Weekly Neuroscience Update

Researchers have found new clues in the blood that could help explain why Alzheimer’s disease develops and how it affects memory.

Scientists have discovered specialized IC-encoder neurons that make the brain “see” illusions, such as squares or triangles that aren’t truly there. These neurons receive top-down instructions from higher brain areas and then fill in missing contours in the visual cortex, actively constructing what we perceive.

A new PET tracer can provide insights into how spinal cord injuries affect not only the spinal cord, but also the brain, according to new research published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Humans excel at adapting to new situations, while machines often stumble. A new interdisciplinary study reveals that the root of the issue lies in how humans and AI approach “generalization,” the process of transferring knowledge to new problems.

An international study has revealed how the brain dynamically adjusts its communication pathways by modulating the balance between two fundamental inhibitory circuits.

A large-scale dietary trial has demonstrated that a green-Mediterranean diet can slow brain aging by modulating key blood proteins associated with neurodegeneration. Using MRI scans and proteomic profiling, researchers tracked nearly 300 participants over an 18-month period and found that diet significantly influenced the brain age gap.

A brain imaging technique has identified areas in the brain’s cerebral cortex that are most susceptible to damage from repetitive impacts, such as those incurred from heading a soccer ball.

Scientists have discovered a mechanism by which nanoplastics disrupt brain energy metabolism, providing new insights into the environmental factors that contribute to neurodegeneration. The particles disrupted mitochondrial electron transfer and reduced energy production in both general and synaptic mitochondria.

Finally, this week, depression’s earliest signs can be hard to spot, but a new study shows AI can detect them in subtle facial movements.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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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.

Brain Matters: 6 Ways to Boost Brain Health for World Brain Day

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On World Brain Day, take a moment to reflect on how you’re caring for your brain. Small, consistent choices today lay the foundation for lifelong neurological well-being.

Here are six evidence-backed ways to boost your brainpower and support long-term neurological health.

1. Move Your Body, Support Your Brain

Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to increase the volume of the hippocampus. In a landmark study published in PNAS (Erickson et al., 2011), older adults who engaged in moderate aerobic activity three times a week showed a 2% increase in hippocampal volume over one year. In contrast, a control group performing only stretching exercises experienced 1.4% hippocampal shrinkage, a common pattern with age. Notably, the exercise group also demonstrated improvements in spatial memory, directly correlating with brain growth.

Practical Recommendations

Aim for at least 3 sessions per week of moderate aerobic activity (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, swimming).
Sessions of 30–60 minutes appear most effective for cognitive benefits.
Long-term, regular exercise yields the greatest hippocampal and cognitive gains.

2. Prioritise Restorative Sleep

Restorative sleep is increasingly recognised as a core pillar of brain health—not just a luxury, but a biological necessity. It supports memory consolidation, mood regulation, and the brain’s glymphatic system, which clears neurotoxic waste, including beta-amyloid. Poor sleep has been linked to increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, making sleep a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. A regular, high-quality sleep routine is as essential as exercise and nutrition in maintaining long-term neurological function.

Practical Recommendations

Maintain a regular sleep-wake cycle, even on weekends.
Aim for 7–9 hours per night for adults, as recommended by sleep experts.
Seek treatment for sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea, which can impair brain function over time.

3. Keep Learning and Challenging Yourself

The brain thrives on novelty and complexity. Lifelong mental stimulation helps preserve cognitive flexibility and may delay or prevent the onset of dementia. Longitudinal studies, such as the Nun Study, show that individuals who engage in continuous intellectual activities throughout life enjoy better cognitive outcomes in older age. These activities promote cognitive reserve—the brain’s ability to adapt and find new pathways even in the presence of damage.

Practical Recommendations

Prioritise activities that are mentally challenging and unfamiliar, such as learning a new language, musical instrument, or strategic game (e.g., chess).
Combine learning with social interaction (e.g., group classes, book clubs), which has additional cognitive and emotional benefits.
Consistency matters; regular, incremental learning is more beneficial than sporadic activity.

4. Nourish Your Brain

What we eat profoundly shapes brain health. Diets rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and low-glycaemic foods combat oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, both of which are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. The MIND diet—an evidence-based hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH diets—has been shown to reduce Alzheimer’s risk by up to 53% in those who follow it closely. Even moderate adherence is linked to slower cognitive decline.

Practical Recommendations

Increase consumption of berries, leafy green vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, and olive oil.
Consider adopting dietary patterns consistent with the MIND, Mediterranean, or DASH diets for long-term brain support.
Combine nutritional improvements with other lifestyle strategies—synergy matters in neuroprotection.

5. Manage Stress Proactively

Prolonged stress harms both the structure and function of the brain. Elevated cortisol levels can impair memory, shrink the hippocampus, and interfere with emotional regulation. However, stress is not an inevitable decline—it can be managed. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been shown to increase grey matter density in regions linked to learning and emotional processing (Hölzel et al., 2011), offering a tangible tool for resilience.

Practical Recommendations

Just 10 minutes of focused breathing or mindfulness meditation can lower cortisol levels and calm the nervous system. Apps like Headspace or Calm offer easy guided sessions.
Physical activity, such as a brisk 10-minute walk, boosts mood-regulating endorphins and helps reduce stress hormones.
Create clear boundaries around screen time and work, especially in the evenings, to give your brain space to decompress and recover.

6. Stay Connected

Human connection isn’t just emotionally fulfilling—it’s biologically protective. Social interaction activates brain regions involved in memory, empathy, and executive function, while loneliness has been identified as a significant risk factor for cognitive decline. Research by Cacioppo and Hawkley (2009) found that frequent social engagement is associated with slower memory loss and better overall cognitive performance in older adults.

Practical Recommendations

Make time for meaningful conversations and shared experiences—these stimulate the brain more than passive interactions.
Join community activities, clubs, or volunteer groups to build social networks, particularly after major life transitions.
Prioritise quality over quantity—even a few close, supportive relationships offer substantial brain benefits.

Protecting Brain Health Is a Lifelong Investment

Your brain shapes how you move through the world—how you think, feel, connect, and remember. While some risk factors for neurological disease are beyond our control, many protective habits are not. As this evidence shows, brain health is something we can influence every day, through simple, sustainable choices that build resilience over time.

References

Erickson, K. I., et al. (2011). Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(7), 3017-3022.

Ju, Y.-E. S., et al. (2013). Sleep quality and preclinical Alzheimer disease. JAMA Neurol., 70(5), 587-593.

Morris, M. C., et al. (2015). MIND diet associated with reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 11(9), 1007-1014.

Holzel, B. K., et al. (2011). Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 191(1), 36-43.

Cacioppo, J. T., & Hawkley, L. C. (2009). Perceived social isolation and cognition. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 13(10), 447-454.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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A new study that is the first to compare inflammation and brain stress responses in long COVID-19 patients with individuals who have fully recovered shows that those with continued brain fog and other cognitive issues have a lower ability to adapt to stress and higher levels of inflammation in their brains.

Researchers have identified a remarkably small but critical piece of genetic code that helps determine how brain cells connect, communicate, and function.

Conditions such as Tourette syndrome (TS), schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have sex differences with unknown mechanisms. These sex-specific mechanisms may inform the development of more effective treatments.

A new study reveals that type 2 diabetes is associated with thinning of the brain’s cortex in older adults, particularly in regions responsible for memory and cognition.

Specific cannabinoids produced by the human body may help to quell excessive fear responses in people with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, according to a Northwestern Medicine-led study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

People taking antidepressants for more than two years are more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms compared to short-term users when they come off the medication, finds a new study.

Researchers have identified nine blood-based microRNAs that are elevated in teens diagnosed with depression, offering a potential biomarker for early detection. These molecules, absent in adult depression, may signal unique biological processes in adolescents.

People who have obstructive sleep apnea may have an increased risk of dementia if left untreated, according to a new study of UK electronic health care records.

New research reveals that acute stress can impair key brain functions involved in emotion regulation, particularly in individuals with distress-related disorders like depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. The study found that executive functions—such as working memory, impulse control, and cognitive flexibility—are more likely to be disrupted in these individuals during high-stress moments.

A large-scale study of over 2,500 toddlers found no significant clinical differences in autistic traits between males and females at the time of early diagnosis.

A research team has uncovered the cause and molecular mechanism of chronic brain inflammation that results in repetitive behavioural disorders. The research team demonstrated that an inflammatory response by immune cells in the brain induces overactivity in certain receptors, which may, in turn, lead to the meaningless repetitive behaviours observed in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Measuring the interaction of brain networks could help identify teens at risk for dangerous drinking, according to a novel study that explored how brain signals relate to future drinking behaviour.

In a demographically diverse sample of healthy people, researchers found dramatic changes over the human lifespan in the brain’s “blue spot”—a tiny region involved in cognition and believed to be the first affected by neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified three types of nerve cells connected to the intestinal villi, suggesting that previously unknown neural networks regulate fluid balance in the gut.

A study in rural China found that intensively lowering blood pressure significantly reduces the risk of dementia and cognitive decline in people with hypertension. Over 48 months, patients who received targeted care saw a 15% reduction in dementia and a 16% drop in cognitive impairment risk.

A new adaptive brain modeling framework offers fresh hope for objective diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders, which currently lack reliable neuroimaging biomarkers.

People who naturally stay up late, are more likely to experience faster cognitive decline than those who are early risers, according to a long-term study. Researchers found that unhealthy behaviors common in the evening, such as poor sleep, smoking, and drinking, may explain part of this risk.

A comprehensive new analysis reveals that depression significantly increases the risk of developing dementia, whether it begins in midlife or later in life.

Researchers have discovered how an ion channel in the brain’s neurons has a kind of “molecular memory,” which contributes to the formation and preservation of lifelong memories. The researchers have identified a specific part of the ion channel at which new drugs for certain genetic diseases could be targeted. The study, led by Linköping University in Sweden, has been published in Nature Communications.

A decade-long brain health study has released its full dataset, offering rare longitudinal insights into how cognition and brain structure change across adulthood.

Neuroscientists have discovered that the brain uses a dual system for learning through trial and error. This is the first time a second learning system has been identified, which could help explain how habits are formed and provide a scientific basis for new strategies to address conditions related to habitual learning, such as addictions and compulsions.

Finally, this week, parental education may protect offspring’s cognitive health later in life, according to a study published online May 30 in JAMA Network Open.