Epilepsy isn’t something we usually associate with specific geographic regions, but new research suggests that’s an oversight—at least in the United States. New research finds that certain parts of the U.S. have much higher rates of epilepsy than others. Researchers examined the Medicare data of Americans over 65 from across the country. Older adults were significantly […]
Our Brains Contain Lithium—and Its Loss Might Help Drive Alzheimer’s, Study Finds
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the cruelest conditions a person can develop. And even with recent advances, there’s only so much that can be done once its symptoms emerge. Research out this week might highlight a critical and previously missed factor driving the disease, one that could even lead to new treatments. Scientists at Harvard […]
This Is What Your Brain Looks Like When You Solve a Problem
We’ve all had the aha moment, when the solution to a problem is suddenly obvious. In cartoons, that eureka feeling is usually depicted as a lightbulb floating above a character’s head—which is not that far off from what actually takes place in the brain during these moments. Researchers have revealed that epiphanies physically reshape brain […]
Scientists Announce Possible Breakthrough in Delaying Alzheimer’s
We might be on the precipice of a pivotal moment in Alzheimer’s disease research. In clinical trial data released this week, scientists have presented early evidence that it’s possible to delay symptoms in people genetically fated to develop Alzheimer’s at a young age. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine led the study, which […]
This $35,000 Computer Is Powered by Trapped Human Brain Cells
Cortical Labs would like to sell you a brain in a box. It’ll cost about $35,000, and you can teach it to do all kinds of nifty things. If that’s out of your price range, you can sign up for its ‘Wetware-as-a-Service’ and rent bio-computer processing power from a rack of living tissues welded to […]
Scientists Sound the Alarm Over Plastics in Our Brains After Shocking Study
If the thought of having a spoonful of plastic in your noggin sounds bad to you, you’re not the only one. Scientists are sounding the alarm over a recent study showing that microplastics can accumulate in the brain. Researchers from the U.S. and Canada wrote the commentary, published Tuesday in the journal Brain Medicine. In […]
A Nasal Spray for Concussions Shows Early Promise
The best treatment for a hard knock on the head might someday involve a quick sniff of a nasal spray. Researchers have found early evidence in mice that an antibody-based treatment delivered up the nose can reduce the brain damage caused by concussions and more serious traumatic injuries. Scientists at Mass General Brigham conducted the […]
Can a Drug Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease Decades Before It Happens?
A clinical trial has just begun that might take decades to fully complete but could have life-changing results. Researchers are testing out a plaque-clearing drug for Alzheimer’s disease in young people who are genetically destined to develop the devastating brain disorder. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine are leading the study, which is […]