Brain Criticality May Hold Key to Learning, Memory, and Alzheimer’s

Summary: New research proposes a unified theory of brain function based on criticality—a state where the brain teeters between order and chaos, allowing it to learn, adapt, and process information…

Pain Perception in Babies Develops in Stages After Birth

Summary: A new study shows that the networks responsible for processing pain in infants develop gradually, with emotional and cognitive pain responses maturing only after birth. Researchers scanned the brains…

3D-Printed Brain Model Mimics Neural Damage

Summary: Researchers have developed a groundbreaking 3D brain model that closely mirrors the architecture and function of the human brain. Built using biomimetic 3D printing, the Bioengineered Neural Network (BENN)…

Billy Joel has excess fluid in his brain – a neurologist explains what happens when this protective liquid gets out of balance

Cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, is a clear, colorless liquid that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and function of your central nervous system. It cushions the brain and…

Chronic Stress Quietly Raises Your Stroke Risk

Summary: Chronic stress is increasingly recognized as a contributor to stroke risk by intensifying conditions like high blood pressure, inflammation, and unhealthy lifestyle habits. While stress isn’t as easily measured…

Long COVID Is Fueling a Mental Health Crisis in Children

Summary: A new study reveals that nearly 40% of children with long COVID are experiencing significant symptoms of anxiety or depression, many for the first time. Using validated mental health…

Depression May Signal Chronic Pain Years Before It Starts

Summary: Middle-aged and older adults who experience chronic pain often show worsening symptoms of depression up to eight years before the pain begins. A large-scale study found that depressive symptoms…

Inflammation Triggers Repetitive Behaviors in ASD and OCD

Summary: 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). In mice with…

Inflammation Tied to Motivation Loss in Schizophrenia

Summary: A new study has uncovered a biological link between inflammation and motivational deficits in people with schizophrenia, identifying a promising treatment target for symptoms that current medications fail to…

Clues in Spinal Fluid Could Unlock Early FTD Diagnosis

Summary: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a common form of early-onset dementia, is often misdiagnosed due to its overlapping symptoms with psychiatric and neurological disorders. In a new NIH-funded study, researchers identified…