Summary: Six inflammatory proteins measured in blood can help assess an individual’s risk of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), a form of brain small-vessel injury linked to higher risk of stroke and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Source: UCLA UCLA-led research shows that blood levels of six proteins can indicate a person’s risk for cerebral small … Read more

Summary: A large, population-based Swedish study found that people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a substantially higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease at a young age. Tracking more than two million individuals, researchers observed that autistic people were roughly four times more likely than others to receive a Parkinson’s diagnosis before age 50. … Read more

Studies may provide insight into novel therapeutic approaches targeting formation of tau pathology that drives degeneration. Researchers have identified a newly characterized pathway that contributes to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a discovery that could point toward fresh therapeutic strategies. The work, published in the journal Cell Reports, examines how the tau protein interacts with … Read more

New research reported in The Journal of Pain indicates that inhaled cannabis can reduce pain from diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and that the analgesic effect increases with dose. Researchers at the University of California San Diego performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial to evaluate the short-term efficacy and tolerability of inhaled cannabis for painful diabetic … Read more

Never make a decision when you are hungry. The stomach hormone ghrelin, which rises before meals and during fasting, impairs both decision making and impulse control. That is the central finding of recent experiments carried out at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. Ghrelin is released by the stomach to signal hunger to the brain. In … Read more

Summary: Microscopy analysis reveals detailed structures and functional insights into two calcium homeostasis modulator proteins. Source: CSHL Many cell surfaces feature large, mysterious pores that participate in diverse physiological processes — from taste perception to neural function — and have been linked to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and asthma. Determining the molecular architecture … Read more

Summary: A new study reports that contemporary Germans living near former World War II Nazi concentration camp locations show higher levels of xenophobia, greater support for extreme right-wing parties, and reduced tolerance toward immigrants and religious minorities. The authors note a comparable historical association has been observed in the United States between racist attitudes and … Read more

Summary: Many babies born preterm have underdeveloped cerebral cortices, the brain region crucial for learning and cognition. A new study finds that preterm infants who received larger volumes of breast milk during their stay in neonatal intensive care showed cortical development that more closely resembled that of term-born infants. Researchers suggest that increased exposure to … Read more

Summary: Children on the autism spectrum may process other people’s movements differently, especially when their attention is directed elsewhere. Source: Rochester University Recognizing small body-language cues—like someone leaning in, stepping back, or crossing their arms—is central to everyday social interaction. A team at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester, reports that children … Read more

Summary: New research shows that dopamine — a neurotransmitter widely known for its role in reward — also contributes to social cognition by helping people recognize emotions from body movement. Source: SfN The neurotransmitter dopamine, often linked to reward and motivation, also plays a important role in recognizing emotions, according to a new study published … Read more