A recent study led by USC Stem Cell scientist Janos Peti-Peterdi reveals that a loss of salt and body fluid can stimulate kidney regeneration and repair in mice. This groundbreaking research, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, uncovers an innate regenerative response driven by a small population of kidney cells known as the macula … Read more
Our brains seamlessly process streams of visual information from the world around us while simultaneously understanding the causal structure of events. These essential cognitive functions, known as external sensory processing and internal world modeling, are critical for navigating complex environments. The brain achieves this through large-scale functional systems responsible for these processes. Recently, an international … Read more
The ability to adapt one’s beliefs about actions and their consequences in a constantly changing environment is a hallmark of advanced cognition. Disruptions to this ability can negatively impact cognition and behavior, potentially leading to states of mind such as paranoia, where there is a belief that others intend to cause harm. In a groundbreaking … Read more
Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered groundbreaking evidence that astrocyte receptors can have opposite effects on cognitive function in male and female preclinical models. This finding highlights the significant role of astrocytes—brain cells that support and regulate neurons—in sex-specific brain mechanisms. Traditionally, studies have focused on the behavioral effects of astrocytic receptors, predominantly in … Read more
It is well-established that fetuses, especially in the third trimester, can hear and learn about speech. For instance, research shows that newborns already prefer their mother’s voice, recognize stories read to them in utero, and can differentiate their mother’s native language from others. However, recent studies have begun to explore how fetuses respond to bilingual … Read more
Neurochemistry is the branch of neuroscience that focuses on the chemical processes occurring within the nervous system, including the synthesis, release, reuptake, and metabolism of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and other signaling molecules. It encompasses the study of molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal communication, synaptic transmission, neuroplasticity, and brain function. Understanding neurochemistry is essential for unraveling the molecular … Read more
In a groundbreaking paper titled “Multimodal MRI reveals brainstem connections that sustain wakefulness in human consciousness,” published in Science Translational Medicine, a collaborative team of researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital has unveiled a critical brain network believed to be pivotal in human consciousness. Utilizing high-resolution scans that offered unprecedented submillimeter spatial … Read more
For the first time, research shows that a certain kind of visual illusion, neon color spreading, works on mice. The study is also the first to combine the use of two investigative techniques called electrophysiology and optogenetics to study this illusion. The work is published in the journal Nature Communications. Results from experiments on mice settle a long-standing … Read more
Neuroscience researchers from Bochum confirm different strategies when choosing between primary and secondary rewards. The lever is impulsivity. People make decisions every day—from what to wear in the morning to what to watch on TV in the evening. But how do decisions differ when it comes to essential food and money? A neuroscientific research team … Read more
New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London has found that the effectiveness of ADHD medication may be associated with an individual’s neuroanatomy. The research, published in Nature Mental Health, suggests that the development of clinical interventions for ADHD could benefit from identifying how the brain anatomy of treatment-resistant individuals … Read more
In a study recently published in Nature, an international research team led by Karolinska Institutet and MedUni Vienna, addressed how and why acute heat exposure, in conditions reminiscent of a sauna session or limited exposure to the sun, leads to reduced food intake. “There is an increasing risk of obesity in society these days and understanding the mechanisms … Read more
Neuropeptides, which are broadly considered to modulate synaptic communication, can have unique and life-long effects on brain development, particularly the wiring of neuronal circuits. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and MedUni Vienna now show that the presence of the neuropeptide galanin during a critical window of brain development is imperative for neurons to connect efficaciously to … Read more
The concept of “coupled oscillations” may not immediately ring a bell, but these phenomena are ubiquitous in nature, manifesting in a variety of systems from mechanical structures to atomic bonds and gravitational interactions. Coupled harmonic oscillators, describing the interactions between masses and springs, serve as a foundational model in science and engineering, offering insights into … Read more
Heavy school bags, poor posture, one-handed sports are often blamed for the development of curved spine in teens. Known as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), it affects those aged 10 to 19 but has no known cause. A team from Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) has now discovered that the answer to … Read more
Autism spectrum disorder has yet to be linked to a single cause, due to the wide range of its symptoms and severity. However, a study by University of Virginia researchers suggests a promising new approach to finding answers, one that could lead to advances in the study of other neurological diseases and disorders. The work … Read more
In the space of just a few seconds, a person walking down a city block might check their phone, yawn, worry about making rent, and adjust their path to avoid a puddle. The smell from a food cart could suddenly conjure a memory from childhood, or they could notice a rat eating a slice of … Read more
Imagine a busy restaurant: dishes clattering, music playing, people talking loudly over one another. It’s a wonder that anyone in that kind of environment can focus enough to have a conversation. A new study by researchers at Brown University’s Carney Institute for Brain Science provides some of the most detailed insights yet into the brain … Read more
The hippocampus, akin to a seahorse in shape, holds a pivotal role in cognitive aging and memory function within the brain. Over the years, researchers have diligently probed its mysteries, yet a gap persisted in understanding how age or diseases alter its various subfields. A groundbreaking study, spearheaded by scholars from Western and Maastricht University … Read more
A new study shows oxygenation levels in the placenta, formed during the last three months of fetal development, are an important predictor of cortical growth (development of the outermost layer of the brain or cerebral cortex) and is likely a predictor of childhood cognition and behaviour. “Many factors can disrupt healthy brain development in utero, … Read more
Johns Hopkins Medicine neuroscientists say they have found a new function for the SYNGAP1 gene, a DNA sequence that controls memory and learning in mammals, including mice and humans. The finding, published in Science, may affect the development of therapies designed for children with SYNGAP1 mutations, who have a range of neurodevelopmental disorders marked by … Read more