Scientists have identified a rare condition in which people feel no pleasure from music, revealing a surprising disconnect between the brain’s auditory and reward systems.
Category: neuroscience – Page 83
Nighttime phone use linked to higher levels of suicidal thoughts in high-risk adults
Patterns of smartphone use and their impact on mental health are being extensively studied due to the growing dependence of the device in people’s lives.
A recent study tracked late-night smartphone usage in 79 adults with recent suicidal thoughts for 28 days. People using phones late between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. showed a higher risk of suicidal thoughts the next day, whereas those who actively used the keyboard beyond midnight hours showed a lower risk.
The findings are published in JAMA Network Open.
Interfacing with the Brain: How Nanotechnology Can Contribute
Interfacing artificial devices with the human brain is the central goal of neurotechnology. Yet, our imaginations are often limited by currently available paradigms and technologies. Suggestions for brain–machine interfaces have changed over time, along with the available technology. Mechanical levers and cable winches were used to move parts of the brain during the mechanical age. Sophisticated electronic wiring and remote control have arisen during the electronic age, ultimately leading to plug-and-play computer interfaces. Nonetheless, our brains are so complex that these visions, until recently, largely remained unreachable dreams. The general problem, thus far, is that most of our technology is mechanically and/or electrically engineered, whereas the brain is a living, dynamic entity. As a result, these worlds are difficult to interface with one another.
Imaging of Skull Base Tumors
The skull base provides a platform for supporting the brain while serving as a conduit for major neurovascular structures. In addition to malignant lesions originating in the skull base, there are many benign entities and developmental variants that may simulate disease. Therefore, a basic understanding of the relevant embryology is essential. Lesions centered in the skull base can extend to the adjacent intracranial and extracranial compartments; conversely, the skull base can be secondarily involved by primary extracranial and intracranial disease. CT and MRI are the mainstay imaging methods and are complementary in the evaluation of skull base lesions. Advances in cross-sectional imaging have been crucial in the management of patients with skull base pathology, as this represents a complex anatomical area that is hidden from direct clinical exam.
Simple molecule shows remarkable Alzheimer’s reversal in rats
Scientists have developed a new molecule that breaks down beta-amyloid plaques by binding to excess copper in the brain. The treatment restored memory and reduced inflammation in rats, while also proving non-toxic and able to cross the blood–brain barrier. Because it’s far simpler and potentially cheaper than existing drugs, researchers are now pursuing partnerships to begin human trials.
Children With Autism, ADHD, And Anorexia Share a Common Microbe Imbalance
The ratio of two dominant groups of microbes in the human gut was higher across all three disorder groups than was typically seen in the control group.
A new, small study suggests children with autism, ADHD, and anorexia share similarly disrupted gut microbiomes, which, by some measures, have more in common with each other than with their healthy, neurotypical peers.
Led by researchers from Comenius University in Slovakia, the study used stool samples to assess the gut microbiomes of 117 children.
The exploratory study included 30 boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 21 girls with anorexia nervosa, and 14 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The remaining samples were from age-and sex-matched healthy and neurotypical children, providing a control group.