Regions-of-interest representing delay discounting neural processes. Nucleus accumbens activation represents reward valuation (orange). Hippocampal activation is involved in imagining the future or prospection (yellow). The middle frontal gyrus is involved in cognitive control (red). Regions were defined from the Desikan-Killiany atlas. Credit: Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research (2026). DOI: 10.1111/acer.70300
Brain activity in young adults regarding reward valuation is connected to long-term drinking habits, as shown in a study of college students with family histories of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The research suggests the potential for precision medicine to create tailored interventions for those at risk of addiction, highlighting that a family history of AUD triples or quadruples the likelihood of alcohol-related issues.
A research team has developed technology that uses artificial intelligence to analyse electroencephalogram signals triggered by thermal stimuli and objectively classify pain intensity.
A recent study analysed 73 research articles on dietary patterns and their effect on cognitive performance in youth aged 8 to 19, highlighting that nutritional deficiencies in early life can lead to lower intelligence scores in adolescence, and indicating a need for more high-quality research on potential nutritional interventions during this period.
An 8-month-old infant with severe genetic epilepsy has become the first patient in the world to receive an experimental gene replacement therapy designed to restore the function of the WWOX gene directly in the brain.
Researchers employed machine learning to detect neurological warning signs in the brain’s electrical rhythms, enabling epilepsy diagnosis without capturing active seizures. An advanced algorithm identified EEG abnormalities associated with genetic epilepsy accurately.
A recent study has found a dynamic relationship between brief physical activity and improved mood, utilising data from over 8,000 global participants with wearable sensors.
A new AI platform has been developed to decode and measure human pain, surpassing reliance on subjective self-reporting. It employs a self-correcting algorithm to analyse EEG signals in response to thermal stimuli, mapping brainwave activity to produce an objective measure of physical suffering.
Researchers found postoperative delirium was strongly associated with long-term cognitive decline, and the effect was not explained by rehospitalisations, highlighting the long-term impact of delirium on brain health.
A new study reveals that menopause is a significant neurological phase rather than just a reproductive milestone, tracking brain activity during premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause. It finds that “resting-state” neural networks experience substantial changes linked to estrogen fluctuations, shedding light on the biological factors affecting midlife cognitive changes and long-term brain ageing in women.
The largest genome-wide association study on anxiety has identified the polygenic basis of worry and fear responses by analysing data from 693,869 individuals, shifting the focus from binary diagnoses to the spectrum of symptom severity.
Analysing 12 years of deidentified patient electronic records using AI, researchers discovered that glucosamine use among individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is associated with a 25% higher likelihood of progressing to full dementia, alongside a 25% spike in mortality for established Alzheimer’s patients.
Finally this week, a recent study has found that the relationship between a person’s progesterone and estradiol levels at a given moment, measured in saliva, could help predict participants’ performance in a learning and memory task.
A pioneering, first-of-its-kind study demonstrated that a personalised, machine-learning-guided lifestyle coaching program can nearly double the remission rates of mild-to-moderate depression. The research tracks how individual behavioural factors uniquely predict low mood states.
Scientists say they’ve uncovered striking new evidence of how alcohol addiction impacts the brain’s learning systems—and how those systems may slowly adapt during recovery—in a new study published in Clinical Neurophysiology.
New research by a collaboration of U.K.-based scientists has revealed that common indoor and outdoor air pollutants can alter both brain and respiratory function within just four hours of exposure, offering key insights into how air pollution impacts brain health and may contribute to dementia risk.
Children recover significantly faster from concussion after receiving early, multidisciplinary care designed to treat persistent symptoms, according to a new study.
Researchers have discovered the first definitive neural evidence of how the brain creates and reuses abstract symbols to think creatively. The research tracks the neural substrates of “compositional generalisation”, the foundational cognitive ability to take familiar components and recombine them into entirely fresh ideas.
A neuroimaging study has challenged the idea that chronic brain inflammation causes Long COVID, using PET and MRI scans to analyse patients with Long COVID, healthy individuals, and MS patients.
Scientists have uncovered a vital mechanism of the “heart-brain axis,” showing that a heart attack can alter brain function, leading to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. After such an event, a toxic byproduct called methylglyoxal (MG) increases in the bloodstream and accumulates in the brain’s mood and memory centres.
Frequent changes in blood pressure could affect cognitive health and contribute to brain changes associated with dementia risk, according to new research.
A new study identified the architectural and evolutionary principles that govern how both children and artificial neural networks absorb language. The research bridges cognitive linguistics and deep learning to demonstrate the power of “iterated learning”, the process where language reshapes itself over multiple generations to become increasingly structured and structured data becomes easier to learn.
New research has uncovered how a protein strongly linked to Alzheimer’s disease plays a critical role in forming long-lasting memories—opening up new directions for future dementia treatments.
A new study finds that caffeine negatively impacts sleep quality by reducing slow-wave activity, even if total sleep duration seems normal. Researchers used electroencephalography (EEG) to show that this reduction leads to a more wakeful brain state, hindering the central nervous system’s ability to regenerate physically and cognitively.
In people with epilepsy, a new study has found a smartwatch application accurately detected tonic-clonic seizures, seizures with major convulsions, with a low rate of false alarms.
A recent study identified sleep behaviours as early indicators of brain ageing in healthy adults by analysing MRI data from over 23,000 individuals. It found that sleep durations outside the recommended seven-to-nine hours, frequent daytime napping, and chronic sleeplessness are associated with greater white matter lesions, a marker of cognitive decline, regardless of other factors.
Finally this week, quitting smoking is associated with a lower risk for dementia, especially for those with no or modest weight gain after cessation, according to a study published in Neurology.
Alongitudinal study tracking children over a period of seven years has identified distinct brain-wave patterns emerging from age 9 that can forecast a child’s vulnerability to anxiety or depression by age 13. These predictive markers reveal divergent, hemisphere-specific neurodevelopmental trajectories. Anxiety is linked to activity on the right side of the brain, while depression is tied to the left.
Researchers developed transparent, flexible contact lenses that use electrical stimulation to treat depression, enhancing brain connectivity and increasing serotonin levels by 47%, comparable to top antidepressants.
A Phase 2 clinical trial found that a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, alongside psychotherapeutic support, significantly reduces symptoms of recurrent depression, with antidepressant effects appearing by day two and 53% of participants reaching remission by six weeks. While well-tolerated, the study identified long-term efficacy issues and the challenge of patient blinding in psychedelic research.
A new study maps the functional remodelling strategies the brain deploys during simulated visual impairment.
Researchers are developing a multi-organ “organ-on-chip” device called the GlucoBrain project to connect human cellular models of the gut, pancreas, and brain in a biochip. This study will investigate the biological mechanisms linking diabetes to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s by monitoring molecular signaling and cellular responses to glucose and hormone levels.
A healthy brain may help protect thinking and memory skills from the early effects of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study has found.
A major longitudinal cohort study revealed a compelling neuroprotective link between smoking cessation and a lowered risk of developing dementia. While the study does not definitively prove causation, the empirical data shows that individuals who quit smoking experience a 16% reduction in dementia risk compared to those who continue smoking, eventually matching the baseline risk levels of lifelong non-smokers after approximately seven years.
A multi-site study reveals that combining cannabis and tobacco, a trend known as “co-use”, significantly increases the long-term risk of developing full psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. The study tracked over 1,000 participants from the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study, specifically focusing on adolescents and young adults already at “clinical high risk” for psychosis.
A new study reveals that long-term exposure to low levels of air pollution is directly linked to worse memory, comprehension, and processing speed.
A milestone pilot randomized controlled clinical trial delivered the first targeted clinical evidence that immunotherapy could serve as a powerful new treatment paradigm for treatment-resistant depression. The study investigated whether tocilizumab, an existing anti-inflammatory drug traditionally used to treat autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, could alleviate depressive symptoms by blocking a specific inflammatory pathway.
Migraine with aura is linked to a higher risk of ischemic stroke in middle-aged and older individuals, as per a study in Neurology, while migraine without aura does not show this association; however, the study does not confirm causation.
New research argues that Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) must be reframed from a simple disruption of motor pathways into a fundamental systems-level disorder. The framework posits that SCI permanently fractures communication, desynchronizes physiological states, and halts learning across the entire brain–body–environment loop.
Finally, a new study has created a real-time method to detect alcohol-induced blackouts during drinking, tackling the challenge of identifying blackouts only after harmful incidents occur.
Red indicates parts of the brain with more histamine-related gene expression, blue regions have comparatively less. The genes (HDC, HNMT, ALDH7A1, MAOB, HRH1, HRH2, HRH3, HRH4) play many different roles in histamine signaling, including histamine production (HDC), histamine breakdown (HNMT) or encoding histamine receptors (HRH1, HRH2, HRH3, HRH4). Credit: Nature Mental Health (2026).
New research has created the first comprehensive map of the histamine system in the brain, highlighting its role beyond allergies and linking it to genetics, behavior, and mental health conditions.
A pilot study suggests that transcranial temporal interference stimulation (TIs), a noninvasive brain stimulation method, may effectively treat motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease by improving movement significantly in patients compared to a sham treatment, specifically when targeting the subthalamic nucleus.
A comprehensive analysis of biological clocks across the human body reveals that both insufficient and excessive sleep are associated with accelerated aging in nearly every organ system.
Scientists have the first direct evidence from human studies that brain-controlled hearing technology can help people single out a voice in a crowd. These early findings suggest that researchers may one day develop a hearing augmentation device that can, among other feats, overcome the problems that conventional hearing aids have with noisy surroundings.
A new study presents evidence that hormonal changes, from monthly cycles to menopause, significantly alter how the brain processes sound.
Baylor College of Medicine researchers discovered that the human brain can process language while under general anaesthesia, challenging our understanding of consciousness and cognition, and potentially offering new insights into memory, language, and brain-computer interfaces.
Individuals with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia, as highlighted in research from the 28th European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague, indicating they are more than twice as likely to develop the disease.
New research shows that as we form online connections, our brains prioritise “social mapping” over “content learning.” This shift is even more dramatic for those with high working memory, who use their digital networks as external storage, resulting in a 40% drop in content recall.
Scientists have discovered new evidence that disputes previous beliefs about the causes of lacunar ischemic stroke, revealing that fatty deposits in arteries may not be the reason for this type of stroke, which constitutes about 25% of ischemic strokes. Instead, researchers identified a different vascular abnormality—enlargement and widening of arteries in the brain—as being strongly linked to lacunar stroke.
New research provides a breakthrough in understanding the biological mechanisms linking Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and psychosis.
A new study has found that while “brain fog” predicts a first episode of depression in healthy adults, those with a history of the disorder are actually more likely to relapse if their cognitive scores are high. This “confounding” result suggests that the relationship between how we think and how we feel is far more complex than previously believed.
Finally, multiplexed imaging technology using standard clinical MRI systems can simultaneously map more than 20 biomarkers in high resolution, providing a comprehensive view of the brain with a single scan.
Alterations within the central nervous system in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Credit: Journal of Diabetes (2026).
Changes within the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, can be a key reason for pain in people with diabetes, and future treatments could focus on restoring the brain’s pain-blocking systems, according to new research.
A long-term MRI study reveals that lower abdominal fat accumulation is linked to slower brain atrophy, preserved brain structures, and improved cognitive performance in late midlife, regardless of weight loss. This relationship appears to be mainly influenced by glucose control and insulin sensitivity. The study uniquely connects repeated MRI observations of visceral fat with brain aging and cognitive changes over time.
Researchers have shown that a single dose of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, causes likely anatomical brain changes that last for up to a month after the experience.
A study in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology indicates that children with epilepsy are at a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often having intellectual disabilities (56.5% vs. 15.4%), being mostly female (38.2% vs. 25.8%), and receiving an autism diagnosis at a younger age (7.4 vs. 8.7 years) compared to those without autism.
Researchers at Loma Linda University Health found that consuming one egg per day, five days a week, is linked to a 27% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals aged 65 and older.
A recent study reveals that Parkinson’s disease can be categorised into distinct subtypes, highlighting the limitations of a one-size-fits-all treatment approach. The research identified two main groups and five subgroups through machine-learning analysis, paving the way for personalised therapies. The findings are published in Nature Communications.
A new study indicates that both extremely low and high resting heart rates are associated with a higher stroke risk, contradicting the idea that lower heart rates always signify good cardiovascular fitness.
A meta-analysis of 55 studies involving over 3 million people revealed that 31% of individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD) also have major depressive disorder (MDD), and CUD is present in 10% of those with MDD, highlighting a mutual relationship between the two conditions.
Omega-3 supplements, commonly used by older adults for cardiovascular health and to reduce cognitive decline, may be associated with a quicker deterioration in cognitive function, according to recent research.
New research challenges the long-held belief that the brain makes decisions in a simple, top-down hierarchy. By discovering decision-making signals in the primary somatosensory cortex, researchers have revealed a system of bidirectional feedback loops that could be the key to building the next generation of energy-efficient, truly intelligent AI.
Mapping MNPs in the diseased brain. Credit: Nature Health (2026).
Tiny micro- and nanoplastic fragments seem to be turning up everywhere, including one of the most well-protected parts of the human body—the brain. Ina recent studyconducted by Chinese researchers, they found microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in nearly all the brain samples they tested, both healthy and diseased human brains.
Researchers have identified four distinct mental states that occur regardless of whether we are asleep or awake, revealing a “neural fingerprint” for bizarre, dream-like thoughts that can surface even in the middle of the day.
Scientists have mapped a functional gradient in the rostral prefrontal cortex that connects our spontaneous “daydreaming” mind with our “logical” executive control. By studying patients with frontotemporal dementia, researchers discovered that creativity isn’t about how much these networks overlap, but about the functional distance between them. The more distinct and well-connected these two “islands” are, the more creative the individual.
For older adults, deterioration in cognitive function is seen prior to cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, according to a study published online April 20 in JAMA Network Open.
Some brains are resistant to Alzheimer’s despite the disease’s presence, with research from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience suggesting that this resistance may relate to how immature neurons respond to damage, aiding understanding of cognitive resilience in ageing.
A new study is the first to show that two of our most sophisticated cognitive functions, using and understanding language and being able to sense how other people feel, have distinct origins in the brain in young children—matching what we know about the adult brain.
Neuroscientists have discovered a secret second network in the brain. AI-mapped astrocyte webs connect distant brain regions, challenging 100 years of neuron-centric theory.
Research indicates that early diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy can enhance outcomes, yet timing for intervention has been unclear. A recent study proposes that treatment could begin as early as 15 weeks gestation to potentially benefit those with certain epilepsy disorders before symptoms manifest.
Finally this week, the World Stroke Organization is warning that climate change poses an escalating threat to brain health, with extreme heat in particular increasing the risk of having a stroke and of patients dying from stroke.
The soft bioelectrodes use a honeycomb-inspired design that allows researchers to stretch them onto the specific geometry of a patient’s brain, without sacrificing structural strength or sensitivity to electrical and physiological signals. Credit: Tao Zhou
Researchers have developed 3D-printed, honeycomb-structured hydrogel electrodes that perfectly match the unique folds of a patient’s brain for safer, high-quality neural monitoring.
We’ve long known that a run can clear your head, but a landmark one-year randomised clinical trial has finally mapped the long-term biological “why.” The study is the first to prove a cause-and-effect relationship between aerobic exercise and a sustained reduction in cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. By simply meeting the standard 150-minute weekly exercise goal, participants effectively lowered the biological “background noise” of stress.
A global research collaboration has discovered that social health is crucial for preserving cognitive function and enhancing the brain’s resilience to dementia.
In a creative shift for psychiatric research, a study suggests that songwriting and group music-making can help people with psychosis reconnect with reality. The research explores the concept of predictive coding, the brain’s ability to anticipate what happens next. By engaging in the rhythmic and melodic expectations of music, participants with schizophrenia and auditory hallucinations reported reduced paranoia and a significant shift away from social isolation.
Repeated menstrual cycles may not only cause endometriosis but also alter brain function. A new study indicates that ongoing inflammation associated with the condition can heighten nervous system sensitivity and lead to persistent pain.
Researchers from the University of California, San Diego discovered that teenagers who start using cannabis experience slower improvements in thinking and memory as they mature, based on a study of over 11,000 participants from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study published in Neuropsychopharmacology.
A 12-week study from the University of Toronto finds that daily fluctuations in mental sharpness account for an 80-minute difference in productivity between your best and worst days.
Researchers have uncovered evidence that some movement-related symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may originate outside the brain, which could change how the disease is diagnosed and treated in the future. The study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Women taking antiseizure medication for epilepsy have around a 45% reduced risk of major congenital anomalies in their children—if they initiate high-dose folic acid before pregnancy.
In a recent publication appearingin Advanced Science, researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience challenge the assumptions surrounding the design and materials used for brain implants. Softer, flexible implants are gentler than older ones, but they are not completely harmless. By carefully studying these effects, researchers can begin to design safer implants, and bring long-term, reliable implants closer to reality.
New research indicates that walking and balance issues in Alzheimer’s disease may stem from peripheral nervous system failures rather than brain decay, with a study using “human-on-a-chip” technology demonstrating that genetic mutations can directly harm nerve-muscle connections, independent of the brain or spinal cord.
A Phase II trial finds that walking and resistance exercise, along with low-dose ibuprofen, can protect cancer patients from “chemo brain” during treatment.
Researchers have found new insights into asymptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (AsymAD), wherein some older adults remain mentally sharp despite brain changes associated with the disease. Understanding this resilience may lead to earlier detection and strategies to prevent memory loss.
A landmark study has identified a significant association between prenatal prescription of commonly utilized medications and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.
Researchers found that fluctuations in a person’s heartbeat relate uniquely to brain activity, with chaos-based analysis indicating significant changes in heart-brain coupling during cognitive tasks. The study shows these complex rhythms are important indicators of the central nervous system when under cognitive load.
A longitudinal study of 1,400 children links early pretend play to improved mental health outcomes, suggesting play builds brain resilience. The research suggests that imaginative play is not just recreational but a foundational developmental tool that supports long-term mental wellbeing, even when accounting for socioeconomic status, mother’s mental health, and language ability.
In a paradigm-shifting discovery, researchers have found that Alzheimer’s disease shares a surprising biological driver with blood cancers like leukaemia. The study reveals that the brain’s immune cells (microglia) accumulate specific cancer-driving mutations as they age. Rather than forming tumours, these mutant cells create a “hostile” inflammatory environment that kills neurons. This suggests that Alzheimer’s may be treatable using existing cancer drugs and detectable through simple blood tests.
A noninvasive neurostimulation technique targeting deep brain regions has been utilised to explore pain mechanisms and shows potential for clinical use in neurology and psychiatry.
A web tool designed to spark reminiscence could help people with dementia and their caregivers feel more connected to each other and less impacted by feelings of pre-death grief, according to a clinical trial co-led by USC and Weill Cornell Medicine published in JAMA Network Open.
Researchers have identified a new DNA region and two genes associated with frailty, providing insights into why some older adults are more frail. This discovery highlights the role of genetic factors in resilience to age-related declines, aiming to lead to targeted interventions for the ageing population.
Neuroscientists have discovered a secret second network in the brain. AI-mapped astrocyte webs connect distant brain regions, challenging 100 years of neuron-centric theory.
A massive transdisciplinary study has shifted the focus of Alzheimer’s research from the brain to the gut. Using AI to analyse data from nearly 10,000 people, researchers identified that common life events, specifically appendix removal and long-term dietary patterns, are among the strongest predictors of the disease. The study suggests that the gut microbiome serves as a primary line of defence for the brain, and that its disruption over decades may ultimately trigger neurodegeneration.
Researchers propose a new model for how the brain encodes and recalls emotionally meaningful touch, highlighting its role in lifelong mental health.
New research shows that a diet high in heavily processed foods can negatively impact the brain’s ability to focus and increases the risk of developing dementia. The study publishedin Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, examined the diets and cognitive health of more than 2,100 Australian dementia-free adults middle-aged and older.
A 30-year study of 42,000 adults shows that stroke severity is a primary driver of post-stroke dementia and accelerated brain aging.
Researchers have bridged the gap between biology and silicon by creating a 3D programmable device that merges living brain cells with advanced electronics. Unlike previous “brain-on-a-chip” attempts that grew cells on flat surfaces, this device uses a flexible, microscopic metal mesh as a scaffold, allowing tens of thousands of neurons to grow around and through the sensors.
Researchers are developing a fully implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) that enables patients with paraplegia to control robotic exoskeletons with their thoughts, aiming to restore both walking and the sensation of walking.
New research indicates that time perception is a complex, multi-stage process in the brain, starting with sensory encoding and leading to a representation of time that helps us categorise experiences by duration and order. This insight paves the way for further studies on the links between cognitive functions and time perception, particularly in relation to disorders affecting this process.
Does a plant-based diet prevent Alzheimer’s? New research shows that healthful plant-based diets lower dementia risk by 7%, while unhealthful plant-based diets increase risk.
A new AI framework emulates human brain development by “pruning” unnecessary connections as it learns, becoming more compact and energy-efficient while mastering complex tasks. The study indicates that effective learning relies on the right connections rather than on an abundance of them. By mimicking infant brains, this AI enables continual learning and improves perception, motor control, and interaction, all while reducing size and energy consumption.
A new study reveals that school-age children and adolescents with medically diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI) have significantly higher rates of anxiety/depression, and strong family support and resilience help alleviate some of it.
Loneliness affects memory performance in older adults but does not accelerate cognitive decline, according to a European study of more than 10,000 participants over seven years. Although those reporting high levels of loneliness initially performed worse on memory tests, their decline in recall ability matched that of less lonely participants over time.
Researchers have developed a 15-minute blood test that uses europium nanoparticles and a smartphone to track melatonin levels, helping astronauts and shift workers manage their biological clocks.
A study from Mass General Brigham reveals that a blood test measuring plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217) can predict changes in amyloid PET scans and cognitive decline in healthy older adults, potentially allowing for earlier disease prediction and identifying those at risk for cognitive decline. The findings are published inNature Communications.
A high-resolution study of 30 adult brains reveals over 3,000 genes with sex-biased expression. These findings link molecular sex differences to the prevalence of disorders like ADHD and Alzheimer’s.
Air pollution is associated with increased migraine activity, according to a study published in Neurology. Both short-term and cumulative exposure to air pollution, as well as climate factors such as heat and humidity, were associated with increased migraine activity.
A new study shows how subcortical pathways can make AI models more flexible and biologically accurate.
New research indicates that high sodium intake may harm episodic memory, which is essential for recalling personal experiences. These findings emphasise the broader cognitive effects of a salty diet, underlining the significance of making healthy dietary choices for brain health.
Can brain implants restore sight? Researchers have mapped how the brain reacts to neural probes, finding that flexible polyimide is the key to long-term biocompatibility.
Scientists analysed data from over 363,000 participants in the NIH’s All of Us Research Program and found that treatable middle ear conditions, such as eardrum perforations and cholesteatoma, are associated with nearly double the odds of developing dementia; however, treating these conditions with surgery or hearing aids significantly reduced or eliminated the dementia risk.
Personalized fMRI-guided targeting procedure and outcomes. Credit: American Journal of Psychiatry (2026)
A new study reveals that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can soothe the brain’s fear centre and greatly alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with effects lasting for months post-treatment.
Research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that electroacupuncture may enhance cognitive function and alleviate psychological distress in breast cancer survivors with lingering neuropsychiatric symptoms, offering a nondrug solution for issues like “brain fog,” fatigue, insomnia, and emotional distress post-treatment.
A new review suggests that how we interpret ambiguity is a core part of our personality and a major “red flag” for future mental health. While children typically start with a negative bias and shift toward positivity around age 10, those who stay “stuck” in a negative loop face a significantly higher risk of depression, anxiety, and stress-related physical illnesses later in life.
Brain swelling in the days following a stroke caused by a brain bleed is linked to a higher risk of death and disability, a study suggests. The research is published in the journal Stroke.
A 34-country study reveals that the “exposome”—the combination of pollution, social inequality, and political context—is 15 times more predictive of brain aging than any single risk factor. The research calls for a shift from individual “lifestyle” advice to broad structural policy changes to protect global brain health.
Cognitive and physical training can help older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) maintain or improve their ability to move and think simultaneously, but hearing ability and sex influence outcomes, according to a new study.
Researchers have discovered that the brain activates the same neurons when imagining an object as when actually seeing it, highlighting the connection between mental visualisation and visual perception and suggesting that conjuring images is closely related to how we perceive reality. These findings may inform new treatment strategies for mental health issues like PTSD and OCD by clarifying the neural pathways involved in both processes, leading to better therapeutic interventions.
Researchers are developing a multiscale model of the hippocampus to identify why certain neurons are vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease. The virtual testbed aims to find therapeutic tipping points before memory loss becomes irreversible.
A landmark research paper for the first time maps the genetics of how individual regions of the brain age—and why some of those regions are the very ones most ravaged by Alzheimer’s and dementia. Published in the journal GeroScience, the paper is titled “Deep Neural Networks and Genome-Wide Associations Reveal the Polygenic Architecture of Local Brain Aging.”
A 19-year study reveals that mentally active sitting—such as reading or working—can reduce dementia risk, while passive sitting like watching TV increases it.
Can we “unlearn” fear using sound? Neuroscientists have shown that ultrasonic waves can help the brain overcome fearful memories. By targeting high-frequency vibrations at the amygdala, researchers slowed new fear formation and sped up the process of “unlearning” them. This non-invasive technology could be a breakthrough for treating PTSD and anxiety without surgery or drugs.
Older adults who develop delirium during a hospital admission face a substantially higher risk of dementia in later years, even if they had no prior health conditions, according to a major new population study.
A University of Michigan study indicates that young adults who frequently use substances like alcohol and cannabis may experience notably worse memory in later decades, with researchers comparing substance use from ages 18 to 30 to memory self-reports from ages 50 to 65.
A collaborative research study has, for the first time, identified a biological process that may help explain how the brain develops differently in people with Down syndrome.
Why do stressful moments so often push people toward habits like drinking? A new study offers one of the clearest answers yet, identifying a direct connection inside the brain that links stress to addiction-related behaviours. The work shows how alcohol disrupts the natural stress-response system, making it harder for the brain to adapt or make good decisions.
Researchers have developed a method that allows the increased movement of brain fluids during sleep to be tracked quickly and safely, without the need for injected contrast agents.
A research team has developed a synthetic “right-handed” protein fragment that is the mirror image of natural proteins, allowing it to intercept and neutralise disordered amyloid-beta proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease, thereby preventing the formation of harmful plaques in the brain.
Multiple regions of the brain engage in fast-moving conversations to understand language, researchers have discovered, dispelling a prior school of thought that only one region of the brain was responsible for language processing. The research was published in PLOS Biology.
The risk of Alzheimer’s disease significantly decreases in older adults who receive a higher dose of the influenza vaccine compared to the standard dose, according to new research.
Having higher levels of vitamin D in the blood in middle age is associated with lower levels of tau protein in the brain, which is a sign of dementia, years later, according to a study published in Neurology Open Access. The study does not prove that vitamin D levels lower the level of tau and the risk of dementia; it only shows an association.
How does the brain time its own development? A new study explores histone bivalency—an epigenetic “red and green light” system that prevents premature neuron maturation and helps adult brains respond to stress and injury.
An international study published across 34 countries shows that the biological age of the brain can be accelerated or delayed by environmental risk (air pollution, public housing conditions) and protective factors (socioeconomic equality, access to health care). The stronger effects arise from interactions among environmental, social, and political conditions.
Finally, this week, neuroscientists have demonstrated for the first time that noninvasive brain stimulation can alter the activity of a critical deep brain region involved in emotion and memory.
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