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neuropharmacology

·June 10, 2025·3 min read

How Acetaminophen Silences Pain Before It Reaches the Brain

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) doesn’t just work in the brain—it also shuts off pain at its source in the peripheral nerves. The study found that after taking paracetamol, the body produces a compound called AM404 directly in pain-sensing nerve endings.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·June 5, 2025·7 min read

HIV Drugs Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk

FDA-approved HIV drugs targeting reverse transcriptase (RT) may reduce Alzheimer’s risk by blocking similar enzymatic activity in the aging brain. Scientists discovered unexpected RT activity in neurons of healthy and Alzheimer’s brains, tracing it to truncated LINE1 elements—ancient genetic sequences capable of copying themselves via RT.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 3, 2025·7 min read

Ibudilast Fails to Beat Placebo in Alcoholism Trial, Except in Women

A recent clinical trial found that ibudilast, a drug once promising for alcohol use disorder, was no more effective than a placebo overall. While all participants reduced their drinking, women on ibudilast showed a greater drop in drinks per day, hinting at a gender-specific benefit.

This shows an older woman with a tincture.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 3, 2025·5 min read

Cannabis Use Among U.S. Seniors Has Surged 46% in Just Two Years

Marijuana use among U.S. adults aged 65 and older has climbed to a record 7%, up nearly 46% from 2021 to 2023. The trend is especially pronounced among college-educated, married, and higher-income individuals, particularly women.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 31, 2025·8 min read

Blocking Opioid Receptors May Restore Healthy Dopamine Balance

New research identifies a promising strategy for correcting dopamine imbalances in the brain using a drug that blocks kappa opioid receptors (KOR). In mouse models with a rare mutation that causes dopamine to leak abnormally, KOR blockers reduced this leakage and restored normal behavior.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 30, 2025·4 min read

SSRIs Restore Brain Function in Alzheimer’s

A new study suggests that SSRIs, commonly prescribed antidepressants, may reduce biological markers of Alzheimer’s disease. In a cohort of 191 individuals, AD patients on SSRIs had lower levels of plasma phosphorylated tau-181, a key indicator of disease severity.

Brain Cancer Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 30, 2025·6 min read

Lab-Designed Peptide Targets Glioblastoma Stem Cells

A newly developed lab-designed molecule, JM2, may offer a promising therapy to combat glioblastoma recurrence by targeting the tumor’s most resilient cells. Researchers discovered that glioblastoma stem cells rely on the protein connexin 43’s interaction with microtubules—an interaction disrupted by JM2.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 29, 2025·6 min read

Sleep Aid May Protect Brain from Alzheimer’s Damage

A common sleep medication, lemborexant, may do more than promote rest—it appears to reduce harmful tau buildup and protect the brain from neurodegeneration in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that this orexin receptor antagonist not only restored healthier sleep patterns but also preserved brain structure and reduced inflammation.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 26, 2025·5 min read

Nitrous Oxide Unlocks Blood-Brain Barrier for Safer Gene Delivery

Researchers have discovered that nitrous oxide can safely enhance the delivery of gene therapy to the brain by making the blood-brain barrier (BBB) more permeable when paired with focused ultrasound (FUS). This method required significantly lower concentrations of microbubbles and ultrasound pressure than conventional techniques, reducing the risk of tissue damage.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 26, 2025·4 min read

Brainstem Neurons Hold Key to Semaglutide’s Weight Loss Effects

Researchers have identified a specific group of brainstem neurons that mediate the appetite-reducing and weight-loss effects of semaglutide without triggering side effects like nausea. In mice, activating these neurons led to reduced food intake and fat loss, mimicking the drug’s benefits.

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.