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Neuroscience
Lab-grown brain organoids, rapidly deployed, can fight glioblastomas
Lab-grown brain organoids, rapidly deployed, can fight glioblastomas
Glioblastoma organoids grown from patients’ own glioblastoma tissue can be used to investigate personalized treatment approaches in time-sensitive cases.
Surprise to some parents, adolescent brains ARE wired for self-control
Surprise to some parents, adolescent brains ARE wired for self-control
A Penn study shows developing brain networks support cognition in youth, from decision-making and self-control to complex thought.
An Alzheimer’s research pioneer, right here at Penn
An Alzheimer’s research pioneer, right here at Penn
Virginia Man-Yee Lee, a professor and researcher at the Perelman School of Medicine, is the 2020 recipient of a Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, earning $3 million for her innovative, inspiring work that could one day cure various neurodegenerative diseases.
Justified and unjustified movie violence evoke different brain responses
Justified and unjustified movie violence evoke different brain responses
In a new study, researchers at Penn find that scenes of unjustified and justified violence in movies activate different parts of the adolescent brain.
How does opioid exposure affect brain development in young children?
How does opioid exposure affect brain development in young children?
That’s the question Allyson Mackey and Dylan Tisdall hope to answer, through a new grant from an NIH initiative focused on addiction research.
Memory recall and spatial navigation elicit similar electrical activity in brain
Memory recall and spatial navigation elicit similar electrical activity in brain
Penn neuroscientists show for the first time that low-frequency oscillations called theta waves appear in both cases, a finding that could eventually help diminish memory loss.
The science of sensations
The science of sensations
To confront the ills of the opioid epidemic, scientists must develop a fundamental understanding of the biology of pain. Biologist Ishmail Abdus-Saboor’s work is setting the stage for screening alternative drugs and uncovering new pathways that an opioid-alternative could target.
Mounting brain organoid research reignites ethical debate
Mounting brain organoid research reignites ethical debate
Penn neuroscientists call for an ethical framework grounded in scientific principles for transplanting human “mini-brains” into animals as the field evolves.
A model for brain activity during brain stimulation therapy
A model for brain activity during brain stimulation therapy
Combined with data from other stimulation experiments , these models could help researchers determine the specific patterns of brain activity to target for improving memory.
Brain-machine interfaces: Villainous gadgets or tools for next-gen superheroes?
Brain-machine interfaces: Villainous gadgets or tools for next-gen superheroes?
A Q&A with neuroscientist Konrad Kording on how connections between minds and machines are portrayed in popular culture, and what the future holds for this reality-defying technology.
In the News
Associated Press
A new strategy to attack aggressive brain cancer shrank tumors in two early tests
A clinical trial led by Stephen Bagley of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that targeting two associated proteins with CAR T cell therapy could be a viable strategy for shrinking brain tumors.
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Daily Mail (U.K.)
ADHD may have evolved more than 12,000 years ago as an advantage for foragers, study claims
A study led by David Barack of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that ADHD may have played a major role in foraging and survival for ancient hunter-gatherers.
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The Wall Street Journal
How to stay mentally sharp into your 80s and beyond
According to David Wolk of the Perelman School of Medicine, a healthier body can help the brain respond better to the aging process.
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NPR
Blood tests can help diagnose Alzheimer’s—if they’re accurate enough. Not all are
Virginia Man-Yee Lee of the Perelman School of Medicine says it’s likely in the future that anyone older than 60 will get an Alzheimer’s test.
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The Economist
Some scientists think newborn neurons could reverse Alzheimer’s
Research co-authored by Hongjun Song of the Perelman School of Medicine strengthens the case for human neurogenesis, the development of new neurons from neural progenitor cells.
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Live Science
The brain may interpret smells from each nostril differently
A study by postdoc Gulce Nazli Dikecligil in the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that the smells flowing through each nostril are processed as two separate signals in the part of the brain that receives smell inputs.
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