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Genetics

·August 13, 2025·4 min read

Genetic Switch May Be Key to Human Brain’s Unique Abilities

Researchers have identified a genetic region, HAR123, that may help explain what makes the human brain unique. Acting as a transcriptional enhancer, HAR123 influences the development of neural progenitor cells, which give rise to neurons and glial cells, and plays a role in determining their ratio.

This shows a pregnant woman and a brain.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 12, 2025·4 min read

Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Linked to Autism Risk

A new study reveals how maternal obesity before pregnancy can program autism-related behaviors in offspring through lasting epigenetic changes in egg cells. Using IVF and embryo transfer in mice, researchers isolated the pre-conception effects, finding altered DNA methylation patterns that disrupted genes such as Homer1.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·August 11, 2025·5 min read

Reshaping Nuclear Speckles Could Halt Alzheimer’s

A groundbreaking study reveals that reshaping nuclear speckles — tiny structures inside cell nuclei that regulate protein maintenance — could be a novel way to treat proteinopathies like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and prion diseases. Researchers found that pyrvinium pamoate, an existing FDA-approved drug, alters the surface tension of nuclear speckles, making them less round and more effective at supporting proteostasis.

This shows healthy microglia and neurons.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 11, 2025·8 min read

Microglia Transplant Restores Function in Degenerative Brain Disease

Scientists have developed a targeted brain cell transplant that could transform treatment for Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases. By depleting diseased microglia and replacing them with healthy donor precursor cells, researchers restored crucial enzyme function in the brain and dramatically extended lifespan in mice.

This shows the outline of two heads and brains. One brain is foggy, as though representing depression.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 3, 2025·5 min read

Brain Reward Signals Blunted by Genetic Depression Risk

A new imaging study reveals that young adults with a higher genetic risk for depression show diminished brain activity when processing rewards and punishments. Using data from nearly 900 healthy twins and siblings, researchers found altered activation in brain regions linked to attention and decision-making—well before any symptoms of depression appeared.

This shows a man and woman with their heads close together, surrounded by DNA and flowers. The implication of this image is that men and women's olfactory senses differ according to genetics.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 30, 2025·4 min read

Your Genes Influence What You Smell

A major genetic study of over 21,000 Europeans has identified 10 regions in the genome linked to how we perceive specific odors—seven of which are newly discovered. Three of these genetic regions function differently in men and women, helping explain hormone-driven changes in smell sensitivity.

This shows a large viral cell and DNA with a researcher analyzing data in the background.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·July 29, 2025·4 min read

DNA Reveals Multiple Sclerosis Risk Before Symptoms Begin

Researchers are launching a groundbreaking study to investigate how genetics and the Epstein-Barr virus may work together to trigger multiple sclerosis (MS). Using a method called "recall by genotype," the team will compare biological traits in people with high and low genetic risk—long before symptoms arise.

This shows a developing brain and neurons branching out.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·July 25, 2025·5 min read

Could Mental Illness Begin Before You’re Born?

A groundbreaking study has revealed that genes linked to mental and neurodegenerative disorders, such as autism, depression, and Parkinson’s, begin influencing brain development during the earliest fetal stages. These genes are already active in neural stem cells—the progenitors that form the brain—long before symptoms arise.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 25, 2025·3 min read

Microglia May Hold Key to Slowing Alzheimer’s Progression

Alzheimer’s disease is marked by toxic amyloid-beta protein clumps, but some people seem naturally protected. A new study reveals that a receptor called ADGRG1 enables immune cells called microglia to effectively clear these harmful plaques.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 22, 2025·5 min read

How Your Body Clock Stays on Time Despite Temperature Changes

Researchers uncovered how our biological clocks keep a 24-hour rhythm even as temperatures fluctuate. Using physics-based models, they discovered that at higher temperatures, gene activity rhythms become distorted—rising faster and falling slower—to maintain the cycle’s duration.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·July 21, 2025·7 min read

Most Mental Illnesses Arise Without Family History

A massive Danish study shows that most mental illnesses—like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression—occur in people with no close family history of the condition. Analyzing data from over 3 million individuals, researchers found that while heredity increases risk, most diagnosed individuals do not have affected relatives.

This shows a child surrounded by hands and DNA.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 21, 2025·6 min read

ADHD-Linked Genes Raise Risk of Childhood Maltreatment

Children with higher genetic risk for ADHD are more likely to experience childhood maltreatment, a new study shows. Researchers found that ADHD-associated genetic variants, especially when combined with parental psychiatric diagnoses, increase the likelihood of abuse and neglect.