SCN2A Gene Variants Dictate Neurological Disorder Severity

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Summary: A new study reveals how genetic variants in the SCN2A gene influence the severity and type of neurological impairments, including epilepsy and autism. This study analyzed the function of sodium channels affected by SCN2A mutations, revealing a spectrum of effects from hyperactivity to inactivity. The findings indicate that […]

Maternal Cytokine Levels Linked to Child’s Mental Health – Neuroscience News

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Summary: Researchers discovered a critical role for the cytokine XCL1 in fetal brain development and the emotional behavior of offspring, challenging previous assumptions about its low impact due to minimal circulating levels during pregnancy. The study shows that a temporary spike in maternal XCL1 is essential for proper placental […]

Mice Strategize: Clever Rodents Test Hypotheses

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Summary: Mice are capable of strategic thinking and hypothesis testing, challenging previous perceptions of their cognitive abilities. By observing mice’s responses to auditory cues linked to specific actions, the researchers discovered that what appeared as mistakes were actually deliberate exploratory actions. This approach allows the mice to test and […]

Cannabis Users Stay Motivated: Lazy Stoner Myth Debunked

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Summary: A new study challenges the stereotype that chronic cannabis users are lazy and unmotivated. The research surveyed 260 frequent users and found no significant drop in their motivation or effort levels while high compared to when sober. The study also observed enhanced positive emotions and a slight dip […]

Mice Fooled by Optical Illusions: New Insights into Brain Function

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Summary: Mice are susceptible to a visual phenomenon known as neon color spreading, commonly seen as an optical illusion in humans. The study utilized both electrophysiology and optogenetics to explore how different levels of neurons contribute to the perception of brightness. This breakthrough confirms that such illusions can be […]

Creatine’s Cognitive Boost for Sleep-Deprived People

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Summary: A high dose of creatine can temporarily boost cognitive abilities impaired by sleep deprivation. Conducted with 15 participants who stayed awake overnight, the study showed significant improvements in processing capacity and short-term memory three hours post-supplementation. The effects peaked at four hours and persisted for up to nine […]

Hybrid Brains: Mice with Rat Neurons Sense Smells

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Summary: Researchers made a groundbreaking advancement by developing mice with hybrid brains containing rat neurons, allowing them to perceive odors like rats. This innovation underscores the brain’s remarkable flexibility to integrate and utilize cells from different species, potentially revolutionizing approaches to human-machine interfaces and cell transplantation therapies. The hybrid […]

AI Predicts Brain Age from EEG Data

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Summary: Researchers developed an AI-based method using EEG scans to estimate brain age, which could lead to early detection of neurological diseases. This technology allows for a less expensive and less invasive assessment compared to traditional MRI-based methods. The AI evaluates EEGs to identify potential premature aging, offering a […]

Exercising in Nature Reduces Depression, Improves Health

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Summary: Engaging in physical activity in natural settings like parks and beaches could prevent around 13,000 cases of non-communicable diseases annually in England, saving over £100 million in healthcare costs. This study underlines the critical role of natural environments in promoting health by reducing the prevalence of conditions such […]

Recency and Central Tendency Biases Connected In Working Memory

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Summary: Recency bias in working memory is intrinsically linked to central tendency bias, providing a unified explanation for these widespread cognitive phenomena. The study utilized a novel network model to simulate how these biases could arise from the same neural mechanisms. This model, reflecting human and animal memory behaviors, […]