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.

Ischemic stroke increases expectant mother's risk for another stroke during or soon after pregnancy

Having had a stroke caused by blocked blood vessels (ischemic stroke) more than doubled an expectant mother's odds of having another stroke during pregnancy and within six weeks of childbirth, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

29 Jan 2026

Older adults' driving habits may provide early warning signs of cognitive decline or dementia

Older adults' driving habits revealed clues about their brain health and may provide early warning signs of cognitive decline or dementia, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

29 Jan 2026

New calculator accurately estimates the risk of dementia after a stroke

A new risk calculator accurately estimated the likelihood of adults developing dementia within ten years after a stroke, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

29 Jan 2026

Smartwatch app to track social interactions of stroke survivors may help maximize recovery

A smartwatch app designed to measure social interactions of hospitalized stroke survivors may enable new treatments to preserve or enhance cognition, social engagement and quality of life after a stroke, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

29 Jan 2026

Nitrate source matters more than nitrate amount

Findings suggest that plant-sourced nitrates may reduce dementia risk, while animal and water sources are linked to increased risk, emphasizing diet quality.

29 Jan 2026

New evidence shows Parkinson’s spreads via immune cells from the gut

New research reveals how Parkinson's spreads from the gut to the brain, with the help of immune cells – offering a new potential therapeutic strategy – in a study in mice led by scientists at the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (University College London).

29 Jan 2026

Wake-promoting drug improves alertness in early morning shift workers

Many more people work very early morning shifts than overnight ones, and a large proportion struggle with excessive sleepiness from shift work disorder, leading to problems with focus, performance and safety.

29 Jan 2026

Antidepressant use does not worsen early outcomes after traumatic brain injury

Taking certain antidepressants at the time of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not associated with an increased risk of death, brain surgery or longer hospital stays, according to a study published on January 28, 2026, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

28 Jan 2026

Soluble E-cadherin drives brain metastasis in aggressive inflammatory breast cancer

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a targetable driver of brain metastases in patients with aggressive inflammatory breast cancer.

28 Jan 2026

Combination therapy improves cognition in Alzheimer’s models

In recent years, research into cannabis and its main psychoactive ingredient, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has unearthed medical benefits including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.

28 Jan 2026

Brain protein CUL5 protects neurons by clearing toxic tau clumps

Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified a hazardous waste collector in the brain that disposes of the toxic clumps of tau protein that can lead to dementia.

28 Jan 2026

How microalgae, fish, and krill store omega-3s differently and why it matters

This study mapped how EPA and DHA are distributed across lipid classes in microalgae, fish, krill, and commercial omega-3 supplements using lipid-class–resolved analysis. It shows that lipid structure, not just total omega-3 content, differs markedly across sources and may influence their nutritional relevance.

28 Jan 2026

Newly discovered compound can advance the body's internal clock

A Japanese research team has discovered a new compound that can advance the body's internal clock—offering hope for faster recovery from jet lag and better adaptation to night-shift work.

28 Jan 2026

New peptide targets the root causes of recurring seizures

New study suggests that an experimental peptide developed at the Hebrew University may reduce recurring seizures and support brain function by targeting underlying oxidative stress and inflammation processes linked to epilepsy.

28 Jan 2026

Exploring the link between devices and adolescent sleep

New research in Brain & Behavior found a link between screen time and adolescents' sleep quality and beliefs about healthy lifestyles.

28 Jan 2026

New discovery may aid in early detection of rare genetic disease

Virginia Tech researchers discovered an indication hidden in the brain that may help doctors identify children suffering from a rare genetic disease earlier. Their findings were published recently in EMBO Molecular Medicine.

28 Jan 2026

A shingles vaccine may delay dementia onset

Research indicates the herpes zoster vaccine may reduce dementia rates by 2%, highlighting its potential role in promoting brain health in aging populations.

28 Jan 2026

Transcranial magnetic stimulation can be a cost-effective treatment option for depression

A major new study has found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which applies magnetic energy to the brain, can be a cost-effective treatment option for the NHS in treating moderate and severe forms of depression that have not responded to other treatments.

27 Jan 2026

Silencing a specific brain circuit can prevent and reverse chronic pain

A neural circuit hidden in an understudied region of the brain plays a critical role in turning temporary pain into pain that can last months or years, according to new University of Colorado Boulder research.

27 Jan 2026

Study isolates mania-specific genetic architecture in bipolar disorder

Researchers at King's College London and the University of Florence have, for the first time, identified the specific genetic blueprint of mania, the defining feature of bipolar disorder.

27 Jan 2026