A study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, alcohol addiction, or psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia show increased brain aging patterns. The researchers analyzed MRI data from over 45,900 controls and compared them to 2,698 patients with different brain conditions.
A new commission, launched at the Texas Brain Economy Summit, aims to define, measure, and operationalize brain capital, a concept encompassing both brain health and critical cognitive skills. The initiative seeks to address the gap in economic planning and promote brain health as a driver of economic resilience.
Researchers identified distinct brain activity patterns in people with depression, which may contribute to the experience of feeling stuck. The study suggests depression involves a form of brain-state entrapment, where the brain becomes more likely to enter certain patterns of activity and less likely to transition out of them.
A study published in Neuroepidemiology found that individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at a higher risk of dying from brain cancer compared to the general population. The research, which analyzed data from over 20,000 TBI patients, revealed that those with severe TBI were nearly 14 times more likely to die from brain cancer.
The global Brain Health accelerator aims to identify specific brain cells and circuits affected in neurodegenerative diseases. By prioritizing research using healthy and diseased human brain tissue, researchers will generate findings relevant to human disease and develop precision genetic therapies.
Andrew Yang's research has reshaped scientific understanding of the blood-brain barrier and its role in brain health and disease. His latest study reveals new potential treatment targets for neurological diseases, normal aging, and sleep.
Researchers found coordinated brain activity linked to social behavior begins seconds before movement starts in zebrafish. The pallium plays a key role in generating social drive, with stronger neural signatures predicting more socially engaged individuals.
A new study by the University of Turku found that long COVID patients experience increased brain activity in mood and emotion regions, rather than widespread brain inflammation. The study suggests that treatments targeting stress and emotional regulation may be more effective for patients with prolonged symptoms.
A study using mice and simulations found that abdominal contractions compress blood vessels connected to the spinal cord and brain, enabling gentle brain movement that facilitates cerebrospinal fluid flow and potentially removes neural waste. This mechanism may explain why exercise is thought to benefit brain health.
Researchers created an atlas detailing the development of brain blood vessels from birth to adulthood, revealing three distinct stages. The Lambada atlas provides a high-resolution map of vascular development, enabling researchers to explore the developing brain in 3D.
Scientists have developed a method to track increased movement of brain fluids during sleep without invasive procedures. This allows for the study of how sleep enhances brain cleaning processes.
A recent study has revealed that brain tumors use a protein called MIF to reprogram immune cells, such as macrophages and microglia, to drive tumor growth. The researchers have identified a drug, ibudilast, which can block this process, slowing metastasis in animal models and fresh patient samples.
Researchers found shared aging patterns in brain networks between humans and mice, highlighting a framework for studying cognitive aging and improving brain health. The study uses awake mice to examine how complex brain networks change with age, providing a platform for cross-species investigation.
Research reveals altered brain networks in newborns with congenital heart disease, which may be linked to sensory perception, movement, and social behavior. After corrective surgery, these brain networks are improved, suggesting that cardiac surgery can improve brain health.
Researchers developed CAR macrophages that crossed the blood-brain barrier, recognizing and destroying cancer cells and releasing signals to harm nearby tumors. The treatment showed significant reductions in brain tumor progression and increased survival in preclinical models.
Researchers have discovered a way to enhance awake brain mapping, allowing neurosurgeons to remove more cancerous tissue while minimizing disruptions to patients' quality of life. The new technique uses subtle changes in patient behavior to inform surgical decisions.
Researchers at Amsterdam UMC found that a second pregnancy changes the female brain in unique ways, altering brain networks involved in attention and sensory cues. The study also linked structural brain changes to maternal mental health, providing new insights into postpartum depression.
The Brain Gym program combines brain science and practical tools to strengthen cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and stress management. Early adopters include the Dallas Police Department, recognizing the importance of accessible brain health support.
A new Yale study found that children with disruptive behavior may have trouble transitioning between different brain states, leading to difficulties in executive functioning and emotion regulation. The research uses advanced computational methods to track moment-to-moment changes in brain connectivity.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown cellular barrier in the brain called base barrier cells, which provides compartmentalization of the choroid plexus, brain, and cerebrospinal fluid. These cells become vulnerable during systemic inflammation, allowing harmful substances to enter the central nervous system.
Researchers have identified a specific brain network that is mainly active in the fast beta frequency range and modulates motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease through deep brain stimulation. Stimulating this network, which communicates at 20-35 Hz, can improve motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have developed a long, needle-thin brain electrode with channels that enables neural signal recording and precisely targeted medication delivery across different brain regions. The technology has primarily been developed for basic research but may be important for future treatments in epilepsy and other neurological diseases.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 800 prenatal and postnatal brain scans to identify sex differences in brain growth. The study found that males showed greater increases in brain volumes compared to females, with early brain development carefully timed to meet ongoing demands.
Researchers are developing brain-based interventions to treat co-occurring disorders, including rTMS and deep brain stimulation for addiction. The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awards grants to fund research on mental illness treatments.
Researchers found that early communication between three pairs of brain regions is associated with favorable six-month functional outcomes. The study identified signature patterns in resting-state functional MRI data that can strengthen standard prognostic methods for assessing outcomes after moderate-to-severe brain injury.
Researchers found that higher muscle mass combined with a lower visceral fat to muscle ratio tracks with a younger brain age. Building muscle and reducing visceral fat are actionable goals for improving brain health. The study used whole-body MRI and AI algorithms to quantify muscle volume, fat tissue, and brain age.
Researchers found that early brain firings occur in structured patterns without external experiences, suggesting a genetically encoded blueprint. This discovery can help better understand neurodevelopmental disorders and the impact of toxins on the developing brain.
Researchers have uncovered how the motor cortex and striatum work together like an hourglass to flexibly control movement timing. By tracking neural activity patterns and manipulating specific brain regions using optogenetics, they identified the critical role of each region in the brain's internal timer.
Researchers are developing precision brain imaging to create individualized maps of brain structure and function, which could lead to new insights into treating psychiatric disorders. The findings show that precision mapping can reveal highly interdigitated network patches with conserved motifs in the lateral prefrontal cortex.
A new brain atlas developed by UCL researchers enables analysis of brain scans at an unprecedented level of detail, opening up possibilities for studying neurodegenerative diseases and ageing. The atlas uses AI to identify hundreds of brain regions in living patients quickly and consistently.
A new study found that heavy alcohol use is associated with more severe brain bleeds and long-term brain vessel damage at a younger age. Patients who drank three or more drinks a day had larger, deeper bleeds and were twice as likely to have damage in the tiny blood vessels in the brain.
Researchers created a multidimensional molecular map of brain development after birth and its response to inflammation, finding that some developmental programmes can be reactivated during neuroinflammation. This study provides new clues for understanding how myelin is broken down in diseases like MS.
Researchers at MIT developed microscopic, wireless bioelectronics that can identify and travel to specific brain regions without human guidance. These implants provide focused treatment for brain diseases like Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis by wirelessly powering electrical stimulation in precise areas.
A high-resolution growth chart of the mouse brain has been created to study key brain cell types and their changes during development. The atlas reveals a dynamic sequence of brain growth and maturation in response to genetics and external stimuli, with implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders.
Scientists at the German Primate Center discovered that the brain reorganizes itself to control motor prostheses in a virtual environment. The findings suggest that different regions of the brain jointly reflect corrected movement commands, rather than separate components for expected results and error signals.
A new computer model called CogLinks simulates brain circuit decisions and adaptability, helping researchers understand how the brain misfires in psychiatric disorders. The model's results suggest that a specific pathway is essential for adaptability, and its predictions are confirmed by an fMRI study
New research papers from Mount Sinai present unprecedented evidence that brain tissue from living individuals has a unique molecular character, differing significantly from postmortem samples. These findings challenge the conventional practice of using postmortem brain tissue for studying the human brain and its diseases.
Researchers have developed an AI model that creates a detailed map of the mouse brain featuring 1,300 regions/subregions. The CellTransformer model uses spatial transcriptomics data to identify previously uncharted subregions of the brain, opening new avenues for neuroscience exploration.
A large-scale international study found that creative experiences slow brain aging and promote healthier brain function. Creative activities such as music, dance, and video games were linked to 'younger' brain profiles, particularly in regions vulnerable to neurodegeneration.
A new study found that participants following the green-Mediterranean diet showed decreased levels of Galectin-9 and Decorin, two proteins linked to accelerated brain aging. The study suggests a potential beneficial impact on biological processes related to brain aging through blood protein modulation.
Scientists have discovered key circuit changes that lead to the maturation of reliable brain activity patterns in response to visual experience. The findings suggest that the brain develops a modular organization, with patches of neurons activating together in response to specific features, allowing for efficient learning and adaptation.
Researchers created a comprehensive brain-wide activity map of decision-making in mice, revealing that signals are distributed across multiple brain regions. The study challenges traditional hierarchical views and highlights the importance of prior expectations in guiding behavior.
Researchers grew a 'whole-brain' organoid with neural tissues and rudimentary blood vessels, opening possibilities for studying neuropsychiatric disorders. The multi-region brain organoid retained a broad range of neuronal cell types and formed electrical activity, allowing for real-time study of neurodevelopmental disorders.
A recent study published in Brain reveals that a mathematical model can classify genes into four categories based on their interaction with the brain's network patterns. This classification helps explain why some brain regions deteriorate rapidly while others remain intact, providing new insights into Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed new technology to image brain waves, revealing three new types of brain activity. The ultra-sensitive optical instruments can detect signals of genetically engineered proteins and show neural activity across the majority of the mouse neocortex.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham found that targeted radiation was successful in treating patients with brain metastases, resulting in a lower neurological death rate and reduced need for subsequent whole brain radiation. This study supports personalized treatment approaches to maintain quality of life while managing brain metastases.
Researchers found that prebiotics such as FOS increased brain GABA levels in mice, while also raising homocarnosine levels, which may enhance brain health. The study suggests a potential link between gut microbiota and brain GABA levels.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a new non-invasive MRI approach that visualizes brain metabolism and detects metabolic alterations associated with brain diseases. The technique uses magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging to provide insights into brain function and disease processes.
Scientists have developed a new multiscale modeling approach that can simulate how microscopic changes affect macroscale brain activity. The framework successfully predicted the effects of anesthesia on synaptic receptors, bridging the gap between molecular and whole-brain levels.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma investigate the overlap between cognitive decline caused by chemotherapy and aging, discovering decreased blood flow, disrupted blood-brain barriers, and senescent cells. Removing these cells with senolytics can improve cerebral blood flow, cognition, and overall brain health.
A brain age gap refers to the difference between predicted age and actual chronological age. The study found that higher cognitive impairment risk factor scores were consistently associated with poorer cognitive performance, especially in areas like executive function and language. Researchers developed a brain age prediction model to ...
A study found that brain age gap plays a key role in the connection between cognitive impairment risk factors and thinking memory skills. Researchers discovered that accelerated brain aging influences the relationship between cognitive decline and risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Researchers found that higher McCance Brain Care Score is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and three common cancers worldwide. The score evaluates physical, lifestyle, and social-emotional domains linked to brain health.
Researchers at Aarhus University and University of Oxford used a novel neuroimaging method to show that the brain dynamically reconfigures its organization in response to auditory stimulation. This discovery opens new possibilities for studying brain responses to music, consciousness, and other phenomena.
Claire Zhou, a rising senior from Northview High School, won the 2025 USA Brain Bee National Championship and will represent the United States at the International Brain Bee World Championship. She was crowned champion after successfully completing three rounds of competition focused on human brain and brain disorders.
Researchers found that a brain chemical associated with alertness and learning alters brain connectivity by signaling through astrocytes, rather than directly on neurons. This discovery calls for greater focus on astrocytes as therapeutic targets in the treatment of attention, memory, and emotional disorders.
Researchers used living human brain tissue to study the toxic form of a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease. They found that even small changes in natural levels of amyloid beta were enough to disrupt brain cells, suggesting a 'sweet spot' for the protein is required for proper function.
A harmful form of tau protein directly damages blood vessels in the brain, leading to inflammation and weakening the brain's protective shield. The discovery highlights the importance of focusing on early neurovascular changes mediated by tau to prevent or slow down damage to the blood-brain barrier.
A team of researchers at UCL has identified key brain regions essential for logical thinking and problem-solving. They used lesion-deficit mapping to study patients with brain lesions caused by stroke or tumors and found that damage to the right frontal lobe impaired reasoning skills.