Gene therapy is an innovative tool for treating disease. How does it work?

Empathy is a critical skill for relationship and survival. Learn about what parts of the brain are involved in understanding how other people feel.

Most of our cells require oxygen to function. Cancer cells have found a way around this. How do they do it, and could we weaponize oxygen against them?

A glimpse into intracranial neuroscience with Deep Brain Stimulation and Stereoencephalography surgeries, both advancing research in cognition and offering hope for patients and researchers.

In the book ‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ by Trenton L. Stewart, the very mysterious Mr. Benedict suffers from a condition called narcolepsy. He can fall asleep at any time – while walking down stairs, making an omelet, and even while shaving – and he cannot control when he falls asleep! In the book, Mr. Benedict tells us that these sleep attacks are sometimes caused by strong emotions – either good or bad. What do neuroscientists know about narcolepsy?

If we do unfortunately happen to fall sick, doctors need to be able to determine how serious our illness is. Biomarkers do this by serving as a window into our bodies. For a complex organ like our brain, searching for biomarkers can improve the treatment potential and diagnosis of neurological diseases.

We all know what an orchestra looks like. There is a conductor who coordinates instruments from different families to produce a symphony. If our brain is like an orchestra, each cell is a different instrument, and the music is a thought or emotion. So who conducts the brain’s orchestra?

Close your eyes and picture a scientist. Are you imagining an older white man with crazy hair in a lab coat, something like Albert Einstein? Well, there certainly have been scientists that look like him, but there have also been many brilliant female scientists and medical professionals of color whose discoveries and work are just as important.

Helmets serve as crucial safeguards for our brains, shielding them from concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). While the idea of not wearing a helmet might seem tempting at times, especially when you're in a rush or want to feel the wind in your hair, the risks far outweigh any momentary convenience or thrill. Without a helmet, you're exposing yourself to significant danger. A single fall or collision could result in a traumatic brain injury or even death. The consequences of such an injury can be life-altering, affecting not only your physical health but also your cognitive abilities, emotions, and quality of life.

The human immune system has many different cell types that patrol our bodies constantly and keep us healthy. The brain is a particularly important organ for human functioning - does this mean there are thousands of immune cells monitoring every nook and cranny of our wrinkly brains? Not exactly.