Neuroimaging reveals 94% of gray matter in brains of mothers undergoes changes during pregnancy

A study led by the UAB has analyzed the brains of women during pregnancy for the first time using neuroimaging techniques. The study included non-pregnant mothers, whose partners were pregnant, to distinguish biological effects from those caused by the experience of being a mother. The research shows that there is a reduction and partial recovery of almost 5% of gray matter in 94% of the total gray matter volume of the brain, especially in regions linked to social cognition.

Fluorescent probes illuminate cholesterol and Alzheimer’s research

The search for answers to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders remains one of the most pressing goals in brain research. Maciej J. Stawikowski, Ph.D., an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, believes the key may lie in understanding how cholesterol and other lipids move through cells and affect their communication.

Brain-controlled interface experiment provides empirical support for one-way neural activity paths

Neural network models that are able to make decisions or store memories have long captured scientists’ imaginations. In these models, a hallmark of the computation being performed by the network is the presence of stereotyped sequences of activity, akin to one-way paths. This idea was pioneered by John Hopfield, who was notably co-awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics. Whether one-way activity paths are used in the brain, however, has been unknown.

Study reveals AI’s transformative impact on ICU care with smarter predictions and transparent insights

Intensive care units (ICUs) face mounting pressure to effectively manage resources while delivering optimal patient care. Groundbreaking research published in the journal Information Systems Research highlights how a novel artificial intelligence (AI) model is revolutionizing ICU care by not only improving predictions of patient length of stay, but also equipping clinicians with clear, evidence-based insights to guide critical decisions.