Thalamus News and Research

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The Thalamus is an area of the brain that helps process information from the senses and transmit it to other parts of the brain.

Tai chi improves memory and sleep in older adults with type 2 diabetes

A 12-week randomized trial found that remotely delivered Tai Chi significantly enhanced cognitive performance and sleep quality in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes. These gains surpassed those from supervised fitness walking or usual care, without increasing adverse events.

17 Sep 2025

Precision targeting of the centromedian nucleus offers hope for people with drug-resistant epilepsy

It is estimated that one-third of the 50 million people worldwide with epilepsy are resistant to anti-seizure medications. These patients, having drug-resistant epilepsy, have limited treatment options beyond surgery to control their seizures.

16 Sep 2025

Study identifies thalamic pathway that reinforces alcohol seeking in withdrawal

What compels someone to keep engaging in alcohol use, even if it damages their health, relationships and wellbeing? A new study from Scripps Research offers an important clue: a small midline brain region plays a key role in how animals learn to continue drinking to avoid the stress and misery of withdrawal.

13 Sep 2025

Can video game–style exercise slow Alzheimer’s risk?

Gamified exercise training improves hippocampal volume and cognitive performance in mild neurocognitive disorders, offering potential for dementia prevention.

10 Sep 2025

Ultrasound device enables precise non-invasive stimulation of deep brain regions

An ultrasound device that can precisely stimulate areas deep in the brain without surgery has been developed by researchers from UCL and the University of Oxford, opening up new possibilities for neurological research and treatment of disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

5 Sep 2025

Understanding the role of paraventricular thalamic nucleus in bipolar disorder pathophysiology

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of depression and mania.

4 Sep 2025

First complete brain activity map reveals how decisions are made

The first complete activity map of the brain has been unveiled by a large international collaboration of neuroscientists.

3 Sep 2025

Hyperactivity in reticular thalamic nucleus drives autism-like behaviors in mice

Stanford Medicine scientists investigating the neurological underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder have found that hyperactivity in a specific brain region could drive behaviors commonly associated with the disorder.

20 Aug 2025

Dual vector gene therapy for GM2 gangliosidosis shows encouraging results in clinical trial

Patients in a Phase I/II clinical trial conducted by UMass Chan Medical School of a dual vector gene therapy for GM2 gangliosidosis, which includes Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases, exhibited a biochemical correction of the disease with minimal adverse reactions.

18 Aug 2025

Thalamic feedback pathway found to tune sensory perception

The cerebral cortex processes sensory information via a complex network of neural connections. How are these signals modulated to refine perception? A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has identified a mechanism by which certain thalamic projections target neurons and modify their excitability.

30 Jul 2025

Astrocytes play key role in coordinating neurons for visual information

Cells called astrocytes are about as abundant in the brain as neurons, but scientists have spent much less time figuring out how they contribute to brain functions.

22 Jul 2025

Genetic links between type 2 diabetes and subcortical brain structure revealed

Recently, the team led by Chief Physician Quan Zhang and Associate Professor Feng Liu at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital systematically evaluated the genetic associations between type 2 diabetes mellitus and subcortical brain structures using large-scale genome-wide association summary statistics and advanced statistical genetic methods.

11 Jul 2025

Scientists discover pathway linking physical pain to emotional suffering

Pain isn't just a physical sensation-it also carries emotional weight. That distress, anguish, and anxiety can turn a fleeting injury into long-term suffering.

10 Jul 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

Uncovering the genetic link between type 2 diabetes and brain structure

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a highly prevalent metabolic disorder worldwide. Beyond glucose dysregulation, it exerts significant effects on the central nervous system.

11 Jun 2025

Neuroscientists discover landmark ambiguity encoded in mouse brain

When navigating a place that we're only somewhat familiar with, we often rely on unique landmarks to help make our way.

6 Jun 2025

Interactive brainwave game shows promise for treating chronic nerve pain

A trial of an interactive game that trains people to alter their brain waves has shown promise as a treatment for nerve pain – offering hope for a new generation of drug-free treatments.

2 Jun 2025

Multiple senses stimulate a critical brain region linked to consciousness

Humans perceive and navigate the world around us with the help of our five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.

15 May 2025

Scientists map optimal brain site for treating essential tremor

For millions of people around the world with essential tremor, everyday activities from eating and drinking to dressing and doing basic tasks can become impossible.

14 May 2025

Obesity in teens alters brain regions tied to memory and emotion

Adolescents with abdominal obesity have larger brain regions linked to memory and emotional control, potentially due to inflammation, according to a large MRI-based study. These brain changes, coupled with socioeconomic disadvantage, may impair cognitive and emotional development during adolescence.

10 May 2025