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brain research

Research articles and news stories tagged with brain research

Brain image with the basal ganglia and other brain areas.

·January 30, 2013·2 min read

NIH Study Advances Understanding of Movement Control

Voluntary movements involve the coordinated activation of two brain pathways that connect parts of deep brain structures called the basal ganglia, according to a study in mice.

The image shows Seth Tomchik, Ph.D, the lead researcher of this study.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 29, 2013·2 min read

Study Shows how Brain Cells Shape Temperature Preferences

A new study shows a complex set of overlapping neuronal circuits works in concert to drive temperature preferences in the fruit fly Drosophila by affecting a single target, a heavy bundle of neurons within the fly brain known as the mushroom body. These nerve bundles play critical roles in learning and memory.

The image shows a stained section of human brain tissue upon acute ischemic stroke.

Featured Neurology

·January 29, 2013·4 min read

Medical Societies Unite on Patient Centered Measures for Nonsurgical Stroke Interventions

Representatives from medical societies created a multispecialty and international consensus on the metrics and benchmarks for processes of care and technical and clinical outcomes for stroke patients.

The image shows Dr Tandon operating on a patient to place electrodes on the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 29, 2013·3 min read

In-Brain Monitoring Shows Memory Network

Working with patients with electrodes implanted in their brains, researchers show that areas of the brain work simultaneously to recall memories. The approach promises new insights into how we remember details of time and place.

Sphingolipids are shown and described in caption.

Electrophysiology Featured

·January 28, 2013·4 min read

New Look at Cell Membrane Reveals Surprising Organization

A new way of looking at a cell's surface reveals the distribution of small molecules in the cell membrane, changing the understanding of its organization.

The image shows neurons expressing neuroglobin-2 and MDGA1. The caption explains the image best.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·January 28, 2013·3 min read

Protein Family Linked to Autism Suppresses the Development of Inhibitory Synapses

A study shows another family of proteins linked to neurodevelopmental disorders regulates the function of neuroligins and neurexins in order to suppress the development of inhibitory synapses.

Amygdala is shown and the image is explained well in the caption

Featured Neuroscience

·January 28, 2013·4 min read

Neuroscientists Pinpoint Location of Fear Memory in Amygdala

Researchers examine the how fear responses are learned, controlled, and memorized. They show that a particular class of neurons in a subdivision of the amygdala plays an active role in these processes.

The image shows an expertly crafted brain made from sugar paste for a cake topper.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 28, 2013·2 min read

When Food Porn Holds No Allure: The Science Behind Satiety

New research sheds light on why images of enticing food affect us less when we are full.

The image shows a researcher fitting an EEG device onto a person's head.

Featured Neurology

·January 25, 2013·6 min read

Science Needs a Second Opinion: Researchers Find Flaws in Study of Patients in “Vegetative State”

Reanalysis points to a number of flaws in a study which claimed EEG identified awareness in some patients diagnosed as being in a vegetative state.

Featured Neurology

·January 24, 2013·3 min read

Doctors Perform First FDA Approved Schwann Cell Transplant in Patient with New Spinal Cord Injury

Doctors performed the first-ever FDA approved Schwann cell transplantation in a patient with a new spinal cord injury. The procedure is a Phase 1 clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of transplanting the patient’s own Schwann cells.

The image shows two slides of blood vessels.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 24, 2013·3 min read

Chance Finding Reveals New Control on Blood Vessels in Developing Brain

New research demonstrates how developing glia and neural cells help control the growth of blood vessels.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 23, 2013·3 min read

New Brain Circuit Sheds Light on Development of Voluntary Movements

A research team describes the entire network of brain cells that are connected to specific motor neurons controlling whisker muscles in newborn mice. A better understanding of such motor control circuits could help inform how human brains develop, potentially leading to new ways of restoring movement in people who suffer paralysis from brain injuries, or to the development of better prosthetics for limb replacement.