How the Brain Turns Sensory Input Into Action

Summary: Neuroscientists have uncovered how sensory input is transformed into motor action across multiple brain regions in mice. The study shows that decision-making is a distributed process across the brain,…

Gene Therapy Offers Hope for Glaucoma and AMD

Summary: A newly developed gene therapy shows great potential for treating glaucoma, a condition that can lead to vision loss. The therapy protects retinal ganglion cells, essential for vision, and…

Near Death Experiences May Strengthen Human Interconnectedness

Summary: A new study shows that out-of-body experiences (OBEs), including near-death experiences, can dramatically increase empathy and transform how individuals connect with others. Researchers suggest this may result from “ego…

Tau Levels Predict Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s

Summary: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression varies based on the presence of tau and amyloid-beta (Aβ) proteins in the brain. Patients with high levels of both tau and Aβ experience rapid…

Role of Serotonin Release in Depression Uncovered

Summary: Researchers developed a highly selective fluorescent probe to image serotonin in cells and animal models, shedding light on its role in depression. The study revealed that while serotonin levels…

Robot Deception: Some Lies Accepted, Others Rejected

Summary: A new study examined how humans perceive different types of deception by robots, revealing that people accept some lies more than others. Researchers presented nearly 500 participants with scenarios…

Neurodevelopmental Disruptions Behind Schizophrenia Cognitive Deficits

Summary: A recent review of genetic and population studies reveals that premorbid cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, such as lower IQ, are largely due to neurodevelopmental disruptions rather than inherited genetic…

Environment and Hippocampal Size Impact Depression in Youth

Summary: Challenging social environments and the size of the left hippocampus in children aged 9-11 contribute to an increased risk of depression. Researchers found that children with larger hippocampal volumes…

RNA Therapy Improves Memory and Reduces Anxiety

Summary: An RNA-based therapy, COG-201, can enhance memory and reduce anxiety in animal models by targeting the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. Scientists found that decreasing this receptor’s expression led to improved…

Schizophrenia Linked to Disrupted Synaptic Plasticity

Summary: Researchers have identified a mechanism that impairs synaptic plasticity in individuals with schizophrenia, revealing the role of three key proteins. Using computational modeling, the team explored how genetic alterations…