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Mount Sinai Hospital

This is a visual representation of the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor.

·August 2, 2025·6 min read

Fat Molecule May Control How You Feel Emotion

Scientists have uncovered how the brain’s 5-HT1A serotonin receptor—vital in mood regulation—functions at the molecular level. This receptor, a common target of antidepressants and psychedelics, prefers certain signaling pathways no matter the drug, but drugs can still vary in how strongly they activate them.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 19, 2025·5 min read

Gut Bacteria, Food Insecurity, and Cognitive Risk Intertwined

A new study highlights how food insecurity may intensify the relationship between gut microbiome imbalances and cognitive impairment in adults. Analyzing data from 360 participants, researchers found specific bacterial “cliques” linked to poor cognitive outcomes, especially among those with limited access to nutritious food.

This shows sister moms and their babies.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 21, 2025·5 min read

Postpartum Psychosis May Run in Families

Women are over 10 times more likely to develop postpartum psychosis if their sister has experienced the condition, according to a major study of more than 1.6 million women. This rare but severe disorder, marked by hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized thinking after childbirth, can have life-threatening consequences if not treated.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 7, 2025·5 min read

Dopamine’s Hidden Role in Anxiety Revealed

Dopamine receptors in the ventral hippocampus play a critical role in balancing approach and avoidance behaviors, expanding understanding beyond dopamine’s known functions in reward and motivation. By studying D1 and D2 receptor-expressing neurons in mice, researchers found these receptors govern opposing emotional responses under stress.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 30, 2025·4 min read

How the Brain Judges Social Encounters

Scientists have identified the neural circuitry responsible for assigning emotional value—positive or negative—to social encounters. Two key neuromodulators, serotonin and neurotensin, were found to control opposing emotional responses in a brain region responsible for learning and memory.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 12, 2025·4 min read

Newly Discovered Gene Mutation Linked to Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Researchers have identified mutations in the non-coding gene RNU2-2 as a cause of a newly defined neurodevelopmental disorder, often accompanied by severe epilepsy. The discovery sheds light on the critical role of small non-coding genes in brain development and could affect thousands of families globally.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·February 18, 2025·5 min read

Nanoparticles Deliver mRNA to the Brain, Bypassing Blood-Brain Barrier

Scientists have developed a lipid nanoparticle system that enables mRNA to cross the blood-brain barrier, a long-standing challenge in neuroscience. In studies using mice and human brain tissue, these nanoparticles successfully delivered therapeutic mRNA, opening doors for potential treatments for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, ALS, and brain cancer.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·November 25, 2024·4 min read

New Platform Overcomes Blood-Brain Barrier for Drug Delivery

Researchers have developed a breakthrough system to deliver large therapeutic molecules into the brain, overcoming the challenges of the blood-brain barrier.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 7, 2024·5 min read

How the Brain Links Old and New Memories for Adaptive Learning

Researchers have revealed a neural mechanism in the brain that enables memories to integrate across different times and experiences. This study, conducted in mice, shows that memories are replayed and reactivated not only after significant events but also in ways that connect them with previous, related experiences. The findings highlight how memories are dynamically updated, supporting both adaptive processes like learning and potentially maladaptive ones like PTSD.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·October 11, 2024·4 min read

New Genetic Mutations Linked to Schizophrenia Risk

A study has identified mutations arising during brain development that may contribute to schizophrenia. Unlike inherited genes, these somatic mutations occur after conception and were found more frequently in schizophrenia patients' brain tissue. By sequencing DNA from neurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, researchers identified single-nucleotide variants linked to disrupted brain functions. This discovery highlights the importance of studying both inherited and non-inherited genetic factors.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 27, 2024·4 min read

New Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Targets Plexin-B1 Protein

Researchers identified a novel way to potentially slow or halt Alzheimer's progression by targeting the plexin-B1 protein. Their study shows how reactive astrocytes and plexin-B1 play crucial roles in clearing amyloid plaques. This discovery opens new pathways for Alzheimer's treatments and emphasizes the importance of cellular interactions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 8, 2024·5 min read

Psychedelics Activate Serotonin to Produce Antidepressant Effect

A new study advanced our understanding of how psychedelic drugs activate serotonin receptors to offer potential treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders. The identifies the interaction of psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin with the serotonin receptor 5-HT1A, which is pivotal in their therapeutic effects.