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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.

Changes in walking speed after concussion not related to function of the brain's motor area

Concussion is a common injury to the brain that can lead to slow movement and reduced balance. These problems can continue for months after a concussion, even though most people feel fully recovered from their concussion within a week or two.

30 Jun 2017

Measuring set of proteins may enable earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

Measuring a set of proteins in the blood may enable earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a study from the Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

30 Jun 2017

Study provides insights into how the brain can generate precisely timed movements

Almost everything we do - walking, talking, or drinking coffee - is completely dependent on accurate timing when activating many muscles at once.

29 Jun 2017

Genetic differences may play role in vision impairment, eye abnormalities of some astronauts

Researchers have found that genetic variation may increase susceptibility of some astronauts to develop higher-than-normal carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which may contribute to eye abnormalities, including grooved bands on the retina in the eye and swelling of the optic nerve.

29 Jun 2017

Study finds psychosocial risk factors, unexplained bruising in fatal or near-fatal child abuse cases

Analysis of fatal and near-fatal physical abuse cases of children under 4 years of age revealed that psychosocial risk factors in the home, such as criminal history, were present in all cases.

29 Jun 2017

Scientists identify link between gut microbiota and mood, behavior

Researchers have identified gut microbiota that interact with brain regions associated with mood and behavior. This may be the first time that behavioral and neurobiological differences associated with microbial composition in healthy humans have been identified.

29 Jun 2017

Cocoa and chocolate consumption could provide beneficial effects on cognitive function

A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands - a phrase commonly used to justify ones chocolate snacking behavior. A phrase now shown to actually harbor some truth, as the cocoa bean is a rich source of flavanols: a class of natural compounds that has neuroprotective effects.

29 Jun 2017

Study sheds light on how key protein allows hearing to work

Although the basic outlines of human hearing have been known for years – sensory cells in the inner ear turn sound waves into the electrical signals that the brain understands as sound – the molecular details have remained elusive.

29 Jun 2017

New project focuses on development of social robot to help people with acquired brain injury

Improving the autonomy and care of dependent people with acquired brain injury is the scientific and technological challenge of the Retogar project led by researchers from the University of Alicante Institute for Computer Engineering Research, Miguel Cazorla and José García.

29 Jun 2017

Research yields first successful isolation, maintenance of haploid embryonic stem cells in humans

Stem cell research holds huge potential for medicine and human health. In particular, human embryonic stem cells (ESCs), with their ability to turn into any cell in the human body, are essential to the future prevention and treatment of disease.

29 Jun 2017

Drop in lead exposure may be significant factor behind decrease in crime rates

Exposure to lead in the preschool years significantly increases the chance that children will be suspended or incarcerated during their school careers, according to research at Princeton University and Brown University.

29 Jun 2017

UA researcher’s findings on estrogen may lead to promising treatment for hot flashes

Fifteen years ago, Dr. Naomi Rance was at work when she experienced her first hot flash. Rance, a physician and researcher at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, took note.

29 Jun 2017

Teenage weight gain may increase stroke risk in adult life

Kids who become overweight during their teenage years may be more likely to develop a stroke decades later than kids who did not become overweight during those years, according to a study published in the June 28, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

29 Jun 2017

Slowing gait could be early signs of cognitive decline linked to shrinking hippocampus

The connection between slowed walking speed and declining mental acuity appears to arise in the right hippocampus, a finger-shaped region buried deep in the brain at ear-level, according to a 14-year study conducted by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

29 Jun 2017

Study sheds new light on extent of lethal rat lungworm's geographic range in Florida

University of Florida researchers have found rat lungworm, a parasitic nematode that can cause meningitis in humans and animals, in five Florida counties.

28 Jun 2017

Study provides insights into how the brain assigns credit for causality

When you do something right, you can't learn anything from your success without a system in the brain for assigning credit to whatever action led to the desired outcome.

28 Jun 2017

Study: Gadolinium may accumulate in brain tissues of patients without intracranial abnormalities

Minute traces of gadolinium, the contrast agent used to enhance MR images, are often retained in the brain tissue of patients years after undergoing MRI. Some studies have suggested this deposition was limited to patients with underlying brain pathology, such as a tumor or infection.

28 Jun 2017

Researchers study brain region that controls addictive behavior

The human brain is nimble. It can reorganize itself to learn new things, catalog memories, and even break old habits.

28 Jun 2017

Research team receives NIH grant to develop new way to examine cancer cell metastasis

A University of Delaware researcher is part of a team that recently received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a new way to examine how cancer cells metastasize.

28 Jun 2017

Identifying overactive bladder syndrome

Unfortunately, studies show that only about 5 million people living with OAB seek care from a doctor, and only half of those patients seek a specialist like a urologist or urogynecologist for treatment. It’s time to see a doctor if you’re using multiple leakage pads per day, not doing things you like because of the fear of leakage, planning all your travel around bathroom locations, or are worried about the problem every day.

28 Jun 2017

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Changes in walking speed after concussion not related to function of the brain's motor area

Measuring set of proteins may enable earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

Study provides insights into how the brain can generate precisely timed movements

Genetic differences may play role in vision impairment, eye abnormalities of some astronauts

Study finds psychosocial risk factors, unexplained bruising in fatal or near-fatal child abuse cases

Scientists identify link between gut microbiota and mood, behavior

Cocoa and chocolate consumption could provide beneficial effects on cognitive function

Study sheds light on how key protein allows hearing to work

New project focuses on development of social robot to help people with acquired brain injury

Research yields first successful isolation, maintenance of haploid embryonic stem cells in humans

Drop in lead exposure may be significant factor behind decrease in crime rates

UA researcher’s findings on estrogen may lead to promising treatment for hot flashes

Teenage weight gain may increase stroke risk in adult life

Slowing gait could be early signs of cognitive decline linked to shrinking hippocampus

Study sheds new light on extent of lethal rat lungworm's geographic range in Florida

Study provides insights into how the brain assigns credit for causality

Study: Gadolinium may accumulate in brain tissues of patients without intracranial abnormalities

Researchers study brain region that controls addictive behavior

Research team receives NIH grant to develop new way to examine cancer cell metastasis

Identifying overactive bladder syndrome

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