Weekly Neuroscience Update

*HoliAtlas Project Brain Images. Credit: Instituto de Aplicaciones de las Tecnologías de la Información y de las Comunicaciones Avanzadas (ITACA), Universitat Politècnica de València*

An international team has developed one of the most comprehensive and detailed structural atlases of the human brain to date. Known as HoliAtlas, it will be particularly useful for the study and early diagnosis of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

A large-scale study found that severe, hospital-treated infections are linked to an increased risk of dementia.

Scientists have uncovered a strategy that the brain uses for chemical signalling. In a new study, researchers found that in the striatum, a brain region central to learning and movement, one signalling system can seize control of another, promoting the coordinated release of both.

A meta-analysis has confirmed that exposure to nature—real, virtual, or imagined—reduces negative emotions and boosts brain health.

A massive study of over 2.2 million individuals has fundamentally redefined how we understand the genetics of addiction. The research reveals that most genetic risk for substance use disorders (SUD) isn’t about how the body reacts to a specific drug, but how the brain is “wired” for behavioural disinhibition.

A meta-analysis found no link between hormonal contraception and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), a serious condition marked by increased pressure around the brain, potentially causing chronic headaches and vision loss.

A machine-learning analysis of brain waves recorded during sleep may help identify people at high risk of developing dementia, according to a recent study. The study found that when a person’s “brain age,” estimated from sleep signals using EEG, exceeded their actual age, the risk of dementia increased.

A major study has found that treating ADHD with stimulant medication during childhood may actually lower the long-term risk of developing serious psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.

New research shows that the long-term neurological impact of childhood trauma is not permanently etched onto the brain. An analysis of brain communication patterns in individuals with childhood adversity indicates that lifetime physical activity can reshape neural connectivity, strengthening internal communication and optimizing stress response. The findings from the study in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging highlight physical activity as a modifiable lifestyle factor linked to neurobiological adaptation.

An international team has completed a massive “blueprint” of the human neocortex, the brain’s outer layer responsible for high-level thinking, decision-making, and sensory processing.

A clinical decision support tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze scans after a stroke alongside treatment recommendations is associated with better quality care and long-term outcomes for patients compared with usual care, finds a recent study published in The BMJ.

Can a stroke make part of your brain younger? New research using deep learning reveals that undamaged brain regions reorganise and show “youthful” structural patterns to compensate for severe stroke damage.

New research identifies a leaky blood-brain barrier as the primary link between repetitive head injuries and long-term cognitive decline in retired athletes. MRI scans compared with post-mortem tissue from athletes with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy reveal that this barrier remains compromised even years after retirement.

Scientists have identified a new genetic disease characterised by premature ageing and deficits in brain function.

Consciousness and its impairment from brain injuries are not well understood, making disorders of consciousness (DOC), like coma and vegetative states, challenging to treat. A new study published in Nature Neuroscience suggests that AI may help researchers tackle this issue. The research team developed an adversarial AI framework to better understand states of reduced consciousness and explore potential solutions.

Finally this week, new research shows that periodontal tissue status, peripheral immune response, and cognitive functions are closely interconnected.

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For years, Alzheimer’s research has faced criticism for not being diverse, primarily focusing on participants of European ancestry. A groundbreaking study has challenged the “one-size-fits-all” approach. By examining brain markers across a diverse group, researchers found important differences in how early Alzheimer’s symptoms—such as tau protein tangles and amyloid plaques—manifest among racial and ethnic groups. These results indicate that the disease’s biological timeline varies across populations, suggesting that existing diagnostic tools and future treatments may need adjustments to be effective for everyone.

Scientists have found that a novel blood-based biomarker can predict a woman’s risk of developing dementia as many as 25 years before symptoms appear.

Blockbuster weight-loss drugs like semaglutide and liraglutide have significantly affected metabolic health, and a new study mapping GLP-1 expression in the brain reveals notable sex-specific differences. This research explains why females may experience greater appetite suppression and weight loss with these medications, and it suggests the potential for developing sex-specific treatments for addiction, depression, and Alzheimer’s.

Can you tell the difference between a real human voice and an AI-generated one? According to a new study, your conscious mind might struggle, but your brain is already picking up the clues.

Researchers have identified new genetic variants associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through long-read whole genome sequencing (LR-WGS), which enhances the detection of genetic variants compared to short-read methods. These insights could result in more precise genetic testing and targeted therapies for ASD.

Increasing our level of physical fitness leads to a greater release of brain-boosting proteins following a single exercise session, a new study has found.

A new study has found a neural “fingerprint” that predicts our ability to understand others’ intentions, identifying a brain network that responds when our expectations of others are incorrect. This could significantly change the diagnosis and treatment of social cognition disorders such as autism and borderline personality disorder.

Scientists have successfully preserved brain tissue by deep-freezing it. When thawed, the neurons start sending signals again. This method can be used to preserve brain tissue removed during surgery for later study.

The VIVID Trial, a large study on Vitamin D, found that high doses of Vitamin D3 did not reduce the severity of COVID-19 or prevent hospitalisation, but suggested potential benefits for preventing Long COVID. Participants adhering to the Vitamin D regimen reported fewer ongoing symptoms after eight weeks, indicating that while Vitamin D isn’t a cure for COVID-19, it may aid long-term recovery.

A retinal image could help doctors quickly distinguish between similar neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s disease, and with remarkable accuracy, according to new research.

A new study shows that immune cells called microglia can actively promote the formation of plaques in Alzheimer’s disease, challenging the long-standing view that these cells serve only as defenders against plaque buildup. The findings were recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Smoking cannabis can reshape memories. A new study found that those who consumed THC were more likely to recall nonexistent words and struggled with tasks like remembering to do something later.

Fatigue is a significant and challenging symptom of major depressive disorder. Recent research shows that cells in depressed individuals overwork at rest but struggle to produce energy under stress. This indicates that mitochondria are pushed to their limits early in the illness, contributing to low mood and cognitive slowness.

A new review explains that ketogenic diets help reduce seizures in epilepsy by strengthening the brain’s energy systems, reducing inflammation, and protecting neurons, offering benefits that many medications do not provide.

In former college athletes, having had three or more concussions was associated with slightly worse physical, mental, behavioural, and cognitive health five years after graduation, according to an article published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

New research suggests that exercise may help people with cancer stay mentally sharp and better able to handle daily tasks, work, and social activities through chemotherapy treatment delivered on an every two-week cycle.

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A recent study from the University of Cambridge indicates that menopause may significantly increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers analyzed brain scans from nearly 125,000 women and found that menopause is linked to reductions in gray matter, which is critical for processing information. They also observed decreased volume in brain areas responsible for memory, emotion, attention, and decision-making. These changes were related to poorer sleep, higher anxiety and depression, and slower reaction times. Notably, the affected regions are the same ones most at risk in Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia.

People with major depressive disorder saw significant and lasting reductions in their symptoms from a single dose of the psychedelic compound DMT in a small study.

Results from the long-term ACTIVE study reveal that a specific type of cognitive exercise can significantly reduce the risk of dementia for up to two decades. The study, which followed nearly 3,000 older adults for 20 years, found that those who participated in “speed of processing” training—exercises designed to sharpen visual attention and reaction time—were 25% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia compared to a control group.

Eating unhealthy foods early in life leaves lasting brain and feeding changes, but gut bacteria can help restore healthy eating, a new study finds.

Researchers have found a specific type of high-frequency brain activity in the anteromedial orbitofrontal cortex (amOFC) that correlates with compulsive behaviours in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In three patients with severe OCD who didn’t respond to treatment, targeting this signal with deep-brain stimulation (DBS) quickly reduced symptoms. These results suggest that OCD symptoms might be caused by irregular brain circuits in the frontal region and could lead to better DBS systems that activate only when harmful signals occur.

A recent study has found a direct link between age-related declines in neuron activity in the cerebellum and worsening motor skills, including gait, balance and agility.

Researchers have studied changes in the cerebral cortex of people with psychosis. Their findings show that psychosis does not follow one path; instead, its development is influenced by how the brain matures, along with symptoms, thinking, and treatment. The authors stress the importance of personalised approaches that consider individual differences to better understand the condition and improve long-term treatment strategies.

A simple combination of daily physical exercise and protein-rich nutritional drinks appears to offer significant health benefits for people with dementia.

Chronic pain lasts longer in women than in men, and new research suggests that differences in immune cells called monocytes may explain this. In a study published in Science Immunology, researchers at Michigan State University discovered that a type of monocyte produces a molecule that reduces pain. These cells are more active in men due to higher testosterone levels. In contrast, women experience longer pain and slower recovery because their monocytes are less active.

Researchers have developed a high-speed “neuron-on-a-plate” system that successfully mimics the complex electrical rhythms of the developing human brain.

A research team has found new clues about how the brains of people with Down syndrome develop differently from a very early age. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that brain cells with an extra copy of a chromosome (trisomy 21)—the genetic cause of Down syndrome—have difficulty forming strong, well-coordinated connections with one another.

Finally this week, a new study warns that AI chatbots like ChatGPT can significantly worsen psychiatric conditions—particularly delusions, mania, and suicidal ideation.

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Credit: *Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease* (2026).

The eyes—specifically, the outer retina—may provide a window into early detection of Alzheimer’s disease long before irreversible brain damage occurs, according to new research from Houston Methodist. This discovery could dramatically change how the disease is diagnosed, monitored and treated.

New research indicates that the brain’s visual system feedback connections are not pre-wired but are shaped by early visual experiences.

Scientists have discovered that, in addition to the neocortex, a component of the human language network is present in the cerebellum, traditionally associated with motor coordination. Analysing brain scans of over 800 individuals, they found four cerebellar areas that activate during language tasks, with one area in the right posterior cerebellum dedicated specifically to language. This finding may alter our understanding of language learning and identify new targets for treating conditions such as aphasia.

A new study has found that a person’s object recognition ability, or the ability to distinguish visually similar objects, can predict who can spot an AI-generated face. The higher the ability, the easier it is for a person to tell the difference.

Researchers have found that “tuning” communication between the frontal and parietal lobes via non-invasive tACS led participants to act more unselfishly. In a study of 44 participants, those whose brain regions synchronised to a shared “gamma” rhythm were more likely to share money, suggesting that altruism is influenced by the coordination of specific brain networks rather than being a fixed trait.

People with greater exposure to air pollution face a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published in the journal PLOS Medicine.

New research reveals that consistent cognitive engagement from childhood through late adulthood is associated with a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The study, which followed nearly 2,000 individuals, found that those with high “lifetime cognitive enrichment”—activities such as reading, learning languages, and visiting museums—delayed the onset of dementia symptoms by up to five years.

A new study finds that the brain learns better from spaced-out, rare events than from constant repetition, challenging 100 years of Pavlovian theory.

Researchers have developed a method to predict when someone is likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease using a single blood test. In a study published in Nature Medicine, the researchers demonstrated that their models predicted the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms within a margin of three to four years.

Finally this week, for the first time, scientists can record the full “electrical dialogue” occurring across an entire lab-grown human organoid.

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New research shows that learning to read fundamentally changes how the brain responds to spoken language, even when no written words are present. While previous brain imaging studies have demonstrated that literacy strongly affects how the brain responds to written words, this study is among the first to show differences in brain activity during listening alone.

Chronic alcohol consumption profoundly alters gene expression in key brain regions involved in reward, impulse control, and decision-making, according to a recent study.

Babies as young as two months old are able to categorize distinct objects in their brains—much earlier than previously thought—according to new research from neuroscientists at Trinity College Dublin. The research, which combined brain imaging with artificial intelligence models, enriches our understanding of what babies are thinking and how they learn in the earliest months of life.

A new study reveals that certain brain regions are more active in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during cognitively demanding tasks. The findings could help inform new ways in which the condition is treated and assessed.

A type of therapy that stimulates specific brain pathways with electromagnetic pulses combined with physical therapy significantly reduced overall disability in stroke survivors compared to survivors who received sham (inactive) electromagnetic stimulation combined with physical therapy, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2026.

The increased size of, and lesser blood supply to, a key brain structure in patients with long COVID tracks with known blood markers of Alzheimer’s disease and greater levels of dementia, a new study finds.

A new international study on Buddhist monks shows that meditation is a state of heightened cerebral activity in which brain dynamics are profoundly altered. More specifically, the study found that practicing meditation is associated with modulations in neural oscillations, an increase in the complexity of brain activity and an alteration in “brain criticality,” a state of equilibrium between chaos and order. These changes are thought to reflect a brain that is more alert, flexible, adaptive and efficient.

An AI-powered model can read a brain MRI and diagnose a person in seconds, a study suggests. The model detected neurological conditions with up to 97.5% accuracy and predicted how urgently a patient required treatment.

An international research team has uncovered the next frontier in monitoring brain health, and the key is in technology that millions of people are already using every day—earbuds. The world-first study found that commercially available earbuds have the capability to detect and classify brain activity, simply by measuring subtle changes in users’ hearing. The team used acoustic sensors in earphones to assess cognitive load—the mental effort that shapes learning, task performance and early cognitive decline.

Finally this week, a new study has found that moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee (two to three cups a day) or tea (one to two cups a day) reduced dementia risk, slowed cognitive decline, and preserved cognitive function.

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Training people to activate a part of the brain linked to reward and positive expectations may be associated with an increase in the body’s immune response to a vaccine. The findings from a study involving 85 participants, published in Nature Medicine, suggest that positive thinking might help the brain support the immune system in a noninvasive way.

A new study shows that even a short afternoon nap can help the brain recover and improve its ability to learn.

After receiving evidence-based early interventions, roughly two-thirds of non-speaking children with autism speak single words, and approximately half develop more complex language, according to a new study. The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, offer vital insights into improving success rates for children who remain non-speaking or minimally speaking after therapy.

A newly developed AI computational models that predict the degeneration of neural networks in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Researchers have determined that a measure of brain complexity, derived from magnetic stimulation and EEG, can effectively evaluate the integrity of conscious processing in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The findings offer a new potential metric for tracking disease progression.

People with obesity and high blood pressure may face a higher risk of dementia, according to a new study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

A new doctoral dissertation shows that gambling disorder is linked to brain networks involved in self-control and brain reward functions. By combining several brain imaging methods, the research provides new biological insight into the disorder and may point to promising directions for treatment development.

Researchers have proposed a neuroscience framework explaining how different types of motivation fundamentally reshape what and how the brain remembers.

Scientists have examined episodic and semantic memory, combining task based and fMRI data and have shown that there is no difference in neural activity between successful semantic and episodic retrieval.

Research by an interdisciplinary team from McGill University and Université Laval provides new insights into the links between social factors and cognitive health among aging adults. While previous research had found positive correlations between specific measures of social connectedness and a variety of health outcomes, this study appears to have been the first to create profiles aggregating multiple social factors and to see how those correlated with cognitive health in older adults, the researchers said.

A new study finds that heart attacks involve not just the heart but also the brain and the immune system, revealing a more complex interplay between these critical bodily systems than previously understood.

UCLA Health researchers have created a comprehensive map showing how eight different genetic mutations associated with autism spectrum disorder affect early brain development, providing new insights into the ways diverse genetic causes may lead to shared features and symptoms of the disorder.

The effect of obesity on brain health may depend not only on how much fat is in the body, but also on the areas of the body where fat is stored, according to a study published in Radiology.

A new study published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity has found that people who have had a stroke have fewer of a specific type of immune cell called B cells, which normally produce antibodies to fight off infections. Researchers reviewed 21 clinical trials involving more than 2,100 adults, comparing cannabis-based medicines with placebo over periods of two to 26 weeks.

A research team of has succeeded in identifying biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease in its earliest stages, before extensive brain damage has occurred. The biological processes leave measurable traces in the blood, but only for a limited period.

New research suggests that a person’s overall physical and mental abilities, known as intrinsic capacity, may help predict future cognitive decline.

Menopause is linked to reductions in gray matter volume in key brain regions as well as increased levels of anxiety and depression and difficulties with sleep, according to new research from the University of Cambridge. The study, published in Psychological Medicine, found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) does not appear to mitigate these effects, though it can slow the decline in reaction times.

People exposed to wildfire smoke have a higher risk of suffering a stroke, according to research published in the European Heart Journal.

Researchers have characterized how cellular senescence—where aging cells change their function—is linked to human brain structure in development and late life. This intriguing connection has significant implications, revealing that senescent cells may play a role in the neurodegenerative processes associated with aging, potentially influencing cognitive decline and various age-related diseases.

Finally this week, a new study has found that for people with moderate hearing loss, being prescribed hearing aids had little impact on cognitive test scores.

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*Credit: Gibson Digital / Glasgow Caledonian University / PA*

A “unique” AI-powered headset that can predict epileptic seizures minutes before they occur has been developed by scientists

A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Communications, reveals how rhythmic brain waves known as alpha oscillations help us distinguish between our own body and the external world. The findings offer new insights into how the brain integrates sensory signals to create a coherent sense of bodily self.

Scientists have discovered that a part of the brain may be behind high blood pressure.

Women are more than twice as likely as men to develop stress-related conditions like PTSD, yet the biological mechanisms behind this risk are not well understood. Recent research provides evidence that the ovarian hormone estradiol influences the brain’s response to perceived threats after trauma.

A new study investigated both gene expression and regulation at single cell levels to reveal disruptions in gene function in three brain regions of patients with sporadic early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers mapped the brain connectivity of 960 individuals to uncover how fast and slow neural processes support complex behaviour. They found that intrinsic neural timescales—regions’ characteristic processing windows—are shaped by white-matter pathways distributing signals across the brain. Individuals with a closer match between their wiring and regional timescale demands showed more efficient transitions between behaviour-linked brain states.

An international study that pooled brain scans and memory tests from thousands of adults has shed new light on how structural brain changes are tied to memory decline as people age.

A new machine-learning-based approach to mapping real-time tumour metabolism in brain cancer patients could help doctors discover which treatment strategies are most likely to be effective against individual cases of glioma. The team verified the accuracy of the model by comparing it against human patient data and running mouse experiments.

A new international study has developed the first practical, five-year dementia risk prediction tool for stroke survivors—using only information that’s routinely collected in hospitals and clinics.

Clinician-scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that significantly improves diagnostic accuracy for functional seizures—a condition often misdiagnosed as epilepsy.

A real world study has shown that higher daytime light exposure positively influences different aspects of cognition.

There are indications that a simple finger-prick blood test could, in the future, detect Alzheimer’s disease long before the first clinical symptoms become apparent. This approach could offer a more accessible and less burdensome alternative to the current, complex diagnostic methods.

Finally this week, a new study suggests that a little-known region deep in the brain could be crucial for preserving physical strength as we age.

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Autistic adults show reduced availability of a key glutamate receptor, mGlu5, across widespread brain regions. This difference supports the theory that an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling may contribute to autism-related traits.

Using marijuana just once or twice a month was associated with worse school performance and emotional distress for teens, according to a large study of adolescents.

A possible new treatment for impaired brain blood flow and related dementias is on the horizon. Recent research provides novel insights into the mechanisms that regulate brain blood flow and highlights a potential therapeutic strategy to correct vascular dysfunction.

A major review of prior research has found no evidence that menopause hormone therapy either increases or decreases dementia risk in postmenopausal women.

New research has provided the first direct evidence that schizophrenia is associated with a greater release of serotonin in the frontal cortex, and demonstrates its link to a greater severity of some of the most disabling symptoms of the disorder.

A new study has uncovered how children’s play styles differ depending on whether they are playing alone or with someone else, and how these differences relate to their social skills and brain activity.

The secret to a healthier and “younger” heart lies in the vagus nerve. A recent study has shown that preserving bilateral cardiac vagal innervation is an anti-aging factor. In particular, the right cardiac vagus nerve emerges as a true guardian of cardiomyocyte health, helping to preserve the longevity of the heart independently of heart rate.

AI, using a simple blood test combined with standard brain images has, for the first time, been able to identify two biologically distinct types of multiple sclerosis (MS).

A new study comparing stroke survivors with healthy adults reveals that post-stroke language disorders stem not from slower hearing but from weaker integration of speech sounds. While patients detected sounds as quickly as controls, their brains processed speech features with far less strength, especially when words were unclear.

New research reveals that numbers in our visual field can subtly distort how we judge spatial positions, showing that perception is shaped by both numerical magnitude and object-based processing.

Researchers recently carried out a study investigating the possible connection between gut microbiota and the depressive episodes experienced by people diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Their findings, published in Molecular Psychiatry, suggest that the microorganisms in the digestive system can directly influence connections between specific brain regions known to be affected by BD depression.

New research has found that high risk of obstructive sleep apnea is linked to poorer mental health in adults over 45.

New research following children for more than a decade links high screen exposure before age two to accelerated brain maturation, slower decision-making, and increased anxiety by adolescence. Infants with more screen time showed premature specialization in brain networks involved in visual processing and cognitive control, which later reduced flexibility during thinking tasks.

A research group has uncovered a key mechanism in the development of Alzheimer’s. The mechanism in question identifies toxic proteins and disposes of them.

Researchers mapped the brain connectivity of 960 individuals to uncover how neural processes support complex behavior. They found that intrinsic neural timescales—each region’s processing window—are shaped by white-matter pathways that distribute signals. Individuals with a closer match between their wiring and regional timescale demands showed more efficient transitions between behavior-linked brain states.

Finally this week, a new study revealed that visual awareness acts as a “conductor” refining the speed and precision of attentional rhythmic sampling.

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Persistent effects of air pollutants (main effects) from a multi-pollutant model. Credit: *Environmental Research* (2026)

Scientists warn that exposure to air pollution may have serious implications for a child’s developing brain.

A new study shows that merely imagining a positive encounter with someone can make you like them better by engaging brain regions involved with learning and preference. The findings could have implications for psychotherapy, sports performance and more.

For the first time, a team of researchers has reconstructed how the cerebellum establishes its connections with the rest of the brain during the earliest stages of life.

Social isolation directly causes cognitive function to decline more quickly in later life, independent of whether someone feels lonely. By analysing more than 137,000 cognitive tests from over 30,000 older adults, a new study found that reduced social contact consistently predicted faster cognitive decline across all demographic groups.

Researchers have developed an AI-driven brain model that can track fear as it unfolds in real-world situations, offering a major shift from traditional lab-based approaches.

A new study is challenging a popular theory about how dopamine drives movement, a discovery that could shift how scientists think about Parkinson’s disease treatments. Published in Nature Neuroscience, the research found dopamine does not set the speed or force of each movement, as had been thought. Instead, it appears to serve as the underlying support system that enables movement.

Improvising music could help to improve older people’s cognitive skills, such as learning and memory, according to a new study.

Depression and anxiety may heighten cardiovascular disease risk through chronic stress pathways in the brain and body. In a large analysis of more than 85,000 adults, those with depression or anxiety — especially both — were significantly more likely to experience a heart attack, stroke or heart failure.

A new study has found that people who microdose psychedelics feel better on the days they take them—but those boosts don’t seem to last.

A team of researchers has uncovered, for the first time, how genes linked to autism and intellectual disability may influence early brain development. Their work helps clarify how differences in early brain development contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders and could identify more targeted therapies for these conditions.

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*Credit: Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (2025)*

A new review highlights five major ways microplastics can harm the brain, raising concerns that they may worsen neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. These tiny particles can trigger inflammation, disrupt the blood–brain barrier, generate oxidative stress, impair mitochondria, and damage neurons.

Researchers have mapped how brain networks differ in individuals at Clinical High Risk (CHR) for psychosis, providing a new perspective on the mechanisms underlying the disease onset.

A new study found that variations in the brain’s insulin receptor network affect how women respond to early-life adversity. This effect has a lesser impact in men, suggesting there is a sex-specific process at play.

Dopamine neurons—the cells that drive reward and motivation while we’re awake—become surprisingly active during nonrapid eye movement sleep right after we learn something new.

The human brain processes spoken language in a step-by-step sequence that closely matches how large language models transform text. Using electrocorticography recordings from people listening to a podcast, researchers found that early brain responses aligned with early AI layers, while deeper layers corresponded to later neural activity in regions such as Broca’s area.

In a new leap for neurobiology and bioelectronics, scientists have developed a wireless device that uses light to send information directly to the brain—bypassing the body’s natural sensory pathways.

Young children exposed to unusually high temperatures are less likely to reach basic developmental milestones in literacy and numeracy. Analyzing data from over 19,000 children across multiple countries, the study found that average maximum temperatures above 86 °F were associated with measurable declines in early learning outcomes.

A new study shows that dance can be beneficial in halting the cognitive decline associated with Parkinson’s disease and, for some participants, they even showed signs of improvement.

A research team has developed a new AI foundation model that creatively solved the problem of the “label data shortage,” regarded as the biggest challenge in deep learning-based brain signal analysis. This technology is designed to self-learn brain signals and is gaining attention for its ability to deliver high accuracy with very small amounts of labels.

Semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can help lower the risk of heart and metabolic diseases in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, according to a new study.

A newly discovered biological signal in the blood could help health care teams and researchers better understand how children respond to brain injuries at the cellular level, according to research in the Journal of Neurotrauma.

Neuroscientists have developed a first-of-its-kind method to rapidly produce synchronized, human brain wave-like activity in lab-grown neural networks that can communicate over long distances.

A new analysis shows that anti-inflammatory medications may help reduce symptoms for a subset of people with depression who also have chronic, low-grade inflammation. By reviewing randomized controlled trials that specifically enrolled individuals with elevated inflammatory markers, researchers found that anti-inflammatory treatments significantly reduced both overall depressive symptoms and anhedonia.

An international study has found that wearable technology could help detect Parkinson’s disease (PD) up to nine years before clinical diagnosis simply by monitoring how people turn when they walk.

Researchers have identified a distinct immuno-inflammatory biomarker across major psychiatric disorders that can be detected using noninvasive brain imaging. Patients exhibiting this brain signature showed systemic inflammation and poorer response to standard treatments.

A preliminary study of people with diabetes suggests that use of glucose-lowering GLP-1 drugs may be linked to a lower risk of developing epilepsy.

A new study proposes that autism arises when genetic vulnerability, an early environmental trigger, and prolonged activation of the cellular stress response align during critical developmental windows. This “three-hit” metabolic model reframes autism as a disorder of disrupted cellular communication and energy metabolism rather than an inevitable genetic outcome.

Finally this week, researchers have discovered how a neural circuit drives relapse after opioid use, a finding that could lead to more effective treatments for opioid use disorders.