Summary: New research identifies an astrocyte-produced protein that disrupts normal neuronal development across multiple neurodevelopmental disorders, and shows that blocking this protein can reduce disease-related deficits in mice. Source: Salk Institute Although neurons are often the focus of studies into brain health and neurological disease, astrocytes—star-shaped glial cells abundant in the brain—play crucial roles in … Read more

Mitochondrial Hypermetabolism in the Hippocampus Signals Early Alzheimer’s Changes Summary: Researchers from Karolinska Institutet report a previously unrecognized early phase in Alzheimer’s disease: a temporary increase in mitochondrial metabolism in the hippocampus. In mice engineered to develop Alzheimer-like pathology, the team observed a metabolic boost that precedes synaptic disruption caused by impaired cellular recycling (autophagy). … Read more

Summary: New research in mice reveals that microglia, the brain’s immune cells, actively support the growth of synapses that are essential for cognitive function. Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Microglia are best known as the brain’s resident immune cells, clearing pathogens and cellular debris much like immune cells elsewhere in the body. During early development … Read more

Summary: Opioids are commonly prescribed to help people with chronic non‑malignant pain sleep better, but a systematic review from the University of Warwick and Lausanne University Hospital finds the evidence for sleep benefits is limited, inconsistent and of poor quality. Opioid use may also increase the risk of sleep-disordered breathing such as sleep apnea. Source: … Read more

Summary: Commonly used music recommendation algorithms tend to favor male artists, reducing visibility and exposure for female musicians. A recent study from researchers at UPF Barcelona and Utrecht University examines this gender imbalance and proposes a re-ranking method to mitigate the bias. Source: UPF Barcelona Music industry inequalities exist offline—and recommendation systems online can amplify … Read more

Summary: Serotonin neurons in the brainstem do not operate in isolation as once believed. New research shows these neurons form interacting networks that compete and cooperate to shape when and where serotonin is released across the brain, influencing decision-making and responses to threat. This finding challenges the long-standing notion of a uniform serotonin signal and … Read more

Summary: A new study challenges existing ideas about how benzodiazepines, such as Valium (diazepam), calm nervous activity. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health report that an auxiliary, “sticky” protein encoded by the gene Shisa7 plays a key role in regulating inhibitory neural circuits and in shaping the sedative effects of benzodiazepines on those circuits. … Read more

Summary: New research suggests people with moderate Alzheimer’s disease may perform daily tasks more effectively when they are in their familiar, personal environments, even if those spaces contain everyday clutter. Source: University of East Anglia Clutter-free spaces may not always improve daily functioning for people living with dementia, according to a recent study conducted by … Read more

Summary: Researchers are testing a preventive vaccine and an oral medication that aim to delay or stop Alzheimer’s disease in people with a genetic risk. Source: Keck Medicine USC. The Keck School of Medicine of USC launches a study exploring whether two different therapies can prevent a leading cause of death. Researchers at the Keck … Read more

Summary: Researchers have created a mixed-reality game called Pop’Balloons designed to help children on the autism spectrum improve motor skills and social coordination. Source: University of Montreal Demand for mental health evaluation and intervention is rising sharply, and existing services are often centralized, overburdened, and difficult for many families to access. Children with autism spectrum … Read more