New Atlas

Medical Audio available

Major schizophrenia breakthrough finds immune cells on the wrong side of the tracks

Nick Lavars September 16, 2018

In what is being labeled one of the biggest breakthroughs in schizophrenia research of recent times, scientists have detected heightened immune cell activity in the brains of sufferers, providing a brand new target for further research into its causes, diagnosis and treatment.

Scientists have discovered new links between schizophrenia and the immune cells in the body

Biology Audio available

Tracking brain waves to decode mood could help fight depression

Michael Irving September 10, 2018

Neuroscience is stumped by what’s going on in the brain when we feel joy or sadness. In an effort to peek inside our moody minds, researchers have developed a technique to read brain signals and infer what mood a patient may be in, which could lead to new treatments for depression and anxiety.

A new technique may be able to decode brain waves to infer what mood a patient ...

Medical

Nasal spray and ultrasound team up for direct-to-brain drug delivery

Michael Irving September 10, 2018

The blood-brain barrier is an effective shield against infection, but it’s not so helpful when you’re trying to get drugs in there. Nasal sprays could bypass the barrier, and now researchers have developed a way to use ultrasound pulses to drive the drugs to where in the brain they’re needed.

Drug nanoparticles could be delivered directly to the brain through a nasal spray, which is then ...

Medical

Brain implant stops seizures in mice

Ben Coxworth August 30, 2018

Although seizures can be controlled via pharmaceuticals, there are often some unpleasant side effects – plus the medications don't work on all people. According to new research, however, a soft and flexible neurotransmitter-dispensing brain implant may someday do a better job.

Although effective on mice, the device probably won't see use in humans for several years

Medical

Cannabis extract could form basis of new anti-psychotic treatments

Michael Irving August 30, 2018

Marijuana compounds like cannabidiol (CBD) have been found to impart benefits to the brain without the negative “stoned” side-effects. Now, researchers at King’s College London have shown that CBD could help reset the brain abnormalities found in people suffering from psychosis.

Researchers have found that a cannabis extract might help relieve symptoms of psychosis

Science

Scientists discover a new type of brain cell, and it might be unique to humans

Nick Lavars August 28, 2018

What is it that separates humans from most other animals? Scientists have made an exciting discovery in this area, identifying an new type of brain cell not seen in animals studied in the laboratory, providing them with a new vehicle to tease out the differences between us and the animal kingdom.

Impression of the newly discovered rosehip neuron

Medical

Restoring brain plasticity may hold key to reversing age-related cognitive decline

Rich Haridy August 20, 2018

A new study is suggesting that normal age-related cognitive decline is caused not by neuronal cell death but actually a reduction in the plasticity of certain neurons. In mouse experiments the study revealed that this process could be reversed using a common antidepressant.

Evidence suggests age-related cognitive decline is not caused by brain cells dying but rather a simple ...

Science

Discovery reveals why toxic Alzheimer's plaques don't always lead to dementia

Rich Haridy August 16, 2018

New research may have finally homed in on the reason why some people are found to have build-ups of toxic Alzheimer's proteins in their brains without subsequent cognitive decline, and the results could lead to a whole new way to battle this devastating disease.

The research uncovered a novel combination of proteins that seem to protect the brain from the ...

Science

The neuroscience of pessimism: Why some people always focus on the negative

Rich Haridy August 9, 2018

Are you a glass half full or a glass half empty kind of person? Some people inherently focus on the negative when faced with a decision-making situation and new research from a team of MIT neuroscientists has identified exactly what region of the brain may be inducing these pessimistic decisions.

New research may have homed in on the precise brain region that causes pessimistic decision making

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Probiotics not always beneficial and may cause brain fogginess and severe bloating

Rich Haridy August 6, 2018

New research, from Augusta University, reports a connection between symptoms associated with brain fogginess, including poor short-term memory and difficulty concentrating, and a particular bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine resulting from probiotic consumption.

In some people, additional probiotics could result in small intestine bacterial overgrowth causing cognitive impairments and ...