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#5Thoughts Friday

The



Palace of Westminster



Edition

1/10/2024

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5) How the Brain Blends Senses to Understand Social Cues

Summary: New research reveals how smell and hearing interact in the brain during maternal behaviors like pup retrieval in mice. Signals from the basal amygdala (BA) merge with auditory inputs in the auditory cortex (AC), influencing responses to social sounds.

Blocking smell signals disrupted maternal retrieval, highlighting the role of multisensory processing in social behavior. These findings may shed light on sensory processing challenges in autism and other neurological conditions, paving the way for deeper understanding and potential interventions.

Key Facts:

• Sensory Integration: Smell signals from the basal amygdala merge with hearing in the auditory cortex.

• Social Cue Impact: Disrupted smell signals impair maternal behaviors like pup retrieval.



• Autism Insight: Findings may explain sensory processing challenges in autism and related conditions.

CLICK HERE to read more.

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4) Pilot clinical trial to test if early intervention after brain injury enhances cognitive recovery

TBIs can cause motor and physical functioning difficulties, and current treatments can help address these difficulties in the long term. But cognitive impairments following a TBI — including difficulty with attention, critical thinking and memory — last longer than physical impairments, with limited options for rehabilitation. 

Basu, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, has been awarded an $810,000 Army Medical Research Grant to conduct a pilot clinical trial testing noninvasive electrical brain stimulation as a cognitive rehabilitation method.

Basu’s research began focused on cognitive processes that are disrupted by mental health disorders, but she has expanded her scope to include how brain injuries such as stroke and TBI affect similar processes.

“I wanted to expand to TBI, as there are a lot of unmet needs in terms of cognitive rehabilitation in this population,” Basu said. “It is crucial to develop treatments for early phases of TBI to better improve cognitive recovery and prevent long-term cognitive impairments.” 

CLICK HERE for more.

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3) State to review traumatic brain injury care

ALBANY — New York took a step toward improving access to services for residents with traumatic brain injuries with a bill signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul last week.

The Legislation which has been carried by state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-Saugerties, since 2021 — directs the state’s Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council to conduct a statewide review of brain injury care. That includes assessing the availability and accessibility of services, regional disparities, emerging trends, differences in services and outcomes for New Yorkers served by various brain injury programs, and efficiency of service administration. The results and recommendations must be completed within a year and posted on the state Department of Health’s website.

The Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council is an advisory body to the health department established in 1994. Its 17 members are appointed by the governor, Senate and Assembly, and serve three-year terms.

CLICK HERE for more.

2) Books We are READING This Week

Brain Damage

By

Freida McFadden

After years of hard work, Dr. Charly McKenna finally has it all. Prosperous career as a dermatologist? Check. Spacious apartment overlooking Central Park? Check. Handsome lawyer husband? Double check.

Then one night, a bullet rips through the right side of her skull and she loses everything.

As Charly struggles to recover from her brain injury, she begins to realize that the events of that fateful night are trapped in the damaged right side of her brain. Now she must put the jigsaw pieces together to discover the identity of the man who tried to kill her... before he finishes the job he started.

CLICK HERE to see more.

Looking for Something fun to do in Maryland this weekend? Click the picture below and discover a world of possibilities for things to do this weekend!

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HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND !

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