Why Your Brain and Mine Agree on What We See

Summary: A new study reveals how uniquely wired human brains can perceive the world in strikingly similar ways. Researchers recorded live neural activity in epilepsy patients and found that while…

Five Sleep Types Revealed: How Your Brain Wiring Reflects Rest

Summary: A new study has identified five distinct “sleep-biopsychosocial” profiles that connect how we sleep with our brain networks, mental health, cognition, and lifestyle. Using data from over 700 participants,…

Misophonia Might Be a Brain Regulation Disorder

Summary: A new study shows that misophonia, strong negative reactions to certain sounds, is closely linked to cognitive and emotional inflexibility. Participants with high misophonia severity struggled to shift between…

Every Heartbeat Shapes Thoughts and Emotions

Summary: Researchers emphasize that the heart and brain are deeply interconnected, with every heartbeat influencing cognition and emotion within milliseconds. This link helps explain why cardiovascular diseases like hypertension often…

Dogs Can Classify Objects by Function, Not Just Appearance

Summary: A new study demonstrates that some highly gifted dogs can categorize objects not just by appearance, but by how they are used. When taught words like “pull” or “fetch,”…

Artificial Sweeteners Tied to Faster Cognitive Decline

Summary: A large study of nearly 13,000 adults found that consuming high levels of certain artificial sweeteners is linked to faster declines in memory and thinking over eight years. The…

Tiny Brain Region Orchestrates How We Segment and Remember Life Events

Summary: Our memories don’t flow like a continuous stream—they’re divided into meaningful events, thanks to a tiny brain region called the locus coeruleus. New research shows this region acts like…

Facial Expressions Reveal Hidden Cognitive States

Summary: New research shows that facial expressions can reveal internal cognitive states, accurately predicting task performance across both macaques and mice. By analyzing facial features during a foraging task in…

Older adults with dementia misjudge their financial skills – which may make them more vulnerable to fraud, new research finds

Older adults diagnosed with dementia lose their ability to assess how well they manage their finances, according to a recent study I co-authored in The Gerontologist. In comparison, people of…

‘Grit’ and relentless perseverance can take a toll on brain health − particularly for people facing social stresses like racism

For many people, grit – the perseverance and passion for long-term goals – is a virtue. It is also a key ingredient in overcoming challenges, achieving success and maintaining resilience.…