Brain Science Today

Home » Brain Blog

Brain Blog

Understanding the Science of Munchies

The Science of Munchies-what exactly are some of the possible connections between eating and the brain? It appears that there is a direct line between junk food, especially those that are processed or contain preservatives such as sugar, and children’s behavioral problems including attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, and even learning disabilities. The problem goes farther than just obese children; even healthy children can develop eating problems if their diets do not include the right nutrients.

The Science of Munchies is the discovery of how the chemistry of the brain influences the responses we have to food. We have always eaten in order to satisfy our hunger and provide the body with the nutrients it needs. However, when hunger pangs in the brain, the signals sent by the mid-brain that control appetites become more intense causing the individual to eat. There is evidence that the munchies we crave now come from something other than the actual food we eat.

The Science of Munchies links abnormal brain chemistry to an imbalance in the neurotransmitters in the brain. Neuramine, a chemical used primarily in the nervous system, acts as a signal to the stomach and brain to eat. Although this type of chemical normally acts as a mild calming influence, it becomes amplified in people with obesity who may have less serotonin and excite the brain to eat more. Sugar stimulates both appetite and brain activity. The Science of Munchies suggests that these extra sugars act as natural mood lifters causing us to eat more than normal.

When we eat, our brains release two types of chemicals-neurotransmitters and hormones. Neurotransmitters allow the brain to receive instructions from the nerve endings to carry out functions. Mood-regulating chemicals, which include dopamine and epinephrine, work together with neurotransmitters to calm us down. When munchies enter the body, these compounds may combine with these brain chemicals and cause a euphoric or addictive feeling. This explains why individuals who consume too much junk food tend to have difficulty staying in control over their eating problems.

As a culture, we are constantly told to be conscious of what we eat. The Science of Munchies points out that this information is misleading because many of the foods that cause addictive behavior are considered acceptable at most meals. Snacks between meals are often not reduced in size or contain ingredients that encourage overeating during times when calories are low. The result may be a continuous cycle of overeating leading to compulsive overeating. Changing eating habits may be difficult and may require professional help, but the self-control that overeating develops can eventually lead to a healthier lifestyle.

The study of the science of munchies may provide answers about how to reduce the number of foods that cause addictive behavior. It may also point to other ways to organize our eating schedules. We may begin by replacing junk foods with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other foods that are higher in nutrients and lower in calories. By combining healthier eating with regular exercise, we can hopefully begin the process of living a healthier lifestyle.

Scientists Grew Human Cells in Monkey Embryos – Can This Be Used in Treating Disease?

Scientists have grown human cells in monkey eggs for the first time. The success of this experiment marks a major achievement in medical science. If successful, it will usher in a new era in the history of medical science wherein the study of disease and its cure is no longer held back by the limits of science. This will also be a boon to those families suffering from a loved one’s cancer.

Earlier, scientist experimented on human cells in culture, but they failed to get them to develop into tumors. To overcome this hurdle, the scientists took the step of implanting human cancer cells into the monkey’s abdominal cavity. Surprisingly, the monkey showed no resistance towards this treatment. After surviving for more than a month without exhibiting any symptoms, the scientist ended the experiment. It was then decided to keep the same cells in an egg and let them hatch.

Scientists now plan to implant individual cancer cells grown in the monkey into a human patient. Human cells grown in this manner are expected to be able to grow into tumors in a few months. After successful implanting, the scientist will be able to show similar signs in the patient. However, this experiment has another level to it. Since this cell-culturing technique has not been used before, there are many questions that surround it.

Scientists still do not know if the cells being grown will cause any problems to humans or whether these monkeys would suffer any long term damage. It is also not clear if the method they use is scientifically sound. The scientists involved with the project claim that their research is valid although many doubts remain in the minds of many.

Since this is only a small-scale experiment, few details about the process have been released to the public. However, many scientists are eager to find out more about it and the implications it could have for human medical science. If the scientists are able to show that human cells can be grown in monkey eggs, the implications will be enormous. Not only will it provide scientists with a means of testing cures for various diseases, they could also learn how monkeys act when it comes to fighting off cancerous tumors.

However, critics of this experiment are quick to point out various flaws in the study. Scientists argue that the procedure they used was not adequate to show that human cells could indeed be successfully grown in an in vitro manner. They also point out that the procedure took place at an experimental laboratory, which meant that the quality of the cells was not as high as it should be for human purposes. Still, other scientists are not convinced that this is really the best way to test the effects of genes on human disease. One of the biggest questions that scientists have is how this will affect the future of human health research.

Different Types of Neuroscience

What is Neuro Science? Neuro science deals with the physical, chemical, and neurological aspects of the brain. Neuroscientists are looking at how the brain functions in terms of how it connects with various parts of the nervous system. They have found that certain types of behaviors and conditions produce or cause reactions in neurons. The pathways that neurons use to communicate with each other have been found through research, and new findings are being discovered on a daily basis.

Neurochemistry

This is the study of how chemicals in the brain react to one another. It is basically a study of how chemicals in the brain interact with one another. There are two major branches of this science; structural and functional. Structural neurochemistry deals with studying how drugs affect the brain’s synapses. Functional neurochemistry studies how different diseases affect the brain. A recent study showed that the protein glycine can regulate neuronal activity.

Psychology

Studies the biological underpinnings of human behavior. One example of a field of psychology that evolved from neurochemistry is cognitive science. Cognitive science focuses on how the brain works. Theories of the way the mind works have been around since ancient times, but until recently were not well understood. A recent study by psychologists at Yale University helped to clarify how the brain processes learning.

Behavior Modification

Most people think of behavior modification as controlling children’s behavior, but it is also related to learning and memory. New findings in this area of neurobiology describe a behavior modification approach that involves the use of pharmacological interventions, cognitive rehabilitation, and new methods of stress management. New studies have shown that behavior modification can help to prevent atrophy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Neuroscientists are currently working on imaging methods that will allow them to study brain changes resulting from traumatic brain injury.

Neuromuscular Medicine

Deals with the nerves, synapses, and muscles that make up the human brain. People who suffer from diseases like Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis often have problems with their muscles. In order to treat these problems, neurologists need to learn more about the electrical and mechanical workings of the nervous system. This field of neurology is called neuromuscular medicine.

Neuropsychology

Studies how the brain affects behavior. It studies how we think and reason, how our emotions influence our thinking, and how those emotions affect us. There are three main areas of this science. One is research on how neurological disorders affect us; another is studying the impact of unhelpful behaviors on those who suffer from these disorders; and the third is studying how those behaviors affect those who don’t suffer from the disorders. Neuroscientists are also interested in understanding how those behaviors affect the nervous system, because understanding those neurological disorders could lead to effective treatments.

Physiology

Studies the functions and structures of all the parts of the body. All the organs and systems are related to each other, as are the neural circuits and structures within those organs and systems. The major areas of physiology that are being studied right now include: cardiorespiratory systems, cardiovascular systems, nervous system, and central nervous system. New technologies are helping neuroscientists to better understand these areas and what they are capable of.

Brain Science may sound complicated, but it isn’t. If you want to know more about the different branches of neurology, all you have to do is read the main article in this series. Discover how different areas of science connect to one another, and how each area of science can help scientists understand the human brain better.

Computational Neuroscience

This is a new branch of science that focuses on how individual neurons perform calculations. Neurons are the little connectors between cells through which information is transmitted from cell to cell. The main goal of computational neuroscience is to understand how the brain works, how neurons communicate with one another, and how they regulate behavior. Computational neuroscientists are looking for methods to control and manipulate these networks so we can fully understand how the human brain functions. You can learn more about this exciting and dynamic field in the main article.

Molecular Neuroscience

What about the molecular pathways? This is a big part of molecular biology. Every cell is composed of molecules that pass through cell membranes to reach the rest of the body. New research is looking at the molecular mechanisms involved in how diseases develop, why certain diseases are more common than others, and why some people have more positive characteristics than others.

Behavioral Neuroscience

This is the most exciting area of study because it deals with how we use our minds to survive, think, and learn. We use our brains for everything from driving to picking clothes. But did you know that you can use your mind to control and manipulate the behavior of other people? The main goal of behavioral neurobiologists is to better understand human behaviors so we can design better ways to help people. You can learn more about this exciting field in the main articles mentioned above.

Plan Your Future With Brain Science March 2021

What is Brain Science March 2021? The title says it all. Brain Science is an international non-profit organization formed by President Obama and a few other tech geeks to bring the science of brain power to the public. President Obama has made Brain Science a part of his vision for the nation. In fact on his first full Cabinet meeting with all the cabinet members, Brain Science was one of the topics discussed.

I have been watching President Obama’s Executive Order establishing the Brain Science Program to implement the vision of the President. One item in particular he wanted to address was how to get more high-tech research done in the U.S. Many of our top researchers are leaving the country to work on these high-tech research projects in China, India, and several European countries. The Brain Science March 2021 goal is to bring the best minds from these countries to our nation to help us advance the state of science. I hope this Brain Science March 2021 goal will be met.

One of the problems we face as a society is that many people do not fully understand the science behind the technology they are using. Some cannot even understand why certain technologies are better than others. And some simply do not care because they feel that it is their God-given right to use whatever technology they wish. That is simply not true. Our government is charged with protecting the American people from abusive use of technology.

It is my hope that with the assistance of the President and the Brain Science March 2021 committee that the government will establish guidelines for the use of these new technologies. Currently we are only aware of five percent of all the scientific breakthroughs that have been made in recent decades. Those are extraordinary times. The technology we have available to us can enable us to live healthier and more productive lives, to overcome life’s challenges, and to deal with significant problems like depression, anxiety, and more. These technologies are here to help.

When the committee starts their work, I am sure that they will be able to find some incredible grants that they can research and secure to continue these important research efforts. There is no reason that the government cannot support these technologies. We owe it to the American people to continue the scientific and technological advancements that have been made. There is no one who is more qualified or knowledgeable than those who are working on this project. If you want to support them, all you have to do is find your local representative.

If you are one of the hundreds of people who are interested in the future of brain power and what it can do for you, then I urge you to keep an eye on the Brain Science March 2021. This will be a great opportunity for you to get involved and get excited about the future of science. Are you ready to take this challenge? Then all you need to do is sign up for whatever grants they are offering.

Melotonin for More than Sleep

Melatonin is not your generic nootropic. In fact, the compound is best known for its role in helping the human race get some shut…

Melatonin is not your generic nootropic. In fact, the compound is best known for its role in helping the human race get some shut eye. It is naturally secreted by the pineal gland in the brain as the sun goes down, signaling and regulating sleep. Levels of melatonin are highest at night and dissipate during the day. Many Americans take melatonin as a sleep aid. The drug is available over the counter at most pharmacies. It is considered both natural and safe. Melatonin is the only hormone available in the United States without a prescription.

Beyond its abilities as a sleep aid, recent melatonin research highlights its neuroprotective abilities. To study its effectiveness, researchers turned, once again, to our rat friends. A group of rats were given bilateral intrahippocampal injection of Aβ1-42 or Aβ31-35, both of which cause cognitive impairment. They were then treated with a ten-day course of melatonin. Researchers examined the impact of the injections on both watermaze tasks – where rats are tasked with finding a stationary platform in a cold pool of water several times over the course of the study – and the rat’s theta rhythms – oscillatory patterns in the brain recorded by EEG scans. The results were clear: melatonin reversed the negative neurological impacts of the rat’s injections.

How might this information be applied to the human case? Amyloid-β proteins in the brain – examples of which were injected into the rats – are thought the be the main reason for memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients. Melatonin, then, might be a method of helping these people get their memories back. As is often the case, research is more devoted to curing diseases than identifying cognitive enhancement tools. Still, an understanding of how to fix impairment can go a long way towards understanding how to enhance cognitive ability.

Impulsivity Multifaceted, Linked to Serotonin and Dopamine Systems

What do you most remember about being eighteen? For me, it is the impulsiveness. Cruising into tattoo parlors and blurting out little-considered ideas for permanent ink designs and various piercings. Jumping off a pier in Greece only to realize I’d have to swim quite far to find an exit, all the while with boats headed my direction. Often speaking before I’d considered my words. It was a time of unmitigated youth – which I now think of as synonymous for poor decision making and routine embarrassment.

I would need quite a few martinis to consider doing many of the things I did without thought or question when I was eighteen. What has changed? Are we simply older and wiser, grown more cautious by our experiences? I would posit that if that were the only mechanism of change, growing up shouldn’t have taken quite so long. An alternative explanation is that the very pathways of our brain chemistry have changed. Impulsiveness, it turns out, has a lot to do with brain chemistry. For those people whose chemistry doesn’t naturally alter with age, impulsiveness can continue long past youthful days.

That is what spurred researchers in the United Kingdom to look into how dopamine and serotonin in the brain impacts impulse control. Dopamine and serotonin are important neurotransmitters. Dopamine is affiliated with pleasure and serotonin is affiliated with mood regulation and, often, with impulse control. The study found that impulse control is more nuanced and multifaceted than often represented. The research suggests that claiming serotonin as the impulse control neurotransmitter is not representative of the wide range of contributors when it comes to regulating our impulses. In particular, there are several dimensions of impulsivity and different dimensions may be governed by different pathways.

They conclude that both serotonin and dopamine systems are likely at work, and that medications relating to these pathways have been pivotal in their contribution to clinical psychology as it relates to impulse control disorders.

Does Family Income Alter Brain Structure? One Study Says Yes.

In the United States there is one idea that is universally cherished – the idea of the American dream. At the heart of this… Does Family Income Alter Brain Structure? One Study Says Yes.

In the United States there is one idea that is universally cherished – the idea of the American dream. At the heart of this construction is the belief that in a free society people are able to pull themselves up through sheer determination. It is the idea that anyone can be the next great entrepreneur, the next celebrity actor or even the next president. In recent years, this ideal has come under attack from a number of corners. Children who aren’t spoken to as often at home, a trend that is more likely to occur in low-income families, enter the traditional education system at a distinct disadvantage. Having heard significantly fewer works, their grasp of language is already below average. This disadvantage compounds over time. Certainly someone who doesn’t need to work through college will have more time to study. Moreover, as they say, it takes money to make money. A person with a padded trust fund can make very different decisions than someone who needs to pay their way through life, or even support family members at a young age.

Most people now agree that it is easier for some people to excel than others. Still, the dream lives on. As long as you work hard to overcome the obstacles of your upbringing, our society embraces upward social and economic mobility. What if, however, growing up poor impacts the very structure of your brain?

A recent study says just that. In a study of 1,0999 children between the ages of 3 and 20 years old, researchers found that even small differences in family income resulted in relatively large differences in cognitive development among poorer children. Small differences mattered less between children who were comparatively well-off. Specifically, the brains of children from poorer families exhibited less surface area. The poorer the child, the smaller the surface area. As hurdles go, this is a stunningly major one, lending credence to the idea that our nation’s youth should be better protected from the consequences of poverty.

The ABCs of Astrocytes

The central nervous system (CNS) is arguably the most important part of the human body. It includes the brain and the spinal cord.

The central nervous system (CNS) is arguably the most important part of the human body. It includes the brain and the spinal cord. The brain is widely believed to be where all our thought originate. It compares and contrasts. It strings together words and paragraphs. It helps us to understand and communicate with the world around us. Given the complexity of this remarkable organ, it is hardly surprising that we are still uncovering its secrets. One such secret is the important role of astrocytes.

The brain isn’t only occupied by neurons. Glial cells are also a local inhabitant. Though long thought to be little more than the neurons’ sidekicks, we now know that glial cells are a crucial component of CNS operations. Astrocytes are one of four identified glial cells in the CNS. Two additional varieties hang out in the periphery nervous system.

Astrocytes are essential for maintaining homeostasis in the CNS. They also play a role In brain defense and rejuvenation. Their malfunction or retardation contributes to cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disease. The percentage of poorly performing astrocytes, like neurodegenerative diseases, increases with age. Their atrophy has been linked to the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. In later stages, reactive astrocytes are associated with neurite plaques in several regions of the brain.

As is often the case, understanding the mechanisms that lead to problems is the first step in solving the problems. If atrophy of astrocytes is associated with the first stages of neurodegenerative disease, and then reactive astrocytes are associated with later stages of the illness, they may be a good target for treatments. Luckily, astrocytes are known to respond well to environmental stimulation and also to medication. This may also help to explain why staying mentally active is thought to ward of some types of neurodegenerative diseases. If you can keep your astrocytes healthy, they may help keep your entire brain in tip-top condition, or at least help you remember where you put your keys.

Oxytocin and the Brain

Oxytocin is a pretty serious drug. The hormone is most well-known for its uses during labor – it is naturally released in large doses…

Oxytocin is a pretty serious drug. The hormone is most well-known for its uses during labor – it is naturally released in large doses during labor and is also administered on-site as a way to begin or speed up the process. The hormone is also associated with trust and bonding. It is thought to enhance the bond between a mother and her child. It is also thought to increase pair bonding between romantic partners. In an interesting study, men in monogamous relationships kept more distance between themselves and attractive women after being dosed with Oxytocin. Single men did not.

A recent study looks more specifically at how oxytocin impacts the brain, and the findings are fascinating. Not surprisingly, researchers found that increased levels of oxytocin can serve to curb feeling and behavior associated with depression and anxiety. The more startling discovery was how this drug impacts brain structures. Specifically, the study found that the dendric maturation of new neurons was enhanced by oxytocin. They also found that the hormone promotes the growth of new cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Increased neurogenesis in this region is associated with better spatial memory and may involve memory creation. Some antidepressants are also associated with increased cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus.

What does this mean? According to the study’s abstract: “The present findings reveal that oxytocin not only enhances cell proliferation, but also promotes the development of the new neurons which is associated with the induction of positive emotional and social behaviors. The results also suggest that oxytocin may be a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of emotional and social dysfunction”.

In short, we are one step closer to understanding the physical basis of our complex social behaviors. Once we understand them, we will be in a much better position to regulate them. Check mate for science.

Secreted Amyloid Precursor Protein-α for the Aging Brain

With snow white fur, curious twitchy whiskers and little red eyes, lab rats don’t resemble street rats. They are bred, groomed and sold specifically for research. They are often well-cared for clones. They are certainly cleaner than any house dog. The battery of tests run on rats are many. One such test is all about object recognition. The rat will first be exposed to a new environment – a square, black box. Following their familiarization to the environment, the testing can begin. Rats are exposed to objects – some are objects that they’ve seen before, and some are new. Rats are curious creatures, and they tend to explore novel objects more closely than they might explore an old object. After all, they’ve already explored that one. This is often the case in young rats. Older rats, however, might not follow this trend. Why? They don’t remember the first object and thus treat both as though they are novel.

In a recent object recognition study, researchers tested whether an injection of secreted amyloid precursor protein-α (sAPPα) might help older rats to remember the objects. Bilateral intrahippocampal injection into the older rats significantly improved their performance in the object recognition task. Interestingly, this same performance enhancement was not seen in the watermaze task – where rats are tasked with finding a platform in a pool of cold water. Younger rats are better at remembering where the platform is in the pool and, over time, some will swim right to it. Older rats struggle with the task at a higher rate. The watermaze task is associated with spacial memory, which researchers now believe is not as well preserved by sAPPα injections.

What does this mean for you and me? We may not be rats, but our rodent friends are used as test subjects because they have more in common with us human-folk than is immediately obvious. Many of the pathways and brain structures are quite similar to their human counterparts. That these nootropic injections helped aging rats to remember objects, bodes well for their ability to help people as well.