Summary: A new study challenges previous assumptions about how Parkinson’s disease develops and progresses. Source: University of Basel Researchers at the University of Basel have published findings that call into question a widely held theory about the molecular origins of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder first described more than 200 years … Read more

UCLA Study Finds Processed Fructose Impairs Brain Recovery After Head Trauma Summary: A UCLA study shows that a diet high in processed fructose reduces the brain’s ability to repair itself after traumatic head injury, with implications for millions living with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Neuroscientists at UCLA report that diets rich in processed fructose can … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism that controls feeding behavior in mice by adjusting the electrical activity of a few thousand neurons. Source: Baylor College of Medicine. Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, South China Agricultural University, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and the University of Texas Health Science Center … Read more

Summary: Adding colorful fruits and vegetables high in lutein and zeaxanthin—plant pigments known as macular pigments—to athletes’ diets may enhance their visual range and overall functional vision. New analysis highlights how these pigments accumulate in the retina to support eye health and visual performance. Improved visual range allows athletes across many sports to see distant … Read more

Summary: By changing specific epigenetic markers on chromosomes, researchers observed altered gene expression in offspring and grandoffspring. The study demonstrates clear transgenerational epigenetic inheritance mediated by a histone modification. Source: UC Santa Cruz Epigenetic changes can modify how genes are expressed without altering the DNA sequence itself, influencing development and health. Evidence is growing that … Read more

Summary: New findings clarify how the brain maintains tightly regulated blood flow, with implications for diagnosing conditions from vascular dementia to normal pressure hydrocephalus. Source: Leeds Beckett University. UK and Italian researchers discover how we keep blood flow in the brain so tightly controlled The human brain requires a steady, carefully controlled blood supply despite … Read more

Neuroscientists have refined a chemical-genetic remote-control system for brain circuits and behavior. This advancing technology now allows researchers to switch the same neurons—and the behaviors they govern—on and off sequentially in mice, according to scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health. Achieving bidirectional control is a crucial step for decoding how brain circuits produce … Read more

Summary: Researchers found lower Omega-3 (fish oil) levels and reduced physical activity were linked with greater risk of depressed mood and reduced resiliency in service members returning from combat. Source: Texas A&M Low blood levels of fish oil–derived Omega-3 fatty acids and lower physical activity appear to be linked with higher rates of depressed mood … Read more

Summary: Researchers report that when copper is lacking, fat accumulates in fat cells instead of being released and used for energy. Source: UC Berkeley. Copper puts a brake on a brake of fat burning, suggesting a possible role in obesity and diabetes. Could insufficient copper contribute to the rising rates of obesity? Although small amounts … Read more

Summary: While Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Bipolar Disorder (BD) share overlapping symptoms, new research identifies distinct biological pathways linking metabolic dysfunction, brain structure, and cognition. The study finds that insulin resistance and leptin dysregulation are more strongly and specifically associated with structural brain changes and cognitive impairment in people with Bipolar Disorder than in … Read more