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Category: neuroscience – Page 16

I take Adderall.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders and can persist into adulthood in the majority of cases. ADHD is associated with deficits in cognitive functions, in particular executive functions such as motor and interference inhibition, sustained attention, working memory, timing, psychomotor speed, reaction time variability and switching.

This is the first meta-analysis paper of chronic medication effects on cognition in ADHD, looking at attention, inhibition, reaction time and working memory. All of these aspects can affect academic performance in school, and occupational performance in adults.

The research is published in the journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.

Continue reading “New study finds that both stimulant and non-stimulant medications improve cognition in ADHD” | >

Summry: New research reveals that dopamine plays a crucial role in teaching young male mice to fight, with the chemical’s influence diminishing as they gain experience. In novice fighters, boosting dopamine increased aggression, while blocking it stopped them from fighting.

However, experienced fighters showed no changes in behavior regardless of dopamine manipulation, highlighting the role of experience in shaping aggression. The study identifies the lateral septum as a key brain region for “aggression learning” in males, but no similar effect was observed in females.

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Recent research demonstrates that brain organoids can indeed “learn” and perform tasks, thanks to AI-driven training techniques inspired by neuroscience and machine learning. AI technologies are essential here, as they decode complex neural data from the organoids, allowing scientists to observe how they adjust their cellular networks in response to stimuli. These AI algorithms also control the feedback signals, creating a biofeedback loop that allows the organoids to adapt and even demonstrate short-term memory (Bai et al. 2024).

One technique central to AI-integrated organoid computing is reservoir computing, a model traditionally used in silicon-based computing. In an open-loop setup, AI algorithms interact with organoids as they serve as the “reservoir,” for processing input signals and dynamically adjusting their responses. By interpreting these responses, researchers can classify, predict, and understand how organoids adapt to specific inputs, suggesting the potential for simple computational processing within a biological substrate (Kagan et al. 2023; Aaser et al. n.d.).

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As people age, their memory and thinking skills naturally decline. Approximately 15% of older adults experience mild cognitive impairment, a major risk factor for dementia and other forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Since cognitive decline and dementia are growing public health concerns, scientists are working to better understand the risk factors and find ways to reduce them. One emerging area of research suggests that oral health may play a role in brain health.

Now, a new study suggests that the bacteria living in the mouth may influence cognitive function as people age, with some harmful bacteria possibly contributing to the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

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Light therapy is emerging as a promising, non-pharmacological treatment for Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects older adults, leading to memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. It is the most common cause of dementia. The disease is characterized by the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which disrupt cell function and communication. There is currently no cure, and treatments focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

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This study highlights how neurons communicate over long distances within the brain, solving a mystery about how signals from distant synapses reach the nucleus to trigger gene expression.

Unlocking the Secrets of Brain Cell Communication

A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience reveals how brain cells transmit vital signals from their outer branches to their nucleus, triggering the activation of genes essential for learning and memory.

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Teaching healthy lifestyle behaviors to very young children is foundational to their future habits. Previous evidence suggests that philosophical thinking (PT) can help children develop moral values, cognitive skills, and decision-making abilities.

A recent study published in BMC Public Health explores the role of PT in assisting preschoolers to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors. Some of these habits include being physically active, eating healthy, washing hands properly, having respect for one’s body, being aware of one’s needs, feelings, abilities, and responsibilities, getting sufficient sleep, and sharing one’s thoughts with others.

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