Summary: Researchers have uncovered two key brain mechanisms—specific neurons and a serotonin receptor—that help explain how psilocybin produces long-lasting antidepressant effects. Their study identified pyramidal tract neurons in the medial frontal cortex and the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor as essential to the therapeutic action of psilocybin.Interestingly, while the mood-boosting effects depend...

Summary: Scientists have discovered that female hormones like estrogen and progesterone can trigger immune cells near the spinal cord to release natural opioids, easing pain before it reaches the brain. These immune cells, known as T regulatory cells (T-regs), are located in the meninges and produce the painkilling molecule enkephalin...

Summary: A new study shows that Beagle dogs with mutations in the autism-linked Shank3 gene exhibit face processing abnormalities similar to those seen in humans with ASD. Using behavioral tests, eye-tracking, and brain recordings, researchers found that these dogs paid less attention to faces—especially the eye region—and showed delays in...

Summary: A large new study reveals that heart failure significantly accelerates cognitive decline, causing affected individuals to mentally age a decade within just seven years of diagnosis. Researchers tracked nearly 30,000 adults and found that heart failure was associated with a sharp drop in cognitive function at diagnosis and a...