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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.

Latest Neuroscience News

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

Hidden Primed Step in Nerve-Muscle Communication Found

An international research team has mapped the millisecond-by-millisecond process by which nerve signals activate muscles, uncovering a previously unseen “primed” intermediate step. This breakthrough reveals that neuromuscular receptors move asynchronously—not in perfect unison as scientists long believed—redefining how communication between nerves and muscles is understood.

Scientists Identify New Gene Behind Hereditary Vision Loss

Researchers have identified a new genetic cause of hereditary optic atrophy—a condition that leads to gradual vision loss—by discovering a previously unknown mutation in the PPIB gene. This gene helps proteins fold properly and ensures healthy mitochondrial function, both of which are disrupted in affected individuals.

Child Abuse Leaves Lasting Biological Scars on the Brain and DNA

New research reveals that child maltreatment leaves measurable biological “scars” on DNA, altering brain structure and function. Using a genome-wide epigenetic analysis, scientists identified four key methylation sites—ATE1, SERPINB9P1, CHST11, and FOXP1—linked to maltreatment.

Gut Fungus Found to Disrupt Brain’s Alcohol Reward Pathway

A new study reveals that an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a common gut fungus, may alter the brain’s dopamine reward circuitry and influence alcohol consumption. Researchers found that as fungal populations increased, they triggered production of inflammatory molecules called PGE2, which crossed into the brain and changed dopamine signaling in the dorsal striatum.

Where You Live Could Shape Your Brain and Dementia Risk

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.

Neurology News Articles

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

Pregnancy Hormones Show Promise in Treating Progressive MS

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.

Triggered Hypothermia Protects the Brain After Injury

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.

Lymphatic Damage Tied to Chemo Brain Fog

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.

Inflammatory Brain Cells Driving Progressive MS Discovered

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.

Gene Behind Child Brain Disorder Also Tied to Parkinson’s Disease

Scientists have discovered that mutations in the EPG5 gene—known for causing the rare childhood disorder Vici syndrome—also increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia later in life. The gene plays a crucial role in autophagy, the process by which cells clear out damaged material.

AI News Articles

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

This shows different regions of the mouse brain, as produced by the AI.

AI Builds the Most Detailed Map of the Mouse Brain Yet

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.

AI Images That Change When Rotated Reveal How the Mind Sees

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.

AI Learns to Design the Human Body’s Most Elusive Proteins

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.

Brain-Inspired Chip Learns and Adapts Like Neurons, Cuts Energy Use

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.

This shows a man eating a lemon, and a brain.

AI Reveals Bitter Taste Receptors’ Hidden Role in Gut-Brain Health

Researchers used AlphaFold3, the latest AI-based protein modeling system, to predict the structures of all 25 known human bitter taste receptors (T2Rs). Compared with AlphaFold2, AF3 consistently generated more accurate structural predictions when benchmarked against experimentally determined data.

Psychology News Articles

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

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Feeling the Music: Touch Amplifies Emotional Power of Sound

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.

This shows a woman with a rash on her face.

Skin Problems Signal Depression and Suicide Risk

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.

This shows a person walking to a hazy light.

What Happens After a Near-Death Experience?

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.

Genes Linked to Cannabis Use Reveal Ties to Mental Health

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.

ADHD May Make You More Creative

People with ADHD tend to be more creative, and this advantage may stem from a greater tendency for their minds to wander. The study is the first to directly connect ADHD traits, creativity, and the two types of mind wandering—spontaneous and deliberate.

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Genes Linked to Cannabis Use Reveal Ties to Mental Health

Over 99% of Heart Attacks Linked to At Least One Known Risk Factor

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.

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How Growing Up Changes the Way We Hear, and Feel, Music

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.

Can Animals Feel? A New Roadmap for Consciousness

A philosophy scholar has developed a practical “decision tree” to help scientists and ethicists evaluate which creatures may be conscious.

This shows a brain surrounded by "noisy" items, like music notes and people chewing.

Misophonia Might Be a Brain Regulation Disorder

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.

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