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thalamus

·January 30, 2020·2 min read

Patterns in the brain shed new light on how we function

The way neurons are structured, and the patterns they make can be used to explain how they behave and function. The findings have implications for creating intelligent robots.

This is a diagram from one of the studies

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 3, 2019·4 min read

Imaging reveals pathways behind depression

Two new neuroimaging studies shed light on structural and functional abnormalities in the brains of those with major depressive disorder.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 23, 2019·3 min read

Study identifies brain injury as a cause of dementia in some older adults

MRI neuroimaging can distinguish between memory loss caused by Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury. Using new image analysis software, researchers discovered TBI causes the most amount of damage to the ventral diencephalon, a brain area associated with memory and learning, and the least amount of atrophy to the hippocampus, a brain region most impacted by Alzheimer's.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 21, 2019·4 min read

Gene variants influence size of brain stem and other structures

Researchers identified 48 common genetic variants that appear to play a role in the size of the brainstem and other subcortical structures. Forty of the variants were novel. The findings also revealed 199 genes related to the variants which regulate brain development and susceptibility to neurological disorders.

This shows the L5p neurons in the thalamocortical circuit

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 30, 2019·4 min read

Finding the root of consciousness: Is this brain cell your ‘mind’s eye’?

Researchers believe they have identified specific neurons that are responsible for conscious awareness. Previous studies have implicated both thalamocortical circuits and cortico-cortico circuits in consciousness. The new study reports these networks intersect via L5p neurons. Directly activating L5p neurons made mice react to weaker sensory stimuli. The researchers say if consciousness requires L5p neurons, all brain activity without them must be unconscious.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 28, 2019·3 min read

New findings on human speech recognition

Increased activity of the ventromedial geniculate body indicates the processing of auditory information begins before the auditory pathways reach the cerebral cortex.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 28, 2019·4 min read

Frog in your throat? Stress might be to blame for vocal issues

Stress can have an impact on voice disorders. Researchers found those with higher salivary cortisol levels also exhibited brain activity that impacted the larynx. Those who were more introverted were more likely to have stress reactions related to speech.

This shows a head made up of network lines

Featured Neuroscience

·July 15, 2019·4 min read

Research Identifies New Pathways for Sensory Learning in the Brain

Automated robotic technology allows researchers to identify new pathways activated when the brain rewires circuits in response to experience.

This shows brain scans from teen cannabis users

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 20, 2019·4 min read

Early-and-regular cannabis use by youth is associated with alteration in brain circuits that support cognitive control

Compared to peers who do not use cannabis, teens and young adults with significant marijuana use history have reduced activation in brain areas that support cognitive control and conflict resolution.

This shows a cartoon of a woman trying to read with lots of distractions in the background

Featured Neuroscience

·June 12, 2019·5 min read

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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 12, 2019·3 min read

Learning fine motor coordination changes the brain

Study identifies a population of neurons in an area of the midbrain, called the red nucleus, that alter when fine motor skills are learned. The more an action is practiced, the stronger the connections between these neurons become.

This brain scan highlights the thalamus and OFC

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 16, 2019·5 min read

Brain activity of Spanish Popular Party voters triggered by rivals

Neuroimaging study of Spanish voters reveals negative political messages illicit stronger neural responses. Messages about corruption activate brain areas associated with risk and disappointment.

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thalamus

Patterns in the brain shed new light on how we function

Imaging reveals pathways behind depression

Study identifies brain injury as a cause of dementia in some older adults

Gene variants influence size of brain stem and other structures

Finding the root of consciousness: Is this brain cell your ‘mind’s eye’?

New findings on human speech recognition

Frog in your throat? Stress might be to blame for vocal issues

Research Identifies New Pathways for Sensory Learning in the Brain

Early-and-regular cannabis use by youth is associated with alteration in brain circuits that support cognitive control

How we tune out distractions

Learning fine motor coordination changes the brain

Brain activity of Spanish Popular Party voters triggered by rivals

How Scientists Cracked the Ketamine Code for Depression

Brain Prioritizes “Sound Offsets” During Hearing Repair

Glucose Levels Signal the Growth of Myelin

Why Your Brain “Dreams” Even When You’re Awake

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