Summary: A new study shows that brain activity in small groups can predict large-scale decision-making. Using fMRI, researchers found that activity in the Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc) during initial affective responses consistently aligned with choices made by thousands of online participants.While individual decisions varied, the early brain responses were broadly shared,...
Summary: A new study based on data from 18,740 dementia patients suggests that antidepressants may accelerate cognitive decline. Researchers found that patients taking antidepressants, particularly SSRIs like escitalopram, citalopram, and sertraline, experienced faster deterioration compared to those not on medication.While depression itself can worsen dementia symptoms, the findings highlight the...
Summary: A new study reveals that working memory limitations stem from learning challenges rather than storage capacity. Using a computer model of the basal ganglia and thalamus, researchers showed that holding too much information at once confuses the brain, impairing its ability to learn and use stored data effectively.The model...
Summary: The FDA has approved adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), a breakthrough therapy that adjusts in real time to Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Unlike traditional DBS, which delivers constant stimulation, aDBS monitors brain activity and responds with precise electric pulses to prevent stiffness and involuntary movements.Two approved algorithms target the subthalamic...
Summary: A decade-long study reveals how childhood adversity alters brain development, increasing risks for mental health disorders and substance use. Researchers found that teens who experienced early adversity showed delayed cognitive control, with unusual brain activity in regions linked to self-regulation.Connectivity between key brain regions was a stronger predictor of...
Summary: A new study reveals that even a single night of sleep deprivation can alter immune cell profiles to resemble those seen in obesity, a condition linked to chronic inflammation. Researchers found that sleep-deprived individuals had increased levels of non-classical monocytes, immune cells associated with inflammatory responses, similar to patterns...
Summary: A new AI model can measure how fast a person’s brain is aging using MRI scans, providing a powerful tool for detecting cognitive decline. Unlike previous methods, this model tracks brain aging over time, identifying regions most affected and correlating changes with cognitive function.Researchers found that faster brain aging...
Summary: Even when within the normal range, lower levels of vitamin B12 may contribute to cognitive decline, according to a new study. Researchers found that older adults with lower biologically active B12 had slower cognitive processing and more white matter lesions, despite meeting current nutritional requirements.These findings suggest that the...
Summary: Researchers identified a rare genetic mutation in two schizophrenia patients that increased schizophrenia-related behaviors in mice. The mutation led to higher levels of glycine decarboxylase (GLDC), an enzyme that degrades glycine, reducing NMDA receptor activation.Mice with extra copies of the GLDC gene exhibited schizophrenia-like behaviors, confirming its role in...
Summary: A new study suggests that amlodipine, a widely used blood pressure medication, could help manage ADHD symptoms. Researchers tested five potential drugs in rats bred for ADHD-like behaviors, and only amlodipine significantly reduced hyperactivity. Follow-up studies in zebrafish showed that the drug also decreased impulsivity, confirming its effect on...
