Tag

Brain Waves

All articles tagged with #brain waves

Brainwave marker pinpoints moment consciousness fades under anesthesia
science26 days ago

Brainwave marker pinpoints moment consciousness fades under anesthesia

A study with 31 participants under propofol anesthesia identifies a distinctive brain-wave pattern and decreasing inter-regional connectivity—especially between the parietal cortex and thalamus and between parietal and occipital areas—that mark loss of consciousness, suggesting an actionable biomarker to refine dosing, though findings are limited to one anesthetic and rely on new methods to infer whole-brain signals from scalp data.

Brain Wave Discovery Challenges Beliefs About Electroconvulsive Therapy's Reset Effect
health9 months ago

Brain Wave Discovery Challenges Beliefs About Electroconvulsive Therapy's Reset Effect

A study led by Zach Rosenthal challenges the long-held belief that the seizure induced by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the primary therapeutic mechanism, revealing that ECT also triggers a brain wave called cortical spreading depolarization (CSD), which may reset neurons and explain its effectiveness. This discovery, made possible by advanced neuroimaging, could lead to more personalized and effective ECT treatments, helping to reduce stigma and improve mental health outcomes.

"Hippocampus: The Generator of Deep Sleep Waves"
neuroscience1 year ago

"Hippocampus: The Generator of Deep Sleep Waves"

Researchers at UC Irvine have discovered that the hippocampus, traditionally associated with memory formation, also plays a crucial role in generating slow waves and sleep spindles, essential elements of deep sleep. By studying these waves in single nerve fibers, the team believes they may be linked to how sleep strengthens memories, potentially leading to new treatments for sleep disorders. This finding expands our understanding of the brain's activity during deep sleep and its impact on memory processing, offering a promising foundation for future studies exploring the therapeutic potential of targeting hippocampal activity to improve sleep quality and cognitive function.

"Uncovering the Source of Strong Deep Brain Waves During Sleep"
health-and-science1 year ago

"Uncovering the Source of Strong Deep Brain Waves During Sleep"

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have discovered a new source of slow waves and sleep spindles crucial for deep sleep within the hippocampus, challenging traditional beliefs about their origin from the thalamus and cortex. The study suggests that these brain waves can originate from axons within the hippocampus's memory centers, offering new insights into how they support memory processing during sleep and potentially paving the way for new approaches to treating sleep-related disorders.

"Unlocking the Power of Synchronized Brains for Social Well-being"
neuroscience1 year ago

"Unlocking the Power of Synchronized Brains for Social Well-being"

Research shows that our brain waves can align with others' during social interaction, a phenomenon known as interbrain synchrony. Studies have demonstrated that synchronized neural activity among individuals is linked to better problem-solving, learning, cooperation, and behaviors that benefit others. Factors such as eye contact, smiling, shared goals, and joint attention have been identified as key ingredients for interbrain synchrony. While the causal relationship between synchrony and cooperative behavior is still being explored, experiments using electric brain stimulation have shown promising results in enhancing cooperative abilities.

"Opposing Brain Waves: The Key to Memorization and Recall"
neuroscience1 year ago

"Opposing Brain Waves: The Key to Memorization and Recall"

US researchers have discovered that brain waves move in opposite directions depending on the type of cognitive task being performed, with learning processes flowing one way and recall actions bouncing back the other direction. This finding sheds light on how the brain supports various behaviors and may have implications for conditions like memory loss. The study, published in Nature Human Behavior, utilized electrodes implanted on the cerebral cortex of epilepsy patients to directly observe brain wave activity during different cognitive tasks, providing valuable insights into the brain's dynamic functioning.

"Shared Brain Wave Pattern Found in Primates, Including Humans"
science-and-technology1 year ago

"Shared Brain Wave Pattern Found in Primates, Including Humans"

Scientists have discovered a universal pattern of brain waves in multiple primate species, including humans, which involves distinct electrical activity in the six layers of tissue covering the outer surface of the brain. This pattern, revealed in a recent study published in Nature Neuroscience, suggests a mechanism for how the brain consciously switches focus from one piece of information to the next. The researchers hope to further study how conditions affecting the brain may disrupt this universal pattern, potentially aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions like Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.