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Genetics

This shows a man and a glass of whiskey.

·October 28, 2025·4 min read

Gene That Controls How Sensitive You Are to Alcohol Discovered

Researchers have discovered that a gene called CHRNA3 plays a key role in determining alcohol sensitivity, helping explain why some people tolerate alcohol better than others. When this gene was mutated, subjects were slower to avoid alcohol and consumed more of it, showing reduced sensitivity to its calming effects.

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·October 27, 2025·9 min read

Hungry Brains Rewrite the Senses

When fruit flies lack essential amino acids, their brains rewire their sense of smell to help them find food rich in the nutrients they need. Researchers discovered that two genes—Or92a and Ir76a—boost the flies’ sensitivity to smells linked with fermented foods and bacteria that produce beneficial amino acids.

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·October 24, 2025·7 min read

Alzheimer’s Disrupts Brain’s Internal Clock, Unraveling Gene Rhythms

Alzheimer’s disease not only damages memory but also distorts the brain’s internal clock, disrupting the daily rhythms of hundreds of genes tied to brain health. Researchers found that in mice with amyloid buildup, normal circadian gene activity in microglia and astrocytes—the brain’s immune and support cells—became erratic.

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·October 24, 2025·9 min read

Gene Editing Reverses Age-Related Memory Loss

Researchers have identified molecular mechanisms behind age-related memory decline — and shown they can be reversed. Two studies revealed that correcting specific molecular processes in the hippocampus and amygdala, and reactivating a silenced memory-supporting gene called IGF2, improved memory in older rats.

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·October 22, 2025·8 min read

New AI Tool Reveals Genetic Link Between Memory Cells and Alzheimer’s

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.

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·October 17, 2025·5 min read

New Alzheimer’s Mutation Weakens Brain’s Immune Defense

A new study has identified a mutation in the TREM2 gene that disrupts the brain’s ability to clear toxic amyloid plaques, increasing Alzheimer’s disease risk. The mutation, called T96K, keeps the TREM2 gene in an overactive state that paradoxically weakens microglial “cleanup” activity, especially in females.

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·October 16, 2025·6 min read

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.

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·October 16, 2025·7 min read

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.

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·October 15, 2025·6 min read

Astrocytes, Not Neurons, Hold the Key to Emotional Memory

New research reveals that astrocytes — not neurons — are responsible for stabilizing emotional memories by re-engaging during recall. After an emotionally intense event, such as fear, specific astrocytes become biologically tagged with adrenoreceptors, making them responsive when the memory is later reactivated.

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·October 13, 2025·7 min read

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.

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·October 10, 2025·5 min read

Gut Microbes May Shape Brain and Behavior Through Hidden Mutations

In a groundbreaking study using Merino sheep, researchers uncovered that tiny genetic variations within gut microbes can influence brain-related behavior. By sequencing over 5,000 microbial genomes—including 3,500 never before reported—they linked single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in microbes to neurobehavioral traits and plasma metabolites tied to brain function.

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·October 9, 2025·7 min read

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.