Gut Microbes May Shape Brain and Behavior Through Hidden Mutations
Summary: In a groundbreaking study using Merino sheep, researchers uncovered that tiny genetic variations within gut microbes can influence brain-related behavior. By sequencing over 5,000 microbial genomes—including 3,500 never before reported—they linked single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in microbes to neurobehavioral traits and plasma metabolites tied to brain function. These SNVs, mainly within Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, […]
Brain Cells That Thrive on Uncertainty Help Us Adapt and Learn
Summary: Scientists have discovered a group of brain cells in the orbitofrontal cortex that become more active when outcomes are uncertain, revealing how the brain adapts and learns from unpredictable situations. These neurons—found in both rats and humans—help balance flexibility and precision in decision-making, particularly when rewards are inconsistent. When these cells were inactivated in […]
Childlike Face Illusion Helps Adults Recall Forgotten Memories
Summary: A groundbreaking study has found that adults can recall more detailed childhood memories after briefly perceiving themselves with a childlike version of their own face. Using a virtual “enfacement illusion,” participants saw a live, altered image of their face resembling how they looked as children, creating a temporary sense of embodying their younger selves. […]
Gene Behind Child Brain Disorder Also Tied to Parkinson’s Disease
Summary: Scientists have discovered that mutations in the EPG5 gene—known for causing the rare childhood disorder Vici syndrome—also increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia later in life. The gene plays a crucial role in autophagy, the process by which cells clear out damaged material. When this system fails, harmful proteins build up, damaging […]
Lifelong Social Bonds Keep the Aging Brain Sharp and Flexible
Summary: Rats that lived in social groups throughout their lives retained youthful memory and mental flexibility well into old age, according to new research. Even with equal physical stimulation, only socially connected rats performed as well as younger ones on complex memory tests, while isolated rats showed significant decline. Brain imaging revealed stronger hippocampal activity […]
Compound Could Repair Nerve Damage in Multiple Sclerosis
Summary: Researchers have identified two compounds capable of repairing the protective myelin sheath damaged by multiple sclerosis, a major advance toward reversing nerve injury rather than just slowing it. The lead compound, K102, not only promotes remyelination but also balances immune function—key for long-term neurological recovery. In animal and cell studies, it restored myelin-producing cells […]
Hunger, Fear, and the Brain’s Hidden Switch to Turn Off Chronic Pain
Summary: Chronic pain affects nearly 50 million Americans, yet new research reveals the brain may have an internal switch that can turn it down. Scientists identified a group of neurons in the brainstem that regulate long-term pain by integrating signals related to hunger, fear, and thirst. When survival needs take priority, these neurons dampen pain […]
Social Inference Could Be the Key to Healing Schizophrenia
Summary: Researchers have identified a brain function that could transform how schizophrenia is treated—by focusing on social inference, the ability to interpret social cues and intentions. The study found that strengthening this skill early can help young patients regain independence and prevent long-term cognitive decline. Rather than relying solely on memory or attention training, social […]
Human Brain-on-a-Chip Reveals How Inflammation Breaks the Mind
Summary: Researchers have developed brain-on-a-chip technology that uses human tissue to model how the brain’s protective barrier breaks down during inflammation and disease. The system replicates the blood-brain barrier, showing how cytokine storms and leaked blood proteins can trigger harmful changes in brain cells. A second study revealed that pericytes, tiny support cells, can repair […]
Why Comfort Food Feels Like Medicine for People in Chronic Pain
Summary: A new study reveals that more than two-thirds of people living with chronic pain turn to comfort foods—especially chocolate—for emotional relief and distraction during flare-ups. Eating provides temporary pleasure and even mild pain relief, likely due to biological effects of high-calorie foods on the brain’s reward and pain systems. However, this short-term comfort can […]