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brain research

Research articles and news stories tagged with brain research

This shows a robot with a brain and heart.

·May 22, 2025·4 min read

AI Shows Higher Emotional IQ than Humans

A new study tested whether artificial intelligence can demonstrate emotional intelligence by evaluating six generative AIs, including ChatGPT, on standard emotional intelligence (EI) assessments. The AIs achieved an average score of 82%, significantly higher than the 56% scored by human participants.

Neuroscience

·May 22, 2025·6 min read

Long-Term Antidepressant Use Tied to Tougher Withdrawal Symptoms

A new study finds that people who have taken antidepressants for more than two years are significantly more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. The longer someone used antidepressants, the more severe and prolonged the symptoms became, with 64% of long-term users reporting moderate or severe withdrawal.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 22, 2025·4 min read

Gut Inflammation Linked to Post-COVID Fatigue

A new study highlights the link between gut health and post-COVID syndrome (PCS), revealing that patients with prior gastrointestinal issues are more likely to experience post-viral fatigue. Researchers analyzed samples from PCS patients and identified key immune and gut-related biomarkers linked to inflammation and intestinal barrier dysfunction.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 22, 2025·6 min read

More Social Media, More Depression: Study Links Cause and Effect

A new study has found that as preteens increase their social media use, depressive symptoms also rise—but not the other way around. Researchers tracked nearly 12,000 youth over three years and discovered that increased screen time predicted later depression, while depressive symptoms did not predict more social media use.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 22, 2025·5 min read

Gene Amplifies Brain Sensitivity to Light During Migraines

Researchers have identified a molecule in the brain called NEAT1 that plays a key role in light sensitivity, a common and painful symptom of migraines. NEAT1 disrupts the normal balance of nerve signaling by interfering with microRNA activity, leading to increased levels of a pain-related protein called TRPM3.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 22, 2025·3 min read

Social Engagement Linked to Longer Life

A new study shows that older adults who stay socially active have a significantly lower risk of death over four years compared to those with low social engagement. The research, involving over 2,200 individuals aged 60 and older, found that high engagement in activities like charity work, grandparenting, and club participation reduced mortality risk by 42%.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 22, 2025·5 min read

DNA Methylation in Serotonin Center Offers New Clues to Autism

A new study has uncovered abnormal DNA methylation patterns in the dorsal raphe—an area of the brain critical for serotonin signaling—in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By analyzing postmortem brain samples, researchers identified epigenetic changes in key genes linked to sensory perception, serotonin regulation, and synaptic function.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 22, 2025·6 min read

Implanted Device Restores Arm Function After Spinal Cord Injury

A groundbreaking clinical study shows that closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation (CLV), paired with rehabilitation, can significantly improve arm and hand function in people with chronic spinal cord injuries. The therapy uses a tiny implanted device that sends timed electrical pulses to the brain when patients perform successful movements, helping rewire neural circuits.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 22, 2025·4 min read

Parental Mental Illness Raises Risk of Childhood Psychopathology

A new long-term study confirms that children of parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder face a higher risk of developing mental health issues compared to peers without parental psychiatric diagnoses. Over four years, researchers tracked 238 children and found distinct patterns of symptoms depending on whether a parent had schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 22, 2025·7 min read

Potassium Channel Drug Offers New Hope for Treating Depression

Two new studies reveal that ezogabine, a drug originally approved for epilepsy, may alleviate depression symptoms by targeting potassium channels in the brain. Researchers found that the drug improves function in reward-related brain regions like the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which is key to motivation and pleasure.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 22, 2025·6 min read

CRISPR Delivers RNA to Repair Neurons Right Where It’s Needed

Researchers have developed a new CRISPR-based technology that transports RNA to exact locations within neurons, where it can trigger repair and regrowth—offering hope for treating neurological diseases and injuries. Unlike traditional CRISPR tools that edit DNA, this system repurposes CRISPR-Cas13 to act like a “mailman,” carrying RNA to damaged sites using built-in molecular zip codes.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 21, 2025·5 min read

Vitamin D May Slow Biological Aging

New results from the VITAL randomized trial show that daily vitamin D3 supplementation helps preserve telomere length in older adults, potentially slowing a key biological aging process. Telomeres are protective caps on chromosomes that shorten with age and are associated with chronic diseases.