitasking abilities in older adults include activities like pedaling an exercise bike or walking on a treadmill while engaging in cognitive tasks. The goal is to enhance the ability to divide attention efficiently, ignore distractions, and improve both speed and balance, promoting overall well-being in later years.
Compensatory Mechanisms
Despite these age-related changes, the brain remains remarkably adaptable. Older adults often develop compensatory mechanisms to mitigate the impact of cognitive decline. Neural plasticity allows the brain to reorganize and form new connections, potentially compensating for deficits in specific areas.
In addition, experience and expertise gained over the years may improve task performance in specific domains. Older individuals may leverage their accumulated knowledge and refined cognitive strategies to navigate complex tasks effectively, even if the raw speed of processing may be slower.
The Battle for Neural Pathways
The challenge with multi-tasking at a brain level lies in the competition for common neural pathways. When two tasks are performed simultaneously, they often contend for the same cognitive resources, akin to two intersecting streams of traffic on a road. This competition becomes more pronounced when tasks rely on shared sensory systems, such as vision, leading to increased interference.
Picture the brain as a bustling intersection where cognitive tasks represent distinct streams of traffic attempting to navigate through the neural network. As these streams intersect, the brain is faced with the demanding task of efficiently managing the flow of information. However, when two tasks contend for the same neural pathways, the result is a metaphorical traffic jam within the brain, causing interference and impeding the smooth progression of both tasks.
The intensity of this competition amplifies when tasks heavily rely on shared sensory systems, such as vision. In scenarios where the same visual pathways are crucial for the successful execution of both tasks, the interference reaches a crescendo. It’s akin to multiple lanes of traffic converging onto a narrow road, causing congestion and delays. In the neural realm, shared sensory systems become bottleneck points where cognitive traffic converges, leading to heightened competition and a subsequent decrease in the efficiency of processing both tasks.
This phenomenon sheds light on why multitasking becomes more challenging when tasks demand the simultaneous engagement of sensory resources. For instance, attempting to read a document on a computer screen while engaging in a phone conversation demands shared visual and auditory attention. As a result, the brain grapples with the dual demands, causing potential delays, lapses in attention, or errors in task performance.
Frontal Cortex and Cognitive Tasks
The brain’s planning centers in the frontal cortex play a crucial role in coordinating both motor and cognitive tasks. One of the key collaborators in this cognitive ensemble is the parieto-cerebellar system, which plays a pivotal role in coordinating motor movements and refining the precision of actions.
However when multiple tasks compete for the same sensory pathways, the frontal cortex faces a dilemma. The interference disrupts the natural flow of cognitive processes, hindering the brain’s ability to allocate resources efficiently. This disruption manifests as a slowdown in processing speed, a potential increase in errors, or even the prioritization of one task over another.
Real-world Implications
The impact of multitasking on neural resources becomes evident in everyday scenarios. For instance, engaging in tasks that compete for visual attention, like talking on the phone while driving, can be risky. The frontal cortex, responsible for planning and decision-making, struggles to allocate resources efficiently, leading to delayed reactions and an increased risk of missing critical signals, such as a sudden brake or a red light.
While the allure of multitasking persists, it’s important to recognize the emotional and energy costs associated with it especially when time-pressured. Many of us believe that multitasking saves time and energy in various aspects of life—be it at home, work, or school. However, the reality can be quite different.
Engaging in multitasking under time pressure often leads to heightened stress levels, triggering an increase in cortisol, the stress hormone. Prolonged exposure to such performance demands can leave individuals feeling fatigued and emotionally drained. The pursuit of efficiency through multitasking may inadvertently compromise overall well-being.
Are you thinking about your New Year’s resolutions this New Year’s Eve?
Despite the high failure rate of these resolutions – research by British psychologist Richard Wiseman in 2007 has shown that 88% of all resolutions end in failure – many continue to make the same resolutions year in and year out.
But just why are our old habits so hard to break?
The Science of Willpower
The brain area primarily responsible for willpower is theprefrontal cortexwhich is responsible for decision-making and goal-directed behavior, and the basal ganglia, which are involved in the formation of habits. When we make a resolution to change a behavior, our prefrontal cortex becomes active as we consider the pros and cons of the change and make a decision to pursue it. The basal ganglia are also involved in the process, as they help to encode the new behavior as a habit.
Making a resolution to change a behavior activates the brain’s reward system, releasing neurotransmitters such as dopamine that can motivate us to pursue the desired change. However, this initial burst of motivation can often wane over time, making it difficult to maintain the new behavior. This is where the basal ganglia come in, as they help to consolidate the new behavior into a long-term habit that requires less conscious effort to maintain. When we perform a behavior repeatedly, the neural pathways associated with that behavior become stronger, making it easier for us to perform the behavior automatically. This is known as habit formation.
Breaking a habit requires breaking these neural connections and replacing them with new ones. This can be difficult because it requires a lot of conscious effort and often involves stepping outside of our comfort zone. It can also be challenging because habits often serve a purpose in our lives, such as providing a sense of structure or helping us to cope with stress.
One way to break a habit is to identify the triggers that lead to the undesirable behavior and find ways to avoid or modify them. It can also be helpful to replace the undesirable behaviour with a new, more desirable behavior that serves the same purpose. For example, if you want to break the habit of snacking on unhealthy foods when you’re feeling stressed, you might try replacing this behavior with a healthier coping mechanism such as going for a walk or practicing deep breathing.
5 Evidence-Based Tips To Help You Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions
1. Use implementation intentions: These are specific plans that outline when, where, and how you will carry out your resolution. For example, you might say, “I will go to the gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6:00 PM.” Research has shown that people who use implementation intentions are more likely to follow through on their goals.
2. Get accountability from others: Research has shown that people who have someone to hold them accountable for their actions are more likely to stick to their resolutions. You might enlist a friend or coach to check in with you regularly or join a support group where you can share your progress and get feedback.
3. Make the behaviour automatic: As mentioned earlier, habits are formed through repetition. By performing a behavior repeatedly, it becomes easier to do automatically. To make your resolution a habit, try to incorporate it into your daily routine.
4. Use positive self-talk: Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your resolution, try to focus on the positive benefits. For example, instead of saying “I can’t eat junk food,” try saying “I choose to eat healthy foods because they make me feel energised and strong.” This positive self-talk can help to motivate you to stick to your resolution.
5. Expect setbacks and plan for them: It’s normal to encounter setbacks when trying to make a change. To increase your chances of success, plan for these setbacks and have a strategy in place for how to handle them. For example, if you’re trying to quit smoking and you have a craving, you might plan to go for a walk or call a supportive friend instead of lighting up a cigarette.
You might also find it helpful to watch this excellent video from Dr. Mike Evans.
Making a New Year’s resolution can be a powerful way to make positive changes in your life. However, it’s important to approach these resolutions with a plan in place to increase your chances of success. With dedication and perseverance, you can achieve your goals and make the positive changes you desire in the new year.
This video explores the storage, suppression, and rekindling of memories, drawing upon groundbreaking research from Trinity College Dublin.
In pursuit of perfect memory, we tend to categorize forgetfulness as a sign of cognitive weakness. However, emerging research suggests a paradigm shift in our understanding of memory and forgetfulness. In contrast to popular belief, forgetting is not a sign of a faulty memory, but rather the brain orchestrating a purposeful act to optimize our cognitive abilities.
This shift could revolutionize the way we perceive memory and its role in our daily lives. Instead of viewing forgetfulness as a shortcoming, it could be seen as a strategic mechanism, honed by evolution to filter and prioritize information. Imagine the implications this could have on education, where traditional methods often emphasize rote memorization. If forgetting is indeed a natural and adaptive process, educators might need to reconsider their approach to learning and information retention.
Furthermore, the understanding of forgetting and its purpose can hold profound implications for disciplines such as psychology and neurology. Expanding our comprehension of the mechanisms and functions of forgetting may serve to reshape the approaches taken toward memory-related disorders and therapeutic interventions. This, in turn, could potentially open up new avenues for research and treatment, propelling advancements in these crucial fields.
Neuroplasticity at Work Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, plays a pivotal role in understanding the purposeful nature of forgetfulness. In a world where information overload is a daily reality, the brain must prioritize and organize data to function efficiently. This remarkable ability allows the brain to filter out irrelevant information and focus on what’s essential. The brain’s plasticity enables it to form new neural connections and reorganize existing ones, facilitating adaptation to new environments and learning new skills. Understanding the brain’s capacity for adaptation and prioritization sheds light on its incredible resilience and capability to thrive in diverse and demanding circumstances.
Learning from Mistakes Forgetfulness also serves as a valuable tool in learning from our mistakes. It allows us to filter out the less important information and retain only the most crucial lessons from our experiences. This process of selective forgetfulness aids in simplifying complex situations and extracting the key takeaways, ultimately contributing to a more refined learning process. By discarding superfluous details, our minds are better equipped to discern patterns and identify the core factors that contributed to specific outcomes. This, in turn, empowers us to make more informed decisions in the future and navigate similar situations more effectively. It’s fascinating to consider how our brains have evolved this adaptive mechanism to optimize the learning process and enable us to continuously improve our responses to various challenges.
The Role of Emotions Emotions play a significant role in the encoding and retrieval of memories. The brain tends to retain emotionally charged experiences more vividly, while less emotionally significant details may fade away. Forgetfulness, therefore, is not an indiscriminate process but rather a nuanced response influenced by the emotional context of our memories. This phenomenon highlights the interconnectedness of our emotional experiences and memory formation. The amygdala, a key player in processing emotions, is closely linked to the encoding and storage of emotional memories. When we encounter a particularly emotional event, the amygdala sends a signal to the hippocampus, a region crucial for forming new memories, enhancing the vividness and strengthening the imprint of that experience in our minds.
Understanding the impact of emotions on memory not only provides insight into the workings of the human mind but also has practical implications. For instance, educators can leverage emotionally charged experiences to enhance students’ retention of material. Similarly, in therapeutic settings, acknowledging the emotional context of memories is essential to address and process traumatic experiences effectively.
In reevaluating our understanding of forgetfulness, it becomes clear that our brains are not simply fallible machines prone to glitches. Instead, forgetfulness is a purposeful act orchestrated by our brains to optimize cognitive function in an ever-changing environment. When we consider the concept of forgetfulness in this light, we start to recognize the remarkable abilities of our brains to prioritize and adapt in response to the constant influx of new information and experiences. Rather than viewing forgetfulness as a shortcoming, we can appreciate it as a strategic process that allows our minds to maintain efficiency and relevance in a dynamic reality. This perspective invites us to explore the interplay between forgetting and remembering, shedding light on the delicate balance that sustains our cognitive prowess.
A team of researchers has created the first “multiome” atlas of brain cell development in the human cerebral cortex across six broad developmental time points from fetal development into adulthood, shedding new light on their roles during brain development and disease. “Multiome” refers to the simultaneous analysis of multiple types of genetic information within the same biological sample. They can include the genome, the DNA encoded in our cells; the transcriptome, the RNA copies that the cell makes from the genome; and the epigenome, chemical modifications and regulatory factors that determine the accessibility of chromatin.
Scientists have established how the activity of our brain during imaginary movement differs from that during real action.
A new study reveals ancestries around the world possess a shared genetic architecture for problematic alcohol use (PAU)—habitual heavy drinking, accompanied by harmful consequences. The findings, published in Nature Medicine, could help scientists understand the genetic basis of PAU, a major cause of health problems in many age groups.
Researchers have demonstrated that differences in the gut microbiome are associated with overall cognitive function and brain structure in healthy children.
In an innovative study, researchers have conducted the first systematic investigation of the effects of cognitive fatigue by using two different tasks across three distinct populations: multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and controls.
A new study details that markers of brain injury are present in the blood many months after COVID-19 infection, despite inflammation blood tests being normal.
Finally this week, new research investigates the impact of binaural beat (BB) on language skills. BB is a sound that occurs when two slightly mismatched pure tones are heard. There is a growing interest in using BB as a non-invasive neuromodulation to enhance cognitive performance.
This video delves into a groundbreaking study revealing how experienced meditators can voluntarily enter states of deep unconsciousness and reawaken with heightened mental clarity.
These states are sometimes called “cessations” or “nirvana with remainder” in Buddhist terminology. Cessation refers to the temporary suspension of the ordinary flow of consciousness. It is considered a deep state of tranquility where the usual mental activities come to a temporary halt. This is often described as a profound stillness or emptiness.
After experiencing cessation, practitioners often report a profound sense of clarity, heightened awareness, and a deep understanding of the nature of the mind and reality. This clarity is said to result from the temporary suspension of normal cognitive processes, allowing for a direct, unmediated perception of reality.
Examples of inputs and outputs from the MADRC dataset.
Researchers have developed a suite of free tools for analyzing vast amounts of brain dissection photographs at brain banks worldwide to enhance understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study reveals a strong link between regular physical activity and enhanced brain health. Analyzing MRI scans from 10,125 individuals, researchers found that exercise, even moderate exercise like walking, is associated with increased brain volumes in crucial areas like gray matter, white matter, and the hippocampus. The study underscores exercise’s role in reducing dementia risk and maintaining brain size.
Scientists have discovered that a part of the brain associated with working memory and multisensory integration may also play an important role in how the brain processes social cues.
In a first-of-its-kind study published in Nature, researchers recorded activity from hundreds of individual neurons while participants listened to spoken sentences, giving us an unprecedented view into how the brain analyzes the sounds in words.
A new study has unveiled three distinct cognitive deficits contributing to reading difficulties in individuals with left-sided neglect dyslexia, a condition that often follows a right-hemisphere stroke.
Researchers have unveiled a significant similarity between AI memory processing and human hippocampal functions. This discovery, bridging AI and neuroscience, highlights a parallel in memory consolidation – a process crucial in transforming short-term to long-term memories – in both AI models and the human brain.
A new study highlights the significant role of imagination in evoking empathy and driving prosocial behaviour.
A so-called pathological protein long associated with Parkinson’s disease has been found in a new study to trigger cells to increase protein synthesis, an event that eventually kills the subset of brain cells that die off in this neurodegenerative condition.
A new study presents a promising treatment for restoring the sense of smell in long-COVID patients.
Researchers have found that amyloid oligomers play a role in speeding up mitochondrial energetics during the early stages of Alzheimer’s, in contrast to what has been previously found in more advanced Alzheimer’s brain tissues. The results are publishedin Nature Communications.
Research led by the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, has found an increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with long-term ADHD medication use.
New research has uncovered a potential early marker for autism in infants: abnormally enlarged perivascular spaces (PVS) in the brain. The study found that infants with enlarged PVS had a 2.2 times greater chance of developing autism compared to those with the same genetic risk. The researchers followed infants with a higher likelihood of autism due to having an older sibling with the condition.
Signs of injury to the brain’s white matter called white matter hyperintensities, as seen on brain scans, may be tied more strongly to vascular risk factors, brain shrinkage, and other markers of dementia in former tackle football players than in those who did not play football, according to a study published in Neurology.
Artificial intelligence, coupled with data from an iPad coloring game, could assist in early diagnosis of autism, a new study shows.
A review in the Journal of Internal Medicine explores the potential of non-invasive interventions such as light, sound, and magnets to stimulate gamma brain waves for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Such strategies may be beneficial because Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by reduced fast brain oscillations in the gamma range (30–100 Hz).
Finally this week, researchers have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the genetic basis of anxiety disorders (ADs), which affect over 280 million people globally.
Loneliness, often considered a pervasive and silent epidemic, extends its influence far beyond emotions. Recent research has delved into the relationship between loneliness and the brain, revealing a complex interplay between loneliness and our brain’s neural patterns. The findings reveal that irrespective of social connections, lonely individuals exhibit distinct brain responses, underscoring the profound influence of this emotional state on neurological function.
The Stress Response and Cortisol
Loneliness emerges as a trigger for the stress response embedded in the brain’s complex architecture. This emotional state sets off a cascade of physiological reactions, with the release of stress hormones, particularly cortisol. Cortisol, often referred to as the “stress hormone,” serves as a vital player in the body’s response to challenging situations. However, when loneliness becomes a persistent companion, the continuous surge of cortisol can become a double-edged sword, influencing various aspects of brain health.
Memory, a fundamental component of cognitive function, becomes susceptible to the influence of heightened cortisol levels. Chronic exposure to stress hormones has been associated with memory impairment, affecting both the formation of new memories and the retrieval of existing ones. The toll on memory processes paints a vivid picture of how loneliness, as a chronic stressor, can compromise cognitive abilities.
Moreover, the prefrontal cortex, a pivotal region of the brain responsible for higher-order functions such as decision-making, emotional regulation, and social behavior, becomes a focal point of the impact of loneliness. Prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol levels has been linked to structural changes in the prefrontal cortex, including a reduction in size. This structural alteration may contribute to difficulties in decision-making and emotional regulation, creating a cognitive landscape where the challenges faced by lonely individuals extend beyond mere feelings of isolation.
Inflammation: Loneliness’s Silent Companion
Loneliness has been linked to a silent companion—increased levels of inflammation in both the body and the brain. This chronic inflammatory state may have broader implications for neurological health, potentially contributing to cognitive decline and various neurological conditions.
In response to chronic loneliness, the body’s immune system becomes activated, leading to a persistent state of inflammation. This inflammatory response is not confined to peripheral tissues; it permeates the central nervous system, reaching the brain. The intricate crosstalk between the immune system and the brain reveals the far-reaching consequences of loneliness on neurological health.
The chronic inflammatory state associated with loneliness is of particular concern due to its potential implications for cognitive function. Research suggests that prolonged exposure to elevated levels of inflammation may contribute to cognitive decline and an increased risk of various neurological conditions. The brain, normally resilient and adaptive, can become vulnerable to the systemic effects of inflammation, leading to disruptions in neural circuits and cognitive processes.
In the context of loneliness, the inflammatory response may compromise the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, a protective barrier that regulates the passage of substances between the bloodstream and the brain. This compromise can allow inflammatory molecules to enter the brain, where they may trigger localized inflammation and disrupt normal neural function.
Moreover, the chronic inflammatory state linked to loneliness may contribute to oxidative stress—a condition characterized by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Oxidative stress is known to play a role in neurodegenerative processes and has been implicated in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders.
Structural Changes in the Brain
Loneliness isn’t merely a psychological state—it extends its influence to cognitive performance. A growing body of research paints a compelling picture of the relationship between loneliness and cognitive performance, emphasizing that loneliness isn’t merely a psychological state—it’s a cognitive challenge that leaves its mark on the brain.
As previously stated, the brain, intricately sensitive to the nuances of social connection, undergoes structural changes in response to loneliness. The hippocampus, a vital region for learning and memory, appears to be particularly susceptible. Research suggests that alterations in the volume of the hippocampus may occur in lonely individuals. These structural changes may not only be markers of the cognitive challenges associated with loneliness but could also contribute to a cycle where loneliness begets cognitive difficulties, and cognitive difficulties perpetuate feelings of isolation.
Lonely individuals, it appears, may navigate a more demanding cognitive landscape compared to their socially connected counterparts. Executive functions, the high-order cognitive processes responsible for tasks such as decision-making, problem-solving, and planning, may be particularly vulnerable in the face of loneliness. Research suggests that lonely individuals may encounter challenges in efficiently executing these cognitive processes, potentially impacting their ability to navigate complex situations and make sound decisions.
Attention, a cornerstone of cognitive performance, also falls under the sway of loneliness. Lonely individuals may exhibit difficulties in sustaining attention and may be more prone to distractions, contributing to decreased cognitive efficiency. The persistent feeling of social isolation can divert cognitive resources towards monitoring social threats or interpreting ambiguous social cues, leaving fewer resources available for tasks that require sustained attention and focus.
Memory, another pillar of cognitive function, is not immune to the influence of loneliness. Studies indicate that lonely individuals may experience alterations in memory processes, affecting both the encoding and retrieval of information. The emotional toll of loneliness can introduce a cognitive bias, influencing the way memories are stored and recalled, potentially contributing to a distorted perception of social experiences.
Sleep Disturbances and Cognitive Consequences
Poor sleep quality, a well-established consequence of loneliness, is more than just a nightly inconvenience. It is a significant factor influencing overall brain health. During sleep, the brain undergoes crucial processes that contribute to cognitive functioning, memory consolidation, and emotional regulation. Disruptions in these processes due to poor sleep quality can result in cognitive consequences that exacerbate the challenges faced by lonely individuals.
Attention, concentration, and decision-making—all critical components of cognitive function—can be impaired when sleep quality is suboptimal. The brain’s ability to process information, learn new things, and adapt to changing circumstances may suffer, amplifying the cognitive challenges faced by those contending with both loneliness and sleep disturbances.
The link between loneliness and sleep disturbances is multifaceted. The emotional distress associated with loneliness can manifest as heightened arousal, anxiety, or rumination during the night, impeding the ability to initiate or maintain restful sleep. Individuals grappling with loneliness may find themselves caught in a cycle where the quiet solitude of the night magnifies their feelings of isolation, further complicating their struggle for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Mental Health and the Loneliness Connection
Loneliness, far from being a fleeting emotion, is intricately intertwined with mental health, and the consequences of this connection reverberate deep within the neural circuits of the brain. Research consistently underscores the heightened risk of mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety, in individuals grappling with loneliness. The psychological distress stemming from a perceived lack of social connection can cast a shadow over an individual’s thoughts and emotions, contributing to the development or exacerbation of these conditions.
At the neurobiological level, loneliness influences neurotransmitter levels, the chemical messengers that facilitate communication between nerve cells in the brain. Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, crucial players in regulating mood and emotional states, are particularly affected. Loneliness may lead to imbalances in these neurotransmitter systems, contributing to the manifestation of depressive symptoms and heightened anxiety.
Furthermore, loneliness disrupts the delicate neural circuits responsible for mood regulation. The brain regions involved in emotional processing, such as the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, experience altered activity in response to chronic loneliness. The amygdala, known for its role in processing emotions, may become hyperactive, amplifying the perception of social threats and fostering a heightened state of emotional arousal. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex, essential for regulating emotional responses, may exhibit decreased function, leading to difficulties in emotion regulation and decision-making.
The neural changes associated with loneliness create a feedback loop, reinforcing emotional distress and further compromising mental well-being. Prolonged exposure to these alterations can contribute to the persistence and exacerbation of mental health conditions, creating a challenging cycle for individuals trapped in the grip of loneliness.
Social Pain and Pleasure Systems
Neuroscientific studies reveal that loneliness triggers brain regions associated with physical pain. The neural patterns that activate during experiences of loneliness mirror those observed in response to physical distress, reinforcing the concept of loneliness as a form of social pain. The brain, it seems, interprets social isolation with a response akin to physical injury.
Conversely, positive social interactions, genuine connections, and shared moments of companionship activate the brain’s reward centers. The pleasure derived from such interactions is not merely subjective; it is deeply rooted in the brain’s intricate circuitry. Dopaminergic pathways, particularly those associated with the brain’s reward system, light up, releasing neurotransmitters that generate feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and contentment.
The neurological impact of loneliness is a multifaceted phenomenon, with implications that extend beyond emotional well-being. Understanding and addressing the neuroscience of loneliness becomes imperative for fostering a healthier, more resilient brain.
A team of international neuroscientists has obtained the first direct recordings of the human brain in the minutes before and after a brain hub crucial for language meaning was surgically disconnected. The results reveal the importance of brain hubs in neural networks and the remarkable way in which the human brain attempts to compensate when a hub is lost, with immediacy not previously observed.
A new study, published in Cell Reports, describes a novel molecular link between vitamin B12 and multiple sclerosis that takes place in astrocytes—important non-neuronal glial cells in the brain.
Australian researchers have flagged potential concerns over the use of social chatbots, calling for more studies into the impact of AI software on neurodiverse people and those who find human interaction difficult.
An exploratory study has shown that light, regular exercise can improve the cognitive as well as physical health of adults with Down syndrome.
Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, have examined the brains of 16 patients previously hospitalised for COVID-19 with persisting symptoms. They have found differences in brain tissue structure between patients with persisting symptoms after COVID-19 and healthy people.
Scientists have discovered a new way a ribonucleic acid (RNA) impacts fear-related learning and memory.
Comparing PET scans of more than 90 adults with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI), researchers say relatively lower levels of the so-called “happiness” chemical, serotonin, in parts of the brain of those with MCI may play a role in memory problems including Alzheimer’s disease.
A new study reveals a significant association between adverse childhood experiences and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia in adolescents and young adults.
Using electrochemical techniques and machine learning, scientists measured dopamine levels in real time during a computer game involving rewards and penalties. The findings shed light on the intricate role of dopamine in human behavior and could have implications for understanding psychiatric and neurological disorders.
A new study sheds light on the significant role of patients’ beliefs in the effectiveness of neurostimulation treatments for conditions like depression and ADHD. Analyzing five studies, the research team found that patients’ perceptions of receiving real or placebo treatments often had more impact on outcomes than the treatments themselves.
New research has found that smoking causes the brain to shrink and age prematurely, a condition not reversible even after quitting smoking.
Researchers have discovered a key player in alcohol addiction: pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP). This peptide, found in the “bed nucleus of the stria terminalis” (BNST), is linked to heavy alcohol drinking and withdrawal.
Finally this week, new research reveals that moderate exercise improves cognitive performance even under conditions of sleep deprivation and low oxygen levels.
Researchers have demonstrated the use of AI-selected natural images and AI-generated synthetic images as neuroscientific tools for probing the visual processing areas of the brain. The goal is to apply a data-driven approach to understand how vision is organized while potentially removing biases that may arise when looking at responses to a more limited set of researcher-selected images.
A first-line therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) reshapes connectivity of the brain, according to a new study
A new analysis of the brain activity of people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the first to reveal that traumatic memories are represented in the brain in an entirely different way than sad autobiographical memories.
Researchers have identified objective evidence of how the neck muscles are involved in primary headaches.
Optimal windows exist for action and perception during the 0.8 seconds of a heartbeat, according to research published in the open-access journalPLOS Biology. The sequence of contraction and relaxation is linked to changes in the motor system and its ability to respond to stimulation, and this could have implications for treatments for depression and stroke that excite nerve cells.
In a new study, researchers say they found high levels of a repair protein present long after a traumatic brain injury such as a concussion takes place.
A new study shows that individuals who report tinnitus, which presents as a ringing in the ears in more than 1 out of 10 adults worldwide, are experiencing auditory nerve loss that is not picked up by conventional hearing tests.
A new study has demonstrated that a novel treatment is effective in most patients with major depressive symptoms even after multiple failed courses of antidepressant medication. The treatment, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), may work even more rapidly than past findings have suggested, starting to alleviate symptoms as quickly as one week.
Finally this week, newborn babies can perceive the beat in music, new research has confirmed.
Interoception, often dubbed the “hidden sense,” refers to our ability to perceive internal body signals. It’s the silent dialogue between our organs and our brain, influencing everything from our heartbeat to our breath.
This video explores the science behind interoception, its role in our daily lives, the interoception of emotions, and how interoception research is shaping therapies for mental health disorders and reshaping our understanding of human cognition.
Researchers have investigated the shared and unique neural processes that underlie different types of long-term memory: general semantic, personal semantic, and episodic memory, suggesting that these memory types all use the same network of the brain, rather than relying on different areas of the brain altogether. This questions a previous theory that characterizes general semantic and episodic memory as two distinct systems. Instead, the authors suggest that different long-term memory types could be viewed as a spectrum, where they rely on activating the same areas of the brain at differing magnitudes.
Using a specialized device that translates images into sound, neuroscientists have shown that people who are blind recognize basic faces using the part of the brain known as the fusiform face area, a region that is crucial for the processing of faces in sighted people.
People with long COVID exhibit patterns of changes in the brain that are different from fully recovered COVID-19 patients, according to new research.
What is the mechanism that allows our brains to incorporate new information about the world, and form memories? New work led by Dr. Tomás Ryan from Trinity College Dublin shows that learning occurs through the continuous formation of new connectivity patterns between specific engram cells in different regions of the brain.
New research indicates that acoustic stimulation of the brain may ease persistent symptoms in individuals who have experienced mild traumatic brain injury in the past.
Scientists have discovered that Alzheimer’s-related changes in brain networks extend beyond memory and attention, impacting sensory and motor circuits. These findings challenge previous assumptions about Alzheimer’s effects.
A pivotal discovery in addiction science has found a correlation between microstructural deficits in the prefrontal cortex-habenula tract and the development and maintenance of addiction.
Researchers have unveiled a pioneering technique for charting the intricate conversations occurring within our brains. Such insights are key to decoding behavioral alterations in neurological disease patients. The innovative tool, CaMPARI, allows scientists to witness brain activity in real-time, marking active neurons red and inactive ones green. This breakthrough could offer pathways to better treatments and understanding of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
A team of neuroscientists has found evidence suggesting that the neural development of babies still in the womb is impacted by the language they hear spoken by their mothers as they carry them.
A new study has discovered a link between a new gene pathway and structural brain anomalies in some people who stutter into adulthood, opening up promising research avenues to enhance the understanding of persistent developmental stuttering.
Finally this week, researchers have developed a tool that simplifies the identification of errors in neural networks used for image recognition.
(A) Brain regions where spectra were measured (yellow box) (B) 1H MR spectrum in the hippocampus: Hippocampal taurine signal shown at 3.4 ppm (arrow). Black line: actual measured spectrum. Red line: LCModel fitting spectrum. Credit: Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)
For the first time, a research team in Korea has discovered there is a significant relationship between depression and the taurine concentration in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory and learning functions. This discovery provides the opportunity to publicize the role and importance of taurine in future prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of depression.
A recent study reveals that individuals who experienced childhood adversity, such as neglect or abuse, faced higher chances of COVID-19 hospitalization or mortality in adulthood.
Time spent watching television or playing computer games has measurable and long-term effects on children’s brain function, according to a review of 23 years of neuroimaging research, which—while showing negative impacts—also demonstrates some positive effects.
A first-of-its-kind study has identified overactive inflammation and loss of critical protection mechanisms in the brain as potential contributors to suicide risk.
An international team of scientists has uncovered the vital role of microglia, the immune cells in the brain that acts as its dedicated defense team, in early human brain development. By incorporating microglia into lab-grown brain organoids, scientists were able mimic the complex environment within the developing human brain to understand how microglia influence brain cell growth and development.
Mayo Clinic researchers have identified new scoring criteria allowing for the detection of treatable forms of rapidly progressive dementia (RPD) with reasonably high confidence during a patient’s first clinical visit. This scoring criteria may allow physicians to substantially reduce the time it takes to begin treatment. The findings are published in the Annals of Neurology.
A new sudy has identified the top three genes responsible for traumatic brain injury complications.
Researchers have made a discovery that sheds light on how our brain cells manage to efficiently replace older proteins. This process is crucial for maintaining effective neural communication and ensuring optimal cognitive function.
A pair of studies has uncovered novel cellular mechanisms that are involved in two types of genetic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research, psychological assessments indicated that people who regularly use cannabis, or marijuana, tend to have a greater understanding of the emotions of others. Brain imaging tests also revealed that cannabis users’ anterior cingulate—a region generally affected by cannabis use and related to empathy—had stronger connectivity with brain regions related to sensing the emotional states of others within one’s own body.
Finally this week, researchers have unearthed the genetic connection between the heart and brain related to fainting spells.
As the most complex organ in your body, your brain changes radically throughout your life. Starting from before birth and continuing even after you’ve died.
As we age, the brain undergoes several transformations that can impact its structure and function. These changes are part of the natural aging process, and while they are normal, they can sometimes affect certain aspects of cognitive function.
Let’s explore some general trends associated with aging and the brain:
Shrinking of Brain Volume: As people age, there is a gradual reduction in overall brain volume. This is primarily due to a decrease in the size and weight of individual neurons, as well as a reduction in the number of synapses (connections between neurons). The frontal cortex, important for functions such as decision-making and problem-solving, is particularly vulnerable to age-related volume loss.
Reduced Blood Flow: Another notable change in the aging brain is the decrease in blood flow. This reduced circulation can affect the delivery of essential nutrients and oxygen to brain cells, potentially impacting cognitive functions such as memory and attention.
Changes in Neural Communication: Aging can disrupt the intricate network of neural connections within the brain. These disruptions may lead to slower information processing, difficulty in multitasking, and challenges in forming new memories. However, the brain has a remarkable ability to adapt and compensate for these changes, often finding alternative pathways to complete tasks.
Altered Neurochemical Balance: The aging process can also impact the production and regulation of various neurotransmitters. These chemical messengers play a vital role in synaptic communication. Imbalances in neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin can affect mood, motivation, and overall cognitive function.
Increased Risk of Neurodegenerative Diseases: While not an inevitable consequence of aging, the risk of developing certain neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease does increase with age. These conditions can have a profound impact on memory, movement, and other cognitive abilities.
It’s important to note that while these trends are commonly seen in the aging brain, everyone’s experience is unique. Many factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and overall health, can influence how an individual’s brain ages. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical exercise, a balanced diet, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement, can contribute to maintaining brain health as one ages. Additionally, ongoing research aims to better understand the aging brain and develop strategies to promote cognitive well-being in older individuals.
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.– The Buddha (c. 563 BCE)
Look deeply into nature to understand the secrets of the Universe.
Until recently, the task of applying what we know about the brain to the bigger question of personal human experience has been avoided by scientists. However the emergence of the new discipline of neuroscience – the scientific study of the nervous system – is helping us to bridge this gap by providing new ways to answer such age-old questions as why does kindness exist, and why is it important? To answer these questions we first need to consider an important property of nerve cells (neurons) in the human brain.
What actually is emotion?
Emotion feels so natural and seems so normal, but what if emotion is not there? What if emotion is an emergent phenomenon and only something we experience as macroscopic beings? This might sound strange, but we know that we are sandwiched within the Universe. For example, we do not feel the cosmological expansion that dominates the large scale of the Universe nor do we feel the very small scale where individual atoms inside us collide with our skin. Instead, we have a collective term – temperature – to describe what is happening. Perhaps emotion is the same. This may feel uncomfortable when you ask just where is the ‘you’ and how you feel in all of this.
Understanding emotion
Perhaps it is best to think of it like this – most of us have come to terms with the fact that we are physically a collection of atoms. We, and our consciousness somehow emerge and we seem to be able to live with this illusion of our being. Maybe all we need to do is the same for how we feel, as we play out our short existence.
Mirror neurons
The discovery of mirror neurons, a cluster of neurons in the brain that help connect us emotionally to other people, respond sympathetically towards others and allow us to anticipate others’ intentions is now believed to be the basis of human empathy. Mirror neurons were first discovered by neuroscientists in the 1990s while recording the activity of neurons in the brain where it was noticed that certain populations of neurons remain silent (observation) and active (imitation) when we watch others perform the same action, hence the name mirror neurons [1,2]. Scientists have extended this finding in the human brain to show that nerve activity in mirror neurons also behaves in the same way when we see another person expressing an emotion, and this nerve activity is not observed in disorders of empathy [3].
Our behaviour mirrors our environment
Each person is a mirror of their environment, which is then in turn mirrored by their own behaviour. This underlies the powerful phenomenon of social contagion – that information, ideas, and behaviours including kindness can spread through networks of people the way that infectious diseases do. For this reason, giving and receiving kindness can have a contagious effect. Research also shows that optimal learning takes place in an environment that is creative, inclusive, rewarding and bolstered by firm, healthy boundaries, in an environment that is kind. Even those in deep distress due to imprisonment, addiction, financial worries, and high anxiety also benefit greatly from an environment that is creative, inclusive and boundaried.
Unkindness
What to do when we encounter unkindness? Behaviours including anxiety, anger, and rudeness can also spread through networks of people the way that infectious diseases do. The antidote to becoming infected with these miserable states is to be aware that every action must be consciously chosen, and not an emotional response.
Kindness is the key to our survival
Why is kindness so important? This question can be answered in the context that every single human being is unique because we each poses a uniquely complex brain, so complex that in all of human history no two human brains can be identical. This is because the unique combination of about 100 trillion tiny brain connections (synapses) that grow and change throughout life is an ongoing work in progress from conception to death. In this way we each one of us ‘evolve’ as true individuals as we each make our journey through life. Kindness is the green light to keep going. If you are not open to giving and receiving kindness then you may not be growing. In the same way, humankind will only evolve by making room for each and every individual to express their intellectual and spiritual evolution to the full. In this way, the evolution of the human race has everything to do with being open to giving and receiving kindness.
[2] Kraskov A, Dancause N, Quallo MM, Shepherd S and Lemon RN. (2009) Corticospinal neurons in macaque ventral premotor cortex with mirror properties: A potential mechanism for action suppression? Neuron 64, 922-930.
[3] Corradini A, Antonietti A. (2013) Mirror neurons and their function in cognitively understood empathy. Consciousness and Cognition. 22, 1152–1161.
Using sophisticated imaging tools, Yale neuroscientist Joy Hirsch tracked in real-time the brain activity of two people engaging in conversation and discovered an intricate choreography of neural activity in social interaction areas.
A similar experiment performed with two people using Zoom, the ubiquitous video conferencing platform, revealed a very different neural landscape. In online exchanges, neural activity was substantially suppressed compared with activity observed in face-to-face conversations.
Compared to “in-person” conversations, Zoom reduced neural signaling significantly. In face-to-face conversations, increased activity was associated with longer gaze times and larger pupil diameters, indicating more arousal in the two brains. Additionally, more coordinated neural activity was found between brains of people conversing in person, suggesting that social cues between people conversing in person were being exchanged more reciprocally.
These findings illustrate how important live, face-to-face interactions are to our natural social behaviors, Hirsch said. “Online representations of faces, at least with current technology, do not have the same ‘privileged access’ to social neural circuitry in the brain that is typical of the real thing,” she said.
The findings were published Oct. 25 in the journal Imaging Neuroscience. Nan Zhao et al, Separable Processes for Live “In-Person” and Live “Zoom-like” Faces, Imaging Neuroscience (2023).
Researchers have identified important new methods for accurately identifying possible biomarkers in adolescent brains that can reliably predict cognitive developments and psychiatric issues.
A new study has examined the neural processes underlying odor processing in the human olfactory system and how the brain handles odor information from different nostrils and details the finding that each nostril has its own sense of smell, recording a distinct representation of the odor information it encounters.
A new study reveals the brain’s swift response to human errors compared to unintended outcomes. The study found that the brain recognizes an error within one second and then engages in a longer process to prevent future errors. This process was absent when the outcome wasn’t a direct result of an action, indicating a specialized error-awareness mechanism in the brain.
Researchers have identified new therapeutic targets for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), an incurable brain disorder with symptoms mimicking Parkinson’s and dementia.
A speech prosthetic developed by a collaborative team of neuroscientists, neurosurgeons, and engineers can translate a person’s brain signals into what they’re trying to say. The new technology might one day help people unable to talk due to neurological disorders regain the ability to communicate through a brain-computer interface.
It’s been debated for decades, but now researchers have suggested that left-handedness is not linked to better spatial skills.
A new study sheds light on when adolescents start thinking like adults. Researchers found that executive function, critical for task-switching and focus, typically matures around 18 years old. Drawing from over 10,000 participants and multiple datasets, this large-scale study offers a developmental chart for teen cognitive growth. These findings are invaluable for education, psychiatry, and the judicial system.
Researchers have discovered a potential link between the microbe C. perfringens and the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). The study hints at the prospect of developing a vaccine or alternative treatments in the near future.
In a new study, researchers use a very large dataset to identify predictive brain imaging-based biomarkers of mental illness in adolescents.
Using advanced brain scanning technology, a research team has revealed insights into what happens in the brain during an advanced form of meditation called jhana. By uncovering distinct patterns of activity in different regions of the brain during jhana, the research suggests exciting possibilities for innovative therapies merging ancient meditation practices with modern neuroscience to improve well-being.
Finally this week,new research suggests your biological age, more than the years you’ve lived, may predict your risk of dementia and stroke in the future.
Two studies conducted by UCLA investigators provide fresh perspectives on how neurons in the human brain encode the fundamental elements of consciousness—time and space. These are the cornerstone dimensions of our experience, enabling us to recollect the past and imagine the future.
By employing specialized depth electrodes, the researchers examined epilepsy patients, uncovering “place cells” related to spatial awareness and “time cells” involved in understanding temporal aspects.
One of the studies demonstrated the independent yet simultaneous functioning of these cells during navigation tasks. Another study revealed that specific neurons maintained consistent temporal patterns regardless of the speed of external stimuli.
Two crucial sets of findings emerged:
The human brain encompasses specialized cells such as “place cells” and “grid cells” for spatial mapping and “time cells” for tracking temporal sequences. Notably, during navigation in a virtual environment, place cells exhibit a consistent pattern, while time cells demonstrate variability based on the task at hand. This suggests a notable separation between the neuronal dimensions of time and space.
The discovery of temporally periodic cells (TPCs) reveals distinct periodic behavior across various time scales. This unique behavior potentially serves as a metric for understanding both temporal and spatial representations within the brain.
Acetylcholine wave traveling from lateral (L) to medial (M) in the striatum Credit: Dr. Joshua Goldberg, Prof. Jeffery Wickens, Dr. Nicolas Tristch
A new study unveils the existence of traveling waves of the neurochemical acetylcholine in the striatum, a region of the brain responsible for motivating actions and habitual behaviors.
Researchers have conducted a study aimed at better understanding the patterns in neural network communication associated with ‘bad’ decisions made while gambling. Their paper, published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, shows that different types of ‘bad’ decisions made while gambling, namely avoidant and approach decisions, are associated with distinct neural communication patterns.
What determines how a teenager’s brain is structured and how it evolves? Researchers have established a close link between brain activity and a maturation process called cortical thinning.
Researchers have found COVID-19 does not appear to cause direct brain damage or viral invasion. In blood or cerebrospinal fluid samples, no abnormal biomarkers were found. The findings thus suggest that post-COVID condition is not the result of ongoing infection, immune activation, or brain damage.
A recent study finds differences in functional brain connectivity in people with and without psychosis and schizophrenia that could help researchers understand the neural underpinnings of this disease.
Brain health in people over age 50 deteriorated more rapidly during the pandemic, even if they didn’t have COVID-19, according to major new research linking the pandemic to sustained cognitive decline. The cognitive decline seems to have been exacerbated by several factors during the pandemic, including an increase in loneliness and depression, a decrease in exercise, and higher alcohol consumption.
Children who are too short for their age can suffer reduced cognitive ability arising from differences in brain function as early as six months of age, according to new research.Stunted growth had previously been linked with poor cognitive outcomes later in life, but this is the first time that this association has been found in infancy. It is also the first time stunted growth has been linked to functional differences in how the brain works in early development.
Finally this week,researchers havedeveloped a new method for mapping how the parts of the brain “speak” to each other, critical to understanding behavior changes in patients with neurological disease.
An international team ofresearchers has published a digital atlas showing how the normative maturation of the fetal brain occurs between 14 – 31 weeks’ gestation, a critical developmental period.
New findings suggest that measuring changes in how pupils react to light could help predict recovery from depression and personalize transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment of major depressive disorder.
A new study has found the influence of language on human thinking could be stronger than previously assumed.
Scientists at Imperial College London are leading the development and testing of a new method of stimulating the brain, which could provide an alternative treatment for brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and its associated memory loss.
Two different regions of the brain are critical to integrating semantic information while reading, which could shed more light on why people with aphasia have difficulty with semantics, according to new research.
Finally this week, researchers in Canada have examined what type of music helps to dampen pain perception.
Study summary graphic. Credit: Mount Sinai Health System
A team of researchers has created the first “multiome” atlas of brain cell development in the human cerebral cortex across six broad developmental time points from fetal development into adulthood, shedding new light on their roles during brain development and disease.
A new study links rhythmic oscillations in ovarian hormone levels in women during the menstrual cycle to changes in brain structure.
Researchers at Monash University have identified a new way of mapping ‘phosphenes’—the visual perception of the bright flashes we see when no light is entering the eye—to improve the outcome of surgery for patients receiving a cortical visual prosthesis (‘bionic eye’).
A newly published atlas offers the most detailed maps yet of the location, structure, and, in some cases, function of more than 3,000 types of brain cells.
Researchers have analyzed more than a million human brain cells to produce detailed maps of gene switches in brain cell types and revealed the links between specific types of cells and various common neuropsychiatric disorders.
A new study shows that teenagers with OCD experience deficits in decision-making and behavioral control. This is linked to abnormal activity in an area of the brain called the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC).
Severe inflammation in early childhood is a clinically known risk factor for developing autism and schizophrenia. Now, for the first time, scientists have discovered that inflammation alters the development of vulnerable brain cells, and this could have mechanistic links to neurodevelopmental disorders. This finding could lead to treatments for many different childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders.
Scientists have discovered widespread differences in metal levels in the brains of patients with Huntington’s disease, a type of dementia, compared to a control group with healthy tissue.
In two parallel projects, researchers have been involved in creating the most comprehensive atlases of human brain cells to date. The two studies provide clues on different brain diseases and give hope for medical advancements in the future, such as new cancer drugs.
In a suite of new studies, a large consortium of researchers shares new knowledge about the cells that make up our brains and the brains of other primates.
The brains of people who reduce their drinking, as well as of people who quit drinking entirely, have greater volume in certain regions than people who drink more heavily, according to a new study of adults treated for alcohol use disorder.
Sleeping patterns and stress hormones could be the key to understanding how and when people with epilepsy are likely to experience seizures, a new study reveals.
New research has found molecular evidence highlighting important sex differences in the brains of people with major depressive disorder, with evidence of changes occurring specifically in the female brain, but not in males.
Finally this week, new research has found that MRI scans can reveal the parts of the brain that are involved in responding to fatty foods.
Researchers have, for the first time ever, used AI to develop an algorithm they term “HistoAge” which predicts age at death based on the cellular composition of human brain tissue specimens with an average accuracy of within 5.45 years. This powerful tool can also identify neuroanatomical regions vulnerable to age-related changes, an indicator of potential cognitive diseases.
Scientists have uncovered why night shift work is associated with changes in appetite. The findings could help the millions of people who work through the night and struggle with weight gain.
The brain circuitry disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease appears to influence memory through a type of brain wave known as theta oscillation, a team of researchers report. The findings, published in Nature Communications, could help researchers design and evaluate new treatments for Alzheimer’s, a condition that affects millions of people around the globe and has no cure.
A new study suggests that a healthy heart may help prevent Alzheimer’s—and this gives hope for new treatments.
Researchers have shown the potential of a new gene therapy approach to silence human sensory neurons (nerve cells) as a means of treating persistent pain. Many current drugs for chronic pain are highly addictive, which makes it important to discover new alternatives.
Scientists have developed new tools, based on AI language models, that can characterize subtle signatures in the speech of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Can plant-derived nutrients alter gut bacteria to affect brain function? A team of scientists investigated this question in a study of overweight adults. Their findings, published in the journal Gut, suggest that dietary fiber can exert influence on both the composition of gut bacteria and the reward signals in the brain and associated food decision-making.
New guidance has been issued for clinicians on the determination of brain death, also known as death by neurologic criteria
Researchers have shown it is possible to detect tell-tale signs of Parkinson’s disease 20–30 years before symptoms appear. Their work opens the door to screening programs and preventative treatments long before irreversible damage is done.
Finally this week, there is evidence that some form of conscious experience is present by birth, and perhaps even in late pregnancy, an international team of researchers has found.
Do not view anxiety negatively, do not deny it – use it for empowerment.
Anxiety is the green light to seek true purpose
Anxiety is frequently viewed in a negative light – categorized as a weakness or an illness. However, it’s essential to recognize that anxiety is an intrinsic aspect of our existence. To experience emotions and thoughts is to encounter anxiety. How can you not be anxious when it is a natural response to a confusing and uncertain existence that you did not ask to be a part of? The key is to try living with-and-through your anxiety as you move forward into the unknown, and make those leaps of faith toward what you genuinely believe gives life its purpose and meaning, even in the face of mortality.
Recognising sources of anxiety
These might include misunderstandings due to different styles of communication and unexpected criticism. Unexpected sensory inputs can lead to prolonged stress like being expected to wear ill-fitting clothes but not being able (or allowed) to get changed. Disorganisation regarding financial matters, schedules, and deadlines can also pose difficulties. Additionally, issues related to self-esteem may arise, especially when we are denied the fundamental understanding that we often lack. This includes instances of disbelief, invalidation, and gaslighting when attempting to articulate our unique sensory experiences, as well as the perpetual need to justify our existence.
How to manage anxiety
To manage your anxiety you need to develop a noble quest.Just as a ship must leave harbour, you have to let go of something in order to move forward toward your purpose, for instance from overstimulation to spaciousness. This might involve actions like deactivating your TikTok account or abstaining from consuming news incessantly. Be aware of what you are looking at, and what you are listening to, You need to limit the amount of overstimulation coming into your senses. Otherwise, it becomes a white noise preventing you from attending to what you need to do.
What happens next?
Set your mind for self-reflection, introspection and exploration. Let go of the need to be liked, and focus instead on just being good. Cultivate a genuine sense of individuality rooted in principles rather than being swayed by external influences. Embracing this ethical code will enable you to transition from distraction to focused concentration on self-reflection, introspection, and exploration. In the present moment, your thoughts will find clarity, and your anxiety will gradually dissipate.
Happiness
Your happiness isn’t contingent upon obtaining everything you desire; it’s rooted in your mental state. Meditation serves as a means to safeguard your own happiness. In fact, it’s a pivotal factor in fostering the happiness of others as well. This isn’t to diminish your importance, but rather to emphasize the significance of aligning your own happiness with that of those around you. Your well-being resonates with others, highlighting the interconnectedness of happiness within a community.
Purposelessness
Chinese philosophy perceives Nature as devoid of a specific purpose, which, in the Western context, might be seen as negative. However, the Chinese view purposelessness as a form of praise. It’s akin to the continuous waves gently lapping against the shore, an eternal process without inherent meaning. Have you ever taken a walk with no particular destination in mind? At that moment, you embody perfect rationality because you’ve embraced purposelessness.
All music, too, is purposeless. If the goal of music were merely to reach the final note, then the best musician would be the fastest one. The same principle applies to dancing; the objective of dance is to dance itself. This perspective extends to your life as well, emphasizing the value of living in the present moment without constantly fixating on a future goal or outcome.
Let wisdom be your true purpose
Many individuals grapple with the notion that life must have a predefined purpose. Religious leaders often advocate following God’s purpose, yet when asked to define it, they often remain silent. Here lies a choice: Will you place your trust in Nature’s purposelessness, or will you opt for a path filled with rules, regulations, laws, and obligations in an attempt to find meaning?
To truly live, one must have faith and trust in the unknown, in a Nature devoid of a boss figure, for a boss implies a system of mistrust. There is a profound wisdom to be gained from experiencing moments of anxiety and insecurity. It’s a wisdom that is hard-earned, and it can become your authentic purpose – embracing the uncertainty and unpredictability of life as a means of personal growth and fulfillment.
A new study has provided the first clear picture of where language processes are located in the brain. The findings may be useful in clinical trials involving language recovery after brain injury.
Researchers have developed a model for studying one type of familial epilepsy, opening the door to understanding—and eventually targeting—the mechanisms that lead to the disorder and its associated fatalities.
A new study published in Nature Medicine sheds light on how biological sex influences brain function and its impact on the risk of various brain-related diseases.
A breakthrough technique developed by University of Oxford researchers could one day provide tailored repairs for those who suffer brain injuries. The researchers have demonstrated for the first time that neural cells can be 3D-printed to mimic the architecture of the cerebral cortex.
A research team has identified new potential treatments for children with rare genetic conditions of blood vessels, which cause severe, symptoms like seizures and impaired development.
Scientists have discovered new insights into how our brain stores episodic memories—a type of long-term, conscious memory of a previous experience—that could be critical to the development of new neuroprosthetic devices to help patients with memory problems, like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
A global blood test for concussion could be a step closer after a new study discovered specific proteins or biomarkers that can help diagnose concussions relatively quickly and accurately.
The brain circuitry that is disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease appears to influence memory through a type of brain wave known as theta oscillation, a team led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers report. The findings, published in Nature Communications, could help researchers design and evaluate new treatments for Alzheimer’s, a condition that affects millions of people around the globe and has no cure.
Finally this week, a new study reveals the role of vascular system cells—pericytes—in the formation of long-term memories of life events—memories that are lost in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Dietary phospholipid intervention could prevent brain aging by maintaining lipid homeostasis and enhancing synaptic plasticity. Credit: Wei Xiong et al.
A new review highlights the significant role of dietary lipids in preventing brain aging and cognitive decline. As the global burden of aging-related brain diseases, particularly dementia, continues to rise, this research offers promising insights into potential nutritional interventions that could improve brain function during aging.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks may be one of the mechanisms that link traumatic brain injury (TBI) with dementia, according to a new hypothesis.
Short-term exposure to air pollution may be linked to an increased risk of stroke, according to a meta-analysis published in Neurology. Short-term exposure was defined as occurring within five days of the stroke.
People with a higher cumulative estrogen exposure throughout their life may have a lower risk of cerebral small vessel disease, according to a new study.
New research is painting a clearer picture of the early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS), showing that people are nearly twice as likely to experience mental illness in the years leading up to the onset of the disease.
Whether you are an early bird or a night owl, your internal clock plays a critical role in maximizing your mental performance, according to a recent study. This effect is so strong that it can significantly impact academic performance for adolescent students and the results of brain health assessments for older adults.
A new study suggests a common brain network exists among people with substance use disorder. By evaluating data from across more than 144 studies of addiction, the team found abnormalities across substance use disorders mapped to a common brain network across substances and lesion locations, suggesting a potential brain circuit to target with neurostimulation therapies.
Finally this week, people differ significantly in their memory performance and researchers have now discovered that certain brain signals are related to these differences.
A new study sheds light on the neural underpinning of subjective odor perceptions.
New research has found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can significantly reduce the burden of fibromyalgia in part by reducing pain-catastrophizing, a negative cognitive and emotional response that can intensify pain through feelings of helplessness, rumination and intrusive thoughts. This finding is backed by neuroimaging data, evidencing reduced connectivity between regions of the brain associated with self-awareness, pain and emotional processing.
Researchers have discovered how an active form of a gene present in 75% of the human population works to protect the brain against neurodegeneration.
A recent study provides new insight into the relationship between the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine and decision-making processes. The scientists found that when dopamine is released, decisions are made faster, but tend to be more inaccurate.
A new study recently published in JAMA Neurology provides insights into the complex and intricate relationship of contact sports and the risk of dementia.
A team of leading clinicians, engineers, and neuroscientists has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of treatment-resistant depression. By analyzing the brain activity of patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS), a promising therapy involving implanted electrodes that stimulate the brain, the researchers identified a unique pattern in brain activity that reflects the recovery process in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Scientists have revealed how the effects of psychosis spread throughout the brain.
Researchers have identified new regions of the brain crucial to the formation of long-term memory, challenging the conventional notion that the hippocampus is central to memory consolidation, by demonstrating that a different set of brain networks play a role.
Finally this week, scientists have revealed the molecular structure of a type of receptor that’s crucial to brain development and function.
Single-trial dynamics in LIP and SC are different. (Neuron, 2023)
A new paper, published in Neuron, highlights the role of the superior colliculus (SC), a structure in the midbrain, in terminating decisions.
Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons is widely accepted as the first event that leads to Parkinson’s, but a new study suggests that a dysfunction in the neuron’s synapses—the tiny gap across which a neuron can send an impulse to another neuron—leads to deficits in dopamine and precedes the neurodegeneration.
Depression, a challenging condition to diagnose early, may now be detected more promptly using a simple 1-minute Electroencephalogram (EEG) test at home.
New research shows how repeated traumatic brain injury contributes to Alzheimer’s disease.
Racial disparities can be seen in dementia severity, functional impairment, and neuropsychiatric symptoms among patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), according to a study recently published in JAMA Neurology.
A new study identifies a potential new approach to PTSD treatment.
Any head injury—even a mild one—raises a person’s risk of later having an ischemic stroke. Having multiple injuries increases that risk, even more so than the severity of a single traumatic brain injury, researchers have found.
New research finds that cerebrospinal fluid net flow is markedly decreased in Huntington’s disease, with the decrease being greater in the later stages of the disease.
The targeted use of ultrasound technology can bring about significant changes in brain function that could pave the way towards treatment of conditions such as depression, addiction, or anxiety, a new study suggests.
Finally this week, new research finds that antidepressants may actually reduce negative memories in individuals suffering from depression while improving overall memory function.
In a groundbreaking review paper published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, scientists have shed new light on the role of GABA, a key signaling molecule in the brain.
Maternal structured lifestyle interventions during pregnancy based on a Mediterranean diet or mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) improve child neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2 years, according to a study.
Researchers who previously developed the first 3D human cell culture models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that displays two major hallmarks of the condition—the generation of amyloid beta deposits followed by tau tangles—have now used their model to investigate whether the exercise-induced muscle hormone irisin affects amyloid beta pathology.
Among people with benign recurrent vertigo (BRV), Meniere disease (MD), or vestibular migraine (VM) who have persistent vertigo attacks, there is no change in attack frequency over time, according to a new study.
Researchers have developed a molecular test to identify the presence of brain tumors by measuring abnormal genetic material shed by tumors and circulating in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
A study of twins shows that having a concussion early in life is tied to having lower scores on tests of thinking and memory skills decades later as well as having a more rapid decline in those scores than twins who did not have a concussion, or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Scientists have detailed how the activity of tactile neurons in the fingertip in response to an applied force is influenced by the fingertip’s mechanical memory of previous forces.
A paper published in Nature Communications shows that when neurons are given information about the changing world around them (task-related sensory input) it changes how they behave, putting them on edge so that tiny inputs can then set off “avalanches” of brain activity, supporting a theory known as the critical brain hypothesis.
Finally, this week, a new finding published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, shows that the amount of screen time spent by one-year-olds is associated with developmental delays.
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