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.

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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.

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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.

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*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.

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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.

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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.

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*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.

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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.

A longitudinal study reveals that the accumulation of visceral fat, the “hidden” fat stored deep within the abdominal cavity, is a primary driver of brain atrophy and cognitive decline in late midlife.

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.

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*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.

A recent study indicates that cognitive decline is not unavoidable with ageing, showing that individuals aged 19 to 94 can enhance their brain performance through consistent brain-healthy practices.

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*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.