Brain News and Research

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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.

Stem cell therapy shows promise for repairing brain damage after stroke

When someone has a stroke - a leading worldwide cause of death and disability - time is of the essence. Almost nine out of 10 cases are ischemic strokes, caused by restricted blood flow in the brain, and the current gold-standard treatment that breaks up blood clots must be delivered within four and a half hours of symptoms appearing.

16 Sep 2025

Study uncovers how the brain flexibly switches communication routes

When we recall something familiar or explore a new situation, the brain does not always use the same communication routes.

16 Sep 2025

New research positions the placenta at the center of human neurodevelopment and evolution

In a Genomic Press Interview published today in Brain Medicine, Dr. Alex Tsompanidis highlights an exciting new idea that positions the placenta at the center of human neurodevelopment and evolution, challenging conventional wisdom about the origins of autism and human cognition.

16 Sep 2025

Foods taste sweeter or saltier than before for some people taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro

New research being presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna, Austria (15-19 September) shows that some individuals who are taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro find that foods taste sweeter or saltier than before.

16 Sep 2025

Boosting PI31 to restore synaptic function and prevent neurodegeneration

One fundamental feature of neurodegenerative diseases is a breakdown in communication. Even before brain cells die, the delicate machinery that keeps neurons in touch-by clearing away protein waste at the synapses-starts to fail.

16 Sep 2025

Researchers receive new funding to advance promising therapy for multiple sclerosis

A Canadian-led international research team, spearheaded by Dr. Fang Liu at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has received nearly $800,000 US ($1,137,868 CAD) in new funding to advance a promising therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS).

15 Sep 2025

Scientists discover IC–encoder neurons that shape visual perception

An illusion is when we see and perceive an object that doesn't match the sensory input that reaches our eyes. In the case of the image below, the sensory input is four Pac Man–like black figures.

15 Sep 2025

Researchers develop a digital cognitive test for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have developed a digital cognitive test for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease that is intended for use in primary care.

15 Sep 2025

Trauma-focused CBT could offer hope for young PTSD sufferers

A specialist form of therapy could offer hope for some of the most vulnerable young PTSD sufferers – according to a University of East Anglia study.

15 Sep 2025

EDF presbyopia correction IOL implanted during cataract surgery offers excellent vision at all distances

Patients who have a new type of lens implanted in their eyes during surgery for cataracts or to correct their eyesight have excellent or good vision over distances both near and far, and often no longer need spectacles for reading.

15 Sep 2025

Gestational diabetes poses substantial cognitive dysfunction risks for both mothers and offspring

A new synthesis of global evidence finds that experiencing gestational diabetes during pregnancy is linked with a decline in intellectual function among mothers, and may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

15 Sep 2025

Study: Half of adults without diabetes taking weight-loss drug discontinue treatment within a year

The new class of anti-obesity drugs, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), is proving remarkably effective at helping individuals lose weight.

15 Sep 2025

Why are more older people dying after falls?

For a while, walking the dog felt hazardous. Earl Vickers was accustomed to taking Molly, his shepherd-boxer-something-else mix, for strolls on the beach or around his neighborhood in Seaside, California. A few years ago, though, he started to experience problems staying upright.

15 Sep 2025

How processed red meat might drive neurodegenerative diseases

The relationship between processed red meat and neurodegenerative diseases is complex, with potential risks and protective effects requiring more investigation.

15 Sep 2025

Keto diet reduces depression symptoms by 70% in college students

Research indicates a ketogenic diet may serve as an effective adjunct therapy for major depression in college students, improving mood and cognitive abilities.

15 Sep 2025

Ketogenic diets may lower migraine frequency and medication use

This narrative review argues that the migraine brain is hypometabolic, with converging evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired glucose handling, neuroinflammation, microbiome shifts, and obesity-related pathways. It proposes ketogenic diets as a plausible preventive strategy that may reduce monthly migraine days and medication use, while emphasizing the need for larger, rigorous randomized trials and careful clinical oversight.

14 Sep 2025

Early B cell response prevents Oropouche virus from reaching the brain

Research conducted on mice has identified that the rapid response of a specific type of defense cell is essential for controlling Oropouche virus infections and preventing serious neurological damage.

14 Sep 2025

DeepInMiniscope enables high-resolution 3D imaging of brain activity in mice

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have created a miniaturized microscope for real-time, high-resolution, non-invasive imaging of brain activity in mice.

13 Sep 2025

Study identifies thalamic pathway that reinforces alcohol seeking in withdrawal

What compels someone to keep engaging in alcohol use, even if it damages their health, relationships and wellbeing? A new study from Scripps Research offers an important clue: a small midline brain region plays a key role in how animals learn to continue drinking to avoid the stress and misery of withdrawal.

13 Sep 2025

Imaging breakthrough shows how spinal cord injuries affect the whole central nervous system

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.

13 Sep 2025