Category: Brain and Nervous System
Scientists Debate the Role of a Virus in Multiple Sclerosis
A recent study offers the strongest evidence yet of the link between Epstein-Barr virus and MS. Not everyone is convinced. By Elizabeth PrestonUndark Magazine Ryan Grant was in his 20s and serving in the military when he learned that the…
Should autism be redefined?
The debate centres on whether this term is an appropriate way to highlight the high support needs of a subgroup of autistic people – or whether the term may be a step backwards for community understanding and acceptance.
Pace as important as 10,000 steps for health, studies find
“The take-home message here is that for protective health benefits people could not only ideally aim for 10,000 steps a day but also aim to walk faster.”
Cognitive biases and brain biology help explain why facts don’t change minds
People form opinions based on emotions, such as fear, contempt and anger, rather than relying on facts. New facts often do not change people’s minds.
What allegations of Alzheimer’s research fraud mean for patients
It might be a stretch to say all Alzheimer’s research is now compromised. But the allegations can prompt us to ask whether the governing bodies of research and drug approvals are truly effective.
Rise in tics is caused by a known condition – and it’s not all due to TikTok
New tics in a teenager are hardly ever caused by Tourette’s. Usually, they are “functional tics” (involuntary rapid and repetitive movement and sound), which are one of many possible symptoms of functional neurological disorder.
Depression is probably not caused by a serotonin imbalance in the brain – new study
For three decades, people have been deluged with information suggesting that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” in the brain – namely an imbalance of a brain chemical called serotonin. However, our latest research review shows that the evidence does not support it.
How your status, where you live and your family background affect your risk of dementia
Socioeconomic status has been closely linked to a range of health disorders, and dementia is no exception. Studies across multiple countries have shown people with higher socioeconomic status are less likely to develop dementia.
The FDA approved a new drug to treat Alzheimer’s, but Medicare won’t always pay for it – a doctor explains what researchers know about Biogen’s Aduhelm
The core of the issue surrounding this drug is simple: Does it actually work? Here’s an explainer on Aduhelm, the new drug to treat Alzheimer’s.
Scientists track how the brain changes over a lifetime
The volume of grey matter (brain cells) increases rapidly from mid-gestation onwards, peaking just before we are six years old. It then begins to decrease slowly. The volume of white matter (brain connections) also increased rapidly from mid-gestation through early childhood and peaks just before we are 29 years old. The decline in white matter volume begins to accelerate after 50 years.
What is aphasia? An expert explains the condition forcing Bruce Willis to retire from acting
Almost everyone with aphasia struggles when trying to come up with the names of things they know, but can’t find the name for. And because of that, they have trouble using words in sentences. It also affects the ability of those with the condition to read and write.
COVID-19 and the brain
Even mild cases of COVID-19 can leave a mark on the brain, such as reductions in gray matter – a neuroscientist explains emerging research.
Autism is still underdiagnosed in girls and women. That can compound the challenges they face
Being autistic, but not diagnosed, can lead to a lifetime of struggles and being misunderstood for women.
Risk factors that determine whether you’re more or less likely to develop cognitive decline
Why some people with mild cognitive impairment develop dementia while others don’t has long been a mystery. But a recent study has identified several factors that determine whether a person is more or less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment. These findings might give us a clue about who might be more likely to develop dementia.