FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·January 16, 2020·4 min readAre bigger brains better?Greater hippocampal volume is not always a reliable predictor of learning and memory ability in older adults. Faster learning was only found in older adults who had both greater hippocampal volume and more uniform white matter connections to other parts of the brain.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·October 29, 2019·5 min readWhich came first: Brain size or drinking propensity?Reduced gray matter volume in the insula and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may represent a genetically conferred predispositional risk factor for alcohol use disorder.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·June 3, 2019·5 min readFathers aid development of larger brainsReliable and stable paternal care is correlated with the evolution of larger brains in their offspring.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 22, 2019·4 min readAll Too Human: The Price We Pay for Our Advanced Brains May Be a Greater Tendency to DisordersResearchers report the neural code of the prefrontal cortex is more efficient than the amygdala in both humans and primates. The lower resistance of the amygdala to errors in humans may play a role in exaggerated survival responses, such as those seen in anxiety and PTSD.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·January 21, 2019·4 min readGenes with Large Effect on Head and Brain Size DiscoveredResearchers report genetic influences on head circumference remain stable during development and are correlated with genetic factors which contribute to intracranial volume.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 9, 2019·3 min readExcessive Body Fat Around Middle Linked to Smaller Brain SizeResearchers report obesity and excessive body fat around the middle is associated with lower grey matter volume in the brain. The study also found a link between obesity and shrinkage in specific brain areas.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·January 8, 2019·4 min readBuilding a Bigger BrainARHGAP11B, a gene unique to humans and active in the cerebral cortex, causes enlargement of the ferret neocortex when introduced during development.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·December 1, 2018·7 min readBigger Brains Are Smarter, But Not By MuchNeuroimaging information reveals a small but significant positive association between brain volume and cognitive performance.Read More
Brain CancerFeaturedNeurology·October 29, 2018·4 min readBigger Brains Could Increase Cancer RiskA new study reports bigger brain size could mean an increased risk of developing brain cancer. The reason, researchers say, is simple. Bigger brains have more brain cells, and thus a greater potential for cell mutations that lead to cancer.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 29, 2018·3 min readStress May Affect Brain Size and Memory in Middle AgeA new study reports middle aged people with higher levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, have lower brain volume and a higher risk of memory impairment.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·October 8, 2018·4 min readSmall Brained Female Guppies Are Not Drawn to Attractive MalesA new study reports female guppies with smaller brain mass can distinguish between attractive males, but do not find them more appealing or choose to mate with them over less attractive guppies. Researchers say the study sheds new light of the link between mate preference and cognitive ability.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·June 5, 2018·4 min readMale Guppies Grow Larger Brains in Response to Predator ExposureResearchers report male guppies who live in an environment with predators have greater brain mass than those who live in a predator free environment. However, there is no difference in brain size for female guppies.Read More