- MNI
The unexpected creates reward when listening to music
Scientists prove difference between expected/actual outcomes cause reward response
If you love it when a musician strikes that unexpected but perfect chord, you are not alone. New research shows the musically unexpected activates the reward centre of our brains, and makes us learn about the music as we listen.
...The Neuro gets Canada’s first whole-body 7T MRI
Scanner will deliver clear images of the nervous system in exceptional detail
Scientists will see the human nervous system in microscopic detail thanks to the installation of Canada’s first 7-Tesla whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner on Feb. 5.
...Dopamine and reward responses to music causally linked
A new study published in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, reveals a causal link between the neurotransmitter dopamine and the reward responses to music. The study was conducted by an international team including researchers from the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital of McGill University, the University of Barcelona, and the Hospital de Sant Pau of Barcelona.
...Gut hormone increases response to food
Ghrelin promotes conditioning to food-related odours
...Stigma impairs cognition in men living with HIV
Reducing stigma may address cognitive impairment in this population
A new study has drawn a direct link between the amount of stigma men with HIV report experiencing and their scores on cognitive tests, measuring abilities such as memory and attention.
...ALS researcher receives important grant
Gary Armstrong will use fish models to understand nervous system signalingA researcher from the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) is one of eight scientists to receive a grant this year from the ALS Society of Canada.
...Brain tumour awareness week
Providing excellent care and the latest research to help patients
The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada estimates that 27 Canadians a day are diagnosed with a brain tumour and 55,000 are living with one. This Brain Tumour Awareness Week we recognize the toll this disease takes on patients and the work being done to improve their quality of life.
...Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives launches second round of the Innovative Ideas competition
Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives (HBHL) is pleased to announce the second round of its Innovative Ideas competition. The Innovative Ideas Program supports the exploration of novel ideas with the potential for breakthrough science. At least 8 projects will be awarded up to $200,000 over 2 years.
The deadline for submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) is November 23, 2018, 5:00 pm EST
...Workshop prepares young researchers to be smart users of machine learning tools
Young scientists in the field of cognitive neuroscience got expert guidance and hands-on training in machine learning at a workshop organized by Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives (HBHL) and the McGill Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (MCIN), from October 15 to 17.
Lesson number one: Beware of the buzz.
...Weight loss success linked with active self-control regions of the brain
Source: Cell Metabolism
New research suggests that higher-level brain functions have a major role in losing weight. In a study among 24 participants at a weight-loss clinic, those who achieved greatest success in terms of weight loss demonstrated more activity in the brain regions of the lateral prefrontal cortex associated with self-control. The results of the study were published in Cell Metabolism on October 18.
...Brain cancer fundraiser leads to important discovery
Brain cancer begins in stem cells, targeting them may prevent tumour growth
Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) have found an exciting new way of treating brain cancer.
Late stage brain cancer cells are heterogeneous — they differ down to the molecular level. This makes developing treatments at this stage difficult, because a drug that may be effective against one cell may not be effective against another.
...Disease causing mutation found in French-Canadians
Carriers at higher risk of developing neurodegenerative disease
A team of Canadian scientists, including researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) has discovered the first French-Canadian founder mutation gene linked to synucleinopathies, a group of neurodegenerative diseases that includes Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy-Bodies (DLB) and multiple system atrophy (MSA).
...New insight into aging
Plasticity is enhanced but dysregulated in the aging brain
They say you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, but new research shows you can teach an old rat new sounds, even if the lesson doesn’t stick very long.
...The link between obesity, the brain, and genetics
When it comes to weight gain, the problem may be mostly in our heads, and our genes
Clinicians should consider how the way we think can make us vulnerable to obesity, and how obesity is genetically intertwined with brain structure and mental performance, according to new research.
...Happy Birthday Brenda!
Scientist Brenda Milner, born in 1918, pioneered memory research
Pioneering neuropsychologist Brenda Milner turns 100 today. Milner made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of human memory.
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