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The gene that hijacks fear: How PTEN rewires the brain’s anxiety circuit

Deleting a gene called PTEN in certain brain cells disrupts the brain’s fear circuitry and triggers anxiety-like behavior in mice — key traits seen in autism. Researchers mapped how this genetic tweak throws off the brain’s delicate balance of exci…

This brain scan sees Alzheimer’s coming—but only in some brains

USC researchers have found a promising new brain scan marker that could better detect Alzheimer’s risk — but only for some. The tau-based benchmark works in Hispanic and White populations when paired with another Alzheimer’s protein, amyloid, but…

How brain cells meant to help may be making depression worse

Major depressive disorder affects hundreds of millions worldwide, but a key to understanding its origins may lie in the brain’s immune system. New findings spotlight astrocytes—previously overshadowed by microglia—as major players in neuroinflamm…

USC’s new AI implant promises drug-free relief for chronic pain

A groundbreaking wireless implant promises real-time, personalized pain relief using AI and ultrasound power no batteries, no wires, and no opioids. Designed by USC and UCLA engineers, it reads brain signals, adapts on the fly, and bends naturally with…

Iron overload: The hidden culprit behind early Alzheimer’s in Down syndrome

USC researchers have uncovered a hidden driver behind the early and severe onset of Alzheimer’s in people with Down syndrome: iron overload in the brain. Their study revealed that individuals with both conditions had twice the iron levels and far more …

Your brain has a hidden beat — and smarter minds sync to it

When we focus, switch tasks, or face tough mental challenges, the brain starts to sync its internal rhythms, especially in the midfrontal region. A new study has found that smarter individuals show more precise and flexible coordination of slow theta w…

Single psilocybin trip delivers two years of depression relief for cancer patients

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, might just revolutionize how depression and anxiety are treated in cancer patients. In a groundbreaking trial, a single dose combined with therapy significantly reduced emotional suffering, and thes…

Brain food fight: Rutgers maps the hidden switch that turns cravings on and off

Rutgers scientists have uncovered a tug-of-war inside the brain between hunger and satiety, revealing two newly mapped neural circuits that battle over when to eat and when to stop. These findings offer an unprecedented glimpse into how hormones and br…

Sleep-in science: How 2 extra weekend hours can calm teen anxiety

Teens might finally have a good reason to sleep in on weekends within limits. A new study reveals that teenagers who get up to two extra hours of sleep on weekends show fewer anxiety symptoms than those who don t. But go beyond that sweet spot, and sym…

The hunger switch in your nose: How smells tell your brain to stop eating

A team of scientists has discovered a direct link between the smell of food and feelings of fullness at least in lean mice. This brain circuit, located in the medial septum and triggered by food odors, helps animals eat less by making them feel satiate…