Functional MRI News and Research

RSS

Improved non-invasive brain stimulation targets deep-seated neurological disorders

Brain stimulation techniques can correct abnormal activity in the neural circuits involved in conditions such as Parkinson's disease and depression. However, current transcranial stimulation methods delivered through the scalp reach only the brain's surface, limiting their effectiveness.

8 Jun 2026

Brain imaging study identifies two distinct biological migraine subtypes

They've been described as "brain on fire" or "an ice pick through the head." Migraine headaches affect more than one in 10 Americans, and they're so much worse than a regular headache.

8 May 2026

New evidence questions the role of brain fog in mental health recovery

Experiences of cognitive problems such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating, known as 'brain fog', may not predict relapse in depression, according to a new study that has confounded researchers' expectations.

7 May 2026

Single psilocybin dose linked to lasting brain and mood changes

Researchers at UC San Francisco and Imperial College London have shown that a single dose of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, causes likely anatomical brain changes that last for up to a month after the experience.

5 May 2026

Threat-response in the brain's amygdala linked to sex-specific patterns of alcohol use

New research shows that the threat-response in the brain's amygdala (which processes emotions) is linked to different patterns of drinking by sex.

13 Apr 2026

Study reveals brain mechanisms behind post-stroke urinary incontinence

A new USC-led study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals the neural mechanisms that contribute to urinary incontinence, a common condition affecting stroke survivors that has a significant impact on their quality of life.

13 Apr 2026

Dynamic AI models detect body tipping points to forecast disease before symptoms

The editorial, "Dynamics-driven medical big data mining: dynamic approaches to early disease forecasting and individualized care," published in Intelligent Medicine (February 2026, Volume 6, Issue 1), was written by Lu Wang (Tianjin Medical University), Han Lyu (Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University), and Bin Sheng (Shanghai Jiao Tong University).

10 Apr 2026

Trial tests fast-acting brain stimulation for postpartum depression treatment

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai today announced the enrollment of its first patient in a U.S. Department of Defense-funded pivotal clinical trial to evaluate whether a fast-acting, drug-free brain stimulation therapy can safely and quickly relieve symptoms of postpartum depression.

1 Apr 2026

Stress hormones disrupt the internal GPS system of the brain

Persons under stress may have a harder time spatially orienting themselves. Researchers in Bochum have discovered why.

13 Mar 2026

New microscope captures 3D blood flow and oxygenation at single-cell resolution

The brain relies on real-time delivery of oxygen and nutrients through its microvasculature, which threads through neural tissue like electrical wires.

5 Mar 2026

Deep brain region could be crucial for preserving physical strength during aging

A new study suggests that a little-known region deep in the brain could be crucial for preserving physical strength as we age. The findings could help detect and prevent frailty before it begins.

13 Jan 2026

AI method sharply improves noise removal in brain imaging

Obtaining clearer functional MRI data about the brain and its disorders is possible using artificial intelligence, according to Boston College researchers who reported recently in Nature Methods that they developed an AI-assisted method to remove "noise", or image distortions, caused by movement, heartbeat, and other factors.

5 Jan 2026

Brain imaging reveals how stimulant drugs improve performance in ADHD

Prescription stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall, are widely used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including in children.

26 Dec 2025

Early brain connectivity predicts recovery after traumatic brain injury

After traumatic brain injury (TBI), some patients may recover completely, while others retain severe disabilities.

22 Dec 2025

Functional MRI signals can misrepresent true brain activity

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) found that an increased fMRI signal is associated with reduced brain activity in around 40 percent of cases.

16 Dec 2025

UCSF study identifies neural signatures of sensory overload in children

In the search for a way to measure different forms of a condition called sensory processing disorder, neuroscientists are using imaging to see how young brains process sensory stimulation.

22 Nov 2025

How soccer fandom rewires the brain

Studying brain patterns in soccer fans, researchers found that certain circuit regions of the brain were activated while viewing soccer matches involving their favorite team, triggering positive and negative emotions and behaviors, according to a new study published today in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

13 Nov 2025