Your brain can still produce new neurons in adulthood, but how do these rare additions support cognitive function? Neurons, the cells responsible for brain function, are mostly formed before birth. While early life sees the bulk of brain development, certain regions continue generating neurons into adulthood, albeit at a slower pace. Scientists debate whether adult […]
Recent research into how “brain stars” (astrocytes) store memories has reshaped our understanding of memory retention in the brain. Previous Beliefs About Memory and Neurons Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine have been examining the role of astrocytes, star-shaped cells in the brain that function as tiny storage units for memories. These cells work in
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A study published in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggests that individuals whose diets closely follow the MIND diet may have a lower risk of cognitive decline. This association was observed in both Black and white participants. However, the findings show a correlation rather than proving that the MIND diet directly
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Microplastics are omnipresent, wreaking havoc on the environment and infiltrating our bodies, including the brain. A new preprint study, not yet peer-reviewed, raises concerns about the extent of microplastics in the human brain and potential health risks. The study analyzed 51 brain tissue samples from individuals who died in 2016 or 2024. These samples were
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A comprehensive analysis of nearly 50,000 brain scans has identified five unique patterns of brain atrophy linked to aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The study also connected these patterns to lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as to genetic and blood markers related to health and disease risk. Andrei Irimia, a gerontologist
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Neuroscientists believe they have pinpointed the extensive neural network that fuels the brain’s creativity. Unlike specific movements or sensory responses, creative thinking is not limited to a single area of the brain’s outer cortex. However, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine have identified the brain circuits crucial to certain types of creative thought. When nine
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According to a new study in Nature Communications, increasing serotonin can alter how people learn from negative information and enhance their response to it. Researchers from the University of Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry and the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Health Biomedical Research Center (OH BRC) discovered that increasing serotonin levels
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Instead of focusing on fighting the plaques associated with Alzheimer’s, researchers decided to explore the possibility of increasing electrical oscillations in the brain. They created a molecule that successfully achieved this in mice, offering hope for a new treatment approach in humans. Rethinking the Role of Brain Plaques in Alzheimer’s Disease It’s increasingly clear that
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Have you ever experienced a sudden breakthrough on a tough problem while thinking about something entirely different? This kind of creative thought, a defining trait of humanity, often appears unexpectedly, almost paradoxically, when least sought. Unveiling the Origins of Creativity The neurological origins of creativity—how our brains generate these out-of-the-box ideas—have been equally elusive. However,
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The study explores the complex interplay of handedness and visual biases in humans, drawing parallels with similar traits observed across the animal kingdom. While handedness is well-known as a defining characteristic, the study reveals lesser-known biases that impact social dynamics and cognitive functions. Human Biases and Brain Lateralization Humans exhibit a strong tendency towards right-handedness,
Many of Us Are Dominantly Right-Handed but Left-Eyed. Here’s the Reason Read More »