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NIH

·November 8, 2023·6 min read

Brain’s Salience Network Key in Quick Drug Addiction

Researchers have found that the brain's 'salience network' is only activated when drugs are taken intravenously, not orally, offering insights into addiction mechanisms. Quick drug entry into the brain, like injection or smoking, shows a higher addiction potential than slower methods such as oral intake.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 3, 2023·5 min read

Amygdala’s Role in Epilepsy Sudden Death

The study elucidates how seizures originating in specific amygdala subregions might suppress both breathing and the crucial alarm signal of "air hunger," potentially through novel connections to the brainstem, which regulates responses to blood CO2 alterations. With a sharper focus on these amygdala-brainstem links, researchers forge a vital pathway toward demystifying SUDEP, revealing robust avenues for future exploration, preventive measures, and targeted treatments.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·May 22, 2023·6 min read

Brain Activity Reveals Chronic Pain Signatures

Researchers successfully recorded data directly from the brains of individuals suffering from chronic pain caused by stroke or amputation. This milestone, accomplished using machine learning tools, identified specific brain regions and biomarkers associated with chronic pain. The findings mark a significant stride towards devising novel methods for monitoring and treating chronic pain.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 10, 2023·7 min read

Global Genomic Diversity: Unveiling the New Pangenome Reference

The Human Pangenome Reference Consortium has released a comprehensive collection of human genome sequences that captures remarkable diversity across global populations. The new "pangenome" reference includes 94 distinct genome sequences from 47 individuals, with plans to increase this to 700 sequences from 350 people by mid-2024. This expanded reference will better represent the genetic diversity of the human species and help reduce health disparities in genomic analyses. It also introduces over 100 million new DNA bases, and can more accurately identify larger genomic variants.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·4 min read

Mapping Dementia’s DNA: New Genetic Risk Factors Identified

Researchers discovered new genetic risk factors for non-Alzheimer's dementia, specifically Lewy body dementia (LBD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The team identified large-scale DNA changes, known as structural variants, that could increase the risk of these diseases. Notably, a previously unknown variant in the gene TCPN1 was linked to a higher risk for LBD, highlighting the significance of genetic research in combating neurodegenerative diseases.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 6, 2023·7 min read

Cannabis Use Disorder Linked to Increased Schizophrenia Risk in Males

A new study finds that young men with cannabis use disorder are at an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. The study, which analyzed health records data of more than 6 million people in Denmark, estimated that up to 30% of schizophrenia cases among young men aged 21-30 might have been prevented by avoiding cannabis use disorder, highlighting the need for preventative measures and treatments for cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 6, 2023·5 min read

New Study Sheds Light on Long COVID: Immunity and Neurological Symptoms Explored

Researchers have uncovered crucial findings regarding Long COVID, discovering significant immune system and nervous system changes that could explain the neurological symptoms experienced by patients.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·February 27, 2023·3 min read

AI Tool May Speed Screening of Epilepsy Drugs in Mice

Artificial intelligence was able to determine different behavioral phenotypes at different stages in the development of epilepsy in mice.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·February 15, 2023·3 min read

Computational Modeling Sheds Light on Human Cognition and the Origins of Brain Disorders

An AI model of gene regulation in the brain identified thousands of mutations associated with neocortical development and the facilitation of mathematical abilities.

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Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·February 10, 2023·4 min read

A Rare Neurological Disease Involving Cellular Recycling Discovered

Mutations of the ATG4D gene which is associated with autophagy have been linked to a rare neurological disorder in children that causes a range of motor coordination and speech problems.

This shows the outline of a body and a brain on a computer

Featured Neuroscience

·February 8, 2023·8 min read

Microbiome Changes May Be a Signature for ME/CFS

People with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have abnormally low levels of specific health-promoting gut bacterial species than those without the disorders.