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UCL

·March 12, 2025·5 min read

Brains Use Social Shortcuts to Master Complex Group Dynamics

New research reveals that our brains simplify complex social interactions by using basic mental "building blocks" or shortcuts. Researchers scanned the brains of people playing a simple team game and observed how participants kept track of interactions with both teammates and opponents.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 23, 2025·6 min read

Adults With ADHD May Have Shorter Lives

A study analyzing data from over 30,000 adults with diagnosed ADHD found a reduction in life expectancy of 4.5–9 years for men and 6.5–11 years for women compared to those without ADHD. Researchers caution that the findings may overestimate the reduction due to underdiagnosis and additional health problems among diagnosed individuals.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·January 9, 2025·6 min read

Brain Cell Genetics Shape Aging and Alzheimer’s Risk

Researchers have identified genetic variations in brain cells, particularly microglia and oligodendrocytes, that influence both aging and Alzheimer’s risk. These variations impact how cells function as they age, potentially priming some individuals for dementia.

This shows a man against a blurry background.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 7, 2025·4 min read

False Memories Are Harder to Create Than Once Thought

A new analysis challenges long-standing claims about the ease of implanting false memories, often cited in court cases to discredit witnesses. Researchers re-evaluated data from a 2023 replication of the "Lost in the Mall" study, finding that none of the participants formed fully false memories of a fabricated childhood event.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 7, 2025·3 min read

“Sandwich” Generation Face Health Toll of Caring for Parents and Kids

Sandwich carers—those who care for both children and aging relatives—face significant mental and physical health declines, particularly when caregiving exceeds 20 hours weekly. A study tracking carers over nine years found persistent mental health challenges and worsening physical health during this transition.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 10, 2024·7 min read

Exercise Boosts Memory for 24 Hours

New research reveals that the cognitive boost from moderate to vigorous exercise lasts up to the next day, enhancing memory performance in adults aged 50 to 83. The study also found that adequate sleep—particularly deep, slow-wave sleep—adds to these benefits.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·December 4, 2024·6 min read

Most Teens Recover From Long Covid Within Two Years

A large study tracking young people with long Covid found that 70% of those affected had recovered within two years, though 30% continued to experience symptoms. Researchers analyzed data from over 12,000 participants, defining long Covid as experiencing multiple symptoms like fatigue and headaches alongside functional impairments.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 29, 2024·5 min read

AI Outperforms Experts in Predicting Study Outcomes

A new study demonstrates that large language models (LLMs) can predict the outcomes of neuroscience studies more accurately than human experts, achieving 81% accuracy compared to 63% for neuroscientists. Using a tool called BrainBench, researchers tested LLMs and human experts on identifying real versus fabricated study abstracts, finding that the AI models excelled even when neuroscientists had domain-specific expertise.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 26, 2024·3 min read

Alzheimer’s Drug Shrinks Brain Volume by Removing Amyloid Plaques

Brain volume loss linked to new Alzheimer’s immunotherapies, such as lecanemab, is caused by the removal of amyloid plaques rather than neuronal damage. Researchers analyzed data from multiple trials and coined the term "amyloid-removal-related pseudo-atrophy" (ARPA) to describe this phenomenon.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·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.