Latest

Scripps Research Institute

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·June 5, 2025·4 min read

New Eye Implant Slows Retinal Degeneration

The FDA has approved ENCELTO, the first treatment for macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel), a rare degenerative eye disease that gradually impairs central vision. ENCELTO is a surgically implanted device that delivers a steady dose of a neuroprotective protein called CNTF to preserve retinal cells and slow disease progression.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 3, 2025·6 min read

MicroRNAs Guide Purkinje Cell Growth, Shedding Light on Autism Links

A new study reveals that microRNAs—tiny regulators of gene expression—play a crucial role in shaping Purkinje cells, rare brain neurons linked to movement and neurodevelopmental disorders. Using advanced genetic tools, researchers showed that disabling microRNAs during specific developmental windows impaired the cells’ growth and ability to form key connections.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 18, 2024·6 min read

Space Study Reveals Accelerated Growth of Human Brain Cells

Scientists sent stem-cell-derived brain organoids to the International Space Station (ISS) to study the effects of microgravity on brain development. After a month in orbit, the organoids remained healthy but displayed accelerated maturation and reduced replication compared to Earth-grown controls. Gene expression analysis revealed higher levels of genes linked to neuron maturity and lower levels of stress-related inflammation, challenging initial hypotheses.

This shows the outline of a person watching videos with an AI overlay.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 9, 2024·7 min read

Brain-Inspired AI Learns to Watch Videos Like a Human

Researchers have developed MovieNet, an AI model inspired by the human brain, to understand and analyze moving images with unprecedented accuracy. Mimicking how neurons process visual sequences, MovieNet can identify subtle changes in dynamic scenes while using significantly less data and energy than traditional AI.

This shows a man's face and broken bottles.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·November 5, 2024·5 min read

Gene Study Links Alcohol Addiction to Accelerated Alzheimer’s Progression

Researchers discovered alcohol use disorder (AUD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit similar patterns of gene dysregulation, hinting that alcohol consumption may hasten Alzheimer’s progression. By analyzing gene expression across individual brain cells, the team found shared disruptions in inflammation, cell signaling, and blood vessel functions in both disorders.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·October 24, 2024·6 min read

Stem Cell Mini-Brains Unlock Insights into Autism

Researchers have created "mini-brains" using stem cells from patients with a rare form of autism, allowing them to study brain development in detail. These organoids revealed how a genetic mutation in MEF2C disrupts the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons, leading to autism.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 16, 2024·3 min read

Sleep Patterns Linked to Cognitive Health in Women

The REFRESH-NOW study investigates the impact of sleep duration and irregularity on cognitive health in women aged 55 and older. Using activity trackers and a smartphone app, researchers aim to understand how sleep disturbances contribute to dementia development.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 20, 2024·6 min read

CRISPR Screen Unlocks Brain’s “Black Box”

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking CRISPR screening method called in vivo Perturb-seq. This innovative technique allows for rapid and scalable analysis of how genetic changes affect individual brain cells, offering new insights into the cellular drivers of neurological diseases. By understanding how specific cell types respond to genetic perturbations, researchers can identify potential therapeutic targets and develop more effective treatments.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 29, 2024·5 min read

Compound May Curb Alcohol Dependence

The compound LY2444296, which blocks the kappa opioid receptor, significantly reduces alcohol consumption in animal models of alcohol dependence. This study suggests LY2444296 could be a breakthrough in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) by targeting the brain's KOP system, implicated in addiction and withdrawal symptoms.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 21, 2024·6 min read

Targeting Stress Neurons Could Curb Problem Alcohol Use

Researchers made a significant discovery, identifying that inhibiting neurons related to stress responses may decrease alcohol consumption in individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) simultaneously. Their study used a rat model to demonstrate that reducing the activity of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) producing neurons in the central amygdala lessens alcohol intake without affecting trauma-related anxiety.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 24, 2024·6 min read

Illuminating Brain Inhibition

Researchers developed a groundbreaking technology to track when brain cells deactivate, a key process known as inhibition. This technique allows a deeper understanding of normal brain functions and disorders like depression, PTSD, and Alzheimer's.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 6, 2023·5 min read

Insomnia Drug May Ward Off Opioid Relapse

A recent study highlights a new benefit of quality sleep: deterring opioid relapse. In the study, rats undergoing oxycodone withdrawal received an experimental insomnia treatment.

1 2 3 … 6

Scripps Research Institute

New Eye Implant Slows Retinal Degeneration

MicroRNAs Guide Purkinje Cell Growth, Shedding Light on Autism Links

Space Study Reveals Accelerated Growth of Human Brain Cells

Brain-Inspired AI Learns to Watch Videos Like a Human

Gene Study Links Alcohol Addiction to Accelerated Alzheimer’s Progression

Stem Cell Mini-Brains Unlock Insights into Autism

Sleep Patterns Linked to Cognitive Health in Women

CRISPR Screen Unlocks Brain’s “Black Box”

Compound May Curb Alcohol Dependence

Targeting Stress Neurons Could Curb Problem Alcohol Use

Illuminating Brain Inhibition

Insomnia Drug May Ward Off Opioid Relapse

Gene Key to MS Immune Regulation Discovered

Maternal Depression Linked to Weaker Bonds

Study Challenges Link Between Football and Brain Protein Buildup

Spotting Silent Scars: A New Way to Detect Childhood Abuse

Subscribe