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

Summary: A new study reveals greater complexity in how mice perceive color. These findings may inform future approaches to human visual disorders. Source: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found that color vision in mice is more elaborate than previously believed, revealing neural circuits that … Read more

Summary: A stronger sense of purpose in life can reduce alcohol consumption and the likelihood of binge drinking among some social drinkers. Source: University of Pennsylvania Heavy alcohol use remains common among college students, placing young adults at increased risk for multiple health problems—from heart disease to certain cancers. On campus, students face frequent cues … Read more

Summary: New research indicates that neighborhood conditions — including pollution, housing quality, and economic opportunity — can directly influence brain health and the risk of dementia. By analyzing brain scans and blood biomarkers from 679 adults, researchers discovered that individuals living in areas with greater social and environmental disadvantage showed signs of reduced cortical thickness, … Read more

Summary: Researchers at Caltech report that sour-sensing taste cells on the tongue are essential for detecting water. Source: CalTech. Sour-sensing taste pathway also mediates water detection in the mammalian tongue New research from the California Institute of Technology shows that taste cells tuned to sour stimuli also play a key role in sensing water on … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified a promising approach to treat long COVID by restoring ion channel function in immune cells using low-dose naltrexone. Published in Frontiers in Immunology and led by Griffith University’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED), the finding mirrors earlier work in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and suggests a shared … Read more

Summary: People can learn to use the nonconscious content in their brains to make profitable decisions. Findings suggest a novel form of nonconscious metacognition. Source: ATR Brain Information Communications Research Laboratory Group Although we experience the world as conscious beings, the majority of brain activity operates outside our awareness. This raises a fundamental question: can … Read more