How light affects your brain: A scientist’s story and breakthroughs
Dr. Randy J. Nelson is one of the world’s top experts on how our body clocks, called circadian rhythms, affect our brain and health.
In...
How changes in brain blood flow could transform Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment
More than seven million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, a devastating condition that gradually erodes memory and thinking ability.
Scientists know that the...
How the brain’s immune system may fuel drug relapse—and how to stop it
One of the hardest challenges for people recovering from addiction is avoiding relapse.
Even after long periods of abstinence, the brain’s wiring often pulls people...
Scientists discover a new ‘sixth sense’ that connects gut microbes to the brain
For years, scientists have known that the gut and brain communicate, but much of that conversation was thought to happen slowly, through hormones or...
Music therapy shows promise for dementia patients
A new study suggests that music therapy could help improve care for people with dementia in NHS hospitals.
The treatment, called MELODIC, was tested on...
How letting your mind wander can reset your brain
Every day, we're faced with constant opportunities for stimulation.
With 24/7 access to news feeds, emails and social media, many of us find ourselves scrolling...
Now night light may damage your brain, mood, and metabolism
Dr. Randy J. Nelson is not your typical scientist.
Before he became one of the world’s leading experts on circadian rhythms — the body’s natural...
How caffeine changes the sleeping brain
Caffeine is one of the most widely used substances in the world.
It’s in coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks, and many soft drinks, making it...
How a common food additive helped scientists study the brain at scale
Researchers at Stanford have found an unexpected solution to a major challenge in brain science—using a common food additive, xanthan gum, to solve a...
New light-and-sound technology helps spot stroke early
Every year, strokes take the lives of millions of people around the world. A stroke happens when the blood flow to the brain is...