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neuroplasticity

·March 6, 2013·2 min read

Human Brain Treats Prosthetic Devices as Part of the Body

According to new research, the human brain can adapt to treat a relevant prosthetic as a substitute for a person's non-working body part, and not as an extension to their immobile limb.

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

Featured Neuroscience

·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 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 is a computerized illustration of a brain in a human head, set to look like an x-ray.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 20, 2013·4 min read

Secrets of Human Speech Uncovered

A new study has uncovered the neurological basis of speech motor control, the complex coordinated activity of tiny brain regions that controls our lips, jaw, tongue and larynx as we speak.

The image shows a person undergoing a deep brain stimulation implant surgery.

Featured Neurology

·February 12, 2013·4 min read

In Some Dystonia Cases, Deep Brain Therapy Benefits may Linger After Device is Turned Off

According to a new report, two patients with Dystonia were freed from the severe debilitating effects of the disease through deep brain stimulation therapy, continued to have symptom relief for months after their devices accidentally were fully or partly turned off.

The image shows the set up and output images for this research. The caption best explains the image.

Featured

·February 12, 2013·5 min read

Neuroprosthesis Gives Rats the Ability to ‘Touch’ Infrared Light

Researchers have given rats the ability to "touch" infrared light by fitting them with an infrared detector wired to microscopic electrodes implanted in the part of the mammalian brain that processes tactile information. The study demonstrated that a novel sensory input could be processed by a cortical region specialized in another sense without "hijacking" the function of this brain area.

The image is a topography of the primary motor cortex, on an outline drawing of the human brain. Different body parts are listed in this area.

Featured Neurology

·February 5, 2013·3 min read

Stroke Damage in Mice Overcome by Training Which ‘Rewires’ Brain Centers

A new study discovers mice can recover from physically debilitating strokes that damage the primary motor cortex, if the rodents are quickly subjected to physical conditioning that rapidly “rewires” a different part of the brain to take over lost function.

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.

The image shows a synaptic cleft. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 4, 2013·4 min read

Finding the Way to Memory

A new study reveals DCC, the receptor for a crucial protein in the nervous system known as netrin, plays a key role in regulating the plasticity of nerve cell connections in the brain.

The image shows Dr. Lin Mei , Drs. Yongjun Chen and Chengyong Shen; the researchers involved in this study.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 30, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Learn more about how Inhibitory Brain Cells get Excited

New research discovers an early step in how the brain's inhibitory cells get excited. Erbin, a protein critical to brain development, is also crucial for the excitement of inhibitory cells.

The image shows Courney Miller, the lead researcher for this memory research.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 30, 2013·2 min read

Scientists Uncover a Previously Unknown Mechanism of Memory Formation

A recent study indicates microRNAs may play a far more important role in memory formation than previously thought. The research suggests microRNA—miR-182 is involved in developing memory in the amgydala.