neuroscience

Can a blood transfusion alter your personality? What the research says

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Can a blood transfusion alter your personality? What the research says

Type-A personality? Some blood transfusion recipients have reported changes in their mood, behavior, and even memories after undergoing the procedure. Researchers from the University of Geneva noted that six of seven study participants “acknowledged the possibility that transfusions might induce changes in behavior or values.” “Three patients acknowledged that their transfusion might have changed their … Read more

I’m an MIT neuroscientist — do this to make a romantic connection with your date

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I’m an MIT neuroscientist — do this to make a romantic connection with your date

The eyes are the window to the soul — especially the left one, according to a neuroscientist. Dr. Tara Swart, senior lecturer at Massachusetts Institute at Technology (MIT), said looking in your date’s left eye can strengthen an emotional connection.  Swart used a mother holding her baby as an example of how emotional bonds are … Read more

AI optical scans detect Parkinson’s 7 years in advance: researchers

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AI optical scans detect Parkinson’s 7 years in advance: researchers

AI-driven technology being used by optometrists in the United Kingdom is able to spot Parkinson’s disease through eye scans with an average seven years of warning, according to researchers from London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital. “This is the first time anyone has shown these findings several years before diagnosis,” according to a release on the breakthrough … Read more

Screen time for babies linked to delays in speech, problem-solving: developmental study

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Screen time for babies linked to delays in speech, problem-solving: developmental study

Could using television as a babysitter have adverse effects on a child? It’s possible, says a new study that finds the more time toddlers spend looking at screens — televisions, computers, tablets or smartphones — the more likely they are to have developmental delays. These delays could be in communication, fine-motor, problem-solving or personal and … Read more

Brain activity used to reconstruct Pink Floyd song in scientific first

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Brain activity used to reconstruct Pink Floyd song in scientific first

Thanks to Pink Floyd, scientists have made a new breakthrough, adding “another brick in the wall of our understanding of music processing in the human brain.” New research published Tuesday in the journal PLoS Biology showed that scientists can train a computer to recreate a song based solely on the brain activity of someone listening … Read more

Popular acid reflux medicine linked to higher risk of dementia: study

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Popular acid reflux medicine linked to higher risk of dementia: study

Long-term use of popular acid reflux drugs has been linked to a higher risk of dementia, according to a new study. Published Wednesday in the journal for the American Academy of Neurology, the report examined patients who take medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium) and lansoprazole (Prevacid). Acid reflux occurs … Read more

I’m a neurosurgeon — these 5 healthy habits may be the secret to living longer

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I’m a neurosurgeon — these 5 healthy habits may be the secret to living longer

The average life expectancy in the U.S. has dipped to 76.4 years, according to December data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — but many medical professionals believe people can extend their longevity by adopting certain lifestyle habits. Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon in West Palm Beach, Florida, is also the founder … Read more

Breakthrough ADHD treatment could ‘transform the lives of children’

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Breakthrough ADHD treatment could ‘transform the lives of children’

A breakthrough in treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could “significantly improve” the lives of children with the condition, experts say. A new study found that brain stimulation combined with cognitive training can improve symptoms of ADHD. “ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders affecting children across the world,” Ornella Dakwar-Kawar, a post-doctoral researcher at … Read more

A blast of air up the nose can stop migraine pain: new study

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A blast of air up the nose can stop migraine pain: new study

An innovative new treatment might soon help millions of people worldwide who suffer from migraines. Researchers have used a device that delivers a stream of air to cool the nerves at the back of the nose, providing relief from migraine pain — sometimes within minutes. The medical device, called a CoolStat transnasal thermal regulating device, … Read more

FDA approves groundbreaking Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi — here’s why patients still won’t have access

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FDA approves groundbreaking Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi — here’s why patients still won’t have access

After months of anticipation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally granted traditional approval to lecemab, a drug that’s been shown to significantly slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Sold under the the brand name Leqembi, the medicine received an accelerated approval in January but the designation was made official on Thursday, per an … Read more

Even safe levels of air pollution can harm your brain: study

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Even safe levels of air pollution can harm your brain: study

Take a deep breath for this one. New scientific evidence shows that even levels of air pollution thought to be safe can be detrimental to brain function, according to research from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. “On average, air pollution levels are fairly low in the U.S., but we’re still seeing … Read more

Botox could actually ‘ruin’ your hot relationship ‘experience’: study

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Botox could actually ‘ruin’ your hot relationship ‘experience’: study

Not smoothing out your wrinkles might be the answer to a smooth relationship. New research published in the journal Scientific Reports found that Botox injections can ruin a relationship — as it makes it harder to recognize emotions. Scientists have previously warned that Botox can affect the way people’s brains respond to faces, making it hard … Read more

Botox alters brain activity connected to emotions: study

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Botox alters brain activity connected to emotions: study

Brain scans showed that Botox injected into the forehead altered people’s brain chemistry, impacting how they interpreted other people’s emotions, a new study published in Scientific Reports found. Botox is an injectable that temporarily reduces or eliminates facial fine lines and wrinkles and is popularly used to reduce the appearance of frown lines, forehead creases and … Read more

Common prescription drug could help recover lost memories: New study

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Common prescription drug could help recover lost memories: New study

Scientists are one step closer to helping humans retrieve that lost train of thought. A new study, published in the journal Current Biology suggests that forgotten memories could be retrieved days later by activating certain brain cells using a biological technique called optogenetics, or by taking roflumilast, an everyday drug typically prescribed to people suffering … Read more

Oxytocin Drives Development of Neural Connections in Adult-Born Neurons – Neuroscience News

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Oxytocin Drives Development of Neural Connections in Adult-Born Neurons – Neuroscience News

Summary: In the olfactory bulb, levels of oxytocin rise and peak when new neurons incorporate themselves into neural networks. The findings shed new light on adult neurogenesis and brain plasticity. Source: Baylor College of Medicine Learning a new task, mastering a musical instrument or being able to adapt to the constantly changing environment are all … Read more

World’s oldest doctor, 100, is still working — and on TikTok

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World’s oldest doctor, 100, is still working — and on TikTok

An apple a day must be the secret to this doctor’s longevity. A 100-year-old Ohio man set the Guinness World Record for being the world’s oldest working doctor — who’s on his way to becoming a TikTok star. Dr. Howard Tucker earned the title in Feb. 2021, when he was 98 years and 231 days … Read more

No Link Between Mediterranean Diet and Decreased Risk of Dementia – Neuroscience News

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No Link Between Mediterranean Diet and Decreased Risk of Dementia – Neuroscience News

Summary: Study finds no significant evidence to support the link between following either the Mediterranean diet or a conventional diet and a reduced risk of developing dementia. Source: AAN A number of studies have suggested that eating a healthy diet may reduce a person’s risk of dementia, but a new study has found that two … Read more

Traumatic Experiences May Be Associated With Lower Levels of Sex Hormones – Neuroscience News

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Traumatic Experiences May Be Associated With Lower Levels of Sex Hormones – Neuroscience News

Summary: A history of trauma is associated with lower concentrations of estrone and estradiol in middle-aged women, especially in those who suffer from a lack of sleep or other sleep disorders. Source: NAMS Traumatic experiences are associated with a number of adverse mental and physical health outcomes. A new study suggests that they may also … Read more

Healthy Aging Requires an Understanding of Personality Types – Neuroscience News

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Healthy Aging Requires an Understanding of Personality Types – Neuroscience News

Summary: Older adults may be better served as they age when their personality types are taken into consideration. Source: Simon Fraser University New research shows that older adults may be better supported as they age when their personalities are considered—for example, are they more like orchids or dandelions? Researchers from Simon Fraser University’s Circle Innovation … Read more

New Study Undermines the Theory That Depressed People Are Just More Realistic – Neuroscience News

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New Study Undermines the Theory That Depressed People Are Just More Realistic – Neuroscience News

Summary: “Depressive realism”, a theory that has been touted since the late 1970s, states those with depression are more realistic in how they judge the control they have over their lives. A new study says the evidence is not there to sustain this old theory. Source: UC Berkeley Are depressed people simply more realistic in … Read more