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The image shows cultured neurons with projecting dendrites highlighted in green.

·March 6, 2013·2 min read

Flip of a Single Molecular Switch Makes an Old Brain Young

Monitoring the synapses of living mice, researchers discover an important genetic switch for brain maturation. Mice without the Nogo Receptor 1 gene have persistent levels of juvenile brain plasticity through adulthood.

The image shows a drawing of the brain with the lateral intraparietal area (LIP) highlighted in red.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 6, 2013·4 min read

One Region, Two Functions: Brain Cells’ Multitasking Could be a Key to Understanding Overall Brain Function

The lateral intraparietal area (LIP), a region of the brain known to play a vital role in spatial and visual processing also has a parallel function, categorizing visual information, a new study suggests.

The image shows a structural diagram of rapamycin.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 4, 2013·2 min read

Protein Synthesis Blocker Could Help Reduce Effects of Traumatic Events

Researchers note reduced fear and stress responses following a mildly traumatic event when rapamycin, a protein synthesis blocker, is administered.

The image shows two big garden spiders on a wall.

Featured Psychology

·February 26, 2013·4 min read

Persistent Negative Attitude Can Undo Effectiveness of Exposure Therapy for Phobias

In order to recover from phobias, researchers suggest people must alter memory driven negative attitudes about their feared object.

The image shows a computer chip with a built in memristor the researchers used during their research.

Featured

·February 26, 2013·3 min read

Blueprint For an Artificial Brain

Researchers are using memristors, electronic microcomponents which imitate natural nerves, as key components to create a blueprint for an artificial brain.

The image shows a computerized flight time table with numerous cities and flight times.

Featured Psychology

·February 21, 2013·2 min read

Scientists Make Older Adults Less Forgetful in Memory Tests

Researchers have found compelling evidence that older adults can eliminate forgetfulness and perform as well as younger adults on memory tests. The findings have intriguing implications for designing learning strategies for older adults.

The image shows a comparative brain PET scan of a person with alzheimer's and one without the disease.

Featured Genetics

·February 20, 2013·6 min read

Genome-Wide Imaging Study Identifies New Gene Associated with Alzheimer’s Plaques

Researchers combined genetic data with neuroimaging in order to identify genes associated with amyloid plaque deposits in Alzheimer's disease patients. The study is believed to be the first genome-wide association study of plaque deposits using a specialized PET scan tracer that binds to amyloid.

The image shows an obesity table with height and associated weight compared.

Featured Psychology

·February 19, 2013·3 min read

Is There a Link Between Childhood Obesity and ADHD?

New research has established a possible link between high-fat diets and such childhood brain-based conditions as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and memory-dependent learning disabilities.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 18, 2013·2 min read

Memory Appears Susceptible to Eradication of Fear Responses

Fear responses can only be erased when people learn something new while retrieving the fear memory according to a new study.

The image shows the major brain structures implicated in autism.

Autism Featured

·February 14, 2013·4 min read

Behavioral Therapy for Children With Autism Can Impact Brain Function

Using fMRI for before-and-after analysis, a team of researchers discovered positive changes in brain activity in children with autism who received a particular type of behavioral therapy.

The image shows Newborn neurons in the brain of a 3 month old mouse.

Featured Neurology

·February 7, 2013·3 min read

Dickkopf Makes Fountain of Youth in the Brain Run Dry

Scientists have discovered that significantly more neurons are generated in the brains of older animals if the signaling molecule Dickkopf-1 is turned off. The results give rise to the question whether the function of Dickkopf-1 may be turned off using drugs to prevent age related cognitive decline.

A man is standing with the help of a walker in front of a tower of electronics as a woman sits nearby.

Electrophysiology Featured Neurology

·February 5, 2013·5 min read

Reflex Control Could Improve Walking After Incomplete Spinal Injuries

A training regimen to adjust the body's motor reflexes may help improve mobility for some people with incomplete spinal cord injuries. During training, the participants were instructed to suppress a knee jerk-like reflex elicited by a small shock to the leg. Those able to calm hyperactive reflexes saw improvements in their walking.