Summary: A new study finds differences in hemispheric brain connectivity in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared with typically developing peers. Brain hemispheres and specialization Dividing cognitive labor between the left and right hemispheres is a hallmark of typical brain development. The left hemisphere tends to process details and language-related tasks, while the right … Read more

Summary: During wakeful periods, the brain’s glymphatic system redirects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) toward lymph nodes in the neck. This daily redistribution of CSF may act as a “fluid clock,” helping to ramp up the body’s immune defenses during daytime activity. Astrocytes in the suprachiasmatic nucleus appear to influence CSF dynamics across the central nervous system, … Read more

Summary: Ventral spinocerebellar tract neurons (VSCTs) are both necessary and sufficient to regulate locomotion in mice, according to a new study. Source: Cell Press For more than a century, researchers have recognized that the brain issues movement commands while the spinal cord contains the neurons that sustain and shape locomotion once movement has begun. In … Read more

Summary: New research shows that cannabis use during pregnancy is linked to measurable molecular changes in children’s genes that are important for brain development. The study found significant DNA methylation differences at genes involved in neurodevelopment, providing evidence of a biological connection between prenatal cannabis exposure and later developmental outcomes. These findings are particularly important … Read more

Deep Brain Stimulation Shows Promise for Treatment-Resistant Anorexia Nervosa In a world first, researchers at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre and the University Health Network report that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) produced meaningful improvements in body weight, mood, and anxiety for some patients with chronic, severe, treatment-resistant Anorexia Nervosa. The findings come from a Phase I … Read more

Summary: New neuroimaging research shows that how well sensory-specific brain regions connect functionally as a network during childhood predicts later reading proficiency. Source: University at Buffalo Reading a simple sentence is more than recognition of symbols — it requires multiple brain regions to cooperate, transforming visual letters into the sounds they represent. Researchers describe the … Read more

New method from Case Western Reserve and Cleveland Clinic improves prediction of surgical success for temporal lobe epilepsy Researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic have developed a more accurate way to identify the parts of the brain affected by temporal lobe epilepsy, offering patients and clinicians clearer guidance on whether surgery is … Read more

Summary: A new study finds that oral sensations of coldness and carbonation help reduce thirst and can influence how much people drink. Source: Monell Chemical Senses Center. Understanding the sensory triggers that relieve thirst could improve hydration strategies for at-risk groups. Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, together with collaborators, report that sensations of … Read more

Summary: A new study shows that trained pianists exhibit stronger brain-wave synchronization when improvising, suggesting that creativity can be a distinct, trainable mental state. Source: University of Western Ontario. While an undergraduate studying film production and jazz performance at York University, Joel Lopata noticed a striking contrast between the two programs. “In the jazz program, … Read more

Summary: New research from Nagoya University indicates that maternal inflammation during pregnancy can interfere with infant brain development by reducing a specialized population of immune cells in the brain — CD11c-positive microglia. These cells produce IGF-1, a growth factor essential for forming myelin, the insulating sheath that enables fast, efficient nerve signal transmission. The study … Read more