Latest

University of Alabama at Birmingham

·September 30, 2024·5 min read

Right-Sided DBS: Effective Parkinson’s Treatment Without Speech Loss

A new study has shown that unilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) on the right side of the brain improves motor symptoms in Parkinson's patients without causing significant declines in verbal fluency. Researchers found that DBS on the left hemisphere led to more noticeable declines in word retrieval and generation.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 18, 2024·7 min read

Brain’s Motivation Mechanics: How Hunger Drives Goal Pursuit

Researchers unveiled how the brain's thalamus navigates hunger-driven motivation. Through innovative experiments with mice, the study explores the role of two distinct neuronal populations within the paraventricular nucleus (PVT), showing how they regulate actions towards achieving a goal, like foraging for food.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 24, 2023·6 min read

Adolescent Stress Shapes Motherly Behavior

Stress during adolescence alters brain functions, influencing postpartum social behavior in mammals. The research utilizes optogenetics and calcium imaging techniques to understand neuronal communication in mice that experienced psychosocial stress during adolescence.

This shows a man holding his back in pain

Featured Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·January 30, 2023·5 min read

How Ketamine Acts as Antidepressant in Chronic Pain

Chronic pain in mice activates Tiam1 in pyramidal neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex, increasing the number of dendritic spines and inducing synaptic plasticity. Ketamine's antidepressant effect in chronic pain is mediated by the drug blocking Tiam1-dependent maladaptive synaptic plasticity in ACC neurons.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·December 1, 2022·5 min read

Gut Microbiome at the Center of Parkinson’s Disease Pathogenesis

Adding to previous research on the gut-brain axis link to Parkinson's disease, researchers discovered the gut microbiome is involved with multiple pathways in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's.

Brain Cancer Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 12, 2022·4 min read

Inverse Relationship Found Between Cancer Diagnosis and Alzheimer’s Disease

Dementia patients with a history of cancer demonstrate better cognition at dementia diagnosis than their peers with no history of cancer.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 23, 2022·8 min read

First Clinical-Grade Transplant of Gene-Edited Pig Kidneys Into Brain-Dead Human

Researchers successfully transplanted genetically modified, clinical-grade pig kidneys into a brain-dead human, replacing their native kidneys. The results demonstrate how xenotransplantation could help address organ shortages.

Featured Psychology

·August 25, 2020·4 min read

Frequent Soft Drink Consumption May Make Adolescents More Aggressive

Soft drink consumption during early adolescence predicted more aggressive behavior later in teen years. Aggressive behavior at 13 also predicted increased soft drink consumption at age 16. Soft drink consumption at 13 predicted fewer depressive symptoms, but depressive symptoms did not predict soda consumption. Findings suggest reducing soda consumption during adolescence could help curb aggressive behaviors.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 19, 2020·6 min read

Complement genes add to sex-based vulnerability in lupus and schizophrenia

Gene variants in the immune system result in sex-based vulnerabilities to autoimmune diseases and schizophrenia.

This shows lungs and a drawing of covid19

Featured Neuroscience

·April 10, 2020·2 min read

Clinical trial for the use of nitric oxide to treat severe COVID-19

A new clinical trial is enrolling patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms to assess the effect of nitric oxide in treating the virus. Previous research found nitric oxide has antiviral properties against coronaviruses. The effect was tested and demonstrated during the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s.

This shows a finger pointing to a picture of a brain

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·January 5, 2020·3 min read

Extra benefit from epilepsy neurostimulators, reducing comorbid neuropsychiatric symptoms

Neurostimulation implants used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy also help to reduce mental health symptoms in patients.

This shows a child covering their ears at fireworks

Autism Featured Neurology Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 5, 2019·10 min read

Autism and sensory processing: Avoiding the sensory overload at the root of meltdowns

Sensory processing difficulties associated with ASD, ADHD, and PTSD often result in 'meltdown' behaviors. While researchers are making headway into discovering the mechanisms behind sensory dysfunction, many in society do not understand the implications of the disorder. Researchers tackle how to prevent meltdowns associated with sensory processing disorders, and consider how social inclusion can help break the stigma.