Learn about brain health and nootropics to boost brain function
Neuroscientists spark shelter-seeking response by reactivating memory circuit
Using a sophisticated brain-imaging system, neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have successfully reactivated a specific memory circuit in mice, causing them to seek out shelter when no shelter is actually present. The researchers say the study, published Sept. 27 in Nature Neuroscience…
Fat Alone Doesn’t Disrupt Brain’s Appetite Neurons
Summary: A new study reveals that a high-fat diet alone does not appear to be responsible for changes in brain neurons that regulate appetite and energy balance. Researchers found no immediate effect on neurons in the hypothalamus of mice fed a high-fat, low-sugar diet,…
New method harnesses light to activate neurons in the brain
University of Rochester researchers have demonstrated a noninvasive method using BL-OG, or bioluminescent optogenetics, that harnesses light to activate neurons in the brain. The ability to regulate brain activation could transform invasive procedures such as deep brain stimulation that are used to treat Parkinson’s…
Brain rejuvenation breakthrough: How limiting glucose could spark new neuron growth
(© Татьяна Макарова – stock.adobe.com) STANFORD, Calif. — Could the secret to maintaining a youthful, sharp mind be as simple as watching our sugar intake? A new study from Stanford Medicine suggests that glucose plays a surprising role in the aging brain’s ability to…
Study hints at ways to generate new neurons in old brains
by Stanford University Medical Center Credit: CC0 Public Domain Most neurons in the human brain last a lifetime, and for good reason. Intricate, long-term information is preserved in the complex structural relationships between their synapses. To lose the neurons would be to lose that…
Key Brain Cell Mechanism Tied to Sensory Selectivity Discovered
Summary: Neuroscientists have discovered how the CP-AMPA receptor in brain cells influences neuron selectivity in response to sensory stimuli. This receptor type makes neurons less selective, which may help explain certain brain disorders like autism and epilepsy. By manipulating these receptors in mice, researchers…
Neuroplasticity: How New Experiences Impact Your Brain
a close-up of a game board When it comes to defining neuroplasticity, there’s a little quiz that neuroscientist Sandra Bond Chapman, Ph.D ., likes to pose. Think about how much control you have over changing the health of your heart, your brain, and your…
A Scientist Explains How Brains Form Memory—and What Causes Memory Loss
There are so many reasons—normal, non-scary reasons—why we forget things, whether it’s the name of that dog-walking neighbor, or our friend’s birthday, or where we parked our car. Sometimes we’re moving at too fast a pace, multi-tasking all the way. Or maybe our lives…
Top 6 Natural Ways to Improve Memory
If you’re relatively young and healthy, improving your memory may not be the health goal you’re currently most focused on. However, memory impairment is an issue that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Considering that memory is tied to many other brain functions and serves as…
Fiber photometry technique finds serotonin levels in brain increase with reward value
Ball-and-stick model of the serotonin molecule. Credit: Public Domain Serotonin is often referred to as the “happiness molecule.” It plays a critical role in affecting mood levels and is also a neurotransmitter that sends signals within the brain and the body. Researchers have generally…
Melatonin Making You Groggy? A Better Natural Sleep Aid Might Be GABA
Kiss melatonin’s bleary mornings and overactive dreams goodbye with another natural, silly-sounding sleep aid. You’re tossing and turning all night, and waking up feeling groggy. Maybe you’ve already tried using a new pillow with better neck support but still found it impossible to get…
Grape flavonoids are key to longevity and overall wellness
Tags: #nutrition , aging , brain health , cancer , cardiovascular health , cognitive function , flavonoids , food cures , food is medicine , goodcancer , goodfood , goodhealth , goodmedicine , grape flavonoids , grapes , heart health , longevity , oxidative…
Reversible Brain Mechanism Explains Memory Loss from Drug Abuse
Summary: Scientists have uncovered a mechanism in the brain that explains how drugs like methamphetamine and PCP impair cognitive functions, particularly memory. The study shows that these drugs trigger neurotransmitter switching in the cerebral cortex, where excitatory glutamate neurons switch to inhibitory GABA neurons,…
Biblical superfoods: Ancient healing foods are also useful in modern times
Tags: ancient wisdom , Bible food , bitter herbs , flaxseed , food science , functional food , goat milk , goodfood , goodhealth , goodmedicine , grapes , grocery cures , gut health , health science , honey , longevity , natural cures…
STUDY: Food dye tartrazine temporarily makes skin and muscle TRANSPARENT
09/24/2024 // Olivia Cook // Views Tags: breakthrough , chemicals , Chemistry , discoveries , food coloring , food dye , food science , future science , goodfood , goodhealth , goodmedicine , goodscience , health science , ingredients , medical diagnostics , medical…
Study suggests antidepressants might give memory a boost
Antidepressants have the potential to improve memory and thinking skills, a new study suggests. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News Antidepressants have the potential to improve memory and thinking skills, a new study suggests. Some patients experienced a boost on brain tests after taking the…
Unexpected Brain Booster: Antidepressants Linked to Enhanced Cognitive Abilities
SSRIs may enhance verbal memory and cognitive performance by modifying serotonin receptor levels in the brain, offering dual benefits for treating depression. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Researchers have uncovered that SSRIs, specifically escitalopram, not only improve mood in depressed patients but also enhance cognitive functions such…
A cell biologist is investigating the balance of brain flexibility, stability
Andrea Gomez is fascinated by the brain’s ability to find the balance between stability and flexibility. One of the most remarkable things about the human brain is that it changes. A lot. This ability to reinvent itself, to morph, to strengthen some connections and…
Scientists discover microplastics in the olfactory bulbs of the human brain
Scientists have found microplastics in many parts of the human body, including the brain. MEM Studio/Stocksy Microplastics are common in people’s everyday environments, and research is ongoing on microplastics in the human body. Recent study findings revealed that microplastics can be present in the…
Melatonin Receptor is Key to REM Sleep and Memory
Summary: Scientists have identified the melatonin MT1 receptor as a key regulator of REM sleep, crucial for memory, dreaming, and emotional regulation. This discovery may pave the way for targeted treatments for sleep disorders and conditions like Parkinson’s and dementia, which are linked to…