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Mass General

·April 16, 2024·5 min read

Exercise Reduces Stress in the Brain

Physical activity significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by diminishing stress-related brain signaling. The study, which analyzed data from over 50,000 participants, showed that individuals who adhered to physical activity guidelines had a 23% lower risk of developing heart disease.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 5, 2024·5 min read

Menopause May Not Impact Mental Health

A comprehensive review challenges the long-held belief that menopause directly causes psychological distress and mental health conditions in all women. This study finds no universal link between menopause and an increased risk of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or psychosis. However, it identifies factors that heighten the risk of depressive symptoms during menopause, such as previous depression episodes, sleep disruption from hot flushes, and concurrent stressful life events.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 1, 2024·5 min read

How the Brain Crafts Words Before Speaking

A new study utilizes advanced Neuropixels probes to unravel the complexities of how the human brain plans and produces speech. The team identified specific neurons in the prefrontal cortex involved in the language production process, including the separate neural pathways for speaking and listening.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·January 18, 2024·5 min read

Multivitamins May Slow Cognitive Aging

A new study suggests that daily multivitamin supplements may help slow cognitive aging and memory loss in older adults. The study found statistically significant benefits of multivitamins for memory and global cognition, indicating a potential delay in cognitive aging by about two years compared to placebo.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 4, 2024·3 min read

Early Riser? Anorexia Nervosa Linked to Morning Chronotype

Individuals with anorexia nervosa tend to be early risers, in contrast to many other mental disorders often associated with evening chronotypes. The study also finds a connection between anorexia nervosa and increased risk of insomnia.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·December 7, 2023·3 min read

Cocoa Flavanols May Boost Brain Health in Seniors

A new study reveals that cocoa extract supplements, rich in flavanols, may benefit cognitive functions in older adults with lower-quality diets. The study involved 573 participants and found no overall cognitive benefits from daily cocoa extract supplementation.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 7, 2023·4 min read

Brain Mapping Unveils Jhana Meditation Effects

A new study utilizing ultra-high field 7T MRI technology has mapped the brain's activity during jhana meditation, revealing distinct regional activations that correlate with advanced meditative states.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·October 25, 2023·3 min read

How Sleep Loss Amplifies Pain

Researchers discovered how sleep deprivation can exacerbate pain. Their study demonstrates that a neurotransmitter, N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA), decreases in a brain region called the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) due to sleep loss.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 8, 2023·4 min read

Exercise Induced Hormone May Be Key Player in Alzheimer’s Fight

The muscle hormone irisin, elevated during exercise, may aid in battling Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using advanced 3D cell models of AD, the research demonstrates that irisin treatment drastically reduces amyloid beta pathology.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 30, 2023·3 min read

Educational Buffer: How Learning Slows Genetic Alzheimer’s Risk

Researchers examined the role of genetics and educational attainment in early-onset Alzheimer's disease, specifically focusing on carriers of the PSEN1 E280A mutation. They found that carriers with an additional high-risk mutation, APOE e4, experienced faster cognitive decline, while those with a protective APOE e2 mutation had delayed onset.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 25, 2023·5 min read

3D Model Reveals T Cell Role in Alzheimer’s Progression

Researchers developed a 3D cellular model to study the interactions between brain cells and immune cells in Alzheimer's disease. This new model, based on advanced microfluidic technology, demonstrates that specific immune cells, CT8+ T Cells, amplify Alzheimer's pathology when they infiltrate the brain.

Brain Cancer Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 2, 2023·6 min read

Promising Phase 2 Trial Results for Pembrolizumab in Metastatic Brain Cancer

A phase 2 clinical trial of pembrolizumab has shown promising results, with 42% of patients with metastatic brain cancer benefiting from the treatment. The trial found that pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy, was tolerated and demonstrated clinical benefit in patients with brain metastases.