Northwestern University Research Articles

How gene mutation causes autism and intellectual disability

Neuroscience NewsDecember 6, 2019

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...

AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience5 min read

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

Neuroscience NewsNovember 11, 2019

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...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology6 min read

Craving junk food after a sleepless night?

Neuroscience NewsOctober 9, 2019

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...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles5 min read

Stem cell transplant reverses disabling MS-like disease

Neuroscience NewsOctober 8, 2019

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

FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience5 min read

Study furthers understanding about what shapes human gut microbiome

Neuroscience NewsOctober 8, 2019

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...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles5 min read

This shows the location of the brain networks

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

Neuroscience NewsSeptember 2, 2019

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...

FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience4 min read

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

Neuroscience NewsAugust 27, 2019

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...

AutismFeaturedNeuroscienceneurotechPsychology3 min read

Are Attitudes Contagious?

Neuroscience NewsAugust 19, 2019

Our attitudes toward others may be attributed to nonverbal signals as much as the behavior of other people. ... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology4 min read

Newly discovered neural pathway processes acute light to affect sleep

Neuroscience NewsJuly 20, 2019

Study challenges the widely accepted belief that all light information is relayed through the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which synchronizes the circadian rhythm.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscience4 min read

Pink noise boosts deep sleep in mild cognitive impairment patients

Neuroscience NewsJune 28, 2019

Short pulses of pink noise played during slow-wave sleep can help improve memory consolidation for those with mild cognitive impairment.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience4 min read

The brain consumes half of a child’s energy, and that could matter for weight gain

Neuroscience NewsJune 17, 2019

New hypothesis proposes a variation in brain energy expenditure during childhood may be linked to increased obesity risk.... Read More...

FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles4 min read

Safe to breastfeed while on bipolar meds? Jury’s still out

Neuroscience NewsJune 10, 2019

Previous research into the effects of lithium exposure via breastmilk are poorly designed and sparse, researchers report. Until more research is done, mothers and babies should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for lithium continuation, as discontinuing the medication could pose a significant risk for both child and parent.... Read More...

FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology5 min read

News

How humans learned to dance; from the Chimpanzee Conga

Could some people with schizophrenia in poorer nations simply have a vitamin deficiency?

Neuroscience

How humans learned to dance; from the Chimpanzee Conga

Could some people with schizophrenia in poorer nations simply have a vitamin deficiency?

Neurology

Hydration may affect cognitive function in some older adults

Your genes aren’t the only factor dictating Alzheimer’s risk

Can eating ice cream make you scream?

AI

Through the eyes of animals

Neuroscientists develop models to identify internal states of the brain

How artificial intelligence can transform psychiatry

Robotics

Trash talk hurts, even when it comes from a robot

Deep3DFly: the deep-learning way to design fly-like robots

Electronic glove offers ‘humanlike’ features for prosthetic hand users

Psychology

Could some people with schizophrenia in poorer nations simply have a vitamin deficiency?

Skipping one night of sleep may leave insomniacs twice as impaired

Northwestern University

How gene mutation causes autism and intellectual disability

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

Craving junk food after a sleepless night?

Stem cell transplant reverses disabling MS-like disease

Study furthers understanding about what shapes human gut microbiome

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

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

Are Attitudes Contagious?

Newly discovered neural pathway processes acute light to affect sleep

Pink noise boosts deep sleep in mild cognitive impairment patients

The brain consumes half of a child’s energy, and that could matter for weight gain

Safe to breastfeed while on bipolar meds? Jury’s still out