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·July 23, 2017·5 min read

High-Fat Diet in Pregnancy Can Cause Mental Health Problems in Offspring

Mothers who eat high fat diets during pregnancy could be elevating the risk of future depression and anxiety symptoms for their children, a new study in Frontiers in Endocrinology reports. High fat diets may impair the development of the central serotonin system, researchers discovered. Further studies noted that introducing a healthy diet to the offspring at an early age did not reverse the effect.

Image shows brains with the subcortical structures highlighted.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 21, 2017·3 min read

Depression Changes Structure of the Brain

White matter integrity appears to be reduced in people with major depressive disorders, a new Scientific Reports study reveals.

Image shows a glioblastoma brain cancer tumor in a brain slice.

Brain Cancer Featured Genetics Neurology

·July 21, 2017·4 min read

CD44s Gives Glioblastoma Brain Cancer a Survival Advantage

A new Baylor study reveals the CD44s molecule gives glioblastoma brain cancer cells a survival advantage. Removing CD44s from cancer cells and treating with erlotinib helped to promote the death of cancer cells than by just treating the cancer with erlotinib alone, researchers said.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 21, 2017·4 min read

Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Increases Risk for Neurocognitive Problems in Children Born Very Prematurely

According to a Journal of Pediatrics report, children born prematurely to women who were obese prior to pregnancy showed lower scores on intelligence tests. When tested at age 10, the children were more likely than their peers to score lower in verbal intelligence, cognitive control and spelling tests.

Featured Most Popular Neuroscience Psychology

·July 20, 2017·4 min read

New Cause of Schizophrenia Uncovered

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have made a significant discovery as to how schizophrenia may occur. They discovered a genetic defect that causes damage to glial cells may also impair the production of myelin. Researchers believe the lack of myelin may be a significant contributor to the development of schizophrenia in some patients.

Image shows matrices of the neural activity.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 20, 2017·4 min read

Patterns of Brain Activity Direct Specific Body Movements

A new study sheds light on how neurons in the motor cortex communicate with muscles and drive motion. Using optogenetics, the researchers discovered the motor cortex communicates with muscles differently, depending on the type of movement an animal makes.

Image shows an infographic with 9 ways to decrease dementia risk.

Featured Neurology

·July 20, 2017·4 min read

1 in 3 Cases of Dementia Are Preventable

Researchers have identified nine risk factors during different stages in life that may increase a person's likelihood of developing dementia. At least 35% of dementia cases, researchers say, may be directly linked to these risk factors. By taking steps to reduce risks and by improving education, it is estimated that the incidence of dementia can be reduced by as much as 20%.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 19, 2017·3 min read

Healthy Heart in 20s Means Healthy Brain in 40s

Taking steps to improve your heart health early in life can help prevent brain shrinkage as you age, a new Neurology study reports. Researchers discovered people who had better heart health scores also had a higher average brain volume as a percentage of their total head size in middle age.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 19, 2017·4 min read

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fight Inflammation via Cannabinoids

A new study in PNAS reveals how the body converts omega 3 fatty acids into endocannabinoids, which can have anti-inflammatory effects.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·July 19, 2017·4 min read

Steering an Enzyme’s ‘Scissors’ Shows Potential for Stopping Alzheimer’s

Researchers at UBC believe they have identified a method that could help stop Alzheimer's disease in its tracks.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 19, 2017·5 min read

Lunatic Fringe Gene Plays Key Role in the Renewable Brain

A new study in eLife reports lunatic fringe genes mediates a mechanism that preserves neural stem cells, so they can form new neurons throughout life. The findings, researchers say, have far-reaching implications for the study of neurogenesis.