Neuroscience News - AI, Neuroscience, Psychology Research

·May 10, 2023·5 min read

Decoding Brain Atrophy: Unveiling Sex Differences in Aging Gray Matter

A recent study has examined the rate of gray matter volume decrease in different cortical areas, revealing an average shrinkage of 5.25% per decade, with the rostral anterior cingulate cortex experiencing the most significant reduction. The study also found that the rate of volume decrease is generally higher in men than in women, especially in the cingulate lobe.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 9, 2023·7 min read

Restoring Gamma Wave Signals Could Counter Depression

A new study found that restoring certain signals in the brain region that processes smell can counter depression. The study reported the timing and strength of gamma signals in the olfactory bulb can alter emotions. The findings could provide a potential new approach for countering depression and anxiety when medication is not effective. Researchers caution that further studies are needed to understand the link between firing patterns of gamma waves and emotions.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·5 min read

AI Detects Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease in Patients’ Blood

Researchers developed an AI tool that can detect signs of Parkinson's disease in patients' blood samples, up to 15 years before the onset of symptoms. The tool uses machine learning to analyze combinations of metabolites in the body, revealing unique markers that may signal the onset of Parkinson's. Although validation studies are needed, the tool was able to predict Parkinson's disease with up to 96% accuracy in the study's limited cohort.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·3 min read

AI Emulates Brain’s Memory Replay, Uncovering How We Learn

Scientists have made strides in uncovering the mechanisms underlying memory formation and consolidation in the brain during rest or sleep. Their research focuses on the role of the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory, and its place cells which "replay" neuronal sequences. A team of scientists built an artificial intelligence model to better understand these processes, discovering that sequences of experiences are prioritized during replay based on familiarity and rewards. The AI agent was found to learn spatial information more effectively when replaying these prioritized sequences, offering valuable insight into the way our brains learn and process information.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·4 min read

Mapping Dementia’s DNA: New Genetic Risk Factors Identified

Researchers discovered new genetic risk factors for non-Alzheimer's dementia, specifically Lewy body dementia (LBD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The team identified large-scale DNA changes, known as structural variants, that could increase the risk of these diseases. Notably, a previously unknown variant in the gene TCPN1 was linked to a higher risk for LBD, highlighting the significance of genetic research in combating neurodegenerative diseases.

·May 9, 2023·10 min read

Reality Blur: How Our Eyes Fool Us Into Misjudging Size

By cleverly blurring parts of images, researchers demonstrated how participants misperceived full-scale railway scenes as smaller than their model counterparts.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·4 min read

Reality Blur: How Our Eyes Fool Us Into Misjudging Size

In a fascinating twist of perception, a recent study reveals that our eyes can trick our brain into misjudging the size of objects around us. By cleverly blurring parts of images, researchers demonstrated how participants misperceived full-scale railway scenes as smaller than their model counterparts. This surprising finding not only sheds light on the flexibility and occasional flaws of our visual system, but it also hints at profound implications for everyday situations, from driving to criminal justice. The bottom line? Size matters, but our eyes might not always get it right.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·4 min read

Shared Genetic Defects in ALS and FTD: New Insights Into Neurodegeneration

Some patients with ALS/motor neuron disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) carry the same rare genetic defects that cause other neurodegenerative diseases. These defects, known as short tandem repeat expansions, are the cause of more than 20 neurodegenerative diseases including spinocerebellar ataxias and myotonic dystrophy.

This is an AI representation of a brain organoid in a petri dish.

Featured Neuroethics Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·5 min read

Tiny Human Brain Tissue Organoids Can’t Be Legally Considered “a Person”

Researchers proposed the need for a legal framework to guide the conversation on whether or not human brain organoids can be considered people. Brain organoids are grown from stem cells in a lab, mimicking the growth and structure of real brains.

This shows two hands with an explosion of balls coming out of them.

·May 9, 2023·11 min read

Context Matters: Oxytocin Influenced by Context of Social Touch

The hormone oxytocin, which is released in social bonding and touch, functions like a dimmer switch, influenced by the situation.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 9, 2023·5 min read

Context Matters: Oxytocin Influenced by Context of Social Touch

The hormone oxytocin, which is released in social bonding and touch, functions like a dimmer switch, influenced by the situation, according to researchers. A study of 42 women found oxytocin levels were higher when their partners stroked their arms first, then fell, only to increase again when a stranger did the same thing. When the stranger touched their arms first, there was no change in oxytocin levels. The research has implications for administering synthetic oxytocin, such as in nasal sprays, to treat mood-affecting conditions.