Summary: A new study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein remains in brain-protective tissues and skull bone marrow for years after infection, potentially driving long COVID’s neurological symptoms. Using advanced imaging, researchers discovered elevated spike protein levels in these regions, leading to chronic brain inflammation and increased risks of neurodegenerative...
Aggression Risk in CTE is Increased by Family History of Mental Illness
Summary: A new study reveals that individuals with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and a family history of mental illness have a heightened risk of aggression during adulthood, particularly between ages 40 and 59. Researchers analyzed data from 845 men with histories of head injuries, finding that those with both CTE...
AI outperforms authorities in predicting research outcomes.
Summary: A new study demonstrates that large language models (LLMs) can predict the outcomes of neuroscience studies more accurately than human experts, achieving 81% accuracy compared to 63% for neuroscientists.Using a tool called BrainBench, researchers tested LLMs and human experts on identifying real versus fabricated study abstracts, finding that the...
Human Brains Evolved Eventually, Not in Sudden Leaps
Summary: A new study reveals that modern humans, Neanderthals, and other relatives evolved larger brains through gradual changes within each species, overturning the idea of sudden leaps in brain size. Researchers used the largest-ever fossil dataset spanning 7 million years and advanced statistical methods to reconstruct brain size evolution.They found...
Musical tempo and speech abilities are linked by shared biology.
Summary: A new study reveals shared genetic underpinnings between musical rhythm abilities and language-related traits, including dyslexia. Using data from over 1 million individuals, researchers identified 16 overlapping genome regions tied to rhythm and language, with key roles in brain connectivity.Variants linked to rhythm accuracy were also associated with stronger...