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.
Research on mice suggests that inhaling menthol may improve cognitive abilities and reduce inflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study found a reduction in the IL-1β protein and potential links to T regulatory cells, offering a novel avenue for Alzheimer's therapies.
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.
New research reveals that chronic brain inflammation can directly lead to repetitive behaviors, often seen in conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The study, conducted on mice with a mutated NLRP3 gene, found that inflammation activated microglia, leading to IL-1β release and overstimulation of NMDA glutamate receptors, resulting in anxiety and repetitive actions. FDA-approved drugs memantine and interleukin-1RA were shown to normalize brain activity and stop these behaviors.
An international study suggests our brains and bodies physically resonate with music, supporting Neural Resonance Theory (NRT). NRT proposes musical experiences arise from the brain's natural oscillations syncing with rhythm, melody, and harmony, influencing timing, pleasure, and movement. Potential applications include therapies for stroke, Parkinson's, and depression, emotionally intelligent AI, and new learning technologies.
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 brain imaging study found links between authoritarian attitudes (both left- and right-wing) and structural differences in the brain, specifically reduced gray matter volume in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (right-wing) and reduced cortical thickness in the right anterior insula (left-wing).
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.
A new study reveals that people with lower self-awareness about their own decision accuracy show stronger brain responses to morally charged political issues, potentially explaining why some political beliefs are so rigid.
