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Gut bacteria play key role in anti-seizure effects of ketogenic diet

Scientists have identified specific gut bacteria that play an essential role in the anti-seizure effects of the ketogenic diet. The study is the first to establish a causal link between seizure susceptibility and the gut microbiota — the 100-trillion-…

New parts of the brain become active after students learn physics

A new study showed that, when confronted with physics problems, new parts of a student’s brain are utilized after receiving instruction in the topic.

Bursts of brain activity linked to memory reactivation

Leading theories propose sleep presents an opportune time for important, new memories to become stabilized. And it’s long been known which brain waves are produced during sleep. In a new study, researchers set out to better understand the brain mechani…

Transgender brains are more like their desired gender from an early age

Brain activity and structure in transgender adolescents more closely resembles the typical activation patterns of their desired gender, according to new research. The findings suggest that differences in brain function may occur early in development an…

Depression speeds up brain aging, find psychologists

Psychologists have found a link between depression and an acceleration of the rate at which the brain ages.

What is formication?

Formication is the feeling of having insects crawling on or under the skin. This may lead to severe itching that affects a person’s quality of life. Near-constant scratching can also lead to complications, including infection and even sepsis. In this…

Early-life obesity impacts children’s learning and memory, study suggests

A new study found that children on the threshold of obesity or overweight in the first two years of life had lower perceptual reasoning and working memory scores than lean children when tested at ages five and eight. The study also indicated that IQ sc…

People with family history of alcoholism release more dopamine in expectation of alcohol

People with a family history of alcohol use disorder (AUD) release more dopamine in the brain’s main reward center in response to the expectation of alcohol than people diagnosed with the disorder, or healthy people without any family history of AUD, r…

Memory molecule limits plasticity by calibrating calcium

Researchers have for the first time identified a novel role for the CA2-enriched protein RGS14 and provided insights into the mechanism by which it limits plasticity. RGS14 seems to be special, acting as a molecular factor that puts the brakes on plast…

Leg exercise is critical to brain and nervous system health

New research shows that using the legs, particularly in weight-bearing exercise, sends signals to the brain that are vital for the production of healthy neural cells. The groundbreaking study fundamentally alters brain and nervous system medicine — gi…