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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.

Key gene mutation disrupts the brain’s ability to update beliefs in schizophrenia patients

One of the symptoms of schizophrenia is difficulty incorporating new information about the world. This can lead patients to struggle with making decisions and, eventually, to lose touch with reality.

18 Mar 2026

Newly identified protein regulates lysosome positioning and cellular metabolism

Lysosomes are the control centers for the metabolism of cells and tissues, including the brain. They break down defective proteins and other macromolecules into their basic building blocks.

18 Mar 2026

Maker of device to treat addiction withdrawal seeks counties’ opioid settlement cash

In the early 2000s, Michelle Warfield worked at a factory, hauling heavy seats for Ford trucks on and off an assembly line. To suppress daily aches in her back and hips, her doctor prescribed opioid painkillers.

18 Mar 2026

New microbiome therapy improves autism symptoms in children

This study evaluates a new fecal microbiota transplant method, revealing significant symptom improvements in children with autism without invasive procedures.

18 Mar 2026

Study finds common brain mechanism behind different anesthesia drugs

When patients undergo general anesthesia, doctors can choose among several drugs. Although each of these drugs acts on neurons in different ways, they all lead to the same result: a disruption of the brain's balance between stability and excitability, according to a new MIT study.

17 Mar 2026

Study identifies brain pathway crucial for proper functioning of working memory

Working memory is a cognitive function that is essential for carrying out everyday activities and temporarily retaining information.

17 Mar 2026

Physical activity may reshape brain effects of childhood trauma

New research indicates that the long-term neurological impact of childhood trauma is not permanently etched onto the brain.

17 Mar 2026

Breakfast, exercise, and sleep linked to better mental resilience

Do you ever feel mentally stuck, like you can't cope when a stressful situation hits? A healthy breakfast, exercise, and a good night's sleep might be just what you need to build psychological flexibility, and new research from Binghamton University shows why that matters.

17 Mar 2026

Anti-aging drug combination causes brain damage in mice

A two-drug combination frequently used in anti-aging research causes brain damage in mice, University of Connecticut researchers report in the March 16 issue of PNAS.

17 Mar 2026

Blocking fructose metabolism may improve brain tumor immunotherapy response

Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered that specialized immune cells within the glioblastoma tumor metabolize fructose to suppress immune responses and promote tumor growth, reports a study published on March 17 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

17 Mar 2026

Tailored prediabetes treatment may better prevent Type 2 diabetes

A one-size-fits-all approach to prediabetes treatment may miss the opportunity to implement an early, more intensive, tailored prevention approach for those with the highest risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026.

17 Mar 2026

MIND diet may protect against structural brain deterioration

The combined Mediterranean and blood pressure lowering diet (MIND) may slow the structural changes related to brain aging, finds research published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

17 Mar 2026

New risk models improve food safety guidelines for pregnant individuals

Listeria is the third-leading cause of death among bacterial foodborne pathogens in the U.S. and pregnant individuals bear a disproportionate share of that burden.

17 Mar 2026

Blood pressure readings may help identify future dementia risk

Measures of blood vessel health derived from routine blood pressure readings may help identify adults at increased risk for dementia, according to research being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

17 Mar 2026

Shingles vaccine linked to lower risk of serious cardiac events

People with heart disease who received a shingles vaccine had nearly half the rate of serious cardiac events a year later compared with those who did not get the vaccine, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

17 Mar 2026

Swedish study reveals COVID-19 may increase glandular fever risk

Even individuals who did not become seriously ill with COVID-19 may have developed a weakened immune system that could lead to serious illnesses in the future.

17 Mar 2026

Psychiatrists’ use of biomarkers could open a new window into mental health diagnoses

Amanda Miller was 30 and pregnant with her second child in Hershey, Pennsylvania, when she developed depression.

17 Mar 2026

Exercise cuts 'chemo brain' and fatigue in cancer patients

Implementing a simple exercise plan during chemotherapy may ease cognitive impairment and fatigue, promoting better health outcomes for cancer patients.

17 Mar 2026

Study reveals limitations of large language models in medical diagnostics

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare. AI systems can now detect diabetic eye disease from retinal photos and analyze CT images for signs of early-stage lung cancers and stroke.

16 Mar 2026

Investigational oral therapy shows safety and potential benefits in ALS trial

In a phase 2b clinical trial, an investigational oral therapy called PrimeC was found to be safe and well tolerated in people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with exploratory findings suggesting target engagement and potential clinical benefits.

16 Mar 2026