Billions of brain cells are communicating at any given moment. Like an organic supercomputer they keep everything going, from breathing to solving riddles, and "programming errors" can lead to serious conditions such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
10 Vote(s)
September 22, 2010
Brain cell communication: Why it’s so fast
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September 16, 2010
Discovery of key pathway interaction may lead to therapies that aid brain growth and repair
Researchers have discovered that the two major types of signaling pathways activated during brain cell development operate together to determine how many and which types of brain cells are created during growth and repair in developing and adult brains.
10 Vote(s)
10 Vote(s)
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September 11, 2010
Study: Just Thinking About Alcohol Makes People More Aggressive
Why exactly do fights break out when people are drinking? You might think it's simple biochemistry—alcohol molecules wreaking changes on brain cells, leading to behavior change, leading to a broken nose and community service. But simple biochemistry isn't enough to explain much about mental life—not even such supposedly straightforward experiences as tasting wine, enjoying a steak or
17 Vote(s)
17 Vote(s)
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August 10, 2010
Neurochip technology developed: Advances to further brain research of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
Scientists who proved it is possible to cultivate a network of brain cells that reconnect on a silicon chip -- or the brain on a microchip -- have been involved in the development of new technology that monitors brain cell activity at a resolution never achieved before.
6 Vote(s)
6 Vote(s)
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July 16, 2010
Bright stars of the brain regulate breathing
Astrocytes -- brain cells named after their characteristic star-shape and previously thought to act only as the 'glue' between neurons -- have a central role in the regulation of breathing, according to scientists. The finding provides a new dimension for research into fundamental principles of brain organization and function and may be relevant for understanding causes of devastating conditions
16 Vote(s)
16 Vote(s)
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July 8, 2010
Chemical makes brain cells grow, thwarts mental decline in aging rats
Scientists have discovered a compound that restores the capacity to form new memories in aging rats, likely by improving the survival of newborn neurons in the brain's memory hub. The research has turned up clues to a neuroprotective mechanism that could lead to a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The neuroprotective compound, called P7C3, holds promise because of its medication-friendly propert
9 Vote(s)
9 Vote(s)
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June 10, 2010
Individual brain cells can ID objects as dissimilar as cars and dogs
Researchers have found that single brain cells, if confronted with a difficult task, can identify objects as dissimilar as sports cars and dogs.
16 Vote(s)
16 Vote(s)
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May 28, 2010
Tiny blood vessels in brain spit to survive
Scientists have discovered capillaries have a unique method of expelling debris, such as blood clots, cholesterol or calcium plaque, that blocks the flow of essential nutrients to brain cells. The capillaries spit out the blockage by growing a membrane that envelopes the obstruction and then shoves it out of the blood vessel. Scientists also found this critical process is up to 50 percent slower
14 Vote(s)
14 Vote(s)
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January 20, 2010
Neurons developed from stem cells successfully wired with other brain regions in animals
Transplanted neurons grown from embryonic stem cells can fully integrate into the brains of young animals, according to new research. Healthy brains have stable and precise connections between cells that are necessary for normal behavior. This new finding is the first to show that stem cells can be directed not only to become specific brain cells, but to link correctly.
13 Vote(s)
13 Vote(s)
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January 19, 2010
How Brain Cells Deal With Mathematical Rules
Intelligent behavior requires strategic processing of numbers and abstract quantity information in accordance with internally maintained goals. For instance, we typically adopt a "less than" strategy when shopping for a product to pay the smallest amount of money. When searching for a job, on the other hand, our plan of action is "greater than", and we strive to earn the largest sum of money...
7 Vote(s)
7 Vote(s)
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