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Tohoku University

·April 17, 2025·4 min read

Early Menopause Linked to Greater Risk of Cognitive Decline

Women who experience menopause before age 40 are more likely to face cognitive decline than those who enter menopause after age 50. The findings, based on longitudinal data from nearly 5,000 women, suggest that early menopause may be an independent risk factor for dementia, even after accounting for depression and other variables. Women with later menopause performed better on memory and orientation tests than men, while hormone replacement therapy showed no significant cognitive effect.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 17, 2024·4 min read

Lab-Grown Neurons Mimic Brain Networks, Exhibit Neuroplasticity

Researchers have developed lab-grown neurons that behave more like real brain networks, advancing the study of learning and memory. Using microfluidic devices, the neurons formed diverse and functional networks, resembling those seen in living nervous systems.

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

·April 26, 2024·4 min read

Brain Blood Flow Syncs with Visual Stimuli

Researchers pioneered a new method to monitor blood vessel dynamics in the mouse brain, revealing that visual stimuli can synchronize vasomotion, potentially improving brain function. By exposing mice to a specific pattern of horizontally moving stripes, the team observed that vasomotion matched the stimulus pattern's speed and spread throughout the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 22, 2024·4 min read

Robotic Breakthrough Mimics Human Walking Efficiency

Researchers achieved a significant advancement in robotics by replicating human-like variable speed walking using a musculoskeletal model. This model, steered by a reflex control method akin to the human nervous system, enhances our understanding of human locomotion and sets new standards for robotic technology.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 15, 2024·4 min read

Aging Dads’ Impact: Age-Altered Sperm Genetics Increase Autism Risk

A study reveals that aging in male mice leads to changes in sperm microRNAs (miRNAs) that could influence offspring development. The research team conducted a detailed analysis of sperm from young and older mice, uncovering significant age-related alterations in miRNAs, some of which regulate the nervous system and genes linked to autism spectrum disorder.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 5, 2023·4 min read

Cerebellar Glia Influence Aggression Level

Interactions between neurons and glial cells in the cerebellum significantly influence aggression levels in mice. This study highlights the role of the cerebellum, specifically the Bergmann glial cells in the cerebellar vermis, in regulating aggression.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·September 1, 2023·4 min read

Eye Movements Reveal Your Decisions, Even When They Shouldn’t

Researchers discovered a unique connection between eye movements and decision-making, even when the eyes are not directly involved in the decision process. The study contradicts the common belief that motor movements like eye or hand movements aren't affected by decision-making activities.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 24, 2023·4 min read

Neuronal Boost: Lactate’s Key Role in Brain Development Uncovered

Researchers discovered the critical role lactate plays in the development of neural stem cells into specialized neurons. They found that lactate sends signals to these cells, aiding in the modification and strengthening of neuronal functions.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·May 18, 2023·5 min read

Hand Movements and Visual Attention: A Dance of Separate Rhythms

A new study sheds light on the intricate relationship between our hand movements and the attention they command. While it's well known that hand movements influence how we process visual stimuli, this study reveals the surprising independence between the goal of a hand movement and our self-directed, or 'endogenous', attention.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 11, 2023·3 min read

Jellyfish and Fruit Flies Shed Light on the Origin of Hunger Regulation

Researchers turn to jellyfish and fruitflies to explore the motivation to feed and shed new light on the mechanisms underlying feeding regulation.

This shows a blur of people walking across a street

Featured Neuroscience

·December 23, 2022·4 min read

Body Pitch and Movement Distort Perception

The failure to accurately sense body orientation relative to gravity may result in inappropriate movements or falls, as well as impair daily functions such as walking or carrying objects.