Believe it or not, by monitoring the number of eggs laid, scientists are able to better understand how
our genes affect brain function.
Not exact matches
Previous studies have looked mainly at
genes causing atherosclerosis and
genes affecting the
function of platelets and clotting processes as risk factors for ischemic stroke (clot obstructing blood flow to the
brain).
This epigenetic alteration of
gene activity in
brain cells that receive this neurotransmitter showed for the first time that dopamine deficiencies can
affect a variety of behavioral and physiological
functions regulated in the prefrontal cortex.
«Experience and environmental stimuli appear to almost constantly
affect gene expression and
function throughout the
brain.
«We hope that in the future, by fully understanding how this
gene affects signaling in the
brain, we may be able to identify drugs to restore the normal signaling balance in neurons and improve cognitive and social
function in patients,» says lead author Dr. M. Chiara Manzini.
With further research into how these
genes affect the
brain, it could become possible to understand how
genes linked to schizophrenia
affect people's cognitive
function,» said McIntosh.
«What we are trying to do is identify the
function of
genes and how they
affect the way the individuals process information and the structure of the
brain.
«But
genes tied to autism tend to
affect specific
functions, such as the connections between
brain regions that are essential to many human - specific behaviors, like speech and language.»
An improved understanding of the biological background of musical aptitude can contribute new insights into, for instance,
genes that
affect normal
brain functions, the interactions between
genes and the environment and the significance of music as a form of therapy.
They found that the associated regions contained numerous candidate
genes, among them
genes known to
affect ear
function, language development, memory, bird song and the
brain's reward mechanism.
Dr. Coyle's Laboratory for Psychiatric and Molecular Neuroscience takes advantage of insights into recently identified
genes that confer risk for schizophrenia and related disorders and translates them into genetic mouse models to determine how these mutations
affect brain changes as well as
function, neurochemistry, and behavior.
The study also demonstrates an association between NCAN variations with volumes of certain
brain regions in young adults and infants, suggesting that the
gene is able to
affect brain structure and
function.
The focus of Dr. Smoller's research interests has been 1) understanding the genetic and environmental determinants of psychiatric disorders across the lifespan; 2) integrating genomics and neuroscience to unravel how
genes affect brain structure and
function; and 3) using «big data», including electronic health records and genomics, to advance precision medicine.
To see how the two
gene versions
affect the living human
brain, the NIMH researchers scanned 24 healthy young adults twice using PET (positron emission tomography), which uses radioactive tracers to visualize
brain function.
That means I need to find ways to increase BDNF more than in someone with the normal
gene in order to preserve my cognitive
function, memory, and emotional regulation.8 Mu, J.S., et al. «Deprivation of Endogenous
Brain - Derived Neurotrophic Factor Results in Impairment of Spatial Learning and Memory in Adult... continue 9Cirulli, F., et al. «Intrahippocampal Administration of BDNF in Adult Rats
Affects Short - term Behavioral Plasticity in the Morris Water Maze and... continue
Although the study of psychological genetics is in its infancy and much is still to be learned, in this article, we present data suggesting that variation in several
genes known to
affect brain function appear to influence the degree to which one is emotionally responsive to the social environment.