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The human brain is the center of the human nervous system and is a highly complex organ. Enclosed in the cranium, it has the same general structure as the brains of other mammals, but is over three times as large as the brain of a typical mammal with an equivalent body size.

MUSC study reveals gender shift in adolescent vaping trends

For decades, boys and men were more likely than their female peers to use nicotine. But a new study from MUSC shows that among U.S. adolescents, that pattern has reversed for vaping.

19 Oct 2026

Study links DNA methylation to OCD psychotherapy treatment response

OCD is a mental health disorder characterized by unwanted, recurring thoughts and repetitive behaviors that can severely interfere with everyday life. Exposure-based psychotherapy is one of the most effective treatments, but the biological mechanisms underlying treatment response remain poorly understood.

19 Oct 2026

KAIST study discovers how the brain processes movement based on level of depressive symptoms

Can changing your posture change your mood? Previous studies have suggested that body posture and movement can influence emotions. KAIST researchers have extended this line of research by showing that, when people perform the same "depressed" body movements, their brain responses differ depending on the level of their depressive symptoms.

19 Oct 2026

Residential greenery linked to lower dementia risk in older adults

Urban residents with more greenery within 100 meters of their homes have a lower risk of developing dementia over time.

19 Oct 2026

Antibiotic exposure during childhood linked to higher risk of IBS in young adults

Antibiotic use from childhood through early adulthood was associated with higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) at age 24, with the odds increasing as the number of antibiotic prescriptions rose, according to a new study presented today at UEG Week 2026.

19 Oct 2026

Preoperative physical activity linked to lower delirium risk after surgery

Staying active before surgery may do more than strengthen the body for recovery - it may protect the brain.

19 Oct 2026

Noise-canceling headphones reduce nausea and vomiting after surgery

Patients who wore noise-canceling headphones during minimally invasive gynecologic surgery were significantly less likely to experience postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), suggest findings from a randomized clinical trial presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2026 annual meeting.

19 Oct 2026

Could ultraprocessed foods affect your brain before you notice?

Ultraprocessed food intake correlates with increased body fat and vascular brain injury in middle-aged adults, though cognitive performance remains unaffected.

19 Oct 2026

Neurotechnology offers hope for better anxiety and depression treatments

Technology can contribute to better treatment for people struggling with anxiety and depression, according to researcher Sandra Klonteig.

16 Oct 2026

Scientists restore memory-linked neuron function in Alzheimer's mice

Researchers were able to restore the function of neurons linked to cognitive function and information processing in mice that mimic key features of Alzheimer's disease, showing early promise for the development of a similar targeted therapy in humans.

15 Oct 2026

Light-activated experimental opioid eliminates dangerous side effects

Opioid painkillers are some of the strongest analgesic medicines, but they are also the riskiest owing to a range of side effects, including addiction.

15 Oct 2026

A protective brain enzyme may counteract aging-associated cognitive decline

Cinzia Vicidomini, PhD, and Amar Sahay, PhD, of the Mass General Brigham Department of Psychiatry, the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, are the lead and senior authors of a paper published in Nature Neuroscience, "An aging-sensitive secreted phospholipase confers neuroprotection and cognitive resilience."

15 Oct 2026

Experts call for lifelong care after brain and spinal injuries

In a new paper published in The Lancet Neurology, "Reframing traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury as chronic multisystem disorders: toward integrated, long-term care," international experts across institutions and disciplines propose a fundamental shift in how traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries in adults are understood and managed. Sandro Marini, MD, of the Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute, is a co-first author, and Saef Izzy, MD, also of the Neuroscience Institute, is one of the co-senior authors, and the primary corresponding author.

14 Oct 2026

Precise brain circuit targeting may improve depression treatment outcomes

Stimulation of specific brain connections was associated with sustained improvement in people receiving deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treatment-resistant depression, Mount Sinai researchers reported.

14 Oct 2026

Epilepsy linked to higher risk of young-onset dementia

People with epilepsy may be more likely to develop young-onset dementia than people without epilepsy, according to a study published October 14, 2026, in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

14 Oct 2026

Scientists reviewed studies covering 1.17 million children and found a major research gap

Researchers identified 104 pregnancy and birth cohorts representing more than 1.17 million children across 41 countries, documenting the availability of data on early-life nutrition and neurodevelopment. Approximately 99% of participants in the income-stratified analysis came from high- or upper-middle-income countries, while differences in data collection and assessment methods complicate future international comparisons.

14 Oct 2026