Brain

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have found that some forms of depression may be caused due to a malfunctioning of brain cells called microglia. The researchers suggest, “Progress in the understanding of the biology of depression has been slow,” so they also think it requires expansion beyond, “abnormalities in the functioning of neurons.” ...click here to read more

Researchers from McGill University have made a discovery on how the brain detects and prevent dehydration. They identified a key protein in the brain responsible for body temperature as well as hydration. The findings can assist in clinical treatments of conditions that affect the imbalance of bodily fluids. Study lead, Dr. Charles Bourque, said, “We have identified what ...click here to read more

You might think that a larger brain equals a larger IQ, but findings from the University of Vienna suggest that brain size doesn’t matter when it comes to IQ. Early findings from the 18th century had researchers believing that a large brain meant a smart individual, but thanks to the use of imaging methods, we ...click here to read more

New research reveals that the elderly take a longer time to recover from a concussion. Concussions are known as mild traumatic brain injuries and account for 75 percent of brain injuries that occur. Working memory may become affected after a concussion, but MRI and CT scans are unable to find abnormalities in the brains of concussion patients. Functional MRI ...click here to read more

Alzheimer’s plaques are clumps of fibrous protein, referred to as amyloid plaques, commonly found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Amyloid plaques were first discussed about 150 years ago and have since been associated with Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. Recent findings suggest that amyloid plaques may also have a beneficial ...click here to read more

Researchers from the University of Florida have found a link between an Alzheimer’s disease protein and the brain’s stress response. The research was conducted on mouse models as well as in human cells. The findings revealed a stress-coping hormone released by the brain increases the production of protein fragments. The protein fragments are known as ...click here to read more

Unhealthy diets containing junk food have been shown to affect the brain and lead to poor mental health. The findings come from researchers at Deakin University and the Australian National University. Specific findings concluded that a part in the brain – the hippocampus – has been shown to be smaller in those who consume junk ...click here to read more

Antidepressant therapy may vary among the elderly with late-life depression as it becomes more difficult to treat the older the individual is. The study was published in JAMA Psychiatry which examined longitudinal patterns of changes in depressive symptoms in those who were prescribed antidepressant therapy. Lead author of the study Stephen F. Smagula said, “Elderly ...click here to read more

The medical community has always believed that the hippocampus (Latin for sea-horse) was responsible for recent memory, long-term memory and spatial navigation. However, researchers have recently demonstrated that this sea-horse-shaped organelle in our brain can also play a big role in quick and successful conflict resolution. The team conducting the study was led by Professor ...click here to read more

Every now and then, a glass of wine or beer is such a pleasure. With dinner, it’s that little something extra to toast with or bring out the flavors of your meal. At a pub, sampling a craft brew is a conversation-starter with friends and family. I’m convinced that an occasional glass of alcohol is ...click here to read more

Cold sores are not only unsightly to look at and uncomfortable, they can be a sign of serious health problems. Previous research on cold sores has found that they can be tied to memory loss, but more recent study has made another conclusion about cold sores and your brain. A cold sore is a form ...click here to read more

We hear a lot about research underway, testing vaccines for Ebola, developing a new cancer treatment, or trialing nutrition methods to reverse type 2 diabetes. But when does scientific study provide real-world medicine and treatment? More often than we may realize, given the thousands of projects underway in laboratories around the world. What were some ...click here to read more

My elderly aunt, I’m afraid, is not doing well. She lost her husband almost a year ago and has been declining ever since, determined, however, to remain in her home alone. Her kids say she shouldn’t be living on her own. She’s forgetting things, she shouldn’t be driving and has no friends for support. But ...click here to read more

A mystery chocolate drink, made by confectionery company Mars, Incorporated, has turned back the clock on aging brains. Chocolate is even better for us than we thought! A breakthrough study by Columbia University Medical Center has uncovered something quite remarkable: Normal, natural memory loss that comes with aging can be reversed. Not with some dangerous ...click here to read more