RUHR-UNIVERSITY BOCHUM How sensory perception in the brain affects learning and memory processes is far from fully understood. Two neuroscientists of Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) have discovered a new aspect of how the processing of odours impacts memory centres. They showed that the piriform cortex – a part of the olfactory brain – has a direct influence on information storage in our most important memory structure, the hippocampus....
Category: <span>Neuroscience</span>
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When is Alzheimer’s not Alzheimer’s? Researchers characterize a different form of dementia
by NIH/National Institute on Aging A recently recognized brain disorder that mimics clinical features of Alzheimer’s disease has for the first time been defined with recommended diagnostic criteria and other guidelines for advancing and catalyzing future research. Scientists from several National Institutes of Health-funded institutions, in collaboration with international peers, described the newly-named pathway to dementia, Limbic-predominant Age-related...
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Microscopic worms could provide key to repairing injured nerves
by University of Queensland A tiny worm’s ability to repair damaged nerves could one day help people with nerve injuries such as paralysis, according to University of Queensland research. A team led by Professor Massimo Hilliard, Dr. Rosina Giordano-Santini and Dr. Casey Linton from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute and Dr. Brent Neumann from Monash University has discovered keyinformation on how...
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Experimental drug shows promise for genetic form of ALS
by American Academy of Neurology An early stage trial of an investigational therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) suggests that people could tolerate the experimental drug and, in exploratory results, the experimental drug was linked to possible slower progression in people with a genetic form of the disease caused by mutations in a gene called superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). The preliminary study released today will...
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Researchers identify 20 novel gene associations with bipolar disorder
by The Mount Sinai Hospital In the largest study of its kind, involving more than 50,000 subjects in 14 countries, researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and more than 200 collaborating institutions have identified 20 new genetic associations with one of the most prevalent and elusive mental illnesses of our time—bipolar disorder. The study is reported in the May...
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Who would’ve thought – laughing gas could be useful in treating depression
Nitrous oxide is commonly known as laughing gas. And not for nothing – it used to be used as anaesthetic in dentistry. In fact, in many places it is still used rather widely due to being relatively cheap and extremely easy to administer. Now scientists from the University of Helsinki found that laughing gas could actually be useful in treating symptoms of depression. Ketamine is actually...
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FDA OKs first medical device to treat ADHD in children
(CNN)The first medical device to treat childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, was OK’d Friday by the US Food and Drug Administration. Designated for children ages 7 to 12 who are not currently on medication for the disorder, the device delivers a low-level electrical pulse to the parts of the brain responsible for ADHD...
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Can virtual reality boost positive feelings in patients with depression?
By MEGAN THIELKING @meggophone APRIL 22, 2019 Michelle Craske is asking patients to dive into coral reefs, ride on bullet trains rushing past pine trees, and cheer on soccer teams from the stands — at least virtually — in a bid to tackle a symptom long sidelined in depression treatment. The University of California, Los Angeles, psychiatry...
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Game that trains your brain by showing you real-time scans of your mind at work can boost your mental skills in less than an HOUR, experts say
Researchers asked 36 healthy adults to imagine moving their left hand Half were shown a display if they were activating the right parts of their brains The others were given false readings as a placebo to confirm the game’s impact Activity in the brains of those who weren’t given the placebo was stronger By TIM COLLINS FOR...
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Researchers are testing ultrasound to treat neuropathic pain
by Sarah Meehan, The Baltimore Sun Steroid injections, nerve stimulators and spinal fusions were no match for the chronic pain in Tammy Durfee’s left side—never mind the “searing-hot poker” sensation that would jab her leg without warning. After a decade searching for relief, a four-hour procedure in Baltimore put her pain to rest. Durfee, of Higginsville, Mo., was the...