Cortex News and Research

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Direct connection found between memory and sensory processing centers in brain

A newly identified part of a brain circuit mixes sensory information, memories, and emotions to tell whether things are familiar or new—and important or just "background noise."

19 Feb 2025

New review sheds light on links between Alzheimer's and metabolic syndrome

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, continues to remain one of modern medicine's greatest challenges.

18 Feb 2025

Researchers discover direct feedback loop in brain circuit connecting memories and emotions

A newly identified part of a brain circuit mixes sensory information, memories, and emotions to tell whether things are familiar or new, and important or just "background noise."

18 Feb 2025

Chronic stress rewires the brain, dulling sound perception

Repeated stress disrupts auditory processing, making sounds seem quieter over time, as shown in a new study on mice.

17 Feb 2025

MARBLE algorithm decodes brain activity to identify universal mental patterns

In the parable of the blind men and the elephant, several blind men each describe a different part of an elephant they are touching – a sharp tusk, a flexible trunk, or a broad leg – and disagree about the animal's true nature.

17 Feb 2025

Identifying key brain circuit opens doors for new psychosis treatments

Our study investigated the brain circuits involved in psychosis-a condition characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and detachment from reality.

13 Feb 2025

Study identifies brain regions for speech production in aphasia patients

Imagine seeing a furry, four-legged animal that meows. Mentally, you know what it is, but the word "cat" is stuck on the tip of your tongue.

13 Feb 2025

New research advances understanding of Parkinson's disease stages

From a study that analyzed brain images of more than 2,500 people with Parkinson's disease in 20 different countries, scientists were able to identify patterns of neurodegeneration and create metrics for each of the five clinical stages of the disease.

12 Feb 2025

UCLA study reveals key role of mismatch repair genes in Huntington’s disease

A new UCLA Health study has discovered in mouse models that genes associated with repairing mismatched DNA are critical in eliciting damages to neurons that are most vulnerable in Huntington's disease and triggering downstream pathologies and motor impairment, shedding light on disease mechanisms and potential new ways to develop therapies.

11 Feb 2025

Cerebral cortex plays key role in memory and novelty detection

The cerebral cortex is the largest part of a mammal's brain, and by some measures the most important. In humans in particular, it's where most things happen-like perception, thinking, memory storage and decision-making.

10 Feb 2025

Neuroscientists discover how the brain corrects visual distortions during movement

Why do our mental images stay sharp even when we are moving fast? A team of neuroscientists led by Professor Maximilian Jösch at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) has identified a mechanism that corrects visual distortions caused by movement in animals.

10 Feb 2025

Bimagrumab could reduce osteoporosis risk in people using weight loss medication

Weight loss medication has taken the world by storm and helped many overweight people. But for some, significant weight loss also comes with a loss of muscle mass and can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis.

10 Feb 2025

Study finds cerebellar serotonin as a "brake" to alleviate anxiety

Understanding the neural circuits that drive anxiety may help researchers discover circuit-specific targets and therefore increase the precision of treatment strategies.

10 Feb 2025

New model reveals how the brain processes sensory cues during decision making

A new mathematical model sheds light on how the brain processes different cues, such as sights and sounds, during decision making.

10 Feb 2025

Opioid δ-receptor agonists show promise for treating IBS-like symptoms

Research reveals that δ-receptor agonists like KNT-127 alleviate IBS symptoms by modulating gut-brain interactions and reducing stress-induced hypermotility.

7 Feb 2025

Researchers uncover brain mechanisms that help overcome instinctive fears

Researchers at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre (SWC) at UCL have unveiled the precise brain mechanisms that enable animals to overcome instinctive fears.

6 Feb 2025

New drug class may help alleviate IBS symptoms by targeting the central nervous system

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that affects the intestine, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea, constipation, or both.

5 Feb 2025

Teens who eat more ultra-processed foods score lower in school

A study of 800 Spanish adolescents links ultra-processed food intake to lower academic performance, emphasizing diet quality's role in educational success.

4 Feb 2025

Microplastics may accumulate in the brain at higher levels than in the kidney or liver

Findings indicate rising microplastic concentrations in human brains and organs, urging deeper investigation into their health effects and distribution.

3 Feb 2025

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s linked to aging brain’s failing waste disposal

New research uncovers how declining protein clearance mechanisms with age lead to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases—offering hope for targeted therapies to slow or prevent these conditions.

30 Jan 2025