Summary: Adolescent rats fed a high-fat diet displayed increased impulsivity and altered decision-making as adults. These “cheesecake rats” were quicker to act on visual cues (indicative of impulsivity) but showed more conservative choices in gambling tasks, opting for smaller, safer rewards.Genetic analysis revealed changes in their brain’s reward pathway and...
Summary: Childhood stress may leave lasting marks on sperm, altering epigenetic profiles and potentially influencing brain development in offspring. Researchers found that men with high levels of childhood maltreatment had changes in DNA methylation and non-coding RNA levels in their sperm.These epigenetic changes could mediate how early life stress impacts...
Summary: Researchers have identified a unique stem cell in the young brain capable of maturing into multiple cell types, potentially explaining the origins of autism and glioblastoma. These stem cells show gene expression patterns that regulate early brain development and, when disrupted, could lead to neurological conditions.The study provides a...
Summary: A new study presents a novel framework for understanding transformative life decisions, focusing on their complexity and emotional impact. Researchers identified five key dimensions—conflicting cues, change of self, uncertain experiential value, irreversibility, and risk—that shape these decisions.Simple strategies like tallying pros and cons or aligning with an ideal self...
Summary: A new study reveals how electrical synapses help animals, including worms, filter sensory inputs and make context-appropriate decisions. Researchers found that these synapses, mediated by the protein INX-1, connect specific neurons in worms, dampening irrelevant signals and prioritizing essential ones.This mechanism enables worms to navigate temperature gradients effectively, avoiding...
Summary: The gene neuropilin2 regulates inhibitory neuron migration and excitatory neuron connections, essential for balanced brain activity. A study revealed that deleting neuropilin2 disrupts inhibitory circuits, leading to autism-like behaviors and a higher seizure risk.Researchers demonstrated how disruptions in inhibitory neuron migration create imbalances that link autism spectrum disorder (ASD)...
Summary: New research reveals that sleep deprivation hampers the brain’s ability to suppress intrusive memories, a process critical for mental health.The study found that well-rested individuals could engage the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to inhibit unwanted memories, while sleep-deprived participants struggled. REM sleep emerged as vital for restoring this brain...
Summary: Researchers have uncovered how neurotransmitters in the brain respond to the emotional content of language, shedding light on the intersection of emotion, cognition, and communication. Using advanced techniques, the team simultaneously measured dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine release in patients during exposure to emotionally charged words. They found distinct patterns...
Summary: Researchers have developed an AI model that accurately predicts gene activity in any human cell, providing insights into cellular functions and disease mechanisms.Trained on data from over 1.3 million cells, the model can predict gene expression in unseen cell types with high accuracy. It has already uncovered mechanisms driving...
Summary: Deep sleep may clear the brain of toxic waste via a process driven by norepinephrine, a molecule that creates rhythmic blood vessel contractions. This “brainwashing” system, part of the glymphatic system, helps remove harmful proteins linked to neurological disorders.Researchers found that sleep aids like zolpidem might impair this process...
