Stress disrupts memory precision, causing generalized fear responses by enlarging memory-encoding neuron networks. This effect, mediated by the brain’s endocannabinoid system, suggests potential therapeutic targets for conditions like PTSD and anxiety disorders.
This cross-sectional study in two independent middle-aged and aged cohorts investigates whether psychological characteristics associated with varying dementia risk aggregate into psychological profiles and relate to aging brain health.
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They found that when people with aphantasia try to conjure an image in their mind’s eye, the primary visual cortex – the part of the brain that processes picture-like visual information – is activated, but any images that are produced remain unconscious to the individual.
Published today in Current Biology, opens in a new window, the study, carried out by scientists at UNSW and South China Normal University, used a range of techniques to measure brain activity. Their findings challenge the existing theory that activity in the primary visual cortex directly produces conscious visual imagery.
“People with aphantasia actually do seem to have images of a sort, they remain too weak or distorted to become conscious or be measured by our standard measurement techniques,” says Prof. Joel Pearson, a co-author of the study based at UNSW’s School of Psychology, opens in a new window. “This may be because the visual cortex is wired differently, as evidenced by the data in this new study. This research not only deepens our understanding of the brain but also pushes the boundaries of how we think about imagination and consciousness.”
People with aphantasia still have a blueprint for mental imagery, even if they can’t consciously ‘see’ it.
A new biodegradable electrode stimulates brain repair by activating neural precursor cells, dissolving naturally after a week. This breakthrough could transform treatments for neurological disorders like stroke.
Summary: Researchers have developed a flexible, biodegradable electrode capable of stimulating neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the brain, offering a safer and more precise alternative for neural repair. The electrode dissolves naturally after seven days, eliminating the need for surgical removal while promoting tissue regeneration.
Made from FDA-approved materials, the device successfully increased NPC activity in preclinical models without causing significant inflammation or damage. This innovation could significantly expand treatment options for neurological disorders, which are a leading cause of disability worldwide.
Future developments aim to integrate drug and gene therapy delivery into the electrodes for enhanced therapeutic potential.
DLB is a common cause of dementia. It starts by the abnormal accumulation of the protein alpha-synuclein in the brain. This produces degeneration of the brain and causes problems with thinking, movement, and behavior. Eventually, the disease leads to dementia and death. Doctors use a imaging technique called FDG-PET to assess how the brain is affected in DLB. However, until now, there was no information on how these brain changes develop over time.
The study, led by Dr. Daniel Ferreira at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, followed 35 patients with DLB, 37 patients with early-stage DLB (called prodromal DLB), and 100 healthy people from Mayo Clinic (USA), for an average of 3.8 years. The researchers found that brain degeneration starts early in prodromal DLB and worsens as the disease progresses.
“We discovered that people with prodromal DLB had faster degeneration in certain brain areas compared to healthy individuals,” said Dr. Ferreira.” This information is crucial for monitoring disease progression from early stages and planning clinical trials for new treatments.”
longitudinal FDG-PET metabolic change along the lewy body.
This case-control study assesses imaging and autopsy data from patients with dementia with Lewy bodies and probable dementia with Lewy bodies to investigate longitudinal change in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.
Second, Synchron will explore the development of a groundbreaking foundation model for brain inference. By processing Synchron’s neural data on an unprecedented scale, this initiative will create scalable, interpretable brain-language models with the potential to transform neuroprosthetics, cognitive expression, and seamless interaction with digital devices.
“Synchron’s vision is to scale neurotechnology to empower humans to connect to the world, and the NVIDIA Holoscan platform provides the ideal foundation,” said Tom Oxley, M.D., Ph.D., CEO & Founder, Synchron. “Through this work, we’re setting a new benchmark for what BCIs can achieve.”
NEW YORK—(BUSINESS WIRE)— Synchron, a category-defining brain-computer interface (BCI) company, announced today a step forward in implantable BCI technology to drive the future of neurotechnology. Synchron’s BCI technology, in combination with the NVIDIA Holoscan platform, is poised to redefine the possibilities of real-time neural interaction and intelligent edge processing.
Synchron will leverage NVIDIA Holoscan to advance a next-generation implantable BCI in two key domains. First, Synchron will enhance real-time edge AI capabilities for on-device neural processing, improving signal processing and multi-AI inference technology. This will reduce system latency, bolster privacy, and provide users with a more responsive and intuitive BCI experience. NVIDIA Holoscan provides Synchron with: (i) a unified framework supporting diverse AI models and data modalities; (ii) an optimized application framework, from seamless sensor I/O integration, GPU-direct data ingestion, to accelerated computing and real-time AI.
Source: NUS
Researchers have uncovered novel insights into how brain function disruptions related to cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) interact with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology to impact neurodegeneration and cognition in older adults.
Led by Associate Professor Juan Helen Zhou, Director of the Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), the research team revealed a brain functional connectome phenotype that is related to multiple CeVD markers and contributes additively to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration alongside AD.
Being able to erase bad memories and traumatic flashbacks could help in the treatment of a host of different mental health issues, and scientists have found a promising new approach to do just this: weakening negative memories by reactivating positive ones.
In an experiment covering several days, an international team of researchers asked 37 participants to associate random words with negative images, before attempting to reprogram half of those associations and ‘interfere’ with the bad memories.
“We found that this procedure weakened the recall of aversive memories and also increased involuntary intrusions of positive memories,” write the researchers in their published paper.
The brain’s response to emotional words is guided by neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, shaping how we interpret language. Surprising new research shows even the thalamus is involved, bridging emotion and cognition.
Summary: Researchers have uncovered how neurotransmitters in the brain respond to the emotional content of language, shedding light on the intersection of emotion, cognition, and communication. Using advanced techniques, the team simultaneously measured dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine release in patients during exposure to emotionally charged words.
They found distinct patterns of neurotransmitter activity across brain regions like the thalamus and anterior cingulate cortex, challenging assumptions about their roles in emotional and linguistic processing.
These findings suggest that brain systems evolved for survival also support complex human functions like language interpretation. Validation in animal models confirmed these patterns, paving the way for future studies on decision-making and mental health.
Neuralink Corp.’s brain-computer device has been implanted in a third patient and the company has plans for about 20 to 30 more implants in 2025, founder Elon Musk said.
“We’ve got now three humans with Neuralinks implanted and they’re all working well,” Musk said during an event in Las Vegas this week that was streamed on X, his social media service.
Neuralink is one of a growing group of startups developing brain implants that can help treat conditions such as paralysis and ALS. They are experimental procedures that usually require opening up the skull to place electrodes in the brain tissue. A year ago, Neuralink said it had implanted its device in its initial patient, Noland Arbaugh.
