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University of Colorado

·June 27, 2025·7 min read

Death Isn’t the End: AI Brings Lost Voices Back to Life

A new paper explores how generative AI is transforming the way we interact with the dead, from virtual reality reunions to lifelike digital avatars. These “generative ghosts” can remember, plan, and even evolve—offering real-time conversations that go far beyond pre-recorded memorials.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 27, 2025·5 min read

Brain Injury Could Explain Sudden Criminal Behavior

A new study has found that damage to a specific white matter pathway in the brain—the right uncinate fasciculus—may increase the likelihood of criminal or violent behavior following brain injury. Researchers analyzed scans from individuals who began committing crimes after suffering strokes, tumors, or traumatic injuries and found consistent damage to this region.

Neuroscience

·June 19, 2025·7 min read

Early Baby Behavior Predicts Adult Cognition and Intelligence

A new study reveals that cognitive tests in infancy can modestly predict intelligence three decades later. Researchers followed over 1,000 twins from seven months of age, measuring behaviors like vocalization and novelty preference to assess early cognition.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 22, 2025·4 min read

More People Turning to Psilocybin for Self-Treatment

Psilocybin use in the U.S. has risen sharply across all age groups since 2019, coinciding with increasing legalization and interest in its therapeutic potential. A new study reveals a 44% rise in past-year use among young adults and a 188% increase among those over 30.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 28, 2025·6 min read

Cannabis Use Reduces Brain Activity in Key Memory Regions

A study of over 1,000 young adults reveals that both recent and heavy lifetime cannabis use reduce brain activity in regions critical for working memory, including the prefrontal cortex and anterior insula. This reduced activity correlates with poorer performance on memory tasks like following instructions or solving problems.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 21, 2024·6 min read

Females Sleep Less and Wake More: A New Study Reveals Why

Females experience less total sleep, more frequent awakenings, and reduced restorative sleep compared to males, according to a new study on mice. Researchers attribute these differences to biological factors rather than lifestyle, potentially linked to stress hormones and evolutionary roles.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2024·6 min read

Glial Cells May Influence Depression and Schizophrenia

New research highlights neuroglia (or glia cells) as critical players in mental health, potentially influencing conditions like depression and schizophrenia. Glia cells, long considered "support cells" in the brain, have now been shown to communicate through unique calcium signaling, impacting neuronal function and stress responses. Studies suggest that compromised astrocyte function, a glial cell type, may relate to depressive symptoms and schizophrenia.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 1, 2024·4 min read

Cold Sore Virus’s Path in Brain Revealed

Research has shown that HSV-1, the virus responsible for cold sores, can spread into specific areas of the brain and may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Mapping HSV-1’s path reveals it targets regions crucial for functions like sleep, movement, and mood regulation.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 9, 2024·5 min read

Why We Only Inherit Mitochondria from Moms

A recent study reveals why most animals, including humans, inherit mitochondrial DNA solely from their mothers, showing that retaining paternal mitochondria can harm development and health. In roundworms, when paternal mitochondria persist, it disrupts ATP production, affecting neurological, behavioral, and reproductive health.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 19, 2024·5 min read

Long COVID Linked to Brain Inflammation and Low Cortisol

A study finds that COVID-19 proteins left in the brain may lower cortisol levels, leading to heightened inflammation and an exaggerated response to stressors. This discovery could explain the persistent neurological symptoms seen in Long COVID patients. Researchers suggest that managing stressors and investigating viral reservoirs might help alleviate these symptoms.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 17, 2024·5 min read

Junk Food Fuels Anxiety

A high-fat diet can disrupt gut bacteria, alter behavior, and influence brain chemicals in ways that increase anxiety. The study found that rats fed a high-fat diet showed less diversity in gut bacteria and higher expression of genes associated with stress and anxiety. This suggests that unhealthy eating habits may not only lead to weight gain but also negatively impact mental health.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 6, 2024·4 min read

How Antidepressants Treat Major Depression

Researchers have developed a new framework explaining how antidepressants, like SSRIs, treat major depressive disorder (MDD) by restoring brain connectivity rather than correcting a serotonin imbalance. Their findings emphasize the continued importance of these medications despite shifting public opinion. This new understanding could improve patient-clinician conversations about depression treatment.