Weekly Neuroscience Update

Researchers studied brain scans of 386 individuals with Major Depressive Disorder to observe changes in brain connectivity during the initial weeks after starting a placebo or one of two antidepressants. Their findings highlight both common changes across treatment groups and specific patterns related to the antidepressant treatments.

Scientists have identified a key mechanism that helps determine the length of myelin, the protective coating that surrounds many nerve fibers and allows signals to travel efficiently through the nervous system.

A study from Lund University published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that normal aging and Alzheimer’s affect brain communication differently, with distinct patterns of alterations. Notably, changes in Alzheimer’s patients occur early, prior to the onset of cognitive symptoms.

Researchers have developed 3D “mini-brains” they hope will help speed up the search for drug treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS).

A study reveals that childhood abuse affects brain structure, specifically cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical volume, with more significant effects observed in young women. This research is the largest to investigate the neurobiological impacts of childhood maltreatment in a diverse, global population.

A graphene-based brain sensor could help doctors watch the hidden damage unfolding during a stroke in real time, offering new hope of preventing devastating brain injuries before they become irreversible.

Researchers at the University of Osaka found that stimulating the primary somatosensory cortex and the insular cortex simultaneously may enhance artificial touch sensations, producing effects beyond typical tingling or numbness. The study is published in Brain Stimulation.

Inflammatory conditions in the brain, including traumatic brain injury and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, could be targeted with an existing drug thanks to new research that shows it can work in brain cells.

The largest genetic study of cognition to date has been published, involving nearly half a million people of European ancestry. This provides a new understanding of the genetic factors that shape cognitive differences and can help us better understand certain health conditions, including neurodevelopmental conditions.

Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is an early indicator of brain changes linked to Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies, often emerging years prior to diagnosis.

A new study finds that adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia or mild cognitive impairment later in life. The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, also found that people who carry a higher genetic risk for ADHD face a greater chance of cognitive decline even without a documented diagnosis.

Researchers have led an international scientific team studying how a traumatic brain injury caused by a severe blow to the head affects the brain’s long-term response to subsequent stressful situations.

A long-term study of more than 4,500 older adults reveals that individuals who are overweight or obese when diagnosed with dementia exhibit a significantly lower risk of death than those of normal weight. Rigorous epidemiological modeling suggests this survival advantage is not merely an artifact of statistical bias, underscoring the critical protective role of nutrition and metabolic reserves in neurodegenerative decline.

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Children with more autistic traits favored a brain activity pattern tied to sight and movement (left) before age 9 and one tied to social and emotional processing (right) after 14, suggesting interventions could be tailored by age. Credit: OCEAN Labs

Children with more autistic traits view and experience the world differently than their peers do, and those differences change as the children grow, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Insomnia is associated with a 26% higher risk of stroke and 28% higher odds of hospital admission, according to new research in Sleep Medicine Reviews. The researchers say the findings support recognizing insomnia as an important marker of brain, mental and general health.

Adults in their 60s who scored lower on tests of overall thinking ability, memory and how quickly they processed information were more likely to have a stroke years later, according to new research conducted in Sweden.

A well-known brain-healthy diet may help ward off cognitive decline and dementia by protecting arteries, a new study suggests. People who followed the MIND diet had healthier blood vessels in their brains, which was associated with larger brains and better cognitive function, researchers report in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Adults with hard-to-treat epilepsy who used cannabis most days had more than twice as many convulsive seizures per year and became resistant to antiseizure medications more quickly than nonusers, according to new research.

A new study reveals that the brain uses shared neural codes for speaking and listening during short verbal exchanges, but relies on distinct timing networks to process longer, overarching ideas. These findings, published in Nature Human Behaviour, help map how the brain navigates the back-and-forth demands of natural social interaction.

Low-dose aspirin was associated with a 70% lower risk of dementia among older people with a particular genetic profile, a new Monash University analysis has found, raising the possibility of a more personalized approach to dementia prevention.

A study published in Science Advances reveals that machine-learning models analysing speech can estimate chronological age and provide insights into brain and biological aging, cognitive health, and dementia. The “speech clock” developed in the study predicts age based on acoustic and linguistic features, with the difference between actual age and predicted age linked to various markers of cognitive and brain health.

Engineers created a smart shoe that analyzes walking patterns, potentially aiding in the monitoring of movement disorders, with the prototype achieving 95.4% accuracy in tracking steps and estimating calories burned.

A new study published in Brain Communications found that a transcranial low-amplitude magnetic field intervention delivered twice weekly into the brain through a noninvasive headset was associated with improvements in several measures of cognitive function and emotional well-being in people experiencing cognitive impairment associated with long COVID.

Researchers have discovered how a metabolite produced by gut bacteria can influence brain damage after stroke. Their paper is published in the journal Cell.

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Electrode locations from all patients aligned to a common brain atlas and color-coded by region. The “preSMA” and “dACC” together comprise the medial frontal cortex in our study. Credit: Courellis et al.

Scientists carried out a study aimed at better understanding how neurons preserve context over time as the goals of an ongoing task change. Their findings, published in Nature Human Behaviour, suggest that the brain can represent the same information through different patterns of neuronal activity that vary in stability and flexibility.

New research found that an unhealthy Western-style diet accelerates cognitive decline in individuals genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease.

A scientific team has shown that a new brain-computer interface (BCI) can allow people with vocal tract and bodily paralysis to convey both speech and upper-body gestures simultaneously. While BCIs have facilitated one or the other in the past, this new system is the first to enable both modes of communication at once, more closely replicating natural expression.

In a study analysing nearly 3,000 brain MRI exams, researchers found that living in highly disadvantaged neighbourhoods was associated with adverse brain health.

Neuroscientists have found that a centralized genetic switch in the neuron’s cell body, rather than just local cues at the axon tips, directs axon navigation. By analysing over 12,000 developing neurons, they created a genetic atlas that could lead to new therapies for repairing damaged neural pathways after strokes or spinal cord injuries.

New research suggests that losing muscle as we age may indicate a higher risk of dementia, with individuals suffering from sarcopenia—characterized by muscle loss and decreased strength—facing a 42% increased risk.

Researchers have discovered that spontaneous eye-blink rate serves as a simple, noninvasive marker for tracking the development of executive function in early childhood. The study revealed that children aged 3–6 with higher blink rates performed better on cognitive flexibility tasks, an association specifically linked to focused activation within the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Scientists at the University of Galway have taken part in a first-in-human study of stroke patients using a thin wire fitted with sensors to assess and map their clots.

A new study reveals the human brain is composed of two independently evolved organs, enabling the first lab-grown human hindbrain neurons. Published in Nature Neuroscience, the research shows that what we call the human brain is actually two ancient, independent nervous systems assembled side by side over hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history.

A clinical trial has found that exercise has a significant effect on mood and lab-based measures of new brain cell formation in healthy middle-aged participants.

A recent study reveals a connection between spinal deterioration and cognitive decline, indicating that individuals with lower bone density in thoracic vertebrae experience quicker cognitive decline and microstructural brain injury, as assessed through a deep learning model analysing clinical imaging data.

A new computational model shows how cortical feedback slashes neural chaos by 93%, explaining how our vision stays stable despite fluctuating brain activity.

A research team has created a vision transformer architecture named the 4D fMRI CrossFormer (4DfCF) to analyze four-dimensional fMRI data, aiming to enhance AI-assisted brain disorder diagnosis and promote a more transparent computer-aided diagnosis system for clinicians to review AI predictions.

Neurodivergent individuals, especially those with autism or ADHD, are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at younger ages, with a significant prevalence among those diagnosed before age 20.

Scientists using magnetoencephalography (MEG) discovered five neurophysiological subtypes of major depressive disorder based on brain connectivity, revealing that patients with the same diagnosis can have opposite brain activity patterns, which explains previous research discrepancies and promotes personalized psychiatric treatment.

A new study found that 85% of patients with aura-dominant migraine experienced a reduction in monthly aura days by at least half following treatment with the anti-epileptic drug lamotrigine.

Researchers from Alzheimer Center Amsterdam and the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience discovered that personally meaningful music elicits a stronger brain response than neutral music in individuals with dementia, with variations in response based on dementia type.

Finally, this week, chronic stress and perceived social support may play a role in how memory and thinking abilities change with age, according to a new study,

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Cinematic neuroscience laboratory with illuminated brain scan

A new study by neuroscientists at MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory shows how the brain encodes information throughout the decision-making process to keep options clearly in mind and ensure that chosen and unchosen options are remembered.

A clinical trial has shows that high-frequency spinal cord stimulation can reduce pain and improve sensory function in people with treatment-resistant diabetic neuropathy.

Education, intellectually stimulating work and an active lifestyle help preserve cognitive abilities in adults over 65 and lead to more effective verbal expression and stronger cognitive performance. But there is another important factor: emotions. The way we recognize and interpret them can significantly influence the efficiency of cognitive processes as we age.

A new UCLA study has found a connection between how quickly the brain ages and the bacteria and chemical byproducts found in the gut, offering a clue to what drives brain aging long before symptoms appear.

Scientists have identified over 830,000 brain immune cells, including a protective subtype of microglia that increases during Alzheimer’s disease. These cells, influenced by the TREM2 pathway, assist in removing harmful substances from the brain, offering a new approach for therapies that aim to enhance the brain’s innate immune defences instead of just targeting amyloid plaques.

A recent study suggests that slow electrical rhythms traveling along individual nerve fibres may do more than reflect brain activity: They may help coordinate communication between key memory centres in the hippocampus.

New research from Carnegie Mellon University reveals that dendritic spines—the tiny structures that help brain cells communicate and form memories—don’t fit neatly into a few categories. Instead, they display a continuous range of shapes, offering new insight into learning, development and neurological disease.

People living with a severe form of asthma show subtle differences in the structure of their brains compared with people whose asthma is well controlled, according to new research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress.

Researchers have discovered that sitting on Japanese Igusa mats, made from rush grass, enhance concentration and engagement in the brain while reducing tension and anxiety in users. With centuries of use in Japan, the research aims to validate its health benefits and highlight the value of this traditional material.

New research indicates that people with invasive cancer face an elevated risk of experiencing a stroke, especially in the first few months after diagnosis and if they have certain types of cancer. The findings are published in Cancer.

A recent study compared eye-tracking data from 368 adult readers with predictions from over 400 neural network models, revealing that large language models (LLMs) struggle to predict human cognitive challenges in contextualizing words, despite being accurate in word recognition speed.

Researchers have found a method to predict the onset of symptoms in individuals at high risk for Alzheimer’s, aiding physicians in determining the appropriate timing for preventive treatments.

A study of more than half a million adults has found that higher levels of exhaled carbon monoxide were associated with a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease. The findings, published in JAMA Neurology, uncover a possible new explanation for the consistently lower rates of Parkinson’s among smokers that have long puzzled scientists.

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Researchers examined changes in brain activity during cognitive tasks before and after acute aerobic exercise in healthy young and older adults. The study is published in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

A new study indicates that the brain’s response to breathing is not uniform; instead, the unique characteristics of each breath correlate with neural activity related to cognition, emotion, and memory. This suggests that the brain monitors subtle variations in breathing, with changes in inhale and exhale timing and intensity reflected in distinct neural patterns, highlighting a more nuanced link between breathing and brain function than previously understood.

Early initiation of statins after diagnosis of type 2 diabetes was associated with a lower risk of dementia, according to a study presented at ESC Congress 2026 and published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe.

Immune cells that normally protect the body from damage by attacking foreign or infected cells are found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders at much higher levels than in healthy brains. The cells appear to contribute to neurodegeneration, but where they come from and how they are primed to accumulate in the brain was not known.

A new study has used a type of machine learning called a neural network to reveal how different kinds of training can change how learning happens—both in machines and in living brains.

The influence of the hormone progesterone on mood is well known. Now, researchers have shown how higher levels of progesterone during the menstrual cycle are linked to less distinct patterns of activity in areas of the brain involved in controlling emotions.

Regular aerobic exercise—the kind that gets your heart pumping—can improve important thinking skills called executive functions, and the benefits appear especially strong for women after menopause, according to Rutgers researchers.

Musicians don’t just learn movement sequences faster; they predict what’s coming next sooner, according to new research that also found newly formed motor memories can be disrupted by seeing different visual sequences shortly after learning. The work is published in the journal Psychological Research.

A study by the University of Eastern Finland found that quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is strongly associated with walking performance and functional capacity.

The neuroactive potential of bacteria living in the human gut is associated with levels of key chemicals in the brain, according to a new study published in Molecular Psychiatry. The research team found that microbial pathways involved in producing and breaking down neuroactive compounds were associated with levels of GABA and glutamate in specific regions of the human brain.

A study conducted at the University of Helsinki indicates that the total number of people with dementia will grow significantly in the coming years, and the number of those living at home may even more than double after 2018.

A new study reveals that migraine may leave a biological pattern throughout the body, traces of which can be identified by artificial intelligence. Researchers used AI to analyze information gathered from more than 43,000 participants during a countywide health survey.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

December 13, 2024December 12, 2024Leave a comment

A new way of mapping activity and connections between different regions of the brain has revealed fresh insights into how higher-order functions like language, thought and attention, are organized.

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have demonstrated that the brain’s ability to learn certain skills can be significantly enhanced if both the brain and nervous system are primed by carefully-calibrated, precisely-timed electrical and magnetic stimulations. This new research has the potential to open entirely new perspectives in rehabilitation and possibly elite sports.

A study of patients with epilepsy shows how making new neurons benefits cognition.

New AI software can read the brain scans of patients who have had a stroke to more accurately pinpoint when it happened and help doctors work out whether it can be successfully treated. It is hoped that the new technology will ultimately enable faster and more accurate emergency treatment of patients in a hospital setting.

Researchers have discovered the structural details of a brain receptor called GPR6, which could lead to new treatments for Parkinson’s disease.

Living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods is associated with higher blood pressure and lower cognitive performance, even in individuals without mild cognitive impairment. Researchers analyzed over 500 adults, finding that poor social and economic resources in neighborhoods exacerbate cardiometabolic health issues and reduce brain function.

Scientists have developed a new approach to learning through noninvasive manipulation of brain activity patterns.

A new study is helping solve the mystery as to why the brain shrinks in a unique pattern, known as atrophy, in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Published in Acta Neuropathologica, this research provides novel evidence that cumulative repetitive head impacts are driving the specific patterns of brain degeneration found at the base of the folds of the surface of the brain, known as the cortical sulcus.

A global research collaboration has revealed a hidden cause of a rare intellectual disorder associated with severe language delay, epileptic seizures, motor impairment and brain abnormalities.

A multi-sensory digital treatment protocol, incorporating sensory integration, sensory substitution, and sensory masking (e.g., blindfolding), significantly improved participants’ performance on spatial memory tasks. Resting-state fMRI analysis showed that these improvements were associated with enhanced connectivity between memory-related brain regions, executive frontal areas, and the default mode network (DMN).

People with high blood pressure who also lack sleep may be at increased risk of reduced cognitive performance and greater brain injury, new research has found.

Researchers have uncovered a groundbreaking mechanism called Electro-Calcium (E-Ca) coupling that integrates electrical and calcium signaling in brain capillaries. This process ensures precise blood flow delivery to active neurons, crucial for brain health and cognitive function.

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have made a breakthrough in understanding what neural mechanisms allow the extreme sensitivity of human vision in darkness.

New research reveals that music can do more than trigger memories—it can alter their emotional tone. When participants recalled neutral stories while listening to emotionally charged music, they later remembered the stories as matching the music’s mood. These findings hint at music’s potential for therapeutic interventions, like reframing negative memories in depression or PTSD.

Finally this week a recent study has found that high blood sugar may impair brain health even in people without diabetes.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

May 10, 2024May 10, 2024Leave a comment

*Variant definition, splitting and classification as border or ectopic. Credit: Nature Neuroscience (2024)*

A new study has revealed brain differences that may explain why humans demonstrate a variety of cognitive abilities and behaviors. The research shows that two forms of individual differences may predict cognitive abilities, explain behavioral differences and even pinpoint biomarkers of brain disease.

A team of neuroscientists has found that so-called superagers maintain memory as they grow older because they do not experience a decline in the integrity of their white brain matter.

Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence technique that can effectively estimate an individual’s brain age based on electroencephalogram (EEG) brain scans. The technology could help to make early, regular screening for degenerative brain diseases more accessible.

A simple blood test could allow doctors to determine whether a person may be at higher risk for stroke or cognitive decline during their lifetime, according to a new study.

A brief episode of anger triggered by remembering past experiences may negatively impact the blood vessels’ ability to relax, which is essential for proper blood flow, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Using neuroimaging, researchers have identified a brain network crucial to human consciousness.

An individual’s experience of pain from medical treatment can be heightened by witnessing other people’s responses to the same treatment, with this negative experience subsequently spreading to others, scientists have discovered.

Listening to music benefits older adults’ cognitive health, even if it’s music they haven’t heard before or don’t enjoy very much, according to a new study.

Researchers have found a way to better control the preclinical generation of key neurons depleted in Parkinson’s disease, pointing toward a new approach for a disease with no cure and few effective treatments.

An international research team led by Karolinska Institutet has mapped the early genetic development of the brain and can now present an atlas of embryonic development between weeks 6 and 13.

Researchers have identified a key mechanism in brain stem cells that prevents identity conflicts during gene expression. This mechanism allows the cells to retain stemness while being primed for neuronal differentiation. The discovery includes finding that keeping neuronal gene messengers within the nucleus, while allowing stem cell gene messengers to be translated, avoids premature differentiation.

A new study demonstrates the potential of virtual reality in treating major depressive disorder.

Exercise prompts muscles to release molecular cargo that boosts brain cell function and connection, but the process is not well understood. Now new research has found that the nerves that tell muscles to move also prompt them to release more of the brain-boosting factors.

A pattern of brain activity that helps prevent us from getting lost has been identified in a new study, published in Nature Human Behaviour.

A new study highlights a novel mechanism of brain plasticity involving chondroitin sulfate clusters outside nerve cells. Researchers identified these cartilage-like structures as crucial for the brain’s ability to adapt and store information.

Finally this week, a new computer model may have cracked the code on helpful memory cues.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

May 3, 2024Leave a comment

Credit: eLife (2024)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weekly Neuroscience Update

April 26, 2024Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A new study identifies a new metric for diagnosing autism.

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

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

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

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

Weekly Neuroscience Update

April 19, 2024Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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