Weekly Neuroscience Update

The soft bioelectrodes use a honeycomb-inspired design that allows researchers to stretch them onto the specific geometry of a patient’s brain, without sacrificing structural strength or sensitivity to electrical and physiological signals. Credit: Tao Zhou

Researchers have developed 3D-printed, honeycomb-structured hydrogel electrodes that perfectly match the unique folds of a patient’s brain for safer, high-quality neural monitoring.

We’ve long known that a run can clear your head, but a landmark one-year randomised clinical trial has finally mapped the long-term biological “why.” The study is the first to prove a cause-and-effect relationship between aerobic exercise and a sustained reduction in cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. By simply meeting the standard 150-minute weekly exercise goal, participants effectively lowered the biological “background noise” of stress.

A global research collaboration has discovered that social health is crucial for preserving cognitive function and enhancing the brain’s resilience to dementia.

In a creative shift for psychiatric research, a study suggests that songwriting and group music-making can help people with psychosis reconnect with reality. The research explores the concept of predictive coding, the brain’s ability to anticipate what happens next. By engaging in the rhythmic and melodic expectations of music, participants with schizophrenia and auditory hallucinations reported reduced paranoia and a significant shift away from social isolation.

Repeated menstrual cycles may not only cause endometriosis but also alter brain function. A new study indicates that ongoing inflammation associated with the condition can heighten nervous system sensitivity and lead to persistent pain.

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego discovered that teenagers who start using cannabis experience slower improvements in thinking and memory as they mature, based on a study of over 11,000 participants from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study published in Neuropsychopharmacology.

A 12-week study from the University of Toronto finds that daily fluctuations in mental sharpness account for an 80-minute difference in productivity between your best and worst days.

Researchers have uncovered evidence that some movement-related symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may originate outside the brain, which could change how the disease is diagnosed and treated in the future. The study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Women taking antiseizure medication for epilepsy have around a 45% reduced risk of major congenital anomalies in their children—if they initiate high-dose folic acid before pregnancy.

In a recent publication appearing in Advanced Science, researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience challenge the assumptions surrounding the design and materials used for brain implants. Softer, flexible implants are gentler than older ones, but they are not completely harmless. By carefully studying these effects, researchers can begin to design safer implants, and bring long-term, reliable implants closer to reality.

A 20-year study reveals that astronauts’ brains retain a “memory” of Earth’s gravity, causing them to over-grip objects in space to prevent drops that aren’t possible.

New research indicates that walking and balance issues in Alzheimer’s disease may stem from peripheral nervous system failures rather than brain decay, with a study using “human-on-a-chip” technology demonstrating that genetic mutations can directly harm nerve-muscle connections, independent of the brain or spinal cord.

A Phase II trial finds that walking and resistance exercise, along with low-dose ibuprofen, can protect cancer patients from “chemo brain” during treatment.

Researchers have found new insights into asymptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (AsymAD), wherein some older adults remain mentally sharp despite brain changes associated with the disease. Understanding this resilience may lead to earlier detection and strategies to prevent memory loss.

A landmark study has identified a significant association between prenatal prescription of commonly utilized medications and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.

Researchers found that fluctuations in a person’s heartbeat relate uniquely to brain activity, with chaos-based analysis indicating significant changes in heart-brain coupling during cognitive tasks. The study shows these complex rhythms are important indicators of the central nervous system when under cognitive load.

A longitudinal study of 1,400 children links early pretend play to improved mental health outcomes, suggesting play builds brain resilience. The research suggests that imaginative play is not just recreational but a foundational developmental tool that supports long-term mental wellbeing, even when accounting for socioeconomic status, mother’s mental health, and language ability.

Researchers tracking 24,500 adults found that midlife fitness delays the onset of chronic illness by at least 1.5 years, prioritising quality of life over just longevity.

In a paradigm-shifting discovery, researchers have found that Alzheimer’s disease shares a surprising biological driver with blood cancers like leukaemia. The study reveals that the brain’s immune cells (microglia) accumulate specific cancer-driving mutations as they age. Rather than forming tumours, these mutant cells create a “hostile” inflammatory environment that kills neurons. This suggests that Alzheimer’s may be treatable using existing cancer drugs and detectable through simple blood tests.

A noninvasive neurostimulation technique targeting deep brain regions has been utilised to explore pain mechanisms and shows potential for clinical use in neurology and psychiatry.

A web tool designed to spark reminiscence could help people with dementia and their caregivers feel more connected to each other and less impacted by feelings of pre-death grief, according to a clinical trial co-led by USC and Weill Cornell Medicine published in JAMA Network Open.

Researchers have identified a new DNA region and two genes associated with frailty, providing insights into why some older adults are more frail. This discovery highlights the role of genetic factors in resilience to age-related declines, aiming to lead to targeted interventions for the ageing population.

Neuroscientists have discovered a secret second network in the brain. AI-mapped astrocyte webs connect distant brain regions, challenging 100 years of neuron-centric theory.

A massive transdisciplinary study has shifted the focus of Alzheimer’s research from the brain to the gut. Using AI to analyse data from nearly 10,000 people, researchers identified that common life events, specifically appendix removal and long-term dietary patterns, are among the strongest predictors of the disease. The study suggests that the gut microbiome serves as a primary line of defence for the brain, and that its disruption over decades may ultimately trigger neurodegeneration.

Researchers propose a new model for how the brain encodes and recalls emotionally meaningful touch, highlighting its role in lifelong mental health.

New research shows that a diet high in heavily processed foods can negatively impact the brain’s ability to focus and increases the risk of developing dementia. The study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, examined the diets and cognitive health of more than 2,100 Australian dementia-free adults middle-aged and older.

A 30-year study of 42,000 adults shows that stroke severity is a primary driver of post-stroke dementia and accelerated brain aging.

Researchers have bridged the gap between biology and silicon by creating a 3D programmable device that merges living brain cells with advanced electronics. Unlike previous “brain-on-a-chip” attempts that grew cells on flat surfaces, this device uses a flexible, microscopic metal mesh as a scaffold, allowing tens of thousands of neurons to grow around and through the sensors.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

Researchers are developing a fully implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) that enables patients with paraplegia to control robotic exoskeletons with their thoughts, aiming to restore both walking and the sensation of walking.

New research indicates that time perception is a complex, multi-stage process in the brain, starting with sensory encoding and leading to a representation of time that helps us categorise experiences by duration and order. This insight paves the way for further studies on the links between cognitive functions and time perception, particularly in relation to disorders affecting this process.

Does a plant-based diet prevent Alzheimer’s? New research shows that healthful plant-based diets lower dementia risk by 7%, while unhealthful plant-based diets increase risk.

A new AI framework emulates human brain development by “pruning” unnecessary connections as it learns, becoming more compact and energy-efficient while mastering complex tasks. The study indicates that effective learning relies on the right connections rather than on an abundance of them. By mimicking infant brains, this AI enables continual learning and improves perception, motor control, and interaction, all while reducing size and energy consumption.

A new study reveals that school-age children and adolescents with medically diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI) have significantly higher rates of anxiety/depression, and strong family support and resilience help alleviate some of it.

Loneliness affects memory performance in older adults but does not accelerate cognitive decline, according to a European study of more than 10,000 participants over seven years. Although those reporting high levels of loneliness initially performed worse on memory tests, their decline in recall ability matched that of less lonely participants over time.

Researchers have developed a 15-minute blood test that uses europium nanoparticles and a smartphone to track melatonin levels, helping astronauts and shift workers manage their biological clocks.

A study from Mass General Brigham reveals that a blood test measuring plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217) can predict changes in amyloid PET scans and cognitive decline in healthy older adults, potentially allowing for earlier disease prediction and identifying those at risk for cognitive decline. The findings are published in Nature Communications.

A high-resolution study of 30 adult brains reveals over 3,000 genes with sex-biased expression. These findings link molecular sex differences to the prevalence of disorders like ADHD and Alzheimer’s.

Air pollution is associated with increased migraine activity, according to a study published in Neurology. Both short-term and cumulative exposure to air pollution, as well as climate factors such as heat and humidity, were associated with increased migraine activity.

A new study shows how subcortical pathways can make AI models more flexible and biologically accurate.

New research indicates that high sodium intake may harm episodic memory, which is essential for recalling personal experiences. These findings emphasise the broader cognitive effects of a salty diet, underlining the significance of making healthy dietary choices for brain health.

Can brain implants restore sight? Researchers have mapped how the brain reacts to neural probes, finding that flexible polyimide is the key to long-term biocompatibility.

Scientists analysed data from over 363,000 participants in the NIH’s All of Us Research Program and found that treatable middle ear conditions, such as eardrum perforations and cholesteatoma, are associated with nearly double the odds of developing dementia; however, treating these conditions with surgery or hearing aids significantly reduced or eliminated the dementia risk.

Finally, researchers printed artificial neurons that successfully “talk” to living brain cells. These flexible devices could lead to energy-efficient AI and advanced brain-machine implants.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

*Personalized fMRI-guided targeting procedure and outcomes. Credit: American Journal of Psychiatry (2026)*

A new study reveals that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can soothe the brain’s fear centre and greatly alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with effects lasting for months post-treatment.

Research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that electroacupuncture may enhance cognitive function and alleviate psychological distress in breast cancer survivors with lingering neuropsychiatric symptoms, offering a nondrug solution for issues like “brain fog,” fatigue, insomnia, and emotional distress post-treatment.

A study of 28,000 people identifies genetic markers in the GLP1R and GIPR genes that explain why some patients lose more weight or experience more nausea on GLP-1 drugs.

A new review suggests that how we interpret ambiguity is a core part of our personality and a major “red flag” for future mental health. While children typically start with a negative bias and shift toward positivity around age 10, those who stay “stuck” in a negative loop face a significantly higher risk of depression, anxiety, and stress-related physical illnesses later in life.

Brain swelling in the days following a stroke caused by a brain bleed is linked to a higher risk of death and disability, a study suggests. The research is published in the journal Stroke.

A 34-country study reveals that the “exposome”—the combination of pollution, social inequality, and political context—is 15 times more predictive of brain aging than any single risk factor. The research calls for a shift from individual “lifestyle” advice to broad structural policy changes to protect global brain health.

Cognitive and physical training can help older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) maintain or improve their ability to move and think simultaneously, but hearing ability and sex influence outcomes, according to a new study.

Researchers have discovered that the brain activates the same neurons when imagining an object as when actually seeing it, highlighting the connection between mental visualisation and visual perception and suggesting that conjuring images is closely related to how we perceive reality. These findings may inform new treatment strategies for mental health issues like PTSD and OCD by clarifying the neural pathways involved in both processes, leading to better therapeutic interventions.

Researchers are developing a multiscale model of the hippocampus to identify why certain neurons are vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease. The virtual testbed aims to find therapeutic tipping points before memory loss becomes irreversible.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

A landmark research paper for the first time maps the genetics of how individual regions of the brain age—and why some of those regions are the very ones most ravaged by Alzheimer’s and dementia. Published in the journal GeroScience, the paper is titled “Deep Neural Networks and Genome-Wide Associations Reveal the Polygenic Architecture of Local Brain Aging.”

A 19-year study reveals that mentally active sitting—such as reading or working—can reduce dementia risk, while passive sitting like watching TV increases it.

Can we “unlearn” fear using sound? Neuroscientists have shown that ultrasonic waves can help the brain overcome fearful memories. By targeting high-frequency vibrations at the amygdala, researchers slowed new fear formation and sped up the process of “unlearning” them. This non-invasive technology could be a breakthrough for treating PTSD and anxiety without surgery or drugs.

Older adults who develop delirium during a hospital admission face a substantially higher risk of dementia in later years, even if they had no prior health conditions, according to a major new population study.

A University of Michigan study indicates that young adults who frequently use substances like alcohol and cannabis may experience notably worse memory in later decades, with researchers comparing substance use from ages 18 to 30 to memory self-reports from ages 50 to 65.

A collaborative research study has, for the first time, identified a biological process that may help explain how the brain develops differently in people with Down syndrome.

Why do stressful moments so often push people toward habits like drinking? A new study offers one of the clearest answers yet, identifying a direct connection inside the brain that links stress to addiction-related behaviours. The work shows how alcohol disrupts the natural stress-response system, making it harder for the brain to adapt or make good decisions.

Researchers have developed a method that allows the increased movement of brain fluids during sleep to be tracked quickly and safely, without the need for injected contrast agents.

A research team has developed a synthetic “right-handed” protein fragment that is the mirror image of natural proteins, allowing it to intercept and neutralise disordered amyloid-beta proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease, thereby preventing the formation of harmful plaques in the brain.

A new AI model can detect multiple cognitive brain diseases from a single blood sample.

Multiple regions of the brain engage in fast-moving conversations to understand language, researchers have discovered, dispelling a prior school of thought that only one region of the brain was responsible for language processing. The research was published in PLOS Biology.

The risk of Alzheimer’s disease significantly decreases in older adults who receive a higher dose of the influenza vaccine compared to the standard dose, according to new research.

Having higher levels of vitamin D in the blood in middle age is associated with lower levels of tau protein in the brain, which is a sign of dementia, years later, according to a study published in Neurology Open Access. The study does not prove that vitamin D levels lower the level of tau and the risk of dementia; it only shows an association.

How does the brain time its own development? A new study explores histone bivalency—an epigenetic “red and green light” system that prevents premature neuron maturation and helps adult brains respond to stress and injury.

An international study published across 34 countries shows that the biological age of the brain can be accelerated or delayed by environmental risk (air pollution, public housing conditions) and protective factors (socioeconomic equality, access to health care). The stronger effects arise from interactions among environmental, social, and political conditions.

Finally, this week, neuroscientists have demonstrated for the first time that noninvasive brain stimulation can alter the activity of a critical deep brain region involved in emotion and memory.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

*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.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

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.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

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.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

*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.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

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.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Leave a comment

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.