Women born in states with higher structural sexism experience faster memory decline later in life, with effects equivalent to nine years of cognitive aging. Structural sexism encompasses societal inequities like unequal labor force participation and underrepresentation in government, which create systemic barriers to health. The impact is particularly pronounced among Black women, highlighting the intersection of sexism and racism.

Researchers have linked chronic intestinal infections caused by cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to a unique subtype of Alzheimer’s disease. The virus may travel from the gut to the brain via the vagus nerve, altering immune responses and contributing to hallmark Alzheimer’s changes like amyloid plaques and tau tangles. While HCMV infection is common and typically harmless, this study found that it may cause chronic brain inflammation in certain individuals.

Researchers used AI to analyze brain images from 70-year-olds, estimating their biological brain age and uncovering connections to lifestyle and health factors. Diabetes, inflammation, and high glucose levels were linked to older-looking brains, while regular exercise and healthy habits were associated with younger-looking brains.

A new study has revealed how brain circuits and neurotransmitters regulate meal initiation, offering insights into obesity management. Researchers identified serotonin neurons in the midbrain's dorsal Raphe nucleus (DRN) as key players, inhibited by GABA and dopamine when hunger strikes.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) disrupts cognitive flexibility, crucial for learning and adapting to change. New research reveals that chronic alcohol exposure alters the firing patterns of cholinergic interneurons (CINs), key neurons in the brain’s striatum that regulate dopamine and influence reward-driven learning.

study highlights significant improvements in the physical and mental functioning of older adults in England compared to previous generations. Using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging, researchers found that advancements in education, nutrition, sanitation, and medical care have likely contributed to better health outcomes. For instance, a 68-year-old born in 1950 exhibited similar capacities to a 62-year-old born a decade earlier.

Researchers identified variants in the DDX53 gene, located on the X chromosome, as contributors to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These genetic variants, found predominantly in males, provide critical insights into the biological mechanisms behind autism’s male predominance. The study also uncovered another potential gene, PTCHD1-AS, near DDX53, linked to autism, emphasizing the complexity of ASD’s genetic architecture.

Scientists have developed human stem cell models containing the notochord, a critical tissue that guides spine and nervous system formation during embryonic development. Using precise chemical signals inspired by natural processes in chicken, mouse, and monkey embryos, the researchers successfully coaxed human stem cells to form a notochord and a miniature trunk-like structure. This innovation mirrors key features of human development and could advance the study of spine-related birth defects and conditions like intervertebral disc degeneration.

A large-scale study revealed that genetic variants linked to dyslexia are associated with differences in brain areas controlling motor coordination, vision, and language. Using data from over a million individuals, researchers calculated genetic "polygenic scores" for dyslexia and analyzed their relationship to brain structures. Higher genetic risk for dyslexia was tied to lower volumes in brain regions related to speech processing and movement, and increased volumes in the visual cortex.

Open-world video games can significantly improve relaxation and mental health, especially for postgraduate students. These games, offering expansive environments and player autonomy, provide a form of cognitive escapism that helps reduce stress and enhance mood.

Some people experience anauralia, a silent mind incapable of imagining sounds like voices or music. Scientists and creatives will explore this phenomenon at the "Mind’s Ear and Inner Voice" conference in April, hosted in Auckland.

The inferior colliculus, a midbrain region known for sound processing, also plays a role in touch sensation by integrating tactile and auditory signals. Pacinian corpuscles, highly sensitive skin mechanoreceptors, relay high-frequency vibrations to this brain area, amplifying sensory experiences. This mechanism explains phenomena like feeling music vibrations during a concert and highlights the brain's adaptability in processing multisensory information.