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Resting-state connectivity changes underpinning ICDs identified

The presence of impulse control disorders is associated with reduced resting-state connectivity between part of the associative striatum and both associative and limbic cortical regions in patients with Parkinson’s disease, a study suggests.

5 Jun 2015

Delay of gratification linked to white matter connectivity in the dorsal prefrontal cortex

The ability to delay gratification in chimpanzees is linked to how specific structures of the brain are connected and communicate with each other, according to researchers at Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University.

5 Jun 2015

People with high moral reasoning skills show increased gray matter in brain

Individuals with a higher level of moral reasoning skills showed increased gray matter in the areas of the brain implicated in complex social behavior, decision making, and conflict processing as compared to subjects at a lower level of moral reasoning, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with a researcher from Charité Universitätsmediz in Berlin, Germany.

4 Jun 2015

Newly discovered nerve cells trigger locomotion, supply the brain with speed-related information

Scientists at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn led by Prof. Stefan Remy report on this in the journal "Neuron". Their investigations give new insights into the workings of spatial memory. Furthermore, they could also help improve our understanding of movement related symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.

4 Jun 2015

Research findings challenge the model of memory forming in hippocampus

The hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory formation. However, it is not yet fully understood in what way that brain structure's individual regions are involved in the formation of memories. Neuroscientists at the Collaborative Research Center 874 at RUB have recreated this process with the aid of computer simulations.

4 Jun 2015

Northeastern University researcher reports finding epicenter of brain's prediction

In recent years, scientists have discovered the human brain works on predictions, contrary to the previously accepted theory that it reacts to the sensations it picks up from the outside world. Experts say humans' reactions are in fact the body adjusting to predictions the brain is making based on the state of our body the last time it was in a similar situation.

3 Jun 2015

New study sheds light on the disruption of astrocytes in depression

A new study published by the team of Naguib Mechawar, Ph.D., a researcher with the McGill Group for Suicide Studies of the Douglas Institute (CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Ile de Montreal) and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University, sheds new light on the disruption of astrocytes in depression.

3 Jun 2015

Even during quiet moments, our brains are preparing us to be socially connected to other people

A new study by UCLA neuroscientists sheds light on why Facebook is such a popular diversion for people who feel like taking a break.

1 Jun 2015

Scientists develop human cortical spheroids

A patient tormented by suicidal thoughts gives his psychiatrist a few strands of his hair. She derives stem cells from them to grow budding brain tissue harboring the secrets of his unique illness in a petri dish. She uses the information to genetically engineer a personalized treatment to correct his brain circuit functioning. Just Sci-fi? Yes, but...

1 Jun 2015

Differences in brain expression of RORA protein levels may lead to sex bias in autism

George Washington University researcher Valerie Hu, Ph.D., has found an important sex-dependent difference in the level of RORA protein in brain tissues of males and females. Specifically, females without autism have a slightly higher level of RORA in the frontal cortex of the brain than males without autism, while the levels of the protein are comparably lower in the brain of both males and females with autism.

29 May 2015

MIT researchers find neural circuit that appears to cause decision-making in approach-avoidance conflict

Some decisions arouse far more anxiety than others. Among the most anxiety-provoking are those that involve options with both positive and negative elements, such choosing to take a higher-paying job in a city far from family and friends, versus choosing to stay put with less pay.

29 May 2015

Surprising link found between creative problem-solving and increased activity in the cerebellum

Investigators at Stanford University have found a surprising link between creative problem-solving and heightened activity in the cerebellum, a structure located in the back of the brain and more typically thought of as the body's movement-coordination center.

29 May 2015

UB researchers identify mechanisms behind some autistic behaviors, suggest potential targets

Scientists at the University at Buffalo have identified the mechanisms behind a genetic mutation that produces certain autistic behaviors in mice, as well as therapeutic strategies to restore normal behaviors.

28 May 2015

Electric brain stimulation may improve short-term memory in individuals with schizophrenia

Lightly stimulating the brain with electricity may improve short-term memory in people with schizophrenia, according to a new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

28 May 2015

Diabetes and poor diet can trigger Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, warns BUAP researcher

For several years a researcher was dedicated to feed rodents in his laboratory with a high caloric content and glucose concentrations, which caused them diabetes, and by scientifically assessing what occurred in animals he observed that "diabetes and poor diet is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's or Parkinson's," warns Samuel Treviño Mora from the Meritorious University of Puebla in Mexico.

28 May 2015

Study shows how people's expectation of pain affects the experience of pain

Picture yourself in a medical office, anxiously awaiting your annual flu shot. The nurse casually states, "This won't hurt a bit." But when the needle pierces your skin it hurts, and it hurts a lot. Your expectations have been violated, and not in a good way.

28 May 2015

Canadian researchers shed light on molecular dynamics of chronic pain

Chronic pain affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and is a major cause of disability, causing more disability than cancer and heart disease. Canadian researchers, including Michael Salter at SickKids are shedding light on the molecular dynamics of chronic pain. They have uncovered a critical role for a class of cells present in the brain and spinal cord, called microglia, in pain.

27 May 2015

Oscillations could play role in resetting sensitivity of neurons after eye movements

Scientists measuring brain activity have found that in many regions, such as the sensory or motor cortex, activity sometimes oscillates at different frequencies, forming wave-like patterns. Despite the fact that such oscillations are frequently observed, and present in many brain regions, their functional role remains unclear.

26 May 2015

Echolocators use echoes to detect multiple properties of objects through visual areas of the brain

Certain blind individuals have the ability to use echoes from tongue or finger clicks to recognize objects in the distance, and some use echolocation as a replacement for vision. Research done by Dr. Mel Goodale, from the University of Western Ontario, in Canada, and colleagues around the world, is showing that echolocation in blind individuals is a full form of sensory substitution, and that blind echolocation experts recruit regions of the brain normally associated with visual perception when making echo-based assessments of objects.

25 May 2015

Just think about it: Giving natural movement to a patient with quadriplegia

Paralysis is often the result of nerve damage that prevents commands from the brain being relayed to muscle to cause movement...

22 May 2015

Cortex News and Research

Resting-state connectivity changes underpinning ICDs identified

Delay of gratification linked to white matter connectivity in the dorsal prefrontal cortex

People with high moral reasoning skills show increased gray matter in brain

Newly discovered nerve cells trigger locomotion, supply the brain with speed-related information

Research findings challenge the model of memory forming in hippocampus

Northeastern University researcher reports finding epicenter of brain's prediction

New study sheds light on the disruption of astrocytes in depression

Even during quiet moments, our brains are preparing us to be socially connected to other people

Scientists develop human cortical spheroids

Differences in brain expression of RORA protein levels may lead to sex bias in autism

MIT researchers find neural circuit that appears to cause decision-making in approach-avoidance conflict

Surprising link found between creative problem-solving and increased activity in the cerebellum

UB researchers identify mechanisms behind some autistic behaviors, suggest potential targets

Electric brain stimulation may improve short-term memory in individuals with schizophrenia

Diabetes and poor diet can trigger Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, warns BUAP researcher

Study shows how people's expectation of pain affects the experience of pain

Canadian researchers shed light on molecular dynamics of chronic pain

Oscillations could play role in resetting sensitivity of neurons after eye movements

Echolocators use echoes to detect multiple properties of objects through visual areas of the brain

Just think about it: Giving natural movement to a patient with quadriplegia

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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