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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.

Study defines molecular basis to explain connection between mother’s nutrition and infant growth

For years, pregnant mothers have questioned their nutritional habits: "Will eating more cause my baby to be overweight?" Or, "I'm eating for two, so it won't hurt to have an extra serving, right?"

24 May 2018

Researchers provide insight into how the memory molecule limits brain plasticity

The brain has an incredible capacity to support a lifetime of learning and memory. Each new experience fundamentally alters the connections between cells in the brain called synapses.

24 May 2018

Now more of us can count on more time dodging the dementia bullet

You've turned 65 and exited middle age. What are the chances you'll develop cognitive impairment or dementia in the years ahead?

24 May 2018

Psychologists show that depression accelerates brain aging

A new study from the University of Sussex has revealed an association between depression and faster brain aging.

24 May 2018

Scientists report new strategy for fighting bacteria

Antimicrobial resistance is a major medical problem worldwide, impacting both human health and economic well-being.

24 May 2018

New research reveals links between type 1 diabetes and mental health

New research co-authored by Professor Stephanie Amiel, RD Lawrence Professor of Diabetic Medicine, and published in Diabetologia identifies key areas of the brain that change patients' ability to recognize hypoglycemia.

24 May 2018

Unique imaging technique identifies biomarkers of cellular damage done by diabetic retinopathy

What happens to the human retina at the cellular level when it's exposed to the hyperglycemic conditions of diabetes? No known imaging technique has been able to show such biochemical changes – until now.

24 May 2018

Early-life obesity linked to children's lower perceptual reasoning and working memory scores

A new study by Brown University epidemiologists found that children on the threshold of obesity or overweight in the first two years of life had lower perceptual reasoning and working memory scores than lean children when tested at ages five and eight. The study also indicated that IQ scores may be lower for higher-weight children.

23 May 2018

Study explores brain chemistry of alcohol exposure in people with family history of AUD

People with a family history of alcohol use disorder release more dopamine in the brain's main reward center in response to the expectation of alcohol than people diagnosed with the disorder, or healthy people without any family history of AUD, reports a new study in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging.

23 May 2018

Skin cream containing rapamycin reduces TSC-related facial tumors

Addressing a critical issue for people with a genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis complex, doctors at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston reported that a skin cream containing rapamycin significantly reduced the disfiguring facial tumors affecting more than 90 percent of people with the condition.

23 May 2018

Study provides blueprint of how fruit flies can be used to screen potentially pathogenic human genes

It all began with one young patient; a 7-year old boy who was born without a thymus, an important organ of the immune system, and without functional immune cells. The boy also presented with cardiac and skeletal defects, dysmorphic craniofacial features and some signs of autistic behaviors.

23 May 2018

Compassion meditation training may increase brain’s resilience to suffering of other people

It can be distressing to witness the pain of family, friends or even strangers going through a hard time. But what if, just like strengthening a muscle or learning a new hobby, we could train ourselves to be more compassionate and calm in the face of others' suffering?

23 May 2018

New technology could make prosthetic use more intuitive and reliable

Researchers have developed new technology for decoding neuromuscular signals to control powered, prosthetic wrists and hands. The work relies on computer models that closely mimic the behavior of the natural structures in the forearm, wrist and hand.

23 May 2018

Scientists identify new inherited neurodevelopmental disease

Researchers have identified a new inherited neurodevelopmental disease that causes slow growth, seizures and learning difficulties in humans.

23 May 2018

Study: Subtle hearing deficits can change the brains of young people

Cranking up your headphones or scrambling for a front-row spot at rock shows could be damaging more than your hearing.

23 May 2018

Slower rates of stimulation may be more effective in brain therapy, suggests research

One of the promising non-invasive brain therapeutic methods is the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. During such a procedure, a magnetic coil is placed near the head of the patient and a magnetic pulse is transmitted to a specific damaged region of the brain.

23 May 2018

Researcher develops nanoparticle-based tags to detect viruses and cancer with high sensitivity

How can we detect cancer and viruses with high sensitivity? Physical chemist Laura Fabris - an associate professor in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and principal investigator of the Fabris NanoBio Group - is addressing this very question.

22 May 2018

Researchers discover link between tuberculosis and Parkinson's disease

The mechanism our immune cells use to clear bacterial infections like tuberculosis (TB) might also be implicated in Parkinson's disease, according to a new collaborative study led by the Francis Crick Institute, Newcastle University and GSK.

22 May 2018

Study: Lifetime risks of developing Alzheimer's dementia vary by age, gender

Lifetime risks of developing Alzheimer's disease dementia vary considerably by age, gender and whether any signs or symptoms of dementia are present, according to a new study published online by Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.

22 May 2018

New tool predicts the lifetime risk of Alzheimer’s

A new study has shown that the risk of Alzheimer’s disease significantly varies depending on age, gender and the presence of any signs or symptoms of dementia.

22 May 2018

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

Study defines molecular basis to explain connection between mother’s nutrition and infant growth

Researchers provide insight into how the memory molecule limits brain plasticity

Now more of us can count on more time dodging the dementia bullet

Psychologists show that depression accelerates brain aging

Scientists report new strategy for fighting bacteria

New research reveals links between type 1 diabetes and mental health

Unique imaging technique identifies biomarkers of cellular damage done by diabetic retinopathy

Early-life obesity linked to children's lower perceptual reasoning and working memory scores

Study explores brain chemistry of alcohol exposure in people with family history of AUD

Skin cream containing rapamycin reduces TSC-related facial tumors

Study provides blueprint of how fruit flies can be used to screen potentially pathogenic human genes

Compassion meditation training may increase brain’s resilience to suffering of other people

New technology could make prosthetic use more intuitive and reliable

Scientists identify new inherited neurodevelopmental disease

Study: Subtle hearing deficits can change the brains of young people

Slower rates of stimulation may be more effective in brain therapy, suggests research

Researcher develops nanoparticle-based tags to detect viruses and cancer with high sensitivity

Researchers discover link between tuberculosis and Parkinson's disease

Study: Lifetime risks of developing Alzheimer's dementia vary by age, gender

New tool predicts the lifetime risk of Alzheimer’s

Industry Focus eBook - Cell & Gene Therapy (1st Edition) eBook

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