ScienceDaily: Mind & Brain News

It's not your imagination: Memory gets muddled at menopause

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:13:13 EDT

Don't doubt it when a woman harried by hot flashes says she's having a hard time remembering things. A new study published online in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society, helps confirm with objective tests that what these women say about their memory is true.

Cinnamon compound has potential ability to prevent Alzheimer's

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:37:37 EDT

Cinnamon: Can the red-brown spice with the unmistakable fragrance and variety of uses offer an important benefit? The common baking spice might hold the key to delaying the onset of -- or warding off -- the effects of Alzheimer's disease.

Drug reverses Alzheimer's disease deficits in mice

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:35:35 EDT

An anti-cancer drug reverses memory deficits in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model, new research shows. The article reviewed previously published findings on the drug bexarotene, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

Molecule that triggers sensation of itch discovered

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:33:33 EDT

Scientists report they have discovered in mouse studies that a small molecule released in the spinal cord triggers a process that is later experienced in the brain as the sensation of itch.

New screening approach uncovers potential alternative drug therapies for neuroblastoma

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:33:33 EDT

Nearly two-thirds of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma -- a common tumor that forms in the nerve cells of children -- cannot be cured using tumor-killing cancer drugs. A new study reveals a new genomic approach to screen for compounds that inhibit tumor growth by causing cancer cells to differentiate. Using this screening method, the researchers identified a compound that causes neuroblastoma cells to differentiate, uncovering promising new treatment strategies.

Motion quotient: IQ predicted by ability to filter visual motion

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:31:31 EDT

A brief visual task can predict IQ, according to a new study. This surprisingly simple exercise measures the brain’s unconscious ability to filter out visual movement. The study shows that individuals whose brains are better at suppressing background motion perform better on standard measures of intelligence.

Multiple research teams unable to confirm high-profile Alzheimer's study

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:30:30 EDT

Teams of highly respected Alzheimer’s researchers failed to replicate what appeared to be breakthrough results for the treatment of this brain disease when they were published last year in the journal Science.

Networks of neurons in brain are disrupted in psychiatric disease

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:18:18 EDT

Studying the networks of connections in the brains of people affected by schizophrenia, bipolar disease or depression has allowed researchers to gain a better understanding of the biological basis of these important diseases. They have shown that different networks, found specifically in humans, are disrupted in different psychiatric diseases.

First successful treatment of pediatric cerebral palsy with autologous cord blood: Awoken from a persistent vegetative state

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:18:18 EDT

Medics have succeeded in treating cerebral palsy with autologous cord blood. Following a cardiac arrest with severe brain damage, a two-and-a-half year old boy had been in a persistent vegetative state -- with minimal chances of survival. Just two months after treatment with the cord blood containing stem cells, the symptoms improved significantly; over the following months, the child learned to speak simple sentences and to move.

Regenerating spinal cord fibers may be treatment for stroke-related disabilities

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:18:18 EDT

A new study finds "substantial evidence" that a regenerative process involving damaged nerve fibers in the spinal cord could hold the key to better functional recovery by most stroke victims. The findings may offer new hope to those who suffer stroke, the leading cause of long-term disability in adults.

The secret lives (and deaths) of neurons

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:18:18 EDT

Researchers have uncovered surprising insights about how nerve cells rewire themselves, shedding light on a process linked with neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia and autism.

Pay attention: How we focus and concentrate

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:33:33 EDT

Scientists have shed new light on how the brain tunes in to relevant information.

Breakthrough on Huntington's disease

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:29:29 EDT

Researchers have succeeded in preventing very early symptoms of Huntington’s disease, depression and anxiety, by deactivating the mutated huntingtin protein in the brains of mice.

Depression linked to telomere enzyme, aging, chronic disease

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:45:45 EDT

The first symptoms of major depression may be behavioral, but the common mental illness is based in biology — and not limited to the brain, new research suggests.

'Boys will be boys' in U.S., but not in Asia

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:03 EDT

A new study shows there is a gender gap when it comes to behavior and self-control in American young children -- one that does not appear to exist in children in Asia.

Pinpointing how nature's benefits link to human well-being

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:03 EDT

What people take from nature -- water, food, timber, inspiration, relaxation -- are so abundant, it seems self-evident. Until you try to quantitatively understand how and to what extent they contribute to humans.

Scientists develop worm EEG to test the effects of drugs

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:01:01 EDT

Scientists have developed a device which records the brain activity of worms to help test the effects of drugs. NeuroChip is a microfluidic electrophysiological device, which can trap the microscopic worm Caenorhadbitis elegans and record the activity of discrete neural circuits in its 'brain' - a worm equivalent of the EEG.

Migraine and depression together may be linked with brain size

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:39:39 EDT

Older people with a history of migraines and depression may have smaller brain tissue volumes than people with only one or neither of the conditions, according to a new study.

Brain can be trained in compassion, study shows

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:03:03 EDT

A new study shows that adults can be trained to be more compassionate. The report investigates whether training adults in compassion can result in greater altruistic behavior and related changes in neural systems underlying compassion.

Study challenges notion that umpires call more strikes for pitchers of same race

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:03:03 EDT

A new study challenges previous research that suggests umpire discrimination exists in Major League Baseball.

Weekends are the best time to buy airline tickets, study finds

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:03:03 EDT

Researchers studied a historical archive of airline ticket purchases and found the best deals are on the weekend.

Laws to lower alcohol limits mean lower fatalities says trauma expert

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:02:02 EDT

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing that the legal limit for a driver’s blood-alcohol content be reduced from 0.08 to 0.05, but and that may not be far enough say experts.

Good marriage can buffer effects of dad's depression on young children

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:05:05 EDT

What effect does a father's depression have on his young son or daughter? When fathers report a high level of emotional intimacy in their marriage, their children benefit, said a new study.

Children of married parents less likely to be obese

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:20:20 EDT

Children living in households where the parents are married are less likely to be obese, according to new research.

Overeating learned in infancy, study suggests

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:12:12 EDT

Research shows that clinical obesity at 24 months of age strongly traces back to infant feeding patterns.

Insomnia may cause dysfunction in emotional brain circuitry

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:12:12 EDT

A new study provides neurobiological evidence for dysfunction in the neural circuitry underlying emotion regulation in people with insomnia, which may have implications for the risk relationship between insomnia and depression.

Fish oil supplements may help fight against type 2 diabetes

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:09:09 EDT

Widely-used fish oil supplements modestly increase amounts of a hormone that is associated with lower risk of diabetes and heart disease, according to a new study.

Signs of motor disorders can appear years before disease manifestation

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:31:31 EDT

It is known that signs of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease can appear years before the disease becomes manifest; these signs take the form of subtle changes in the brain and behavior of individuals affected. For the first time, scientists have demonstrated the existence of such signatures for motor disorders belonging to the group of "spinocerebellar ataxias."

Schizophrenia symptoms eliminated in animal model

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:31:31 EDT

Overexpression of a gene associated with schizophrenia causes classic symptoms of the disorder that are reversed when gene expression returns to normal, scientists report. They genetically engineered mice so they could turn up levels of neuregulin-1 to mimic high levels found in some patients then return levels to normal.

Costs to treat stroke in America may double by 2030

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:31:31 EDT

Stroke costs are predicted to more than double in the next 20 years. Americans 45-64 years old are expected to have the highest increase in stroke incidence.

Molecular roots of cocaine addiction in brain uncovered: Promising new anti-addiction drug revealed

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:30 EDT

Researchers have unraveled the molecular foundations of cocaine’s effects on the brain, and identified a compound that blocks cravings for the drug in cocaine-addicted mice. The compound, already proven safe for humans, is undergoing further animal testing in preparation for possible clinical trials in cocaine addicts, the researchers say.

Eyes on the prey: Researchers analyse the hunting behaviour of fish larvae in virtual reality

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:20:20 EDT

Moving objects attract greater attention -- a fact exploited by video screens in public spaces and animated advertising banners on the Internet. For most animal species, moving objects also play a major role in the processing of sensory impressions in the brain, as they often signal the presence of a welcome prey or an imminent threat. Scientists have now investigated how the brain uses the information from the visual system for the execution of quicker movements.

Fish oil may help the heart beat mental stress

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:19:19 EDT

Why is fish oil good for the heart? A new study suggests that this omega 3 fatty acid-rich nutrient could blunt some cardiovascular effects of mental stress.

Why the Super Bowl's location matters: Local ties still bind corporations

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:58:58 EDT

If you're a small charity looking for some corporate largesse, pegging your ask to a big morale-boosting event planned for your community may help seal the deal, suggests a new study on corporate giving.

Addiction as a disorder of decision-making

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:58:58 EDT

New research shows that craving drugs such as nicotine can be visualized in specific regions of the brain that are implicated in determining the value of actions, in planning actions and in motivation. Researchers suggest abnormal interactions between these decision-making brain regions could underlie addiction.

Addiction to unhealthy foods could help explain the global obesity epidemic, research suggests

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:58:58 EDT

New research shows that high-fructose corn syrup can cause behavioral reactions in rats similar to those produced by drugs of abuse such as cocaine. These results suggest food addiction could explain, at least partly, the current global obesity epidemic.

Cold plasma successful against brain cancer cells, study suggests

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:57:57 EDT

For the first time, physicists, biologists and physicians demonstrated the synergistic effect of cold atmospheric plasma - a partly ionized gas - and chemo therapy on aggressive brain tumor cells. Laboratory tests showed that the proliferation of glioblastoma cells – the most common and aggressive brain tumor in adults – is arrested and that even resistant cell populations become sensitive to treatment with chemo therapy if pre-treated with cold atmospheric plasma. This could be the first step on the way to a new combination therapy, providing new hope for fighting this lethal cancer.

Neuroscientists explain how the sensation of brain freeze works

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:53:53 EDT

Brain freeze is practically a rite of summer. It happens when you eat ice cream or gulp something ice cold too quickly. The scientific term is sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, but that's a mouthful. Brain freeze is your body's way of putting on the brakes, telling you to slow down and take it easy.

Empathy plays a key role in moral judgments

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:54:54 EDT

Utilitarian judgment may arise not simply from enhanced cognitive control but also from diminished emotional processing and reduced empathy, according to new research.

Phthalates -- chemicals widely found in plastics and processed food -- linked to elevated blood pressure in children and teens

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:50:50 EDT

Plastic additives known as phthalates are odorless, colorless and just about everywhere: They turn up in flooring, plastic cups, beach balls, plastic wrap, intravenous tubing and the bodies of most Americans. Once perceived as harmless, phthalates have come under increasing scrutiny. A growing collection of evidence suggests dietary exposure to phthalates (which can leech from packaging and mix with food) may cause significant metabolic and hormonal abnormalities, especially during early development. Now, new research suggests that certain types of phthalates could pose another risk to children: compromised heart health.

Common brain processes of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness identified

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:50:50 EDT

Feedback from the front region of the brain is a crucial building block for consciousness and that its disruption is associated with unconsciousness.

Life expectancy gap widens between those with mental illness and general population

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:41:41 EDT

The gap between life expectancy in patients with a mental illness and the general population has widened since 1985 and efforts to reduce this gap should focus on improving physical health, suggest new research.

Reducing caloric intake delays nerve cell loss

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:39:39 EDT

Activating an enzyme known to play a role in the anti-aging benefits of calorie restriction delays the loss of brain cells and preserves cognitive function in mice, according to a new study. The findings could one day guide researchers to discover drug alternatives that slow the progress of age-associated impairments in the brain.

Antidepressant reduces stress-induced heart condition

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:37:37 EDT

A drug commonly used to treat depression and anxiety may improve a stress-related heart condition in people with stable coronary heart disease, according to researchers at Duke Medicine.

Drawing closer to Alzheimer’s magic bullet? Drugs found to both prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease in mice

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:39:39 EDT

Imagine a pharmaceutical prevention, treatment or even cure for Alzheimer's disease. It is almost impossible to overstate how monumental a development that would be and how it would answer the prayers of millions. Though science isn't there yet, a new study offers a tantalizing glimpse of potential solutions.

Ethicists' behavior not more moral

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:25:25 EDT

Do ethicists engage in better moral behavior than other professors? The answer is no. Nor are they more likely than nonethicists to act according to values they espouse.

Poliovirus vaccine trial shows early promise for recurrent glioblastoma

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:21:21 EDT

An attack on glioblastoma brain tumor cells that uses a modified poliovirus is showing encouraging results in an early study to establish the proper dose level.

Aggressive behavior linked specifically to secondhand smoke exposure in childhood

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:21:21 EDT

Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke in early childhood are more likely to grow up to physically aggressive and antisocial, regardless of whether they were exposed during pregnancy or their parents have a history of being antisocial.

Common food supplement fights degenerative brain disorders, study suggests

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:15:15 EDT

Widely available in pharmacies and health stores, phosphatidylserine is a natural food supplement produced from beef, oysters, and soy. Now scientists have discovered that the supplement improves the functioning of genes involved in degenerative brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease and familial dysautonomia.

Finding a family for a pair of orphan receptors in the brain

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:15:15 EDT

Researchers have identified a protein that stimulates a pair of "orphan receptors" found in the brain, solving a long-standing biological puzzle and possibly leading to future treatments for neurological diseases.

Waiting for a sign? Researchers find potential brain 'switch' for new behavior

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:12:12 EDT

You're standing near an airport luggage carousel and your bag emerges on the conveyor belt, prompting you to spring into action. How does your brain make the shift from passively waiting to taking action when your bag appears?

Visual search function: Where scene context happens in our brain

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:57:57 EDT

Though a seemingly simple and intuitive strategy, visual search function -- a process that takes mere seconds for the human brain -- is still something that a computer can't do as accurately. Over the millennia of human evolution, our brains developed a pattern of search based largely on environmental cues and scene context. It's an ability that has not only helped us find food and avoid danger in humankind's earliest days, but continues to aid us today. Where this -- the search for objects using scene and other objects -- occurs in the brain is little understood, and is for the first time discussed in a new paper.

Child maltreatment increases risk of adult obesity

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:57:57 EDT

Children who have suffered maltreatment are 36 percent more likely to be obese in adulthood compared to non-maltreated children, according to a new study. The authors estimate that the prevention or effective treatment of seven cases of child maltreatment could avoid one case of adult obesity.

Doctors prescribe more analgesics to women than to men just for being female, Spanish study shows

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:56:56 EDT

Regardless of pain, social class or age, a woman is more likely to be prescribed pain-relieving drugs. A new study affirms that this phenomenon is influenced by socioeconomic inequality between genders.

Clouds in the head: New model of brain's thought processes

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:54:54 EDT

A new model of the brain's thought processes explains the apparently chaotic activity patterns of individual neurons. They do not correspond to a simple stimulus/response linkage, but arise from the networking of different neural circuits.

Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:52:52 EDT

Researchers say they have discovered specific chemical alterations in two genes that, when present during pregnancy, reliably predict whether a woman will develop postpartum depression.

Asthma symptoms impair sleep quality and school performance in children

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:52:52 EDT

The negative effects of poorly controlled asthma symptoms on sleep quality and academic performance in urban schoolchildren has been confirmed in a new study.

How to best manage workaholics: New study offers insight

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:51:51 EDT

Workaholics tend to live in extremes, with great job satisfaction and creativity on the one hand and high levels of frustration and exhaustion on the other hand. Now, a new study offers managers practical ways to help these employees stay healthy and effective on the job.

Early-life traffic-related air pollution exposure linked to hyperactivity

Tue, 21 May 2013 01:12:12 EDT

Early-life exposure to traffic-related air pollution was significantly associated with higher hyperactivity scores at age 7, according to new research.

Mediterranean diet seems to boost aging brain power

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:54:54 EDT

A Mediterranean diet with added extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts seems to improve the brain power of older people better than advising them to follow a low-fat diet, according to new research.