Tag

Gray Matter

All articles tagged with #gray matter

science19 days ago•6 min saved

Menopause May Temporarily Slow the Brain's Aging, Scans Show

A large, multi-year MRI study tracking more than 1,000 women through puberty, pregnancy and menopause found that the onset of menopause temporarily slows the typical age-related loss of cortical gray matter, in contrast to accelerated loss during puberty and pregnancy. The pattern suggests menopause involves brain plasticity influenced by hormonal changes, but causation remains unproven and links to estrogen hormones are not yet clear; findings are reported in Nature Communications (2026).

via ScienceAlert|

#aging #brain #gray-matter

health28 days ago•144 min saved

Menopause May Pause Brain Gray-Matter Loss, Study Finds

A Nature Communications study followed 1,095 brains from the UK Biobank and other datasets to map gray matter changes across puberty, pregnancy and menopause. It found gray matter loss occurs during puberty and pregnancy, but during the menopause transition that age-related decline pauses, then resumes in postmenopause. Scientists say the pause may reflect neural fine-tuning rather than cognitive decline, with timing varying among individuals; hormone therapy and parity did not substantially alter the results, and limitations remain due to observational data.

via Live Science|

#aging #brain #gray-matter

neuroscience2 months ago•25 min saved

MRI Review Finds COVID-19 Ties to Widespread Brain Changes

A systematic review of 49 brain-imaging studies finds that COVID-19 is associated with widespread structural and functional brain changes, including reduced gray matter in frontal/temporal/parietal regions, white-matter integrity loss, altered resting-state connectivity in limbic networks, and reduced cerebral blood flow, changes that may relate to brain fog and fatigue. However, most studies are cross-sectional with no pre-infection baselines, making causality and persistence uncertain; long-term, whole-brain research is needed to determine if these changes are permanent or reversible.

via PsyPost|

#brain #covid-19 #gray-matter

science2 months ago•25 min saved

Migraines May Accelerate Brain Aging in Memory and Emotion Regions

New research suggests migraines are linked to accelerated brain aging: migraine patients show a global brain-age gap of about 4.24 years and 66 regions with higher aging, concentrated in memory- and emotion-related areas (prefrontal/frontal/parietal/temporal cortices and the amygdala). The findings come from cross-sectional MRI analysis and do not prove causation; results may not generalize to all migraine sufferers or reflect cognitive performance without further testing.

via PsyPost|

#amygdala #brain-aging #gray-matter

health3 months ago•6 min saved

Vitamin C Levels Linked to Brain Structure in Aging Adults

A study of 2,044 older adults in Japan found that lower plasma vitamin C levels are associated with reduced gray matter volume and weaker connectivity in the brain's default mode network, suggesting nutrition may support healthy brain aging, though the study is observational and does not prove causation.

via ScienceDaily|

#aging #brain-health #default-mode-network

health3 months ago•5 min saved

Vitamin C linked to preserved brain structure in older adults

In a Japanese study of about 2,000 older adults, higher blood plasma vitamin C levels were linked to better-preserved brain gray matter and stronger connectivity in the default mode network, even after adjusting for age, smoking, diabetes and other factors. While the finding suggests vitamin C status may play a role in brain health, the study is observational and cannot prove causation, with limitations including a single blood measurement and limited generalizability beyond older Japanese adults. The results highlight dietary vitamin C sources rather than supplements as a potential piece of the broader brain-health puzzle.

via New York Post|

#brain-aging #default-mode-network #gray-matter

health3 months ago•7 min saved

Low Vitamin C Levels Linked to Reduced Gray Matter and Brain Connectivity in Aging

A study of about 2,000 adults over 64 found that lower blood plasma vitamin C is associated with reduced gray matter volume and weaker connectivity in the brain's default mode network, suggesting vitamin C status may relate to brain aging, though the results are observational and longitudinal research is planned to explore causality and cognitive impacts.

via Medical News Today|

#brain-aging #default-mode-network #gray-matter

science4 months ago•13 min saved

Fatherhood triggers rapid brain reorganization, study finds

A longitudinal MRI study of 25 first-time fathers shows early widespread gray matter reductions in areas tied to sensory processing, self-referential thinking, and social cognition during the first six weeks after birth, followed by later increases in frontal and cerebellar regions related to planning and emotional control. Functional connectivity also shifts, weakening links to sensory regions and strengthening those related to emotion and cognitive control. Researchers identify weeks six to nine as a critical window for paternal neuroplasticity, indicating that the brain’s reorganization is a real biological feature of early fatherhood, not just a social adjustment.

via Space Daily|

#fatherhood #functional-connectivity #gray-matter

mind-and-brain4 months ago•25 min saved

First Six Weeks Trigger Rapid Brain Remodeling in New Fathers

A small MRI study followed 25 new fathers across 24 weeks after birth, revealing rapid brain changes—early widespread gray matter reductions in multiple regions, later region-specific growth and altered connectivity—indicating paternal neuroplasticity, though generalizability is limited by the single-site, non-diverse sample and lack of pre-birth baseline.

via ZME Science|

#fatherhood #gray-matter #mind-and-brain

science4 months ago•6 min saved

Fatherhood Triggers Rapid Brain Remodeling to Support Caring

A small study of 25 fathers scanned up to 24 weeks after birth finds rapid, dynamic brain restructuring: initial widespread gray-matter reductions followed by regional swelling, particularly in areas tied to attention, reward, and emotional processing, suggesting a 'parental brain network' tailored for caregiving. Changes resemble some maternal brain shifts but are preliminary, with unclear longevity and potential variation between first and later children.

via ScienceAlert|

#brain #fatherhood #gray-matter

health6 months ago•2 min saved

MIND Diet May Slow Brain Aging—Cheese Appears to Lend a Hand

A study of 1,647 adults over about 12 years found that closer adherence to the MIND diet (Mediterranean–DASH Diet) is linked to slower brain aging: every 3-point increase in the diet score corresponded to 20% less gray-matter loss (roughly 2.5 years of delay) and 8% less ventricular enlargement (about 1 year). Berries and poultry were key contributors; sweets and fried foods worsened hippocampal health. Unexpectedly, higher whole-grain intake was linked to faster decline, while higher cheese intake was associated with slower gray-matter and hippocampal loss and less ventricular enlargement—a notable exception to the diet’s usual limits. Benefits were stronger among older individuals, those who were physically active, and those not overweight, suggesting diet works with other healthy habits to protect brain structure.

via Money Talks News|

#brain-aging #cheese #gray-matter

science6 months ago•5 min saved

MIND Diet Linked to Slower Brain Aging, New Study Finds

A long-term study of over 1,600 middle-aged and older adults found that stronger adherence to the MIND diet slowed brain aging, with about 2.5 years of reduced aging and 8%–8.8% less ventricular expansion over roughly 12 years; specific foods like berries and poultry were associated with protective brain changes, while sweets and fried foods linked to worse outcomes. The study notes limitations such as demographic homogeneity and lack of APOE data, but suggests the MIND diet could be an accessible strategy to support brain health as populations age.

via Indian Defence Review|

#brain-aging #framingham-study #gray-matter

neuroscience7 months ago•26 min saved

Two Brain Subtypes in ADHD Hint at Personalized Treatments

A study using structural MRI and machine learning identifies two distinct physical subtypes of ADHD. Subtype 1 shows increased gray matter in the frontal regions and cerebellum, linked to severe inattention; Subtype 2 shows widespread gray matter reductions in the cerebellum, frontal regions, and hippocampus, tied to higher overall severity and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Through a pseudo-time-series analysis and causal-network mapping, researchers reveal subtype-specific brain–behavior progression patterns, suggesting potential for personalized diagnosis and treatment, though longitudinal studies are needed to confirm progression and acknowledge cross-sectional design limitations.

via PsyPost|

#adhd #brain-subtypes #gray-matter

science7 months ago•4 min saved

Second Pregnancy Fine-Tunes the Brain Beyond the First

A Dutch-led study comparing brain scans before/after second pregnancies with first-time and never-pregnant women found that a second pregnancy induces distinctive brain changes—especially in networks processing sensory input and attention—and shows gray-matter reductions likely due to neuroplasticity, not degeneration; while some adaptations mirror the first pregnancy, the second brings additional refinements to support raising two children, with potential links to bonding and maternal mental health.

via ScienceAlert|

#brain #gray-matter #motherhood

health1 year ago•3 min saved

A Single Scent Enhances Brain Gray Matter

A study found that wearing rose scent oil for a month can increase gray matter volume in specific brain regions, particularly the posterior cingulate cortex, which is linked to memory and association. This suggests that certain scents might influence brain structure and could have potential in preventing neurodegenerative conditions like dementia, although more research is needed.

via ScienceAlert|

#aromatherapy #brain #dementia