Month: June 2013
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Study points to role of nervous system in arthritis
Reducing levels of nerve-growth factor may be a key to developing better pain treatments Arthritis is a debilitating disorder affecting one in 10 Canadians, with pain caused by inflammation and damage to joints. Yet the condition is poorly managed in most patients, since adequate treatments are lacking – and the therapies that do exist to…
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New imaging technique holds promise for speeding MS research
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that detects the telltale signs of multiple sclerosis in finer detail than ever before – providing a more powerful tool for evaluating new treatments. The technique analyzes the frequency of electro-magnetic waves collected by an MRI scanner, instead of…
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Childhood abuse leaves marks in the brain
Victims of childhood maltreatment or sexual abuse often suffer from serious psychiatric disorders as well as sexual dysfunction. The underlying mechanisms mediating this association are poorly understood. A group of scientists lead by Prof. Christine Heim, Director of the Institute of Medical Psychology at Charité University Medicine Berlin, together with Prof. Jens Pruessner, Director of…
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New study explains cognitive ability differences among the elderly
Study compares data from hundreds of people in childhood and old age A new study shows compelling evidence that associations between cognitive ability and cortical grey matter in old age can largely be accounted for by cognitive ability in childhood. The joint study by the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, The Neuro, McGill University and…
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Humans answer “yes” or “no” to Western neuroscientists via brain activity
Researchers at Western University have used neuroimaging to read human thought via brain activity when they are conveying specific “yes” or “no” answers. Their findings were published today in The Journal of Neuroscience in a study titled, “The Brain’s Silent Messenger: Using Selective Attention to Decode Human Thought for Brain-Based Communication.”
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New brain imaging study advances understanding of how humans use tools
Using brain imaging, researchers at Western University and Queen’s University have revealed new insights into how the human brain supports the use of everyday tools like plastic tongs.