Weekly Neuroscience Update

Microwire locations, task, ripple characteristics and increased co-firing during co-ripples at all recording separations. Credit: *Nature Neuroscience* (2026).

Researchers have discovered that high-frequency brain waves, known as ripples, may facilitate synchronization between distant brain regions during working memory tasks, highlighting their potential role in coordinating neural activity across long distances during cognitive processes.

Having normal blood pressure, no diabetes, and not smoking from age 48 to 68, are associated with nearly 13 additional years on average of dementia-free life, a new study shows.

Childhood epilepsy is linked to significantly poorer exam grades and long-term educational attainment, with the lowest levels of academic achievement among those whose neurological disorder started when they were very young, finds a large, long-term Danish study published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

In a paper appearing in Nature Communications, researchers show how music produces distinct patterns in the regions of the brain associated with imagination and meaning, similar to those prompted by spoken narratives.

A new study suggests that Alzheimer’s disease may be detected by brain imaging more than seven years earlier than previously assumed. The study suggests that the gold standard for imaging in Alzheimer’s disease (amyloid-PET) has not been sensitive enough to detect early brain processes associated with the disease, such as the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain. The researchers found signs of Alzheimer’s at least seven years before plaques became visible.

A person’s sleep patterns could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study says. A greater number of micro-awakenings during sleep is linked to a greater genetic risk for Alzheimer’s, researchers report in the journal Sleep.

People living with severe mental illness face a substantially higher risk of dementia throughout adulthood, as well as a significantly elevated risk of stroke in early and middle adulthood, according to a large new study based on health records from Catalonia, Spain. The findings, published in European Neuropsychopharmacology, suggest that physical health risks linked to severe psychiatric conditions emerge much earlier than many clinicians may expect, underscoring the need for general health care to be more integrated into mental health care.

A new study published in Brain Stimulation shows that the brain’s ongoing activity before stimulation can predict much of this variability, offering a path toward more reliable neuromodulation therapies.

A new AI model analyzes routine sleep study data to reveal patients’ long-term health risks, such as heart disease and cognitive decline. The study indicates that standard medical tests hold more physiologic information than typically recognized, with AI uncovering significant patterns in sleep data that traditional measures miss.

Published in the Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, a new study found six one-minute bouts of stair climbing improved people’s cognitive health.

Researchers have identified a possible biological marker linked to severe suicidal thoughts. The finding, published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, may also help explain why some people recover from these thoughts, opening a new path for research into resilience and suicide prevention.

A research team has demonstrated that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) significantly improves depression and apathy in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

A recent study suggests that a single 20-minute session of noninvasive deep brain stimulation, paired with mindful breathing, may strengthen the brain’s response to reward and reduce anxiety. Changes in reward-related brain activity remained detectable for approximately one week after the session.

Researchers have created an AI-based method to produce detailed maps revealing how different brain areas age and their correlation with cognitive function over a lifetime.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

Credit: *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences* (2026)

Scientists have developed a computer model of the human cortex that links its microscopic chemistry to its brain-wide patterns of activity, providing new evidence that regional differences in receptor density help shape how activity and information move across the brain.

An international consortium has established the first consensus-based framework and standardized taxonomy for vocal biomarkers.

A novel AI model can use information collected during routine sleep studies to identify patients’ long-term health risks, according to a new study published in Nature Communications. Developed by a multidisciplinary research team, the model uncovered hidden sleep patterns linked to risks including heart disease, cognitive decline and death.

Experiencing severe stress during childhood can make a person more vulnerable to anxiety, depression and other mood disorders when faced with hardships as an adult.

A new study reveals that during deep REM sleep, the human brain shifts its sensory processing focus from external sounds to internal cardiac signals. As responsiveness to outside noise decreases, the processing of these internal signals increases. The researchers created an audio-cardio index to measure this neural shift, providing a new physiological marker for evaluating altered states of consciousness.

Researchers have created an energy-efficient AI model that mimics hippocampal brain mechanisms, enabling it to construct cognitive maps, perform stochastic computations, and solve complex planning tasks efficiently.

A new mathematical model that reproduces the relapsing-remitting pattern of multiple sclerosis (MS) offers scientists a tool to better understand how the disease progresses. The model, developed by QUT researchers from the School of Mathematical Sciences, is published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.

The first U.S. clinical trial evaluating psilocybin-assisted therapy in military veterans with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has demonstrated significant safety and clinical efficacy.

A new study in Nature Genetics reveals a detailed map of brain immune cells involved in Alzheimer’s disease, highlighting a protective subtype that grows as the disease advances and identifying the molecular pathway that helps these cells defend the brain, with potential implications for future therapies.

A clinical trial, has found that oral semaglutide significantly reduces heavy drinking days, daily cravings, and alcohol-related problems in adults with moderate-to-severe Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

Scientists have found that the human brain processes low-frequency infrasound through a unique mechanism where acoustic waves bypass auditory hair cells and activate inner ear support cells, generating electric fields that stimulate different nerve pathways, causing infrasound to be felt more as a physical sensation than an audible sound.

Scientists have uncovered how a major Parkinson’s disease gene disrupts the brain’s most vulnerable dopamine-producing neurons before detectable neuronal loss. The study findings are published in Nature Communications.

A compound produced by bacteria in many people’s digestive tracts increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and speeds cognitive decline in dementia patients, making it a potential target for a treatment that could reduce Alzheimer’s risk, according to a new study published in Nature Communications.

Researchers have found that depression is associated with smaller volume in a specific part of the hippocampus, a brain region essential for learning and memory.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

Scientist fitting EEG cap on seated woman while others work on brain imaging and data analysis

Results from a small clinical trial suggest it may be possible to reduce the risk of dementia by eating during fewer hours of the day. The pilot study, which involved a weight-loss program for older women with overweight or obesity, showed modest cognitive improvements among those who limited their daily eating window instead of just reducing their calorie intake.

Scientists have introduced the world’s first chip capable of matching the operational speed of the human brain.

Researchers have developed a methodology that uses artificial intelligence to analyse the brain’s electrical activity during sleep, facilitating early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. The study, published in the journal GeroScience, shows that analysing nocturnal brain waves through machine learning techniques allows for the identification of early neuronal alterations and the classification of patients into three distinct biological subgroups.

A new study demonstrates that whether an individual’s eyes are open or closed completely reverses the relationship between alpha band brain activity and mind wandering.

A study on human intracranial recordings shows that memory consolidation during sleep relies on coordinated activity among the orbitofrontal cortex, thalamus, and hippocampus. It provides direct evidence of how interactions between these regions affect memory performance, highlighting that synchronised neural signalling during sleep enhances memory retention.

New blood tests for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease offer a less invasive diagnostic alternative to brain scans and spinal taps, allowing for earlier identification and potentially more effective treatment options.

A recent study found that the human brain experiences significant changes in gene regulation and genome structure starting in midlife, particularly in the hippocampus. Researchers identified a notable shift in the brain’s immune system between ages 50 and 75, where embryonic-derived microglia decrease and are replaced by cells from peripheral blood with increased inflammation. These changes, along with a reduction in cells that maintain the blood-brain barrier, could explain why ageing is a key risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Scientists have shed new light on Alzheimer’s disease that could point to new directions for treatment.

Widespread evidence suggests that years of heading, tackling, and collisions in football and rugby may increase the risk of dementia and neurological diseases. A preliminary study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in July 2026 examined 142 former professional footballers aged 30–60 alongside 56 individuals without a history of contact sports. While both groups performed similarly in cognitive tests, the retired footballers reported worse mood, higher anxiety levels, and poorer cognitive function.

A landmark study by scientists at King’s College London has identified new genetic risk factors for fibromyalgia syndrome, emphasising the nervous system’s role in the disorder’s development.

A pan-European study highlights key behavioural factors impacting health care professionals’ decisions to prescribe new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The findings emphasise the potential of behaviour change frameworks to enhance the adoption of these transformative therapies, addressing the rising global health care challenge posed by diseases like Parkinson’s. Understanding these prescribing influences is crucial for ensuring patient access to the best treatment options.

Analyzing UK sugar rationing data shows that limiting sugar exposure in utero and during the first two years of life reduces dementia risk by up to 23% and delays disease onset by 2.6 years

Researchers have developed an AI-powered speech neuroprosthesis that decodes high-density intracortical signals into fluent, high-fidelity synthetic speech. The dual-stage deep learning pipeline leverages a phonetic decoding layer paired with a large language model linguistic processor to achieve greater than 99% word accuracy with a processing latency of just 30 milliseconds.

A recent study showed that a three-week digital training program alongside standard drug treatment for Parkinson’s significantly improved patients’ motor function and brain motor circuits.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

*Credit: Biological Psychiatry / Volpi et al.*

A new brain imaging study published in eBioMedicine, provides the strongest evidence to date that long COVID is associated with injury to dopamine-releasing neurons in the brain—a finding that may explain symptoms such as lack of motivation due to fatigue, slowed movement and memory difficulties, and could open the door to new treatment strategies.

New research shows that sleep disorders are associated with structural changes in brain regions involved in attention, motivation and decision-making.

A new study reports that sensors can accurately monitor disease progression in patients with Parkinson’s, addressing the limitations of wearable technologies. The research, conducted by scientists from the UK Dementia Research Institute, aims to create a zero-burden method for tracking movement changes in affected individuals

Drugs commonly used for weight loss, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have been found to reduce the key symptoms of binge eating disorder, in a new review of evidence led by University College London (UCL) researchers.

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that, for a short period of around one to two seconds, the brain can begin following a new conversation before it has fully let go of the previous one. The findings challenge the long-held view that we can only focus on one speaker at a time.

People with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, alcohol addiction or psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia show increased brain ageing, each in specific patterns within the brain, according to a study published in PLOS Medicine.

Individuals with psychiatric conditions have less flexibility in their brain network dynamics, as found in a new Rutgers study. The brain is made up of networks that adapt and reorganise to handle changing cognitive and emotional needs. This ability to reconfigure supports how we manage our thoughts and behaviours.

A new neuroimaging study published in the journal Brain Imaging and Behavior provides some of the first evidence that strengthening your brain health through daily habits rewires its physical architecture

Researchers have conducted one of the most comprehensive studies on how the autistic brain processes faces. Some hallmark characteristics of autism include tendencies to avoid looking at others’ faces and to make less eye contact. The research is published in the journal Nature Mental Health.

A new study highlights “gut jet lag”, the desynchronization between host biological clocks and gut microbiota rhythms during long-haul travel.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

*Credit: Jeffrey Parr/University of Southern Mississippi*

New research indicates that athletes with ADHD need even more scrutiny when head injuries are involved.

Scientists have made progress in finding better pain treatments with a new study aimed at reducing the addictive effects of morphine. They found that activating a dopamine receptor called D4 boosts morphine’s pain-relieving effects and helps prevent tolerance.

Prefrontal transcranial pulse stimulation is associated with antidepressant effects, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open

Cerebrovascular disease can cause serious problems if not treated quickly, but it’s hard to spot before symptoms show up. Researchers have developed an AI technology that analyses daily activities and environmental data from older adults to identify signs of cerebrovascular disease risk based on small changes in their home lives.

Researchers have developed a small graphene-based sensor to noninvasively measure dopamine in artificial tears, enabling rapid neurodegenerative screening.

The Consortium for Biomedical Research and Artificial Intelligence in Neurodegeneration (C-BRAIN) has launched three open-source AI tools. These tools act as team members in biomedical research, analysing global neuroscience literature, identifying patterns in hidden data, and providing objective peer reviews to accelerate the development of life-saving treatments.

A retrospective cohort study of 19,824 NFL players confirms that professional football veterans face a fourfold increase in neurodegenerative mortality, including a 3.8-fold surge in all-cause dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

A study in Neurology found that people with early-onset dementia had lower work productivity up to 15 years before they were diagnosed, with variations by type of dementia. Early-onset dementia refers to anyone under 65 diagnosed with dementia. The study only shows a link between early-onset dementia and reduced productivity, not that one causes the other.

A research team created a brain implant that can modulate neural activity with temperature, offering new opportunities for brain-computer interfaces and neurological treatments.

New research has used advanced EEG-fMRI tracking to show that the brain doesn’t operate as a single process. Instead, the human connectome manages multiple separate, asynchronous streams of information processing that happen simultaneously, providing new insights into clinical neuro-diagnostics and cognitive complexity.

A new study has introduced a novel machine learning method for analysing how the brain organises complex behaviours, offering fresh evidence that neural activity is built from reusable “building blocks.” The study is published in Neuron.

Scientists have conducted a study that enhances the understanding of the brain’s neuromodulators—acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin. The research integrates advanced experimental measurements with detailed computational models of the brain, demonstrating how these chemical messengers influence the electrical activity of numerous neurons in the developing brain.

Exposure to high temperatures during pregnancy and early infancy is linked to slower thalamic growth in childhood, as indicated by research from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health.

A new study has found that older adults who participated in a structured, 2-year healthy lifestyle program saw a significant improvement in memory and thinking skills, approximately 55% greater per year, compared with those who received only general health advice.

Research has shed new light on the biological basis of schizophrenia by directly measuring synaptic connections in the human brain using specialised positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

A major study involving over 214,000 older adults from 14 countries shows that common risk factors for dementia—like low education, high blood pressure, and smoking—differ greatly between countries. This indicates that a single approach to prevention won’t be effective everywhere.

Natural plant compounds called polyphenols, found in foods such as berries, tea, cocoa, coffee, and extra-virgin olive oil, may positively influence biological processes associated with Alzheimer’s disease and nerve cell loss, claims a recent review.

A recent study found that poor sleep affects brain communication in adults, particularly highlighting that older women with poor sleep exhibited abnormal connectivity between the Default Mode Network and the Frontal Parietal Network. This over-communication correlated with worse memory performance and resembled brain patterns observed in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Rare DNA changes are most strongly linked to cognition in early childhood, but the link fades as children age, while common DNA changes show stronger links later in childhood, a new study finds.

Researchers have demonstrated a novel AI model that can predict which DNA molecules bind with which other DNA molecules. Providing a more thorough understanding of these hypercomplex binding relationships has utility in applications ranging from biomedical diagnostic tools to DNA computing.

A study revealed that heightened amygdala activity in adolescents viewing emotional faces can forecast their social health two years later, showing that for girls it indicated greater peer engagement, while for boys it indicated less.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

Researchers have conducted a psychophysical study using virtual reality (VR) to investigate how humans flexibly use exploratory behaviours—such as changing their viewpoint by moving their head and manipulating objects with their hands—when discriminating the material properties of objects. The study was published in the Journal of Vision.

A new study establishes a robust link between long-term exposure to air pollution and the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

An international team of scientists and clinicians have developed a generative artificial intelligence framework that unmasks these previously hidden cortical lesions by analysing existing legacy MRI scans. By synthesising minor, sub-visual discrepancies across multiple image contrasts, the AI acts as a computational lens, extracting vital diagnostic data from ordinary scans and revealing an entirely invisible layer of MS pathology.

New research in General Psychiatry has uncovered a link between higher levels of daytime light exposure and a lower risk of dementia.

A recent study discovered that randomly played sounds during sleep can actively impair memory consolidation. By utilising real-time electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, the researchers proved that ambient sound clicks disrupt deep slow-wave sleep, arresting the physical propagation of slow brain waves across the cortex and fracturing the crucial transfer of information required to form long-term memories.

A research team has uncovered new insight into how the brain senses movement. Their findings could potentially help improve sensation and movement for prosthetic limbs.

A new study has demonstrated that introducing inflammatory signalling molecules directly into human hippocampal stem cells halts new neuron production. Instead of simply dying or becoming damaged, the brain’s neural stem cells abandon their regenerative responsibilities, entering an “immune alert” state that fuels localised neuroinflammation.

People who speak more than one language seem to have younger brains, according to research presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2026.

A new research framework that combines large language models (LLMs) with choice mathematics to evaluate human decision-making. By deploying LLMs to automatically interpret and code thousands of free-text participant thought justifications, the framework provides a scalable, validated methodology demonstrating that human reasoning strategies shift dynamically with a problem’s structure.

Scientists have found that human cortical neurons function like advanced microchips, demonstrating computational abilities comparable to those of deep artificial neural networks, rather than merely acting as simple switches.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

Position of regions of interest for DTI-ALPS index calculations on a color-coded fractional anisotropy map. Spherical ROIs (3 mm diameter) were positioned in the projection and association *tracts. Dxx: left to right direction, Dyy: anterior to posterior direction, and Dzz: craniocaudal direction. PVS -perivascular space. Credit: Frontiers in Neuroscience (2026).*

The brain’s waste clearance system is impaired in people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), which can lead to various symptoms, including brain fog, researchers have discovered.

Women with Parkinson’s disease may be more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain than men, according to new research presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2026. Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease frequently co-occur in older adults, yet sex differences in Alzheimer’s-related pathology among people with Parkinson’s disease remain underexplored.

Researchers have shown that using paracetamol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy does not increase a child’s risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention‑deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

By evaluating data from over 2,000 adults across 23 randomised controlled trials, scientists have proved that melatonin targets the bidirectional relationship between physical agony and sleep fragmentation, offering a highly accessible, non-addictive adjunct for integrated pain management plans.

Adults with both epilepsy and hearing loss who use hearing aids may have a 23% lower risk of developing dementia than those who do not, according to new research presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2026.

A new study reveals that the motor skill difference between hands is not innate but rather a result of cultural practices. Using 3D motion capture, researchers found that both hands have similar baseline capabilities, with handedness arising from asymmetrical tool use.

A research team has identified a critical molecular cause of age-related cognitive decline, potentially paving the way for new treatments to protect brain health as people age.

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a detailed map of the pulvinar, a brain region that may enhance the targeting of brain stimulation therapies for drug-resistant epilepsy. The findings, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, show that closely located brain regions connect to distinct networks, thereby offering a blueprint for more accurate electrode placement in deep brain stimulation treatments.

A simple bedside eye test may help predict recovery of consciousness in patients with severe brain injuries, according to new research presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2026.

A research team cautions that reliance on unregulated AI may hinder emotional development and real-world relationship skills. While AI can provide support for marginalised youth, it poses risks such as relational displacement and maladaptive relational learning, potentially increasing long-term vulnerabilities to depression, anxiety, and social isolation.

Better identification and management of sleep apnea and associated vascular risk factors in midlife may provide an important opportunity to support long-term brain health, according to new research from Monash University.

A new study presents an automated cognitive mapping framework that combines Large Language Models (LLMs) with behavioural choice mathematics, demonstrating that human self-insights are a reliable data source, influenced by the specifics of a problem, in high-stakes gambling tasks.

Finally, this week, researchers have revealed how our brain reacts differently to predictable situations and surprises, showing that it is designed to gather more sensory information during unexpected events.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

*Cerebellar cognitive signature includes regions related to cerebello-cerebral networks and acts as a reserve factor. Credit: Nature Neuroscience (2026).*

Scientists may have discovered a new role for the cerebellum, the part of the brain that sits at the base of the skull. A new paper published in the journal Nature Neuroscience reports that different parts of the cerebellum change at different rates with age, which may be linked to differences in cognitive abilities and memory in later life. This may help explain why some people stay sharper as they get older.

Greater concussion symptom history is associated with increased odds of tinnitus, and associations with cognition, depression, and anxiety are larger among those with tinnitus, according to a study published in Sports Medicine Open.

Researchers found a link between brain network organisation and language learning ability in adults, highlighting that attention and cognitive control networks significantly influence language mastery, more so than traditional language processing areas, based on a study with 101 participants before and after training on an artificial language.

A new finding is challenging the way investigators study chronic neurological disorders such as dystonia, ataxia and tremor.

A global meta-analysis of over 4,700 survivors has revealed that psychiatric and behavioural complications, such as depression, anxiety, and emotional instability, are widespread following encephalitis (brain inflammation). Researchers found that 27% of survivors experience clinical depression, while 20% battle long-term anxiety or personality shifts months or years after recovery.

New research shows that the subjective emotional state of loneliness is a far more destructive force on human longevity and brain health than the objective state of social isolation.

Losing the senses of smell and taste inflicts an emotional, social, and psychological toll comparable to living with some of the world’s most serious chronic illnesses, according to a new review that analysed years of clinical evidence measuring quality-of-life metrics across a wide array of long-term conditions.

Researchers found a link between brain network organisation and language acquisition ability in adults by mapping neural variations in 101 participants using resting-state functional neuroimaging before linguistic training.

A study of 55,204 older veterans reveals a dangerous cycle between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurological diseases, showing that those with TBI are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, TBI doubles the risk of stroke and epilepsy and increases dementia rates by 24%, emphasising the need for immediate fall-prevention measures after diagnosis.

Scientists have discovered that children with autism exhibit different brain patterns depending on their language abilities. This discovery could improve predictions of their language development.

A new study has found a cost-effective, non-invasive way to predict Alzheimer’s disease risk factors using artificial intelligence to analyse routine eye photographs from over 40,000 patients, linking specific areas of the eye to biological and lifestyle risk factors for the disease.

Researchers have created a closed-loop deep brain stimulation (DBS) system that detects and responds to walking patterns in real time, enhancing gait and minimising falls in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Younger birth cohorts exhibit significantly accelerated biological ageing compared to older generations. This widening age gap correlates with an 8% to 15% increase in the risk of early-onset solid tumours, with premature ageing of the immune and adipose tissues driving specific lung and colorectal malignancies.

An international research team has shown that nerve cells in the brain specialise in different tasks when processing visual information.

A new longitudinal study followed children from ages 1 to 8 and found that higher screen viewing time—particularly during infancy and around school entry age—was consistently associated with poorer academic performance at age 9 and weaker working memory at age 10.5. The findings suggest that the timing of screen exposure may be as important as the amount of screen time itself.

Wearing a cooling cap for 30 minutes may improve a person’s sense of well-being, according to a new study.

Researchers have transformed psychiatric genomics by discovering 641 new genes linked to schizophrenia, using genetic data from over 102,000 individuals and postmortem brain tissue from six brain regions. They employed advanced computational models to explore long-range regulatory relationships, moving beyond traditional mapping methods.

A new study shows for the first time that targeted control of human breathing rhythm can influence decision behaviour by modulating heart and brain function.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

Regional overlap between dimensional associations between conduct problems and brain structure (current study) and case-control differences in conduct disorder. Credit: Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2026).

Conduct problems—including persistent rule-breaking, aggression, irritability and difficulty following school rules—are associated with small but widespread differences in brain structure, according to a major international study of more than 14,000 children and adolescents.

New research has discovered subtle but widespread differences in the brain’s communication networks in people with bipolar disorder, offering new insight into how illness severity and treatment may relate to brain wiring.

A recent study has identified hidden pathways through which parental DNA influences a child’s life, presenting a framework that separates direct genetic inheritance from parents’ environmental impacts, known as “genetic nurture.” By analysing data from over 30,000 multigenerational families, researchers found that the domestic environment shaped by parental DNA can affect traits such as height, weight, and academic ability that rival direct inheritance.

A study of 2,044 older Japanese adults revealed that lower vitamin C levels in blood plasma are associated with reduced gray matter volume and connectivity in the brain’s default mode network.

Researchers have discovered unique brain activity patterns in individuals with depression, shedding light on the persistent nature of depressive symptoms. Their study, used advanced neuroimaging and mathematical modelling to analyse brain transitions between states, indicating that depression may involve “brain-state entrapment,” whereby the brain tends to favour certain activity patterns and struggles to shift away from them.

Adolescents who spend at least two hours a day on social media are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and poorer well-being, with the strongest effects in early adolescence, according to new research.

A new study challenges the belief that teenage risk-taking is due to excess dopamine, finding instead that it stems from low baseline dopamine levels. Analysing data from over 800 adolescents, researchers discovered that those with the lowest reward biology use substances like alcohol and cannabis as a way to stimulate their underactive brains. As their dopamine systems mature into adulthood, their experimentation with substances significantly decreases.

New research suggests that reinforcing the body’s natural daily rhythms to improve sleep could help the brain recover after a stroke.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

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.