New study reveals early evolution of cortex
Lamprey brain study provides new insights into how the human brain evolved.... Read More...
basal ganglia
Second Type of Schizophrenia Discovered
Combining neuroimaging data with artificial intelligence, researchers have identified two distinct neuroanatomical subtypes of schizophrenia. The first, more typical subtype is associated with a lower widespread volume of gray matter compared to healthy controls. In the second subtype, gray matter volume is largely similar to healthy brains.... Read More...
New light shed on neuronal circuits involved in behavior, learning and dysfunction
New findings about dopaminergic neurons in the striatum could have implications for treating Parkinson's disease and Tourette syndrome.... Read More...
The brain may need iron for healthy cognitive development
Iron levels in the basal ganglia steadily increase throughout development and, in two sub-regions, continue to increase into adulthood. Decreased levels of iron in the putamen was correlated with impaired cognitive performance involving reasoning and spatial processing. Findings suggest the brain requires iron for healthy cognitive development.... Read More...
How the brain processes rewards
Different types of reward have unique effects on the basal ganglia nuclei. Food rewards influence the left hemisphere of the brain, while erotic rewards engage the right lateral globus and left caudate. Financial rewards engage the basal ganglia bilaterally.... Read More...
How emotion affects action
Researchers have identified a comprehensive circuit mechanism that governs how emotional states can influence movement through connections in the basal ganglia. The mechanism represents a way in which emotional states relate to changes in action control in depression, anxiety, and OCD.... Read More...
Study Advances Understanding of How Brains Remember Decisions
The medial prefrontal cortex persistently encodes value based decision variables.... Read More...
How we tune out distractions
A pathway linking the basal ganglia to the thalamus enhances sensory discrimination and is used to suppress 'background noise'. The pathway, which is controlled by the prefrontal cortex, selectively suppresses sensory input as it flows to the thalamus.... Read More...
Noninvasive biomarker for Parkinson’s disease possibly found in EEG data
Using EEG to measure beta waves shows promise in detecting Parkinson's disease in a non-invasive way.... Read More...
Altered Brain Activity Patterns of Parkinson’s Captured in Mice
Researchers have pinpointed how brain activity changes in mouse models of Parkinson's disease, providing clues as to what may drive symptoms of the disease in humans. ... Read More...
To Predict the Future, the Brain Has Two Clocks
Researchers report there are two distinct ways in which we make temporal predictions, and these rely on different parts of the brain. The findings offer a new perspective on how humans calculate when to make a move. ... Read More...
Researchers Find Brain Signal that May Help Us Navigate the Holiday Buffet
Researchers report they have discovered the region of the brain that registers excitement over a preferred food option. The study reports the findings could help develop new therapies and treatments to potentially combat obesity and encourage healthier eating.... Read More...