Category Health/Medical

To visualize the neural pathways, two markers (red and green) were applied to two regions of the orbitofrontal cortex. These compounds then migrated, accumulating in the thalamic neurons. Dense labeling with the two tracers is visible in the submedius thalamic nucleus (delimited by a dotted line). Credit: Images generated at the Bordeaux Imaging Centre and obtained by Fabien Alcaraz

When faced with a change to our environment, we have to make appropriate decisions, which usually involves the orbitofrontal cortex. Yet unexpectedly, scientists have discovered that a brain region located in the thalamus also plays a crucial role in using these evolved skills.

Using a labeling technique, the scientists evidenced a specific area, the thalamic submedius nucleus, which is closely linked to the or...

Can you tell inner space from outer space? Featured are images of celestial bodies and microorganisms. You decide which is which! Credit: NASA

As part of NASA’s 1yr Mission, researchers are studying how microbes living on astronauts’ skin, inside their bodies and on the ISS impact their health. To prepare for a journey to Mars, it is important to understand how long-duration spaceflight affects microorganisms because changes to this complex ecosystem could be detrimental to future missions.

There are 10X more microbial cells than human cells in and on the human body, weighing up to 5lbs. Hundreds of species inhabit the body, and some have a beneficial effect on health. They protect humans by competing with other organisms and guarding against pathogens...

The choroid plexus located in the brain ventricle is marked with red in the brain image. The volume of the choroid plexus was measured in this work. The dots in the graph show the volume of the choroid plexus in patients with CRPS (on the left) and healthy control subjects (on the right). Credit: Image courtesy of Aalto University

Neuroscientists have found a novel connection between the size of the choroid plexus in the brain and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), an unexpected finding, they say. ‘When studying magnetic resonance images of the brains of patients suffering from CRPS, we noticed that the choroid plexus was nearly 1/5 larger in patients than in healthy control subjects,’ says Postdoctoral Researcher Guangyu Zhou.

Located in the walls of the brain ventricles, the choroid ...

Glass half full or half empty? What you see may depend in part on the size of your orbitofrontal cortex. Optimistic people also tend to be less anxious, research finds. Credit: Graphic by Julie McMahon

A new study finds healthy adults who have larger OFCs tend to be more optimistic and less anxious. Anxiety disorders afflict roughly 44 million people in the U.S. These disorders disrupt lives and cost an estimated $42-$47 billion annually.

The orbitofrontal cortex, a brain region located just behind the eyes, is known to play a role in anxiety. The OFC integrates intellectual and emotional information and is essential to behavioral regulation. Previous studies have found links between the size of a person’s OFC and his or her susceptibility to anxiety...