Tag Archives: brain
Tapping neurotransmitters from neurons to investigate their involvement in brain function
To tap neurotransmitters and neuromodulators from brain neurons of anaesthetised rodents, a guide cannula is stereoractically inserted. Into a distinct brain structure. Few days after surgery the stylet of the guide cannula is replaced by a double-walled
Melatonin and serotonin in psychiatric and brain disorders
Melatonin is well known as a treatment for jet lag, being naturally released by the brain when we close our eyes to go to sleep. However, recent research shows that melatonin is released by many, if not
Cortisol levels as index for vulnerability to stress
Stress exposure is known to precipitate psychological disorders. However, large differences exist in how individuals respond to stress; whereas some people thrive under stressful situations, others break down and are at risk to develop psychopathology. One important
Routine brain MRIs may not be needed after meningioma surgery
A meningioma is a very common form of a brain tumor that tends to affect elderly patients and women. Most patients with meningiomas do not need any treatment, however, certain groups undergo surgical removal of the tumor.
Revisiting NMDA receptor inhibitors that work differently hoping to treat brain injury and stroke
Over-activation of NMDA receptors, a subtype of glutamate receptors, has long been suspected to contribute to the development of the penumbral zone of damage that develops hours after a traumatic brain injury or stroke occurs. This area
The right tool for the right job – it is brain surgery after all!
Getting drugs into the brain to help treat cancer or neurological diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s is pretty difficult. Generally speaking you can’t just take a pill or get an injection as the brain is protected by
How localizable are language brain areas?
The interest in understanding how language is “localized” in the brain has existed for centuries. During the late 19th and early 20th century, the brain’s language area was thought to correspond to the region around the Sylvian
Human brains do not belong to two distinct types: ‘female brains’ and ‘male brains’
Sex categories – whether one has female or male genitalia – are fundamental for reproduction. They are also one of the most important categories that shape the social world. No surprise then that scientists and the general
How preparation to touch or grasp alters visual size perception
This paper, recently published by my colleagues and I, summarizes a series of studies on how engaging in particular actions affects how our brain processes incoming visual information. Specifically, illusions that exert a strong effect on our
The “other” concussion: spinal cord concussion
It was a breezy Sunday afternoon at a football game and the crowd falls silent as they watch the star running back lie motionless after a tackle. The medical team rushed over; the player is conscious and
Do the different actions required to gain a palatable food make a difference in the activation of the brain?
The motivated behaviour that underlies the food intake is a complex process mediated by various neural circuits. One of these is the mesolimbic system that employs the dopamine (DA) as neurotransmitter. In particular, in the responsiveness to
A brain haemorrhage during anticoagulant therapy: what therapy next?
We read with interest the articles by Ntaios and by Ricci et al. concerning pros and cons of restarting oral anticoagulants (drugs that work to prevent the coagulation (clotting) of blood) after intracerebral hemorrhage. While we appreciate
Sexual dimorphism in pituitary prolactin tumors
The pituitary is located in the middle of the skull base, under the brain. This gland weight less than 1 g but its five cell types control growth, lactation and hormonal production by the thyroid, adrenals and
How does the brain manage our anger?
Aristotle is quoted to have said: “Anybody can become angry, that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, for the right purpose, and in
Sensory deprivation early in life has lasting impacts
What happens to a brain area when it is underutilized when a person or animal is growing up? Does this kind of deprivation of experiences lead to negative effects for brain development? For a long time, the
Functional networks of the awake rabbit brain
The brain constantly transmits signals whether during idle wakefulness (i.e., “at rest”) or different behavioral states like cognitively-demanding tasks. Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in humans have consistently observed neural networks of coherent activity within
Photometric patch electrode captures optical and electrical signals simultaneously in deep brain tissues
When neurons work they signal each other using action potentials, which is a rapid change of membrane potential and underlies the brain function. In most neurons action potentials accompany changes of intracellular concentration of calcium ions. Calcium
New therapy for itch in the future
Chronic itch is a major and distressing symptom in dermatological diseases including atopic eczema and significantly impairs the patient’s quality of life. In current, millions of people worldwide suffer from chronic itch. However, it is poorly treated.
Inner ear damage affects brain chemistry
Our ability to hear is brought about by the function of our ears. Besides the visible external ears, we have middle and inner ears. Our left and right inner ears, called cochleas (singular cochlea), translate sound vibrations
