Education

Reduction of excess brain activity improves memory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Development, Education, Memory, Motivation, Neuroscience, Psychology ,

Research published in the May 10 issue of the journal Neuron, describes a potential new therapeutic approach for improving memory and modifying disease progression in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. The study finds that excess brain activity may be doing more harm than good in some conditions that cause mild cognitive decline and memory impairment.

Scientists identify brain circuitry associated with addictive, depressive behaviors

Development, Education, Motivation, Neuroscience, Psychology ,

(Medical Xpress) — Scientists at the UCSF-affiliated Gladstone Institutes have determined how specific circuitry in the brain controls not only body movement, but also motivation and learning, providing new insight into neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease — and psychiatric disorders such as addiction and depression.

Overlooked nighttime spikes on EEGs may reflect an underlying brain injury

Development, Education, General, Memory, Motivation, Neuroscience, Psychology ,

Children with developmental delay or autism may have unrecognized epilepsy-like brain activity during sleep, report researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital. These nighttime electrical spikes, detectable only on EEGs, occur even in some children without known epilepsy and appear to result from early strokes or other early life injuries to the developing brain, the study found. Results were published online April 25 by the journal Neurology.