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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.

Exploring neural responses to mental exhaustion in healthy adults

In experiments with healthy volunteers undergoing functional MRI imaging, scientists have found increased activity in two areas of the brain that work together to react to, and possibly regulate, the brain when it's "feeling" tired and either quits or continues exerting mental effort.

27 Jun 2025

Brain activity reveals lingering sensitivity to negative cues after depression recovery

Researchers have found that even after recovery, individuals who previously experienced depression may retain a heightened sensitivity to negative cues and face challenges in regulating responses to potential punishment.

27 Jun 2025

New protein discovery may contribute to improving the diagnosis of Dementia with Lewy Bodies

A research team led by Associate Professor Ayako Okado-Matsumoto from the Department of Biology at Toho University has made a significant finding that sheds new light on Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB).

27 Jun 2025

New study reveals how diverse brain cells unite to guide decisions

Every decision begins invisibly. Long before someone acts, the brain is already hard at work gathering evidence, weighing options, and gradually committing to a choice.

27 Jun 2025

New brain imaging benchmark may improve Alzheimer's detection in diverse populations

A team of researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC's Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute (Stevens INI) has identified a new brain imaging benchmark that may improve how researchers classify biologically meaningful changes associated with Alzheimer's disease, especially in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white populations.

26 Jun 2025

Do spicy foods help or hurt your gut health?

Capsaicin, the spicy compound in chili peppers, not only influences inflammation, metabolism, and cancer risk but also shapes the gut microbiome in complex, context-dependent ways. This comprehensive review highlights both the therapeutic promise and potential risks of capsaicin, calling for deeper research into its microbiome-mediated effects.

26 Jun 2025

Poor diet quality weakens resilience and mental health in food insecure populations

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 13.5% of American households experienced food insecurity at some time during 2023. That means 18 million families didn't have enough to meet their needs and often didn't know where the next meal would come from.

26 Jun 2025

Study maps brain structure differences in individuals with psychopathic traits

A new study published in the European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience has shed light on the brain structure differences associated with psychopathy - a condition known to be one of the strongest predictors of persistent violent behavior.

26 Jun 2025

Can saffron treat Alzheimer’s and depression?

Saffron shows promise as a natural treatment for depression and cognitive decline, performing as well as standard drugs in clinical trials. However, more rigorous studies are needed before saffron can be recommended in mainstream psychiatric and dementia care.

26 Jun 2025

Brain injury linked to criminal behavior in new study

A new study led by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School has found that damage to a specific region of the brain may contribute to criminal or violent behavior.

26 Jun 2025

Study finds overlap between chemotherapy side effects and brain aging

While chemotherapy can be lifesaving, it also damages DNA and leads to cognitive issues known as "chemo brain." These effects resemble the memory and learning problems seen in older adults, prompting University of Oklahoma researchers to investigate this unique overlap of cognitive decline.

26 Jun 2025

Meningiomas more common in older women than previously known

Tumors of the meninges are more common in older women than previously known. In a study from the University of Gothenburg, 2.7 percent of 70-year-old women had such tumors. The researchers emphasize that such findings should be treated with diligence and careful consideration.

26 Jun 2025

Sleep deficiency worsens pain mechanisms in migraine sufferers

The mechanisms in the brain that should reduce pain don’t work as well in people with migraine when they haven’t gotten enough sleep.

26 Jun 2025

Earlier anticoagulant use could prevent repeat strokes in atrial fibrillation patients

Patients with atrial fibrillation who have experienced a stroke would benefit greatly from earlier treatment than is currently recommended in current UK guidelines, finds a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers.

26 Jun 2025

Sleep does not block brain response to screams and alarms

During sleep, the brain must achieve a delicate balance: disconnecting from sensory input to allow restorative functions, while remaining alert enough to wake if danger arises.

26 Jun 2025

Surgery and speech therapy improve chronic post-stroke aphasia

Combining neck surgery with intensive speech therapy is associated with greater improvements in a person's ability to communicate after a stroke than intensive speech therapy alone, finds a clinical trial published by The BMJ today.

26 Jun 2025

Living in disadvantaged neighborhoods linked to Alzheimer’s biomarkers

People living in more disadvantaged neighborhoods may be more likely to have biomarkers for inflammation and Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published June 25, 2025, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

26 Jun 2025

Tirzepatide rewires appetite and slashes calorie intake in new obesity trial

A 6-week randomized trial found that tirzepatide significantly reduced energy intake, appetite, and cravings in adults with overweight or obesity, outperforming liraglutide and placebo. Brain imaging revealed that tirzepatide also lowered neural responses to high-fat, high-sugar food cues, offering mechanistic insight into its potent weight-loss effects.

25 Jun 2025

Higher BMI linked to slower concussion recovery in athletes and cadets

Clinicians who work with elite college athletes and military cadets should be aware of the association between higher body mass index (BMI) and worse concussion recovery, suggests new University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine research published today in Sports Medicine.

25 Jun 2025

Do omega-3 supplements boost athletic performance?

Combining omega-3 supplementation with resistance training significantly improved lipid profiles, inflammation markers, antioxidant capacity, and neuromuscular performance in healthy men. While group × time effects weren’t significant, within-group gains suggest real physiological benefits.

25 Jun 2025