Category Archives: Neuroscience

Neuroscience

Two leading standards bodies launch Neuroscience Community, powering a global data network that will speed up … – EurekAlert

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GA4GH & INCF launch Neuroscience Community

Credit: Global Alliance for Genomics and Health / Stephanie Li

The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) and the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF) launched a new group to lay the groundwork for connecting global neuroscience and genomic data.

Answering data-driven questions in neuroscience means dealing with complexity: in types of data, data management systems, the number and variety of conditions, ethical and legal requirements, and the genetic and biological conditions themselves. Even just aligning industry standards for neuroimaging and genomics can be a struggle.

To improve life for people with neurological conditions, we need to tackle the complexity together.

The newGA4GH & INCF Neuroscience Communityunites collaborators from around the world to share best practices and improve standards that will expand responsible use of neuroscientific data, including genomic data. Interested organisations canjoin today.

A parent wants to understand why their autistic five-year-old wakes up multiple times a night, but doctors cant explain. A person with early-onset Parkinsons struggles to find a cocktail of medications that wards off the symptoms but doesnt make them sleepy, irritable, and confused on the job. Someone has tried every treatment for severe depression that their insurance will pay for, but nothing works.

For people with neurological conditions and their families, the healthcare system can seem to offer more headache than help.

Those with illnesses like Parkinsons, addiction, depression, and epilepsy often report worse quality of life than others. So domany neurodivergent people, including autistic people and those with ADHD.For example, people with epilepsy are at greater risk ofdying early. Many autistic children facegastrointestinalandsleepproblems.

Progress has been slow to tailor healthcare for neurodivergent people and neurological patients. In part, thats because researchers need lots and lots of data and many differenttypesof data to answer neuroscience questions.

To fully understand just one neurological patient or research participant, you need brain images, genomic sequences, gene expression data, socio-cultural factors, test results showing how they metabolise drugs, their overall health history and their familys, and biomarker data like health and weight. Then add a detailed work-up of their phenotype, or the traits, behaviours, and symptoms they show, said neuroscientist Randy McIntosh, Co-Lead of the GA4GH & INCF Neuroscience Community, Deputy Chair of the INCF Governing Board, and professor at Simon Fraser University.

Now multiply that amount of data by thousands of people, which you need to get real predictive power in a study, he said.

A single organisation is unlikely to collect or manage so much data. Yet sharing data between groups is difficult, in part for an important reason: stewarding someones data means taking great care to protect their privacy, wishes, and legal rights.

One solution is data visiting.

Instead of downloading a data file and transferring it to a faraway scientist, data visiting means that a scientist visits the data where it lives. These days, data visiting is done virtually: algorithms or other computer tools travel to an institutions trove of data, or a secure environment where many institutions share their data, and run tests. Then they send the results to scientists with proper access permissions.

To visit the most data possible, you need a federated network where you can study data housed in many different locations, all at once.

No matter your access method, you need to use data responsibly. Groups like the Wellcome-funded Brain Research International Data Governance & Exchange Program (BRIDGE) a Neuroscience Community member are studying how to properly follow laws and regulations when making data available worldwide. BRIDGE works with partners in Brazil, the US, South Africa, Switzerland, and the UK to develop resources for governing neuroscience data.

Conditions and diseases dont respect borders. If we want the lives of people with neurological conditions to improve, we cant just look at data from one hospital or even one country. We have to study diverse data from around the world. With data visiting powered by federation and Global Alliance for Genomics and Health standards, clinicians and researchers can vastly expand their pool of data while data stewards rest easy knowing they are protecting rights and following regulations, said Peter Goodhand, CEO of GA4GH.

The GA4GH & INCF Neuroscience Community will connect international partners to develop the standards, collaborations, and systems needed to power data visiting across a global network.

The community will help get answers faster for patients and people everywhere, while respecting the human rights of people who donate their data. (Read the communitysin-progress charter.)

For nearly two decades, INCF has developed standards and best practices to make neuroscience data FAIR: findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. Now we are eager to work with partners from genomics, like GA4GH, to ensure that our standards development efforts progress together and lead to the best possible science, said Mathew Abrams, Director of Science and Training for INCF.

The GA4GH & INCF Neuroscience Community will expand neuroscience and genomic data networking around the world ramping up what many members are already doing.

In Ontario, Canada, for example, several Neuroscience Community members run projects to link data across the province and the globe.

Take software company DNAstack. Working closely with the Autism Sharing Initiative (a GA4GH Driver Project), the company developed the Neuroscience AI network with its existing Omics AI software. The network makes it easier to find, analyse, and apply artificial intelligence to autism and other neuroscience datasets.

Then Azadeh Kushki, a researcher at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital also a Neuroscience Community member arrived. She used Neuroscience AI to make an important discovery: neurodivergent kids might be prescribed medication differently based on their ethnicity and family income.

The finding relied on a machine learning model trained on a federated network that follows GA4GH standards. Thanks to the Neuroscience Community, other groups will learn how to apply this powerful technique.

Another Neuroscience Community member, the Ontario Brain Institute, scaled up even further. Its Brain-CODE platform includes not only neurodevelopmental but also concussion, mental health, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative data. Brain-CODE houses data from more than 20,000 people who agreed to give researchers and other third parties access.

For more than 10 years, the Ontario Brain Institute has fostered an integrated approach for neuroscience discovery to improve brain health. By combining ideas and expertise from patients, researchers, and industry, weve created a powerful ecosystem of innovation using data, analytics, and AI. But we cant do this alone. With the GA4GH & INCF Neuroscience Community, we have a genuinely international opportunity to combine efforts and reach breakthroughs faster, said Francis Jeanson, Head of the Centre for Analytics at Ontario Brain Institute and Co-Lead of the GA4GH & INCF Neuroscience Community.

The new Neuroscience Community is one of severalCommunities of Interestfounded in recent years by GA4GH. These groups bring together global experts who focus on a specific topic, and who are eager to connect across borders and find a path to better data use.

Great work is happening all over the world to understand neurological conditions, including their genomic underpinnings. The GA4GH & INCF Neuroscience Community will ensure that all those experts are sharing best practices, developing interoperable standards, and building connections across data, said Angela Page, GA4GH Director of Strategy and Engagement. People with neurological conditions have advocated for and deserve a global data network that will lead to better healthcare and improved quality of life.

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About GA4GH

The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) is an international, not-for-profit alliance formed in 2013 to accelerate progress in human health by expanding responsible use of genomic data. Bringing together 500+ leading organisations working in healthcare, research, patient advocacy, life science, and information technology, the GA4GH community creates frameworks and standards that power the responsible, broad, and democratised use of genomic and related health data.

About INCF

The International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF) network serves as a forum to collaboratively coordinate global neuroinformatics activities that guide and oversee the development of standards, best practices, ontologies, and other unifying activities. The mission of INCF network is to promote the uptake of FAIR data management practices in neuroscience through the development of standards and best practices that support open, FAIR, and citable neuroscience. INCF also provides training on how standards and best practices facilitate reproducibility and enables the publishing of the entirety of research output, including data and code.

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Two leading standards bodies launch Neuroscience Community, powering a global data network that will speed up ... - EurekAlert

Neuroscience

AI Reveals Brain Differences in ADHD – Neuroscience News

Summary: Researchers utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze brain MRI scans have identified significant differences in white matter tracts of adolescents with ADHD.

The study, involving over 1,700 participants from the multi-institutional Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, used diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and a deep-learning AI model to detect these variations.

Elevated fractional anisotropy (FA) values were found in nine white matter tracts in individuals with ADHD, providing objective biomarkers for diagnosis. This approach offers a new, quantitative way to diagnose ADHD, addressing the current reliance on subjective self-reported surveys.

Key Facts:

Source: RSNA

Using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze specialized brain MRI scans of adolescents with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), researchers found significant differences in nine brain white matter tracts in individuals with ADHD. Results of the study will be presented today at theannual meetingof the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

ADHD is a common disorder often diagnosed in childhood and continuing into adulthood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the U.S., an estimated 5.7 million children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD.

ADHD often manifests at an early age and can have a massive impact on someones quality of life and ability to function in society, said study co-author Justin Huynh, M.S., a research specialist in the Department of Neuroradiology at the University of California, San Francisco, and medical student at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign.

It is also becoming increasingly prevalent in society among todays youth, with the influx of smartphones and other distracting devices readily accessible.

Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors or regulating activity. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to managing the condition.

ADHD is extremely difficult to diagnose and relies on subjective self-reported surveys, Huynh said. There is definitely an unmet need for more objective metrics for diagnosis. Thats the gap we are trying to fill.

Huynh said this is the first study to apply deep learning, a type of AI, to identify markers of ADHD in the multi-institutional Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, which includes brain imaging, clinical surveys and other data on over 11,000 adolescents from 21 research sites in the U.S. The brain imaging data included a specialized type of MRI called diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Prior research studies using AI to detect ADHD have not been successful due to a small sample size and the complexity of the disorder, Huynh said.

The research team selected a group of 1,704 individuals from the ABCD dataset, including adolescents with and without ADHD. Using DWI scans, the researchers extracted fractional anisotropy (FA) measurements along 30 major white matter tracts in the brain. FA is a measure of how water molecules move along the fibers of white matter tracts.

The FA values from 1,371 individuals were used as input for training a deep-learning AI model, which was then tested on 333 patients, including 193 diagnosed with ADHD and 140 without. ADHD diagnoses were determined by the Brief Problem Monitor assessment, a rating tool used for monitoring a childs functioning and their responses to interventions.

With the help of AI, the researchers discovered that in patients with ADHD, FA values were significantly elevated in nine white matter tracts.

These differences in MRI signatures in individuals with ADHD have never been seen before at this level of detail, Huynh said. In general, the abnormalities seen in the nine white matter tracts coincide with the symptoms of ADHD.

The researchers intend to continue obtaining data from the rest of the individuals in the ABCD dataset, comparing the performance of additional AI models.

Many people feel that they have ADHD, but it is undiagnosed due to the subjective nature of the available diagnostic tests, Huynh said.

This method provides a promising step towards finding imaging biomarkers that can be used to diagnose ADHD in a quantitative, objective diagnostic framework, Huynh said.

Co-authors are Pierre F. Nedelec, M.S., M.T.M., Samuel Lashof-Regas, Michael Romano, M.D., Ph.D., Leo P. Sugrue, M.D., Ph.D., and Andreas M. Rauschecker, M.D., Ph.D.

Author: Linda Brooks Source: RSNA Contact: Linda Brooks RSNA Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: The findings will be presented at the 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America

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AI Reveals Brain Differences in ADHD - Neuroscience News

Neuroscience

RNA’s Pivotal Role in Fear Memory and PTSD Treatment – Neuroscience News

Summary: Researchers have revealed a groundbreaking role of RNA in fear-related learning and memory. Their study shows how noncoding RNA Gas5 influences neuronal excitability, impacting learning and memory processes.

Another study identified m6A-modified RNAs that regulate synaptic plasticity, crucial for fear extinction memory, a key factor in PTSD. These findings offer new insights into RNAs role in the brain and potential RNA-based therapies for PTSD.

Key Facts:

Source: University of Queensland

Researchers fromThe University of Queenslandhave discovered a new way ribonucleic acid (RNA) impacts fear-related learning and memory.

Professor Timothy BredyfromUQs Queensland Brain Institutesaid this is an exciting example of RNAs role in fine-tuning the cellular functions in the brain.

In a paper published inNature Communications, researchers demonstrated that a noncoding RNA known as Gas5 coordinates the trafficking and clustering of RNA molecules inside the long processes of neurons, and orchestrating neuronal excitability in real time that contributes to learning and memory.

Understanding the complex world of RNA is a rapidly emerging area of neuroscience research, where we are constantly learning more about how different classes of RNA control the communication between and within brain cells, Professor Bredy said.

In this study, we found learning-related RNAs at the synapse and one, in particular, called Gas5 seems to be uniquely required for fear extinction memory.

Theres a lot more happening with these kinds of RNA molecules than we first thought and that fact they influence cellular function on a millisecond timeframe, which mirrors the real time changes in synaptic function that happen in the brain during learning, is extraordinary.

Non-coding RNA may be the missing link to understanding how the brain processes critically important inputs that lead to the formation of memory

This study builds on earlier findings this year from the Bredy Lab which identified a separate population of learning-related RNAs that accumulate near the synapse the junction between neurons that allow them to communicate.

In that paper, published in theJournal of Neuroscience, they uncovered several new synapse-specific RNA that harbour a specific chemical tag called N6-methyladenosine (m6A).

Lead authorDr Sachithrani Madugallesaid the findings highlighted the importance of m6A-modified RNAs in regulating synaptic plasticity.

Readers are proteins that bind to the chemical tag and direct it to locations and functions, Dr Madugalle said.

The readers allowed us to determine the functional role of m6A-modified RNA molecules in the formation of new memories.

By examining one such RNA, Malat1, we discovered the key proteins that interact with this RNA and support processes related to an important type of memory called fear extinction.

Fear extinction impairment is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

When Malat1 is chemically decorated with m6A, this allows it to interact with different proteins in the synaptic compartment, which can then alter the mechanisms involved in the formation of fear extinction memory.

This new information may inform the development of future RNA therapies to address PTSD.

By understanding where, when, and how an RNA molecule is activated and having a precise marker will help us identify the target for therapies.

In addition, in both studies the team employed an innovative new tool that allowed them to manipulate the functional state of an RNA molecule, together with Professor Bryan Dickinson and Dr. Simone Rauch at the University of Chicago.

We are now looking for ways to harness RNA to control the aspects of synaptic function underlying memory formation and to potentially develop an RNA therapeutic for the treatment of PTSD and phobia, Professor Bredy said.

Author: Lisa Clarke Source: University of Queensland Contact: Lisa Clarke University of Queensland Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access. Fear extinction is regulated by the activity of long noncoding RNAs at the synapse by Sachithrani Madugalle et al. Nature Communications

Closed access. Synapse-Enriched m6A-Modified Malat1 Interacts with the Novel m6A Reader, DPYSL2, and Is Required for Fear-Extinction Memory by Sachithrani Madugalle et al. Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

Fear extinction is regulated by the activity of long noncoding RNAs at the synapse

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a multidimensional class of regulatory molecules that are involved in many aspects of brain function.

Emerging evidence indicates that lncRNAs are localized to the synapse; however, a direct role for their activity in this subcellular compartment in memory formation has yet to be demonstrated.

Using lncRNA capture-seq, we identified a specific set of lncRNAs that accumulate in the synaptic compartment within the infralimbic prefrontal cortex of adult male C57/Bl6 mice.

Among these was a splice variant related to the stress-associated lncRNA,Gas5. RNA immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry and single-molecule imaging revealed that thisGas5isoform, in association with the RNA binding proteins G3BP2 and CAPRIN1, regulates the activity-dependent trafficking and clustering of RNA granules.

In addition, we found that cell-type-specific, activity-dependent, and synapse-specific knockdown of theGas5variant led to impaired fear extinction memory.

These findings identify a new mechanism of fear extinction that involves the dynamic interaction between local lncRNA activity and RNA condensates in the synaptic compartment.

Abstract

Synapse-Enriched m6A-Modified Malat1 Interacts with the Novel m6A Reader, DPYSL2, and Is Required for Fear-Extinction Memory

The RNA modification N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulates the interaction between RNA and various RNA binding proteins within the nucleus and other subcellular compartments and has recently been shown to be involved in experience-dependent plasticity, learning, and memory.

Using m6A RNA-sequencing, we have discovered a distinct population of learning-related m6A- modified RNAs at the synapse, which includes the long noncoding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (Malat1). RNA immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry revealed 12 new synapse-specific learning-induced m6A readers in the mPFC of male C57/BL6 mice, with m6A-modifiedMalat1binding to a subset of these, including CYFIP2 and DPYSL2.

In addition, a cell type- and synapse-specific, and state-dependent, reduction of m6A onMalat1impairs fear-extinction memory; an effect that likely occurs through a disruption in the interaction betweenMalat1and DPYSL2 and an associated decrease in dendritic spine formation.

These findings highlight the critical role of m6A in regulating the functional state of RNA during the consolidation of fear-extinction memory, and expand the repertoire of experience-dependent m6A readers in the synaptic compartment.

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RNA's Pivotal Role in Fear Memory and PTSD Treatment - Neuroscience News

Neuroscience

Personality Predictors of Dementia; Parkinson’s Blood Test; Klotho in Alzheimer’s – Medpage Today

Personality traits were strong predictors of dementia diagnoses in a meta-analysis, but were not consistently associated with neuropathology at autopsy. (Alzheimer's and Dementia)

Neuronally derived extracellular vesicle-associated alpha-synuclein in serum correctly identified 80% of at-risk people who phenoconverted to Parkinson's disease and related dementia. (JAMA Neurology)

High-dose nicotinamide riboside eased Parkinson's motor symptoms in a phase I trial. (Nature Communications)

Injecting allogeneic neural stem cells into the brains of people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis was tolerated in a phase I study. (Cell Stem Cell)

Klotho protein levels differed in clinical stages of Alzheimer's and were associated with amyloid and tau burden. (JAMA Network Open)

Newborn infants perceived the beat in music. (Cognition)

Short sleep and sleep variability were linked with impaired cognitive performance in older adults. (JAMA Network Open)

Liver fibrosis was associated with cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease. (Journal of Clinical Neuroscience)

Blood-based biomarkers of amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration were tied to domain-specific neuropsychological performance in women with and without HIV. (JAMA Network Open)

Microglia with the R47H/+ mutation in TREM2 protein promoted synapse loss in mice. (GLIA)

Also in mice, salty immune cells that surrounded the brain were linked with hypertension-induced dementia. (Nature Neuroscience)

A Norwegian study found a moderate association between objectively measured hearing impairment and dementia in people ages 70 to 85. (eClinicalMedicine)

Judy George covers neurology and neuroscience news for MedPage Today, writing about brain aging, Alzheimers, dementia, MS, rare diseases, epilepsy, autism, headache, stroke, Parkinsons, ALS, concussion, CTE, sleep, pain, and more. Follow

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Personality Predictors of Dementia; Parkinson's Blood Test; Klotho in Alzheimer's - Medpage Today

Neuroscience

Tinnitus Linked to Auditory Nerve Loss – Neuroscience News

Summary: A new study reveals that tinnitus, a common auditory issue characterized by ringing in the ears, is associated with undetected auditory nerve loss. This finding challenges the traditional understanding that tinnitus is solely a result of brain maladaptation to hearing loss.

The study shows that individuals with normal hearing tests but experiencing tinnitus actually suffer from cochlear synaptopathy, a type of hidden hearing loss. This discovery paves the way for potential treatments, including nerve regeneration through neurotrophins, bringing hope for millions affected worldwide.

Key Facts:

Source: Mass Eye and Ear

A new study fromMass Eye and Earinvestigators shows that individuals who report tinnitus, which present as a ringing in the ears in more than one out of ten adults worldwide, are experiencing auditory nerve loss that is not picked up by conventional hearing tests.

This work is part of aP50 grantawarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to Mass Eye and Ear researchers within the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories (EPL) for their work on cochlear synaptopathy, which is commonly referred to as hidden hearing loss.

The results from this study provide a better understanding on the origins of tinnitus and are published November 30th inScientific Reports.

Beyond the nuisance of having persistent ringing or other sounds in the ears, tinnitus symptoms are debilitating in many patients, causing sleep deprivation, social isolation, anxiety and depression, adversely affecting work performance, and reducing significantly their quality of life, said senior authorStphane F. Maison, PhD, CCC-A, a principal investigator at Mass Eye and Ear, a member of Mass General Brigham, and clinical director of the Mass Eye and Ear Tinnitus Clinic.

We wont be able to cure tinnitus until we fully understand the mechanisms underlying its genesis. This work is a first step toward our ultimate goal of silencing tinnitus.

Many individuals with hearing loss report a buzzing, humming, ringing or even roaring sound in their ears. Its been a longstanding idea that these symptoms, known as tinnitus, arise as a result of a maladaptive plasticity of the brain.

In other words, the brain tries to compensate for the loss of hearing by increasing its activity, resulting in the perception of a phantom sound, tinnitus. Until recently though, this idea was disputed as some tinnitus sufferers have normal hearing tests.

However, the discovery of cochlear synaptopathy back in 2009 by Mass Eye and Ear investigators brought back to life this hypothesis as it was evidenced that patients with a normal hearing test can have a significant loss to the auditory nerve.

In view of this paradigm shift in the way researchers and clinicians think about hearing loss, Maison and his team sought to determine if such hidden damage could be associated with the tinnitus symptoms experienced by a cohort of normal hearing participants.

By measuring the response of their auditory nerve and brainstem, the researchers found that chronic tinnitus was not only associated with a loss of auditory nerve but that participants showed hyperactivity in the brainstem.

Our work reconciles the idea that tinnitus may be triggered by a loss of auditory nerve, including in people with normal hearing, said Maison.

In terms of future directions, the investigators aim to capitalize on recent work geared toward the regeneration of auditory nerve via the use of drugs called neurotrophins.

The idea that, one day, researchers might be able to bring back the missing sound to the brain and, perhaps, reduce its hyperactivity in conjunction with retraining, definitely brings the hope of a cure closer to reality, Maison added.

Disclosures:The authors declare no competing interests.

Funding:This work was supported by a grant from the NIDCD (P50 DC015857) and the Lauer Tinnitus Research Center at the Mass Eye and Ear.

Author: Ryan Jaslow Source: Mass Eye and Ear Contact: Ryan Jaslow Mass Eye and Ear Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: The findings will appear in Scientific Reports

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Neuroscience

Heartbeat’s Influence on Brain Activity – Neuroscience News

Summary: New research uncovered that the phases of a heartbeat significantly influence brain and motor system excitability.

The study utilized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on 37 healthy volunteers to observe changes in cortical and corticospinal excitability across the cardiac cycle. They found heightened excitability during the systolic phase, when blood vessels are distended.

This discovery could revolutionize treatments for depression and stroke by aligning them with the cardiac cycle for enhanced effectiveness.

Key Facts:

Source; PLOS

Optimal windows exist for action and perception during the 0.8 seconds of a heartbeat, according to research published November 28thin the open access journalPLOS Biology.

The sequence of contraction and relaxation is linked to changes in the motor system and its ability to respond to stimulation, and this could have implications for treatments for depression and stroke that excite nerve cells.

The ways in which we perceive and engage with the world are influenced by internal bodily processes such as heartbeats, respiration and digestion. Cardiac activity can influence auditory and visual perception, and touch and sensory perceptions have been shown to be impaired during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle when blood vessels are briefly distended.

Esra Al of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences,Germany, and colleagues, wanted to understand whether there were changes in cortical and corticospinal excitability the ability to respond to stimuli across the cardiac cycle. 37 healthy human volunteers aged between 18 and 40 years received a series of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pulses non-invasive short magnetic pulses that stimulate nerve cells above the right side of the brain.

Motor and cortical responses as well as heartbeats were measured during the pulses and the authors found that higher excitability was recorded during the systolic phase. These simultaneous recordings of brain activity, heart activity, and muscle activity, suggest the timing of heartbeats and their neural processing are linked to changes in the excitability of the motor system.

TMS is used in treatments for depression and recovery after stroke. The research raises questions about whether these could be fine-tuned to improve results, as well as contributing to a greater understanding of brain-body interactions in health and in disease.

The authors add, Intriguingly, this study uncovers a remarkable connection between the human heart and brain, revealing distinct time windows tailored for action and perception.

Author: Claire Turner Source: PLOS Contact: Claire Turner PLOS Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access. Cardiac activity impacts cortical motor excitability by Esra Al et al. PLoS Biology

Abstract

Cardiac activity impacts cortical motor excitability

Human cognition and action can be influenced by internal bodily processes such as heartbeats. For instance, somatosensory perception is impaired both during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle and when heartbeats evoke stronger cortical responses.

Here, we test whether these cardiac effects originate from overall changes in cortical excitability.

Cortical and corticospinal excitability were assessed using electroencephalographic and electromyographic responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation while concurrently monitoring cardiac activity with electrocardiography.

Cortical and corticospinal excitability were found to be highest during systole and following stronger neural responses to heartbeats. Furthermore, in a motor task, handmuscle activity and the associated desynchronization of sensorimotor oscillations were stronger during systole.

These results suggest that systolic cardiac signals have a facilitatory effect on motor excitabilityin contrast to sensory attenuation that was previously reported for somatosensory perception. Thus, it is possible that distinct time windows exist across the cardiac cycle, optimizing either perception or action.

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Heartbeat's Influence on Brain Activity - Neuroscience News

Neuroscience

The Intersection of Art and Neuroscience: Exploring the Beauty and Complexity of the Brain – Medriva

The Intersection of Art and Neuroscience

Every year, the Art of Neuroscience competition presents a unique opportunity for artists to bring the intricate beauty and complexity of the brain to life. These artistic representations, ranging from visualizations of diseased neurons and neurodegenerative diseases to creative portrayals of the brains inner workings, serve not only as a celebration of the aesthetics of science but also as a platform for communicating the technical outputs of brain research and challenging long-held societal beliefs.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this competition is its focus on portraying the real-world ramifications of complex disorders. Particularly noteworthy is the emphasis on the experiences of individuals living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). These artworks offer a poignant, personal perspective on the struggles and resilience of those affected by this condition, fostering empathy and understanding among viewers.

The competition also delves into the fascinating concept of an inner Mars through a meditation practice. This unusual approach to neuroscience stimulates contemplation about our brains capabilities and potential for exploration and discovery, much like the uncharted terrain of the red planet.

Another captivating aspect of this competition is the endeavor to restore the lost voices of medical history. Through their creative work, artists shed light on forgotten narratives and highlight the human stories intertwined with the development of neuroscience. This approach not only enriches our understanding of the fields history but also underscores the individual experiences that have shaped its progression.

Some submissions take a dynamic approach to neuroscience by portraying the brains malleability through a choreographed interpretation of neuroplasticity. These performances encapsulate the brains incredible ability to adapt and change, providing a vivid, kinetic demonstration of this fundamental biological process.

With the advancement of technology, digital art installations have started to play a significant role in the Art of Neuroscience competition. For instance, a collaboration between the Society for Neuroscience, ARTECHOUSE, and a team of neurobiologists has resulted in an immersive experience of a human neuron. This digital endeavor brings viewers up close and personal with the intricate structures and processes of a neuron, offering a fresh perspective on these essential components of our nervous system.

Microscopy imaging also holds a special place in the competition. The Image of the Year 2022 Americas Winner, Igor Siwanowicz, demonstrated the potential for this technique to capture the art of the natural world. His winning image of a morning glory pollen grain germinating on the flowers stigma is a testament to the power of microscopy to reveal the hidden beauty in the microscopic world surrounding us.

In conclusion, the Art of Neuroscience competition is more than just a showcase of artistic talent. Its a platform for dialogue, understanding, and exploration, illuminating the many facets of the brain and the field of neuroscience. By exploring the intersection of art and science, the competition encourages us to view these disciplines not as separate entities but as complementary perspectives that can enrich our understanding of the world and ourselves.

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Neuroscience

Innovative Fiber to Tackle Alzheimer’s Developed – Neuroscience News

Summary: A collaborative team is developing a neural fiber to combat Alzheimers disease. This high-priority NIH-funded project aims to create a minimally invasive fiber, capable of electrical stimulation and drug delivery, to study and potentially reverse memory loss.

The fiber will enable detailed imaging and analysis of amyloid deposits in the brain, a key factor in Alzheimers. With a one-year deadline, this ambitious project could revolutionize our approach to understanding and treating Alzheimers.

Key Facts:

Source: Virginia Tech

Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimers disease, a devastating form of dementia that affects 6.2 million Americans.

Though it was initially identified almost 120 years ago, Alzheimers diseaseis a progressive neurological disorder with no cure and few treatments. It starts out with minor memory loss that, over time, advances to a mental decline so severe, individuals have difficulty even swallowing.

Xiaoting Jia, associate professor in theBradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, experienced the direct, cruel impact of Alzheimers diseaseas it ravaged her grandmothers mind, destroying memories of a long-lived and loved life.

Alzheimers is a devastating problem Ive seen firsthand how bad it could be, Jia said. Its why it concerns me as an electrical engineer. I want to build tools and try to assist neuroscientists in solving brain problems.

Its this personal connection that makes thehigh priority, short-term grant from the National Institutes of Healthso poignant.

A pioneer in the neural fiber field, Jia has partnered with longtime collaboratorHarald Sontheimer, professor and chair of neuroscience at the University of Virginia, and fellow brain imaging expertSong Hu, associate professor of biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, on the development of a new neural tool: a deep brain, multipurpose fiber.

Their goal? Slowing down or reversing memory loss.

Examples of previous preform pulled through Xiaoting Jias thermal fiber drawing tower. The preform gets thinner and thinner as its pulled, creating the tube that houses different fibers or filaments. Photo by Ben Murphy for Virginia Tech.

What we are doing here together is creating a device with which we can visualize the build up of biomarkers that are the culprits of Alzheimers disease, Sontheimer said. Usually you cant access or image that part of the brain, but this device will provide access to the hippocampus, home of spatial memory and retention.

The team has one year to build a minimally invasive, long-term fiber not much thicker thana strand of hair to study those biomarkers, including thick protein deposits called amyloids in the hippocampus.

Current electrical and imaging toolsby neuroscientists are limited in resolution, both time and spatial, such as an MRI or electroencephalogram. Some are more invasive with large electrodes with which doctors need to fish around in an attempt to apply electrical stimulation to the deep brain.

A big problem in Alzheimers research is there are a lot of dysfunctions in the brain having to do with neurovascular changes, Hu said, but we dont totally understand how those changes impact memory loss and behaviors that eventually impair their life. Conventional techniques have provided an important understanding of neurons and vasculature, but theres a technology limitation.

The super fiber Jia will construct stands out from other existing technologies because of the flexible polymer platform. Little to no damage of brain tissue and long-lasting potential means fewer complicated surgeries, and more time with family.

Amyloid deposits are the main feature for AD [Alzheimers disease], and they begin developing years, even decades, before people show AD symptoms, Jia said. Its still a mystery how the deposits even begin.

According to Jia, theres no confirmed causal relationship between Alzheimers diseaseand the deposits yet. However, the relationship between plaque buildup and the onset of symptoms is the guiding focus of the teams research, with each researcher taking on a key component in the creation of this first-of-its-kind fiber:

Xiaoting Jia holds up an example of the embedded fiber the team would use in its research. Photo by Peter Means for Virginia Tech.

Target one for the team is to utilize the endoscope. It will provide images to the team for observing neuroactivity, the initial stages of amyloid deposition, and the blood flow in vessels. The team will use this data to analyze the memory loss-amyloid relationship.

Target two is sending electrical pulses and later, anti-amyloid drugs in the hopes of re-establishing blood flow and oxygenation to dead neurons and restoring memory.

If that sounds complex it is. And the team only has 12 months to develop and test two prototypes.

This is a very ambitious goal, what were trying to do in one year, Jia said. The brain is very nuanced with more than 80 billion neurons, and were still behind on fully understanding how the brain functions and how diseases are formed.

Achieving its targets will enable the fiber team to seek additional multiyear funding from the National Institutes of Health. The ultimate hope? The researchers will be able to prove their technology has the possibility to improve the quality of life for the millions of Americans impacted by Alzheimers disease.

Author: Chelsea Seeber Source: Virginia Tech Contact: Chelsea Seeber Virginia Tech Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

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Neuroscience

Can You Actually Rewire Your Brain? Here’s What Experts Say | mindbodygreen – mindbodygreen

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Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in womens, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more.

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The phrase rewire your brain is used so loosely lately that it can seem more like a metaphor than a scientific reality. Is it really possible to rewire one's brain? And if so, how? We asked neuroscience and psychiatry experts for a much-needed lesson on brain rewiring and even snagged some actionable tips you can start today.

Rewiring your brain, scientifically, means to learn new things or to, in many cases, eliminate old habits that don't serve us and replace them with new habits that do serve us, says board-certified psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and founder of mindfulness wearable brand Apollo, Dave Rabin, M.D.

When your brain is "rewired," the connections between brain cells strengthen. This makes it easier for certain brain pathways to complete the tasks at hand. The more you do a task, the tighter those connections get, and thus, the more the task becomes a habit. This applies to many scenarios, including practicing an instrument, exercising, using positive self-talk, etc.

The science behind the phrase comes from the work of Eric Kandel, M.D., a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist who demonstrated that practice makes mastery, so anything you do (whether its good for you or not) gets wired in the brain as the action repeats.

The brain is much more flexible than we might thinkand shifting the status quo is possible.

You may have heard of the term neuroplasticity before, which, as a refresher, is the brain's ability to form new connections. Neuroplasticity often happens when we learn or experience something new. And there's an element of neuroplasticity involved in rewriting the brain: That's where the re in rewiring" comes in.

Board-certified psychiatrist Sue Varma, M.D. explains that the brain is much more flexible than we might thinkand shifting the status quo is possible. However, she adds that this flexibility can be both helpful and unhelpful, given that traumatic experiences can rewire the brain for the worse.

This is where the concept of brain rewiring becomes more complex. As you can imagine, rewiring your brain from past trauma, especially traumatic memories youve mentally blocked out or your brain chemistry has prevented you from remembering clearly, is much harder than changing a daily habit in your life.

So, while the following tips for positively rewiring your brain can help with many goals, overcoming complex trauma often requires a different approach that includes professional therapy.

Now, just because its possible to rewire your brain doesnt mean its easy. Behavior change takes time, effort, and a whole lot of patience, but these tips can help you get started:

1 .

Youll want to set yourself up for success by making realistic goals. To do so, focus on areas you have control over and try not to ruminate on those you dont. Otherwise, youll just spark negative thoughts.

Anxiety stems from spending time thinking about things we don't have control over, Rabin says. So waste no time worrying about those and start with something you know is realistic.

The same applies to habits related to diet, exercise, and personal care. If you want to cut back on addicting processed food, for example, consider a small goal at first: Start by adjusting one snack a day, and then move onto your meals once youve formed the initial habit of reaching for a whole food snack.If you want to go to the gym more often, start by going once a week rather than four times a week to prevent feeling overwhelmed.

2 .

Some people say it takes 21 days to form a new habit, but modern research suggests 10 weeks is more realistic2 . Even with that extension, it varies greatly from person to person and goal to goal, and thus, you shouldnt hold yourself to a time constraint if its not going to help you.

Rather, just focus on practicing your new habit daily and staying committed to it.

Using the example from above, if you want to stop self-deprecating thoughts surrounding burnout, then have a few positive affirmations at the ready and plug them in when your brain starts taking a negative path.

Say to yourself, out loud or in your head, Im allowed to take breaks, or Giving myself time to rest will improve my performance later on, or Im doing something positive for my mental health right now, and Im proud of that. You get the idea.

Its critical to have your new habits at the ready to replace the old ones. If you want to cut out processed food snacks but dont have a healthy alternative stocked in your pantry, its going to be even more of an uphill battle.

3 .

Picturing success really can change your brain, and both experts agree youll have to start being optimistic about your goals if you want to achieve them.

Visualize the best possible outcomeone year and five years from now, Varma suggests. You may even try writing down what you see as success to get a clear picture of what you want.

Even when you slip up, remind yourself that youre going to make mistakes along the way, and thats all a part of the process, Varma adds. This is an essential part of viewing your success and your journey in a positive light, encouraging you to keep going.

A final reminder: Its always okay to ask for help, even with goals you think seem simple. Talking to a mental health professional can make a huge difference in your process of planning and executing the changes you want to make. Rewiring the brain is possible, but its hardly ever going to be easy. Ask for support, and see that as a step in the direction of success.

Structurally, rewiring your brain means tightening connections between certain brain cells. Once you have a particular goal in mind, rewiring your brain can strengthen the brain pathways required to achieve that goal. It can also weaken the pathways involved in less desirable habits or thought patterns. It calls on the concept that repetitive action, good or bad, becomes habitual over time. Some habits are rooted in deep trauma and may call for a more complex approach and extra professional support, so dont be afraid to ask for help. Here, more ways to build healthy habits that stick.

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Neuroscience

Trinity Health Michigan opens neuroscience center in Muskegon – Grand Haven Tribune

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