University of Cambridge Research Articles

This is a mountain view from the VR head set

Virtual reality can spot navigation problems in early Alzheimer’s disease

Neuroscience NewsMay 24, 2019

People with mild cognitive impairment who had positive biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in their cerebrospinal fluid performed worse on virtual reality navigation tasks. Virtual reality which incorporates navigational tasks could prove a helpful tool in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease for those at risk.... Read More...

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Study identifies our ‘inner pickpocket’

Neuroscience NewsMay 21, 2019

People are able to form the correct mental model of puzzles from either visual or haptic experiences alone and are able to predict haptic properties from visual ones. Findings suggest humans segment scenes into objects without explicit boundary cues by using purely statistical information.... Read More...

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Blood pressure drug shows promise for treating Parkinson’s and dementia in animal study

Neuroscience NewsApril 18, 2019

Felodipine, a common hypertension medication, induces autophagy and clears aggregate-prone proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The study reveals the drug clears mutant alpha-synuclein in the brains of mice at plasma concentrations to those seen in humans taking the medication. Felodipine appears to have some neuroprotective properties in mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases.... Read More...

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This shows a brain with the amygdala highlighted

‘Mindreading’ neurons simulate decisions of social partners

Neuroscience NewsApril 11, 2019

Neurons in the amygdala derive object values based on observations and use the values to simulate a social partner's decision making.... Read More...

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Slim People Have a Genetic Advantage When it Comes to Maintaining Their Weight

Neuroscience NewsJanuary 25, 2019

Researchers identified several common genetic variants involved in obesity, as well as new genetic regions involved in severe obesity and healthy thinness. ... Read More...

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Recalling Happy Memories During Adolescence Can Reduce Depression Risk

Neuroscience NewsJanuary 14, 2019

Researchers report recalling specific positive memories from an earlier point in life was associated with fewer negative self-related thoughts and lower cortisol levels 12 months later. The study suggests recalling specific positive memories reduced vulnerability to depression over the course of one year.... Read More...

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3D Printed Robot Hand Plays the Piano

Neuroscience NewsJanuary 11, 2019

Researchers have developed a 3D printed robotic hand which is able to play simple pieces of music on a piano by moving its wrist.... Read More...

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Postnatal Depression in Dads Linked to Depression in Teen Daughters

Neuroscience NewsDecember 27, 2018

A new study reports teenage daughters of fathers who suffered postnatal depression following their birth are at an increased risk of developing depression.... Read More...

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New Insights Into Loss of Pleasure in Depression

Neuroscience NewsDecember 4, 2018

A new study reveals a brain region that contributes to anhedonia, the loss of pleasure, in those with depression. The study also shows how ketamine acts on this brain region, explaining why the drug appears to be so effective at treating anhedonia.... Read More...

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Psychological Sex Differences and Autistic Traits

Neuroscience NewsNovember 13, 2018

Researchers confirm two long standing theories to be correct, the Empathizing-Systemizing theory of sex differences and the Extreme Male Brain theory of autism.... Read More...

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Many Cases of Dementia May Arise From Non-Inherited DNA ‘Spelling Mistakes’

Neuroscience NewsOctober 15, 2018

Researchers report spontaneous errors in DNA that arise as our cells divide and reproduce may be at the root of Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest the cause of certain neurodegenerative diseases could be traced back to embryonic development.... Read More...

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a diagram of the female reproductive system

Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome More Likely to Have a Child with Autism

Neuroscience NewsAugust 1, 2018

A new study reveals children of women with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased risk of being diagnosed with ASD. Researchers report women with PCOS have a 2.3% change of having a child with autism, compared to a 1.7% change for mothers without the condition.... Read More...

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News

Afraid of food? The answer may be in the basal forebrain

The fractal brain, from a single neuron’s perspective

Puppy love: Why puppy dog eyes evolved to benefit communication with humans

Neuroscience

Afraid of food? The answer may be in the basal forebrain

The fractal brain, from a single neuron’s perspective

Puppy love: Why puppy dog eyes evolved to benefit communication with humans

Neurology

Stem cells reprogrammed into neurons could reveal drugs harmful to pregnancy

Immune system can slow degenerative eye disease: Mouse study

Sleep history predicts late-life Alzheimer’s pathology

AI

3D model shows how ‘face identity information’ is stored in the brain

The whisper of schizophrenia: Machine learning finds ‘sound’ words predict psychosis

AI used to detect brain’s response to multiple sclerosis treatment

Robotics

Research moves closer to brain-machine interface autonomy

Six fingers per hand: Polydactyly equals extra motor ability

Dog-like robot made by students jumps, flips and trots

Psychology

Puppy love: Why puppy dog eyes evolved to benefit communication with humans

Researchers link gene to cannabis abuse

Adolescence is the game-changer for schizophrenia

University of Cambridge

Virtual reality can spot navigation problems in early Alzheimer’s disease

Study identifies our ‘inner pickpocket’

Blood pressure drug shows promise for treating Parkinson’s and dementia in animal study

Slim People Have a Genetic Advantage When it Comes to Maintaining Their Weight

Recalling Happy Memories During Adolescence Can Reduce Depression Risk

3D Printed Robot Hand Plays the Piano

Postnatal Depression in Dads Linked to Depression in Teen Daughters

New Insights Into Loss of Pleasure in Depression

Psychological Sex Differences and Autistic Traits

Many Cases of Dementia May Arise From Non-Inherited DNA ‘Spelling Mistakes’

Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome More Likely to Have a Child with Autism