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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.

Mental Fatigue Triggers Compensatory Brain Mechanisms

A recent study shows that prolonged mental exertion weakens connectivity between the brain's frontal and parietal lobes, impacting cognitive efficiency. However, the brain has built-in compensatory mechanisms that adjust neural connections to preserve function under fatigue. Researchers observed this in participants completing memory tasks of varying difficulty; while fatigue slowed performance on simple tasks, complex tasks triggered compensatory adjustments.

Autistic Children’s Fascination with Letters Offers Learning Clues

A recent study highlights that many autistic children show an intense interest in letters and numbers, which may play a distinct role in their language development. By analyzing clinical records and interviewing parents, researchers found that 37% of autistic children had a strong interest in letters, in contrast to just 3% of non-autistic peers. This interest often emerges around 30 months, aligning with typical development timelines but diverging in how it's applied.

This shows a baby surrounded by musical notes.

Newborns’ Brains Recognize Complex Sound Patterns

New research shows that newborns can detect complex sound patterns that follow non-adjacent, language-like rules, suggesting that the ability to process such sequences is innate. Using near-infrared spectroscopy, researchers observed newborn brain responses to sequences of tones, finding that infants could distinguish between correct and incorrect patterns. The study found that this early ability activates language-related networks, particularly in the left hemisphere, highlighting a foundation for future language skills.

Neurology News Articles

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

Pausing Amyloid Fibrils Offers New Alzheimer’s Insight

Researchers have identified a unique “paused state” in the growth of amyloid β fibrils, linked to Alzheimer’s disease, using high-speed atomic force microscopy. In this state, fibril growth is halted, allowing an antibody, 4396C, to bind and prevent further growth, opening a potential path to slow Alzheimer’s progression.

This shows an older person using a smart phone reminder app.

Reminders Reduce Age-Related Memory Decline in Older Adults

A new study shows that using reminders can counteract age-related declines in memory, especially for tasks that require prospective memory, such as taking medication. Researchers found that reminders help both younger and older adults improve memory performance under high cognitive load.

Ozempic Shows Potential in Lowering Alzheimer’s Risk

New research suggests that semaglutide, a popular diabetes and weight-loss drug, may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people with type 2 diabetes. The study compared semaglutide to seven other anti-diabetic drugs and found it was linked to a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

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 computer code and a molecule.

AI Predicts Chemical Compounds for Dual-Target Medications

Researchers have developed an AI system that predicts chemical compounds capable of targeting two proteins simultaneously, potentially creating more effective medications. By training the AI with a chemical language model, it was able to generate novel molecular structures with dual-target activity, an essential feature for treating complex diseases like cancer.

This shows a brain and a network of images.

How AI is Reshaping Human Thought and Decision-Making

A new study introduces "System 0," a cognitive framework where artificial intelligence (AI) enhances human thinking by processing vast data, complementing our natural intuition (System 1) and analytical thinking (System 2). However, this external thinking system poses risks, such as over-reliance on AI and a potential loss of cognitive autonomy.

This shows robotic hands using a keyboard.

AI-Written Stories Rated Lower Due to Bias, Not Quality

New research shows that stories generated by AI, such as ChatGPT, are almost as good as those written by humans. However, when people are told a story is AI-generated, they rate it more negatively, revealing a bias against AI-created content.

Psychology News Articles

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

Depression Alters Brain Circuits, Heightening Negative Perception

Scientists have identified how depression alters the brain’s response to positive and negative stimuli, particularly in the amygdala, a key emotional processing center. The study found that depression reduces neural activity linked to positive perceptions while increasing it for negative perceptions.

Individual Reward-Seeking Predicts Nicotine Response

A new study finds that individualistic reward-seeking behaviors in mice can predict their responses to nicotine. Conducted in a semi-natural environment called Souris-City, the research observed how male mice developed distinct reward-seeking strategies when isolated from peers.

Chick Calls Reveal Emotional States

Researchers have developed a way to measure stress in baby chicks using vocalizations, offering new insights into animal emotions. The study found that chicks alone produced higher-pitched, louder calls, indicating anxiety-like states, while calmer chicks showed more relaxed vocal patterns.

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Key Brain Protein Tied to Motivation and Mood Identified

A new study has identified a brain protein, vesicular nucleotide transporter (Vnut), as essential for regulating mood and motivation in mice. When Vnut was removed from brain cells called astrocytes, the mice displayed higher anxiety, depression-like behavior, and decreased motivation, especially in females.

Gut Microbiome and Aspirin May Reverse Hormonal Issues

Researchers found that mutations in the Sox3 gene cause hypopituitarism, a condition where the pituitary gland produces insufficient hormones, leading to growth issues and infertility. In a study on mice, they discovered that Sox3 mutations affect brain cells called NG2 glia, which are essential for hormone production.

This shows a child thinking about a traumatic event.

Child Trauma Recovery Tied to Thoughts, Not Event Severity

A new study reveals that how children mentally process traumatic events is the most significant factor in predicting their mental health outcomes, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Cognitive factors—like how children remember the event and view themselves afterward—play a more critical role than the event’s objective severity. Researchers found that children with more negative self-perceptions or distorted memories were at higher risk for long-term psychological impacts.

Targeting Glucose May Spark Neurogenesis

Neural stem cells, which create new neurons in the brain, become less active with age due to elevated glucose levels. Researchers found that by knocking out the glucose transporter gene GLUT4 in older mice, they could significantly increase the production of new neurons.

Cannabis Leaves Molecular Marks on DNA Linked to Psychosis

Frequent use of high-potency cannabis leaves unique molecular marks on DNA, particularly affecting genes related to energy and immune function. Researchers found that DNA methylation—an epigenetic modification—differed between frequent cannabis users who had experienced psychosis and those who had not, suggesting a possible genetic link to psychosis risk.