Researchers have found that the total surface area (TSA) of the cerebral cortex is linked to cognitive performance, while mean cortical thickness (MCT) is associated with schizophrenia risk. The study used Mendelian randomization to establish causal relationships between cortical morphology and neuropsychiatric traits.
A new study reveals that caffeine increases the complexity of brain activity during sleep, especially in younger adults, potentially disrupting the brain’s ability to recover overnight. Researchers used EEG and AI to analyze sleep in 40 adults after caffeine or placebo intake, identifying less predictable brain signals and increased wake-like brainwave patterns.
A new scientific review maps the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind memory formation, consolidation, generalization, and updating, revealing how memories are stored, altered, and even manipulated in the brain. Key breakthroughs allow scientists to visualize and activate specific neurons involved in memory, offering deeper insight into how learning occurs and how fear memories may become overgeneralized in disorders like PTSD.
This article explores the connection between strategic thinking in games like chess, the behaviors of manipulators (like drug dealers), and the neurological basis of 'theory of mind' – our ability to understand others' perspectives. A recent study suggests a link between forward-thinking and manipulation, with brain activity during negotiation mirroring that seen in chess players.
A new study suggests the thalamus plays a key role in regulating conscious perception, acting as a gateway between sensory signals and the cerebral cortex. Researchers used data from patients with pre-existing electrodes to observe brain activity during visual perception tasks.
A study published in Nature Human Behavior reveals that general anesthesia suppresses unique functional connectivity patterns in the brain, making it difficult to distinguish individuals based on their neural activity. This effect is strongest in uniquely human brain regions and has implications for understanding and potentially aiding consciousness recovery.
Researchers have found evidence suggesting that intelligence evolved independently in birds and mammals, rather than being inherited from a common ancestor. This indicates that complex neural circuits supporting cognition arose multiple times in vertebrates.
Rejuvenating the brain’s lymphatic vessels can enhance memory in aging mice by improving the removal of waste products from the brain.
This study demonstrates that neural activity in the human brain aligns linearly with the internal contextual embeddings of speech and language within large language models (LLMs) as they process everyday conversations.
Researchers found that meditation led to changes in activity in the amygdala and hippocampus, key brain regions involved in emotional regulation and memory. The study may help explain the positive impact of meditation on memory and emotional regulation.
