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Neurons in visual cortex of the brain change their responses over time, research reveals

New research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that neurons in the visual cortex - the part of the brain that processes visual stimuli - change their responses to the same stimulus over time.

28 Aug 2021

Study: Smell regulates our eating habits

Walking past a corner bakery, you may find yourself drawn in by the fresh smell of sweets wafting from the front door. You're not alone: The knowledge that humans make decisions based on their noses has led major brands like Cinnabon and Panera Bread to pump the scents of baked goods into their restaurants, leading to big spikes in sales.

27 Aug 2021

Athletes with history of concussions may show subtle and chronic brain changes

A new study suggests athletes with a history of concussion may show more brain injury from a later concussion, particularly in middle regions of the brain that are more susceptible to damage, when compared to athletes with no history of concussion.

26 Aug 2021

Aerobic exercise combined with tDCS improves the gait of Parkinson's patients

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can increase the benefits of aerobic exercise and improve the gait of patients with Parkinson's disease immediately after a session. Step time variability decreases, reaction time shortens, and executive control of gait is enhanced.

25 Aug 2021

Scientists use mathematical concepts to analyze fMRI data

Research led by a Wayne State University Department of Mathematics professor is aiding researchers in Wayne State's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences in analyzing fMRI data. fMRI is the preeminent class of signals collected from the brain in vivo and is irreplaceable in the study of brain dysfunction in many medical fields, including psychiatry, neurology, and pediatrics.

19 Aug 2021

Auditory and speech processing occur in parallel in the brain

After years of research, neuroscientists have discovered a new pathway in the human brain that processes the sounds of language.

18 Aug 2021

Transcranial focused ultrasound shows promise to treat forms of chronic pain

Neuromodulation comprises a range of therapeutic approaches to relieving symptoms, such as pain or tremors, or to restore movement or function.

16 Aug 2021

Researchers take a key step toward a new concept for brain-computer interface system

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are emerging assistive devices that may one day help people with brain or spinal injuries to move or communicate.

14 Aug 2021

Russian research team presents a novel, supersensitive brain mapping tool

A joint team from the Russian Quantum Center, Skoltech, and the Higher School of Economics has presented a novel supersensitive solid-state magnetometer operating at room temperature.

13 Aug 2021

Brain memory signals may influence blood sugar levels, rat study finds

A set of brain signals known to help memories form may also influence blood sugar levels, finds a new study in rats.

11 Aug 2021

Functional brain connections explain readiness to punish others for unfair behavior

The stronger the functional brain connections, the less inclined someone is to punish others for unfair behavior.

10 Aug 2021

Study finds altered brain gene expression patterns in people with opioid use disorder

The epidemic of opioid abuse affects millions of people worldwide, but researchers know surprisingly little about the molecular changes caused by opioids in the human brain.

10 Aug 2021

Non-invasive brain stimulation may reduce smoking frequency in nicotine-dependent smokers

A new systematic review of randomized controlled trials has found evidence that non-invasive brain stimulation may reduce smoking frequency (number of cigarettes per day) in nicotine-dependent smokers.

4 Aug 2021

Cerebral cortex may actually be responsible for sleep control

Why we sleep, and the processes behind sleep, are amongst the most interesting questions in modern neuroscience.

4 Aug 2021

Researchers discover brain's switching system used in information processing and storing of memories

A team of scientists has uncovered a system in the brain used in the processing of information and in the storing of memories--akin to how railroad switches control a train's destination. The findings offer new insights into how the brain functions.

3 Aug 2021

Serum aldosterone concentrations provide a new measure for risk evaluation in HFpEF patients

Currently, patients with HFpEF have high risk of morbidity and mortality, but there is no effective measure for evaluating the prognosis.

3 Aug 2021

New understanding of the brain’s relay station could change medical treatment for brain disorders

New research shows cells gather more data than once believed inside the thalamus, a relay station of sensory and motor abilities in the brain. That could change how medicine treats schizophrenia, epilepsy and other brain disorders.

30 Jul 2021

People with chronic pain may find it harder to regulate emotions

More than three million Australians experience chronic pain: an ongoing and often debilitating condition that can last from months to years.

29 Jul 2021

Research shows how brain mechanisms of fatigue influence people’s motivation to work

Fatigue - the feeling of exhaustion from doing effortful tasks - is something we all experience daily. It makes us lose motivation and want to take a break.

28 Jul 2021

Research provides insights into how the hippocampus contributes to memory storage in the cortex

A new MIT study of how a mammalian brain remembers what it sees shows that while individual images are stored in the visual cortex, the ability to recognize a sequence of sights critically depends on guidance from the hippocampus, a deeper structure strongly associated with memory but shrouded in mystery about exactly how.

27 Jul 2021