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learning

·August 20, 2012·2 min read

Brain Enzyme is Double Whammy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers discover that an enzyme known for generating toxic brain plaques in Alzheimer's disease also causes additional memory and cognitive deficits via a separate mechanism. They found that BACE1 disrupts the cell's production of other molecules required for PKA function. By that mechanism, BACE1 inactivates PKA and therefore inhibits memory formation in mice, even in the absence of neurotoxic β-amyloid.

Featured Psychology

·August 7, 2012·2 min read

Children’s Healthy Diets Lead to Healthier IQ

Children fed healthy diets in early age may have a slightly higher IQ, while those on heavier junk food diets may have a slightly reduced IQ, according to new research.

Featured Neurology

·August 7, 2012·3 min read

Making It Easier to Learn to Read: Dyslexia Caused by Signal Processing in the Brain

Major step in understanding the cause of dyslexia is taken. Scientists have discovered an important neural mechanism underlying dyslexia and shown that many difficulties associated with dyslexia can potentially be traced back to a malfunction of the medial geniculate body in the thalamus.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 1, 2012·4 min read

Brain Imaging Can Predict How Intelligent You Are, Study Finds

Research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that another 10 percent of individual differences in intelligence can be explained by the strength of neural pathways connecting the left lateral prefrontal cortex to the rest of the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 30, 2012·3 min read

Brains Are Different in People with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory

UC Irvine scientists have discovered intriguing differences in the brains and mental processes of an extraordinary group of people who can effortlessly recall every moment of their lives since about age 10. Research offers the first scientific findings about nearly a dozen people with this highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM).

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 10, 2012·4 min read

Study Shows the Deaf Brain Processes Touch Differently

Lacking sound input, the primary auditory cortex “feels” touch. The finding reveals how the early loss of a sense affects brain development. It adds to a growing list of discoveries that confirm the impact of experiences and outside influences in molding the developing brain.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Business

·July 10, 2012·4 min read

Nutrient Mixture Improves Memory in Patients with Early Alzheimer’s

A clinical trial of an Alzheimer’s disease treatment developed found that the nutrient cocktail can improve memory in patients with early Alzheimer’s. The mixture appears to increase the number of dendritic spines and therefore some synapses.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 6, 2012·4 min read

When Anxiety Won’t Go Away

Scientists discovered a mechanism which stops the process of forgetting anxiety after a stress event. They showed that feelings of anxiety don’t subside if too little dynorphin is released into the brain. The results can help open up new paths in the treatment of trauma patients.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 3, 2012·2 min read

Scientists Discover Bees Can “Turn Back Time”, Reverse Brain Aging

Honeybees can reverse brain aging and learning deficits when they take on nest responsibilities usually done by younger bees. Findings suggest social interventions may be used to slow or treat age-related dementia.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 2, 2012·3 min read

DNA Sequenced for Parrot’s Ability to Parrot

Scientists say they have assembled more completely the string of genetic letters that could control how well parrots learn to imitate their owners and other sounds by using single molecule sequencing.