Brain

New research has found diabetic patients using a drug called metformin experience slower rates of cognitive decline and dementia compared to those not using the drug. The findings build on a body of evidence suggesting this drug generates anti-aging effects.

New research has identified a dramatic change to the nature and purpose of sleep in babies, occurring around the age of two. The discovery suggests sleep initially aides brain building and neurodevelopment before rapidly switching to a reparative role.

Researchers have conducted the world’s first meta-analysis of the relationship between PTSD and dementia. Encompassing over a million subjects the study found PTSD can double a person’s risk of developing dementia in their senior years.

In some neurological disorders neuronal connections in the brain can be lost. Now researchers have created synthetic molecules that may be able to patch them up, with tests in cultured cells and mice showing promise in treating disease and injury.

Whether it occurs in a car, plane, boat or VR environment, motion sickness is no fun. According to new research, though, it's possible for people to "train their brain" out of the condition, potentially reducing the symptoms by more than half.

In order to see if an antidepressant works, patients have to take the drug for at least a month. New research, however, suggests that by monitoring a sleeping patient's brainwaves, the effectiveness of an antidepressant can be gauged in a week.

A study has homed in on the brain circuit responsible for stress-induced insomnia. The research suggests this same circuit is responsible for stress-related immune system dysfunction, pointing to a close relationship between stress, insomnia and weakened immunity.

The brain may be a new drug target for longer term control of diabetes. Two new studies on rodents have investigated how a certain peptide works to induce remission for animals with diabetes, which could lead to new breakthroughs in human treatments.

A UC Berkeley study has found an association between poor sleep and accumulation of the toxic proteins thought to cause Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers suggest poor sleep could be a way to predict those at risk of developing the degenerative disease.

Researchers have uncovered what they say is the first direct evidence to show how an immune response can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. The study adds to evidence highlighting the role of neuroinflammation in dementia and cognitive decline.

Compelling new research, studying zebrafish fights, is suggesting the fight-or-flight mechanism is modulated by a hormone that regulates appetite. And when the fish are starving this mechanism is triggered, helping them fight significantly longer.

A new study is questioning whether Alzheimer’s treatments previously found to be ineffective in human trials should be re-examined, after the discovery of a specific gene that can inhibit a therapy’s efficacy is only present in 75 percent of people.