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immune system

·May 8, 2025·4 min read

Bigger Brains and Strong Immunity Linked to Longer Lifespans

New research reveals that mammals with larger brains and more robust immune systems tend to live longer lives. By studying 46 species, scientists found a clear link between maximum lifespan and the expansion of immune-related gene families.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 8, 2025·4 min read

How Brain Signals Shape Its Protective Waste Disposal Network

The brain’s meningeal lymphatic system plays a key role in clearing waste and transporting immune cells, but until now, how it develops was unclear. Using zebrafish and advanced imaging, researchers revealed that neural activity regulates this system by influencing specialized glial cells that release Vegfc, a key growth factor.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 7, 2025·4 min read

Psychedelics Rewire Brain-Immune Circuits

New research reveals that psychedelics like psilocybin do more than alter brain activity — they reshape how the brain and immune system communicate. Scientists identified a pathway where chronic stress disrupts amygdala signaling, triggering immune responses that increase fear and anxiety.

This shows the outline of a person and a brain.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 2, 2025·4 min read

Immune System Tied to Mental Health Disorders

New research reveals that immune system activity may play a causal role in conditions like schizophrenia, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. Using Mendelian randomisation, scientists linked 29 immune-related proteins to seven neuropsychiatric disorders, suggesting the brain is not the only organ involved in mental health.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 28, 2025·3 min read

Immune Dysfunction May Drive Alzheimer’s Progression

A new study highlights a potential role for immune system dysfunction in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that neuroinflammation, trained innate immune memory, and cellular reprogramming may interact with amyloid and tau proteins to drive disease pathology.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 24, 2025·4 min read

Immune Resilience Identified as Key to Healthy Aging and Longevity

A new study reveals that immune resilience, a person’s ability to maintain a robust, youthful immune system, plays a critical role in promoting long-term health and extending life. By analyzing data from over 17,000 individuals, researchers found that immune resilience, particularly involving the TCF7 gene, protects against chronic inflammation, immunosenescence, and cell death.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 14, 2025·4 min read

One Gene Mutation Disrupts Both Immunity and Brain Development

Researchers have uncovered a surprising mechanism by which a single genetic mutation in the BCL11B gene causes both immune dysfunction and brain development issues. Instead of merely disabling the protein’s normal function, the mutated BCL11B protein interferes with other healthy proteins, such as BCL11A, causing broader damage.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 7, 2025·8 min read

Immune Signals Shape Social Behavior and Anxiety in the Brain

New research reveals that the immune molecule IL-17 can influence behavior by acting directly on specific regions of the brain. IL-17 reduces neuron excitability in the cortex to enhance sociability, while in the amygdala, it increases excitability and induces anxiety.

This shows a man, immune cells and a bed.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 24, 2025·5 min read

Poor Sleep Alters Immune Cells, Increasing Risk for Inflammatory Diseases

A new study reveals that even a single night of sleep deprivation can alter immune cell profiles to resemble those seen in obesity, a condition linked to chronic inflammation. Researchers found that sleep-deprived individuals had increased levels of non-classical monocytes, immune cells associated with inflammatory responses, similar to patterns observed in obese participants.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·December 10, 2024·5 min read

Skull Marrow and Sinuses Hold the Key to Brain-Body Immune Link

The dural sinuses and skull bone marrow serve as key communication hubs between the brain's central immune system and the body's peripheral immune system. These regions may act as "traffic lights," allowing immune signals to flow between the brain and body, challenging the traditional view of the blood-brain barrier as an absolute divide.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 9, 2024·5 min read

Fetal Immunity Defends the Brain Before Birth

New research reveals that fetuses can mount immune responses against infections long before birth, challenging the assumption that they rely solely on maternal immunity. A study on Zika virus infections found that immune cells like microglia protect the developing brain, while others, like monocytes, can cause damaging inflammation.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·November 21, 2024·4 min read

Immune System Gene Linked to Hyperactivity, ADHD and Autism

Researchers have uncovered a link between the immune gene regulator STAT1 and hyperactive behaviors in mice, offering new insights into neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD. STAT1, vital for infection response, also influences brain cell activity, particularly dopamine neurons involved in motivation and learning. In mice with prolonged STAT1 signaling, hyperactivity and reduced neural activity in key brain regions were observed. The study opens the door to targeting STAT1 for potential therapies to address neurobehavioral disorders.