A new study shows that Beagle dogs with mutations in the autism-linked Shank3 gene exhibit face processing abnormalities similar to those seen in humans with ASD. Using behavioral tests, eye-tracking, and brain recordings, researchers found that these dogs paid less attention to faces—especially the eye region—and showed delays in brain responses to facial cues.

A large new study reveals that heart failure significantly accelerates cognitive decline, causing affected individuals to mentally age a decade within just seven years of diagnosis. Researchers tracked nearly 30,000 adults and found that heart failure was associated with a sharp drop in cognitive function at diagnosis and a faster decline in global cognition and executive function over time.

A new study reveals that microRNAs—tiny regulators of gene expression—play a crucial role in shaping Purkinje cells, rare brain neurons linked to movement and neurodevelopmental disorders. Using advanced genetic tools, researchers showed that disabling microRNAs during specific developmental windows impaired the cells’ growth and ability to form key connections.

A new study using intracranial recordings in humans reveals that the thalamus, particularly its higher-order regions, plays a central role in triggering conscious perception. By monitoring brain activity during a visual task, researchers found that the intralaminar and medial thalamic nuclei activated before the prefrontal cortex, suggesting the thalamus initiates conscious awareness.

A new study challenges the widely held belief that high-quality, nonjudgmental listening is essential for persuasion. While good listening improves how people feel about a conversation and reduces defensiveness, it doesn’t enhance the impact of persuasive messages.

A new study has identified specific brain networks that regulate the intensity of political engagement, regardless of ideology. By analyzing Vietnam War veterans with localized brain injuries, researchers found that damage to the prefrontal cortex increased political fervor, while damage to the amygdala reduced it.

For the first time, scientists have shown how heavy alcohol use leads to long-term cognitive impairments by damaging brain circuits responsible for decision-making. In a rat model, animals exposed to high alcohol levels performed significantly worse on a complex, shifting-reward task, even after nearly three months of sobriety.

A large study of over 72,000 pregnant women found that those infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy were less likely to develop Long COVID than non-pregnant peers. Using data from two national databases, researchers found consistent results: about 16% of pregnant women developed Long COVID symptoms versus 19% of matched non-pregnant women.

Researchers have developed a brain-computer interface that can synthesize natural-sounding speech from brain activity in near real time, restoring a voice to people with severe paralysis. The system decodes signals from the motor cortex and uses AI to transform them into audible speech with minimal delay—less than one second.

A new study shows that weight training not only boosts physical strength but also protects the brains of older adults with mild cognitive impairment. After six months of twice-weekly resistance training, participants showed memory improvements and protection against brain atrophy in regions linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

A new study of over 45,000 young adults found that using screens in bed increases the risk of insomnia by 59% and cuts sleep by 24 minutes. Surprisingly, the type of activity—whether social media, movies, or studying—didn’t make a difference; it was the screen time itself that mattered most.

A new study reveals that inflammation during pregnancy may impair neurodevelopment in infants by reducing CD11c-positive microglia—key immune cells that support brain myelination. These cells produce IGF-1, a protein critical for forming the myelin sheath that helps nerve signals travel efficiently.