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 […]
Parenting Styles Shape Teen Anxiety
Summary: A new study shows that both mothers and fathers significantly shape their adolescent children’s social anxiety, but in different ways. Warmth, affection, and acceptance from either parent reduce anxiety, while rejection, coldness, and controlling behaviors heighten it. Overly controlling mothers appeared to have a particularly strong impact, likely due to their larger share of […]
Unlocking Brain Cell Crosstalk Reveals New Path in Alzheimer’s
Summary: A new study reveals that Alzheimer’s disease involves more than just plaques and tangles; it also stems from disrupted communication between brain cells. Using advanced imaging and computational modeling, scientists mapped how neurons and glial cells interact at the molecular level. They uncovered the SEMA6D–TREM2 pathway, which helps microglia clear harmful amyloid buildup. This […]
Dogs Can Classify Objects by Function, Not Just Appearance
Summary: A new study demonstrates that some highly gifted dogs can categorize objects not just by appearance, but by how they are used. When taught words like “pull” or “fetch,” these dogs later applied the concepts to brand-new toys through natural play, without training or explicit labeling. This shows that dogs can form mental representations […]
Alzheimer’s Research Shifts Toward Immune System Balance
Summary: Alzheimer’s disease affects over 55 million people worldwide and has long been linked to toxic protein buildup and chronic inflammation in the brain. A new review shows that adaptive immune cells—T and B cells—also play a crucial role, sometimes worsening brain damage, sometimes offering protection. These findings suggest Alzheimer’s is not only a disease […]
When Brain Cancer Cells Stick Together, They’re Less Dangerous
Summary: A groundbreaking study has revealed that glioblastoma cells behave differently depending on whether they cluster or disperse. Cells that remain in clusters are less aggressive, while dispersed cells are more plastic, meaning they can adapt and resist treatments more easily. This plasticity, now tied to cell dispersal, could explain why glioblastoma nearly always recurs […]
Speeding Up Speech Doesn’t Speed Up Brain Processing
Summary: New research shows that when people listen to speech at different speeds, the auditory cortex does not adjust its timing but instead processes sound in a fixed time window. This discovery challenges the long-standing idea that the brain flexibly adapts its processing pace to match speech rhythms. Using high-precision electrode recordings from patients, researchers […]
Fetal Movements Boost Maternal Attachment
Summary: A new study shows that fetal movement frequency in late pregnancy is directly tied to stronger maternal-fetal attachment. Using an actocardiograph, researchers objectively measured movements and found that higher activity was associated with greater emotional bonding, even when controlling for other factors like maternal mood or gestational age. These results highlight that fetal movements […]
Gut Problems in Autism Linked to Sleep, Behavior, and Sensory Challenges
Summary: A long-term study tracking 475 children found that autistic children are far more likely to experience persistent gastrointestinal issues than their peers. These symptoms often co-occur, persist across childhood, and strongly relate to challenges with sleep, communication, behavior, and sensory processing. The findings underscore the need for clinicians and families to proactively address gut […]