Sound stimulation can manipulate brain waves during REM sleep, a stage crucial for memory and cognition. Using advanced technology, researchers were able to increase the frequency of brain oscillations that slow down in dementia patients, potentially improving memory functions. The non-invasive technique could pave the way for innovative treatments for dementia by targeting brain activity during sleep. This approach offers hope for enhancing memory and cognition with minimal disruption to patients' lives.

AI-powered conversations can reduce belief in conspiracy theories by 20%. Researchers found that AI provided tailored, fact-based rebuttals to participants' conspiracy claims, leading to a lasting change in their beliefs. In one out of four cases, participants disavowed the conspiracy entirely. The study suggests that AI has the potential to combat misinformation by engaging people directly and personally.

Adults taking high doses of amphetamine-based medications for ADHD, such as Adderall, face a five-fold increased risk of developing psychosis or mania. The risk was highest for those taking 30 mg or more of dextroamphetamine, with 81% of psychosis or mania cases potentially avoidable by lowering the dose.

Researchers have identified specific brain cells, known as concept neurons and location cells, that predict whether we will successfully remember people and places. These neurons in the medial temporal lobe and parahippocampal cortex become active during memory formation, responding to specific images and locations.

Scientists have identified the brain circuitry that drives spiny mice to prefer larger social groups. The study shows that neural signaling from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to the lateral septum (LS) promotes social group-size preference. When this circuit was turned off, male mice preferred smaller groups, while female mice showed no preference. This research opens up new models for studying complex social behaviors and may provide insights into human social interactions.

During social interactions, human and dog brain activity becomes synchronized, with mutual gazing and petting enhancing this connection. Over five days, synchronization between human-dog pairs increased with familiarity, suggesting a leader-follower dynamic, where humans lead and dogs follow.

Neuroscientists have uncovered how sensory input is transformed into motor action across multiple brain regions in mice. The study shows that decision-making is a distributed process across the brain, where neurons link sensory evidence to actions.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated brain maturation in adolescents, particularly girls, with their brains aging by an average of 4.2 years. The study links this acceleration to the stress of reduced social interaction during lockdowns, affecting brain regions responsible for emotional regulation.

Researchers have mapped how propofol, a widely used anesthetic, alters brain connectivity to induce unconsciousness. Using fMRI, they found that propofol disrupts connections in the thalamus, reducing complex information processing and limiting sensory integration.

Researchers believe that cracking the brain's "neural code" could lead to AI surpassing human intelligence in capacity and speed. This neural code refers to how the brain processes sensory information and performs cognitive tasks like learning and problem-solving.

Low doses of carbon monoxide, similar to levels experienced by smokers, can protect against neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease models. Researchers discovered that carbon monoxide reduced the accumulation of the Parkinson’s-associated protein alpha-synuclein and activated pathways that limit oxidative stress.

Researchers have developed a dynamic method to track rapid brain activity changes, especially related to craving. Unlike traditional neuroimaging, which captures only a snapshot of brain activity, this approach provides a real-time view of how craving fluctuates.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression varies based on the presence of tau and amyloid-beta (Aβ) proteins in the brain. Patients with high levels of both tau and Aβ experience rapid memory decline, while those with high Aβ but low tau show a slower progression. The research emphasizes that tau levels are crucial for diagnosing and managing AD effectively. This insight could lead to more personalized treatment strategies as biomarker technology advances.

Researchers developed a highly selective fluorescent probe to image serotonin in cells and animal models, shedding light on its role in depression. The study revealed that while serotonin levels in normal and “depressed” cells are similar, depressive cells release significantly less serotonin.

People with a history of upper gastrointestinal (GI) damage have a 76% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The research highlights how conditions like GERD, peptic ulcers, and NSAID use may increase the risk of this neurodegenerative disorder.

A new study compared two advanced imaging methods, dMRI-based tractography and PS-OCT, to map nerve fiber orientations in the human brainstem. The findings suggest that combining these techniques could enhance our understanding of brain microstructure, which may lead to early detection of neurodegenerative diseases.

A new study examined how humans perceive different types of deception by robots, revealing that people accept some lies more than others. Researchers presented nearly 500 participants with scenarios where robots engaged in external, hidden, and superficial deceptions in medical, cleaning, and retail settings. Participants disapproved most of hidden deceptions, such as a cleaning robot secretly filming, while external lies, like sparing a patient from emotional pain, were viewed more favorably.

A recent review of genetic and population studies reveals that premorbid cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, such as lower IQ, are largely due to neurodevelopmental disruptions rather than inherited genetic variants that directly increase schizophrenia risk. The findings suggest that non-familial factors, including rare genetic mutations and environmental influences, play a significant role in both cognitive impairments and schizophrenia risk.

Challenging social environments and the size of the left hippocampus in children aged 9-11 contribute to an increased risk of depression. Researchers found that children with larger hippocampal volumes are more sensitive to negative social environments, amplifying depressive symptoms over a two-year period.