A to Z

brain research

Research articles and news stories tagged with brain research

·February 27, 2021·3 min read

‘Explicit Instruction’ Provides Dramatic Benefits in Learning to Read

Those who received explicit instructions about the relationship between sound and spelling experienced dramatic improvements in their reading ability.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·November 19, 2019·7 min read

‘Face blindness’ may involve a failed brain network, and could shed light on autism

Prosopagnosia, or "face-blindness", involves an entire network, not just one area of the brain. The findings may shed light on poor facial processing abilities associated with autism.

This is a cartoon of a mouse walking up a mountain surrounded by chemical symbols

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 23, 2021·4 min read

‘Feel Good’ Brain Messenger Dopamine Can Be Willfully Controlled

Study reveals mice can learn to manipulate random dopamine impulses for reward.

This shows two people looking at each other from a distance

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 19, 2020·4 min read

‘Feeling obligated’ can impact relationships during social distancing

Many of us feel obligated to perform acts for loved ones, such as calling more frequently or running an errand for an elderly friend, during this time of social distancing. Researchers report low-level obligations and acts of kindness can help strengthen relationships, while more substantive obligations can put a strain on relationships.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 24, 2021·5 min read

‘Fight or Flight’ Discovery in Sleepwalkers Paves Way to New Understanding of Phenomenon

The "fight or flight" response in those who sleepwalk is significantly lower than in those who sleep soundly at night.

Brain Cancer Featured

·September 21, 2012·2 min read

‘Fingerprinting’ Breakthrough Offers Improved Brain Tumor Diagnosis

Researchers have shown that infrared and Raman spectroscopy – coupled with statistical analysis – can be used to tell the difference between normal brain tissue and the different tumor types that may arise in this tissue, based on its individual biochemical-cell ‘fingerprint’.

Autism Featured Genetics

·February 8, 2021·7 min read

‘Hidden Biological Link’ Among Autism Genes Revealed

Study reveals the disruptions in prenatal neurogenesis can increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. Findings also reveal estrogen can protect against the disruption of neurogenesis and steer the embryonic brain on the course of normal development.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 21, 2021·2 min read

‘Hunger Hormone’ Ghrelin Affects Monetary Decision Making

Higher levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin predict a greater preference for smaller, immediate financial rewards over larger, delayed financial rewards.

This shows a woman walking down a graffiti covered alleyway

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·March 11, 2021·5 min read

‘Hunker Down’ Stress Genes Boosted in Women Who Live in Violent Neighborhoods

Gene activity in immune cells is altered as a result of chronic stress for women who live in areas high in violence and poverty.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 6, 2019·5 min read

‘I knew that was going to happen:’ Déjà vu and the ‘postdictive’ bias

When intense feelings of prediction accompanied deja vu, they were strongly correlated with feelings of postdiction. High degrees of familiarity that accompany deja vu also carry through to postdictive bias.

This shows the researcher and his daughter

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 17, 2019·4 min read

‘Imagine…’ Our attitudes can change solely by the power of imagination

Our attitudes can be influenced by both our imagination and experiences. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex plays a key role by binding together information based on existing knowledge and constructing imaginary events to help shape our attitudes of a situation.