More from @NeuroscienceNew

Oct 31

Rotating Brain Waves Help the Mind Refocus After Distraction

New research reveals that the brain regains focus after distraction through rotating waves of neural activity.

These circular waves sweep across the prefrontal cortex, realigning neurons and restoring attention.

When the rotations fully complete, performance remains sharp; when they don’t, mistakes increase.

The discovery shows how the brain uses efficient analog computation to keep thought processes on track.

Your brain “comes full circle” after a distraction—literally. MIT scientists found that rotating waves of neural activity sweep across the cortex to restore focus, revealing how the mind naturally recalibrates attention.

neurosciencenews.com/rotating-brain…

Key Facts

Neural Rotation: Circular waves of neural activity realign brain networks to recover focus after distraction.

Performance Link: Complete rotations correspond to accurate task performance; incomplete ones predict errors.

Energy Efficiency: These waves reflect an analog computation process, offering an efficient mechanism for attention control.

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Oct 1

Early vs. Late Autism Diagnoses Linked to Distinct Genetic Profiles

Autism diagnosed early in life is not the same as autism diagnosed later, according to one of the largest genetic studies to date.

Researchers found that children identified before age six showed early, persistent social difficulties, while later-diagnosed individuals often developed problems during adolescence and faced higher rates of depression.

Genetic data revealed striking differences, with late-diagnosed autism overlapping more with ADHD and psychiatric conditions.

These results suggest autism is not a single unified condition but a collection of distinct developmental pathways.

Autism isn’t one condition but many. New research shows early vs. late diagnoses follow different genetic and developmental paths — with later-diagnosed autism overlapping more with ADHD and depression.

neurosciencenews.com/genetics-asd-d…

Key Facts

Two Pathways: Early and late autism diagnoses show distinct genetic and developmental profiles.

Mental Health Risks: Later-diagnosed individuals face higher risks of depression and related conditions.

Genetic Overlap: Later-diagnosed autism shares more in common genetically with ADHD and PTSD than with early-diagnosed autism.

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Aug 16

Boosting Prefrontal Dopamine Shows Promise in Cutting Alcohol Use

Researchers have discovered that tolcapone, a dopamine-boosting drug, enhances brain regions responsible for self-control in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

In a randomized trial, participants receiving tolcapone showed stronger activity in the inferior frontal gyrus, a prefrontal cortex region linked to inhibitory control.

This heightened activation was tied to both improved performance on a stopping task and reduced alcohol consumption.

The findings highlight that targeting dopamine in the prefrontal cortex can directly address the impaired self-control often central to AUD.

Unlike existing treatments, which mainly target cravings or withdrawal, this strategy works at the level of brain circuits that regulate decision-making.

These results open the door to developing new medications that restore control and reduce harmful drinking behaviors.

Boosting dopamine in the brain’s self-control circuits may reduce drinking. A new study shows tolcapone enhances prefrontal activity, improves control, and lowers alcohol use—offering fresh hope for treating alcohol use disorder.

neurosciencenews.com/pfc-dopamine-a…

Key Facts

Novel Approach: This treatment targets impaired self-control rather than just cravings or withdrawal.

Brain Impact: Tolcapone enhances prefrontal dopamine, strengthening inhibitory control circuits.

Clinical Potential: Findings suggest a new class of therapies for more effective AUD treatment.

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Aug 15

The Brain Merges Sight And Sound For Faster, Smarter Decisions

Researchers have uncovered how the brain merges visual and auditory information to make faster and more accurate decisions.

Using EEG recordings, they tracked how separate auditory and visual decision processes start independently but eventually combine in the motor system to trigger a response.

Participants in the study responded to changes in moving dots, tones, or both, allowing scientists to compare reaction times and brain activity patterns.

The integrated approach led to quicker responses than relying on either sense alone.

Computational modeling revealed that integration, rather than a simple sensory “race,” best explained behavior—especially when one signal was delayed.

This insight could help guide clinical strategies for treating sensory and decision-making disorders.

Your brain doesn’t just race sight against sound—it merges them in the motor system, creating faster, smarter decisions.

neurosciencenews.com/audio-visual-m…

Key Facts:

Parallel Processing: Visual and auditory decision processes start separately but converge in the motor system.

Integration Over Racing: Integrated models explain faster and more accurate responses, particularly with sensory delays.

Clinical Potential: Insights may help design diagnostics and treatments for sensory or cognitive disorders.

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Aug 15

Gut Neurons Direct Immune Healing After Inflammation

Scientists have found that neurons in the gut’s enteric nervous system actively influence immune healing after intestinal inflammation by releasing a molecule called adrenomedullin 2 (ADM2).

ADM2 stimulates group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) to produce amphiregulin, a growth factor that promotes tissue repair.

In preclinical models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), administering ADM2 increased protective ILC2 numbers and improved recovery.

Conversely, blocking ADM2 signaling reduced ILC2 populations and worsened disease severity.

Human studies revealed higher ADM2 levels in IBD patients and confirmed that human ILC2s respond to ADM2 in a similar way.

This neuro-immune link opens new possibilities for IBD therapies that target gut neurons to boost natural healing.

Your gut’s “second brain” helps heal inflammation. Scientists found that gut neurons release ADM2, a molecule that activates immune cells to repair tissue—opening the door to new IBD treatments.

neurosciencenews.com/gut-neuron-inf…

Key Facts:

Gut-Brain-Immune Link: Enteric neurons produce ADM2, directly influencing immune cell activity.

Repair Mechanism: ADM2 boosts ILC2-mediated tissue repair during and after gut inflammation.

Clinical Potential: Findings suggest ADM2-targeted therapies for IBD in both mice and humans.

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Jul 15

Hepatitis C Found in Brain Lining Linked to Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder

A new study reveals hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the brain lining of people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, suggesting infection may play a role in these psychiatric conditions.

Researchers analyzed postmortem brain samples and found HCV in the choroid plexus — a structure producing cerebrospinal fluid — but not in the brain tissue itself.

This presence correlated with altered gene expression in memory-related brain areas.

Electronic health records confirmed HCV rates in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients were nearly double those in major depression and seven times higher than in healthy controls.

The study challenges the assumption that elevated HCV rates are only due to risky behaviors like drug use.

These findings point to a potential new treatment avenue using antivirals for certain psychiatric patients.

Hepatitis C Found in Brain Lining Linked to Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder

Hepatitis C found in brain linings of people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may worsen symptoms—study suggests antivirals could help some patients.

neurosciencenews.com/hepatitis-c-sc…

Key Facts:

1 - HCV was present in the brain lining of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients but not in brain tissue.

2 - Infection altered gene expression in memory and cognition-related brain regions.

3 - Patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder were up to 7 times more likely to have HCV than healthy controls.

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