Lifeboat Foundation

Neuroscience aficionados may enjoy my preprint that compares leading imaging technologies for whole-brain mammalian connectomics, now with major updates/improvements: Link: arxiv.org/abs/2405.

Mammalian whole-brain connectomes at nanoscale synaptic resolution are a crucial ingredient for holistic understanding of brain function. Imaging these connectomes at sufficient resolution to densely reconstruct cellular morphology and synapses represents a longstanding goal in neuroscience. Although the technologies needed to reconstruct whole-brain connectomes have not yet reached full maturity, they are advancing rapidly enough that the mouse brain might be within reach in the near future. Detailed exploration of these technologies is warranted to help plan projects with varying goals and requirements. Whole-brain human connectomes remain a more distant goal yet are worthy of consideration to orient large-scale neuroscience program plans. Here, we quantitatively compare existing and emerging imaging technologies that have potential to enable whole-brain mammalian connectomics.

From brain implants that allow paralyzed patients to communicate to the wearable devices enhancing our capabilities, brain-computer interfaces could change the way we use our minds forever.

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Continue reading “The Thrill and Threat of Mind Hacking | Posthuman with Emily Chang” »

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In a new work, a team from the University of Pennsylvania tracked the impact of alcohol consumption from the age of 20 on brain health and came to disappointing conclusions.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Binge drinking in early adults can lead to long-lasting and potentially permanent dysregulation in the brain, according to a new study in mice, led by researchers at Penn State. They found that neurons, cells that transmit information in the brain via electrical and chemical signals, showed changes following binge drinking were similar in many ways to those seen with cognitive decline.

These findings, published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, reveal that binge drinking early in life may have lasting impacts that are predictive of future health issues, like Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, the researchers said. The work could inform the development of therapeutics to help combat these changes — particularly in aging populations who may have given up alcohol decades earlier, according to Nikki Crowley, director of the Penn State Neuroscience Institute at University Park, Huck Early Career Chair in Neurobiology and Neural Engineering, assistant professor of biology in the Eberly College of Science, and the leader of the research team.

Continue reading “Early adult binge drinking has lasting impact on aging brain in mice” »

Summary: Researchers have developed a breakthrough system to deliver large therapeutic molecules into the brain, overcoming the challenges of the blood-brain barrier. The innovative blood-brain barrier-crossing conjugate (BCC) platform utilizes a biological process called γ-secretase-mediated transcytosis to safely transport drugs like oligonucleotides and proteins into the central nervous system via intravenous injection.

In mouse models and human brain tissue, the system effectively silenced harmful genes linked to diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s without causing significant side effects. This advancement could revolutionize treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders, solving a critical challenge in brain research.

Exercise can do more than strengthen your muscles and boost your mental health: It can also support your eyes.

Neurotech startup Motif says it has built a pea-sized brain chip that can treat mental illnesses, including depression, without the side effects of conventional drugs. Watch Posthuman with Emily Chang to learn more about the power of brain-computer interfaces.

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Continue reading “Tiny Implant Aims to Treat Depression in Your Brain” »

Biomedical engineers from the University of Melbourne have invented a 3D printing system, or bioprinter, capable of fabricating structures that closely mimic the diverse tissues in the human body, from soft brain tissue to harder materials like cartilage and bone.

This cutting-edge technology offers cancer researchers an advanced tool for replicating specific organs and tissues, significantly improving the potential to predict and develop new pharmaceutical therapies. This would pave the way for more advanced and ethical drug discovery by reducing the need for animal testing.

Head of the Collins BioMicrosystems Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, Associate Professor David Collins said: In addition to drastically improving print speed, our approach enables a degree of cell positioning within printed tissues. Incorrect cell positioning is a big reason most 3D bioprinters fail to produce structures that accurately represent human tissue.

Summary: Researchers have demonstrated how brain activity can predict behavior in urban environments, providing a roadmap for improving urban planning. Using functional MRI scans, the study identified activity in the brain’s reward system, specifically the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, as a key predictor of why people visit certain urban areas.

Participants rated photos of Lisbon’s urban spaces, and their brain responses were linked to visitation patterns, showing that people are drawn to areas of perceived value. This research suggests urban design can prioritize environments that align with cognitive and emotional well-being.

Neurourbanism, the emerging field behind this study, offers tools to design cities that enhance livability and sustainability. By focusing on human-centered approaches, cities can improve efficiency, mobility, and resident happiness.