How the Finch Changes Its Tune
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a neurological mechanism that could explain how songbirds refine and alter their songs, a finding that could have long-term implications for treating neurological conditions.
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Community-Living Older Adults with Dementia at High Risk of Having Pain
Older adults with dementia who live at home are at high risk of having pain, according to UC San Francisco researchers, and creative interventions and programs such as home-based palliative care are needed to manage their pain adequately.
Age-Related Cognitive Decline Tied to Immune-System Molecule
A blood-borne molecule that increases in abundance as we age blocks regeneration of brain cells and promotes cognitive decline, suggests a new study.
UCSF Neuroscientist Named 2015 Blavatnik Laureate in Life Sciences
Edward F. Chang, a UCSF physician-scientist whose seminal research has provided deep insights into how speech and language are processed in the human brain, has been named the 2015 Blavatnik Laureate in the Life Sciences.
Three Simple Rules Govern Complex Brain Circuit in Fly
Think the nest of cables under your desk is bad? Try keeping the trillions of connections crisscrossing your brain organized and free of tangles. A new UCSF study reveals this seemingly intractable job may be simpler than it appears.
Specific Roles of Adult Neural Stem Cells May Be Determined Before Birth
Adult neural stem cells, which are commonly thought of as having the ability to develop into many type of brain cells, are in reality pre-programmed before birth to make very specific types of neurons.
UCSF Study Finds Early Behavior Problems May Be Linked to ‘Aging’ Biomarkers in Preschoolers
Preschoolers with oppositional defiant behavior are more likely to have shorter telomeres, a hallmark of cellular aging, which in adults is associated with increased risk for chronic diseases and conditions like diabetes, obesity and cancer.
Longevity Hormone is Lower in Stressed and Depressed Women
Women under chronic stress have significantly lower levels of klotho, a hormone that regulates aging and enhances cognition, researchers at UC San Francisco have found.
Genetic Markers Provide Better Brain Cancer Classification
A team of scientists has shown that using just three molecular markers will help clinicians classify gliomas – the most common type of malignant brain tumors – more accurately than current methods.
Fresh Vision for Fostering Mental Health Inspires $50 Million Gift to UCSF
A new UCSF center at Mission Bay, made possible by a $50 million gift, will offer a unique and powerful array of mental health services to Bay Area adults, children and families.
Brain Connectivity Study Could Lead to Better Outcomes for Epilepsy Patients
Patients with epilepsy have significantly weaker connections throughout their brain, particularly in regions important for attention and cognition, compared to individuals without epilepsy.
How Deep-Brain Stimulation Reshapes Neural Circuits in Parkinson’s Disease
UCSF scientists have discovered a possible mechanism for how deep-brain stimulation, a widely used treatment for movement disorders, exerts its therapeutic effects.
UCSF Team Finds Key to Making Neurons From Stem Cells
A research team at UC San Francisco has discovered an RNA molecule called Pnky that can be manipulated to increase the production of neurons from neural stem cells.
Mood, Anxiety Disorders Common in Tourette Patients
A new study finds that the majority of those who seek treatment for Tourette syndrome will also be diagnosed with a second psychiatric disorder during their lifetimes, and often these disorders emerge earlier than in the general population
Abnormal Brain Rhythms Tied to Problems with Thinking in Schizophrenia
UCSF researchers have provided new evidence that abnormal rhythmic activity in particular brain cells contributes to problems with learning, attention, and decision-making in individuals with schizophrenia.