Neuroscience

A new brain imaging study has found that recalling facts and personal experiences activates nearly identical neural networks, challenging long-held views on memory systems. Researchers from the University of Nottingham and University of Cambridge used fMRI scans on 40 participants to compare these memory types. The results, published in Nature Human Behaviour, suggest a rethink in how memory is studied and could inform treatments for Alzheimer's and dementia.

January 29, 2026 由 AI 报道

Researchers have created a detailed brain organoid mimicking the developing cerebral cortex, complete with blood vessels that closely resemble those in a real brain. This advance addresses a key limitation in lab-grown mini-brains, potentially allowing them to survive longer and provide deeper insights into neurological conditions. The organoid, grown from human stem cells, features evenly distributed vessels with hollow centers, marking a significant step forward in brain research.

New research from MIT reveals that when sleep-deprived individuals experience attention lapses, their brains trigger waves of cerebrospinal fluid to clear waste, mimicking a sleep-like process. This compensation disrupts focus temporarily but may help maintain brain health. The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, highlight the brain's adaptive response to missed rest.

January 20, 2026 由 AI 报道

A new study has shown that the brain regions controlling facial expressions in macaques work together in unexpected ways, challenging prior assumptions about their division of labor. Researchers led by Geena Ianni at the University of Pennsylvania used advanced neural recordings to reveal how these gestures are encoded. The findings could pave the way for future brain-computer interfaces that decode facial signals for patients with neurological impairments.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified how alpha oscillations in the brain help distinguish the body from the surroundings. Faster alpha rhythms enable precise integration of visual and tactile signals, strengthening the feeling of bodily self. The findings, published in Nature Communications, could inform treatments for conditions like schizophrenia and improve prosthetic designs.

January 14, 2026 由 AI 报道

A large-scale international study has found that age-related memory decline stems from broad structural changes across the brain, rather than a single region or gene. Analyzing over 10,000 MRI scans from thousands of healthy adults, researchers observed that brain shrinkage's impact on memory intensifies nonlinearly in later life. The findings highlight a distributed vulnerability that accelerates memory loss once a tipping point is reached.