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.

High blood pressure may not harm brains of 90-year-olds, study finds

A study led by the University of California, Irvine has found cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which are known to contribute to brain blood vessel damage in younger populations, not to be associated with an increased risk of such harm in individuals 90 and older.

8 Jan 2025

Scientists discover new target for treating aggressive brain cancer

A study co-led by UCLA scientists has found targeting a protein called endocan and its related signaling pathway could be a promising new approach for treating glioblastoma, an aggressive and lethal type of brain cancer.

8 Jan 2025

Bioactive compounds in coffee and tobacco may combat Parkinson’s disease

Tobacco and coffee contain bioactive compounds that may reduce Parkinson's disease risk by targeting key pathways such as MAO B inhibition, α-synuclein aggregation, and neuroinflammation.

7 Jan 2025

Can fluoride affect IQ? Study points to risks but raises questions

Despite finding a link between fluoride exposure and lower IQ, the study’s flaws raise questions.

7 Jan 2025

Key actions identified to improve post-acute care for TBI patients

A new systematic literature search identified the highest priority clinical actions aimed at improving post-acute care for non-hospitalized traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study is published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Neurotrauma.

7 Jan 2025

Researchers enhance longevity of neural implants with protective coating

Neural implants contain integrated circuits (ICs) — commonly called chips — built on silicon. These implants need to be small and flexible to mimic circumstances inside the human body.

7 Jan 2025

Morning coffee drinkers have better heart health and lower mortality risk

People who drink coffee in the morning have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a lower overall mortality risk compared to all-day coffee drinkers, according to research published in the European Heart Journal today.

7 Jan 2025

Prolonged sauna exposure without adequate hydration linked to heat stroke risk

Basking too long in a sauna may put bathers at risk of heat stroke, particularly if they haven't drunk enough water beforehand, warn doctors in the journal BMJ Case Reports, after treating a woman whose condition required admission to hospital.

7 Jan 2025

Concussions may trigger Alzheimer's symptoms through latent viruses

Concussions and repetitive head trauma in sports like football and boxing, once accepted as an unpleasant consequence of intense athletic competition, are now recognized as serious health threats.

7 Jan 2025

Differences in brain cell synapses may explain vulnerability to autism and schizophrenia

Specific brain cells known as layer 5 pyramidal neurons play a vital role in how our brains process information.

7 Jan 2025

Study sheds light on early brain differences between genders

Sex differences in brain structure are present from birth, research from the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge has shown.

7 Jan 2025

UCLA professor shares insights into the neurobiology of psychosis risk in adolescents

In a comprehensive Genomic Press Interview, Dr. Carrie E. Bearden, Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology at UCLA, shares transformative insights into the neurobiology of psychosis risk in young people.

7 Jan 2025

New research reveals potential biomarkers for epilepsy diagnosis

New research led by UTHealth Houston scientists uncovered two genes associated with variants linked to epilepsy, which showed specific traits that make them promising diagnostic biomarkers.

6 Jan 2025

Newly identified genes may hold the key to understanding brain's response to PFAS

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) earn their "forever chemical" moniker by persisting in water, soil and even the human brain.

6 Jan 2025

Research highlights how a ketone body can enhance blood flow to the heart

Matthew Nystoriak, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical research and translational medicine at Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), has uncovered groundbreaking insights into heart health in a recent study titled, Myocardial Hyperemia via Cardiomyocyte Catabolism of β-Hydroxybutyrate.

6 Jan 2025

Glucarpidase shows promise in treating kidney toxicity from methotrexate

An FDA-approved medication called glucarpidase could serve as an antidote to kidney toxicity in patients receiving the chemotherapy drug methotrexate (MTX), according to a new study by investigators at Mass General Brigham.

6 Jan 2025

Fracture Liaison Services crucial for addressing global osteoporosis challenges

A new Perspective article published in the New England Journal of Medicine emphasizes the critical role of Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) in addressing the growing global burden of osteoporosis-related fractures, particularly hip fractures.

6 Jan 2025

DASH Diet earns top spots in 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Diets Rankings

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, Diet, developed in part by Pennington Biomedical Research Center scientists, has been recognized as the second-best diet overall and the best heart-healthy diet in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Diets Rankings.

6 Jan 2025

Study reveals how smell and hearing interact in mouse brains

Imagine you're at a dinner party, but you can't smell the food cooking or hear the dinner bell. Sounds like a dream, right? What if it wasn't?

6 Jan 2025

New CryoSCAPE technology aims to improve blood sample stability for research

Your blood is a delicate mixture. Researchers and clinicians often use blood to learn what's going on inside our bodies, in part because siphoning off a tube of blood is easier and less painful than taking biopsies of an internal organ.

6 Jan 2025