Dr. Xin Jin has been recognized for her groundbreaking work on genetic mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders, developing new technologies to accelerate the understanding of gene mutations in the brain. Her research aims to uncover fundamental principles of genome function and its impact on neural systems.
The Society for Neuroscience awards recognize impactful work in neuroscience, including memory, synapse formation, social reinforcement in addiction, and neuronal input noise. Five leading researchers are honored with the awards.
Scientists found that activating specific neurons in the claustrum region of male rats under psychedelic exposure strengthens connections to areas implicated in psychiatric diseases, potentially explaining how psychedelics improve memory and symptoms. The study suggests a new pathway for understanding psychedelics' therapeutic effects.
A new study published in JNeurosci used fMRI to investigate how the brain acquires semantic information. The results suggest that the quality of activity in distinct brain regions can predict whether people successfully acquire knowledge about places and characters in fictional civilizations.
Researchers found that brain activity corresponds to perceived beat when listening to music via sound but not through touch. This ability is crucial for human social interactions through music and may be strengthened by long-term practice.
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.
Researchers explored the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol for Alzheimer's disease by assessing its effects on immune responses and neuroinflammation. CBD treatment reduced expression of key regulators for neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's mice, associated with less proinflammatory molecules.
Researchers found that bullying activates social and emotional brain networks, as well as autonomic threat response systems, leading to increased risk of mental and somatic health issues. Viewers with previous bullying experiences show stronger neural responses to bullied individuals, highlighting the long-term effects of bullying.
Researchers used precise neural activity measurements from epilepsy patients to study how brain processes speech. The findings suggest the auditory cortex operates on a fixed, internal timescale independent of speech structures, providing a consistently timed stream of information.
The Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience has joined the Canadian Science Publishing portfolio, becoming the 23rd journal in the suite. This move expands CSP's publishing reach into the fields of psychiatry and neuroscience, with a focus on high-quality research and editorial independence.
Researchers found that distinct neural representations of color are conserved across people's brains, enabling scientists to predict the color and brightness of observed stimuli using brain activity comparisons. This study provides new insights into the universal aspects of human color perception.
Researchers created the first brain-wide map of decision-making at single-cell resolution in a mammal using mice turning tiny steering wheels. The dataset reveals distributed neural networks guiding decision-making across 279 brain regions in 139 mice.
Researchers have discovered that microglia, the brain's immune cells, play a key role in how the brain adapts during adolescence. This understanding may transform how neurodevelopmental disorders are treated during this window and possibly into adulthood. The study also found that microglial contact with axons increases dopaminergic ci...
Researchers found that injecting botox directly into the TMJ alleviated TMD-related pain, hypersensitivity, and neural activity, while preserving movement abilities. The study suggests avoiding muscle tissue to overcome botox side effects and offers new hope for treating jaw disorders.
Researchers used machine learning to detect subtle behavioral changes in mouse models of Parkinson's disease, revealing that high-speed movements are the first affected behaviors. Levodopa treatment improves movement speed but not other attributes of these movements.
The largest neuroscience event will convene in San Diego from November 15-19, featuring over 10,000 presentations on various topics. Registered journalists will gain access to cutting-edge research, expert interviews, and press-only events.
Researchers from Sapiens Labs created two ongoing data acquisition programs in India and Tanzania to collect large-scale, high-quality neuroimaging data. The programs have collected data from over 7,900 participants with comparable data quality to lab settings and lower costs.
Researchers explored neuroanatomy underlying social dominance in nonhuman primates, focusing on the uncinate fasciculus and its correlation with social dominance measures. The study found a significant correlation between this brain tract and social aggression, supporting human studies linking it to social dominance.
Researchers found that friends tend to perceive products similarly and exhibit synchronized brain activity when viewed together, even predicting each other's purchasing intentions. As friendships deepen, this similarity strengthens.
Gene coexpression analysis reveals optimal markers of cell types and states, providing opportunities for developing novel biomarkers and targeted treatment strategies for glioma patients. Dr. Oldham's work tackles the reproducibility crisis in science, emphasizing data metadata standardization.
Researchers found that positive emotions during learning increase brain activity, which predicts better memory performance. Positive emotions, not neutral or negative ones, play a crucial role in enhancing memory strength.
A recent study published in eNeuro found that mobile mindfulness meditation apps can improve attention control in adults, as measured by eye movement tasks. Self-reported measures suggest that participants were unaware of the cognitive improvement from meditation.
Early life exposure to perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) may increase anxiety-related behaviors and memory deficits in male mice. Researchers found that males exposed to higher doses of PFHxA showed mild developmental changes, including decreased activity levels and increased anxiety-like behaviors.
Dr. Salil Bidaye has received a $450,000 Klingenstein fellowship award to investigate the mechanisms behind postural instability, a hallmark of many neurological disorders that decreases quality of life. His research aims to advance motor control research across other model systems and inform brain-computer interface prosthetics.
The new edition of Mark Bear's neuroscience textbook emphasizes accessibility and excitement, presenting the hard science without making it hard. The book features over 100 'Path of Discovery' essays by prominent neuroscientists, including several Nobel prize winners.
A new study by the University of Exeter warns that neuroscience training for teachers can lead to a loss of autonomy and critical thinking. The research found that teachers in Chile who pursued neuroscience training felt it gave them professional legitimacy, but also created pseudo-experts.
Researchers discovered that stress activates neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, leading to impaired sleep and memory. Inhibiting these neurons reduced stress-related memory issues while slightly improving sleep.
Researchers have discovered that the brain uses separate synaptic transmission sites to regulate spontaneous and evoked activity, a process essential for learning, memory, and mental health. This dual system enables the brain to maintain stability while adapting and learning.
A new study uses a fruit fly model to investigate the genetic basis of cocaine addiction. By genetically modifying bitter-sensing receptors in fruit flies, researchers found that these flies developed a preference for cocaine over sugar. This study suggests that genes involved in human cocaine addiction may also be active in fruit flies.
Researchers discovered a novel connection between the amygdala brain region and social learning in zebra finches. Young birds preferred approaching tutors with longer but less frequent songs, suggesting the amygdala plays a role in socially selective behavior. This finding sheds new light on the neural mechanisms underlying song learning.
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.
Dr. Edward F. Chang's pioneering research has revealed how the human brain encodes speech sounds and movements, leading to the development of a successful speech neuroprosthesis that restores communication in paralyzed individuals. His work combines high-precision neurosurgery with advanced neuroscience and brain mapping.
Researchers at Korea University found a link between internal bodily awareness and making decisions aligned with group consensus. This connection was mediated by brain activity states associated with self-referential processing and internal attention.
The Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience (SCENE) is a 10-year program that will support projects aiming to uncover how the world shapes representations in the mind and brain. By integrating sensory and motor information, researchers hope to discover fundamental principles of cognition applicable across species.
Researchers used a virtual reality game to investigate how brief anxiety impacts spatial learning and threat recognition. Participants who learned to distinguish between safe and dangerous areas showed better spatial memory and lower anxiety.
A large-scale study published in JNeurosci reveals distinct brain activity patterns during lucid dreaming compared to rapid eye movement sleep and wakefulness. The findings suggest shifts in brain region activation and communication that may be linked to changes in perception, memory processing, self-awareness, and cognitive control.
A new international prize is launching to reward researchers bridging neuroscience and psychiatry, aiming to improve mental health diagnosis and treatment. The Synapsy Center at Université de Genève is offering a 50,000 CHF award for mid- to advanced-career contributions at the intersection of neuroscience and psychiatry.
Lana Ruvolo Grasser, a Wayne State University assistant professor, has been selected as an Early Career Policy Ambassador (ECPA) by the Society for Neuroscience. She will engage in advocacy initiatives and learn effective strategies to advocate for scientific research and its funding.
Researchers found females with a history of binge eating start drinking alcohol quicker than males. Increased levels of phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) prevent cooccurrence of binging in both sexes of mice.
A new review article identifies major themes in AI application to neurosciences, including a 5-fold increase in AI-related publications. The study also notes a surge of over 13-fold in clinical neurology AI-related publications in the past decade.
Researchers at WVU have discovered a way to fine-tune zinc activity to improve messaging in the brain, with potential applications for treating conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The study identified new compounds that can selectively change synaptic connections by modulating zinc levels.
The Open Brain Institute launches a groundbreaking platform to simulate and study digital brains, empowering researchers to explore brain complexity and diseases. With its virtual neuroscience laboratories, the OBI enables global collaboration and access to cutting-edge virtual labs.
Anna Rader Groves, a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience at Georgia State University, has been selected for the AIBS & SURA Public Policy Fellowship. She will work closely with policy staff in Washington, DC, to gain first-hand experience with science policy and advocacy efforts.
Researchers used a rat model to explore electroacupuncture's effectiveness in reducing neuropathic pain, promoting urinary function and decreasing neuroinflammation. The study suggests electroacupuncture as a promising treatment strategy for bladder pain syndrome.
A longitudinal study found that neural changes in teenagers' brain networks for reward processing and executive functioning improve with age. The researchers discovered changes in the strength of communication between brain regions as people aged, associated with improved reward-related decision-making and executive function.
Dr. Melissa Perreault's research combines cutting-edge science with Indigenous knowledge, pioneering sex-specific biomarkers, neuroethics, and psychedelics research in neuropsychiatry. Her work aims to promote inclusive methodologies that consider diverse worldviews and cultural understandings of health.
A history of social isolation and alcohol use may influence how males and females respond to ketamine treatment. Female rats took ketamine more than males, while prior alcohol use increased female rat ketamine intake and changed synapse structure.
A new study explores whether pairing food labels with odors affects how people perceive foods and promotes healthy shopping. The researchers found that odor-paired beverages were perceived more positively, suggesting that odors can improve label perception and potentially promote healthy food choices.
The Society for Neuroscience has selected 10 Early Career Policy Ambassadors to advocate for the scientific community and learn effective means of advocacy. The program, a 10-month commitment, aims to create an extensive network of neuroscience advocates.
Research finds that cerebellar serotonin alleviates anxiety-like behavior in mice, suggesting a new treatment approach. The study's findings counter previous ideas and provide insights into the neural circuits driving anxiety.
Dr. Kerry Ressler's research bridges the gap between molecular neuroscience and clinical psychiatry to understand PTSD's genetic architecture. Recent breakthroughs have identified over 100 significant genetic loci, representing a major step toward translating scientific discoveries into effective treatments.
A rodent study identified a disrupted brain circuit that contributes to poor decision-making in adulthood after prenatal alcohol exposure. The study also developed an algorithm to predict whether rats were exposed to alcohol based on their behavior alone.
Research using fMRI to image brain activity in sleeping infants reveals that they process odors as early as one month old. The study found that distinct odors did not trigger unique activation patterns, unlike adults. Infants also inhale more vigorously when scents are appetitive than aversive.
Researchers have found that microglia function differently in adult male versus female mice when given an enzyme inhibitor, with potential broad implications for how neurological diseases are studied. This discovery highlights the necessity of gender-specific research and may lead to new disease-modifying therapies targeting microglia.
Dr. Adam Kohn has been appointed as the Chair of Neuroscience at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, succeeding an extensive national search. He will lead research focused on visual processing and neural coding.
The Cognitive Neuroscience Society conference will feature keynote addresses, award lectures, and symposia on various topics in cognitive neuroscience. Researchers will present the latest findings on sleep, emotional experiences, brain connectivity, and more.
Renowned neuroscientist Dr. Peter Kalivas discusses his groundbreaking work on the tetrapartite synapse, a complex cellular structure influencing addictive behaviors. His research has revolutionized addiction treatment by identifying novel therapeutic targets beyond traditional neurotransmitter systems.
Researchers at MUSC discover an RNA:DNA 'sandwich' plays a key role in how the brain interprets emotional experiences and brings about behavioral adaptations. The discovery could lead to better RNA therapies for treating brain disorders.
Marco Celotto and Simone Russo were awarded the Lagomarsino Prize for their groundbreaking research in neuroscience, which combined excellent scientific results with outstanding methods for data analysis, data management, and Open Science. Their work has led to pioneering discoveries on brain stimulation and its potential applications ...
Dr. Debra Bangasser has received the Daniel H. Efron Research Award for her contributions to understanding stress response mechanisms and sex differences in brain function. Her research aims to improve women's health and treatment outcomes for psychiatric disorders.