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Neuroscience News is an independent open access science magazine. Since 2001, we have featured neuroscience research news from labs, universities, hospitals and news departments around the world. Topics include brain research, AI, psychology, neuroscience, mental health and neurotech.

Science news articles cover neuroscience, neurology, psychology, AI, mental health, robotics, neurotechnology and cognitive sciences.

A global study reveals that our most emotionally resonant music tends to come from our teenage years—typically peaking around age 17. This “reminiscence bump” marks the period when our developing brains most strongly imprint musical memories that help form identity.
A new study reveals that sleep-like slow-wave brain activity can persist for years in surgically disconnected brain hemispheres of awake epilepsy patients. Using EEG recordings, researchers found that the isolated cortex exhibits patterns similar to deep sleep, anesthesia, or vegetative states—suggesting absent or reduced awareness.
A new study reveals that most people fail to recognize racial bias embedded in AI systems, even when it is visible in the training data. The research shows that artificial intelligence trained on imbalanced datasets—such as happy white faces and sad Black faces—learns to associate race with emotion, perpetuating biased performance.
A new study has identified a mutation in the TREM2 gene that disrupts the brain’s ability to clear toxic amyloid plaques, increasing Alzheimer’s disease risk. The mutation, called T96K, keeps the TREM2 gene in an overactive state that paradoxically weakens microglial “cleanup” activity, especially in females.
A new study reveals that older adults are more likely than younger people to interpret ambiguous facial expressions as happy rather than angry. Using brain imaging, researchers found that this positivity bias is linked to increased activity in the locus coeruleus — the brain’s tiny “blue spot” that regulates alertness and stress — and its connection to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Neurology news articles cover neurology, brain cancer, traumatic brain injuries, neurosurgery, neuroanatomy, brain research and neurological disorders.

New research shows that neighborhood conditions — from pollution and housing to economic opportunity — may directly affect brain health and dementia risk. Analyzing brain scans and biomarkers from 679 adults, scientists found that people living in areas with higher social and environmental disadvantages showed signs of reduced brain thickness, altered blood flow, and white matter changes.
Researchers have identified two forms of estrogen, estradiol and estriol, that may reduce inflammation and protect nerve fibers in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Using a virus model of the disease, the study found that both hormones lowered spinal cord inflammation, while estradiol significantly preserved the myelin sheath that protects nerve cells.
Scientists have discovered a way to induce a hibernation-like state that protects the brain after injury—without using external cooling. By activating a specific population of neurons, researchers created a reversible drop in body temperature that preserved neuron health and improved motor recovery in mice.
New research reveals that chemotherapy may cause “chemo brain” by damaging the brain’s lymphatic system — the network responsible for clearing waste and supporting immune function. Using mouse models and human-engineered tissues, scientists found that common drugs like docetaxel shrink lymphatic vessels and impair drainage, leading to memory deficits and cognitive decline.
Researchers have identified a rare type of brain cell that may drive the chronic inflammation and neurodegeneration seen in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). These cells, called disease-associated radial glia-like (DARG) cells, appear six times more often in patients with progressive MS than in healthy individuals.

AI news articles cover science articles about artificial intelligence including ChatGPT, Bard, Dalle, neural networks, machine learning, LLMs, AGI and other AI related topics.

Researchers have created one of the most detailed maps of the mouse brain ever made, using artificial intelligence to reveal 1,300 distinct regions and subregions. The AI model, called CellTransformer, identified new brain areas that had never been charted before, providing an unprecedented view of brain organization.
Researchers have developed AI-generated “visual anagrams” — images that transform into entirely new objects when rotated — to explore how the brain processes perception. Unlike traditional optical illusions, these rotating images allow scientists to isolate how people interpret size, emotion, and animacy in visual information.
A new machine learning method has achieved what even AlphaFold cannot — the design of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), the shape-shifting biomolecules that make up nearly 30% of all human proteins. These unstable proteins play key roles in cellular communication, sensing, and disease, yet their ever-changing structures have defied traditional AI prediction models.
Scientists have developed a brain-inspired semiconductor that can adjust its responses based on experience, much like human neurons do through “intrinsic plasticity.” Called the “Frequency Switching Neuristor,” the device combines two types of memristors to regulate spiking frequency, enabling it to learn and adapt autonomously.

Science research articles cover psychology, depression, mental health, schizophrenia, mental disorders, happiness, stress, PTSD, autism, psychiatry and therapy.

A new study shows that combining touch with hearing profoundly intensifies emotional responses to music. Using a custom-built device that transforms sound into tactile vibrations, researchers found that people experienced more joy, connection, and reduced anxiety when they could both hear and feel the music.
New research reveals that mental health patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis are more likely to have skin conditions, and that these patients face significantly higher risks of depression and suicidality. In a study of 481 individuals, those with dermatological symptoms such as rashes or itching were over three times more likely to report suicidal thoughts.
New research reveals that people who have near-death experiences often undergo profound shifts in perspective, purpose, and priorities, but many struggle to integrate these changes into daily life. In a study of 167 individuals, over half sought counseling or support afterward, and those who received validation and understanding found the help most beneficial.
Researchers analyzing data from over 130,000 participants have identified specific genes associated with cannabis use and its frequency, revealing strong links to psychiatric, cognitive, and physical health traits. The genes CADM2 and GRM3, already known for roles in brain communication and impulsivity, appear central to how individuals initiate and sustain cannabis use.

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Researchers analyzing data from over 130,000 participants have identified specific genes associated with cannabis use and its frequency, revealing strong links to psychiatric, cognitive, and physical health traits. The genes CADM2 and GRM3, already known for roles in brain communication and impulsivity, appear central to how individuals initiate and sustain cannabis use.
A massive international study shows that nearly all heart attacks, strokes, and cases of heart failure occur in people with at least one known cardiovascular risk factor. More than 9 million South Korean adults and thousands of U.S. adults were tracked, revealing that over 99% had nonoptimal blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, or tobacco use years before their first event.
Our music preferences evolve across life — from youthful exploration to nostalgic reflection. A large-scale analysis of 40,000 users’ streaming data over 15 years revealed that young listeners engage broadly with new and popular music, while adults settle into more personal and emotionally rooted tastes.
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 emotional tasks and reported rigid thinking in daily life.