How expectation influences perception
Brain activity patterns in the frontal cortex encode beliefs and affect how we perceive the world around us.... Read More...
MIT
Social robots can benefit hospitalized children
Huggable, a social robot teddy bear, helps to improve various health and emotional outcomes for children in hospital.... Read More...
Spotting objects amid clutter
Researchers have developed a new algorithm that enables robots to identify objects hidden in 3D data. The new system may help with improving robotic vehicles and autonomous robots. ... Read More...
From one brain scan, more information for medical artificial intelligence
A convolutional neural network, designed by researchers at MIT, uses MRI datasets to find anatomical structures of the brain. The system could help in diagnosing and treating a range of brain conditions.... Read More...
Using gene editing, neuroscientists develop a new model for autism
Using CRISPR gene editing, researchers introduce the SHANK3 gene variant into macaque monkeys. SHANK3 has previously been linked to autism in humans. The monkeys with the SHANK3 mutations exhibited behavioral traits and brain activity patterns similar to those seen in humans on the autism spectrum, Researchers hope the new model will facilitate new avenues of research for ASD.... 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...
Neurons’ “antennae” are unexpectedly active in neural computation
When the soma of specific neurons is active, the dendrites of the same neuron are also active, even when animals are not engaged in a cognitively demanding task. ... Read More...
How we make complex decisions
When making complex decisions, the brain performs two computations using distributed network areas in the frontal cortex. ... Read More...
Smarter training of neural networks
Researchers report artificial neural networks contain subnetworks that are considerably smaller, yet capable of being trained to make equally accurate predictions. Many subnetworks can learn to make accurate predictions much faster than the original networks.... Read More...
Why visual stimulation may work in fight against Alzheimer’s: Mouse study
Inducing gamma oscillations with visual stimulation via a process known as gamma entrainment using sensory stimuli, or GENUS, was shown to reduce amyloid plaques and phosphorylated tau in mouse models of dementia. Providing GENUS daily during the early stages of neurodegeneration helps preserve neural and synaptic density across multiple brain areas and improves cognitive performance for learning and spatial memory tasks.... Read More...
Artificial neural networks can be used to drive brain activity
Current deep learning models are able to create images strongly enough to activate specific neurons in the visual cortex. However, researchers say more accurate artificial neural network models should be developed to help produce more accurate control.... Read More...
A comprehensive map of how Alzheimer’s affects the brain
Axon myelination is significantly disrupted in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers also found brain cells of men and women vary significantly in how their genes respond to the neurodegenerative disease.... Read More...