Summary: Researchers have determined the three-dimensional structure of infectious prions. Source: PLOS Newly Deciphered Structure Suggests How Infectious Prions Replicate Infectious prions (PrPSc)—misfolded forms of the normal cellular prion protein (PrPC)—propagate by converting normal PrPC into the same misfolded form, causing fatal neurodegenerative disease. Until now, the molecular details of how this conversion occurs have … Read more

Summary: A substantial number of false-negative results from common neuroimaging and screening approaches mean many people at increased risk for Alzheimer’s may not receive timely diagnosis or care, according to a new study. Source: UC San Diego School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System. False negatives in routine screening can leave at-risk … Read more

Summary: A two‑week, high‑dose course of cannabidiol (CBD) restored the function and levels of two proteins that help clear amyloid‑beta, and reduced inflammatory IL‑6, improving cognition in a mouse model of familial Alzheimer’s disease. Source: Dental College of Georgia Two weeks of high‑dose CBD restored critical immune‑related proteins involved in clearing beta‑amyloid plaque and improved … Read more

Researchers at the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have developed the first experimental drug shown to restore synapses lost to Alzheimer’s disease. Named NitroMemantine, the compound links two previously FDA-approved medications to halt the damaging cascade that severs connections between neurons, producing memory loss and cognitive decline. The decade-long work was led by Stuart A. Lipton, … Read more

Summary: Researchers translated the nervous system of the nematode C. elegans into computer code and trained the virtual worm to perform a pole‑balancing task, demonstrating that a biological neural circuit can be recreated and adapted in software. Source: Vienna University of Technology. Small organism, big insight: the nematode C. elegans is only about one millimetre … Read more

Summary: Teacher-led mindfulness training in primary schools improves wellbeing, builds emotional resilience, and increases optimism among children aged 9–12, helping to offset some effects of stress. Source: University of Derby New research from the University of Derby, conducted in partnership with the Derbyshire Educational Psychology Service, shows that regular mindfulness sessions delivered in the classroom … Read more

Summary: Rather than being solely a disorder of neurons, growing evidence suggests Alzheimer’s disease may reflect a malfunction of the brain’s immune system. Source: The Conversation The search for an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease has become increasingly contentious, with recent years marked by high-profile controversies and conflicting findings. In 2022, scientific coverage raised serious … Read more

Researchers Identify Brain Receptor That Links Nicotine to Appetite Suppression Many smokers report weight loss or weight control as one reason they continue to smoke, and it is well documented that most people who quit smoking gain weight—typically between 4 and 10 pounds within the first six months after cessation. A new series of experiments … Read more

Summary: Researchers are developing mathematical and data-driven models to translate the brain’s complex dynamics into interpretable representations, with the goal of improving our understanding of human cognition and neurological health. Source: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Translating Brain Activity into Data Models When Sergio Pequito envisions the brain, he imagines a piano: each key corresponds to a … Read more

Summary: Normal sleep patterns in mice depend on gut bacteria that support the production of key neurotransmitters—most notably serotonin. Source: University of Tsukuba Gut microbes influence sleep: an overview of the mouse study As autumn and winter gatherings approach, many people wonder how food affects sleep. Researchers led by Professor Masashi Yanagisawa at the University … Read more