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USC

·April 29, 2025·7 min read

Brain’s Switching Mechanism Revealed: How We Rapidly Change Actions

New research shows that switching between actions is not simply stopping and starting again, but a unique brain mechanism that suppresses the previous action to initiate a new one. Using computational models, behavioral tasks, and clinical data from Parkinson’s patients, researchers found that stopping and switching are distinct cognitive motor processes.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 15, 2025·4 min read

Why Nostalgic Songs Spark the Brain’s Memory and Reward System

Listening to nostalgic music activates key brain regions tied to memory and emotion, according to a new brain imaging study. Researchers found that songs linked to personal memories engage both the default mode network and the brain's reward circuitry.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·April 14, 2025·5 min read

Gut Imbalances in Autism Linked to Brain and Behavior Changes

New research reveals that gut imbalances in children with autism may influence brain activity and behavior by disrupting the production of key neurotransmitters like serotonin. Scientists found that changes in gut-derived metabolites are linked to differences in brain structure and function in children with autism.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 24, 2025·8 min read

AI Model Predicts Brain Aging Speed to Detect Cognitive Decline Early

A new AI model can measure how fast a person’s brain is aging using MRI scans, providing a powerful tool for detecting cognitive decline. Unlike previous methods, this model tracks brain aging over time, identifying regions most affected and correlating changes with cognitive function.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·January 7, 2025·7 min read

New Biomarker Links Brain Waste Clearance to Vascular Dementia

A new study has identified a biomarker, DTI-ALPS, which connects glymphatic system dysfunction to vascular dementia. By analyzing over 3,750 participants, researchers found that lower DTI-ALPS scores correlated with worse executive function, highlighting the glymphatic system's role in clearing brain waste.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 6, 2024·7 min read

Mapping the Brain’s Response to Social Rejection

A new study explores how the brain processes social acceptance and rejection, revealing how these experiences shape relationships and influence mental health. Using behavioral experiments and MRI imaging, researchers identified distinct brain regions activated during rewarding interactions and feelings of rejection. While acceptance triggers reward pathways, rejection activates areas tied to social value assessment, helping individuals gauge relational worth.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 5, 2024·5 min read

Adult Neurogenesis Fuels Verbal Learning and Memory

Adult neurogenesis, the creation of new brain cells, supports verbal learning and memory. Using brain tissue from epilepsy patients, researchers discovered a direct link between fewer immature brain cells and cognitive decline, particularly in verbal learning and memory.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 12, 2024·5 min read

After the Pandemic, Alcohol Use Remains Elevated

U.S. alcohol use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has stayed elevated post-pandemic, posing serious health risks. Heavy drinking rose by 20% during the pandemic, and the increase continued in 2022. This trend spanned across most demographics, with the highest rise among adults aged 40-49.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 1, 2024·5 min read

Air Pollution Linked to Poor Learning and Memory in Kids

Exposure to ammonium nitrate, a component of fine particulate pollution from agricultural emissions, is associated with reduced learning and memory in children. This type of pollution, also linked to neurodegenerative risks in adults, highlights how air quality impacts brain health across ages.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·October 21, 2024·5 min read

Genetic Variants Linked to Brain Volume Shed Light on ADHD, Parkinson’s

A large-scale study identified 254 genetic variants that shape the volume of key brain regions responsible for memory, motor control, and behavior. Researchers analyzed DNA and brain scans from nearly 75,000 people, uncovering links between these variants and conditions like ADHD and Parkinson’s disease.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 10, 2024·4 min read

Can AI Tackle Abstract Reasoning? Study Tests Cognitive Limits

Researchers tested artificial intelligence’s ability to solve abstract visual puzzles similar to human IQ tests, revealing gaps in AI’s reasoning skills. Open-source AI models struggled, while closed-source models like GPT-4V performed better, but far from perfectly.

This shows a teen awake at night with a bottle of water in their hand.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 4, 2024·7 min read

80-Minute Sleep Loss in Teens Exposed to “Forever Chemicals”

igher blood levels of four specific types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals," are linked to poorer sleep quality in young adults. These chemicals, found in everyday products and the environment, have been shown to disrupt genes responsible for regulating sleep and wake cycles, leading to decreased sleep duration and more sleep disturbances.