Neuroscience Posts - Page 286 of 2164

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·April 5, 2024·4 min read

Powering Brain Repair: Mitochondria Key to Neurogenesis

Researchers made a groundbreaking discovery about the maturation process of adult-born neurons in the brain, highlighting the critical role of mitochondrial fusion in these cells. Their study shows that as neurons develop, their mitochondria undergo dynamic changes that are crucial for the neurons' ability to form and refine connections, supporting synaptic plasticity in the adult hippocampus.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 5, 2024·7 min read

Heart Preserved Over 24 Hours: New Hope for Transplant Patients

Groundbreaking research demonstrates a significant advancement in heart transplant preservation, enabling pig hearts to be kept alive for over 24 hours using normothermic ex-vivo heart perfusion (NEHP). This method, which maintains donor hearts in a near-physiological state, could revolutionize the transplantation field by extending the viability period far beyond the current six-hour window.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 5, 2024·5 min read

Sense of Smell Relies on Predictive Coding More Than Vision

Our sense of smell operates on predictive coding more so than vision, challenging previous notions of smell as a primitive sense. Through a series of experiments, including behavioral studies and fMRI brain imaging, the study highlights smell's sophistication in reacting to unexpected stimuli by engaging not just the olfactory but also the visual brain regions.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 5, 2024·5 min read

UK to Begin Nationwide Blood Test Trials for Dementia

The UK is set to conduct nationwide trials to evaluate the effectiveness of blood tests in diagnosing dementia. The Blood Biomarker Challenge aims to validate potential blood tests for clinical use in the NHS within five years.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 5, 2024·9 min read

Genetics of Alcohol Use Explored

Researchers tapped into 23andMe's extensive genetic database, uncovering correlations between genetic variants related to alcohol consumption and a spectrum of health outcomes. The study reveals that certain genetic factors not only influence individuals' alcohol behaviors but also have broader health implications, including connections to chronic conditions and certain cancers.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·April 4, 2024·5 min read

Brain Organoids Illuminate TBI’s Link to Neurodegeneration

Researchers have advanced our understanding of how traumatic brain injuries (TBI) contribute to neurodegenerative diseases using lab-grown brain organoids. By simulating TBI in organoids derived from human stem cells, the team observed nerve cell death and pathological changes similar to those in TBI patients, particularly in proteins associated with ALS and dementia.

Autism Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·April 4, 2024·4 min read

Genetic Link Between Left-Handedness and Neurological Disorders

A new study utilizing UK Biobank data has unveiled the genetic roots of left-handedness, pinpointing rare variants in the beta-tubulin gene TUBB4B significantly associated with this trait. These findings not only shed light on the complex interplay between genetics and brain asymmetry but also link left-handedness with neurodevelopmental disorders through shared genetic pathways.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·April 4, 2024·7 min read

Early Gut Flora Imbalance May Predict Autism and ADHD

Disturbances in gut flora during infancy are linked to the later development of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD. Analyzing over 16,000 children from the ABIS study, researchers identified significant biomarkers in cord blood and stool samples that correlate with future diagnoses of these disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 4, 2024·4 min read

Partner Gender Influences the Pursuit of Orgasm in Women

The gender of a partner significantly affects women's expectations and the likelihood of orgasm. By examining the "orgasm gap" between cisgender men and women, researchers uncovered that women anticipate more clitoral stimulation and have higher orgasm expectations with female partners than with male partners.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 4, 2024·7 min read

Fecal Bacteria Transplant May Improve Parkinson’s Symptoms

A new clinical trial revealed fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a potential new treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD), showing significant improvement in motor symptoms. The study explores the connection between the gut microbiome and Parkinson's, finding that patients with PD often exhibit altered gut bacteria and increased intestinal inflammation.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 4, 2024·5 min read

Cerebellum Plays A Key Role in Reward Learning

Researchers discovered the cerebellum's significant involvement in reward-based learning, challenging longstanding views of its function. By training monkeys to associate visual cues with hand movements for rewards, the study demonstrates that the cerebellum is essential for forming new visuomotor associations, not just controlling movement.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 4, 2024·6 min read

Loneliness, Food Cravings, and the Brain

A new study reveals the link between loneliness, cravings for high-calorie foods, and unhealthy eating behaviors in women, highlighting a significant brain activity pattern associated with social isolation. The research found that women feeling lonely show increased brain activation in areas related to cravings when exposed to images of sugary foods, alongside decreased self-control towards eating.