Is the brain capable of distinguishing a voice from the specific sounds it utters? In an attempt to answer this question; researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland; in collaboration with the University of Maastricht, the Netherlands devised pseudo-words (words without meaning) spoken by three voices with different pitches. The aim was to observe…
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a naturally occurring molecule that replenishes one of the body’s antioxidants; and now shows potential benefit as part of a standard course of treatment for patients with Parkinson’s disease; according to a study published in the journal, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. The study found improvements in dopamine levels, the primary neurotransmitter that…
The process of combining prior beliefs with uncertain evidence is known as Bayesian integration; and is believe to impact widely our perceptions, thoughts, and actions. Now, MIT neuroscientists discovere distinctive brain signals that encode these prior beliefs. They have also found how the brain uses these signals; to make judicious decisions in the face of…
Motor skills (single or sequences of actions which through practice become effortless); can become very difficult to learn and retrieve when neurological conditions disrupt the planning and control of sequential movements. When a person has a disorder such as dyspraxia; or stuttering certain skills cannot perform in a smooth and coordinated way. Traditionally scientists have believed that…
The research team led by Prof. Claire Jacob at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU); and at the Swiss University of Fribourg investigated the details of this repair process; and have demonstrated that the same mechanism could be activated in cells of the central nervous system after a spinal cord injury, for instance. Damaged peripheral nerves…
An assessment reveals that a newly approved antibody treatment; to treat migraines seems to be ineffective among patients who suffer from high-frequency migraines. The findings will be present during the 61st annual scientific meeting of the American Headache Society in Philadelphia. Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterize by recurrent headaches that are moderate to…
Boredom is a common human experience. But how people cope with or handling bore is important for mental health. “Everybody experiences boredom,” said Sammy Perone, Washington State University assistant professor in the Department of Human Development. “But some people experience it a lot, which is unhealthy. So, we wanted to look at how to deal…
Medicinal cannabis oil containing both cannabidiol (CBD) and a small amount of THC; (the drug that can cause intoxication) can reduce or end seizures in children with severe, drug-resistant epilepsy; a study by the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has found. Children with severe epilepsy also experienced improvements in their quality of life; after taking low…
Researchers from Australia have successfully “rewired” the nerves within the paralyzed arms of some accident survivors; and provided them with successful movement of arms and hands. The team of surgeons explain that certain injuries as suffer; by these patients stopped their spinal cord from transmitting messages to their brains resulting in paralysis. For this study…
Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) is a relentless disease. Over time, patients experience worsening physical, mental and mood-related symptoms. And yet, even as their symptoms progress; the brain white matter lesions found on a patient’s MRI scans often remain unchange. Suspecting that changes in the grey matter regions of the brain may be playing a…
Teenagers with large amounts of grey matter in the brain at age 14 are more likely to increase their alcohol use; over the next five years, according to a whole brain imaging study reported today in eLife. The findings may help scientists understand what makes some teens more vulnerable; to developing alcohol use disorders. However,…
Acute brain injury can result in significant damage and loss of consciousness; warranting life support and admission to an intensive care unit. A complex journey toward recovery begins; sometimes involving daily life-and-death battles.As the acuity of the life-threatening injurydeclines and the patient’s condition stabilizes a bit; the dust starts to settle. But then so many questions…