Reversing depression by exciting excitatory neurons
Feb 18, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
Activation of a gene known as SIRT1 in the prefrontal cortex can reduce the symptoms of depression in male mice, a new study shows.
In the absence of this gene, the excitatory neurons in th... Read more
Teenage cannabis use linked to adult depression
Feb 15, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
Cannabis has been lot in news lately with all the health benefits it is touted for especially for psychosis. However, not much attention is given to its use and the risk of depression and anxiety.
... Read moreImmersive virtual reality to treat autism phobias
Feb 15, 2019 Alexandru Ciobanu
Immersive virtual reality (VR) can help children with autism to overcome their phobias, according to a new research study. Scientists created a special room for VR experiences, which requires no googles, t... Read more
Alzheimer’s linked to insulin signaling failure
Feb 12, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
Researchers have found that impaired insulin signalling in the brain diminishes its learning and memory properties as a result of which those with type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk of developing Alzhei... Read more
Cocaine addiction linked to increased number of orexin neurons
Feb 12, 2019 Alexandru Ciobanu
In a new research study, scientists found an interesting correlation between a type of brain cells called orexin neurons and cocaine addiction. When the number of orexin neurons is higher the chance of bec... Read more
Spinal cord can perform complicated tasks, independent from the brain
Feb 11, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
The spinal cord can control complex functions, and not only the brain is able to doing so, new research indicates.
While the spinal cord has always been conceived as a highway of passing in... Read more
Exercise to prevent Alzheimer’s? Why not
Feb 11, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
Physical activity has been shown to improve memory. However, now researchers have shown that it could also decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Recently, it was shown that exer... Read more
Choosing a high-calorie dessert first might be good
Feb 08, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
It’s the usual scenario, we go to a restaurant, eat a heavy meal and then choose the dessert which is even more high on calories. Now, psychologists have found out that if we flip the situation and f... Read more
Beer before wine and its fine? No, say scientists
Feb 08, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
There is an age old saying, ‘Beer before wine and you will feel fine; wine before beer and you will feel queer.’ Now, scientists actually tested this theory to know if the order in which we dri... Read more
Simple drug formulation turns astrocytes into neurons
Feb 08, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
The biggest hurdle to recovery after neuronal damage is the fact that neurons do not divide. Cells known as astrocytes that support and insulate neurons can divide and infiltrate the side of nerve injury. ... Read more
Laughter is the best medicine to calm you during brain surgery
Feb 06, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
Neuroscientists have discovered that electrically stimulating a brain region called cingulum bundle results in immediate laughter and then a sense of calmness and happiness even while undergoing awake brai... Read more
Its official!!! Women’s brains are younger than men’s
Feb 06, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
We all know that as we age, the brain tends to shrink. Now researchers have shown that it shrinks faster in men than in women. Women have brains, which are three years younger as compared to chronologicall... Read more
Blood-clotting factor responsible for Alzheimer’s disease
Feb 05, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
The blood-clotting protein fibrinogen could be at the basis of cognitive decline, such as seen in Alzheimer’s disease, a new study reports.
It was already known that Alzheimer&rsquo... Read more
269 genes newly linked to depression
Feb 05, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
In a huge study concerning anonymized data from no less than 2 million patients, 269 genes have been found that could be linked to depression.
. By using advanced statistical methods, the... Read more
The yin and yang of obesity
Feb 01, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
The feelings of hunger and satiety are controlled in the brain, in the hypothalamus to be precise. Here two cell types with opposing function mediate the balance between eating and fasting.
Now, scientists have discovered that the transcr... Read more
Faulty RNA editing linked to autism
Jan 31, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
While the precise cause of the onset of autism spectrum disorders is still unknown, scientists have found that faulty RNA editing might be involved. RNA is described from DNA, and processed before it will serve as a template for protein synthesis... Read more
Brain signals translated directly to speech
Jan 30, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
Speech is a major evolutionary advancement for us and it helps us connect with family and friends. Hence losing speech has devastating consequences on our social and psychological well being.
... Read more
Even thinking of your partner brings the blood pressure down
Jan 28, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
What to do when you are stuck in a stressful situation? Well, it seems even if you just think of your romantic partner the blood pressure comes down as much as literally having them in the same room. Read more
Deleting cocaine use memory to decrease drug seeking
Jan 23, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
Drug addiction is very much a memory condition since as soon as the person is exposed to cues associated with the drug, the brain fires the same neurons associated with drug-seeking behavior.
... Read more
Fentanyl test strips could be effective in reducing overdose
Jan 22, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid and even an extremely small amount of the drug can lead to fatal overdose. It presents a major health hazard because it is used to lace heroin and cocaine and drug users ... Read more
