Neuroscience
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Detecting covert consciousness in the vegetative state | Mo Costandi | Neurophilosophy blog | Science | guardian.co.uk
I've written a news story for New Scientist about a recent study which shows that patients in the minimally conscious state may be capable of dreaming, and that studying the brain wave patterns associated with sleep could be helpful in distinguishing minimally conscious patients from those in the vegetative state. Accurate diagnosis of these mysterious conditions can help relatives make difficult decisions, because minimally conscious patients are more likely than vegetative ones to show some degree of recovery. Diagnosis can be difficult, however, and up to 40% of patients are diagnosed wrongly. It had been thought that vegetative patients were completely unaware of their surroundings, but this view began to change about five years ago, following the publication of a landmark 2006 study led by Adrian Owen .
In other words, the statement, "We use only 10% of our brains" is false; it's a myth. We use all of our brain. Let's look at the possible origins of this myth and the evidence that we use all of our brain. Where Did the 10% Myth Begin? The 10% statement may have been started with a misquote of Albert Einstein or the misinterpretation of the work of Pierre Flourens in the 1800s. It may have been William James who wrote in 1908: "We are making use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources" (from The Energies of Men , p. 12).
Neuroscience For Kids - 10% of the Brain Myth
Neurotransmitter Molecules Neurotransmitters can be broadly split into two groups – the ‘classical’, small molecule neurotransmitters and the relatively larger neuropeptide neurotransmitters. Within the category of small molecule neurotransmitters, the biogenic amines (dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin and histamine) are often referred to as a discrete group because of their similarity in terms of their chemical properties. Although the CNS contains less than 2% of the total serotonin in the body, serotonin plays a very important role in a range of brain functions.
Brain Explorer - Neurological Control - Neurotransmitters
MSNBC - How to Think About the Mind
Sept. 27 issue - Every evening our eyes tell us that the sun sets, while we know that, in fact, the Earth is turning us away from it. Astronomy taught us centuries ago that common sense is not a reliable guide to reality. Today it is neuroscience that is forcing us to readjust our intuitions. People naturally believe in the Ghost in the Machine: that we have bodies made of matter and spirits made of an ethereal something. Yes, people acknowledge that the brain is involved in mental life. But they still think of it as a pocket PC for the soul, managing information at the behest of a ghostly user.
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UC Berkeley Webcasts | Video and Podcasts: Cognitive Science C127, 001, Psychology C127, 001
A drug that can make your old memories like new
There are drugs that help you remember what you learn, and ones that erase your memory. But until now, there have no substances with the power to enhance and strengthen old memories hovering on the brink of being forgotten. Now a group of neuroscientsts say they've isolated a single enzyme in the brain that can help long-term memories remain crisp in your mind.
Why sleep? UCLA scientist delves into one of science's great mysteries / UCLA Newsroom
By Mark Wheeler August 20, 2009 Category: Health Sciences , Research Bats, birds, box turtles, humans and many other animals share at least one thing in common: They sleep. Humans, in fact, spend roughly one-third of their lives asleep, but sleep researchers still don't know why. According to the journal Science, the function of sleep is one of the 125 greatest unsolved mysteries in science.
Introduction to Neurogenesis
Throughout history, neuroscientists have commonly believed that once the brain is damaged, there is no way to repair it. However, in the past few years, scientists have discovered that the brain does change throughout life, and can possibly repair itself as well as be enhanced by healthy activities including exercise and proper nutrition. Neurogenesis offers hope to individuals suffering from disorders including Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Alzheimer's disease. One of the main goals of researchers is to develop drugs to stimulate areas of the brain to repair itself by replacing its own cells.(7)(9) In the 1960's and 1970's, researchers discovered that some parts of the adult brain can repair itself. A number of studies during this time found that the axons of the neurons in the brain and spinal cord can regrow to some degree after trauma.
Live Longer and Prosper by Doing the Opposite of What You’ve Heard: Maybe Read this First | Neuroscience News
The claim that stress can shorten your life isn’t necessarily true, according to researchers at UC Riverside. Undertaking a twenty year long study into personality as a predictor of longevity, researchers have discovered that many of the conventional pearls of wisdom we hear about extending personal lifespan are incorrect. Researchers discovered the key to a longer life isn’t obtained by being stress free. Participants in this study who were most cheerful and had the best sense of humor tended to have shorter lifespans than their more serious natured contemporaries.
PTSD Peaks in Women Aged 51 55 and Men Aged 41 45 - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | Neuroscience News
New research shows that Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) peaks in men between the ages of 41-45 and in women between the ages 51-55. The study also found that around twice as many women experienced PTSD than men. The researchers show the need for further research to study the reasons why different rates of PTSD exist between the genders and age groups. Women in their 50s more prone to PTSD than men Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rates peak in women later than they do in men.New psychology research from CU-Boulder suggests that “neural inhibition” is a critical component in our ability to make choices. Psychologists have proposed people who suffer from anxiety could have decreased neuronal inhibition, which makes it more difficult to make important decisions. CU-Boulder study sheds light on how our brains get tripped up when we’re anxious