Brain News and Research

RSS

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 links firefighting chemicals to increased glioma risk

A new study uncovered an association between exposure to chemicals commonly used in firefighting and glioma risk, reinforcing earlier research that has suggested a link between firefighting and the development of cancers.

10 Mar 2025

Glioma mutations more common in firefighters, study reveals

Gene mutations caused by exposure to certain chemical compounds have been linked to the development of gliomas, the most common type of malignant brain tumor.

10 Mar 2025

Long-term NSAID use may lower dementia risk

Long-term NSAID use reduces dementia risk, particularly in those without the APOE-ε4 gene, highlighting the importance of sustained anti-inflammatory treatment over dosage levels.

9 Mar 2025

These simple diet tweaks could slash microplastics in your body

Researchers identify dietary and lifestyle-based strategies that may reduce human exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics.

9 Mar 2025

Scientists observe how neurons in the human brain store memories independent of context

A study led by Dr. Rodrigo Quian Quiroga, group leader of the Neural Mechanisms of Perception and Memory Research Group at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, has allowed scientists to observe for the first time how neurons in the human brain store memories independent of context in which they are acquired.

8 Mar 2025

Existing drug could prevent liver damage caused by ammonia build-up

High levels of ammonia kill liver cells by damaging the mitochondria that power the cells. But this can be prevented using an existing drug due to start clinical trials, finds a new study in mice led by researchers from UCL.

7 Mar 2025

Study sheds light on how the brain processes everyday conversations

A new study has uncovered how the brain seamlessly transforms sounds, speech patterns, and words into the flow of everyday conversations.

7 Mar 2025

Breakthrough drug more than doubles survival in glioblastoma patients

A drug developed at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has been shown to extend survival for patients with glioblastoma, the most common primary brain tumor in adults.

7 Mar 2025

UCSF researchers enable paralyzed man to control robotic arm with brain signals

Researchers at UC San Francisco have enabled a man who is paralyzed to control a robotic arm through a device that relays signals from his brain to a computer.

7 Mar 2025

Marty Makary, often wrong as pandemic critic, is poised to lead the FDA he railed against

Panelists at a covid conference last fall were asked to voice their regrets — policies they had supported during the pandemic but had come to see as misguided. Covid contact tracing, one said. Closing schools, another said. Vaccine mandates, a third said.

7 Mar 2025

Music-based therapy may benefit people living with dementia

A new Cochrane review has found evidence that music-based therapy may benefit people living with dementia, particularly by improving symptoms of depression.

7 Mar 2025

Online reaction time tests provide insights into women's cognitive health

Online tests of women's reaction times offer insights into cognitive function and could help fill data gaps on early cognitive problems, potentially shedding light on dementia development later in life, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL and other universities.

7 Mar 2025

High-fat diet could cause memory problems in older adults after just a few days

Just a few days of eating a diet high in saturated fat could be enough to cause memory problems and related brain inflammation in older adults, a new study in rats suggests.

6 Mar 2025

New brain mapping technique identifies cells vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease

Researchers from The University of Texas at Arlington and the University of California–San Francisco have used a new brain-mapping technique to identify memory-related brain cells vulnerable to protein buildup, a key factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease, an incurable, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills.

6 Mar 2025

Research reveals genetic connection between obesity in dogs and humans

Researchers studying British Labrador retrievers have identified multiple genes associated with canine obesity and shown that these genes are also associated with obesity in humans.

6 Mar 2025

New biorobotic arm could lead to wearable device for tremor patients

It is estimated that around 80 million people worldwide live with a tremor. For example, those who live with Parkinson's disease.

6 Mar 2025

Phase 1 trial examines safety and feasibility of stem cell treatment for Parkinson's

A recently launched Phase 1 clinical trial at Mass General Brigham is examining the safety and feasibility of a groundbreaking treatment approach for Parkinson's disease in which a patient's stem cells are reprogrammed to replace dopamine cells in the brain damaged by the disease.

6 Mar 2025

Global study finds fruit and vegetable consumption cuts disease risk—why aren't we eating enough?

Scientists confirm fruits and vegetables reduce diabetes, heart disease risk, but highlight urgent need for clarity on cancer protection mechanisms. Sustainable water practices and targeted policy actions are crucial for wider adoption.

6 Mar 2025

Eating ultra-processed foods harms your gut—here’s how inflammation takes hold

Ultra-processed foods disrupt gut microbiome balance, causing inflammation, reduced microbial diversity, and increased gut permeability. This microbiome imbalance contributes to chronic diseases including diabetes, IBD, cancer, and neurological disorders.

6 Mar 2025

Diabetes changes the biology of breast cancer, study shows

More than 120 million Americans suffer from diabetes or pre-diabetes. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, and TNBC patients with obesity-driven diabetes often have worse outcomes.

6 Mar 2025