Neuro researchers sharpen our understanding of memories
Author: Julie
Analytic thinking can decrease religious belief: UBC study
The study, which will appear in tomorrow’s issue of Science, finds that thinking analytically increases disbelief among believers and skeptics alike, shedding important new light on the psychology of religious belief. Continue reading
Taking it all in: revealing how we sense things
April 24, 2012 – McGill physiology research team sheds light on how the brain processes what we sense
We rely on our senses in all aspects of our lives. Unfortunately, many people suffer from some kind of impaired sensory function. In Canada alone, 600,000 people are visually impaired while almost three million suffer from partial or total hearing loss. Continue reading
Preventing dementia: new research by VCH and UBC shows the trajectory of cognitive decline can be altered in seniors at risk for dementia
April 23, 2012 – Cognitive decline is a pressing global health care issue. Worldwide, one case of dementia is detected every seven seconds. Mild cognitive impairment is a well recognized risk factor for dementia, and represents a critical window of opportunity for intervening and altering the trajectory of cognitive decline in seniors. Continue reading
Researchers uncover clue to autism mystery
Autism researchers have uncovered a clue to the mystery of why autism affects four times as many boys as girls: a genetic glitch that only affects boys. Continue reading
Cholesterol drug shows benefit in animal study of Alzheimer’s disease
April 5, 2012 – Improvement shown in blood vessel function following drug treatment. A cholesterol drug commonly prescribed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk restores blood vessel function in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study in the April 4 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. Continue reading
Why some pain drugs become less effective over time
April 5, 2012 – Researchers at the University of Montreal’s Sainte-Justine Hospital have identified how neural cells are able to build up resistance to opioid pain drugs within hours. “A better understanding of these mechanisms will enable us to design drugs that avoid body resistance to these drugs and produce longer therapeutic responses, including longer-acting opioid analgesics”, lead author Dr. Graciela Pineyro said.
Coffee and other stimulant drugs may cause high achievers to slack off: UBC study
March 28th, 2012 – While stimulants may improve unengaged workers’ performance, a new University of British Columbia study suggests that for others, caffeine and amphetamines can have the opposite effect, causing workers with higher motivation levels to slack off.
Study suggests new way to treat chronic pain
March 27 2012 – Gene that encodes crucial pain receptor may be key to
individualizing therapy for major health problem
Nearly one in five people suffers from the insidious and often devastating problem of chronic pain.
Brain Awareness Week – March 12 – 16 2012
It is Brain Awareness Week, a global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. To find out about activities occuring in Canada, visit the Dana foundation’s calendar of events. Events occuring around the world can also be found at www.dana.org/brainweek. So wherever you are, celebrate your brain this week!