Neuroscience posts
- March 4, 2016
- 03:00 PM
- 585 views
Zika virus infects human neural stem cells, but…
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
The Zika virus infects a type of neural stem cell that gives rise to the brain’s cerebral cortex, Johns Hopkins and Florida State researchers have found. On laboratory dishes, these stem cells were found to be havens for viral reproduction, resulting in cell death and/or disruption of cell growth. While this study does not prove the direct link between Zika and microcephaly, it does pinpoint where the virus may be doing the most damage.
... Read more »
Tang, Hammack, Ogden, Wen, and Qian et al. (2016) Zika Virus Infects Human Cortical Neural Precursors and Attenuates Their Growth". Cell Stem Cell. info:/dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2016.02.016
- March 3, 2016
- 03:10 PM
- 420 views
Your brain and the ‘neuronal big bang’
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Our brain is home to different types of neurons, each with their own genetic signature that defines their function. These neurons are derived from progenitor cells, which are specialized stem cells that have the ability to divide to give rise to neurons. Neuroscientists have shed light on the mechanisms that allow progenitors to generate neurons.
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Ludovic Telley, Subashika Govindan, Julien Prados, Isabelle Stevant, Serge Nef, Emmanouil Dermitzakis, Alexandre Dayer, & Denis Jabaudon. (2016) Sequential transcriptional waves direct the differentiation of newborn neurons in the mouse neocortex. Science. info:/10.1126/science.aad8361
- March 2, 2016
- 03:36 AM
- 343 views
Uploading new skills to the brain just as in “The Matrix”
by Usman Paracha in SayPeople
Main Point:
One of the first studies to find that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can help in faster learning of new skills.
Published in:
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Study Further:
“The Matrix” is one of most popular science fiction movies of our time. It has many interesting concepts ranging from stopping bullets with the help of hands to transportation through telephones and learning new skills without going anywhere. This last thing has gotten at........ Read more »
Choe, J., Coffman, B., Bergstedt, D., Ziegler, M., & Phillips, M. (2016) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Modulates Neuronal Activity and Learning in Pilot Training. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00034
- March 1, 2016
- 03:53 PM
- 351 views
Brain connectivity disruptions may explain cognitive deficits in people with brain injury
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Cognitive impairment following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common, often adversely affecting quality of life for those 1.7 million Americans who experience a TBI each year. Researchers have identified complex brain connectivity patterns in individuals with chronic phases of traumatic brain injury which may explain long term higher order cognitive function deficits.
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Han, K., Chapman, S., & Krawczyk, D. (2016) Disrupted Intrinsic Connectivity among Default, Dorsal Attention, and Frontoparietal Control Networks in Individuals with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 22(02), 263-279. DOI: 10.1017/S1355617715001393
- March 1, 2016
- 11:10 AM
- 604 views
Shame on You, Shame on Me: Shame as an Evolutionary Adaptation
by Jalees Rehman in The Next Regeneration
Can shame be good for you? We often think of shame as a shackling emotion which thwarts our individuality and creativity. A sense of shame could prevent us from choosing a partner we truly love, speaking out against societal traditions which propagate injustice or pursuing a profession that is deemed unworthy by our peers. But if shame is so detrimental, why did we evolve with this emotion? A team of researchers led by Daniel Sznycer from the Center for Evolutionary Psychology at the University ........ Read more »
Sznycer D, Tooby J, Cosmides L, Porat R, Shalvi S, & Halperin E. (2016) Shame closely tracks the threat of devaluation by others, even across cultures. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. PMID: 26903649
- February 29, 2016
- 01:55 PM
- 336 views
New targets for reducing nerve pain identified
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
There’s no pain like nerve pain. Whether it is because of a chronic illness or related to an injury, it may be obvious, but nerve pain hurts. That may change soon though, as a specific molecule involved in maintaining pain after a nerve injury has been identified and blocked in mice by researchers. These results reveal a promising therapeutic strategy for treating neuropathic pain.
... Read more »
Zhang, F., Morioka, N., Harano, S., Nakamura, Y., Liu, K., Nishibori, M., Hisaoka-Nakashima, K., & Nakata, Y. (2016) Perineural expression of high-mobility group box-1 contributes to long-lasting mechanical hypersensitivity via matrix metalloprotease-9 up-regulation in mice with painful peripheral neuropathy. Journal of Neurochemistry, 136(4), 837-850. DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13434
- February 28, 2016
- 05:00 PM
- 405 views
Matrix Unloaded: How you can fly a plane using expert-pilot brainwave patterns
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
“I know kung fu,” movie buffs might remember the remember the quote from “The Matrix.” We can all probably agree that being able to download knowledge “on tap” would be a boon to humanity. It is a shame it is just a movie… right? While that may be the case, it is just for now. That is because researchers have discovered that low-current electrical brain stimulation can modulate the learning of complex real-world skills.
... Read more »
Choe, J., Coffman, B., Bergstedt, D., Ziegler, M., & Phillips, M. (2016) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Modulates Neuronal Activity and Learning in Pilot Training. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00034
- February 28, 2016
- 06:51 AM
- 435 views
"Joke Addiction" As A Neurological Symptom
by Neuroskeptic in Neuroskeptic_Discover
In a new paper, neurologists Elias D. Granadillo and Mario F. Mendez describe two patients in whom brain disorders led to an unusual symptom: "intractable joking."
Patient #1 was
A 69-year-old right-handed man presented for a neuropsychiatric evaluation because of a 5-year history of compulsive joking... On interview, the patient reported feeling generally joyful, but his compulsive need to make jokes and create humor had become an issue of contention with his wife. He would wake her u... Read more »
Granadillo ED, & Mendez MF. (2016) Pathological Joking or Witzelsucht Revisited. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. PMID: 26900737
- February 27, 2016
- 04:39 PM
- 475 views
Technology and human biology: The singularity may not be so singular
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Life literally inside the world wide web, it’s an interesting idea. One that has tantalized sci-fi fans since before the framework for the internet was even finished. While the idea of a seemingly eternal disembodied life through the unfiltered and raw computer consciousness that we all share a connection with, maybe we are shooting for a goal that isn’t really possible — maybe we are asking the wrong questions.
... Read more »
Nicolau, D., Lard, M., Korten, T., van Delft, F., Persson, M., Bengtsson, E., Månsson, A., Diez, S., Linke, H., & Nicolau, D. (2016) Parallel computation with molecular-motor-propelled agents in nanofabricated networks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 201510825. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1510825113
Morsella, E., Godwin, C., Jantz, T., Krieger, S., & Gazzaley, A. (2015) Homing in on Consciousness in the Nervous System: An Action-Based Synthesis. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 1-106. DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X15000643
Alcock, J., Maley, C., & Aktipis, C. (2014) Is eating behavior manipulated by the gastrointestinal microbiota? Evolutionary pressures and potential mechanisms. BioEssays, 36(10), 940-949. DOI: 10.1002/bies.201400071
- February 25, 2016
- 03:57 PM
- 298 views
What makes the brain so fast?
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Surprisingly complex interactions between neurotransmitter receptors and other key proteins help explain the brain’s ability to process information with lightning speed, according to a new study. Scientists at McGill University, working with collaborators at the universities of Oxford and Liverpool, combined experimental techniques to examine fast-acting protein macromolecules, known as AMPA receptors, which are a major player in brain signaling.
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Dawe, G., Musgaard, M., Aurousseau, M., Nayeem, N., Green, T., Biggin, P., & Bowie, D. (2016) Distinct Structural Pathways Coordinate the Activation of AMPA Receptor-Auxiliary Subunit Complexes. Neuron. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.01.038
- February 24, 2016
- 03:03 PM
- 333 views
So, our immune cells don’t see some carbon nano invaders…
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Scientists at the University of Michigan have found evidence that some carbon nanomaterials can enter into immune cell membranes, seemingly going undetected by the cell's built-in mechanisms for engulfing and disposing of foreign material, and then escape through some unidentified pathway.
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Russ KA, Elvati P, Parsonage TL, Dews A, Jarvis JA, Ray M, Schneider B, Smith PJ, Williamson PT, Violi A.... (2016) C60 fullerene localization and membrane interactions in RAW 264.7 immortalized mouse macrophages. Nanoscale, 8(7), 4134-44. PMID: 26866469
- February 24, 2016
- 10:10 AM
- 384 views
Ravens Can See Themselves As Someone Else
by Jeffrey Daniels in United Academics
Study shows that ravens have “Theory of Mind,” something that was thought only humans had.... Read more »
Bugnyar, T., Reber, S., & Buckner, C. (2016) Ravens attribute visual access to unseen competitors. Nature Communications, 10506. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10506
- February 23, 2016
- 03:37 PM
- 313 views
Does your immune system play a larger role in Alzheimer’s disease than thought?
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Immune cells that normally help us fight off bacterial and viral infections may play a far greater role in Alzheimer’s disease than originally thought, according to University of California, Irvine neurobiologists with the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center and the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders.
... Read more »
Marsh, S., Abud, E., Lakatos, A., Karimzadeh, A., Yeung, S., Davtyan, H., Fote, G., Lau, L., Weinger, J., Lane, T.... (2016) The adaptive immune system restrains Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis by modulating microglial function. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 201525466. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1525466113
- February 23, 2016
- 06:10 AM
- 415 views
Love? All You Need is... Oxytocin
by Chiara Civardi in United Academics
Oxytocin, the love hormone, is involved in emphatetic behaviours in tiny rodents.... Read more »
Burkett, J., Andari, E., Johnson, Z., Curry, D., de Waal, F., & Young, L. (2016) Oxytocin-dependent consolation behavior in rodents. Science, 351(6271), 375-378. DOI: 10.1126/science.aac4785
- February 19, 2016
- 04:07 PM
- 405 views
Does rape alter the female brain?
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Sexual assault, personally, I hate the phrase. It sounds much more tame than rape and I think we should call it like it is, rape. Sure that might make a person's skin crawl just slightly -- and that is frankly the point. Rape is ugly, it's evil, it leaves an indelible mark on a person and unfortunately a new study shows that it may be worse. Researchers have discovered that prepubescent female rodents paired with sexually experienced males had elevated levels of stress hormones, could not learn ........ Read more »
Shors, T., Tobόn, K., DiFeo, G., Durham, D., & Chang, H. (2016) Sexual Conspecific Aggressive Response (SCAR): A Model of Sexual Trauma that Disrupts Maternal Learning and Plasticity in the Female Brain. Scientific Reports, 18960. DOI: 10.1038/srep18960
- February 17, 2016
- 02:44 PM
- 461 views
The potential pathway between insomnia and depression
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Have you ever had to deal with bouts of insomnia make you feel depressed? Well the good news is you’re not alone, in fact the two may be linked. A new study of firefighters suggests that insomnia and nightmares may increase the risk of depression by impairing the ability to access and leverage emotion regulation strategies effectively.
... Read more »
Hom, M., Stanley, I., Rogers, M., Tzoneva, M., Bernert, R., & Joiner, T. (2016) The Association between Sleep Disturbances and Depression among Firefighters: Emotion Dysregulation as an Explanatory Factor. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 12(02), 235-245. DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.5492
- February 16, 2016
- 03:30 PM
- 382 views
Researchers highlight brain region as ‘ground zero’ of Alzheimer’s disease
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
A critical but vulnerable region in the brain appears to be the first place affected by late onset Alzheimer’s disease and may be more important for maintaining cognitive function in later life than previously appreciated, according to a new review of the scientific literature.
... Read more »
Mara Mather, & Carolyn W. Harley. (2016) The Locus Coeruleus: Essential for Maintaining Cognitive Function and the Aging Brain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. DOI: http://dx.org/10.1016/j.tics.2016.01.001
- February 15, 2016
- 03:12 PM
- 529 views
Scientists prove feasibility of ‘printing’ replacement tissue
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Using a sophisticated, custom-designed 3D printer, regenerative medicine scientists at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have proved that it is feasible to print living tissue structures to replace injured or diseased tissue in patients. Scientists said they printed ear, bone and muscle structures. When implanted in animals, the structures matured into functional tissue and developed a system of blood vessels.
... Read more »
Kang, H., Lee, S., Ko, I., Kengla, C., Yoo, J., & Atala, A. (2016) A 3D bioprinting system to produce human-scale tissue constructs with structural integrity. Nature Biotechnology. DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3413
- February 13, 2016
- 03:37 PM
- 435 views
All the lonely people: Pinpointing loneliness in the brain
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Humans, like all social animals, have a fundamental need for contact with others. This deeply ingrained instinct helps us to survive; it’s much easier to find food, shelter, and other necessities with a group than alone. Deprived of human contact, most people become lonely and emotionally distressed.
... Read more »
Matthews GA, Nieh EH, Vander Weele CM, Halbert SA, Pradhan RV, Yosafat AS, Glober GF, Izadmehr EM, Thomas RE, Lacy GD.... (2016) Dorsal Raphe Dopamine Neurons Represent the Experience of Social Isolation. Cell, 164(4), 617-631. PMID: 26871628
- February 13, 2016
- 05:39 AM
- 448 views
Winter Brain, Summer Brain: Seasonality in Brain Responses?
by Neuroskeptic in Neuroskeptic_Discover
A new paper in PNAS raises the interesting suggestion that our brain function goes through yearly cycles. According to authors Christelle Meyer and colleagues, their findings reveal new evidence of seasonal effects in human cognitive brain function "that could contribute to cognitive changes at specific times of year."
However in my view, the study is too small to be conclusive.
Meyer et al. used fMRI to scan 28 young participants. Each of the volunteers spent 4 1/2 days in a laborator... Read more »
Meyer C, Muto V, Jaspar M, Kussé C, Lambot E, Chellappa SL, Degueldre C, Balteau E, Luxen A, Middleton B.... (2016) Seasonality in human cognitive brain responses. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. PMID: 26858432
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