Weekly Neuroscience Update

 Credit: Radiological Society of North America

Low-level light therapy appears to affect healing in the brains of people who suffered significant brain injuries, according to a study published in Radiology.

An international team of clinicians and neuroscientists has published a new perspective on the process of neurodegeneration. Their findings review evidence for a mechanism upstream of amyloid including the key neurochemical driving this process.

A new study reveals the brain mechanisms behind speech impairment in Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers designed and implanted a transparent window in the skull of a patient, then used functional ultrasound imaging to collect high-resolution brain imaging data through the window. Their preliminary findings, published in Science Translational Medicine, suggest that this sensitive, non-invasive approach could open new avenues for patient monitoring and clinical research, as well as broader studies of how the brain functions.

New research finds that reports of cognitive decline from patients and their partners are linked to the accumulation of tau tangles, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

A new study finds a link between a diet high in ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of cognitive impairment and stroke. This association was particularly pronounced among Black participants. While more research is needed, the findings highlight the potential impact of food processing on brain health.

New research has found a distinct relationship between sleep duration, social media usage, and brain activation across brain regions that are key for executive control and reward processing.

For patients with chronic migraine, nerve decompression surgery effectively reduces the number of headache days—the outcome measure preferred by neurologists—along with other measures including the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks, reports a study in the June issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

A new study uncovers a key biological process targeted by SSRIs, suggesting new clinical applications.

Researchers have reported that patients with Parkinson’s disease exhibiting sympathetic denervation in the major salivary glands and the heart tend to have more advanced non-motor symptoms as they age, suggesting that age plays an important role in disease progression.

An international study, published in Nature Communications, may facilitate the creation of new personalized treatments for people diagnosed with schizophrenia. 

A World Health Organization-commissioned systematic review finds that radio wave exposure from mobile phones does not affect learning, memory, attention span and other cognitive functions like coordination.

Researchers have leveraged the power of artificial intelligence analytical models to match a patient’s medical history to the most effective antidepressant, allowing patients to find symptom relief sooner.

A new study finds a strong association between teen cannabis use and a significantly increased risk of developing psychotic disorders. This risk appears to be age-dependent, with adolescents being particularly vulnerable to the effects of cannabis on their developing brains. While further research is needed, these findings raise concerns about early cannabis use and highlight the importance of prevention strategies.

Does sleep clear more toxins from the brain than when we’re awake? The latest research casts doubt on the theory.

A new study finds that urolithin A, a substance found in pomegranates, can improve memory and may help treat Alzheimer’s disease. This natural compound works by removing damaged mitochondria from the brain, similar to the effects of NAD supplements. While dosage is still being determined, this discovery offers promising potential for treating and preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

Finally this week, our willingness to help others is governed by a specific brain region pinpointed by researchers in a study of patients with brain damage to that region.

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