Weekly Neuroscience Update

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Factors associated with healthy aging in Latin American populations. Credit: Nature Medicine (2023)

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin studying the factors influencing healthy brain aging in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries find the lessons learned there, can also be applied to home.

Immune cells in the brains of people who had Alzheimer’s disease appear to behave differently than those who had healthy brains for their age, according to an analysis of the cells’ gene activity. The finding suggests it might be possible to treat Alzheimer’s disease by altering the behavior of these cells.

The longer a person has type 2 diabetes, the more likely they may be to experience changes in brain structure, a new study finds.

Using human “mini-brain” models known as organoids, scientists have discovered that the roots of autism spectrum disorder may be associated with an imbalance of specific neurons that play a critical role in how the brain communicates and functions. The specific cells are known as excitatory cortical neurons.

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, shows promise for the transitional treatment of episodic migraines in early clinical trials, according to a recent review.

Researchers have discovered that a neural marker of error detection in the brain’s visual system previously considered pre-attentive may actually require attention and that subtle visual irregularities may be revealed by other neural markers.

A new study has demonstrated that self-organization of neurons as they learn follows a mathematical theory called the free energy principle.

The neural network related to speech is mostly located in the left cerebral hemisphere, while singing has been primarily associated with the structures of both hemispheres. However, a new study indicates that the left hemisphere has a greater significance, including in terms of singing, than previously thought.

A new digital headset designed to measure alterations in brain function could change decisions about how quickly an athlete is ready to return to play after a concussion.

A new study suggests stimulating the sense of smell can boost memory. Older adults exposed to odors while they slept performed better on verbal memory tests and showed improved function in a brain pathway that supports memory formation, according to the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience.

Finally this week, researchers have shown that machine learning can accurately predict subtypes of Parkinson’s disease using images of patient-derived stem cells.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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Credit: Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.07.003

Researchers have recently been exploring the potential of psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for treating depression and other mental disorders. Recent research compared the brains of those who had taken psychedelics to those who meditated or were hypnotized. The researchers found that while some may report similar experiences or feelings under these different states of consciousness, what is happening in their brains is very different. Despite the similarities in brain activity between psilocybin and LSD, the changes they induced were markedly different. It suggests that psychedelics, meditation, and hypnosis operate differently and possess distinct underlying mechanisms.

A new study has used multi-omics profiling to track the markers of aging in women.

In a recent review published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Science on August 3rd, a group of social scientists describe how the functions of social media algorithms are misaligned with human social instincts meant to foster cooperation, which can lead to large-scale polarization and misinformation.

Researchers have proposed a strategy to stratify risk of progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease.

Research from the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience has identified a mechanism through which insulin-like growth factors facilitate brain plasticity. The insulin superfamily of hormones, including insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), play a crucial role not only in regulating blood sugar, metabolism, and growth, but also in healthy brain development and function, including learning and memory.

Finally this week, how people feel about their sleep has a greater impact on their well-being than what sleep-tracking technology says about their sleep quality, new research has found.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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A new study reveals that individuals with stronger ‘mindreading’ abilities, or the capacity to understand others’ feelings and intentions, are more successful in cooperative tasks. This trait, also known as ‘theory of mind,’ is not directly tied to intelligence and can potentially be improved through training programs.

Researchers have identified proteomic changes associated with forms of Alzheimer’s disease.

People in their eighties who can recall everyday events and life experiences as well as someone 20 to 30 years younger—known as superagers—are also more likely to have greater movement speed than typical older adults. They also have lower rates of anxiety and depression, according to a new study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal.

A research team has developed a tool that counts brain lesions in seconds.

A new study has found that the frequency and duration of naps in infants are an indication of their cognitive needs. According to the research, infants with smaller vocabularies and poorer cognitive abilities tend to nap more frequently.

Researchers have discovered that myo-inositol, a small cyclic sugar molecule found in breast milk, plays a crucial role in promoting neuronal connections in infants’ brains.

Neuroscientists have proposed a fresh perspective on systems consolidation, the process by which certain memories are moved from the hippocampus to the neocortex for long-term storage. Their theory, backed by a mathematical neural network model, posits that the consolidation of memories depends on their generalizability, not age. This theory suggests a new memory, which is a generalization of previous memories, is created during consolidation.

Researchers have utilized artificial intelligence to uncover the promising potential of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in combating Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

New research heightened light sensitivity in Alzheimer’s patients to “sundowning,” a worsening of symptoms late in the day, and sleep disruptions that may advance the disease. This fresh understanding of biological clock disruptions in Alzheimer’s could aid the creation of treatments and symptom management. Light therapy could potentially regulate erratic sleep patterns caused by altered circadian rhythms.

Finally this week, scientists have identified a group of nerve cells in the midbrain, which, when stimulated, can suspend all movement, akin to setting a film on pause.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically GPT-4, was found to match the top 1% of human thinkers on a standard creativity test. The AI application ChatGPT, developed using GPT-4, excelled in fluency and originality in the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, a widely recognized tool for assessing creativity. This breakthrough finding indicates that AI may be developing creative ability on par with or even surpassing human capabilities. 

Researchers have identified a small structure in the brain, the anterior precuneus or aPCu, as a crucial component in establishing our physical self or “I”.

Taking good care of your teeth may be linked to better brain health, according to a study published in Neurology. The study found that gum disease and tooth loss were linked to brain shrinkage in the hippocampus, which plays a role in memory and Alzheimer’s disease. The study does not prove that gum disease or tooth loss causes Alzheimer’s disease; it only shows an association.

A new study has demonstrated for the first time that the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be significantly improved by additionally measuring the thickness of retinal layers in the eye.

Distinct, though neighbouring, areas of the brain are activated when processing music and language, with specific sub-regions engaged for simple melodies versus complex melodies, and for simple versus complex sentences, according to researchers.

New findings suggest that depression after traumatic brain injury (TBI) could be a clinically distinct disorder rather than traditional major depressive disorder, with implications for patient treatment.

If you’re sleep deprived, you will likely have a harder time remembering things than if you’re well-rested. But if you have good cardiorespiratory fitness, your memory may be less affected by the effects of sleep deprivation than others, according to a recent McGill study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

Finally this week, even during sleep, the sounds that infants are exposed to can play a big role in language development, especially for babies at risk of language delays.

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Encouraging children to indulge in reading for pleasure can enhance their cognitive and mental health during adolescence, a recent study reveals. The study, involving over 10,000 young adolescents from the US, discovered that an optimal reading duration of 12 hours per week contributed to improved brain structure and mental health.

New research has investigated associations of adverse childhood experiences with changes in epigenetic age acceleration.

Researchers have discovered a new depression subtype, the ‘cognitive biotype,’ affecting 27% of patients who respond poorly to typically prescribed antidepressants. These patients struggle with planning, self-control, sustained focus, and suppressing inappropriate behavior, with brain scans revealing reduced activity in the regions responsible for these tasks.

A team of researchers has developed a predictive model to recognize patterns of persistent negative thinking, or rumination, using machine learning.

A new study involving over 22,000 people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has identified a genetic variant associated with the disease’s faster progression. The research discovered a genetic variant that significantly affects disease severity. This development brings us closer to understanding and combatting the progressive form of MS. The identified genetic variant accelerates disability, undermining patient mobility and independence over time.

Regularly finding time for a little snooze is good for our brain and helps keep it bigger for longer, say researchers.

Do intelligent people think faster? Researchers made the surprising finding that participants with higher intelligence scores were only quicker when tackling simple tasks, while they took longer to solve difficult problems than subjects with lower IQ scores. 

Finally this week, new research provides the first physiological evidence supporting the scientific theory of how the brain consolidates memory during sleep. 

Exploring the Enigma of Human Identity and the Mysteries of Self-Perception [Video]

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This video provides a journey into the complexities of the human brain, unraveling the enigma of self-perception and consciousness. Discover the vital role played by a small brain structure known as the anterior precuneus (aPCu), and learn about the separate brain systems that govern our physical and narrative selves. As we delve into these fascinating findings, we also touch on the strange experiences reported by patients when this area is stimulated, offering intriguing insights into the very essence of human identity.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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 Credit: Science Advances (2023)

An international team of neuroscientists, anesthesiologists and other medical researchers has learned more about the changes that occur in brain neurotransmitter systems under the influence of psychedelics, anesthetics and cognitive enhancers by studying PET and fMRI scans of brains of people administered such drugs. The study is published in Science Advances.

With as little as 1 percent loss in body weight, a Mediterranean diet appears to slow the signs of accelerated brain aging typical of obesity, according to a new study.

Scientists have uncovered swirling spiral patterns of brain signals on the human cortex. The research indicates that these patterns, observed during both resting and cognitive states, play a crucial role in organizing brain activity and cognitive processing.

New research on why some people have allergies more than others has revealed that changing a specific protein called ETS1 can affect our body’s response to allergies.

Researchers have found compelling molecular evidence suggesting that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, traditionally viewed as distinct conditions, may have more similarities than previously thought.

Finally this week, new research sheds light on the role of astrocytes, a type of brain cell, in olfactory perception or smell detection.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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A new study sheds light on gender differences in risk-taking behavior. The research reveals women are more averse to risk than men due to heightened sensitivity to potential losses. Conversely, men, exhibiting greater optimism, are more willing to engage in risk-taking.

Researchers have identified specific brain network connections associated with anosognosia, a condition where patients are unaware of their neurological or psychiatric deficits.

Scientists have discovered children’s ability to process emotional cues is largely established by the time they start school. Analyzing brain scans from children aged five to 15, the study revealed that such brain activity becomes increasingly similar to their peers as they reach adolescence. The research emphasizes the importance of early intervention to address issues related to understanding emotional cues.

Recent neuroscience studies underscore the profound impact of sleep and sleep disorders on memory.

In a paper published in Science Advances, an international team reveal the discovery of sequence variants in the gene ABCC9 that influence the pitch of voices. The scientists found that ABCC9 variants associate with higher voice pitch in both men and women. The same sequence variants are also linked to higher pulse pressure, a cardiovascular risk factor, highlighting links between voice pitch and health-related traits.

Researchers have discovered a promising new avenue for treating glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer.

Research led by the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, has looked into premature brain aging in individuals with type 1 diabetes. The findings of this study show an increase in brain aging among individuals with type 1 diabetes without any early signs of AD-related neurodegeneration. These increases were associated with reduced cognitive performance, but according to the authors, the abnormal patterns observed in the samples were modest.

Finally this week, intricate links between breathing and memory recall have been unraveled by recent scientific research, painting a more complex picture of our cognitive processes.

Unraveling The Mysteries of Dopamine [Video]

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Drawing on a recent groundbreaking study, this video explores how dopamine operates within the paradigms of Pavlovian and operant conditioning. The study provides new insights into the intricate functionality of this essential neurotransmitter in the brain.

Classical conditioning, also known as Pavlovian conditioning, involves learning through associations between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus. In this process, dopamine release is triggered when the neutral stimulus becomes associated with a reward or positive outcome. Dopamine helps in reinforcing the connection between the neutral stimulus and the reward, making the association stronger.

Dopamine is closely linked to reward learning and motivation. It is involved in the brain’s reward system, which helps in reinforcing behaviors that lead to pleasurable experiences or rewards. Dopamine release signals to the brain that a certain action or behavior is beneficial and should be repeated. It provides a sense of satisfaction and drives motivation to engage in actions that lead to positive outcomes.

Watch the video to explore:

🔹 What triggers dopamine release?

🔹 The difference between classical and Pavlovian conditioning.

🔹 The pivotal role of dopamine in reward learning and motivation.

🔹 Which disease is associated with a lack of dopamine.

🔹 How antipsychotics impact dopamine.