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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 new study examining real-world hospital data reveals early indicators of who is most likely to benefit from Cobenfy, the first new schizophrenia drug mechanism approved in 50 years. Patients with strong negative symptoms responded best to the xanomeline–trospium combination, showing notable improvements in social behavior and mood.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown “hook-like” domain in the tail of the kinesin-2 motor protein that explains how these molecular machines select the right cargo inside cells. Using cryo-electron microscopy and simulations, the team mapped the HAC domain’s atomic structure and showed how it binds both adaptor proteins and cargo, forming a highly specific recognition interface.
A week-long retreat combining meditation and mind-body healing produced significant changes in brain activity and blood biology, demonstrating how consciousness-based practices can transform physical health. Participants showed reduced default-mode activity, enhanced neural connectivity, elevated natural opioids, immune activation, and metabolic shifts—effects that extended beyond the brain into the entire body.
A new study shows that oxidative stress—an imbalance between damaging molecules and antioxidants—may contribute to repetitive behaviors observed in mice, similar to those seen in autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Researchers found that higher levels of oxidative stress biomarkers, including glutathione and specific proteins, were linked to more severe stereotypies in young mice.

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

Researchers found that living in a socioeconomically deprived neighborhood can harm brain health as early as midlife. People from these areas showed more signs of small-vessel brain damage, slower thinking skills, and poorer control of lifestyle factors such as blood pressure, obesity, and sleep.
Researchers have uncovered how the brain’s immune cells, called microglia, can act as protectors rather than destroyers in Alzheimer’s disease. By lowering the immune regulator PU.1, microglia began expressing lymphoid-like receptors that reduced inflammation and preserved cognitive function in mouse models.
Researchers have developed the most detailed molecular map yet of how the brain develops and reacts to inflammation, revealing that disease processes can “reawaken” genes from early life. Using a new spatial tri-omics technique, the team tracked how gene activity, epigenetic changes, and protein production interact in specific brain regions.
A new study identifies biliverdin reductase A (BVRA) as a crucial enzyme defending neurons from oxidative stress, acting independently of its traditional role in bilirubin production. Using genetically modified mice, researchers found that BVRA binds directly to NRF2, a master regulator of antioxidant defense, ensuring the activation of protective genes that maintain cellular health.

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

A new AI-powered atlas called NextBrain allows researchers to visualize the human brain in unprecedented detail, down to hundreds of tiny subregions previously invisible on MRI scans. Built from 10,000 microscopic slices of post-mortem brains and aligned with AI, the atlas precisely maps 333 brain regions in 3D.
A large-scale study tested whether AI personas can detect when humans are lying—and found that while AI can sometimes spot deception, it’s still far from trustworthy. Across 12 experiments involving 19,000 AI participants, the systems performed inconsistently, showing a strong bias toward identifying lies rather than truths.
For the first time, scientists have mapped the genetic architecture of the brain’s communication bridge—the corpus callosum—using AI and MRI data from over 50,000 people. The study uncovered dozens of genes that shape this vital structure’s size and thickness, many active during prenatal development when the brain’s wiring is established.
A new computational tool developed by researchers has uncovered genetic evidence directly linking Alzheimer’s disease to the loss of memory-making neurons, helping to resolve a decades-long mystery in dementia research. The algorithm, called seismic, matches genetic data to individual cell types, outperforming previous methods and highlighting how specific brain cells—not just immune cells—are implicated in Alzheimer’s.

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

A new study reveals that aggression and self-harm share a biological foundation in the brain’s response to early-life trauma. Researchers discovered that trauma increases activity in calcium channels within a neural circuit connecting the nucleus reuniens and hippocampus, amplifying pain processing and impulsive behavior.
A large population-based study suggests that doxycycline, a common antibiotic, may reduce the risk of schizophrenia when prescribed to adolescents receiving mental health care. Researchers analyzed data from more than 56,000 young patients and found that those who took doxycycline had a 30–35% lower chance of developing schizophrenia later in life.
Researchers exploring risky decision-making in rats found that a specific reward-related neural circuit influences impulsivity and risk-taking in complex ways that depend on timing and biological sex. Manipulating the circuit during the learning phase of a gambling task altered risky choices differently in males and females, while manipulation after learning affected motor impulsivity in both.
New research reveals that English-speaking children continue to refine their capitalization skills well past the early grades, despite being taught the rules early. Across two studies, students in Grades 3–6 made more errors than older students and relied more heavily on having “two clues”—such as a proper noun at the start of a sentence—to capitalize correctly.
As daylight fades, many experience fatigue or low mood—but for millions, these symptoms signal seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a serious form of depression. Reduced sunlight disrupts serotonin, melatonin, and the body’s circadian rhythm, leading to feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest, and sleep or appetite changes.

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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.
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.
Neuroscientists have discovered that when the brain is distracted, coordinated “rotating” waves of neural activity help it steer back to focus. Using electrical recordings in animals, the team found that neurons in the prefrontal cortex synchronize in circular patterns—like starlings in flight—to recover from cognitive interruptions.