A new study has uncovered a critical molecular mechanism behind alcohol's effects on the brain. Researchers found that a previously uncharacterized protein, TMEM132B, amplifies alcohol's influence on GABAA receptors.
Individuals with psychosis struggle with visual pattern integration, linked to altered brain activity and weakened connectivity in key visual areas, particularly during tasks involving background noise
Cannabis use is linked to changes in brain structure and function in older adults, but genetic analysis suggests these differences are likely due to other factors, not cannabis use itself.
A recent study found that human brains process emotional expressions from humans and dogs similarly, with empathy enhancing attention to emotional cues. Aggressive faces elicited stronger neural responses, highlighting our sensitivity to emotionally significant stimuli across species.
How does mindfulness meditation reshape the resting mind? New research explores how experienced meditators' brain activity differs from non-meditators.
A green-Mediterranean diet rich in polyphenols like green tea and Mankai, combined with improved blood sugar control, can slow brain aging, offering a simple, practical way to support cognitive health and combat age-related decline.
Bilingual individuals with Alzheimer’s disease showed preserved hippocampal volume compared to monolinguals, suggesting bilingualism may provide brain maintenance benefits.
Non-neural cells can mimic memory-like behavior. These cells "remember" chemical patterns over time, showing that memory mechanisms aren't exclusive to the brain but rely on fundamental cellular processes.
Researchers observed that people with schizophrenia show distinct brain activity patterns and performance difficulties when handling conflicting information, suggesting a potential marker to assess cognitive challenges and track treatment progress.
A recent study used machine learning to identify key brain regions and networks, like the amygdala and default mode network, that differentiate people with small animal phobia, advancing understanding of its neurological basis.
Recent research found that mindfulness meditation reduces gaming cravings by improving brain connections related to self-control and reward processing, while also lowering sensitivity to gaming cues and stabilizing neurotransmitter activity linked to addiction.
Specific brain connectivity patterns predict online shopping addiction. Stronger control network connections increased addiction risk, while stronger emotion regulation connections reduced it, with impulsivity playing a key role in influencing these behaviors.
Researchers found that ketamine reduces "giving up" behavior in zebrafish by altering astrocyte activity, suggesting its antidepressant effects involve non-neuronal brain cells and promoting resilience against futility-induced passivity.
Artificial intelligence can predict intelligence by analyzing brain connectivity. General intelligence was most accurately predicted, followed by crystallized and fluid intelligence, highlighting intelligence as a product of distributed brain networks rather than isolated regions.
Stanford researchers found that dopamine and serotonin work in opposition, like an accelerator and brake, to balance reward learning and decision-making, requiring both systems to function together for effective learning and behavioral flexibility.