Neuroscience

The "amyloid hypothesis," the widely accepted theory that Alzheimer's is brought on by a buildup of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain, has new support thanks to an analysis of human brain cells. In the study, scientists from Columbia University discovered that amyloid causes an alliance between two proteins in the brain's neurons and that this pairing is connected to roughly half of the gene changes known to occur in the disease, causing the rapid accumulation of tau proteins, a key factor in the disease's neurodegeneration. Ulrich Hengst, Ph.D., the study's senior author, notes that "this protein pair seems to be

The research group at the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering at DGIST, under the direction of Professor Hongsoo Choi, has created a microrobot that can slice hippocampal tissues and form neural networks in an ex vivo setting. The feasibility of using a microrobot to analyze structurally and functionally connected neural networks during cell delivery and transplantation in an in vitro environment has been confirmed through joint research with the team led by Dr. Jongcheol Rah from the Korea Brain Research Institute. The research, which was published in the journal Advanced Materials, is anticipated to have applications in a number

The star-shaped cells known as astrocytes, which are members of the glial family of cells found in the central nervous system and are thought to act as "brain glue," help control blood flow and synaptic activity, maintain the health of neurons, and are crucial for breathing. Despite this growing understanding of astrocytes, there is still much to learn about how these cells support neurons and the brain's information processing. According to Nathan Smith, MS, Ph., "We think astrocytes can add a new dimension to our understanding of how external and internal information is merged in the brain.". D. is an

Fresh new information about how the brain goes to great lengths to process and remember commonplace events is provided by a recent study from a Washington University researcher. Zachariah Reagh is an assistant professor of arts and sciences at Washington University in St. Louis who specializes in psychology and brain sciences. When subjects watched brief videos of scenes that could have happened in real life, Louis and co-author Charan Ranganath of the University of California, Davis, used functional MRI scanners to track the brain activity of the viewers. These included both sexes working on laptops in coffee shops or going

Parkinson's disease, a progressive and crippling neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, may be closely linked to two proteins. Researchers are hustling to find new pieces of information about the condition, whose pervasiveness is expanding due to the inflexible maturing of the worldwide populace. The majority of cases occur after the age of 60, but an estimated 5 to 10 percent are early-onset forms that begin before the age of 50. These cases frequently, but not always, involve a genetic mutation that is passed down through generations. Parkinson's is set apart by degeneration of the mind's basal ganglia

The Human Brain Project (HBP) presents novel clinical applications of advanced brain modeling techniques in the most recent issue of The Lancet Neurology. As part of the HBP, researchers at AMU Marseille developed methods for computational brain modeling that incorporate measured patient data. Clinical hypotheses and strategies can be virtually tested using the models as predictive tools. The researchers use a simulation technology called The Virtual Brain (TVB), developed by HBP scientist Viktor Jirsa and collaborators, to create personalized brain models. The data of each patient's individually measured anatomy, structural connectivity, and brain dynamics are used to create the computational

Social scientists have been trying to figure out how social networks can affect people's beliefs and actions for about a decade. Even though there have been a lot of studies done on this, very little is known about how the human brain makes decisions when people share their views in networked environments. Understanding what happens in the brain when people make decisions based on their interactions with others in their social network could also help to better comprehend common social group phenomena. It might be helpful, for instance, to uncover the neural mechanisms that underlie misinformation, the dissemination of information

People who are addicted to drugs can get strong cravings for more drug use from certain cues, such as specific people, places, or things. Brain signals that are typically linked to inflammation make people more susceptible to addiction, according to a new study from the University of Michigan. Some people develop an inability to control their drug use, even in the face of negative consequences, when they use drugs repeatedly and are exposed to the same cues. The review is distributed in the diary eNeuro. Researchers have demonstrated that strong cue-induced cravings develop in rats with poor attentional control—choosing what

Specialists at Tufts College Institute of Medication and partners have distinguished a little particle that might be useful to treat individuals with epilepsy whose condition has become impervious to the benzodiazepine sedates normally utilized in overseeing seizures. The examination, conducted in research facility cells and rodents, was distributed web-based through the Walk 7 in Cell Reports Medication. Uncontrolled epilepsy can prompt continuous and delayed seizures lasting five minutes or more that can cause synapse harm and even demise. The condition influences an expected 3.4 million individuals in the U.S. and millions more around the world. Epilepsy happens when the many-sided,

A new exploration from the Netherlands Foundation for Neuroscience reveals insight into how the cerebrum shuffles ethically clashing results during learning. "Individuals who picked their own benefit to the detriment of others had the option to comprehend and relate to the possible adverse consequences, yet at last decided to seek after their own advantage." In some cases, we need to discover that specific activities are great as far as we're concerned, yet hurt others, while elective activities are less productive for us, yet prevent damage to other people. How we shuffle these ethically clashing results during learning remains obscure. Specifically,