Category: Weekly Round-Up

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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Credit: eLife (2024)

Exposure to higher levels of light can help people feel more awake and increase cognitive performance, probably by influencing the activity of parts of a brain region called the hypothalamus, according to new research.

Researchers have developed a new tool to better understand how chemicals like dopamine and epinephrine interact with neurons.

Bursts of brain rhythms with “beta” frequencies control where and when neurons in the cortex process sensory information and plan responses. Studying these bursts would improve understanding of cognition and clinical disorders, researchers argue in a new review.

Why do we move slower the older we get? A new study delivers answers.

People with a history of cognitively stimulating occupations during their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s had a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia after age 70, according to a new study. The findings highlight the importance of cognitive stimulation during midlife for maintaining cognitive function in old age.

An inpatient, epilepsy-related rehabilitation program shows lasting effects on several aspects of adaptation to epilepsy and quality of life, according to a study published in the journal Epilepsia.

A recent study reveals that high body mass index (BMI) is associated with changes in physiological brain pulsations. These pulsations play a crucial role in maintaining brain fluid circulation and the clearance of metabolic waste from the brain.

Researchers have discovered that a high single dose of dietary supplement creatine can temporarily improve cognitive performance that is reduced by sleep deprivation.

Engaging in conversation with others can activate various brain functions in socially isolated older adults, even if the interactions occur via the internet. This finding comes from a recent clinical trial conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital, with the results published in The Gerontologist.

A new study suggests a common brain network exists between heart rate deceleration and depression.

Neuroscientists have revealed that recency bias in working memory naturally leads to central tendency bias, the phenomenon where people’s (and animals’) judgements are biased towards the average of previous observations. Their findings may hint at why the phenomenon is so ubiquitous.

A new study has found that a brain network condition called “explosive synchronization” could be the cause of extreme pain crises in people with sickle cell disease.

Researchers have developed tiny, flexible devices that can wrap around individual nerve fibers without damaging them. These devices could be used for the diagnosis and treatment of a range of disorders, including epilepsy and chronic pain, or the control of prosthetic limbs.

Scientists have discovered the mechanism that allows adult brain stem cells to express genes that maintain their identity and those for neuronal differentiation without conflicts in cellular activity.

A new study aims to examine the role of napping in brain development among infants and preschoolers. By tracking changes in the hippocampus, the research aims to prove how critical naps are for memory retention and brain growth in young children.

Finally this week, neuroscientists have confirmed that different strategies are employed when choosing between primary and secondary rewards, with impulsivity being a key factor.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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Vertex-wise comparisons between ADHD (N = 60) and controls (N = 23), and between ADHD responders (N = 42) and non-responders (N = 18). Credit: Nature Mental Health (2024).

New research has found that the effectiveness of ADHD medication may be associated with an individual’s neuroanatomy.

Although there are still some aspects pending confirmation for its use in the clinical setting, and its resolution needs to be improved slightly, a new study has shown that a method routinely used to carry out ophthalmological tests can also be used to monitor the neurodegeneration that occurs in Parkinson’s patients.

Scientists have uncovered a mechanism in the brain that allows cocaine and morphine to take over natural reward processing systems.

New research has identified a specific pattern of autoantibodies in the blood that precedes the clinical onset of multiple sclerosis (MS), potentially paving the way for early diagnosis and treatment. Their study found that 10% of MS patients displayed a unique set of autoantibodies against both human proteins and common pathogens like the Epstein-Barr Virus years before showing symptoms.

Researchers have identified a promising new approach to treating persistent neurological symptoms associated with Lyme disease.

A new study investigates why everyday actions like locking a door are often forgotten. The study revealed that while emotionally charged or unique events are initially memorable, even these can fade within 24 hours, particularly positive experiences. This research provides insight into the selective nature of memory and suggests that our brains prioritize and even forget information to manage cognitive load.

Managing a stroke patient’s blood sugar levels after they receive powerful clot-busting drugs might help them survive their health crisis, a new trial finds.

Researchers have created a thin film that combines an electrode grid and LEDs that can both track and produce a visual representation of the brain’s activity in real time during surgery. The device is designed to provide neurosurgeons with visual information about a patient’s brain to monitor brain states during surgical interventions to remove brain lesions including tumors and epileptic tissue.

A new study identifies a new metric for diagnosing autism.

New research has found a significant association between participating in low to moderate intensity exercise and reduced rates of depression.  However, this was not strongly observed for high-intensity exercise. Physical activity was also significantly associated with reduced risk of severe mental health conditions, including a reduction in psychosis/schizophrenia by 27%.

An international collaborative research team has discovered a novel mechanism underlying memory involving rapid changes in a specific DNA structure.

People who take acid-reducing drugs may have a higher risk of migraine and other severe headache than people who do not take these medications, according to a study published in the online issue of Neurology Clinical Practice. 

Finally this week, new research has highlighted the profound link between dietary choices and brain health.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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Eye movements associated with blinks and their consequences on luminance transients. (A) Distributions of blink-induced gaze displacements. Data represent the offsets in horizontal (top) and vertical eye position (bottom) between the times at which the eyelid starts moving and its return to normal opening. (B) Contributions of eye movements to the strength of the luminance modulations caused by blinks. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Scientists at the University of Rochester, in the U.S., have found that eye blinking does more than simply wet the eyes—it also helps to keep vision sharp by maintaining the strength of visual signals.

A new study investigates the brain’s mechanisms behind deep focus. The research employs fMRI to explore low-frequency fluctuations in brain networks during focused and less-focused states. The team discovered that certain brain networks synchronize and desynchronize, affecting an individual’s ability to maintain attention. This insight into the dynamic nature of brain activity could lead to better strategies for enhancing focus and attention in various cognitive tasks.

New research indicates that physical activity lowers cardiovascular disease risk in part by reducing stress-related signaling in the brain.

Researchers released new findings on how sex and gender influence cognitive abilities. The research found that while spatial cognition correlates more with biological factors such as sex at birth and hormones, verbal cognition is more influenced by sociocultural factors like gender identity.

Scientists have published a study in Neuron that identified two types of interneurons, the inhibitory neurons of the brain, as instructors of a key developmental process in the brain.

A new study involving jazz guitarists has explored the brain processes that enable creative flow. The research reveals that achieving flow requires a solid foundation of expertise, after which one must learn to relax conscious control to allow creativity to flourish.

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking approach using Diffusion MRI to explore the brain structures of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

A new study emphasizes the importance of brain rhythms in understanding cognition. The research explores how rhythmic electrical fields, generated by neurons, influence and align neighboring neurons, enhancing cognitive function.

The harder your brain works at your job, the less likely you may be to have memory and thinking problems later in life, according to a new study published in Neurology.

Researchers have shed light on how individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) process emotions differently due to abnormalities in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. By using stereotactic electroencephalography (sEEG), they were able to observe how these brain regions react to positive and negative stimuli, revealing a significant imbalance in emotional processing.

A new study offers new insight into the development of the human forebrain.

Researchers have linked a region in the brain to how humans redirect thoughts and attention when distracted. The connection is important because it offers insights into the cognitive and behavioral side effects of a technique being used to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Finally this week, some people with tough-to-treat epilepsy might benefit if doctors target a brain region newly linked to the disorder, a new study suggests.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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The proposed neural speech decoding framework. Credit: Nature Machine Intelligence (2024)

Scientists have been working on neural speech prostheses, special devices that can help people who have trouble speaking by translating brain activity into speech.

New research findings provide a novel understanding of how the human brain regulates emotions, distinguishing between emotion generation and regulation. By analyzing fMRI studies, researchers identified specific brain regions, including areas of the anterior prefrontal cortex, that are key to emotion regulation.

The sense of smell is highly influenced by the cues from other senses, while the sense of sight and hearing are affected to a much lesser extent, shows a new study in Journal of Neuroscience.

Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown source of two key brain waves crucial for deep sleep: slow waves and sleep spindles. Traditionally believed to originate from one brain circuit linking the thalamus and cortex, the team’s findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest that the axons in memory centers of the hippocampus play a role.

Earlier menopause combined with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease is linked to an increased risk of thinking and memory problems later, according to new research.

A noninvasive brain stimulation treatment improved depression and anxiety symptoms among older adults in a new study. The findings, published in the journal Brain Stimulation, suggest the treatment, known as transcranial direct current stimulation, or tDCS, holds promise as a noninvasive, drug-free option to treat depression and anxiety symptoms, which affect 1 in 4 older adults.

A new study explores the influence of personalized music on cognitive arousal and performance.

Finally this week, new research has found human brains are getting larger. Study participants born in the 1970s had 6.6% larger brain volumes and almost 15% larger brain surface area than those born in the 1930s.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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To the left of the figure, the red-yellow color denotes the regions that degenerate earlier than the rest of the brain, and are vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease. These brain areas are higher-order regions that process and combine information coming from our different senses. To the right of the figure, each dot represents the brain data from one UK Biobank participant. The overall curve shows that, in these particularly fragile regions of the brain, there is accelerated degeneration with age. Credit: G. Douaud and J. Manuello.

In a new study published in Nature Communications, researchers investigated the genetic and modifiable influences on fragile brain regions by looking at the brain scans of 40,000 UK Biobank participants aged over 45.

Scientists have shown for the first time that a type of thinking that has been described for over a century as a developmental milestone of adolescence may grow teenagers’ brains over time.

A team of neurologists, stem cell specialists and molecular biologists affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. and led by a group at Stanford University School of Medicine has found evidence that the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease may be fat buildup in brain cells. The study is published in the journal Nature.

New research highlights the critical role of unique gut bacteria in newborns, producing serotonin to educate immune cells and prevent allergic reactions early in life.

People continuously exposed to bright, artificial light at night may be at increased risk of developing conditions that affect blood flow to the brain and having a stroke, according to research published in Stroke.

Researchers reveal new findings on the complexity of age-related memory decline and neural dedifferentiation, challenging existing theories on cognitive aging.

A new study has found that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) exhibit strikingly similar cellular and molecular characteristics, despite affecting different brain regions and showing distinct clinical symptoms.

New research reveals how the human brain processes vital signals from the heart and lungs, offering new insights into the complex brain-body integration essential for health and cognition.

In a new study, AI processed text from health histories and neurologic examinations to locate lesions in the brain. The study, which looked specifically at the large language model called generative pre-trained transformer 4 (GPT-4), is published in the online issue of Neurology Clinical Practice.

New research shows that disturbed gut flora during the first years of life is associated with diagnoses such as autism and ADHD later in life.

Bilingualism may serve as a powerful tool against age-related cognitive decline, particularly in social cognition areas such as the theory of mind. A new study demonstrates that early bilingualism leads to beneficial structural changes in the brain, including increased gray matter volume and cortical thickness, which contribute to a stronger cognitive reserve.

In a study published in Nature Mental Health, scientists have found that individuals suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) may face a higher risk of brain aging.

A new analysis involving over 13,000 people has found changes to blood vessels in the brain that can increase the risk of stroke and dementia are common in people with a range of heart conditions, regardless of whether they have experienced a stroke.

A Canadian-led study has identified genes that may be partially responsible for the development of cerebral palsy.

Researchers have introduced a new, refined method for analyzing brain signals, enhancing our understanding of brain functionality. This research has the potential to improve treatments for neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, pain, epilepsy and depression.

A study reveals that Lewy body disease, a major neurodegenerative disorder, may start developing in individuals as early as middle age, well before symptoms manifest.

Researchers have shown that the brain chemical GABA regulates activity in the retina of the eye in autistic and non-autistic individuals differently. Autistic people have larger responses to single light flashes in the retina of the eye and this new study shows that increasing GABA activity can reduce this response.

Finally this week, a study by the University of Sheffield has cast doubt on the efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in improving visual working memory.

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Findings from a mega-analysis of differences in seed-based subcortico-cortical connectivity in youths with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and unaffected control subjects. Credit: American Journal of Psychiatry (2024). 

Researchers have discovered that symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are tied to atypical interactions between the brain’s frontal cortex and information-processing centers deep in the brain.

A new study has identified a genetic mutation underlying a rare form of epilepsy and reveals novel molecular and cellular mechanisms by which the disorder manifests in patients.

For the first time, researchers have shown that non-invasive brain stimulation can change a specific brain mechanism directly related to human behavior. This is a major step forward for discovering new therapies to treat brain disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

A test that shows how good or bad we are at perceiving the rhythm of language can predict the ability to acquire language, and may also help us understand individual differences in brain biology.

A new study reveals the mechanisms behind proprioception, our body’s innate ability to sense limb position and movement, critical for movement without visual cues. Utilizing musculoskeletal simulations and neural network models, researchers have advanced our understanding of how the brain integrates sensory data from muscle spindles to perceive bodily position and motion.

Specialized brain scans may accurately predict whether a psychotic patient will go on to develop treatment-resistant schizophrenia, Dutch researchers report.

Researchers have uncovered a significant correlation between social isolation and accelerated biological aging, indicating that individuals with limited social connections are at a higher risk of premature mortality.

Scientists have revealed new insights into how the brain processes speech and listening during conversations through advanced investigations using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

A unique multicenter study, including about 3,500 youth between 10 and 25 years old from across the globe, shows that artificial intelligence—specifically machine learning—can identify individuals with anxiety disorders based on their unique brain structure.

Researchers have identified four distinct sleep patterns linked to long-term health outcomes, revealing the profound impact of sleep habits on chronic health conditions.

A new study uncovers the nuanced effects of spaced learning on memory, emphasizing the importance of the content’s variability and the intervals between learning sessions. The study contrasts the impact of learning identical content versus content with variations, across different timescales, on memory retention.

Finally, this week, spending quality time with dogs reduces stress and increases the power of brain waves associated with relaxation and concentration, according to a recent study.

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Graphical representation of the analysis procedure to relate word-by-word predictors of linguistic complexity to BOLD activity. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). 

How does the brain respond to sentence structure as we speak and listen? In a neuroimaging study published in PNAS, researchers investigated sentence processing during spontaneous speech for the first time.

A research team has achieved a breakthrough in stem cell research, offering tools that can be used for patients who require highly personalized care.

Researchers demonstrated promising results for PTSD treatment in military veterans by combining brain stimulation with virtual reality exposure therapy. The clinical trial showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms among participants who received low electrical current brain stimulation during virtual reality sessions designed to simulate warzone experiences.

A new study involving participants from 15 countries, shed light on the universal preference for simple integer ratios in rhythms, revealing significant cultural variations in musical perception.

Researchers have uncovered a strikingly similar suite of changes in gene activity in brain tissue from people with schizophrenia and from older adults. These changes suggest a common biological basis for the cognitive impairment often seen in people with schizophrenia and in the elderly.

A new study reveals a direct correlation between adversities faced in childhood and adulthood with later psychiatric and cognitive decline.

A new study reveals a strong link between daytime physical activity and improved sleep quality among both children and adults. Analyzing the daily routines of over 2500 participants, the research highlights how higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity correlate with fewer sleep disturbances, less daytime tiredness, and overall better sleep quality.

In an innovative study published in Science Advances, researchers have unveiled new insights into the intricate relationship between emotion and perception.

Even people whose physical activity levels fall short of recommended guidelines, but who manage to do some during their leisure time, are likely to have a lower risk of stroke than their sedentary peers, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published online in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

A recent study showcases a significant leap in the study of brain oscillations, particularly ripples, which are crucial for memory organization and are affected in disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s. 

People who have headaches after experiencing concussions may also be more likely to have higher levels of iron in areas of the brain, which is a sign of injury to brain cells, according to a preliminary study that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 76th Annual Meeting taking place April 13–18, 2024.

The COVID-19 virus can persist in the blood and tissue of patients for more than a year after the acute phase of the illness has ended, according to new research.

Researchers identified sildenafil, known commercially as Viagra, as a promising candidate for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Leveraging artificial intelligence the team analyzed vast amounts of data, including insurance claims and brain cell observations, to highlight sildenafil’s potential benefits in reducing Alzheimer’s prevalence and neurotoxic proteins.

A new study provides some of the most detailed insights yet into the brain mechanisms that help people pay attention amid such distraction, as well as what’s happening when they can’t focus.

A new AI language model identifies clinical symptoms in medical summaries and links them to brain tissue from donors of the Netherlands Brain Bank. This yields new insights into the development of individual disease progression and contributes to a better understanding of common misdiagnoses of brain diseases. The model may, in the future, assist in making more accurate diagnoses.

Researchers have discovered a brain circuit that drives vocalization and ensures that you talk only when you breathe out, and stop talking when you breathe in.

For the first time, neuroscientists have established a link between shifts in our visual perception and the cadence of our steps while walking.

A new study examines the potential of artificial intelligence to shift chronic pain treatment from opioids to mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Utilizing machine learning to analyze extensive patient data, the study aims to predict which patients will benefit most from MBSR, a critical step toward personalized medicine.

Finally this week, new research reveals how the human brain processes vital signals from the heart and lungs, offering new insights into the complex brain-body integration essential for health and cognition.

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Synergetic framework. Credit: Trends in Cognitive Sciences

A new model for understanding the brain paves the way for more accurate diagnoses and treatments.

For people with drug-resistant epilepsy, having a dog companion trained in detecting seizures and other epilepsy-related tasks may reduce the amount of seizures they have, according to new research published in Neurology. 

New research shows that continued cocaine use disrupts communication between major brain networks.

Researchers are embarking on a pioneering study to uncover how genes associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) converge to affect brain neurons, particularly leading to heightened sound sensitivity. This research aims to identify common neural circuit mechanisms that may underlie the diverse genetic pathways contributing to ASD, focusing on auditory hypersensitivity, a condition that significantly impacts individuals’ lives.

Two new studies explore how closely attention and eye movements are linked and reveal how the brain coordinates the two processes.

A pioneering new study using virtual reality (VR) aims to identify early signs of Alzheimer’s disease through impaired spatial navigation in asymptomatic adults at risk. By testing 100 middle-aged adults with genetic, familial, or lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer’s, the study discovered that spatial navigation difficulties in VR environments precede traditional cognitive decline symptoms. Notably, this impairment was more pronounced in men than women, suggesting a gender-specific vulnerability

Mounting research shows that COVID-19 leaves its mark on the brain, including significant drops in IQ scores.

A daily fiber supplement improved brain function in people over 60 in just 12 weeks. The study, published recently in Nature Communications showed that this simple and cheap addition to diet can improve performance in memory tests associated with early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

A new study has found mutations in key brain cells among individuals with chronic opioid use that could shift how we think about treatment strategies for opioid use disorder.

According to a Mayo Clinic study published in Nature Neuroscience, the cells that act as the central nervous system’s first line of defense against harm also play a role in helping the brain awaken from anesthesia. This discovery could help pave the way for innovative methods that address post-anesthesia complications.

Scientists have trained a bank of AI models to identify patterns of brain activity that signal memory formation.

People who experience sleep apnea may be more likely to also have memory or thinking problems, according to a preliminary study that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 76th Annual Meeting taking place April 13–18, 2024.

Schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease events, with the association stronger in women, according to a new study.

New research delves into the genetic underpinnings of language development in early childhood and its implications for later cognitive abilities and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Interestingly, the research highlights a developmental shift in the genetic associations with ADHD symptoms, suggesting that the role of genetics in language development and its impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes is complex and changes over time. This study underscores the importance of understanding the early linguistic journey as a window into a child’s future mental health and cognitive prowess.

Finally this week, a new neuroimaging study is the first to reveal how the brain gets to the creative flow state.

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A cell membrane is illustrated to show the surface in red. Blue objects are proteins, including ion channels, which can send electrical impulses into cells. Lipids, or fats, are in yellow. In this cross section, an ion channel associates with a lipid raft. The function of the lipid structures is regulated by cholesterol. Mechanical force can deplete the cholesterol and release the ion channel, changing activity within the cell. Credit: Scott Hansen, Ph.D., The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute

New research shows how physical pressure on cells can reduce pain signals, while excessive cholesterol clumps in cell membranes can interfere with that process.

Researchers have advanced our understanding of the neuronal basis of spatial memory. Their research reveals that during spatial memory tasks, different types of nerve cells activate in unison, coordinated by brain waves known as “ripples.”

Researchers have unveiled a pioneering technology capable of real-time human emotion recognition, promising transformative applications in wearable devices and digital services.

Children who lived in areas with higher levels of airborne lead in their first five years of life appeared to have slightly lower IQs and less self-control, with boys showing more sensitivity to lead exposure, according to a new study.

New research challenges the conventional picture of Parkinson’s disease.

A neurotransmitter previously thought only to calm neurons may also play a role in waking them up, according to a study published in the journal PLOS Biology, a discovery that challenges the textbook view of how neurons communicate with one another in the brain.

Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in mapping the brain’s ‘dysfunctome’—key dysfunctional circuits linked to disorders like Parkinson’s, dystonia, OCD, and Tourette’s syndrome.

Scientists have delved into the world of chemical neuromodulators in the human brain, specifically dopamine and serotonin, to reveal their role in social behavior. The study revealed a previously unknown neurochemical mechanism for a well-known human tendency to make decisions based on social context—people are more likely to accept offers from computers while rejecting identical offers from human players.

New research identifies nerve endings that shed light on gut-brain communication.

Live music significantly amplifies emotional responses in the brain compared to recorded tunes. By measuring amygdala activity, researchers found that live performances evoke stronger emotional reactions, fostering a deeper cognitive and affective processing throughout the brain.

A new study reveals that oxygenation levels in the placenta during the last trimester of pregnancy are a key predictor of the development of the cerebral cortex and likely childhood cognition and behavior.

Blood vessels that cross-connect adjacent arterial trees regulate blood flow to the brain in stroke patients. Researchers have now shown that these vessels prevent brain hemorrhage following treatment to remove blood clots.

Researchers have developed a simulator that enables artificial visual observations for research into the visual prosthesis.

A cross-cultural study has revealed that music universally influences bodily sensations and emotions, transcending cultural boundaries. Researchers from Western and East Asian backgrounds discovered that emotional and structural characteristics of music consistently evoke similar bodily sensations—such as changes in the chest, limbs, and head regions—regardless of cultural background.

A new study finds concussions alter connectivity among brain regions.

New research has unveiled a crucial role of sleep: brainwaves facilitate the cleansing of the brain by flushing out waste. This discovery not only underscores the brain’s non-dormant state during sleep but also highlights a sophisticated system where neurons’ synchronized activity powers the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, effectively removing metabolic waste and potentially neurodegenerative disease-causing toxins.

Finally this week, COVID-19 may have an impact on people’s cognitive and memory abilities that lasts a year or more after infection, according to a new study by Imperial College London researchers.

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Melodic pitch, pitch-change, and expectation modulate STG activity during music listening. (A) Three melodic features visualized for an example melody. (B) Electrodes across all participants (N = 8) plotted on a common brain. Color indicates the peak evoked high-frequency activity (HFA) averaged across all musical phrases. (C) Responses at three example electrodes demonstrating distinct tuning to pitch. Credit: Science Advances (2024)

Researchers have developed a precise map of what is happening in the cerebral cortex when someone hears a melody.

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying a rare lipid as a crucial factor in ferroptosis, a unique form of cell death. The findings provide new detail on how cells die during ferroptosis and could improve understanding of how to stop ferroptosis in contexts where it is harmfully occurring– in neurodegenerative diseases, for example– or induce it in contexts where it could be useful, such as using it to kill dangerous cancer cells.

Our brains are “programmed” to learn more from people we like – and less from those we dislike. This has been shown by researchers in cognitive neuroscience in a series of experiments.

An intensive meditation-based intervention (iMI) significantly improves positive symptoms, particularly refractory hallucinations and delusions, in male patients with schizophrenia, according to a new study.

Indigenous people may be more likely to have a stroke than non-Indigenous people, according to a systematic review that looked at populations around the world.

A new study highlights the critical link between sleep, circadian rhythms, and psychiatric disorders, suggesting that disturbances in sleep and internal body clocks can trigger or exacerbate mental health issues. The research underscores the prevalence of sleep-circadian disturbances across all psychiatric disorders, pointing to the need for holistic treatments that address these factors.

For individuals with post-COVID-19 condition, cognitive symptoms are common, according to a study published online Feb. 14 in JAMA Network Open.

Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence model that accurately determines the sex of individuals based on brain scans, with over 90% success. This breakthrough supports the theory that significant sex differences in brain organization exist, challenging long-standing controversies.

A new population-based study reveals the roles of maternal and fetal genes in the growth of a baby’s cerebral cortex.

A new study explains how dopamine influences movement sequences, offering hope for Parkinson’s disease (PD) therapies. Researchers observed that dopamine not only motivates movement but also controls the length and lateralization of actions, with different neurons activating for movement initiation and reward reception.

New research sheds light on what goes on inside people’s heads as they make decisions to obtain information about the future.

Moderate/severe and penetrating traumatic brain injury (TBI) are associated with an increased risk for subsequent development of brain cancer, according to a study published online Feb. 15 in JAMA Network Open.

For the first time, researchers have mapped out the proteins implicated in the early stages of motor neuron disease (MND).

In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, scientists demonstrated the effectiveness of using low-intensity focused ultrasound to modulate the activity in a critical region in the brain that processes and regulates pain signals.

Finally this week, new research shows how empathy can be socially transmitted.