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.

Psychological traits may uncover why Alzheimer’s biology differs between patients

In 822 deceased older adults from ROS and MAP, researchers linked stable psychological traits to multi-omic molecular subtypes of Alzheimer’s dementia using postmortem brain tissue from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Neuroticism and loneliness were associated with molecular progression, while purpose in life showed subtype-specific inverse associations, suggesting psychological traits may align with Alzheimer’s biology beyond conventional neuropathology.

22 Jun 2026

Brainstem neurons found to control attention by suppressing distractions

Neurons tucked away in an ancient part of the brain control the ability to pay attention by suppressing distractions and directing focus.

22 Jun 2026

Ultrasound therapy improves poststroke motor coordination in mouse model

Following stroke, patients have a hard time performing coordinated movements. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is emerging as a treatment to improve poststroke coordination, but the mechanisms for this motor improvement remain unclear.

22 Jun 2026

Australian research uncovers how the brain manages unexpected sensory surprises

Australian researchers have uncovered what happens behind the scenes in our brain when we're faced with a predictable situation versus a surprise, giving vital clues in a long-standing mystery in neuroscience.

22 Jun 2026

New miniature microscope stably images brain cells during movement

Researchers at Peking University have developed DUET, a breakthrough dual-color miniature two-photon microscope that overcomes two persistent barriers in neuroscience imaging: motion-induced signal instability and fluorescence channel crosstalk.

22 Jun 2026

Early screen time may impact subsequent academic performance and working memory

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend no screen time before 18-24 months and less than one hour per day for children ages 2 to 5.

22 Jun 2026

Neuroscience research questions traditional markers for cerebellar movement disorders

A new finding by a Virginia Tech neuroscientist at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC is challenging the way investigators study chronic neurological disorders such as dystonia, ataxia, and tremor.

22 Jun 2026

Study links genes and sleep habits to Alzheimer's risk

New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has discovered an important link between our genes and sleep habits, suggesting they work together to influence early brain and cognitive changes associated with Alzheimer's Disease, long before symptoms appear.

22 Jun 2026

Scientists discover protective antibodies with potential to treat West Nile virus

West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes and is increasingly relevant for Europe and worldwide. It can cause severe brain infection and death, yet there is no specific antiviral treatment or approved human vaccine.

22 Jun 2026

Study links neuroimmune dysregulation to complex fibromyalgia symptoms

Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder characterized primarily by chronic widespread pain, fatigue and other physical and cognitive symptoms.

22 Jun 2026

Novel gene network approach reveals new schizophrenia risk genes

Scientists have long known that schizophrenia runs in families, but pinpointing exactly which genes contribute to risk has been like searching for needles in a haystack.

22 Jun 2026

Trauma-linked sleep problems affect nearly 7% of Icelandic women

A nationwide Icelandic study found that 6.9% of women aged 18-69 reported trauma-associated sleep disturbances in the past month. These symptoms were most common after sexual or physical violence, recent or repeated trauma, and were strongly linked to PTSD, anxiety, depression, and general sleep problems.

22 Jun 2026

GLP-1 medications may lower risk of multiple substance use disorders

A new study led by researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso found that use of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and other GLP-1s is associated with a lower risk of developing alcohol, opioid, nicotine and cocaine use disorders.

21 Jun 2026

New human protein atlas maps how cancer rewires the body’s tissues

Researchers created a DIA-MS atlas of 13,609 proteins across 2,856 samples from fetal, healthy adult, paired non-tumor, and tumor tissues. The resource maps tissue-specific protein patterns, cancer-associated changes, organ-specific drug-toxicity signals, and candidate therapeutic targets.

21 Jun 2026

Synthetic gut communities reveal how diet rewires the microbiome

Synthetic microbial communities give researchers controlled models for testing how diet reshapes gut microbial ecology, metabolism, and host-relevant responses. The review highlights how SynComs can strengthen causal inference, improve intervention testing, and support future precision nutrition, while noting major challenges in stability, standardization, and ecological realism.

21 Jun 2026

Scientists develop wearable robotic system to restore hand function

Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, in collaboration with ETH Zurich, the Technical University of Munich and Medical Faculty Belgrade, have developed a wearable neurorobotic system that combines electrical neurostimulation with hand exoskeletons.

19 Jun 2026