Neuroscience

A Yale-led study shows that the senses stimulate a region of the brain that controls consciousness—a finding that might inform treatment for disorders related to attention, arousal, and more.

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has updated the operational classification of epileptic seizures, building upon the framework published in 2017 to establish a common language for all health care professionals involved in epilepsy care.

A transient ischemic attack, also known as a mini-stroke, is typically defined as a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that causes symptoms that go away within a day, but a new study finds that people who have this type of stroke may also have prolonged fatigue lasting up to one year.

Hormone levels fluctuate like the tides, ebbing and flowing according to carefully orchestrated cycles. These hormones not only influence the body, but can cross into the brain and shape the behavior of our neurons and cognitive processes.

Over the past decade, intensive studies have shown that the brain’s meningeal lymphatic system acts as the brain’s “waste disposal network,” maintaining homeostasis by clearing metabolic waste and transporting immune cells. However, the mechanism underlying its developmental regulation remains unknown. How does this intricate system form, and which cells or signals govern its specific spatial arrangement in the meninges?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a disabling neurodegenerative disease that affects approximately 10 million people worldwide, with numbers steadily increasing. Symptoms include tremors, difficulties with movement and speech, as well as mental health issues and dementia. Although PD can be managed by medication and lifestyle adjustments, the efficacy of these interventions varies between patients and cannot stop or reverse disease progression.

Sugar—sweet, satisfying, and everywhere. From fresh fruit and honey to processed table sugar and drinks, it sneaks into nearly everything we eat. While delicious, sugar delivers what nutritionists call “empty calories”—energy without any essential nutrients. And with overconsumption linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and dental problems, it’s no wonder health authorities are urging us to cut back.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine scientists are one step closer to developing a brain-computer interface, or BCI, that allows people with tetraplegia to restore their lost sense of touch.

Many women already know that preeclampsia—a dangerous form of high blood pressure during pregnancy—can lead to serious complications including kidney failure, stroke, and even death. Preeclampsia is also a well-known cause of preterm birth, which can pose a number of health risks for the baby.

An international research team led by Professor Kiavash Movahedi from the Brussels Center for Immunology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has published unexpected results in the journal Immunity. Their study sheds new light on the possibility of effectively replacing defective microglia—the brain’s immune cells—marking a potential breakthrough in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.