Research on how the brain is built and how it governs body and behavior. Covers neural circuits, sleep, sensory systems, brain structure, and the brain-body connection.
A new preclinical study finds that estrogen loss in the extracellular matrix of the hippocampus may contribute to memory decline and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in postmenopausal women. The study suggests a possible new treatment approach focused on restoring the brain's supportive environment.
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 new study by the University of Ottawa suggests that a tiny molecule, methylglyoxal, plays a major role in triggering neurological disorders after a heart attack. The molecule accumulates in the brain following a heart attack and is linked to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.
A systematic review of AI models for meningioma segmentation reveals that better model architecture is the key driver of improved performance. The top models achieved high accuracy and efficiency, while future research focuses on making them more generalizable and efficient for real-world clinical settings.
A new study reveals that ALS unfolds through a domino-like sequence of events starting with an early breakdown in motor neurons, followed by a damaging inflammatory response. The findings suggest that targeting these immune signatures could slow down disease progression.
A new study published in Stroke journal reveals that people with a prior heart attack are at higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. The study analyzed over 20,000 adults and found that those who had a heart attack were more likely to experience declines in thinking and memory skills over time.
Researchers develop machine learning analysis method SPERRFY that combines datasets on brain region connections and gene activity. The study finds a 'GPS' system of genes that predict which brain regions are connected, supporting the chemoaffinity theory and offering new avenues for research into brain development and disease.
A case-control study found associations between ambient particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide exposure and increased risks of Lewy body dementia and Parkinson disease-related dementia. The study's findings suggest air pollution may impact brain health, warranting concern.
A new study suggests that ultrasound stimulation can bring about functionally meaningful changes in pain perception and brain connectivity. The research found a delayed analgesic effect, with participants reporting reduced pain intensity after 28-55 minutes following TUS application.
Recent advances in noninvasive neural decoding, deep learning, and shared autonomy are bringing BCI-controlled robots closer to real-world use. These systems can decode complex brain signals related to movement intention, allowing for more flexible and higher-dimensional robotic behaviors.
Researchers pinpoint a specific connection in the brain where song learning first occurs, finding that it hinges on a highly organized process involving a single type of synapse. The study sheds light on how songbirds learn to vocalize by imitating a tutor and shares similarities with human language development.
A new technology called LinCx allows scientists to create new electrical connections between carefully chosen neurons, enabling selective changes in brain circuit function. This approach enables bypassing broken brain connections and may be used to treat neurological disorders.
Scientists at McMaster University have developed a new immunotherapy that targets the uPAR protein on glioblastoma cells and nearby support cells. The therapy has shown promising preclinical results in eliminating deadly glioblastoma tumours and dismantling their biological infrastructure.
A new UCL study reveals that heavy caring responsibilities can accelerate mental decline in people aged 50 and over. Lighter caring duties, on the other hand, can be beneficial to mental abilities. The researchers found that intensive carers are most at risk and need stronger support.
Researchers develop tailored revascularization approach for moyamoya disease, improving circulation while minimizing complications. The technique, called STAPC, uses vessel diameter, blood-flow dynamics, and recipient brain arteries to guide surgical decisions.
Researchers discovered that KD025 restored neural connections and improved memory and visual recognition in mice with schizophrenia-associated gene variants. The drug also reduced ROCK2 overactivity without causing serious side effects common to current medications.
Research in male sheep fetuses finds that excessive prenatal progesterone exposure alters the SRD5A1 gene, crucial for processing sex hormones in brain development. The study highlights the importance of hormones in fetal development and potential links to adult disease.
Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center found that stimulating a specific brain region regulates self-control reduced how much people smoked, with participants showing significant reductions in smoking and cravings after treatment
J. Craig Venter's pioneering work in expressed sequence tags revolutionized brain-expressed genes identification, while his synthetic cells paved the way for synthetic biology as a working discipline. His legacy has reshaped our understanding of genomes and their functions.
Researchers found that psilocybin causes temporary shifts in brain entropy, leading to increased insight and emotional self-awareness. This correlates with improved well-being and cognitive flexibility, suggesting the psychedelic trip is key to its therapeutic effects.
A new study mapped the internal structures of 87 ray-finned species in three-dimensional detail, revealing a wide range of brain sizes and shapes. Environmental factors appear to drive this variation, with deep-sea fishes tending toward smaller brains relative to skull size.
Researchers discovered that interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) occur in a predictable pattern, unfolding sequentially in individual neurons. Nearly 80% of IED-involving neurons are also involved in language and perception, suggesting the brain blips can derail cognition.
Researchers found significant loss of neurons in the locus coeruleus, a second critical region involved in arousal and muscle tone regulation. This finding suggests an immune-mediated process and challenges the prevailing explanation for narcolepsy with cataplexy.
Research reveals two dimensions of neuroticism: one linked to mental disorders and life well-being, the other to emotional reactivity and internal stability. High-ERIS individuals live longer due to healthier habits and risk avoidance.
A USC team has created a neuroprosthetic device that can restore coordinated bladder control in small animal models, proof of concept for a future treatment that could transform lives after spinal cord injuries. The device targets the dorsolateral funiculus region of the spinal cord to mimic the natural signals that trigger the need to...
Research highlights how everyday factors from early life through adulthood influence brain health and affect the risk of developing cognitive decline, dementia or stroke. Healthy lifestyle habits such as regular physical activity, healthy sleep habits, and balanced eating patterns can support brain development and healthy aging.
Researchers at UCSF discovered that single-celled organism Stentor learns through modifying existing proteins with calcium signaling, which is similar to the mechanism used by animal neurons. This finding suggests that learning may be a fundamental feature of life and could have evolved before the emergence of brains.
A new study found that nearly 1,200 TBI respondents used psychedelics to treat or manage physical health conditions, with 208 participants using them to manage brain injury-related symptoms. Researchers reported a 90% self-reported symptom improvement rate.
Researchers found three distinct trajectories of cognitive decline: stable, slow and fast decline. Biomarker data showed that participants who declined faster had higher P-tau217 levels and smaller hippocampi.
Researchers found that Adgrl2 plays a crucial role in building both brain synapses and blood vessels, with different cell types producing distinct versions of the protein. Removing Adgrl2 from endothelial cells caused blood vessels to become leaky and lose their integrity.
Researchers discovered that strokes cause a chain reaction within the brain, leading to neuronal cell death. They found that blocking collagen production can prevent this damage and even restore motor function in paralyzed monkeys. The new drug KDS12025 reduces hydrogen peroxide levels and prevents the entire process from being triggered.
A new freeze-dried blood product called Thrombosomes has shown promise in treating traumatic brain injuries by reducing swelling and bleeding. The product, derived from platelets with trehalose preservation, has been tested on mice and found to be effective in stabilizing damaged blood vessels.
tACS modulates brain oscillations, induces synaptic plasticity, and regulates neurotransmitter release to alleviate symptoms of various neuropsychiatric conditions. Personalized approaches are essential for treatment efficacy.
The Individual Brain Charting project has released its fifth update with a new set of cognitive tasks, expanding the dataset to 40 hours of scanned data per participant. This provides an exceptionally rich resource for studying individual variability in brain organisation and understanding brain function.
Researchers have mapped the first migratory bird brain using high-resolution light microscopy and open-source software tools, creating a valuable resource for neuroscience worldwide. The new Eurasian blackcap atlas enables consistency in brain data interpretation and fosters collaboration among researchers.
Neurobiologists have identified the brain circuitry responsible for placebo pain relief, revealing a site where endogenous opioid peptides drive pain relief. The study offers hope for using expectancy-driven placebo effects as a substitute for painkillers and developing protocols to produce placebo pain resilience in humans.
Researchers developed mosaic mini-brains to study focal cortical dysplasia type II, a condition causing seizures in children. The findings support the two-hit model, suggesting that complete loss of DEPDC5 is necessary and sufficient to initiate the disease, with mosaicism determining lesion extent.
Researchers propose a novel brain architecture for efficient processing, integrating parallel cortical and subcortical pathways. This approach may improve decision-making tasks, suggesting current AI models are missing key brain function principles.
Researchers develop molecular tool called SynTrogo, which enables selective dismantling of synaptic connections in brain circuits. By harnessing astrocytes, the system reduces synapse number while strengthening remaining connections, leading to enhanced long-term potentiation and improved memory.
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.
Researchers at USC, Caltech, and UC Irvine have developed a two-way brain interface that allows patients to control wearable robotic legs using their thoughts. The system accurately detected brain signals indicating the intent to walk about 92% of the time and restored walking sensations with about 93% accuracy in an early proof-of-con...
Researchers discovered a crucial connection between the two hippocampal hemispheres in mice, which is necessary for navigation and remembering locations. The study also found that this circuit is altered in mice carrying a genetic mutation associated with schizophrenia.
A large sample of US Special Operations Forces personnel were found to have a higher prevalence of intracranial aneurysms with greater repeated blast exposure. The study suggests that repeated low-level blast exposure during years of service may leave a measurable vascular signature in the brain.
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 study suggests that many animal communication signals, including those from insects, birds, mammals, and fish, repeat at nearly the same tempo of 2 hertz. This common tempo may reflect a shared biological constraint, enabling brains to detect signals more easily and process communication more efficiently.
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.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute mapped the neural circuits that enable C. elegans worms to navigate towards attractive odors and avoid unappealing ones. The study revealed a specific sequence of neural activation, involving key neurons and the neuromodulator tyramine.
By tagging neurons with molecular “barcodes,” researchers created a platform that maps connections among thousands of neurons in the mouse brain with unprecedented speed and resolution. This approach enables simultaneous mapping of neural connections with single-synapse resolution, revealing previously unknown connectivity patterns.
A research team identified distinct subregions within the default mode network (DMN) that act as senders and receivers of information, enabling flexible shifts between perception and memory-driven thought. The study reveals that the DMN is not functionally uniform but composed of subregions with distinct connectivity biases.
Researchers developed a new source-detector configuration and layered tissue models to improve fNIRS data interpretation. The approach separated superficial and cerebral contributions with high accuracy, revealing dominant brain responses with minimal scalp influence.
Christof Koch argues that classical metaphysical frameworks like idealism and panpsychism should be reconsidered due to current scientific methods. He advocates for Integrated Information Theory, which posits that any system with high integrated information possesses subjective experience.
A collaboration between the University of Maryland and University of Concepción has discovered a previously unknown communication chain involving astrocytes and tanycytes that controls behavior. The study suggests that targeting the HCAR1 receptor in astrocytes could offer a novel approach to treating eating disorders.
Near-death experiences challenge the scientific understanding of consciousness by reporting vivid and structured events during moments of extreme physiological failure. Charlotte Martial's research suggests these experiences may correspond to natural mental states serving an adaptive function in extreme situations.
Researchers found that older adults exhibit higher BOLD variability in cerebellar lobule VIIIb and greater modulation across task conditions. This modulation predicts performance in an age-dependent manner, with increased modulation linked to better performance in older adults.
The NIH has renewed support for the USC-led AI4AD initiative, expanding its efforts to better classify Alzheimer's and related diseases, predict progression, and identify new treatment targets. The $12.6 million award will develop AI tools to uncover biological causes of Alzheimer's and improve disease diagnosis.
A study on mice suggests that adolescence stress causes permanent changes in the prefrontal cortex, increasing vulnerability to schizophrenia and depression. The researchers found that traumatic experiences during this stage of life disrupts communication between brain cells, compromising neural control.
The study found that concrete words activated regions of the brain responsible for sensory experiences and language, while abstract words relied more heavily on language-related areas. The team also discovered that multiple brain regions communicated with each other to process both concrete and abstract words.
Postoperative rebleeding is a critical complication of minimally invasive surgery for intracerebral hemorrhage, significantly reducing survival rates and functional recovery levels. The review outlines standardized definitions, dual pathogenic mechanisms, risk profiling, and stratified prevention strategies to address this challenge.
Researchers found a direct line of communication between the brain's stress centers and decision-making regions, which is disrupted by alcohol. This disruption can lead to unhealthy habits and relapse during recovery from alcohol use disorder.
A new model, Xi–αNET, explains how brain structure and signal conduction speed shape alpha waves and background activity. The study found that faster conduction speeds in younger individuals correspond to higher alpha frequencies, while slower conduction speeds in older adults lead to declining alpha frequencies.