Researchers have used placebo pain relief to uncover a map-like system in the brainstem that controls pain differently depending on where it’s felt in the body. The findings may pave the way for safer, more targeted treatments for chronic pain that don’t rely on opioids.
New research reports an association between taking GLP-1 receptor agonists and lower overall cancer risk in adults with obesity, with a reduced risk for ovarian cancer.
Some regions of the brain in people with Alzheimer’s reorganize more often while at rest than in people without the disease–– and in healthy people, this frequent reshuffling sometimes predicts who will develop the condition later, according to a new study.
Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that psychotherapy leads to measurable changes in brain structure by using cognitive behavioural therapy.
Listening to music while doing something can make that activity more enjoyable. But listening to music after an experience or activity can make it more memorable if you have the optimal emotional response while listening to it, according to new research.
A new study reveals that the brain employs two distinct mechanisms to drive exploration under conditions of uncertainty.
A team of scientists has discovered a built-in “brake” that controls when key brain cells mature. In multiple sclerosis (MS), this brake appears to stay on too long, leaving the cells unable to repair the damage the disease causes.
New research suggests a link between a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the risk of developing a malignant brain tumour.
Breathwork while listening to music may induce a blissful state in practitioners, accompanied by changes in blood flow to emotion-processing brain regions, according to a studypublished in the journal PLOS One.
The type of estradiol-based hormone therapy taken during and after menopause, such as patches or pills, may be associated with differences in memory performance, according to a new study.
Researchers have identified two specific types of brain cells that are altered in people with depression. The study, published in Nature Genetics, opens the door to developing new treatments that target these cells and deepens our understanding of depression.
Finally, this week, a new AI framework can detect neurological disorders by analyzing speech with over 90% accuracy.
Brain activity maps for the hand (shown in red) and lips (blue) before the amputation (Pre1 and Pre2) and after amputation (three, six and 18 months post-amputation). Credit: Tamar Makin / Hunter Schone
The brain holds a “map” of the body that remains unchanged even after a limb has been amputated, contrary to the prevailing view that it rearranges itself to compensate for the loss, according to new research.
A fading sense of smell can be one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease even before cognitive impairments manifest.
Scientists have developed a computational framework that maps how the striosomal compartment of the striatum governs everyday decision-making. By integrating biology, decision theory, and mathematical modeling, different levels of striosomal activity can push individuals toward impulsive, balanced, or overly complex decisions.
A recent study has shown that the brain leaves subtle traces of creativity minutes before an “aha!” moment.
New research has raised concerns about the safety of acetaminophen use during pregnancy, linking prenatal exposure to higher risks of autism and ADHD. While the evidence does not prove causation, it highlights biological mechanisms such as oxidative stress and hormone disruption that may affect fetal brain development. Researchers recommend cautious, time-limited use under medical supervision and call for safer treatment alternatives.
A new study has found that people who lived in areas with high levels of leaded gasoline emissions in the 1960s and ’70s are more likely to report memory problems today.
A multi-institution research team reports that gaze patterns can serve as a sensitive marker of cognitive decline, with associated reductions in explorative, adaptive, and differentiated visual sampling of the environment.
New research reveals that different types of music shape the emotional tone of the memories they evoke.
A genetic study has identified more than 400 genes that drive different forms of unhealthy aging, from cognitive decline to metabolic problems. The findings show that frailty is not a single condition but multiple subtypes with distinct biological pathways.
Finally, this week, a new study suggests the brain may be a missing link in certain forms of high blood pressure or hypertension.
A) Illustration of the experimental design. B) Averaged power spectra and time–frequency representations (TFR) were extracted from two regions of interest. Credit: Imaging Neuroscience (2025)
Using a custom-built tool to analyze the electrical activity from neurons, researchers have identified a brain-based biomarker that could be used to predict whether mild cognitive impairment will develop into Alzheimer’s disease.
New research reveals neurocognitive correlates of testosterone in young men that shape generosity and self-worth.
By understanding differences in how people’s brains are wired, clinicians may be able to predict who would benefit from a self-guided anxiety care app, according to a new analysis from a clinical trial led by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian investigators.
Novel imaging research indicates that young adults with a higher genetic risk for depression showed less brain activity in several areas when responding to rewards and punishments.
A new study reveals that long-term adaptive cycling can measurably reshape brain signals in people with Parkinson’s Disease, offering clues into how exercise relieves motor symptoms. Researchers used deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants to track neural activity before and after 12 sessions of dynamic cycling.
Scientists bring us closer to understanding how the body detects different sensations such as pain, itch, and touch.
A recent genetic study has identified neurological mechanisms as key drivers of chronic cough. The findings significantly advance our biological understanding of the condition, shedding light on potential avenues for new treatments.
A large-scale analysis of health records reveals that subtle signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) may appear more than a decade before diagnosis.
In a discovery that could guide the development of next-generation antidepressants and antipsychotic medications, researchers have developed new insights into how a critical brain receptor works at the molecular level and why that matters for mental health treatments.
Finally, this week, new research has found stress-controlling brain cells switch on and off in a steady rhythm about once every hour—even when nothing stressful is happening.
Researchers at King’s College London have found that exposure to higher levels of air pollution during midlife is associated with slower processing speed, lower scores on a cognitive screening tool, and differences in brain structure later in life.
People who use psychedelic substances may think about themselves in a different way — not just psychologically, but also neurologically.
A large Danish study shows that most mental illnesses—like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression—occur in people with no close family history of the condition. Analyzing data from over 3 million individuals, researchers found that while heredity increases risk, most diagnosed individuals do not have affected relatives.
Living through the Covid-19 pandemic may have accelerated brain ageing, even in people who were never infected, a new study finds.
Scientists developed a computational “aging clock” that measures the biological age of brain cells and identifies compounds with rejuvenating potential. By analyzing gene activity from healthy and neurodegenerative brain tissue, they pinpointed 453 interventions predicted to reverse cellular aging.
Adolescents who use e-cigarettes or conventional tobacco products are significantly more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety than non-users, according to a recent study.
For the first time, researchers have identified what happens in neural networks deep within the brain during obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. Using electrodes implanted in the brain, they observed how specific brain waves became active. These brain waves serve as a biomarker for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and are an important step towards more targeted treatments.
In a breakthrough that reimagines the way the gut and brain communicate, scientists have uncovered what they call a “neurobiotic sense.”
A new study reveals that a brain circuit driving negative emotions during cocaine withdrawal plays a key role in relapse. Researchers found that this “anti-reward” network becomes hyperactive during abstinence, amplifying distress and pushing users back toward the drug.
Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in understanding how the human brain forms, stores and recalls visual memories.
A new study finds that inflammation affects how cannabis impacts anxiety and sleep quality. Researchers observed no significant changes in inflammation levels after 4 weeks of cannabis use, but initial inflammation influenced the results.
Finally, this week, Alzheimer’s disease spreads unevenly through the brain, and novel mathematical modelling may help explain why.
A research team has identified, for the first time in humans a key neurophysiological mechanism in memory formation: ripple-type brain waves—high-frequency electrical oscillations that mark and organize the different episodes or fragments of information that the brain stores as memories.
Scientists have discovered how a key protein helps maintain strong connections between brain cells that are crucial for learning and memory.
New research shows that signs of Alzheimer’s disease can already be detected in the blood of people as young as their 40s. Finnish scientists found elevated Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers in middle-aged adults, especially among those with maternal history or kidney disease.
A new study questions whether playing youth football leads to harmful protein buildup in the brain.
Receiving six or more prescriptions of the drug gabapentin for low back pain is associated with significantly increased risks of developing dementia and mild cognitive impairment, finds a large medical records study.
A large genetic study reveals that cannabis use disorder is strongly linked to increased risk for multiple psychiatric disorders, including depression, PTSD, ADHD, and schizophrenia.
A common sugar substitute, erythritol, widely used in “sugar-free” and low-carb products, may increase stroke risk by damaging brain blood vessel cells. A new study found that erythritol exposure reduced nitric oxide, increased vessel constrictors, impaired clot-busting abilities, and boosted free radical production in these cells.
Finally, this week, neuroscientists have discovered a signature ‘wave’ of activity as the brain awakens from sleep.
A novel study aimed at disentangling the neurological underpinnings of depression shows that multiple brain profiles may manifest as the same clinical symptoms, providing evidence to support the presence of both one-to-one and many-to-one heterogeneity in depression. The findings of the study in Biological Psychiatry, highlight the layered and complex interactions between clinical symptoms and neurobiological sources of variation.
Brain networks responsible for sensing, understanding, and responding emotionally to pain develop at different rates in infants, with the conscious understanding of pain not fully developed until after birth, finds a new study.
People living with autoimmune diseases face nearly twice the risk of developing persistent mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, according to a massive UK-based study.
New research shows that individuals with higher cognitive ability have stronger, more flexible synchronization of brain rhythms—specifically theta waves—in the midfrontal region during mentally demanding tasks. These neural signals coordinate dynamically, especially during moments of decision-making, allowing people to maintain focus and adapt more quickly to changing rules.
A recent study leveraged machine learning to identify the key lifestyle and health factors influencing cognitive performance throughout life.
New research reveals that autism and congenital heart disease may share a common biological basis—tiny cellular structures called cilia. Scientists found that mutations in genes affecting cilia formation disrupt both brain and heart development, helping explain why the two conditions often co-occur.
A first-of-its-kind clinical trial shows that ketamine treatment for severe, treatment-resistant depression is significantly more effective when paired with psychotherapy and supportive environments. Patients who underwent this combined treatment reported a 30% drop in depression symptoms, with reduced anxiety and suicidal thoughts lasting at least eight weeks.
A crucial link between the brain’s cleaning system and deterioration of neurons associated with Alzheimer’s disease has been discovered.
In a studypublished in Science Advances, researchers reveal that our bodies respond to acute (short‑term) and chronic (long‑lasting) pain in surprisingly different ways at the cellular level. Their discovery sheds new light on how pain becomes chronic—and opens the door to better‑targeted treatments.
A paper published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews has found that virtual reality (VR), when used in addition to standard therapy, can help stroke survivors regain arm movement.
Researchers investigating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the single-cell level, aiming to understand how cellular communication may be disrupted in affected brains. They found impaired signaling in inhibitory neurons in PTSD, potentially explaining hyperarousal symptoms, and opposing patterns of microglial activity in PTSD versus depression. Vascular endothelial cells in PTSD brains also showed signs of dysfunction, possibly increasing stress hormone exposure.
A recent study shows that individual neurons in the hippocampus can respond to both slow and fast brain waves at the same time by switching between different firing modes.
For the first time, scientists using cryo-electron microscopy have discovered the structure and shape of key receptors connecting neurons in the brain’s cerebellum, which is located behind the brainstem and plays a critical role in functions such as coordinating movement, balance and cognition.
In a paper published in the journal Nature Communications, biomedical engineers have shown how two brain regions quickly adapt to shift focus from one planned destination to another.
A new neuroimaging study has identified distinct structural brain differences in individuals with psychopathy, particularly those with high antisocial traits. Reduced volumes were found in subcortical and cortical areas involved in emotion, decision-making, and social behavior.
Groundbreaking research has identified a new brain protein involved in the development of Parkinson’s disease and a way to modify it, paving the way for future treatments for the disease.
Living in disadvantaged neighborhoods may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by elevating biomarkers associated with inflammation and neurodegeneration. A long-term study of 334 older adults found higher levels of tau and YKL-40, biomarkers linked to Alzheimer’s and brain inflammation, in people from less advantaged areas.
Psychosis may start not with hallucinations, but with subtle motor changes like reduced grip strength according to a new study.
In experiments with healthy volunteers undergoing functional MRI imaging, scientists have found increased activity in two areas of the brain that work together to react to, and possibly regulate, the brain when it’s “feeling” tired and either quits or continues exerting mental effort.
Finally, this week, newborn babies and patients with Alzheimer’s disease share an unexpected biological trait: elevated levels of a well-known biomarker for Alzheimer’s, as shown in a recent study.
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.
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.
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.
Example atlases included in the Network Correspondence Toolbox (NCT). Credit: Nature Communications (2025)
UCLA Health researchers have helped to develop a new digital toolbox to create a “common language” for brain network studies, potentially accelerating new discoveries and treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions.
New research published in The Journal of Neuroscience suggests that relieving psychological stress by targeting specific neurons in the brain can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety.
People who have early signs of heart problems may also have changes in brain health that can be early signs of dementia, such as loss of brain volume, according to a meta-analysis published online in Neurology. The meta-analysis does not prove that early heart problems cause loss of brain cells; it only shows an association.
Scientists have gained greater clarity in the brain regions and neurons that control metabolism, body temperature and energy use.
A recent study published in Science challenges assumptions about infant memory, showing that young minds do indeed form memories. The question remains, however, why these memories become difficult to retrieve later in life.
The brain’s appetite signalling pathways can be disrupted by consuming non-caloric sweeteners, according to new research.
Analysis of stroke patients from 1971 to 2019 showed college graduates exhibited stronger overall cognitive abilities immediately post-stroke. However, stroke survivors with any higher education saw a more rapid deterioration of executive functions, such as working memory and problem-solving, compared to those with lower levels of education.
New research suggests that psychopaths have a distinct pain experience, which can differ from what their bodies register.
A study published in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that virtual reality (VR) may offer a promising avenue for pain management in cancer patients. By immersing patients in realistic underwater environments using VR headsets, researchers observed a significant reduction in self-reported pain. This subjective improvement was further corroborated by real-time brain imaging, which revealed notable alterations in the neural pathways associated with pain perception.
A new review highlights how unpredictable sensory experiences, beyond traditional stressors like abuse and neglect, can disrupt brain development.
Scientists have uncovered a fundamental principle of how brain cells stay connected, and their discovery could change how we understand Alzheimer’s disease. Published in Cell Reports, this study reveals that neurons—the cells that make up our brain—use simple physics to maintain their connections, and that these processes change in Alzheimer’s patients.
New research shows that the brain’s numerical processing involves both absolute and relative quantity, with relative size processing increasing as information moves from the back to the front of the brain.
A pilot study of a post-stroke population has revealed some potential benefits of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on attention and fatigue. Study findings are published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
Finally this week, marathon runners experience a temporary decline in brain myelin during races, with levels returning to normal after recovery, according to a study published in Nature Metabolism.
Credit: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (2025). DOI: 10.1177/13872877251319742
Researchers have developed an AI tool that analyzes brain wave activity recorded during sleep using electroencephalography (EEG), a non-invasive technique that measures electrical activity in the brain through sensors placed on the scalp.
An encoding study reveals how the brain uses past experiences to predict the unfolding of similar events over time.
A new brain-computer interface (BCI) has enabled a paralyzed man to control a robotic arm by simply imagining movements. Unlike previous BCIs, which lasted only a few days, this AI-enhanced device worked reliably for seven months. The AI model adapts to natural shifts in brain activity, maintaining accuracy over time.
Learning to think more about specific events in the future appears to reduce impulsivity, improve decision-making, and shows potential as a therapy for alcohol use disorder, a recent study has found.
Repeated sessions of electrical stimulation to brain networks associated with memory improved verbal learning in some Alzheimer’s disease patients for up to eight weeks in a preliminary trial led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers. The findings, published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, indicate that while future trials are needed, neurostimulation shows early promise as a treatment for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Lewy body dementia.
Alcohol use leads to earlier brain aging and impaired behavioral flexibility, with those effects detectable even among adults in their 20s and 30s, according to an innovative study.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a new mechanism that may improve the treatment of ischemic stroke. The study, publishedin the Journal of Clinical Investigation, shows that the growth factor PDGF-CC and its receptor PDGFRα play a crucial role in scar formation in the brain after an ischemic stroke.
An abnormal form of the tau protein found to accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients also accumulates in the eyes of patients with the condition, according to a recent study.
Scientists have observed for the first time how neurons in the human brain store memories independent of the context in which they are acquired. Published in Cell Reports, the study confirms that neurons can distinguish objects or people regardless of their context, enabling the formation of higher and more abstract relationships, which constitute the basis of human intelligence.
Higher fish consumption is associated with slower disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), according to research published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
Using sophisticated neuroimaging techniques, researchers have mapped the brain’s activity during natural conversations, revealing how we seamlessly process speech and sound. These insights not only deepen our understanding of human connection but also pave the way for transformative advancements in speech technology and communication tools.
Finally this week, a recent study in Computers in Human Behavior, researchers observed that staying away from smartphones can even change one’s brain chemistry.
Schematic representation of the “Harmonic Oscillator Recurrent Network Model” (HORN). Credit: ESI
Researchers have made a new discovery in understanding fundamental brain processes. For the first time, the team has provided compelling evidence that the brain’s characteristic rhythmic patterns play a crucial role in information processing. While these oscillatory dynamics have long been observed in the brain, their purpose has remained mostly elusive until now.
Music has the best chance of providing pain relief when it is played at our natural rhythm, a McGill University research team has discovered.
Tiny plastic particles may accumulate at higher levels in the human brain than in the kidney and liver, with greater concentrations detected in postmortem samples from 2024 than in those from 2016, suggests a paper published in Nature Medicine. Although the potential implications for human health remain unclear, these findings may highlight a consequence of rising global concentrations of environmental plastics.
A team of scientists from the Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR) at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) has unveiled how the hippocampus orchestrates multiple memory processes, including encoding new information, forming memories, and retrieving them. The study ispublished in Nature Communications.
A recent study suggests that frequent treatment with intranasal oxytocin a hormone linked to empathy, may help address a key symptom in patients with frontotemporal dementia.
Could the key to easing anxiety be hidden in our gut? Scientists have discovered a crucial connection between gut microbes and anxiety-related behaviour.
People’s ability to interpret emotions or focus on performing a task is reduced by short-term exposure to particulate matter air pollution, potentially making everyday activities more challenging, according to a new study.
New research has revealed clear evidence that changes in the orchestration of brain oxygenation dynamics and neuronal function in Alzheimer’s disease contribute to the neurodegeneration.
Researchers are paving the way for the design of bionic limbs that feel natural to users. They demonstrate the connection between hand movement patterns and motoneuron control patterns. The study, published in Science Robotics, also reports the application of these findings to a soft prosthetic hand, which was successfully tested by individuals with physical impairments.
Occupational exposure to noise and/or vibrations is associated with the presence of vertigo, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.
A team of researchers recently carried out a study aimed at exploring the differences among patients with OCD. Their findings, publishedin Translational Psychiatry, allowed them to identify two broad OCD subtypes, which are associated with different patterns in gray matter volumes and disease epicenters.
A Canadian research team has revealed important new insights into the activation dynamics of neural stem cells (NSCs). These are the stem cells that build our central nervous systems and self-renew.
New research reveals that brain cells use a muscle-like signaling mechanism to relay information over long distances. Scientists discovered that dendrites, the branch-like extensions of neurons, contain a structured network of contact sites that amplify calcium signals—similar to how muscles contract. These contact sites regulate calcium release, activating key proteins involved in learning and memory.
Finally this week, a large study has found that heavy cannabis use, both recent and lifetime, is linked to reduced brain activity during working memory tasks in over 1,000 young adults.
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