Neuroscience News and Research

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Research reveals molecular link between chronic pain and depression

Researchers at Hokkaido University have identified the brain mechanism linking chronic pain and depression in rats. Their research, which was recently published in The Journal of Neuroscience, could lead to the development of new treatments for chronic pain and depression.

26 Sep 2019

New technique can rapidly image synaptic proteins at high resolution

Our brains contain millions of synapses -- the connections that transmit messages from neuron to neuron. Within these synapses are hundreds of different proteins, and dysfunction of these proteins can lead to conditions such as schizophrenia and autism.

26 Sep 2019

Does the brain thin as children grow?

Neuroscientists have long held that the brains of children thin down over time. However, this was on the basis of older imaging techniques. Now, using cutting-edge technology in the form of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI), a team of researchers has found that the apparent thinning is due in part to myelin formation around the cortical nerve fibers. These very interesting findings, published in the journal PNAS on September 23, 2019, will drive further research on the link between cortical function and structure.

25 Sep 2019

Targeting cancer patients' mindsets could improve their health and well-being

A diagnosis of cancer can cause significant emotional burden for patients and their families. The turmoil may persist throughout treatment and even years into survivorship.

25 Sep 2019

Love hormone oxytocin linked to hypersexuality

Sex addiction or hypersexual disorder is a behavior characterized by an excessive preoccupation with sexual fantasies, behaviors, or urges that are hard to control, causing negative effects on one’s health and relationships.

25 Sep 2019

Electronic conversations between neurons could soon be recorded precisely

Electrodes are used to pick up electrical signals. Neurons however are tiny units of the nervous system and it is difficult to create an electrode small enough to record all the workings of a neurons.

24 Sep 2019

Ear's tiny outer hair cells regulate sound sensitivity, study shows

The ear’s tiny outer hair cells adjust the sensitivity of neighboring inner hair cells to sound levels rather than acting like an amplifier, suggests a new study published today in eLife.

24 Sep 2019

Mice also fidget like humans while making decisions

Almost everyone fidgets, said Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Associate Professor Anne Churchland. She referred to a collage of videos she compiled of different people rocking back and forth in their chairs, clicking a pen, shaking their legs.

24 Sep 2019

Study uncovers epigenetic origins for hypersexual disorder

A new study has shown that epigenetic changes lead to overactivity of the hormone oxytocin, and this is a key element in hypersexual disorder.

24 Sep 2019

Scientists to present new findings on gene therapy at Neuroscience 2019

Gene therapy shows promise as a way to treat and cure presently incurable neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

24 Sep 2019

Perturbed genes regulating white blood cells related to ASD genetics and symptom severity

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine say they are getting closer to identifying the mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and biomarkers that can aid in early diagnosis and predictions of symptom severity.

23 Sep 2019

Gene regulators work together to raise individual's risk of schizophrenia

Researchers have discovered that gene expression regulators work together to raise an individual's risk of developing schizophrenia.

23 Sep 2019

Mount Sinai announces creation of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute

The Mount Sinai Health System announced the creation of the Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, the first of its kind in New York City, and one of a few in the world.

23 Sep 2019

Study reveals possible role of hormone oxytocin in hypersexual disorder

A new study of men and women with hypersexual disorder has revealed a possible role of the hormone oxytocin, according to results published in the journal Epigenetics.

23 Sep 2019

Scientists discover how neural circuits play critical role in learning and memory

A University of California, Irvine-led team of scientists has discovered how newly identified neural circuits in the brain's hippocampal formation play a critical role in object-location learning and memory.

23 Sep 2019

Scientists move one step closer to discovering the causes of immune diseases

Scientists are one step closer to discovering the causes of immune diseases such as asthma, multiple sclerosis and arthritis

23 Sep 2019

Autism may be caused by 'peturbed' gene network, say scientists

Discovering the mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is closer than ever, claim researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.

23 Sep 2019

Study sheds light on mechanisms behind correlated electrical activity in neurons

"Like a book in which the single pages are not all different but carry small portions of common text, or like a group of people who whistle a very similar tune": this is how our brain cells work, say scientists. It is the phenomenon of "co-relation", in which individual neurons do not always act as independent units in receiving and transmitting information but as a group of individuals with similar and simultaneous actions.

23 Sep 2019

Scientists link neuropsychological tests with real-life activity in MS patients

A recent review by Kessler Foundation researchers explored the relationship between neuropsychological assessment and predictability of performance of everyday life activities among people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

20 Sep 2019

Study shows perception of musical rhythms differs across cultures

People who are accustomed to listening to Western music, which is based on a system of notes organized in octaves, can usually perceive the similarity between notes that are same but played in different registers -- say, high C and middle C.

20 Sep 2019