Cortex News and Research

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Synaptic health in the brain closely linked to cognitive decline

Age-related cognitive decline and changes in the nervous system are closely linked, but up until recently, they were thought to result from the loss of neurons in areas such as the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain important in working memory.

3 Dec 2013

Brain research provides new clues to Pavlovian conditioning

Do fruit flies hold the key to treating dementia? Researchers at the University of Houston have taken a significant step forward in unraveling the mechanisms of Pavlovian conditioning. Their work will help them understand how memories form and, ultimately, provide better treatments to improve memory in all ages.

27 Nov 2013

Protecting or boosting neurotrophins may slow progression of Huntington's disease

A drug that acts like a growth-promoting protein in the brain reduces degeneration and motor deficits associated with Huntington's disease in two mouse models of the disorder, according to a study appearing November 27 in the Journal of Neuroscience. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that protecting or boosting neurotrophins - the molecules that support the survival and function of nerve cells - may slow the progression of Huntington's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

27 Nov 2013

Inhibition of parvalbumin-expressing prefrontal interneurons triggers fear behaviours

Using an approach combining in vivo recordings and optogenetic manipulations in mice, the researchers succeeded in showing that the inhibition of parvalbumin-expressing prefrontal interneurons triggers a chain reaction resulting in fear behaviour. Conversely, activation of these parvalbumin interneurons significantly reduces fear responses in rodents.

22 Nov 2013

New targeted treatments for autism may be possible

Finding major new clues to the origins of autism, a Yale-led team of researchers has pinpointed which cell types and regions of the developing human brain are affected by gene mutations linked to autism. They report their findings in the Nov. 21 issue of the journal Cell.

22 Nov 2013

Studies link hundreds of gene mutations in the brain to increased autism risk

Pity the poor autism researcher. Recent studies have linked hundreds of gene mutations scattered throughout the brain to increased autism risk. Where do you start?

22 Nov 2013

Long-term cocaine abuse may be linked with deficits in parts of brain overseeing own behavior

New research from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reveals long-term cocaine abuse may be associated with deficits in parts of the brain involved in monitoring and overseeing one's own behavior.

21 Nov 2013

Specific area of the brain linked to anxiety disorders in children and adolescents

Anxiety disorders are common in children and adolescents, affecting up to 25 percent of the youth population. Anxiety causes distress and functional impairment and, if left untreated, can result in bad grades, problems at home and increased rates of psychiatric disorders in adulthood.

20 Nov 2013

mTOR protein: A key mediator of antidepressant effects of ketamine

Two years ago, mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR, a signaling protein, was identified as a key mediator of the antidepressant effects of ketamine, the first rapidly acting antidepressant medication to be identified.

20 Nov 2013

Cerebral basis for positive psychosis symptoms pinpointed

Altered activation in the secondary somatosensory cortex during sensorimotor experiences may underlie the flawed judgments resulting in positive schizophrenia symptoms, research suggests.

19 Nov 2013

Understanding the origins of delinquent and deviant behaviors

Physical and chemical changes in the brain during development can potentially play a role in some delinquent and deviant behaviors, according to research released today. Studies looking at the underlying mechanisms that influence our ability to exercise self-control were presented at Neuroscience 2013, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news about brain science and health.

13 Nov 2013

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation announces recipients of NARSAD Investigator Grants

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (formerly known as NARSAD, the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression), under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, President & CEO, has announced the latest recipients of its NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants.

8 Nov 2013

Decision-making process may occur in localized region of the prefrontal cortex

While eating lunch you notice an insect buzzing around your plate. Its color and motion could both influence how you respond. If the insect was yellow and black you might decide it was a bee and move away. Conversely, you might simply be annoyed at the buzzing motion and shoo the insect away. You perceive both color and motion, and decide based on the circumstances. Our brains make such contextual decisions in a heartbeat.

7 Nov 2013

Gambling addiction leads to brain function abnormalities that affect decision-making capacity

University of Granada researchers have analysed similarities and differences in psychological profile and brain function when comparing cocaine addicts and gambling addicts. The study reveals that gambling addicts present brain function abnormalities affecting their decision-making capacity.

6 Nov 2013

Offspring born to stressed mothers show stress-induced changes

Children of survivors of extremely stressful life events face adjustment challenges of their own, as has been most carefully studied among the children of Nazi Death Camp survivors. This "intergenerational" transmission of stress response has been studied predominately from the psychological perspective. However, recent research points to biological contributions as well.

5 Nov 2013

Neuroscientist receives $1.7M NIH grant to continue groundbreaking visual perception research

A University of California, Riverside neuroscientist has been awarded a five-year, $1.7 million grant by the National Institutes of Health to continue groundbreaking research that may lead to new therapies for individuals with amblyopia (lazy eye), dry macular degeneration and cataracts.

31 Oct 2013

Video gaming increases spatial orientation, memory formation and motor skills

Video gaming causes increases in the brain regions responsible for spatial orientation, memory formation and strategic planning as well as fine motor skills.

30 Oct 2013

Serotonin 2C receptors induce fast-acting antidepressant effects in mice

More than 1 in 10 Americans take antidepressants, but these medications can take weeks-and for some patients, months-before they begin to alleviate symptoms. Now, scientists from the University of Chicago have discovered that selectively blocking a serotonin receptor subtype induces fast-acting antidepressant effects in mice, indicating a potential new class of therapeutics for depression. The work was published Oct. 29 in Molecular Psychiatry.

29 Oct 2013

New research reveals iron deposits in brain play a role in pathology of MS

While it's been known for over a century that iron deposits in the brain play a role in the pathology of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), new imaging research from Western University (London, Canada) helps to answer the question of whether these accumulations are a cause or consequence of the disease.

29 Oct 2013

Regular cannabis users have increased levels of impulsive behaviour, reveals research

New cocaine and cannabis research reveals that regular cannabis users have increased levels of impulsive behaviour. It had previously been argued that this increased impulsivity after cannabis administration was only experienced by occasional users, but that regular users were no longer affected in this way.

29 Oct 2013

Cortex News and Research

Synaptic health in the brain closely linked to cognitive decline

Brain research provides new clues to Pavlovian conditioning

Protecting or boosting neurotrophins may slow progression of Huntington's disease

Inhibition of parvalbumin-expressing prefrontal interneurons triggers fear behaviours

New targeted treatments for autism may be possible

Studies link hundreds of gene mutations in the brain to increased autism risk

Long-term cocaine abuse may be linked with deficits in parts of brain overseeing own behavior

Specific area of the brain linked to anxiety disorders in children and adolescents

mTOR protein: A key mediator of antidepressant effects of ketamine

Cerebral basis for positive psychosis symptoms pinpointed

Understanding the origins of delinquent and deviant behaviors

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation announces recipients of NARSAD Investigator Grants

Decision-making process may occur in localized region of the prefrontal cortex

Gambling addiction leads to brain function abnormalities that affect decision-making capacity

Offspring born to stressed mothers show stress-induced changes

Neuroscientist receives $1.7M NIH grant to continue groundbreaking visual perception research

Video gaming increases spatial orientation, memory formation and motor skills

Serotonin 2C receptors induce fast-acting antidepressant effects in mice

New research reveals iron deposits in brain play a role in pathology of MS

Regular cannabis users have increased levels of impulsive behaviour, reveals research

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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