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UCL

·November 25, 2024·4 min read

Moms’ Baby Talk Boosts Infant Oxytocin

A new study reveals that when mothers regularly discuss their infants’ thoughts and feelings, it is associated with higher oxytocin levels in their babies. Oxytocin, a hormone crucial for social bonding and emotional development, is influenced by the way mothers reference their child’s internal states during interactions.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 14, 2024·5 min read

Neural Flexibility: Prioritizing Memories to Guide Behavior

Male worms can activate two conflicting memories—mating and starvation—when encountering the same odor, but only one influences their behavior.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 1, 2024·5 min read

Socioeconomic Factors Influence Cognitive Health and Dementia Risk

A new study reveals that socioeconomic factors like education, occupation, and wealth play a role in the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in later life. Tracking over 8,000 adults in England, researchers found that people with higher socioeconomic status were less likely to transition from healthy cognition to impairment and more likely to recover from mild impairment.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 4, 2024·6 min read

Alzheimer’s Brain Shrinkage Follows No Single Pattern

A new study finds that brain shrinkage in Alzheimer's patients does not follow a uniform pattern. Researchers examined thousands of brain scans and found that individuals showed varied shrinkage patterns over time. Those with faster shrinkage in specific brain regions were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. This personalized approach to brain mapping may lead to tailored treatments based on individual brain changes.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 30, 2024·4 min read

Exercise Boosts Motivation to Combat Depression

A new study suggests that exercise reduces depression by boosting motivation through decreased inflammation and enhanced dopamine function. This understanding could lead to personalized exercise programs as treatment. The review highlights how aerobic exercise combats anhedonia and low energy in depression. Large trials are needed to further test this hypothesis and explore barriers to exercise.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 3, 2024·5 min read

Brain Energy Boost Mechanism Discovered

Researchers identified a key mechanism that detects when the brain needs an energy boost, involving astrocytes and the molecule adenosine. This discovery could lead to new therapies for maintaining brain health and longevity, particularly in combating cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.

This shows a person with clouds around their head.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·June 25, 2024·3 min read

Anxiety Doubles Parkinson’s Risk

Researchers found that people over 50 with anxiety have twice the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Using UK primary care data from 2008-2018, the study compared 109,435 patients with anxiety to 878,256 without. Results showed increased Parkinson’s risk and identified additional risk factors like depression and sleep problems. This research suggests early detection and treatment for Parkinson’s might be possible by monitoring anxiety and related symptoms.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 24, 2024·5 min read

First Child Brain Implant for Epilepsy Appears Successful

A groundbreaking implantable device has significantly reduced the frequency and severity of seizures in children with severe epilepsy, according to a new UK clinical trial. The rechargeable device, attached to the skull, delivers constant electrical stimulation to the brain, allowing patients like Oran to experience dramatic improvements in quality of life. This trial, known as the CADET pilot, is the first to measure this treatment for pediatric epilepsy and shows promise for broader applications. Further research will expand to more patients, aiming for a new standard in epilepsy treatment.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 18, 2024·6 min read

Blood Test Predicts Parkinson’s Years Before Symptoms

Researchers have developed an AI-powered blood test that can predict Parkinson's disease up to seven years before symptoms appear. The test analyzes eight blood biomarkers and has shown 100% accuracy in diagnosing the disease. This breakthrough offers the potential for early intervention and treatment before significant damage occurs in the brain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 11, 2024·6 min read

Depression Impacts Memory Decline

Depressive symptoms and memory decline in older adults are closely linked, each influencing the other. Using 16 years of data from 8,268 adults, researchers found that depression can precede memory decline, and poor memory can lead to increased depressive symptoms.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 8, 2024·4 min read

Pandemic Reveals Unexpected Resilience in Isolated Seniors

Socially connected older adults in England experienced a sharper decline in quality of life and increased loneliness during the pandemic compared to their isolated peers. Researchers analyzed data from 4,636 individuals and found that isolated seniors faced fewer disruptions in their routines, offering them some protection against negative pandemic effects. However, socially isolated adults saw a greater decline in physical activity and financial worries. These findings underscore the complex impact of social connections during crises.

This shows a child looking at models of the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 5, 2024·5 min read

Brain Training in Kids Shows No Real-World Benefits

Brain training exercises for children do not significantly improve their cognitive control, academic performance, or delay gratification. The research debunks the effectiveness of such programs, showing no long-term brain changes. Despite improving specific task performance, the benefits did not extend to broader cognitive or behavioral outcomes.