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UCSF

·July 25, 2025·3 min read

Microglia May Hold Key to Slowing Alzheimer’s Progression

Alzheimer’s disease is marked by toxic amyloid-beta protein clumps, but some people seem naturally protected. A new study reveals that a receptor called ADGRG1 enables immune cells called microglia to effectively clear these harmful plaques.

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Featured Neuroscience

·July 16, 2025·5 min read

How Your Brain Strings Words Together

Speaking requires a precise sequence of muscle movements, long thought to be coordinated by Broca’s area in the brain. New research reveals that a different region, the middle precentral gyrus (mPrCG), plays a key role in planning and executing speech sequences.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·July 9, 2025·7 min read

Genes and Brain Wiring Team Up in Alzheimer’s Spread

A new study reveals how genes influence where and how Alzheimer’s-related tau protein spreads in the brain. By combining imaging, gene data, and advanced modeling, researchers uncovered four gene pathways that either amplify or resist tau buildup, depending on brain connectivity.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 18, 2025·3 min read

Alzheimer’s Risk Linked to Increased Social Activity, Not Isolation

Contrary to popular belief, a new study suggests that people with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s may become more socially engaged—not less. Researchers analyzed data from over 500,000 individuals and found that higher-risk participants reported lower social isolation and more positive family interactions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 11, 2025·5 min read

Fast-Track to Happiness: One Week of Micro-Acts Makes a Difference

A new study has shown that just seven days of small, daily acts of kindness and gratitude can significantly improve emotional wellbeing. In the web-based Big Joy Project, nearly 17,600 participants from around the world performed micro-acts like sharing joyful moments and listing things they’re grateful for.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 22, 2025·6 min read

More Social Media, More Depression: Study Links Cause and Effect

A new study has found that as preteens increase their social media use, depressive symptoms also rise—but not the other way around. Researchers tracked nearly 12,000 youth over three years and discovered that increased screen time predicted later depression, while depressive symptoms did not predict more social media use.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 16, 2025·4 min read

Clues in Spinal Fluid Could Unlock Early FTD Diagnosis

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a common form of early-onset dementia, is often misdiagnosed due to its overlapping symptoms with psychiatric and neurological disorders. In a new NIH-funded study, researchers identified key protein changes in spinal fluid that may serve as the first specific biomarkers for FTD in living patients.

This shows a person sitting and mushrooms.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 30, 2025·6 min read

Psilocybin Shows Promise for Parkinson’s Mood and Motor Symptoms

A new pilot study reveals that psilocybin—the compound found in psychedelic mushrooms—may significantly improve mood, cognition, and motor function in people with Parkinson’s disease. The compound was well tolerated, with only mild side effects, and benefits persisted for weeks after dosing. While the study was primarily designed to test safety, researchers observed meaningful and lasting improvements in multiple symptoms.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·April 4, 2025·5 min read

Female Hormones Trigger Pain Relief via Immune Cells

Scientists have discovered that female hormones like estrogen and progesterone can trigger immune cells near the spinal cord to release natural opioids, easing pain before it reaches the brain. These immune cells, known as T regulatory cells (T-regs), are located in the meninges and produce the painkilling molecule enkephalin in response to hormonal signals.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 6, 2025·5 min read

AI-Powered Brain Implant Lets Paralyzed Man Control Robotic Arm

A new brain-computer interface (BCI) has enabled a paralyzed man to control a robotic arm by simply imagining movements. Unlike previous BCIs, which lasted only a few days, this AI-enhanced device worked reliably for seven months.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·February 26, 2025·4 min read

Rapidly Evolving DNA May Explain Human Brain Complexity

A new study reveals that human accelerated regions (HARs)—segments of DNA that evolved much faster than expected—may be key to the brain’s advanced cognitive abilities. Researchers compared human and chimpanzee neurons and found that HARs drive the growth of multiple neural projections, which enhance communication between brain cells.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·February 25, 2025·4 min read

FDA Approves Adaptive DBS for Parkinson’s Patients

The FDA has approved adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), a breakthrough therapy that adjusts in real time to Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Unlike traditional DBS, which delivers constant stimulation, aDBS monitors brain activity and responds with precise electric pulses to prevent stiffness and involuntary movements.