Summary: Direct, positive interactions—especially sustained eye contact—between mother and infant strengthen the synchronization of their brain waves, supporting learning and early development. Source: University of Cambridge Mothers’ and infants’ brains can synchronize and function together as a unified network during social interaction. The degree of this neural coupling changes with the mother’s emotional tone: when … Read more

Summary: Researchers are investigating links between the gut microbiome and Alzheimer’s disease. Emerging evidence suggests that toxic metabolites produced by harmful gut bacteria may reach the brain, cause inflammation, and contribute to the development and progression of dementia. This line of research aims to identify the specific microbial metabolites and pathways that damage neurons, to … Read more

Summary: A new device that combines targeted electrical stimulation with simultaneous EEG recording could help restore lost brain function and improve treatments for neurological disorders. Source: SLAC A device under development at the U.S. Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in collaboration with Stanford University aims to restore impaired brain function by delivering controlled … Read more

Summary: A new genetic study reveals a measurable connection between bipolar disorder type I (BD-I) and epilepsy, identifying shared genetic variants, several overlapping genomic loci, and a potential causal relationship. The research highlights the SP4 gene as a promising molecular link and suggests that therapies such as lithium may act on shared biological pathways. These … Read more

Caring for a newborn is demanding for any parent, and it can be especially difficult for mothers experiencing postnatal depression. This condition not only affects maternal wellbeing but also can have lasting consequences for child development and psychiatric risk. A systematic review published in the January/February issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry summarizes current evidence … Read more

Small drug-like molecule boosts memory in mice by targeting the integrated stress response, UCSF researchers report Researchers at UCSF have identified a small, drug-like molecule that significantly improves memory in healthy mice by acting on a conserved cellular pathway that responds to biological stress. The discovery suggests that the same biochemical route — centered on … Read more

Summary: An international research team has published a comprehensive, open-access protein atlas of the mammalian brain, providing a high-resolution resource for studying protein expression across brain regions and species. Source: Karolinska Institute An international group of scientists led by Karolinska Institutet researchers has released a detailed map of proteins expressed in the brain. Published in … Read more

Similar wiring diagrams may exist elsewhere in the brain. Eating, like breathing and sleeping, is a fundamental biological function—but the act of chewing depends on a precise, coordinated interaction between the tongue and jaw. The tongue must position food between the teeth and then withdraw each time the jaw closes to grind the bite. Without … Read more

Summary: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial found that smoking cannabis containing active THC reduced immediate alcohol cravings and lowered short-term drinking among heavy-drinking young adults. Participants who smoked THC not only consumed less alcohol during a two-hour laboratory session, they also waited longer before taking their first drink and reported weaker urges to drink. This study … Read more

Summary: Research into therapeutic uses of hallucinogens is expanding, but far less is known about the people who experiment with psychedelics recreationally. A recent study finds that self-described “psychonauts” behave differently from typical recreational users: they tend to document experiences rigorously, take a more methodical approach to dosing and risk, and show distinct personality and … Read more