Weekly Neuroscience Update

Researchers have conducted a psychophysical study using virtual reality (VR) to investigate how humans flexibly use exploratory behaviours—such as changing their viewpoint by moving their head and manipulating objects with their hands—when discriminating the material properties of objects. The study was published in the Journal of Vision.

A new study establishes a robust link between long-term exposure to air pollution and the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

An international team of scientists and clinicians have developed a generative artificial intelligence framework that unmasks these previously hidden cortical lesions by analysing existing legacy MRI scans. By synthesising minor, sub-visual discrepancies across multiple image contrasts, the AI acts as a computational lens, extracting vital diagnostic data from ordinary scans and revealing an entirely invisible layer of MS pathology.

New research in General Psychiatry has uncovered a link between higher levels of daytime light exposure and a lower risk of dementia.

A recent study discovered that randomly played sounds during sleep can actively impair memory consolidation. By utilising real-time electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, the researchers proved that ambient sound clicks disrupt deep slow-wave sleep, arresting the physical propagation of slow brain waves across the cortex and fracturing the crucial transfer of information required to form long-term memories.

A research team has uncovered new insight into how the brain senses movement. Their findings could potentially help improve sensation and movement for prosthetic limbs.

A new study has demonstrated that introducing inflammatory signalling molecules directly into human hippocampal stem cells halts new neuron production. Instead of simply dying or becoming damaged, the brain’s neural stem cells abandon their regenerative responsibilities, entering an “immune alert” state that fuels localised neuroinflammation.

People who speak more than one language seem to have younger brains, according to research presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2026

A new research framework that combines large language models (LLMs) with choice mathematics to evaluate human decision-making. By deploying LLMs to automatically interpret and code thousands of free-text participant thought justifications, the framework provides a scalable, validated methodology demonstrating that human reasoning strategies shift dynamically with a problem’s structure.

Scientists have found that human cortical neurons function like advanced microchips, demonstrating computational abilities comparable to those of deep artificial neural networks, rather than merely acting as simple switches.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Position of regions of interest for DTI-ALPS index calculations on a color-coded fractional anisotropy map. Spherical ROIs (3 mm diameter) were positioned in the projection and association tracts. Dxx: left to right direction, Dyy: anterior to posterior direction, and Dzz: craniocaudal direction. PVS -perivascular space. Credit: Frontiers in Neuroscience (2026).

The brain’s waste clearance system is impaired in people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), which can lead to various symptoms, including brain fog, researchers have discovered.

Women with Parkinson’s disease may be more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain than men, according to new research presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2026. Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease frequently co-occur in older adults, yet sex differences in Alzheimer’s-related pathology among people with Parkinson’s disease remain underexplored.

Researchers have shown that using paracetamol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy does not increase a child’s risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention‑deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

By evaluating data from over 2,000 adults across 23 randomised controlled trials, scientists have proved that melatonin targets the bidirectional relationship between physical agony and sleep fragmentation, offering a highly accessible, non-addictive adjunct for integrated pain management plans.

Adults with both epilepsy and hearing loss who use hearing aids may have a 23% lower risk of developing dementia than those who do not, according to new research presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2026.

A new study reveals that the motor skill difference between hands is not innate but rather a result of cultural practices. Using 3D motion capture, researchers found that both hands have similar baseline capabilities, with handedness arising from asymmetrical tool use.

A research team has identified a critical molecular cause of age-related cognitive decline, potentially paving the way for new treatments to protect brain health as people age.

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a detailed map of the pulvinar, a brain region that may enhance the targeting of brain stimulation therapies for drug-resistant epilepsy. The findings,  published in the Journal of Neuroscience, show that closely located brain regions connect to distinct networks, thereby offering a blueprint for more accurate electrode placement in deep brain stimulation treatments.

A simple bedside eye test may help predict recovery of consciousness in patients with severe brain injuries, according to new research presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2026.

A research team cautions that reliance on unregulated AI may hinder emotional development and real-world relationship skills. While AI can provide support for marginalised youth, it poses risks such as relational displacement and maladaptive relational learning, potentially increasing long-term vulnerabilities to depression, anxiety, and social isolation.

Better identification and management of sleep apnea and associated vascular risk factors in midlife may provide an important opportunity to support long-term brain health, according to new research from Monash University.

A new study presents an automated cognitive mapping framework that combines Large Language Models (LLMs) with behavioural choice mathematics, demonstrating that human self-insights are a reliable data source, influenced by the specifics of a problem, in high-stakes gambling tasks.

Finally, this week, researchers have revealed how our brain reacts differently to predictable situations and surprises, showing that it is designed to gather more sensory information during unexpected events.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Cerebellar cognitive signature includes regions related to cerebello-cerebral networks and acts as a reserve factor. Credit: Nature Neuroscience (2026).

Scientists may have discovered a new role for the cerebellum, the part of the brain that sits at the base of the skull. A new paper published in the journal Nature Neuroscience reports that different parts of the cerebellum change at different rates with age, which may be linked to differences in cognitive abilities and memory in later life. This may help explain why some people stay sharper as they get older.

Greater concussion symptom history is associated with increased odds of tinnitus, and associations with cognition, depression, and anxiety are larger among those with tinnitus, according to a study published in Sports Medicine Open.

Researchers found a link between brain network organisation and language learning ability in adults, highlighting that attention and cognitive control networks significantly influence language mastery, more so than traditional language processing areas, based on a study with 101 participants before and after training on an artificial language.

A new finding is challenging the way investigators study chronic neurological disorders such as dystonia, ataxia and tremor.

A global meta-analysis of over 4,700 survivors has revealed that psychiatric and behavioural complications, such as depression, anxiety, and emotional instability, are widespread following encephalitis (brain inflammation). Researchers found that 27% of survivors experience clinical depression, while 20% battle long-term anxiety or personality shifts months or years after recovery.

New research shows that the subjective emotional state of loneliness is a far more destructive force on human longevity and brain health than the objective state of social isolation.

Losing the senses of smell and taste inflicts an emotional, social, and psychological toll comparable to living with some of the world’s most serious chronic illnesses, according to a new review that analysed years of clinical evidence measuring quality-of-life metrics across a wide array of long-term conditions.

Researchers found a link between brain network organisation and language acquisition ability in adults by mapping neural variations in 101 participants using resting-state functional neuroimaging before linguistic training.

A study of 55,204 older veterans reveals a dangerous cycle between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurological diseases, showing that those with TBI are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, TBI doubles the risk of stroke and epilepsy and increases dementia rates by 24%, emphasising the need for immediate fall-prevention measures after diagnosis.

Scientists have discovered that children with autism exhibit different brain patterns depending on their language abilities. This discovery could improve predictions of their language development.

A new study has found a cost-effective, non-invasive way to predict Alzheimer’s disease risk factors using artificial intelligence to analyse routine eye photographs from over 40,000 patients, linking specific areas of the eye to biological and lifestyle risk factors for the disease.

Researchers have created a closed-loop deep brain stimulation (DBS) system that detects and responds to walking patterns in real time, enhancing gait and minimising falls in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Younger birth cohorts exhibit significantly accelerated biological ageing compared to older generations. This widening age gap correlates with an 8% to 15% increase in the risk of early-onset solid tumours, with premature ageing of the immune and adipose tissues driving specific lung and colorectal malignancies.

An international research team has shown that nerve cells in the brain specialise in different tasks when processing visual information.

A new longitudinal study followed children from ages 1 to 8 and found that higher screen viewing time—particularly during infancy and around school entry age—was consistently associated with poorer academic performance at age 9 and weaker working memory at age 10.5. The findings suggest that the timing of screen exposure may be as important as the amount of screen time itself.

Wearing a cooling cap for 30 minutes may improve a person’s sense of well-being, according to a new study.

Researchers have transformed psychiatric genomics by discovering 641 new genes linked to schizophrenia, using genetic data from over 102,000 individuals and postmortem brain tissue from six brain regions. They employed advanced computational models to explore long-range regulatory relationships, moving beyond traditional mapping methods.

A new study shows for the first time that targeted control of human breathing rhythm can influence decision behaviour by modulating heart and brain function.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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

A research collaboration has identified the specific nerve pathways responsible for relaying pain signals from the bowel to the brain, paving the way for new irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatments.

Game-based training improves not only the cognitive abilities of people with initial signs of developing dementia, but also leads to positive changes in the brain, according to two new studies.

A next-generation neuroprosthetic hand that restores a sense of touch is moving into a pivotal home-use clinical trial. The “iSens” system uses implanted electrodes to read muscle intent and stimulate nerves, relaying fingertip sensations to the brain so the prosthesis feels embodied.

A new breakthrough demonstrates how robots can now integrate both sight and touch to handle objects with greater accuracy, much like humans. 

Researchers have traced a neural mechanism that explains why humans explore more aggressively when avoiding losses than when pursuing gains. Their work reveals how neuronal firing and noise in the amygdala shape exploratory decision-making.

Scientists have found a way to stop brain cancer cells spreading by essentially ‘freezing’ a key molecule in the brain.

Researchers have developed an ultrasound device that can precisely stimulate areas deep in the brain without surgery, opening up new possibilities for neurological research and the treatment of disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

Artificial intelligence can detect and interpret social features between people from images and videos almost as reliably as humans, according to a new study published in the journal Imaging Neuroscience.

A large study of nearly 13,000 adults found that consuming high levels of certain artificial sweeteners is associated with faster declines in memory and cognitive function over an eight-year period. The effect was particularly strong in people with diabetes and those under 60.  While the study does not prove causation, it raises concerns about the long-term brain health risks associated with common sugar substitutes.

Experiments have shown that AI can develop in-context learning abilities after extensive incremental practice, much like humans do.

A new study suggests that autism may be linked to the rapid evolution of brain cell types unique to humans. Researchers have found that outer-layer neurons in the human brain evolved significantly faster than in other apes, with notable changes in autism-associated genes.

A new study shows that brain iron levels, measured using a specialized MRI technique, can predict cognitive decline years before symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease appear.

People with chronic insomnia may experience faster declines in memory and thinking skills as they age—along with brain changes that can be seen on imaging scans—than people who do not have chronic insomnia, according to a study published in Neurology.

Researchers have discovered how the brain develops reliable visual processing once the eyes open.

Scientists discovered how the brain uses objects to anchor our sense of direction, solving part of the mystery of spatial navigation. Experiments in mice showed that cells in the postsubiculum fired strongly when facing an object, while cells in other directions were suppressed, sharpening orientation.

In adults aged 60 years and older, tinnitus, especially severe and prolonged tinnitus, is significantly associated with cognitive impairment, according to a study published in Brain Sciences.

A more precise and personalized form of electric brain stimulation may be a more effective and faster treatment for people with moderate to major depression compared to other similar treatments, according to a UCLA Health study.

Finally this week, researchers may have found a way to limit the debilitating damage strokes can cause.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

The study design and data processing pipeline for SeeMe. Credit: Communications Medicine (2025).

SeeMe, a computer vision tool, was able to detect low-amplitude, voluntary facial movements in comatose patients with acute brain injury days before clinicians could identify overt responses.

A new neuroimaging study reveals that child neglect alone, without other forms of abuse, can alter critical brain pathways. Researchers found abnormalities in white matter regions tied to movement, attention, language, and emotional regulation.

Scientists have identified a distinct neurochemical signature that distinguishes Parkinson’s disease from essential tremor.

A team of researchers has developed a simple, three-minute brainwave test called Fastball EEG that can detect early signs of memory impairment associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike traditional memory tests, it is passive and requires no active participation, making it more objective and accessible.

A large-scale study with 600 participants shows that music can genuinely evoke feelings of companionship by sparking social imagination.

A toxic protein forms dynamic pores in the membranes of brain cells—and that may be the key to understanding how Parkinson’s disease develops. This is the conclusion of a new study from Aarhus University, where researchers have developed an advanced method to track molecular attacks in real time.

A hormone produced by the brain, orexin, may play a central role in the functioning of the brain’s glymphatic system, which clears waste, according to a new study.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have revealed a possible molecular connection between air pollution and an increased risk of developing Lewy body dementia. The findings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that environmental factors may trigger harmful protein changes in the brain, leading to neurodegeneration.

A new treatment offers hope to end the pain of neuropathy.

Two new papers from Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Gastroenterology shed light on how gut-brain interactions, influenced by both biology and life circumstances, shape eating behaviors. Together, they highlight the importance of multidisciplinary, personalized approaches to digestive health and nutrition.

Neuroscientsts have shown for the first time the precise timing of nerve signals determines how the brain processes information.

A new large-scale study shows that Alzheimer’s disease is marked by the erosion of epigenomic control, where brain cells lose the ability to maintain stable gene expression. Using a multi-region atlas of 3.5 million cells, researchers found that vulnerable cells in key memory regions such as the hippocampus suffer breakdowns in nuclear compartmentalization and lose their “epigenomic information.”

Individuals with an increased risk of dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease may have impaired spatial orientation skills.

UCLA engineers have developed a wearable, noninvasive brain-computer interface system that utilizes artificial intelligence as a co-pilot to help infer user intent and complete tasks by moving a robotic arm or a computer cursor.

Macquarie University hearing researchers have discovered how our brains learn to listen, and how this can help us understand speech in noisy, echo-filled spaces.

Some sugar substitutes may come with unexpected consequences for long-term brain health, according to a study published in Neurology. The study examined seven low- and no-calorie sweeteners and found that individuals who consumed the highest amounts experienced faster declines in cognitive function, specifically thinking and memory skills, compared to those who consumed the lowest amounts.

Finally this week, scientists studying ways of improving motion sickness have found that playing different types of music may help people recover more effectively. 

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

A new study published in Scientific Reports has introduced a promising diagnostic tool that could dramatically shorten the long wait times many families face when seeking evaluations for autism and attention-related conditions. The research team used artificial intelligence to analyse subtle patterns in how people move their hands during simple tasks, identifying with surprising accuracy whether someone is likely to have autism, attention-deficit traits, or both. The method, which relies on wearable motion sensors and deep learning, could one day serve as a rapid and objective screening tool to help clinicians triage children for further assessment.

New research is investigating how childhood adversity rewires brain circuits that control emotion, memory, and attention, increasing the risk of impulsive and pathological aggression.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that genes linked to mental and neurodegenerative disorders, such as autism, depression, and Parkinson’s, begin influencing brain development during the earliest fetal stages. These genes are already active in neural stem cells—the progenitors that form the brain—long before symptoms arise.

Researchers at the University of Michigan have illuminated a complete sensory pathway showing how the skin communicates the temperature of its surroundings to the brain.

Patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) may be closer to personalized care, according to new research that shows how the disease disrupts interactions between the microbiome, immune system, and metabolism.

A new study using direct recordings from human brains reveals how the amygdala and hippocampus coordinate to form and retrieve emotional memories.

A personalised brain stimulation system powered by AI that can safely enhance concentration from home has been developed by researchers from the University of Surrey, the University of Oxford and Cognitive Neurotechnology. Designed to adapt to individual characteristics, the system could help people improve focus during study, work, or other mentally demanding tasks.

In the largest study of its kind, researchers linked irregular sleep patterns to elevated risk for 172 diseases.

Neuroscientists have grown a novel whole-brain organoid, complete with neural tissues and rudimentary blood vessels. This advance could usher in a new era of research into neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism.

Researchers have successfully mapped the entire neural circuit responsible for transmitting cool temperature signals from the skin to the brain.

A new brain imaging study reveals that how people expect pain relief—through visual cues or treatment explanations—can significantly influence how much pain they actually feel. External cues, like symbols signaling less pain, consistently reduced pain perception and altered brain regions tied to pain processing.

Finally this week, a new international study confirmed a significant post-pandemic rise in disorders of gut-brain interaction, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

Experimental design, ripple detection, and ripple properties. Credit: Nature Communications (2025)

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.