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.

Stroke risk rises in patients with sickle cell disease despite established guidelines

The incidence of stroke continues to increase for adults and children living with sickle cell disease (SCD) despite the Stroke Prevention Trial in Sickle Cell Anemia (STOP) establishing standards of care like transfusions and tests to measure blood flow in the brain for those deemed high-risk, according to a study published today in Blood.

20 Sep 2024

Study reveals distinct brain pathways for decision-making in primates

In a constantly changing world, animals, including humans, need to quickly adapt to their environment and learn to make decisions that lead to the best possible outcomes.

20 Sep 2024

New model explains how the brain restores walking rhythm after disruptions

Walking is an activity that is often taken for granted. Most people usually think they can multitask by "walking and chewing gum" simultaneously with hardly any taxation of their mental effort.

20 Sep 2024

Novel drug molecule offers hope for early Parkinson's disease treatment

A novel drug molecule could potentially lead to new treatments to prevent Parkinson's disease in younger patients, according to new research.

20 Sep 2024

Study reveals sex differences in T-cell responses among lung cancer patients

Researchers at Saint Louis University School of Medicine investigated differences in T-cell responses between male and female patients with lung cancer that may help direct future treatments.

20 Sep 2024

How plant-based, Mediterranean, and Western diets affect gut microbiota and disease

Researchers examine how different dietary components affect the gut microbiome and development of non-communicable diseases.

20 Sep 2024

Childhood adversity linked to elevated health risks, differing by sex and stress

Researchers assess the heterogeneous effects of childhood adversity on disease biomarkers and health conditions in adulthood.

20 Sep 2024

Promising antidepressant offers hope for glioblastoma treatment

Glioblastoma is a particularly aggressive brain tumor that at present is incurable. Cancer doctors can extend patients' life expectancy through operations, radiation, chemotherapy or surgical interventions. Nevertheless, half of patients die within twelve months of diagnosis.

20 Sep 2024

Amyloid-β and tau disrupt brain activity, driving early cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s risk

Researchers discover how amyloid-β and tau pathologies interact to drive early neurophysiological changes and cognitive decline in older adults at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

20 Sep 2024

Plasma pTau181 predicts Alzheimer’s progression in real-world memory clinic patients

Researchers confirm plasma pTau181 is a strong predictor for Alzheimer's in patients with mild cognitive impairment, offering a less invasive diagnostic tool for early intervention.

20 Sep 2024

A novel in vitro model for studying wrinkle formation in biological tissues

A research team consisting of Professor Dong Sung Kim, Professor Anna Lee, and Dr. Jaeseung Youn from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at POSTECH has successfully recreated the structure of wrinkles in biological tissue in vitro, uncovering the mechanisms behind their formation. Their findings were published on August 19 in the international journal Nature Communications.

19 Sep 2024

An evolutionary ancient brain region drives modern-day cognition

The superior colliculus is a midbrain region that is traditionally thought to help animals orient themselves toward important locations in space, like directing their eyes and head toward a bright flash of light. New research from the University of Chicago shows that this part of the brain also plays a role in complex cognitive tasks like visual categorization and decision making.

19 Sep 2024

Hypothalamic ECM remodeling drives insulin resistance, contributing to obesity and diabetes

Researchers have discovered that remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the hypothalamus, specifically around AgRP neurons, drives insulin resistance and metabolic disease. Disrupting this ECM buildup improves insulin sensitivity and may be a promising treatment for obesity and diabetes.

19 Sep 2024

Do long genes hold the key to understanding the genetic underpinnings of aging?

Review highlights the growing evidence that aging is linked to reduced expression of long genes, offering insights into potential anti-aging therapies based on gene length.

19 Sep 2024

Study reveals biomarkers that predict disability worsening in multiple sclerosis

A pioneering study presented today at ECTRIMS 2024 has identified critical biomarkers that can predict disability worsening in multiple sclerosis (MS).

19 Sep 2024

Adaptive platform trial tests multiple treatments for traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in close to 70,000 deaths in the United States every year, and it is the cause of long-term physical, cognitive and mental disability in 5 million Americans. But despite three decades of work, treatments are sorely lacking.

19 Sep 2024