Summary: New research uncovers that the cerebellum is critical for long-term motor skill memory formation, distinguishing it from short-term memory systems. Patients with cerebellar damage showed normal performance on motor tasks over short intervals but were impaired with longer gaps, linking the cerebellum directly to long-term sensorimotor memory.These findings resolve...

Summary: Researchers have discovered that the protein USP50 regulates DNA replication by managing which enzymes—nucleases or helicases—cleave or unwind DNA strands during replication. This control is crucial for stable replication, especially when the process encounters issues that need restarting. When USP50 is absent, cells struggle to coordinate enzyme use, leading...

Summary: A recent study used PET imaging to examine synaptic connections in autistic and non-autistic adults, marking the first time this technology was applied to autism research. Findings show autistic adults have fewer synapses, or connections between brain cells, which closely relates to social and communicative differences in autism.The study...

Summary: A new survey reveals that 25% of adults in the U.S. suspect they may have undiagnosed ADHD, though only 13% have consulted a doctor. Social media has driven greater awareness, especially among younger adults, but experts warn of the risks associated with self-diagnosis. Adult ADHD, often undiagnosed in youth,...

Summary: Human olfactory perception, traditionally viewed as slow, can actually detect rapid changes within a single sniff, as shown by new research.Using a precise sniff-triggered device, researchers presented different odors in close succession and found that participants could distinguish between them with only a 60-millisecond delay. This challenges the notion...

Summary: Researchers have found a link between two human-specific genes and the gene SYNGAP1, a factor in intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. These genes, SRGAP2B and SRGAP2C, slow down synapse development, a hallmark of prolonged brain growth thought to enhance learning in humans. By turning off these genes in...

Summary: Scientists have found that transcranial infrared light therapy may promote tissue repair after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In animal studies, brief daily infrared treatments reduced harmful inflammatory activity and cell death in the brain post-injury. The therapy led to improved cognitive and balance function four weeks later, especially...

Summary: Research reveals that dogs’ and humans’ brain activity can synchronize when they gaze into each other’s eyes. Known as neural coupling, this phenomenon has been seen in interactions within species, but observing it between different species highlights the unique human-dog bond.The study found that brain regions linked to attention...

Summary: A recent study reveals that motor delays and low muscle tone are strong indicators of an underlying genetic diagnosis in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Researchers reviewed patient records to identify early signs, finding that 75% of children with motor delays had genetic diagnoses. Early identification can enable families to...

Summary: A study found people with long COVID symptoms were twice as likely to have lingering SARS-CoV-2 proteins in their blood, suggesting a persistent viral reservoir may drive some ongoing symptoms. Researchers analyzed blood from 706 individuals and found that 43% of those with multisystem long COVID symptoms had viral...