Untreated Sleep Apnea Doubles Parkinson’s Risk
Summary: A large analysis of more than 11 million medical records found that people with untreated obstructive sleep apnea face a substantially higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease over time. Even after accounting for factors like age, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions, those who did not use CPAP were nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed […]
Genes Behind Dog Behaviors Also Shape Human Emotions
Summary: Researchers analyzed the genomes and behavioral profiles of 1,300 golden retrievers and found that several behavioral traits—such as trainability, fear of strangers, and aggression toward other dogs—are shaped by specific genetic variants. Remarkably, a dozen of these same genes also influence emotional and cognitive traits in humans, revealing shared biological roots across species. The […]
Gene Discovery Reveals Hidden Risk Pathway for Delirium
Summary: A massive genetic analysis of over one million people has revealed that APOE, long known for its role in Alzheimer’s disease, also independently increases a person’s risk of delirium. The researchers found that this effect cannot be explained solely by dementia, showing that APOE directly contributes to delirium vulnerability in otherwise cognitively healthy individuals. […]
Thought Begins Before We’re Born
Summary: New research using human brain organoids shows that early neural activity follows structured, time-based patterns long before sensory experience begins. These findings suggest the human brain comes preconfigured with a built-in “operating system” for organizing information, rather than relying solely on external input to form its circuits. The organoids produced complex activity signatures resembling […]
Genetics Point to a New Type of Suicide Risk
Summary: New research shows that many people who die by suicide without prior suicidal thoughts or behaviors are not simply “missed cases”—they may have an entirely different underlying risk profile. Genetic analyses of more than 2,700 deaths revealed that these individuals carry fewer genetic risk factors for major psychiatric conditions compared to those with known […]
Stress-Like Behaviors Traced to a Single ATP Circuit in the Brain
Summary: New research reveals that reduced ATP signaling in the hippocampus plays a causal role in both depression- and anxiety-like behaviors. In stressed male mice, ATP levels and the ATP-releasing protein connexin 43 were markedly lower. When researchers experimentally reduced connexin 43, mice developed the same behavioral symptoms even without stress exposure, confirming a direct […]
Psychedelic ‘Ego Death’ Tied to a Collapse in Alpha Brain Waves
Summary: A new study using DMT as a scientific tool reveals how psychedelics alter the brain’s alpha-wave dynamics and weaken our sense of self. The researchers found that DMT pushes the brain away from its usual “critical” balance between chaos and order, a state believed to be essential for coherent self-awareness over time. This shift […]
One in Two Americans Have Neurological Disorders
Summary: A comprehensive national analysis shows that over 180 million Americans—more than half the U.S. population—are living with a neurological disease or disorder. These conditions span the lifespan, from neurodevelopmental disorders to migraines to age-related diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. While mortality from neurological illness has declined by 15% since 1990, the years lived […]
AI Reveals Lions Don’t Just Roar, They Have a Second Call
Summary: A new study reveals African lions produce two types of roars, overturning long-held assumptions and opening the door to more precise wildlife monitoring. Using machine learning, researchers automatically distinguished between full-throated and newly identified intermediary roars with over 95% accuracy, eliminating much of the human bias in vocal identification. This breakthrough greatly enhances conservation […]
What Triggers Tantrums? Sensory Overload May Be To Blame
Summary: New research reveals a distinct brain activity signature in children who become overwhelmed by sensory input such as noise, touch, or bright lights. Using functional MRI, scientists found that overly sensitive children show reduced activation in outward-facing sensory and motor networks while increasing activation in inward-focused networks tied to cognition and impulse control. This […]