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Researchers identify genetic links to brain volume and disorders

In one of the largest-ever studies of DNA and brain volume, researchers have identified 254 genetic variants that shape key structures in the "deep brain," including those that control memory, motor skills, addictive behaviors and more.

21 Oct 2024

Researchers decode how the brain identifies and responds to odors

Investigating neuronal activity in the brain, this study highlights how olfactory cues are processed, emphasizing the roles of the piriform cortex and amygdala.

10 Oct 2024

Neuroimaging study reveals structural brain differences in children with autism

There is new evidence that the cells responsible for communication in the brain may be structured differently in children with autism. Researchers at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester discovered that in some areas of the brain neuron density varies in children with autism when compared to the general population.

10 Oct 2024

Researchers uncover neuronal mechanisms of human odor perception

We often only realize how important our sense of smell is when it is no longer there: food hardly tastes good, or we no longer react to dangers such as the smell of smoke.

9 Oct 2024

Liver X receptor beta offers new hope in treating depression and anxiety

Liver X receptor beta (LXRβ) shows potential in reducing depression and anxiety by improving neurogenesis, reducing neuroinflammation, and enhancing cognitive and emotional function. More research on LXR agonists could reveal new treatments for mental health disorders.

8 Oct 2024

Study unravels the unique patterns of brain shrinkage in Alzheimer's disease

The way in which brains shrink in those who develop Alzheimer's disease follows no specific or uniform pattern, finds a new study by researchers at UCL and Radboud University in the Netherlands.

4 Oct 2024

LXRβ emerges as a promising target for depression and anxiety treatments

In a state-of-the-art Bench to Bedside review published in the journal Brain Medicine (Genomic Press), researchers Dr. Xiaoyu Song and Professor Jan-Åke Gustafsson from the University of Houston and Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) shed light on the therapeutic potential of liver X receptor beta (LXRβ) in treating depression and anxiety.

4 Oct 2024

Mild COVID-19 disrupts brain connectivity and reduces memory function in adolescents and young adults

Study reveals localized brain changes in adolescents and young adults post-COVID, including reduced hippocampal volume and disrupted connectivity, correlating with impaired working memory. These findings highlight the importance of understanding long-term cognitive effects of mild COVID-19.

3 Oct 2024

Study identifies brain circuit linking psychedelics to reduced anxiety

Psychedelics have been used in indigenous cultures for centuries, with empirical evidence of their mood and perception altering effects.

3 Oct 2024

Study reveals impact of adverse childhood experiences on teen mental health

Teens who faced high levels of emotional and multidimensional adversity in their early years are at the most significant risk for mental health challenges, a comprehensive 15-year study revealed.

30 Sep 2024

Targeting brain lesions with TMS shows promise in treating PTSD in veterans

Researchers have identified specific brain lesions associated with reduced PTSD symptoms in veterans, providing a potential noninvasive neuromodulation target. TMS applied to this PTSD circuit could offer new hope for effective treatment.

26 Sep 2024

Research uncovers mechanism of psychedelic-induced anxiety reduction

A classic psychedelic, similar to LSD, psilocybin and mescalin, was found to activate a cell type in the brain that silences other neighboring neurons, a result that provides insight into how such drugs reduce anxiety, according to a new study.

24 Sep 2024

Neurostimulation target identified for treating PTSD in veterans

A new study led by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, suggests that using neurostimulation therapies on a specific brain network could treat post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans.

24 Sep 2024