/tags/neuroscience neuroscience en-US WLRN Tue, 26 Apr 2022 15:00:09 GMT /news/2022-04-26/brain-scans-may-reveal-a-lot-about-mental-illness-but-not-until-studies-get-bigger Scientists are using MRI scans to understand how mental illness shows up in the brain. But new research raises concerns that existing studies are not reliable because the sample sizes are too small. Tue, 26 Apr 2022 15:00:09 GMT /news/2022-04-26/brain-scans-may-reveal-a-lot-about-mental-illness-but-not-until-studies-get-bigger Jon Hamilton /2022-03-16/teachers-on-the-so-called-dont-say-gay-bill-new-neuroscience-center-murder-on-the-beach-mystery-bookstore Teachers prepare for changes after Florida lawmakers pass controversial new education laws. We'll learn about a new research facility coming to south Florida that focuses on neurological conditions. Plus, we say goodbye to a beloved local bookstore that has focused on bringing joy to mystery lovers since the mid-90s. Wed, 16 Mar 2022 20:25:05 GMT /2022-03-16/teachers-on-the-so-called-dont-say-gay-bill-new-neuroscience-center-murder-on-the-beach-mystery-bookstore Leslie Ovalle Atkinson /news/npr-breaking-news/2022-02-07/a-brain-circuit-tied-to-emotion-may-lead-to-better-treatments-for-parkinsons-disease The symptoms of Parkinson's disease can vanish briefly in the face of stress or a strong emotion. Now scientists are searching for a treatment based on this phenomenon, a form of the placebo effect. Mon, 07 Feb 2022 15:00:20 GMT /news/npr-breaking-news/2022-02-07/a-brain-circuit-tied-to-emotion-may-lead-to-better-treatments-for-parkinsons-disease Jon Hamilton /2021-07-14/experimental-brain-implant-lets-man-with-paralysis-turn-his-thoughts-into-words A stroke left a man paralyzed and speechless. Now a device that decodes brain signals is letting him generate words and sentences. Wed, 14 Jul 2021 21:00:00 GMT /2021-07-14/experimental-brain-implant-lets-man-with-paralysis-turn-his-thoughts-into-words Jon Hamilton /npr-breaking-news/2019-10-31/how-deep-sleep-may-help-the-brain-clear-alzheimers-toxins A study of 11 sleeping brains sheds some light on the mysterious link between sleep problems and Alzheimer's disease. The flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the brain appears to be the key. Thu, 31 Oct 2019 19:21:00 GMT /npr-breaking-news/2019-10-31/how-deep-sleep-may-help-the-brain-clear-alzheimers-toxins Jon Hamilton /2018-07-30/off-your-mental-game-you-could-be-mildly-dehydrated Dehydration has long been known to slow physical performance. Now there's evidence that too little water can hurt cognitive performance, too, making complex thinking tasks harder. Mon, 30 Jul 2018 08:57:00 GMT /2018-07-30/off-your-mental-game-you-could-be-mildly-dehydrated Allison Aubrey /2017-11-23/human-brains-have-evolved-unique-feel-good-circuits A comparison of brain tissue from monkeys, chimps and humans suggests that our brains produce the chemical messenger dopamine, which plays a major role in pleasure and rewards, far differently. Thu, 23 Nov 2017 19:01:14 GMT /2017-11-23/human-brains-have-evolved-unique-feel-good-circuits Jon Hamilton /2017-04-20/electrical-stimulation-to-boost-memory-maybe-its-all-in-the-timing Research in epilepsy has found a key to why small pulses of electricity to the brain sometimes help and sometimes hurt a failing memory. Brains hurt by physical trauma or dementia might benefit, too. Thu, 20 Apr 2017 16:01:00 GMT /2017-04-20/electrical-stimulation-to-boost-memory-maybe-its-all-in-the-timing Jon Hamilton /npr-breaking-news/2017-04-03/the-taste-of-wine-isnt-all-in-your-head-but-your-brain-sure-helps Savoring the flavor of wine activates more gray matter than solving a complex math problem, according to neuroscientist Gordon Shepherd. His new book, Neurenology, explores your brain on wine. Mon, 03 Apr 2017 19:13:00 GMT /npr-breaking-news/2017-04-03/the-taste-of-wine-isnt-all-in-your-head-but-your-brain-sure-helps Mark Schatzker /2017-03-30/a-tiny-spot-in-mouse-brains-may-explain-how-breathing-calms-the-mind A cluster of neurons connects breathing and emotion centers in mouse brains, researchers say. If this turns out to be true in humans, it could explain how controlled breathing calms the mind. Thu, 30 Mar 2017 18:16:00 GMT /2017-03-30/a-tiny-spot-in-mouse-brains-may-explain-how-breathing-calms-the-mind Jessica Boddy