“Junk DNA” Plays Key Role in Brain Development and Disease
Summary: A new study shows that repetitive DNA, once dismissed as “junk,” plays a critical role in shaping…
Brain Cells Behind Depression Identified
Summary: Researchers analyzing post-mortem brain tissue found two cell types altered in people with depression: excitatory neurons that…
Eye Exams Could Spot Alzheimer’s Decades Before Symptoms Appear
Summary: Eye exams could help detect Alzheimer’s disease years before symptoms arise. By studying mice with a common…
Having a Purpose in Life Linked to Lower Dementia Risk
Summary: A new study of over 13,000 adults found that having a strong sense of purpose in life…
Experimental Drugs Reverse Autism Symptoms
Summary: Researchers have identified hyperactivity in the reticular thalamic nucleus as a driver of autism-like behaviors in mice.…
Sour Taste Relies on a Unique Synaptic Protein
Summary: A new study reveals that SNAP25, a key synaptic protein, is essential for the brain to detect…
Immune Attack on Smell Pathways May Signal Early Alzheimer’s
Summary: A fading sense of smell may be one of the earliest warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and…
Caffeine in the Morning Gives the Biggest Boost to Mood
Summary: A large real-world study of 236 young adults found that caffeine significantly boosts positive emotions, particularly in…
Dopamine Imbalance in the Brain May Drive Trichotillomania
Summary: A new study using SAPAP3 knockout mice sheds light on the brain mechanisms that may drive trichotillomania,…
Bipolar Mood Shifts Linked to Insulin Signaling in the Pancreas
Summary: A new study uncovers a pancreas–hippocampus feedback loop that may help explain mood swings in bipolar disorder.…