Researchers at Washington University have discovered that severe childhood stress creates lasting changes to DNA packaging inside brain cells, forming a molecular memory of trauma that makes individuals more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and mood disorders when facing stress as adults.
Researchers at Washington University have discovered that severe childhood stress creates lasting changes to DNA packaging inside brain cells, forming a molecular memory of trauma that makes individuals more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and mood disorders when facing stress as adults.
Two recent studies illuminate different cellular mechanisms in Parkinson's disease: one showing how alpha-synuclein protein clumps block waste recycling in neurons, and another revealing that the LRRK2-G2019S mutation disrupts development of astrocytes, the brain's support cells.
Researchers have overturned longstanding scientific dogma by discovering that beginning around age 50, the brain's memory center loses its longtime resident immune cells (microglia) and replaces them with more inflammatory immune cells derived from peripheral blood stem cells. This previously unrecognized migration may help explain how normal aging sets the stage for Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Researchers have overturned long-held scientific understanding by discovering that aging human brains undergo a massive influx of peripheral blood-derived immune cells starting around age 50, replacing resident microglia with more inflammatory cells. This shift may help explain how normal aging sets the stage for Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine and University of California, San Francisco have identified a novel toxic mechanism in which hyperphosphorylated tau protein enters nerve cell mitochondria and reverses electron flow, potentially driving Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative tauopathies.
A new study demonstrates that a blood test measuring p-tau217 levels can identify healthy older adults at high risk of developing Alzheimer's symptoms within five to 10 years, potentially enabling early intervention as prevention trials advance.
The World Health Organization has issued updated global guidelines on reducing cognitive decline and dementia risk, stating that up to 45% of dementia cases may be preventable or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors throughout life.
An experimental drug called diranersen demonstrated the ability to lower levels of tau protein in the brain and slow cognitive decline in early Alzheimer's patients, offering a new treatment approach distinct from current therapies. Clinical trial data released July 14, 2026, showed the drug can reduce tau tangles, one of the hallmark proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease.
New research using brain imaging has revealed three distinct subtypes of ADHD, each associated with different underlying brain systems, co-occurring conditions, and learning challenges. The findings suggest that inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptom profiles follow separate neural pathways, potentially enabling more targeted treatment interventions.
University of Sussex researchers, in collaboration with international scientists, identified a blood test capable of early diagnosis of the most aggressive form of brain cancer, potentially eliminating the need for dangerous surgical biopsies.
Analysis of human brain tissue shows microplastics and nanoplastics are present in both tumor and healthy samples, confirming their ability to cross into the brain, though their concentrations, distribution, and direct health effects remain uncertain and require further study.
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center has achieved a breakthrough in regenerative medicine by developing a technique that allows scientists to generate brain stem cells using a patient's own cells, advancing personalized medicine approaches.
Medical professionals and neuroscientists are highlighting evidence-based strategies for maintaining brain health, including mental challenges, physical exercise, social engagement, and quality sleep. Research shows the brain begins shrinking around age 40, losing approximately 5% of volume per decade, making preventive habits increasingly important.
