FeaturedNeuroscience·April 8, 2025·7 min readBrains Rewire Themselves to Survive Deadly InfectionNew research reveals how the simple nervous system of C. elegans worms can dramatically reconfigure itself to survive infection. When exposed to harmful bacteria, the worms adapted by rewiring the roles of key neurons and neuromodulators to reduce feeding and resist quiescence.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 14, 2025·6 min readProzac Shows Promise in Fighting Infections & SepsisNew research suggests that fluoxetine, commonly used as an antidepressant, may also help protect against infections and sepsis. Scientists found that the drug has antimicrobial properties and helps regulate the immune response, reducing the risk of tissue and organ damage.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·July 12, 2024·6 min readInfection Brain Inflammation Triggers Muscle WeaknessA new study reveals how brain inflammation from infections and neurodegenerative diseases causes muscle weakness by releasing the IL-6 protein. Researchers found that IL-6 travels from the brain to muscles, reducing their energy production and function. This discovery could lead to treatments for muscle wasting in diseases like Alzheimer's and long COVID. Blocking the IL-6 pathway may prevent muscle weakness associated with brain inflammation.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·April 20, 2023·6 min readBrain Drain: Common Infections Tied to Cognitive DeclineCCommon infections, including the chickenpox virus and herpes simplex virus type 1, can worsen cognitive performance and increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in middle-aged and older adults, a new study reports. The findings add to the growing body of evidence linking common infections to poor brain health associated with aging.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·January 3, 2023·5 min readA Brain Game May Predict Your Risk of InfectionFindings reveal how a person's cognitive performance prior to viral exposure can predict the severity of symptoms once the virus develops.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·September 15, 2022·5 min readRepeated Infections Associated With Increased Risk of Some Neurodegenerative DiseasesEarly-to-midlife infections that require hospital care are associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease later in life, a new study reports.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·March 29, 2021·4 min readChronic Viral Infections Can Have Lasting Effects on Human Immunity, Similar to AgingChronic viral infections have a profound and lasting impact on the immune system in a similar way to aging. Chronic inflammation that occurs as a result of immune system dysregulation is often seen in diseases associated with aging.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·March 27, 2020·7 min readCOVID-19 is making young adults sick, and is spreading through themThe misconception that young people are more immune to COVID-19 is dangerous, and ignoring social distancing measures means the virus is more likely to spread among the young.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·March 9, 2020·5 min read5.1 days incubation period for COVID-19Researchers report the median time from exposure to symptoms for the COVID-19 virus is 5.1 days. 97.5% of people who develop symptoms of coronavirus will do so within 11.5 days of exposure. For every 10,000 people quarantined for 14 days, an estimated 101 would develop symptoms after release.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·January 11, 2020·4 min readHow a gut infection may produce chronic symptomsInfections in the intestine may contribute to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by damaging the gut's nervous system. Researchers explore why neurons in the gut die as a result of infection and how the immune system normally protects them. The findings could provide new avenues of treatment for IBS.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 30, 2019·3 min readUrinary tract and other infections may trigger different kinds of strokeSeveral infections have been linked to increased risk of ischemic stroke. The strongest link was found between urinary tract infections, which increased stroke risk by more than three times within 30 days of infection.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·February 12, 2019·4 min readHow Sleep Helps to Fight InfectionResearchers report sleep can help immune cells attach to targets and help fight infection. The study reveals how sleep assists the body in fighting infections, whereas conditions like chronic stress can make the body more susceptible to illness.Read More
