Summary: New research shows that listening to and practicing music can slow cognitive decline in older adults by stimulating increases in grey matter in key brain regions. Source: University of Geneva Normal aging often brings gradual cognitive decline. But can targeted activities help preserve mental abilities? Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), HES‑SO Geneva … Read more

Summary: New preclinical research from Weill Cornell Medicine indicates that dysfunction in astrocytes—non-neuronal support cells in the brain—may drive cognitive decline and memory loss in dementia. The study links accumulation of the protein TDP-43 in astrocytes to abnormal antiviral immune activity, excessive chemokine signaling, neuronal hyperactivity, and progressive memory impairment. Source: Weill Cornell Medicine A … Read more

Cord Blood Lipids Linked to Childhood Social and Emotional Development Summary: Infants with higher levels of triglycerides and certain low-density lipoproteins in their umbilical cord blood were more likely to receive lower teacher ratings for social and emotional development at age five, while higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) at birth were associated with better … Read more

Scanning fruit fly brains reveals how neural signals shape circadian behaviors Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have uncovered how different groups of timekeeping neurons in the brain become active at distinct times of day, even though they share the same molecular clock. Their results illuminate how daily rhythms are translated … Read more

Summary: A new study reports that when pairs of monkeys interact during a social task, their brains display episodes of strong synchronization. Source: Duke University. Mirror neurons—cellular circuits thought to link perception and action—are widely believed to play a central role in social behavior. Although their precise functions remain under investigation, abnormalities in mirror-neuron systems … Read more

Summary: Disrupting memories that link environmental cues to drug use sharply reduces cocaine-seeking behavior in a rat model of addiction, according to new research. Source: University of Pittsburgh. Forty to 60 percent of people treated for substance use disorders experience relapse, posing a major barrier to long-term recovery. New findings from the University of Pittsburgh … Read more

Summary: Blood levels of two protein biomarkers—GFAP and UCH-L1—measured within 24 hours of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can help predict which patients are at highest risk of death or severe disability six months later. Source: UCSF Blood tests taken within 24 hours of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can indicate which patients are likely … Read more

Summary: Findings could lead to new treatments for asthma. Source: RUB. Researchers identified two types of olfactory receptors in human bronchial smooth muscle cells. Activating these receptors with specific odorants causes the bronchi to either dilate or contract, revealing a potential new approach for asthma and other airway disease therapies. A research team led by … Read more

Summary: A new study finds that older adults who begin dialysis for advanced kidney disease face a substantially higher risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Source: Johns Hopkins University. Older adults with end-stage kidney disease who start dialysis face a markedly increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, according to research led … Read more

Summary: Texas A&M researchers report that fentanyl increases activity of direct-pathway medium spiny neurons (dMSNs) in the striatum. During early withdrawal, these dMSNs send stronger inhibitory signals to downstream dopamine-producing neurons, creating a hypodopaminergic state that contributes to the negative emotions and anxiety seen in withdrawal. Suppressing dMSN activity reduced withdrawal symptoms and anxiety-like behaviors … Read more