Neuroimaging

Neuroscientists have found that people with aphantasia show distinct patterns of brain activity during imagery tasks, even without subjective visual experience. The study suggests that mental imagery and conscious visual awareness may rely on different neural mechanisms in the brain.

Researchers have shown that acute stress can disrupt gut microbial activity, lowering protective fatty acids that maintain intestinal and brain barrier integrity. The findings offer new insight into how short-term stress affects the body’s gut-brain communication system.

The same brain system that rewards you for a delicious meal is hijacked by drugs like fentanyl. A behavioral neuroscientist explains how understanding the specific memories behind these rewards is the key to treating addiction without harming our essential survival...

Focused ultrasound targeting the amygdala safely reduced emotional brain reactivity and improved symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma disorders, suggesting it may be a promising new treatment for conditions that don’t respond to existing therapies.

A recent study found that a DMT/harmine formulation blurs the brain’s distinction between self and other faces, disrupting self-referential processing while preserving recognition of familiar faces, suggesting a neural basis for psychedelic-induced ego dissolution.

A new study shows that creatine supplementation can restore memory, reduce brain damage, and boost energy metabolism in aging mice. The findings suggest creatine may offer a simple dietary approach to protect against age-related cognitive decline.

Researchers found that MDMA reduces anxiety and enhances social behavior in zebrafish by altering key neurochemical systems. The drug suppressed serotonin signaling, boosted oxytocin receptor expression, and modulated brain signaling proteins involved in emotional regulation.

A new brain imaging study shows that when people try to remember multiple things, their brains give more precise attention to the most important item. The frontal cortex helps allocate memory resources, boosting accuracy for high-priority information.

Scientists have discovered that forming a mental map of a new environment takes more than just recognizing individual places—it also requires sleep. The study highlights how weakly tuned neurons gradually become synchronized to encode space as a connected whole.

A new study suggests that regular users of psychedelics may process self-related thoughts differently at both psychological and brain levels, revealing altered patterns of brain activity during self-reflection compared to non-users who intend to try psychedelics.

Using rare brain recordings from patients, scientists found that the thalamus helps trigger visual awareness. The study reveals that this deep brain region sends synchronized signals to the cortex, acting as a gateway for conscious perception.

A new study suggests that intermittent fasting may reduce symptoms of depression by activating dopamine D1 receptors in the brain’s prefrontal cortex. The findings point to a potential non-drug approach for mood disorders rooted in brain signaling.

Scientists have uncovered how puberty reshapes brain connectivity in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a genetic condition linked to autism and schizophrenia. The findings highlight how changes in synapses and brain connections may shape social behavior and mental health outcomes later in...

A new study finds that a widespread parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, can physically damage human sperm, including decapitating them on contact. The findings raise fresh questions about the parasite’s potential role in the decades-long global decline in male fertility.

A new meta-analysis suggests that people with major depressive disorder have lower levels of the brain antioxidant glutathione in the occipital cortex. The findings highlight a possible role for oxidative stress in depression and point to potential treatment targets.