Listen to Philip Jackson talk about his research on empathie in an interview on Radio-Canada: «L’empathie, une capacité affective et intellectuelle de mieux en mieux comprise».
Philip Jackson explains that an understanding of the brain systems involved in empathy could allow their modification. Research in this area gives new hope for treatement of disorders such as schizophrenia and autism.
Felipe Da Gama, scientific coordinator of Chercheur d’un jour, recently took part in the filming of the television show Luka and Léo. During this episode, he had the opportunity to answer a fascinating question posed by Charles: “How does a brain work?”
With his expertise in neuroscience, Felipe captivated the audience by explaining the complex mechanisms of the human brain. He discussed key concepts such as neurons, the nerve cells that transmit electrical signals, and how different parts of the brain work together to process information, regulate emotions, and control our daily actions.
Watch episode here. The segment begins around 15:50
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Strokes can cause severe after-effects. A molecule, whose role has just been clarified, could reduce the damage by facilitating natural repair processes.
This discovery by Dr. Ayman ElAli, one of our members, is among the 10 most important discoveries of the year according to Québec Science! We invite you to vote for your favorite discovery!
To read the original article in Québec Science: Réparer le cerveau après un AVC
To vote: 32e édition des découvertes de l’année de Québec Science
Among the five most notable scientific breakthroughs of 2024, according to Le Soleil, is the remarkable discovery by Dr. Alexandre Caron’s team, one of our own researchers. Their work opens new chapters in the history of science with a major advancement: they may have uncovered the key behind the appetite-suppressing effects of Ozempic.
It was known that GLP-1 and molecules mimicking it could slow the transit of food through the digestive system, possibly also acting on the brain, and thus, it was thought, suppress hunger. Dr. Caron and his team discovered that the mechanism is far more complex and fascinating. They also identified new, previously unknown populations of neurons that play an important role in regulating appetite.
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Photo: Jocelyn riendeau, Le Soleil
The University of Liège (Belgium) and Université Laval (Quebec) have established the International Joint Research Unit (UMI) in Neuroplasticity. The agreement was signed on December 11 by rectors Sophie D’Amours (Université Laval) and Anne-Sophie Nyssen (University of Liège).
The UMI in Neuroplasticity represents a scientific collaboration led by Steven Laureys, a professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Université Laval, recipient of the Francqui Prize (Belgium) in 2017, holder of the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Neural Plasticity at Université Laval, visiting professor at Harvard Medical School (BIDMC), research director at the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS), professor at the University of Liège, and founder of the GIGA Consciousness and Coma Science Group (ULiège/CHU of Liège). This transnational and multidisciplinary initiative aims to explore the mechanisms of neuroplasticity to improve mental health, treat neurological disorders, and enhance cognitive rehabilitation approaches.
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A team from Université Laval tested, on an animal model, the combined effects of an omega-3 rich diet and physical activity on the symptoms and degeneration associated with Parkinson’s disease. Unlike research focused on disease prevention, this study looks at what happens after diagnosis.
“Our work is encouraging for people who are already sick and for whom it is too late for prevention,” notes Frédéric Calon, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, who led the study.
The team tested whether there was a form of neurorestoration or functional recovery in the brain. “We did not see an increase in the number of neurons, as they cannot be resurrected, but we observed an improvement in the dopaminergic system, which is involved in both gross and fine motor skills,” explains the professor, affiliated with the CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center.
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