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Neurology

·May 25, 2025·4 min read

Dementia Diagnoses Decline, But More Are Living Longer With the Disease

A new study of over 25 million Medicare recipients found that while dementia incidence in the U.S. is declining, more older adults are living longer with the condition. From 2015 to 2021, new diagnoses dropped from 3.5% to 2.8%, yet prevalence increased to nearly 12%.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 25, 2025·9 min read

ALS Drug Shows Unprecedented Recovery in Patients With Rare Mutation

A groundbreaking experimental therapy for a rare, aggressive form of ALS caused by FUS gene mutations has produced surprising clinical improvements in some patients, including restored mobility and extended survival. The treatment uses antisense technology to silence the FUS gene, reducing toxic protein buildup in motor neurons. Two patients in a recent case series showed remarkable responses—one regained the ability to walk and breathe unassisted, while another has remained symptom-free for three years.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·May 24, 2025·4 min read

Placebo Triggers Brain’s Opioid System to Relieve Pain

Researchers have successfully induced the placebo effect in rats, uncovering the neural mechanisms behind how belief in pain relief can reduce the perception of pain. Using conditioning, rats learned to associate injections with pain relief, and later exhibited reduced pain responses even when injected with saline.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 23, 2025·4 min read

Billy Joel Diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: What is NPH?

Billy Joel has revealed a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a rare but potentially reversible brain disorder that causes symptoms like gait disturbance, cognitive decline, and urinary incontinence. NPH occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain's ventricles without increased pressure, often mimicking dementia or Parkinson’s.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·May 23, 2025·4 min read

Eye Surgery Technique Could Restore Vision in Macular Degeneration

Scientists have developed a novel surgical method allowing two retinal tissue grafts to be implanted in a single eye, advancing treatment strategies for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This new approach enables side-by-side testing of grafts—one with retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and one without—within the same lesion, using a specially designed clamp to maintain eye pressure and reduce damage.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 22, 2025·5 min read

Gene Amplifies Brain Sensitivity to Light During Migraines

Researchers have identified a molecule in the brain called NEAT1 that plays a key role in light sensitivity, a common and painful symptom of migraines. NEAT1 disrupts the normal balance of nerve signaling by interfering with microRNA activity, leading to increased levels of a pain-related protein called TRPM3.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 22, 2025·6 min read

Implanted Device Restores Arm Function After Spinal Cord Injury

A groundbreaking clinical study shows that closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation (CLV), paired with rehabilitation, can significantly improve arm and hand function in people with chronic spinal cord injuries. The therapy uses a tiny implanted device that sends timed electrical pulses to the brain when patients perform successful movements, helping rewire neural circuits.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 21, 2025·5 min read

AI-Guided Gene Vectors Precisely Target Brain and Spinal Cells

Scientists have engineered dozens of adeno-associated virus (AAV) systems that ferry genes to specific neuron and glial subtypes in the brain and spinal cord with unprecedented accuracy. Powered by AI-selected DNA “light switches,” the vectors can switch on therapeutic or research genes only in targeted cells—eliminating the need for transgenic animals and enabling fine-grained circuit mapping, activation, or silencing.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·May 21, 2025·3 min read

Long COVID Is Fueling a Mental Health Crisis in Children

A new study reveals that nearly 40% of children with long COVID are experiencing significant symptoms of anxiety or depression, many for the first time. Using validated mental health screening tools, researchers found that 1 in 4 children had new anxiety symptoms and 1 in 7 had new depressive symptoms, despite no prior mental health history.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 21, 2025·6 min read

8-Minute MRI Scan Can Diagnose MS Without Lumbar Puncture

A groundbreaking study has shown that multiple sclerosis (MS) can now be accurately diagnosed with a specialized MRI scan, eliminating the need for invasive and often painful lumbar punctures. The scan, which takes just 8 minutes, detects brain lesions centered on veins—a hallmark of MS—using a technique called T2*-weighted MRI.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 21, 2025·4 min read

New Alzheimer’s Drug Boosts Brain Protection, Restores Memory

Researchers have identified a promising drug candidate, DDL-357, that improves memory in Alzheimer’s mouse models by increasing levels of a protective brain protein called clusterin (CLU). CLU helps prevent the buildup of toxic amyloid-beta plaques and tau proteins, both key drivers of Alzheimer’s disease.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 21, 2025·4 min read

Cold Sore Virus Linked to Alzheimer’s, Antivirals May Lower Risk

A large study suggests that symptomatic infection with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)—best known for causing cold sores—may significantly raise the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that people with HSV-1 were 80% more likely to have Alzheimer’s, while those treated with antiviral medications had a 17% lower risk.