Memory storage and retrieval may be able to be targeted thanks to new discoveryBaylor College of MedicineRecent research into how "brain stars" (astrocytes) store memories has reshaped our understanding of memory retention in the brain.Previous Beliefs About Memory and NeuronsScientists at Baylor College of Medicine have been examining the role of astrocytes, star-shaped cells...
A study published in Neurology suggests that closely following the MIND diet may lower the risk of cognitive impairment, with a stronger effect observed in women and Black participants. While the study shows an association between the diet and reduced risk, it does not prove causation. Credit: PixabayA study published in Neurology, the journal...
No part of the body is immune to microplastic contamination.Image credit: SIVStockStudio/Komsan Loonprom/Shutterstock.com; modified by IFLScienceMicroplastics are omnipresent, wreaking havoc on the environment and infiltrating our bodies, including the brain. A new preprint study, not yet peer-reviewed, raises concerns about the extent of microplastics in the human brain and potential health risks.The study analyzed...
Some parts of the brain tend to atrophy and deform in concert with other regions. Credit: Zephyr/SPLA comprehensive analysis of nearly 50,000 brain scans has identified five unique patterns of brain atrophy linked to aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The study also connected these patterns to lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption, as...
Credit: PixabayNeuroscientists believe they have pinpointed the extensive neural network that fuels the brain's creativity. Unlike specific movements or sensory responses, creative thinking is not limited to a single area of the brain's outer cortex. However, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine have identified the brain circuits crucial to certain types of creative thought.When...
Selective serotonin releasing agent is not negated by 5-HT1A supersensitivity, resulting in a rapid onset of pro-serotonergic activity. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50394-xAccording to a new study in Nature Communications, increasing serotonin can alter how people learn from negative information and enhance their response to it.Researchers from the University of Oxford's Department of Psychiatry and...
A new molecule that switched memory and cognition back on in mice with Alzheimer's could one day do the same for humans, as illustrated in this generative imageInstead of focusing on fighting the plaques associated with Alzheimer's, researchers decided to explore the possibility of increasing electrical oscillations in the brain. They created a molecule...
Electrodes in multiple brain regions monitor real-time brain activity. Colored dots on the images indicate electrode locations across all patients, color-coded by brain region, with red dots highlighting electrodes in the DMN. Credit: Brain (2024). DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae199Have you ever experienced a sudden breakthrough on a tough problem while thinking about something entirely different? This kind of...
Credit: FreepikThe study explores the complex interplay of handedness and visual biases in humans, drawing parallels with similar traits observed across the animal kingdom. While handedness is well-known as a defining characteristic, the study reveals lesser-known biases that impact social dynamics and cognitive functions.Human Biases and Brain LateralizationHumans exhibit a strong tendency towards right-handedness,...
Credit: PixabayAn artificial intelligence can interpret words and sentences from brain activity with impressive, albeit constrained, accuracy.Based on brief recordings of brain activity, the AI can predict what a person has heard, accurately listing the correct answer within its top 10 choices up to 73% of the time, according to a preliminary study...
