Brain Health

Flashes of Hope: MIT’s Light and Sound Therapy Reverses Memory Loss in Down Syndrome Mice

Images from an MIT study show increased neurogenesis in mice exposed to 40Hz stimulation, as indicated by elevated levels of the markers Ki67 and EdU. Yellow arrows highlight cells expressing these markers, compared to mice exposed only to ambient light and sound.

MIT researchers have discovered that exposing mice with Down syndrome to specific light and sound patterns can significantly improve memory, enhance brain connectivity, and boost the formation of new neurons. This promising approach, which uses 40Hz sensory stimulation known as GENUS (gamma entrainment using sensory stimulation), could potentially open new avenues for treating cognitive challenges … Read more

Brain Wiring Upends Leading Consciousness Theories

Abstract illustration signifying conciousness

When you’re looking at your phone, your visual neurons talk directly to your frontal cortex, creating a bridge between perception and higher cognition. This key finding from a landmark seven-year experiment challenges our understanding of consciousness, suggesting neither of two dominant theories fully explains how our sense of awareness arises. A team of over 200 … Read more

AI Blood Test Sniffs Out Hidden Brain Tumors

Release of cell-free DNA and altered blood cells in patients with cancer.

A simple blood test may soon catch brain cancers months before symptoms appear, thanks to artificial intelligence that detects previously invisible tumor signals. Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a liquid biopsy technique that identifies brain cancers with unprecedented accuracy, potentially transforming how these deadly tumors are diagnosed. Brain cancer detection has long frustrated physicians. Most … Read more

Meditation’s Hidden Risks Revealed in Study

women meditating

A new investigation has uncovered surprising risks associated with spiritual and meditative practices, revealing that certain techniques and personal experiences can trigger unexpected mental phenomena with potentially profound consequences. Researchers from a multinational team have mapped out the complex landscape of what they call “emergent phenomenology” (EP) — sudden, unusual mental or physical experiences that … Read more

U.S. Dementia Costs Approach Trillion Dollar Mark

Elderly woman with dementia

The hidden financial tsunami of dementia will crash across America with unprecedented force this year, reaching $781 billion in total economic burden, according to new research from the University of Southern California. This staggering figure, revealed yesterday in the first of planned annual estimates from a multidisciplinary USC-led team, goes far beyond traditional accounting of … Read more

Brain Monitoring Slashes Anesthesia Needs

Emery Brown

Japanese clinical trial data published this week reveals an advance in pediatric anesthesiology that should catch the attention of medical device investors and hospital efficiency strategists alike. By monitoring children’s brain waves during surgery, doctors can dramatically reduce anesthetic dosing while improving recovery metrics and slashing costs. The randomized controlled trial of 177 children aged … Read more

Black Children Lead Autism Diagnosis Surge

Black male child

New CDC data reveals a dramatic shift in autism diagnosis patterns across America, with Black children now showing the highest prevalence rates in multiple regions. The findings, released last week in the CDC’s biennial surveillance report, show overall autism rates have climbed to 1 in 31 children aged 8 years – a significant increase from … Read more