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Center for BrainHealth expands access to proactive brain health through national partnerships

The Center for BrainHealth has established three major new partnerships to enhance its mission to empower people at all ages with science-backed approaches for proactive brain health and fitness. The partnerships include GoMo Health, which will leverage the center's content to expand resources and improve compliance among large patient...

SourceCenter for BrainHealth·TypeNews article·DateFeb 25, 2025

New AI model measures how fast the brain ages

A new AI model measures how fast the brain ages by analyzing MRI scans, providing a more accurate picture of brain health. The tool closely correlates faster brain aging with increased cognitive decline and dementia risk, offering potential for early biomarkers and personalized treatment.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 24, 2025

Pattern of compounds in blood may indicate severity of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia

Researchers identified 19 metabolites and found that levels of certain compounds correlated with increased blood pressure, worse obstetric outcomes, and poorer end-organ function. The study expands scientific knowledge of preeclampsia and its mechanisms, paving the way for future therapeutic strategies.

Paola Arlotta receives the 2025 ISSCR Momentum Award for her innovative work using stem cell-derived brain organoids to study human brain development and disease

Dr. Paola Arlotta's groundbreaking research on stem cell-derived brain organoids has redefined human brain development and neurological disease understanding. Her work provides access to the complexities of developing human brains, making her a deserving recipient of the ISSCR Momentum Award.

Does the brain produce estrogen to control appetite?

New research found that neuroestrogens produced in the brain help suppress appetite, as confirmed by experiments where aromatase expression was restored specifically in the brain. This suggests a link between neuroestrogen levels and body weight regulation.

SourceWiley·JournalFEBS Journal·DateFeb 19, 2025

NUS Medicine pioneers ground-breaking technique to deliver drugs directly to the brain

Scientists at NUS Medicine have developed a novel approach using nasal bacteria to deliver therapeutic molecules directly to the brain, reducing appetite and improving glucose metabolism in preclinical studies. The engineered bacteria leverage the olfactory mucosa's unique properties to deliver medication with enhanced bioavailability.

New genetic mutation linked to Alzheimer’s risk

Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered a novel genetic mutation associated with an accumulation of toxic proteins in Alzheimer's brains. The study found that people carrying a specific variation of this repeated DNA strand have more than double the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2025

Research spotlight: Mapping lesions that cause psychosis to a human brain circuit and proposed stimulation target

Studies identified 153 cases of psychosis caused by brain lesions, which connected to a common circuit in the hippocampus. The circuit, including the rostromedial prefrontal cortex, is a promising target for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, potentially improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateFeb 12, 2025

Mystery solved: New study reveals how DNA repair genes play a major role in Huntington's disease

Researchers discovered that mismatch repair genes are critical in eliciting damages to neurons vulnerable to Huntington's disease, triggering downstream pathologies and motor impairment. Targeting these genes may offer novel therapeutic approaches, including improving locomotor and gait deficits and reducing neuronal cell death.

uOttawa study unveils new insights into how neural stem cells are activated in the adult human brain

A University of Ottawa neuroscientist has led a Canadian research team to discover how neural stem cells integrate signals from different cell types and decode them. The study found that low daughter cell numbers trigger activation, while high numbers keep them in quiescence, offering new insights into cellular relationships and potent...

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 6, 2025

UCalgary researchers confirm best approach for stroke in medium-sized blood vessels

UCalgary researchers confirm that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is not effective for patients with blockages in medium-sized blood vessels. The ESCAPE-MeVO clinical trial found no improvement in outcomes for these patients compared to standard care. EVT was previously shown to improve patient outcomes after large-vessel strokes.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 6, 2025

Air pollution clouds the mind and makes everyday tasks challenging

Research reveals that even short-term exposure to high levels of particulate matter air pollution impairs cognitive functions such as selective attention and emotion recognition. This study highlights the urgent need for stricter air quality regulations and public health measures to combat the harmful effects of pollution on brain health.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 6, 2025

Beyond the gut: A new frontier in IBS treatment by targeting the brain

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have found that opioid delta-receptor agonists can alleviate stress-induced IBS symptoms in a validated mouse model by targeting the central nervous system. The study suggests that these drugs could provide a more definitive solution for IBS with minimal adverse effects.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2025

New research reveals that meditation induces changes in deep brain areas associated with memory and emotional regulation

Researchers used intracranial EEG recordings to find that meditation led to changes in the amygdala and hippocampus, key regions involved in emotional regulation and memory. Loving kindness meditation was specifically found to be associated with changes in brain wave activity.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 4, 2025

New CAMH-developed drug shows promise in reversing memory loss for early Alzheimer's patients

A new drug developed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has shown significant promise in reversing memory loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The drug, GL-II-73, selectively targets GABA receptors to restore brain function and repair damaged neural connections.

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2025