Summary: A new study suggests that semaglutide, a drug commonly used for diabetes and obesity, may also help reduce alcohol consumption. Researchers found that weekly injections of semaglutide decreased alcohol cravings, drinking quantity, and heavy drinking days in adults with alcohol use disorder.Participants receiving semaglutide consumed less alcohol in a...
Summary: New research provides direct evidence that the gut microbiome communicates with the brain through the vagus nerve. Using germ-free mice, scientists observed significantly reduced vagal nerve activity, which returned to normal after introducing gut bacteria.When antibiotics were used to eliminate bacteria in normal mice, vagal activity dropped but was...
Summary: A new study finds that the urge to move to music—known as groove—is a distinct physiological response, separate from musical enjoyment. Researchers examined individuals with musical anhedonia, who feel little or no pleasure from music, and found they still had a strong urge to move when listening to rhythmic...
Summary: Chronic stress weakens the brain’s ability to process sounds, requiring louder stimuli to trigger normal responses, according to new research in mice. Scientists found that stress affects inhibitory brain cells, which suppress responses to lower-decibel sounds while maintaining sensitivity to louder noises. This shift may be caused by an...
Summary: New research reveals that serotonin in the cerebellum plays a crucial role in anxiety regulation. Scientists found that mice with lower cerebellar serotonin levels displayed increased anxiety-like behaviors, while those with higher serotonin levels were less anxious.By artificially stimulating or inhibiting serotonin-releasing neurons in the cerebellum, researchers were able...
Summary: A new study shows that the cerebral cortex acts as a “memory machine,” constantly detecting novel stimuli to refine its predictions of the future. By imaging the auditory cortex of mice, researchers found that neurons track sensory inputs over time, forming “echoes” that help distinguish new information.A neural network...
Summary: Researchers have identified a unique mitochondrial process in CA2 neurons that supports learning, memory, and social recognition. Mitochondria in different parts of these neurons vary in structure and function, with those at the outermost synapses relying on the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) for plasticity.Deleting the MCU gene disrupted this...
Summary: Scientists have discovered that neural stem cells (NSCs) receive constant feedback from their daughter cells, influencing whether they remain dormant or activate to form new neurons and glia. This parent-child relationship helps regulate brain regeneration and repair.The study also reveals that calcium signaling plays a key role in how...
Summary: New research reveals that brain cells use a muscle-like signaling mechanism to relay information over long distances. Scientists discovered that dendrites, the branch-like extensions of neurons, contain a structured network of contact sites that amplify calcium signals—similar to how muscles contract. These contact sites regulate calcium release, activating key...
Summary: Researchers are launching a multi-site pilot study to assess whether a ketogenic diet, alongside standard medications, can stabilize mood symptoms in young people with bipolar disorder. The 16-week trial will involve 40 participants aged 12-21, who will follow a ketogenic diet while their mood symptoms, metabolic markers, and adherence...
