Mini Brains Expose Neural Signatures of Schizophrenia and Bipolar
Summary: For the first time, lab-grown mini brains have revealed how neurons misfire in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Using machine learning to analyze electrical activity, researchers identified distinct firing patterns that served as biomarkers, distinguishing patient-derived organoids from healthy ones with over 90% accuracy. Subtle electrical stimulation improved detection, exposing intricate neuro-signatures of each condition. […]
AI Reveals Bitter Taste Receptors’ Hidden Role in Gut-Brain Health
Summary: Researchers used AlphaFold3, the latest AI-based protein modeling system, to predict the structures of all 25 known human bitter taste receptors (T2Rs). Compared with AlphaFold2, AF3 consistently generated more accurate structural predictions when benchmarked against experimentally determined data. The study revealed strong structural similarities in intracellular regions of T2Rs, with significant variation in extracellular […]
High-Intensity Exercise May Protect Against Cocaine Addiction
Summary: A new study shows that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is more effective than moderate exercise at protecting adolescent lab animals from cocaine use. Animals exposed to HIIT developed a preference for non-drug environments and an aversion to cocaine, linked to increases in ΔFosB, a molecular switch involved in addiction. These results suggest exercise intensity […]
Boys Adjust Calorie Intake After Snacks While Girls Keep Eating
A new study found that young boys adjusted their food intake at mealtime when they had already eaten a fruit snack, but girls did not. The findings suggest that boys are more likely to listen to their body’s signals of hunger and fullness, while girls may rely on social or environmental cues. The form of […]
Cocoa Flavanols Show Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Summary: A large clinical trial found that cocoa flavanol supplements can lower age-related inflammation, potentially explaining their heart-protective effects. Researchers analyzed blood samples and discovered a consistent reduction in hsCRP, a biomarker tied to cardiovascular risk, among participants taking cocoa extract. Other inflammatory markers stayed relatively stable, though some shifts, like an increase in immune-related […]
Dementia Prevention Must Begin in Childhood, Not Just Midlife
Summary: A large international study shows that the accumulation of social hardships across life—known as the social exposome—has lasting effects on the brain. Adverse exposures, including low education, food insecurity, and limited healthcare, were linked to cognitive decline, mental health issues, and altered brain structure and function. These associations held true both for healthy aging […]
How Neurons Pick Just One Scent Receptor
Summary: Researchers studying clonal raider ants have uncovered how each sensory neuron manages to express just one odorant receptor gene from a library of hundreds. Unlike fruit flies or mammals, ants employ a unique system of transcriptional interference: once one receptor gene is chosen, surrounding genes are silenced by readthrough and antisense transcripts. This creates […]
Eye Movements Reveal Hidden Memories Beyond What People Report
Summary: A new study demonstrated that eye movements can serve as a powerful tool for detecting memory, even when people report not remembering. In experiments, participants rewatched animation clips with surprising events, and their gaze naturally shifted toward the spot of the surprise, indicating stored memory. This method was often more accurate than verbal reports, […]
Protein Filaments That Build Brain’s Inhibitory Synapses Identified
Summary: Researchers discovered that gephyrin, a key protein at inhibitory synapses, forms organized filaments that act as the structural basis for postsynaptic densities. This finding overturns previous assumptions that proteins in synapses were disordered, revealing instead a surprising level of organization. The team used cryo-electron microscopy to visualize the structures and showed that these filaments […]
Neural Control of Balance and Motion Revealed
Summary: Researchers studying fruit flies discovered that nerve cells sensing limb motion are turned off when the insect moves, allowing the brain to switch between stabilizing posture and enabling dynamic action. This neural circuit, mediated by interneurons, ensures flies can balance while also reacting quickly to external disturbances. The findings suggest proprioceptive feedback is flexibly […]