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Texas A&M

This shows kidneys on a scale of justice.

·May 16, 2025·5 min read

Public Favors Some Organ Recipients Over Others

Americans tend to judge organ transplant eligibility based on the cause of a person’s illness rather than their race or ethnicity. Survey participants consistently favored recipients whose conditions were seen as less self-inflicted—such as black lung disease from coal mining or genetic kidney failure—over those with alcohol use disorder or unvaccinated COVID-19 complications.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 20, 2024·4 min read

How Alcohol Impairs the Brain’s Ability to Adapt and Learn

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) disrupts cognitive flexibility, crucial for learning and adapting to change. New research reveals that chronic alcohol exposure alters the firing patterns of cholinergic interneurons (CINs), key neurons in the brain’s striatum that regulate dopamine and influence reward-driven learning.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 7, 2024·4 min read

New Nasal Spray Could Delay Alzheimer’s Progression by Years

Researchers have developed a promising nasal spray therapy targeting neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease, potentially delaying its progression by over a decade. Using extracellular vesicles derived from neural stem cells, the treatment reduced inflammation and protein build-up in the brain in early-stage Alzheimer’s animal models.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·August 8, 2024·5 min read

Parental Alcohol Use Linked to Early Aging in Kids

Children of parents with alcohol use disorders inherit early aging symptoms, including high cholesterol, heart problems, arthritis, and early-onset dementia. This effect is worse if both parents have alcohol issues, especially in male offspring, due to mitochondrial dysfunction inherited from parents. Researchers suggest that improving mitochondrial health through exercise and vitamin intake could help delay these effects.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 7, 2024·5 min read

Caffeine’s Double-Edged Sword: Boosting Energy or Risking Health?

The caffeinated beverage industry continues to thrive, with the coffee sector alone generating significant economic activity. Yet, despite its popularity for boosting alertness and physical performance, caffeine, a powerful stimulant, can lead to dependence and exacerbate health issues.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 12, 2023·4 min read

Father’s Alcohol Consumption Before Conception Linked to Brain and Facial Defects in Offspring

Researchers report paternal alcohol exposure prior to conception is associated with an increased risk of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and facial growth defects in their offspring.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 6, 2023·4 min read

How Environment Influences Physical Activity

Study investigates the influence of social and built environments on people's physical activity levels.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 21, 2023·4 min read

Brain Circuit Involved in Fentanyl Abuse and Relapse Identified

Fentanyl enhances direct pathway medium spiny neurons activity in the striatum. During withdrawal from the opioid, inhibitory signals from direct pathway medium spiny neurons to dopaminergic neurons become enhanced. The enhanced suppression of dopaminergic neurons contributes to the negative emotions associated with fentanyl withdrawal. Inhibiting the direct pathway medium spiny neurons can reduce withdrawal symptoms and associated anxiety behaviors.

This shows a drawing of a woman laying awake

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 11, 2023·4 min read

Scientists Make Progress in Decoding Genetics of Insomnia

Researchers identify the role the Pig-Q gene plays in sleep regulation. Mutations of the Pig-Q gene increase sleep.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 18, 2022·4 min read

Repairing Gut Saves Brain Function After Stroke

Transplanting intestinal epithelial stem cells from healthy donors reduced stroke-induced mortality, decreased the volume of dead brain tissue and gut leakiness, and prevented stroke-induced cognitive decline.