Brain News and Research

RSS

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.

Regular intake of grapes may protect against early memory decline linked to Alzheimer's disease

Consuming grapes twice a day for six months protected against significant metabolic decline in Alzheimer-related areas of the brain in a study of people with early memory decline.

3 Feb 2017

Belgian scientists discover key role of Taok3 protein in triggering splenic B cell differentiation

Belgian scientists have discovered the key role of protein Taok3 in the development of type B immune cells known as MZB cells, which are responsible for making antibodies to fight diseases.

3 Feb 2017

Research shows how trigger sounds cause brain connection overdrive in misophonia sufferers

While many of us may find the sounds of chewing or breathing off-putting, for some they're unbearable - and new research has shown their brains are going into overdrive.

3 Feb 2017

Study provides insights into functions of astrocytes following brain injury or disease

Astrocytes have long been implicated in the pathology of a range of human neurodegenerative diseases or injuries including Alzheimer's, Huntington's Parkinson's disease, brain trauma and spinal cord injury.

3 Feb 2017

Yale researchers identify new genetic defect in brain tumor cells that prevents DNA repair

In a new study, Yale Cancer Center researchers identified a novel genetic defect that prevents brain tumor cells from repairing damaged DNA.

3 Feb 2017

Sleep helps recalibrate brain cells responsible for learning and memory, mice study shows

Studying mice, scientists at Johns Hopkins have fortified evidence that a key purpose of sleep is to recalibrate the brain cells responsible for learning and memory so the animals can "solidify" lessons learned and use them when they awaken -- in the case of nocturnal mice, the next evening.

3 Feb 2017

Returning to nature can improve sleep patterns

New sleep research has shown that by respecting nature and keeping days light and nights dark we can improve our sleep patterns.

3 Feb 2017

UW study offers visual proof of how brain synapses shrink during sleep

Striking electron microscope pictures from inside the brains of mice suggest what happens in our own brain every day: Our synapses - the junctions between nerve cells - grow strong and large during the stimulation of daytime, then shrink by nearly 20 percent while we sleep, creating room for more growth and learning the next day.

3 Feb 2017

Single Molecule Detection of Proteins in Single Cells

We developed this technology almost 10 years ago. It was developed after a key experiment was carried out by David Rissin, who was a PhD candidate in my laboratory at the time.

From Pittcon 3 Feb 2017

Vasculature in mini-brains expands research potential

Scientists have recently made a wondrous variety of mini-brains -- 3-D cultures of neural cells that model basic properties of living brains -- but a new finding could add to the field's growing excitement in an entirely new "vein": Brown University's mini-brains now grow blood vessels, too.

3 Feb 2017

Addicted individuals show weaker brain response to anticipating rewards, research finds

It may be difficult for addicted individuals to learn when they can expect a reward. This learning problem could perhaps explain why they are more prone to addiction and find it difficult to kick the habit.

3 Feb 2017

Sleep may be regulated by several brain-based immune proteins, study reveals

Sleep -- one of the most basic, yet most mystifying processes of the human body -- has confounded physicians, scientists and evolutionary biologists for centuries.

2 Feb 2017

Study finds impaired secretion of stress hormone in healthy Indigenous young adults

James Cook University scientists have made a disturbing finding about some young Indigenous people's biological reaction to stress, but one that could help close the health gap for indigenous people.

2 Feb 2017

Researchers recommend using combination of strategies for early diagnosis of autism in children

The earlier that autism is diagnosed and treated in children, the better outcomes they will experience for future relationships and careers.

2 Feb 2017

Study looking for toxicity markers in smokers who replace tobacco for e-cigarettes seeks volunteers

The first study to closely follow toxicity markers in smokers who replace tobacco for e-cigarettes is seeking volunteers.

2 Feb 2017

New study offers insights into how antidepressants work in the brain

When they work, antidepressant medications may take weeks or months to alleviate symptoms of depression.

2 Feb 2017

Nicotine creates cascade of effects in the brain that get worse over time

The first period of nicotine abstinence proceeded as expected. The surprise came after three months when the lab rats suddenly became fearless and sought out well-lighted areas that prey animals normally avoid. At the same time, signaling in the brain's reward system changed, as shown by a study at Sahlgrenska Academy.

2 Feb 2017

New technology enables “completely locked-in” patients to communicate

A brain─computer interface has enabled people with “locked-in” syndrome to communicate, according to trial results published in PLOS Biology. The device was able to decipher the thoughts of four patients who were unable to speak, move or blink and relay “yes” or “no” answers to basic questions.

2 Feb 2017

Women with anorexia show lasting autistic traits, research reveals

Women with anorexia display clear autistic traits, even once the eating disorder is under control and they have achieved a normal weight, according to research from Sahlgrenska Academy.

2 Feb 2017

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplant may induce sustained remission of multiple sclerosis

New clinical trial results provide evidence that high-dose immunosuppressive therapy followed by transplantation of a person's own blood-forming stem cells can induce sustained remission of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system.

2 Feb 2017

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Regular intake of grapes may protect against early memory decline linked to Alzheimer's disease

Belgian scientists discover key role of Taok3 protein in triggering splenic B cell differentiation

Research shows how trigger sounds cause brain connection overdrive in misophonia sufferers

Study provides insights into functions of astrocytes following brain injury or disease

Yale researchers identify new genetic defect in brain tumor cells that prevents DNA repair

Sleep helps recalibrate brain cells responsible for learning and memory, mice study shows

Returning to nature can improve sleep patterns

UW study offers visual proof of how brain synapses shrink during sleep

Single Molecule Detection of Proteins in Single Cells

Vasculature in mini-brains expands research potential

Addicted individuals show weaker brain response to anticipating rewards, research finds

Sleep may be regulated by several brain-based immune proteins, study reveals

Study finds impaired secretion of stress hormone in healthy Indigenous young adults

Researchers recommend using combination of strategies for early diagnosis of autism in children

Study looking for toxicity markers in smokers who replace tobacco for e-cigarettes seeks volunteers

New study offers insights into how antidepressants work in the brain

Nicotine creates cascade of effects in the brain that get worse over time

New technology enables “completely locked-in” patients to communicate

Women with anorexia show lasting autistic traits, research reveals

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplant may induce sustained remission of multiple sclerosis

Industry Focus eBook - Cell & Gene Therapy (1st Edition) eBook

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Latest News