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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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