Cause of dementia may be found in the embryonic stage
Oct 15, 2018 Erwin van den Burg
While dementia (Alzheimers’ disease, Lewy body dementia) has a genetic component, for most patients there are no cases of the disease in their family history. Scientists have now found, by genetic an... Read more
Reprogramming mature mouse neurons
Oct 12, 2018 Erwin van den Burg
While trying to convert supporting brain cells (glia cells) into neurons that produce dopamine, neuroscientists instead reprogrammed mature mouse inhibitory, GABAergic, neurons into dopamine neurons (these... Read more
This is how the brain forms memories during sleep
Oct 08, 2018 Erwin van den Burg
Neuroscientists have for the first time recorded the brain activity underlying memory. They did this in epileptic patients that had electrodes implanted for surgery (this is normal procedure in these patie... Read more
Do not give up – it could literally save your life!
Sep 27, 2018 Alexandru Ciobanu
According to a new research study, giving up can simply kill. Many people want to give up at some point in their life, for various reasons: they feel defeated or find themselves in an inescapable situation... Read more
Your brain favors laziness
Sep 19, 2018 Alexandru Ciobanu
We want to have a decent level of daily physical activity, but never actually do it. I know I am guilty of that. This “physical activity paradox” (like when you subscribe to the gym, but go the... Read more
Scientists quantify how we discriminate based on stereotypes
Sep 13, 2018 Alexandru Ciobanu
Stereotypes and discrimination are widespread; however, it is difficult to measure the influence of one’s biases in the way they treat others. To address this, a group of scientists developed a mathe... Read more
In utero exposure to cannabis affects the sociability of male child only
Sep 12, 2018 Kshitij Jadhav
In a study to determine the effects of cannabis smoking during pregnancy, it was found that ingesting cannabinoids during pregnancy leads to behavioral and neurological deficits, but only in male offspring... Read more
Parkinson’s risk increased in children with ADHD
Sep 12, 2018 Kshitij Jadhav
In a retrospective population based study, researchers have found out that children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have as much as twice the risk of early onset Parkinson’s and Parkins... Read more
Males and Females affected differently by binge drinking
Sep 11, 2018 Kshitij Jadhav
In an animal model of binge drinking, researchers have been able to show that in brain regions associated with addiction, gene expression is affected differently in male and female mice. The brain region i... Read more
Mindful individuals feel lesser pain
Sep 11, 2018 Kshitij Jadhav
Mindfulness, which means being aware of the present without emotional reactions is not just a latest craze in psychology. Researchers have shown that those individuals who are more mindful during a painful... Read more
Setting biases aside to make logical decisions
Sep 11, 2018 Erwin van den Burg
Neuroscientists found that people do not seek to confirm their previously formed opinion, or bias, on the basis of new experiences, but rather set their bias aside to be able to weigh the new information p... Read more
Bravery neurons discovered in the brain
Sep 10, 2018 Kshitij Jadhav
Researchers have found that there are certain neurons in the hippocampus that play an important role in the expression of bravery. They have shown that these neurons termed as the OLM cells are responsible... Read more
Kids prefer winners, but only those whose status is acknowledged by others
Sep 09, 2018 Kshitij Jadhav
Even though 18-month-old kids have just begun to walk and talk, they have an innate sense of power. They associate with individuals with power since those in power can provide people with better access to ... Read more
One stands further away from loved ones if lonely
Sep 09, 2018 Kshitij Jadhav
Researchers have for the first time shown a direct evidence linking interpersonal distance preferences and loneliness. They indicate that the social 'survival mode' triggers an increased preference for hig... Read more
Past experience shapes brain development in worms
Sep 07, 2018 Erwin van den Burg
Starving male worms before sexual maturation prevents normal changes in the developing brain, so that the worms will behave immaturely as adults. Immature neuronal connections remained in the tail, which a... Read more
Let's watch the neurons speak to each other
Sep 04, 2018 Kshitij Jadhav
Scientists have developed a new way to record neurons actually speaking to each other in bright colours. This technique could help provide answers to long-awaited questions related to Alzheimer's disease, ... Read more
Maternal cortisol linked to mood disorders in the infants
Sep 03, 2018 Erwin van den Burg
High levels of cortisol in the blood of pregnant women, such as those found during stress, have been shown to alter connectivity between parts of the brain that regulate mood and emotions in the fetus. The... Read more
Potential drugs to reduce smoking developed
Aug 30, 2018 Kshitij Jadhav
Nicotine in cigarettes triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin, which is responsible for the pleasure felt due to the habit. However, as nicotine is metabolized by the liver enzyme CYP2A6 the user b... Read more
Cannabis could help reduce psychotic symptoms
Aug 29, 2018 Kshitij Jadhav
Researchers have discovered that a single dose of cannabis extract cannabidiol could decrease psychosis associated brain function abnormalities thereby providing the first evidence as to how cannabidiol co... Read more
Antidepressant effect of ketamine through the opioid system
Aug 29, 2018 Kshitij Jadhav
For the first time, researchers have shown that the acute antidepressant effect of ketamine is through the activation of the opioid system. While opioids were historically used to treat depression, their l... Read more
