Summary: The nature of thought remains one of philosophy’s greatest mysteries, with deep implications for neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Two main theories compete: materialism, which sees thoughts as brain states, and dualism, which holds that thoughts are non-physical entities.While neuroscience has mapped correlations between brain activity and mental states, it...
Summary: A new study has found that delusions typically emerge before hallucinations in individuals at high risk for psychosis, overturning a long-standing belief that hallucinations drive delusional thinking. By analyzing symptom progression across three large cohorts, researchers consistently observed that delusions were the earliest symptom, reappearing even before hallucinations during...
Summary: Researchers have identified mutations in the non-coding gene RNU2-2 as a cause of a newly defined neurodevelopmental disorder, often accompanied by severe epilepsy. The discovery sheds light on the critical role of small non-coding genes in brain development and could affect thousands of families globally.RNU2-2 joins RNU4-2, previously linked...
Summary: Researchers have identified changes in brain connectivity before and after puberty that may explain why some children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome are more susceptible to autism and schizophrenia. Using brain imaging in both mice and humans, the study found that brain regions involved in social behavior were hyperconnected...
Summary: New research reveals that the enzyme HDAC5 plays a critical role in suppressing a gene (Scn4b) that regulates brain activity associated with drug-related memories, which are central to relapse in substance use disorders (SUDs). By limiting expression of Scn4b, HDAC5 reduces the excitability of neurons in the brain’s reward...
Summary: A new study finds that older Canadian women who remain socially isolated over time are more likely to consume fewer fruits and vegetables, reducing their overall diet quality. Using data from over 30,000 adults tracked for six years, researchers discovered that sustained social engagement—especially through varied activities—was linked to...
Summary: Researchers have long wondered why some people with high-risk Parkinson’s gene variants develop the disease while others don’t. A new study has uncovered that additional genetic players, particularly the Commander gene complex, influence whether the disease manifests.Using CRISPR interference to screen the entire genome, scientists identified how Commander proteins...
Summary: A new study sheds light on how childhood maltreatment can lead to impaired empathy and increased risk of child abuse in adulthood. Researchers found that mothers who experienced abuse as children often struggle with emotional empathy and depressive symptoms, both of which negatively influence parenting.Emotional overwhelm from their children’s...
Summary: New research highlights the unique challenges and needs faced by autistic women during motherhood, including late diagnoses and a lack of professional understanding. Many participants were only diagnosed after their children, reflecting gaps in awareness and support from both family and healthcare providers.Sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and intensified emotional experiences...
Summary: Congenital deafness affects roughly one in 1,000 babies and is often linked to genetic mutations, many of which remain unidentified. Researchers have now pinpointed a new set of candidate genes regulated by the protein Six1, which plays a critical role in inner ear development.Using chick embryos, the team showed...
