Category: Neurology

A new study finds that the diabetes drug liraglutide significantly reduced monthly migraine days in patients with obesity and chronic migraine. Participants reported an average of 11 fewer headache days per month, alongside improved disability scores and quality of life.

A novel PET imaging study has identified unique patterns of neuroinflammation in patients with progressive apraxia of speech (PAOS), a rare disorder that impairs the brain’s ability to plan speech. Using TSPO PET scans, researchers found elevated inflammation in brain regions involved in movement and speech, particularly in patients who also showed signs of Parkinson-plus […]

A rare genetic mutation known as APOE3-R136S, or the “Christchurch mutation,” appears to protect against Alzheimer’s disease by suppressing inflammatory signaling in the brain’s immune cells. Researchers found that this mutation dampens the cGAS-STING pathway, a key innate immune mechanism that is abnormally activated in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders.

A newly developed PET radiotracer, ¹⁸F-PDE-1905, offers high-resolution imaging of neuroinflammation by targeting a key enzyme inside microglia, the brain’s immune cells. Unlike traditional tracers that target general downstream markers, this novel tracer hones in on PDE4B, a critical regulator of inflammatory signaling.

A new study reveals that neurons in the brainstem respond very differently to acute versus chronic pain, potentially explaining why some pain persists long after injury. In acute pain, neurons in the medullary dorsal horn reduce their activity through a natural “braking” system involving A-type potassium currents, helping limit pain signals.

A new study shows that the networks responsible for processing pain in infants develop gradually, with emotional and cognitive pain responses maturing only after birth. Researchers scanned the brains of 372 infants, primarily born prematurely, to track how three brain subsystems related to pain perception matured over time.

New research reveals that sleep deprivation alters how the brain processes pain in people with migraines. Using EEG and pain stimulation, scientists found that migraine sufferers’ brains respond differently after poor sleep, showing reduced ability to suppress pain signals.

A new study reveals that the brain age gap—the difference between a brain’s biological age and chronological age—may influence how risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure affect cognitive function. Using machine learning to analyze brain scans from over 1,400 older adults, researchers found that a greater brain age gap was linked to poorer […]

A novel screening method for Parkinson’s disease (PD) analyzes the volatile compounds in ear wax to detect early signs of the condition. Researchers found that four specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are significantly different in people with PD.

Contrary to popular belief, a new study suggests that people with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s may become more socially engaged—not less. Researchers analyzed data from over 500,000 individuals and found that higher-risk participants reported lower social isolation and more positive family interactions.