A new AI tool identified long COVID in 22.8% of patients, a much higher rate than previously diagnosed. By analyzing extensive health records from nearly 300,000 patients, the algorithm identifies long COVID by distinguishing symptoms linked specifically to SARS-CoV-2 infection rather than pre-existing conditions. This AI approach, known as "precision phenotyping," helps clinicians differentiate long COVID symptoms from other health issues and may improve diagnostic accuracy by about 3%.

Researchers have uncovered a mechanism that may trigger ALS’s earliest stages, identifying proteins that mislocalize, causing neuron degeneration. By targeting the RNA-binding protein SmD1, scientists were able to prevent key ALS proteins from leaving their protective cellular zones, preserving neuron function. The findings may lead to ALS therapies capable of halting progression before significant neurodegeneration occurs, offering potential new strategies against the disease.

A novel vaccine can mobilize the immune system to precisely target and attack cancerous brain tumors, specifically gliomas, one of the deadliest brain tumor types. This groundbreaking work demonstrates that the body’s immune system can be directed to target proteins with cancer-driving mutations in tumors, marking a significant advance in immunotherapy.

Researchers have developed a promising nasal spray therapy targeting neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease, potentially delaying its progression by over a decade. Using extracellular vesicles derived from neural stem cells, the treatment reduced inflammation and protein build-up in the brain in early-stage Alzheimer’s animal models.

Researchers discovered alcohol use disorder (AUD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit similar patterns of gene dysregulation, hinting that alcohol consumption may hasten Alzheimer’s progression. By analyzing gene expression across individual brain cells, the team found shared disruptions in inflammation, cell signaling, and blood vessel functions in both disorders.

A recent study explored whether additional years of education lead to long-term changes in brain structure, especially in protecting against brain aging. Analyzing data from a unique natural experiment involving nearly 30,000 individuals, researchers found no detectable impact on brain structure from an additional year of education. Although education is linked to better cognitive skills and health, it does not appear to alter the brain’s physical structure in the long run.

Researchers have identified a crucial biochemical mechanism that could allow Huntington’s disease to be studied before symptoms appear, offering hope for early intervention. The team found that disrupted dopamine regulation in specific neurons, related to TrkB neurotrophin receptor signaling, may trigger Huntington’s onset. By targeting an enzyme called GSTO2, researchers prevented motor symptoms in a mouse model, suggesting this protein's role in the disease's progression.

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) face higher cerebrovascular impedance, or resistance in brain blood flow, according to a new study. Researchers found this increased resistance leads to hypoperfusion, or reduced blood flow in the brain, which may contribute to cognitive difficulties in aging adults.

Researchers have identified a unique “paused state” in the growth of amyloid β fibrils, linked to Alzheimer’s disease, using high-speed atomic force microscopy. In this state, fibril growth is halted, allowing an antibody, 4396C, to bind and prevent further growth, opening a potential path to slow Alzheimer’s progression.

A new study shows that using reminders can counteract age-related declines in memory, especially for tasks that require prospective memory, such as taking medication. Researchers found that reminders help both younger and older adults improve memory performance under high cognitive load.

New research suggests that semaglutide, a popular diabetes and weight-loss drug, may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people with type 2 diabetes. The study compared semaglutide to seven other anti-diabetic drugs and found it was linked to a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Researchers have discovered that the gut bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae can migrate to the brain, leading to inflammation and cognitive decline that mimic Alzheimer’s symptoms. The study suggests that hospital-acquired infections combined with disrupted gut microbiomes may increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.

A new study found that people who took multiple courses of penicillin antibiotics had a 15% lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Researchers analyzed medical records of over 93,000 individuals and discovered a connection between gut health and the disease, suggesting that altering the gut microbiome may influence Parkinson’s risk.

A recent study highlights a novel gene, lipin1, that regulates axon regeneration in the central nervous system, offering new hope for treating spinal cord injuries. The research shows that inhibiting lipin1 enhances lipid metabolism in neurons, activating crucial pathways like mTOR and STAT3 that promote nerve regeneration.

Bilingualism has been shown to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by up to five years. A new study reveals that bilingual individuals with Alzheimer’s have larger hippocampi, a critical brain region for memory, compared to monolinguals.

A large meta-analysis of over 600,000 people shows that experiencing loneliness significantly raises the risk of developing dementia by 31%. Researchers found that loneliness is a key factor in cognitive decline, contributing to conditions like Alzheimer's disease, regardless of age or sex.

A recent study found that vitamin D deficiency during childhood accelerates the aging of the thymus, a crucial organ in training immune cells. As the thymus ages, it becomes less effective at filtering out cells that could mistakenly attack the body's own tissues, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes.

A new study reveals that ancient viral DNA embedded in the human genome is associated with genetic risk for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers found specific human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) that influence susceptibility to these neurodegenerative diseases.

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.