Summary: Mice carrying a human Scn1a gene variant linked to Dravet syndrome developed spontaneous seizures, showed disturbed breathing patterns, and died prematurely, providing new insights into sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Source: University of Connecticut Researchers at the University of Connecticut have identified a potential genetic link between seizures and fatal respiratory failure in … Read more

Summary: A drug currently under investigation in cancer clinical trials appears to block dysfunction in an immune-cell signaling pathway linked to Alzheimer’s disease. In preclinical models, inhibiting this pathway may prevent the disease from developing and slow symptom progression in those already affected. Source: Weill Cornell University Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine report that a … Read more

Summary: New neuroimaging research links the brain’s opioid system to mood variations tied to depression and anxiety. The study found reduced availability of mu-opioid receptors in specific brain regions of individuals reporting higher depressive and anxious symptoms. Source: University of Turku New research from Turku, Finland, shows that mood-related changes associated with depression and anxiety … Read more

Summary: Researchers report no increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia for older adults who received general anesthesia compared with those who received regional anesthesia during elective surgery. Source: Wiley Background: There has been ongoing concern that exposure to general anesthesia during surgery might raise the long-term risk of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. To … Read more

Summary: Why do we find pleasure in films, music, and artworks that evoke sadness, fear or horror? Researchers at the Max Planck Institute propose a psychological model that helps explain this apparent paradox. Source: Max Planck Institute. Why we enjoy sad and negative emotions in movies and art Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified a serotonin-driven brain circuit that may explain why some patients experience increased fear and anxiety in the early weeks after starting SSRIs. Source: University of North Carolina UNC School of Medicine researchers trace an anxiety circuit and use a compound to reduce fearful behavior — a common acute side effect of … Read more

Summary: Everyone experiences social rejection at some point. Researchers say that rejection affects people differently, and the way we respond determines its lasting impact. Source: University of New South Wales Rejection is an inevitable part of life. Whether it’s a small setback or a deeply painful exclusion, most people encounter it at some stage. How … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified a psychological pathway that can cause body size and shape misperception, increasing the risk of eating disorders and compulsive exercise. Source: Macquarie University. Researchers at Macquarie University have identified a perceptual pathway that helps explain why some people develop body size and shape misperception. This visual mechanism may increase the risk … Read more

Summary: New smartphone-based research is reshaping how scientists study memory by collecting real-world data on sleep, dreams, emotion, novelty, and daily experiences. Recent studies show that replaying memories before sleep, dreaming about recent events, encountering novel experiences, and feeling positive emotions all strengthen autobiographical memory and increase vividness and recall. Mobile apps such as HippoCamera … Read more

Summary: Immune cells in the protective layers surrounding the brain appear to play a key role in the cognitive decline associated with chronic high blood pressure. New research funded by the National Institutes of Health identifies how meningeal immune signaling—particularly IL-17 produced by T cells—activates brain macrophages and impairs cognition, pointing to potential therapeutic targets … Read more