Researchers identified a small group of dopamine neurons in the striatum that play a crucial role in balancing essential brain functions such as reward, cognition, and movement. This discovery opens the door to new treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders like schizophrenia, addiction, and Parkinson’s disease. These neurons help regulate the brain’s dopamine pathways, preventing […]
What Your Movie Preferences Reveal About Your Brain’s Emotions
A new study reveals that your favorite film genre may indicate how your brain processes emotions. Action and comedy lovers show strong brain reactions to negative stimuli, while those preferring crime films, thrillers, or documentaries exhibit weaker emotional responses. Researchers used fMRI scans on 257 participants to uncover this link, offering insights into the connection […]
Blood Sample Allows for Rapid Detection of Brain Cancer
Researchers have developed an innovative device that can diagnose glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, in under an hour using a novel biochip. The chip leverages electrokinetic technology to detect active Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (EGFRs) in extracellular vesicles from a small blood sample. This method offers high sensitivity and selectivity, minimizing interference and potentially improving […]
COVID’s Inflammation Linked to Long-Term Brain Effects
New research uncovers how COVID-19 may cause neuroinflammation, leading to persistent neurological symptoms even after recovery. The study found elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and significant changes in cerebrospinal fluid among hospitalized patients, highlighting the brain’s vulnerability to the virus.
Children’s Curiosity or Memory Gaps? Why Kids Over-Explore Tasks
Children often gather more information than needed to complete a task, even when they know the solution. A new study suggests this “over-exploration” might stem from either natural curiosity or underdeveloped working memory. Researchers found that kids, unlike adults, continue to explore irrelevant information due to uncertainty in their memory retention.
Miniaturized Brain-Machine Interface Translates Thoughts Into Text
Researchers developed a compact, low-power brain-machine interface (BMI) called MiBMI, designed to enhance communication for individuals with severe motor impairments. The device translates neural activity into text with 91% accuracy, using a highly miniaturized system that processes data in real-time. This innovation opens the door to practical, implantable BMIs, promising significant improvements in quality of […]
How Logical Thinking and Empathy Define Wisdom
A new study reveals that people across 12 countries and five continents perceive wisdom through two key dimensions: reflective orientation and socio-emotional awareness. Reflective orientation includes logical thinking and emotion control, while socio-emotional awareness focuses on empathy and social context. These dimensions consistently influence how individuals judge wisdom in leaders, scientists, and others. The findings […]
Blocking a Brain Pathway Reverses Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s
Blocking the kynurenine pathway, a regulator of brain metabolism, can restore cognitive function in lab mice with Alzheimer’s disease. The pathway is overactivated in Alzheimer’s, disrupting glucose metabolism and starving neurons of energy. By inhibiting this pathway, researchers improved memory and brain plasticity in mice, offering hope for new treatments in humans. IDO1 inhibitors, currently […]
Does Multiple Sclerosis Lower Dementia Risk?
Research has revealed that individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) are significantly less likely to exhibit the molecular signs of Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting a protective element in MS that could inspire new Alzheimer’s treatments. The study found that MS patients had 50% less amyloid plaque accumulation, a key indicator of Alzheimer’s, compared to non-MS individuals. This […]
Knowingly Taking Placebos Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Researchers have discovered that nondeceptive placebos—placebos given with the full knowledge that they are placebos—can effectively manage stress, even when administered remotely. In a two-week randomized controlled trial, participants experiencing prolonged stress were divided into two groups: one group received nondeceptive placebos, while the other served as a control.