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.

Mice move strategically to gather hidden visual information in VR

Animals don't experience the world passively. A hawk tilts its head to track prey. A person leans forward to read a sign. Scientists call this "active sensing": moving the body to gather better information.

30 Jun 2026

New genetic clues may help prevent unexpected strokes in youth

UVA Health stroke researchers have identified a distinct and temporary pattern of gene behavior during cervical artery dissections, a leading cause of stroke in young people.

30 Jun 2026

First-in-human trial tests safer T-cell therapy for pediatric brain cancers

Researchers report encouraging early results from a first-in-human clinical trial led by Children's National using a new T-cell immunotherapy for children and young adults with some of the deadliest brain tumors, including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and relapsed central nervous system (CNS) tumors.

30 Jun 2026

Duke engineers grow retinal blood vessel cells from pluripotent stem cells

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to grow specialized blood vessel cells critical to retinal health for the first time.

30 Jun 2026

Review assesses the efficacy of creatine as an add-on therapy for depression

Walk into any gym supplement aisle and creatine is there, sold by the tub to people chasing bigger muscles. It is one of the most studied compounds in sports science.

30 Jun 2026

New diagnostic tool bypasses blood-brain barrier to detect autism early

A study published in NeuroMarkers showed that a nanosensor can measure nitric oxide (NO) from patient-derived stem cells to distinguish autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from intellectual disability (ID), even when both conditions share the exact same genetic mutation.

30 Jun 2026

Genetic research links KDF1 mutation to impaired dental epithelial organization

Dental enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, protecting teeth from wear, temperature changes, and decay. However, enamel cannot regenerate once damaged. Inherited disorders, such as amelogenesis imperfecta, disrupt enamel formation during development, leaving affected individuals with fragile, discolored, and decay-prone teeth.

30 Jun 2026

New brain implant could restore communication for people with speech loss

Many Australians living with neurological disorders, such as motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis, experience speech difficulties and may lose their ability to speak.

29 Jun 2026

Study finds two effective therapies for common childhood eating disorder

The first randomized, controlled trial for a common childhood eating disorder has shown how therapists and parents can help those struggling with the condition, known as avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, or ARFID.

29 Jun 2026

Study highlights potential heart dangers from e-cigarette chemicals

Is vaping bad for my health? As people who use e-cigarettes and their loved ones pose questions like this, growing scientific evidence shows that the answer is yes.

29 Jun 2026

Anti-inflammatory molecule reduces excessive alcohol consumption in female mice

The drugs that keep rheumatoid arthritis in check may one day help people stop drinking. A new Scripps Research study shows that an anti-inflammatory molecule, already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat autoimmune diseases, reduces excessive alcohol consumption in alcohol-dependent female mice.

29 Jun 2026

New viral model triggers Parkinson's symptoms without using toxins

Scientists usually use animal models when studying Parkinson's disease because these models mimic the disease well.

29 Jun 2026

New drug candidate reduces toxic protein clumps of Huntington's disease

An experimental drug has been shown to alleviate symptoms of Huntington's disease and extend lifespan in mouse models. Further studies are required to determine whether these results may also apply to humans.

29 Jun 2026

Scientists discover how Arc protein spreads Alzheimer's brain pathology

Alzheimer's disease is driven by a buildup of a toxic protein called Tau that kills neurons. As toxic Tau spreads to new regions of the brain, symptoms become worse and ultimately fatal.

29 Jun 2026

New Alzheimer drug lecanemab brings modest benefits and high risks

Canada recently approved lecanemab to treat early Alzheimer disease, but the clinical benefits are modest, it carries a risk of serious adverse effects, and treatment is complex.

29 Jun 2026

Lithium MRI scans offer personalized treatments for bipolar disorder

A revolutionary scanning technique has revealed that lithium MRI is a powerful tool for studying how the drug interacts with the brain and could offer more personalized treatment for bipolar disorder.

29 Jun 2026

Brighter daytime light is linked to a lower dementia risk

The study finds that greater exposure to daytime light may lower dementia risk, pointing to light's role in enhancing circadian rhythms and cognitive function.

29 Jun 2026

Women with Parkinson's may be more vulnerable to Alzheimer's pathology

Women with Parkinson's disease may be more vulnerable to Alzheimer's-related changes in the brain than men, according to new research presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2026.

28 Jun 2026

Simple bedside eye test may predict consciousness recovery after brain injury

A simple bedside eye test may help predict recovery of consciousness in patients with severe brain injuries, according to new research presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2026.

28 Jun 2026

Lighting the way towards a new treatment for blindness

Adelaide University researchers have carried out the first in-human trial of a new type of treatment for a leading cause of blindness in working age adults, with promising results.

27 Jun 2026