Research on the brain basis of thinking and attention. Covers games and attention, cognitive training platforms, adaptive AI frameworks, and brain-health research.
The 2026 cohort of Leon Levy Scholars in Neuroscience will pursue research projects addressing neurological disorders and developing new treatments. The program provides scientific and professional career development opportunities, including mentorship and networking.
Researchers developed a nasal spray that reversibly reduces brain inflammation, restores cellular power plants, and improves memory. The treatment bypasses the brain's protective shield through intranasal delivery, suppressing chronic inflammation and promoting successful brain aging.
A new review paper proposes that brain categorization is part of a predictive process to efficiently meet needs, rather than an intellectual exercise comparing sensory inputs to a fixed prototype. This approach predicts the world and anticipates actions, allowing for efficient survival and thriving in a fast-paced environment.
A study by Concordia University found that individuals with hearing loss exhibit worse dual-task performance, including slower walking and less stable gait. Exercise and cognitive training can improve these outcomes, but the effects vary by sex and severity of hearing loss.
A secondary analysis of the ANGEL-ASPECT trial found EVT to be beneficial for patients with anterior-circulation LVO and a large ischemic core and absent-to-moderate white matter lesions. In contrast, those with severe WMLs showed less pronounced benefits, suggesting uncertainty about EVT's efficacy in this subgroup.
Research published in PLOS Biology explains how brain processes temporal information, from visual cortex to frontal regions. The study proposes a mechanistic model of time perception, advancing our understanding of subjective experience.
Carole LaBonne and Matthew Goldrick are being honored for their groundbreaking research in developmental biology and language science. LaBonne's work on pluripotent embryonic stem cells has significant implications for understanding birth defects, cancer, and regenerative medicine.
A Tulane University study reveals how the brain regulates defensive behavior and fine-tunes fear responses as perceived threats diminish. Researchers identified distinct roles for neurons in the central amygdala, which help determine whether an animal responds with intense escape behavior or freezing.
The BrainHealth Network connects researchers across the country to understand brain health improvement through advanced MRI imaging and data analysis. The network leverages a comprehensive multimodal brain imaging dataset, including a longitudinal study of 100,000 healthy participants over 10 years.
Researchers at Dartmouth College developed a mathematical framework to map students' conceptual knowledge from short multiple-choice quizzes, revealing peaks of mastery and valleys of struggle. The technique could enable personalized learning, AI tutoring systems, and more efficient feedback.
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 suggests that persistent pain drives progressive changes in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in emotional regulation. This can shape whether people develop depression or remain emotionally resilient. The study's findings challenge the idea that depression is an inevitable consequence of long-term pain.
Dr. Phillips's laboratory identifies abnormalities in prefrontal-striatal-limbic circuitry as biomarkers for bipolar disorder before symptoms appear. Her team tracks neural network development from infancy through young adulthood.
Researchers have discovered specialized neural circuits in the brains of seals and sea lions that enable complex vocal behavior and learning. These circuits, including strong bilateral connections between the vocal motor cortex and brainstem nucleus ambiguus, are found in species with varying capacities for vocal flexibility and learning.
A new study reveals that the hippocampus represents emotion concepts in a structured hierarchy of pleasantness and bodily reaction, while the ventromedial prefrontal cortex tracks relationships between these nodes. This map-like representation may help in the treatment of mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.
Cognitive neuroscientists are integrating genetics and AI to study language development and disorders. AI-based models can predict language development in children, while genetics research links rhythm disorders and dyslexia. The brain's wiring connecting language regions also reveals that language is a system, not a single 'thing'.
A new study reveals that astrocytes regulate inhibitory signaling in the cerebellum during development, enabling the emergence of flexible and precise motor coordination. In contrast, younger animals rely on neuron-derived tonic inhibition, which is replaced by astrocyte-derived tonic inhibition in late adolescence.
A new study models brain aging and resilience over the lifespan, uncovering individual factors that affect cognition and identifying potential biomarkers of healthy brain aging. Researchers are now incorporating diverse data, including social and lifestyle factors, to create a broader picture of the aging brain.
Researchers at University of Rochester discover that learning makes brain cells work together, sharing information to improve sensory perception. This coordinated effect only appears when subjects are actively performing a task and making decisions based on what they see.
A new study links compulsive traits to a type of decision-making strategy, favoring habitual behaviors over long-term planning. People with more compulsive traits are also more uncertain about the outcomes of their actions, leading them to rely on habits.
Sarah and Ross Perot, Jr. received the 2026 Legacy Award for their vision and leadership in supporting brain health initiatives, particularly for U.S. military service members and veterans. The award honors their commitment to elevating human potential and cognitive resilience.
A randomized study of 14 young adults found that sparkling water consumption reduced subjective fatigue and improved executive function while playing virtual soccer for three hours. Players who drank sparkling water also committed fewer fouls and had better game enjoyment compared to those drinking plain water.
A team of MIT engineers identified tacit knowledge in volunteers who classified images, shifting focus to easier-to-classify areas without awareness. Bringing this concealed knowledge to the surface enhances experts' performance, suggesting a method for boosting learning experience in disciplines requiring keen observation skills.
A recent study by the University of Konstanz investigated bumblebee decision-making behaviour, revealing that they take a 'shortcut' in information processing to save time. The insects primarily rely on flower colours to remember good food sources, but also recognize shapes and patterns.
Researchers found that veterans with prior concussions showed slower and less accurate eye movements, along with reduced performance on attention-based tasks. These subtle brain changes can be measured more than a decade after the original injury.
A Sungkyunkwan University team led by Professor Jo Woon Chong found that luxury fragrances can enhance consumers' emotional stability and brand memory when aligned with the brand image. In contrast, incongruent conditions can lead to unexpected impressions and a stronger sense of 'brand resonance'.
The Society for Brain Health is a new collaborative body dedicated to enhancing cognitive capacity, longevity, and proactive health optimization through cutting-edge research and tools. Its founding members include prominent neuroscientists and experts in the field of brain health.
Researchers developed a single-item hoarding screen to quickly identify hoarding behaviors in patients with memory and brain disorders. The tool shows promise in flagging potentially serious hoarding behavior, especially in patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia.
A new study reveals that astrocytes actively participate in motor-learning circuit rewiring by eliminating synapses in the striatum. The research identifies MEGF10 as a key molecular mediator of this process, which is regulated by dopamine signaling and neural activity.
The Brain Health Prize, a student competition to improve brain health on campus, was won by Shreeyalaxhmee Rao and Riya Acharya's 'Resilience Neighborhoods' project. The prize aims to equip students with brain-healthy strategies through innovative ideas.
A Dartmouth study challenges the conventional view of the amygdala as a primitive 'fear center' by revealing its role in mediating between competing learning strategies. The research suggests that the amygdala favors action-based learning, promoting exploration and flexibility to overcome fear.
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.
Researchers found that brain synchrony between mothers and children is equally strong when playing in the native language or an acquired second language. This suggests that multilingualism can support healthy communication and learning without disrupting the brain-to-brain connection.
Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, founder of Center for BrainHealth, was inducted into the Texas Philosophical Society for her groundbreaking work on cognitive neuroscience and brain health. Her leadership has propelled UT Dallas's Center for BrainHealth into an international hub advancing brain health research.
Researchers at EPFL's Brain Mind Institute have discovered that rejuvenating specific engram neurons can restore memory performance in multiple mouse settings. This approach uses a short pulse of genes to 'reprogram' these cells, bringing their functionality back to levels seen in young mice.
Researchers discovered that while older rats were as social as younger ones, a subpopulation preferred familiar peers. Altering neural communication reversed this preference, enhancing approach towards new peers. This suggests a distinct neural system underlying aging-related social behavior.
The Sleep Innovation Laboratories, led by Dr. Matthew Walker and Eti Ben Simon, aims to bridge foundational neuroscience with real-world application related to sleep. The Labs will focus on creating greater access to engaging, actionable sleep education and advancing a core strategy of the Center for BrainHealth.
Researchers used AI to analyze brain activity of 130 two-month-old infants, discovering that they can categorize objects in their brains at just two months old. This challenges earlier thought and highlights the richness of brain function in the first year of life.
The FENS Forum 2026 will be Europe's largest neuroscience congress, covering areas of basic to translational research. Journalists can register for free and attend symposia and poster sessions.
Researchers at the University of Delaware discovered a neural network in fruit fly brains that assigns value to specific foods minute by minute, integrating context, internal state, and past experience. This breakthrough study offers insights into the origins of eating disorders and addiction.
A new study found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance task engagement and activation of brain regions associated with executive function in individuals with comorbid anxiety and depression. However, it unexpectedly heightened sensitivity to threats, including increased eyeblink startle response under conditi...
Researchers at HSE Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience found that people tend to trust the current opinion of an authoritative speaker even when new statements contradict their previous position. The study used AI-generated audio recordings of celebrities with opposing views on COVID-19 vaccination and found that participants rated th...
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame investigated how brain networks are organized and work together to form a unified system. They found evidence for system-wide coordination in the brain that is both robust and adaptable, suggesting that intelligence reflects how brain networks are coordinated and dynamically reconfigured.
BrainHealth Week 2026 will explore precision brain health, biosensor technology, and mental resilience, offering actionable strategies for improving daily performance and quality of life. The event brings together industry leaders, scientific community, students, and the community at large to discuss practical roadmap for longevity.
Research reveals structural brain changes in older adults affect ability to shift between tasks and update environmental information. These changes may lead to deficits in behavioral adaptability, emphasizing the importance of identifying age-related brain structure changes.
A new study at York University found autistic adults who are right-handed demonstrate a reduced specialization of hand use and more distinctive movement patterns. Autistic participants used their right hand less often for grasping and followed highly unique, idiosyncratic paths.
Researchers at NUS Medicine have found a critical driver of neural stem cell function during ageing, called DMTF1. Restoring DMTF1 expression can restore neural stem cell regeneration capabilities in aged brain cells.
A new computational model of the brain based on biology and physiology learned a simple visual category learning task as well as lab animals, discovering counterintuitive activity in neurons. The model produced naturalistic dynamics and learning without training data, enabling researchers to identify new insights into brain function an...
A novel experimental framework captures natural complexity, revealing how human pairs settle into stable cooperative, intermediate, or competitive roles. The study integrates factors that mirror real-world behavior, predicting partners' decisions with high accuracy.
Research reveals cannabis use may promote deep, restorative sleep critical for physical restoration and immune function, but at the cost of reduced emotional regulation and memory integration. Chronic cannabis users experience diminishing benefits as use increases.
Researchers at UVA Health System discover how traumatic brain injury increases Alzheimer's risk and find a potential prevention strategy using a hollowed-out virus to deliver repair supplies. The approach could help limit neurodegeneration and potentially prevent other neurological diseases.
The study used advanced neuroimaging methods to identify early, network-level changes in over 3,000 individuals at varying levels of risk for psychosis. Individuals at high clinical risk exhibited early disruptions in brain network organisation despite mild clinical symptoms.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that the human brain processes spoken language in a sequence mirroring advanced AI language models. The research suggests that artificial intelligence can offer insights into how the brain constructs meaning, challenging traditional rule-based theories.
A new review published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences highlights the effect of temperature on our awareness of our own bodies, improving our understanding of “skin-to-brain” signals. The study reveals a previously overlooked pathway through which the body communicates with the brain, contributing to emotion, identity, and mental health.
The EBRAINS Summit 2025 will bring together experts to assess how neuroscience can drive medical progress, digital innovation, and responsible data use. Preliminary results from the EPINOV clinical trial, integrating virtual brain technology for epilepsy surgery planning, will be presented.
Researchers identified a molecular mechanism linking early-life environments with memory by activating AP-1, which regulates genes involved in neuronal plasticity and learning. Early-life experiences produce long-lasting modulation of AP-1 activity, boosting gene networks that strengthen neuronal connections.
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have successfully used transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) to change the function of a deep region of the human brain, specifically the nucleus accumbens. This tiny element is triggered by enjoyable experiences and helps us learn behaviours that lead to rewards.
In a groundbreaking study, macaques were found to synchronize their taps with musical beats in real-time, even when presented with new songs. This ability to perceive and move to rhythm suggests that the roots of beat perception may be more widespread than previously thought.
A new study led by Concordia researchers found that individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) have widespread structural changes in their white matter compared to healthy controls. The changes were particularly noticeable in regions critical for cognitive and motor functions.
Researchers developed a novel method to induce physiological responses similar to those experienced under psychological pressure. The approach, which involves aiming for consecutive successes, shows promise for studying the impact of pressure on human performance, including physical and intellectual tasks.