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Northwestern University

·June 11, 2020

COVID-19 threatens the entire nervous system

Roughly 50% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 experience neurological symptoms including headaches, dizziness, smell and taste disorders, and stroke, a new study reports. Coronavirus may affect the entire nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. Neurological symptoms of COVID-19 may appear before the fever and cough commonly associated with infection. Read More

This shows a pregnant woman in a hospital bed

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 22, 2020

Placentas from COVID-19-positive pregnant women show injury

The placentas of sixteen women who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy showed evidence of significant injury, a new study reports. The placental injuries were consistent with abnormal blood flow between mother and baby in-utero, suggesting another complication of coronavirus infection in pregnant women. Read More

Featured Neuroscience

·May 11, 2020

Vitamin D levels appear to play role in COVID-19 mortality rates

COVID-19 patients from countries with higher mortality rates for the infection had lower levels of vitamin D compared to those from countries with lower mortality rates. Findings suggest a link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of both more severe coronavirus infection and mortality as a result of contracting the virus. Read More

Featured Neuroscience visual neuroscience

·April 30, 2020

Eyes send an unexpected signal to the brain

A new study puts into question conventional belief that the eyes communicate with the brain exclusively via one signaling pathway. Researchers have identified a subset of retinal neurons that sends inhibitory signals to the brain. This subset of neurons is also involved in the synchronization of circadian rhythms to light/dark cycles and pupil constriction to bright light intensity. Read More

Featured Neuroscience neurotech Robotics

·January 9, 2020

Decoding hidden brain chatter to advance neuroprostheses

Neural activity patterns for limb movements remain stable over time. Researchers were able to record, decode, and reconstruct activity patterns from common movement skills. The findings could have immediate implications for the development of neuroprosthetics that can bypass brain injuries by inferring intended motor actions from a person's brain. Read More

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·December 6, 2019

How gene mutation causes autism and intellectual disability

Genetic mutations in Usp9X results in the brain growing fewer synapses during development. The mutation also causes hyperactivity and an increased risk of anxiety. The findings shed new light on the cause of autism and other intellectual disabilities. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 11, 2019

Late talkers twice as likely to have severe, frequent temper tantrums

Toddlers who were late talkers had more severe temper tantrums, and the risk of having a tantrum was 1.96 times greater than their peers with typical language development. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 9, 2019

Craving junk food after a sleepless night?

Sleep deprivation causes the olfactory system to go into overdrive, sharpening food odors, and breaking down communication within other brain areas that receive food signals. Read More

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 8, 2019

Stem cell transplant reverses disabling MS-like disease

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation reversed neuromyelitis optica. Five years following transplantation, only 2 of twelve patients had relapsed. Read More

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 8, 2019

Study furthers understanding about what shapes human gut microbiome

Despite humans sharing a close genetic relationship to apes, our gut microbiome more closely resembles that of Old World monkeys like baboons. In terms of the development of the human microbiome, ecology across evolution plays a more significant role than genetic relationships. Read More

This shows the location of the brain networks

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 2, 2019

Map of broken brain networks shows why people lose speech in language-based dementia

Researchers have identified the location of dysfunctional brain networks that lead to impaired sentence production and word-finding in primary progressive aphasia (PPA). PPA can occur in those with neurodegenerative diseases, such as frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Mapping the networks allows clinicians to apply non-invasive brain stimulation to potentially improve speech in those with PPA. Read More

Autism Featured Neuroscience neurotech Psychology

·August 27, 2019

Wearable device can predict aggressive outbursts in people with autism a minute in advance

A newly designed device can give caregivers warning of an impending aggressive outburst from a person with ASD one minute before it occurs. The device monitors physiological indicators of stress. Read More

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