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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

Understanding the brain’s process of dividing experiences into events

The moment a person steps off the street and into a restaurant-;to take just one example-;the brain mentally starts a new "chapter" of the day, a change that causes a big shift in brain activity. Shifts like this happen all day long, as people encounter new environments, like going out for lunch, attending their kid's soccer game, or settling in for a night of watching TV.

3 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

International experts to gather for ALS symposium in Chicago

The 2024 Les Turner Symposium on ALS will be held on Monday, Nov. 4 in Chicago. Hosted by the Les Turner ALS Foundation and the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine, this event will assemble internationally-renowned ALS researchers, clinicians, advocates, and people living with ALS to discuss the latest research and perspectives on the disease.

3 Oct 2024

Researchers boost natural defenses to fight cataracts and delay the need for surgery

Researchers have reviewed strategies to increase glutathione levels in the eye lens, focusing on endogenous molecular mechanisms to prevent cataracts by countering oxidative stress.

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

New pathway linking neuron selectivity to cognitive disorders uncovered

Neuroscientists from Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have determined how a brain cell surface molecule shapes the way certain neurons behave.

3 Oct 2024

Deep brain stimulation shows promise for improving arm and hand function after injury

Deep brain stimulation may provide immediate improvement in arm and hand strength and function weakened by traumatic brain injury or stroke, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers report today in Nature Communications.

1 Oct 2024

Advanced brain mapping reveals neuronal subtypes and their connections

Scientists at the Salk Institute are unveiling a new brain-mapping neurotechnology called Single Transcriptome Assisted Rabies Tracing (START). The cutting-edge tool combines two advanced technologies-;monosynaptic rabies virus tracing and single-cell transcriptomics-;to map the brain's intricate neuronal connections with unparalleled precision.

30 Sep 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

COVID-19 causes lasting cognitive impairment tied to brain injury markers

Researchers found that COVID-19 patients experienced widespread cognitive deficits one year post-hospitalization, associated with elevated brain injury markers and reduced brain volume. Cognitive recovery plateaued over time, suggesting lasting impacts.

26 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

Study reveals key differences in how male and female brains process threats

A new study has uncovered significant differences in how male and female mice process threats, even as they exhibit similar behavioural responses.

23 Sep 2024

Brain structure shows subtle link to political ideology in large-scale MRI study

For a long time, the claim has been made that the brains of conservative people are different than those of progressives.

20 Sep 2024

Study reveals distinct brain pathways for decision-making in primates

In a constantly changing world, animals, including humans, need to quickly adapt to their environment and learn to make decisions that lead to the best possible outcomes.

20 Sep 2024

Amyloid-β and tau disrupt brain activity, driving early cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s risk

Researchers discover how amyloid-β and tau pathologies interact to drive early neurophysiological changes and cognitive decline in older adults at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

20 Sep 2024

An evolutionary ancient brain region drives modern-day cognition

The superior colliculus is a midbrain region that is traditionally thought to help animals orient themselves toward important locations in space, like directing their eyes and head toward a bright flash of light. New research from the University of Chicago shows that this part of the brain also plays a role in complex cognitive tasks like visual categorization and decision making.

19 Sep 2024

Hypothalamic ECM remodeling drives insulin resistance, contributing to obesity and diabetes

Researchers have discovered that remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the hypothalamus, specifically around AgRP neurons, drives insulin resistance and metabolic disease. Disrupting this ECM buildup improves insulin sensitivity and may be a promising treatment for obesity and diabetes.

19 Sep 2024

Study reveals links between bodily rhythms and visual perception

A study funded by the SNSF highlights previously unknown links between the body and the brain. The findings of this research carried out at the University of Fribourg show how our bodily rhythms affect our visual perception.

19 Sep 2024