Brain News and Research

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The human brain is the center of the human nervous system and is a highly complex organ. Enclosed in the cranium, it has the same general structure as the brains of other mammals, but is over three times as large as the brain of a typical mammal with an equivalent body size.

Researchers explore causal link between perirhinal neurons and mnemonic judgment of objects

Cognitive neuroscience research on non-human primates demonstrated that judgments of whether humans have previously seen or not seen an object are causally determined by neuronal signals generated in the temporal cortex of the brain. The findings are published in Science (August 2017).

1 Sep 2017

Inflammation originating from abdominal fat precedes development of sleep apnea, findings suggest

Inflammation is traditionally thought of as a symptom of sleep apnea, but it might actually precede the disorder, potentially opening the door for new ways to treat and predict sleep apnea, according to researchers.

1 Sep 2017

New findings on functional connections within the brain may provide insights into psychiatric disorders

Ongoing advances in understanding the functional connections within the brain are producing exciting insights into how the brain circuits function together to support human behavior--and may lead to new discoveries in the development and treatment of psychiatric disorders, according to a review and update in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry.

1 Sep 2017

Study identifies unexpected mosaic mutations as new risk factor for developing autism

Autism spectrum disorder affects approximately one out of every 68 children in the United States. Despite expansive study, the origin and risk factors of the complex condition are not fully understood.

31 Aug 2017

Common heart disease medication may help treat pulmonary arterial hypertension

A team of Cleveland Clinic researchers found that a common heart disease medication, beta blockers, may help treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a debilitating lung disease.

31 Aug 2017

NYU researchers discover unexpected source for the brain's development

A team of biologists has found an unexpected source for the brain's development, a finding that offers new insights into the building of the nervous system.

31 Aug 2017

Human propensity for contagious yawning triggered by primitive reflexes in the brain, research suggests

Feeling tired? Even if we aren't tired, why do we yawn if someone else does? Experts at the University of Nottingham have published research that suggests the human propensity for contagious yawning is triggered automatically by primitive reflexes in the primary motor cortex -- an area of the brain responsible for motor function.

31 Aug 2017

New trial examines whether compound given before and after bypass surgery mitigates cognitive deficits

University of Arizona researchers are collaborating on a Phase 2 trial to determine whether a particular peptide administered before and after coronary bypass surgery mitigates or even reverses cognitive deficits thought to be connected to the procedure.

31 Aug 2017

New research shows estrogen synthesis may fight off infection-induced neuroinflammation

The chemical best-known as a female reproductive hormone--estrogen--could help fight off neurodegenerative conditions and diseases in the future.

31 Aug 2017

Study finds transcranial direct-current stimulation to be less effective than anti-depressants

A new study questions the efficacy of treatments for depression based on stimulating brain areas with low-intensity electric current. The technique, known as transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS), was considered a promising alternative to treatment with antidepressant drugs.

31 Aug 2017

Mind wandering happens 70% of the time during driving

Researchers in the United States have investigated mind wandering in volunteers during a driving simulation.

31 Aug 2017

Study shows metabolic, cardiovascular consequences of untreated sleep apnea

Sleep apnea, left untreated for even a few days, can increase blood sugar and fat levels, stress hormones and blood pressure, according to a new study of sleeping subjects.

31 Aug 2017

Researchers develop new assessment to predict risk of falls in long-term care patients

Researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife's Institute for Aging Research have developed and validated a new assessment to predict the risk of falls in long-term care patients. The study on the assessment titled "Fracture Risk Assessment in Long-term Care (FRAiL)" was published today in the Journal of Gerontology Medical Science.

31 Aug 2017

Study finds virus that causes mononucleosis could raise risk of multiple sclerosis

Like whites, Hispanic and black people who have had mononucleosis, commonly known as mono, which is caused by Epstein-Barr virus, may have an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study published in the August 30, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

31 Aug 2017

St. Jude creates world’s largest collection of pediatric solid tumor samples

In an effort to improve outcomes for patients with some of the deadliest childhood cancers, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have created the world's largest collection of pediatric solid tumor samples, drug-sensitivity data and related information and have made the resource available at no charge to the global scientific community.

31 Aug 2017

Scientists succeed in teaching robots to perform challenging brain technique

Whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, or whole-cell recording (WCR), is the gold-standard technique for studying the behaviour of brain cells called neurons under different brain states such as stress or learning.

31 Aug 2017

Musician plays saxophone as surgeons operated on his brain

Music is not only a major part of Dan Fabbio's life, as a music teacher it is his livelihood. So when doctors discovered a tumor located in the part of his brain responsible for music function, he began a long journey that involved a team of physicians, scientists, and a music professor and culminated with him awake and playing a saxophone as surgeons operated on his brain.

31 Aug 2017

New tool helps researchers to identify and detect various sub-groups of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease can lead to several widely divergent symptoms and, so far, its various expressions have mainly been observed through the behaviour and actions of patients.

31 Aug 2017

More than half of the public think non-smokers should get regular fresh-air breaks at work

According to a recent survey conducted by Flavour Boss, they had found 80% of people don’t think it’s fair that smokers get breaks but non-smokers don’t whilst 58% of people think that non-smokers should get regular fresh-air breaks at work.

31 Aug 2017

Soul purpose: Seniors with strong reasons to live often live stronger

Building and maintaining a career became a primary driver in her life after Newman raised two daughters and went back to work at age 48. As a therapist, "I really loved helping people make changes in their lives that put them in a different, better position," she said.

31 Aug 2017

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers explore causal link between perirhinal neurons and mnemonic judgment of objects

Inflammation originating from abdominal fat precedes development of sleep apnea, findings suggest

New findings on functional connections within the brain may provide insights into psychiatric disorders

Study identifies unexpected mosaic mutations as new risk factor for developing autism

Common heart disease medication may help treat pulmonary arterial hypertension

NYU researchers discover unexpected source for the brain's development

Human propensity for contagious yawning triggered by primitive reflexes in the brain, research suggests

New trial examines whether compound given before and after bypass surgery mitigates cognitive deficits

New research shows estrogen synthesis may fight off infection-induced neuroinflammation

Study finds transcranial direct-current stimulation to be less effective than anti-depressants

Mind wandering happens 70% of the time during driving

Study shows metabolic, cardiovascular consequences of untreated sleep apnea

Researchers develop new assessment to predict risk of falls in long-term care patients

Study finds virus that causes mononucleosis could raise risk of multiple sclerosis

St. Jude creates world’s largest collection of pediatric solid tumor samples

Scientists succeed in teaching robots to perform challenging brain technique

Musician plays saxophone as surgeons operated on his brain

New tool helps researchers to identify and detect various sub-groups of Alzheimer’s disease

More than half of the public think non-smokers should get regular fresh-air breaks at work

Soul purpose: Seniors with strong reasons to live often live stronger

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