Summary: New research shows that full songs are far more effective than spoken lyrics in evoking personal memories. By comparing reactions to popular pop songs and spoken-word versions, researchers found that music helps anchor memories to specific times and emotions.Participants not only recalled events more quickly, but also experienced stronger...

Summary: While physical activity is known to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease, many patients are unable to exercise due to frailty or advanced symptoms. A new study identifies a specific gene, ATPPIF1, that is reactivated through exercise and supports neuroplasticity in the brain.Researchers used single-nuclei RNA sequencing to map...

Summary: New research reveals that Alzheimer’s disease may impair nerve function not by reducing myelin, but by altering the proteins at the critical interface between axons and their myelin sheath. Scientists found structural abnormalities in the paranode region, where myelin attaches to axons, including clogged nutrient channels and protein buildup...

Summary: New research proposes a unified theory of brain function based on criticality—a state where the brain teeters between order and chaos, allowing it to learn, adapt, and process information optimally. When the brain strays from this delicate balance, cognitive performance weakens, and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s may begin...

Summary: Researchers have uncovered how losing the autism-linked gene PTEN in a specific set of inhibitory neurons reshapes brain circuits tied to fear and anxiety. Using advanced circuit-mapping techniques, they found that deleting PTEN in somatostatin-expressing neurons of the amygdala disrupted local inhibition by 50% while strengthening excitatory input from...

Summary: A massive analysis of over 375 trials shows that structured exercise significantly reduces depression and anxiety in children and teens. Low-intensity resistance activities like light weights were most effective for easing anxiety, while moderate mixed-mode programs worked best for depression, especially when lasting under 12 weeks.The strongest benefits were...

Summary: New research reveals how synaptic connections in the cerebral cortex can strengthen during sleep, offering insight into how the brain continues learning even while we rest. Using computer simulations, researchers demonstrated that synaptic activity during sleep follows known “synaptic learning rules” when neural activity reaches specific thresholds.This means that...

Summary: A new study reveals that women who engage in regular sexual activity experience fewer symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), such as vaginal dryness, irritation, and pain. In a survey of over 900 women aged 40 to 79, researchers found that while sexual desire and lubrication declined with...

Summary: Even after symptoms subside, people who’ve experienced depression may retain a heightened sensitivity to punishment and negative feedback. A new study found that the brain’s habenula—key to processing aversive signals—remains hyperactive in those with remitted depression, particularly during the anticipation of unpleasant outcomes.These individuals also showed reduced connectivity between...

Summary: A new study reveals how the brain can make decisions based not only on direct experiences, but also on indirect associations between seemingly unrelated stimuli. In experiments with mice, researchers showed that a sweet taste could be rejected after it was indirectly linked to an aversive event through a...