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Neuroscience

Neuroscience research articles are listed here. Every science article tagged with neuroscience is shown.

What is neuroscience? Neuroscience is the scientific study of nervous systems. Neuroscience often involves research from numerous science genres including brain science, psychology, neurology, computer science, artificial intelligence, big data, statistics, engineering, medicine, physics, mathematics, linguistics, electrophysiology, biology, anatomy and neurobiology.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2024·4 min read

App Shows Promise in Reducing Depression by Curbing Rumination

A new digital health intervention, developed over a decade of research, uses a gamified app to help reduce depressive symptoms by disrupting ruminative thought patterns. The app, which features five mini-games, encourages users to progress through thoughts more flexibly, aiming to break negative cycles. In an 8-week trial, participants who used the app reported faster symptom improvement compared to those who didn’t. These benefits persisted up to four weeks after the study, suggesting long-lasting effects.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2024·5 min read

After the Pandemic, Alcohol Use Remains Elevated

U.S. alcohol use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has stayed elevated post-pandemic, posing serious health risks. Heavy drinking rose by 20% during the pandemic, and the increase continued in 2022. This trend spanned across most demographics, with the highest rise among adults aged 40-49.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2024·4 min read

Wealth Shapes Perceptions of Trustworthiness

New research shows that across diverse cultures, individuals with fewer material resources are consistently perceived as less trustworthy. The study spanned eight countries and uncovered a universal stereotype linking wealth to trustworthiness, even among those with low resources themselves.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 11, 2024·5 min read

Uncovering Hidden Brain Signals

A recent study offers new insights into how brain regions coordinate during rest, using resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI) and neural recordings in mice. By comparing blood flow patterns with direct neural activity, researchers found that some brain activity remains "invisible" in traditional rsfMRI scans. This hidden activity suggests that current brain imaging techniques may miss key elements of neural behavior. The findings, potentially applicable to human studies, may refine our understanding of brain networks. Further research could improve the accuracy of interpreting brain activity.

This shows an older couple sitting on a bench.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 11, 2024·7 min read

Emotional Sensitivity Linked to Anxiety and Depression Risks

A recent study reveals that seniors who are more susceptible to “emotional contagion”—feeling emotions from others—are significantly more likely to experience anxiety or depression. Researchers found that emotional sensitivity, when unmanaged, could increase the risk of psychological distress in seniors by up to tenfold. Emotional contagion, often triggered unconsciously, helps foster empathy but may strain mental health in communal living settings.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 11, 2024·6 min read

Fluctuating Cholesterol Linked to Higher Dementia Risk

Older adults with significant fluctuations in cholesterol levels are at increased risk for dementia and cognitive decline, even without medication changes. Researchers studied nearly 10,000 older adults, tracking their cholesterol levels and cognitive function over six years. High variability in total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol was associated with a 60% increase in dementia and 23% increase in cognitive decline.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 11, 2024·5 min read

Mental Exhaustion Drives Aggressive Behavior

Prolonged mental fatigue can lead to increased aggression and uncooperative behavior due to changes in the brain’s frontal cortex. This area, crucial for decision-making, starts to show “local sleep” activity patterns, typically associated with rest.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 11, 2024·4 min read

Astrocytes Play Role in Deciding the Fate of Memories

Researchers have uncovered a surprising role for astrocytes—cells surrounding neurons—in deciding which memories are kept or forgotten. By manipulating astrocytes in mice using optogenetics, scientists found that acidifying these cells after a traumatic experience leads to forgetting the memory over time, while alkalinizing them preserves it long-term. This suggests astrocytes significantly influence emotional memory retention and could inform treatments for conditions like PTSD.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 11, 2024·7 min read

Stable Bedtime Boosts Kids’ Behavior and Emotional Control

Children with regular bedtimes exhibit better emotional control and behavior than those with irregular sleep patterns. Researchers found that consistency in sleep times helps children handle stress and regulate their actions more effectively.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·November 11, 2024·4 min read

Targeting Enzyme TYK2 Could Reduce Tau in Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists have discovered that the enzyme TYK2 modifies tau proteins, leading to their accumulation in the brain—a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. By reducing TYK2 activity in animal models, researchers found tau buildup was decreased, suggesting TYK2 inhibitors could be a potential therapeutic pathway.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 11, 2024·6 min read

Asthma Linked to Memory Deficits in Children

A recent study highlights a connection between asthma and memory difficulties in children, with earlier onset linked to slower memory development over time. In testing episodic memory in children aged 9-10, researchers found that those with asthma scored lower than their peers without the condition.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 10, 2024·3 min read

Reprogrammed Brain Cells Could Restore Damaged Circuits

Scientists have successfully reprogrammed astroglia, a type of brain support cell, into neurons that mimic specific interneurons critical for brain function. By modifying the Ascl1 protein, they increased its efficiency in converting astroglia to neuron-like cells, opening new possibilities for regenerative treatments for brain disorders such as epilepsy.