Weekly Neuroscience Update

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Researchers have identified a major genetic risk factor for a rare form of frontotemporal dementia. The discovery, published in Nature Genetics, provides a biological entry point for a disease subtype that has been difficult to study. It could not only help to improve diagnosis and patient stratification, but also opens up new avenues toward targeted treatments.

A new study suggests that merely engaging in physical activity isn’t sufficient; the structure of workouts, including session spacing and organization, may be more crucial for healthy brain aging than the total activity amount.

MIT neuroscientists have discovered how the brain focuses on a single voice amid many, addressing the “cocktail party problem.” This focus is crucial in crowded settings like cocktail parties, where multiple conversations occur. The brain can follow the voice of the person you’re talking to despite background noise. Using a computational model of the auditory system, the MIT team found that enhancing neural processing units that respond to specific voice features, like pitch, helps bring that voice to the forefront of attention.

Higher maternal physical activity is associated with early child neurodevelopment, according to a recent study.

The stress hormone cortisol disrupts the brain’s navigational system by impairing the function of grid cells essential for spatial orientation. Researchers from Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, verified this in an imaging study with 40 individuals who completed a virtual navigation experiment in an MRI scanner. Subjects who received cortisol prior to the experiment performed worse, with indistinct grid cell activity patterns.

The recreational drugs cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines significantly increase the risk of stroke—including among younger users—Cambridge researchers have concluded after analysing data from more than 100 million people.

Scientists have identified a coordinated “gene expression program” that drives neurotransmission in the living human brain by integrating real-time intracranial recordings from neurosurgical patients with molecular profiling. This study reveals specific genes associated with active signalling, offering new insights into human cognition and psychiatric disorders.

A single session of physical exercise can spawn a boost of neural activity in brain networks that underlie learning and memory, according to a new study.

A team of Spanish researchers investigated whether individuals with high psychopathic traits exhibit brain structure anomalies that prevent feelings of regret and contribute to manipulation and antisocial behaviour by interviewing men convicted of intimate partner violence and a control group, followed by brain scans. The results showed that men with thinner cortex in certain brain regions—particularly fronto-temporo-parietal areas—tended to display higher antisocial tendencies, regardless of their history of violence.

Scientists have identified seven specific types of hyperarousal, creating a new roadmap for treating the underlying tension of mental disorders.

Researchers conducted a study on the link between responses to SSRIs and SNRIs and brain connections. Their findings, published in Molecular Psychiatry, suggest that a specific link between the frontal lobe, a region in the brain’s outer layer involved in decision-making, and the amygdala, which is central to the processing of emotions, differs in patients that respond better to SSRIs and those who find SNRIs more beneficial.

New research reveals that our brain’s internal map of the world is updated by a 94% accurate prediction of our own eye movements.

Alzheimer’s research has faced criticism for its lack of diversity, with a primary focus on participants of European ancestry. A groundbreaking study has revealed significant variations in Alzheimer’s pathology, specifically tau protein tangles and amyloid plaques, among different racial and ethnic groups. This suggests the disease’s biological timeline varies across populations, indicating a need to adjust current diagnostic tools and future treatments for broader effectiveness.

A new study offers a single explanation for two major symptoms of schizophrenia.

New research has found no evidence that the transitional symptoms of menopause such as brain fog and memory problems have a lasting impact on cognitive performance. The research, published in npj Women’s Health, found that while brain fog is a real symptom commonly experienced by peri- and postmenopausal women, there is no evidence that it has an ongoing impact on a person’s cognitive abilities.

The largest-ever Parkinson’s study shows how symptoms differ between men and women.

A recent study published in NeuroImage reveals that neuroticism is linked to altered communication between different brain networks rather than isolated brain activity. Researchers discovered that people with higher levels of this personality trait show increased connectivity between brain regions responsible for processing emotions, regulating memory, and detecting threats. These findings suggest that emotional instability arises from how the brain’s emotional hubs synchronize with other areas.

New research indicates that storytelling may be linked to the evolution of human memory and could enhance everyday retention.

Having type 1 diabetes is linked to a higher risk of dementia, according to a recent study published in Neurology. Type 2 diabetes also carries a higher risk compared to those without diabetes. However, this study shows an association and does not prove that diabetes causes dementia. Type 1 diabetes is rare, representing about 5% of diabetes cases.

Finally, new research shows that harmonically consonant musical chord progressions during face-to-face interactions enhance brain circuits linked to social connection and emotional processing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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*Segmented and labelled images of a normal brain. Credit: Worcester Polytechnic Institute*

Researchers utilised AI to examine anatomical brain changes, achieving a 93% accuracy in predicting Alzheimer’s disease. Their findings indicate that these changes, including brain volume loss, vary by age and sex.

Lithium—a decades-old treatment for bipolar disorder—may hold potential neuroprotective benefits beyond mood stabilisation. An exploratory clinical trial suggests that low-dose oral lithium may help slow the decline of verbal memory, or ability to remember and recall words and sentences, in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, particularly among those with evidence of amyloid beta—one of the hallmark biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists have discovered new diagnostic markers for multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that affects 3 million people worldwide.

A study published in Nature Communications, has identified specific DNA-level changes in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Using advanced biological analysis, the team mapped alterations in the brain’s regulatory landscape that may help explain why Alzheimer’s presents and progresses differently from person to person. The findings could also open new avenues for understanding other neurodegenerative diseases.

Researchers have demonstrated through Magnetoencephalography (MEG) that memories can be reactivated in the brain without reaching conscious awareness, indicating these memories persist even when believed forgotten.

Could the deepest parts of the brain hold some of the secrets of sleep that still remain elusive to science? An in-depth study that penetrates into the brain, finding that during the deepest sleep, breathing patterns and brain activity become more independent of one another—unlike in lighter sleep or quiet wakefulness.

New research objectively quantifies multisensory losses in patients with COVID-19. The study, published in BMC Medicine, follows long COVID patients reporting issues in smell, taste, balance, hearing, and brain fog.

Researchers may have found a reason why young adults with autism are about six times more likely to get Parkinson’s disease as they age. Some young adults with autism have issues with dopamine transporters—small molecules in the brain that recycle dopamine—on brain scans usually used to diagnose older adults with Parkinson’s disease.

Why do people with compulsive traits—seen in OCD, addiction, and eating disorders—rely on repetitive habits? A recent study reveals it’s not due to an inability to plan for the future, but rather a paralysis by uncertainty.

A meta-analysis of over 900 scientific papers has mapped the “immune signatures” that determine if our brains recover or decline post-infection. The study reveals that the immune response creates a chemical environment in the brain that can either protect or harm our memory, attention, and processing speed.

Finally, this week, a team of researchers has developed a technology capable of enabling early diagnosis of major neurological disorders, including epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia, using only a small amount of saliva.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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*Neural recordings and general theta-phase locking. Credit: Nature Communications (2025).*

A research team has gained new insights into the brain processes involved in encoding and retrieving new memory content. The study is based on measurements of individual nerve cells in people with epilepsy and shows how they follow an internal rhythm.

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences offers insight into how past stress impacts a person’s response to new stress.

Stimulating the vagus nerve with a device attached to the outer ear can help make compassion meditation training more effective at boosting people’s capacity for self-kindness and mindfulness, finds a new study.

A world-first study into young adults’ brain activity has found that TV and gaming are associated with increased focus, while social media is associated with decreased focus.

Researchers have discovered that whether you are right- or left-handed influences which side of your brain processes fine visual details. The new “action asymmetry hypothesis” proposes that brain specialization for high- and low-frequency visual information develops from the everyday way we use our hands. In right-handers, the left hemisphere processes high-frequency vision; in left-handers, this is reversed. The findings challenge long-standing theories that such asymmetries develop in the womb or are tied directly to language processing.

Scientists have identified a promising nonpharmaceutical treatment that rejuvenates aging brain cells and clears away the buildup of harmful proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

It may be time to rethink certain genetic mutations associated with two devastating neurodegenerative disorders—amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)—according to a new Nature Neuroscience study.

Research has shed new light on an age-old question: what makes the human brain unique? The study is published online in Science Advances.

Athletes who participate in combat sports like boxing and mixed martial arts and grow up in disadvantaged neighborhoods may be more likely to show signs of brain changes associated with neurodegeneration than athletes from affluent neighborhoods, according to a study published in Neurology Open Access.

A team of researchers has developed a data-driven method for optimizing deep brain stimulation (DBS) settings that significantly improved walking performance in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Scientists have built the first “microwave brain” chip capable of processing both ultrafast data and wireless communication signals at once. By harnessing analog, nonlinear microwave physics instead of conventional digital circuitry, the chip can decode radio signals, track radar targets, and classify high-speed data streams in real time.

Finally, this week, stronger coordination between the brain and the stomach’s natural rhythm is linked to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, according to the largest study of its kind.

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*Overview of experimental paradigm and analysis. Credit: Science Advances*

A recent study has shown that the hippocampus sends signals to the visual cortex to predict what we are about to see.

Researchers have achieved a significant milestone in the treatment of depression, demonstrating the effectiveness of personalized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy offering a new treatment option for people who have had little success with other therapies.

A large study suggests that following the MIND diet—rich in leafy greens, berries, nuts, and olive oil—significantly reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

New research finds that patients with insomnia often retain accurate sleep-wake perception and intact regulatory systems, despite feeling as though they sleep poorly. Using serial awakenings during sleep lab monitoring, researchers found no significant difference in sleep perception between healthy individuals and those with insomnia.

A recent study has found that physical exercise helps maintain brain size as we age, regardless of body mass.

Emerging research indicates that psychedelics such as psilocybin don’t just change brain activity; they also modify the communication network between the brain and the immune system. Scientists have pinpointed a mechanism where persistent stress interferes with signals from the amygdala, setting off immune reactions that amplify feelings of fear and anxiety.

A large study suggests that following the MIND diet—rich in leafy greens, berries, nuts, and olive oil—significantly reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

By pinpointing hospitalized patients at high risk for delirium, an artificial intelligence (AI) model has quadrupled the rate at which the condition is both detected and treated. The model’s alerts prompt a dedicated team to assess these patients and implement a treatment plan if needed, leading to significantly better outcomes.

Areas of the brain that help a person differentiate between what is real and what is imaginary have been uncovered in a recent study.

A new predictive model combining genetics with developmental milestones may help forecast which autistic children are at risk of developing intellectual disabilities. In a large study of over 5,600 children, researchers were able to correctly predict 10% of such cases and differentiate between low and high-risk groups twice as well as current methods.

New research finds that elevated cortisol levels in midlife are linked to increased brain amyloid deposition—a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease—specifically in post-menopausal women.

Scientists explored the associations between telomere length—which decreases as a person ages or is exposed to unhealthy environments—and the risk for age-related brain diseases and found evidence suggesting that healthier lifestyle choices could mitigate telomere length-associated risks.

Finally this week, greater symptoms of depression are linked to less microbial diversity in the mouth, according to a recent study.