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National Institutes of Health Research Suggests Fever-Like Temperatures May Temporarily Improve Autism Symptoms in Preclinical Models

National Institutes of Health Research Suggests Fever-Like Temperatures May Temporarily Improve Autism Symptoms in Preclinical Models

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have conducted a study using a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to investigate the 'fever effect,' a phenomenon where some autistic children experience temporary improvements in communication, hyperactivity, repetitive behaviors, and mental functions during a fever. Published in Molecular Psychiatry, the study suggests that the thermal component of a fever, rather than immune activation, may be responsible for these temporary cognitive changes. The team, led by senior author Michelle W. Antoine, focused on Scn2a+/- juvenile mice, which carry a genetic mutation associated with autism-like behaviors. They observed that at fever-like temperatures, these mice showed improved problem-solving, learning, spatial navigation, and tactile discrimination skills. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that abnormally increased neuronal spiking activity in the somatosensory cortex normalized at fever-like temperatures. The researchers identified pota...

NIH-Funded Study Reveals Brain Organoids Exhibit Lifelike Developmental Clock, Enabling Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Research

NIH-Funded Study Reveals Brain Organoids Exhibit Lifelike Developmental Clock, Enabling Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Research

A scientific team funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has achieved a significant breakthrough in brain organoid research, demonstrating that these 3D cell culture models of human brain tissue can exhibit features of later-stage brain development and maintain viability for nearly six years. This extended longevity and lifelike maturation were previously unattainable, limiting the scope of research into neurodevelopmental disorders. The study, led by Paola Arlotta, Ph.D., at Harvard University, built upon previous work that addressed batch-to-batch variability in organoid production. Researchers tracked gene expression, biological age, and cellular structure, observing the emergence and maturation of neurons and glial cells at a pace consistent with natural human brain development. The organoids also demonstrated functional maturity, establishing connections and firing electrical signals for at least two years, supported by a specialized fluid environment.

Research Identifies Specific Neuronal Populations in Anterior Cingulate Cortex for Pain and Itch Processing

Research Identifies Specific Neuronal Populations in Anterior Cingulate Cortex for Pain and Itch Processing

Recent research has identified distinct neuronal populations within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in mice that are specifically involved in processing pain and itch sensations. These modality-specific neurons receive synaptic inputs from mediodorsal thalamic neurons, which are activated by either pain or itch stimuli. The study demonstrated that selectively inhibiting these neurons through chemogenetic methods reduced either pruriception (itch sensation) or nociception (pain sensation) without affecting the other modality. This indicates a specialized neural circuitry for these distinct sensory experiences within the ACC. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how the brain processes these sensations, moving beyond a general understanding of somatosensory processing to pinpoint specific neural pathways.

National Institutes of Health Proposes New Biosafety Policy for Research Involving Biohazards

National Institutes of Health Proposes New Biosafety Policy for Research Involving Biohazards

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a request for public comment on a draft biosafety policy for research involving biohazards. This proposed policy aims to modernize and strengthen biosafety practices, expanding the scope beyond the current NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules to include all biohazards. The initiative seeks to ensure that oversight keeps pace with evolving risks in biomedical research. The draft policy outlines new requirements for federal and institutional oversight, emphasizing transparency, adaptability, and accountability. It also aims to streamline administrative burdens for low-risk research while strengthening the role of Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) and aligning with Institutional Review Boards and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees. The NIH has engaged in extensive community outreach to inform this proposal, gathering feedback from researchers, biosafety professionals, and the public through va...

MIT Scientists Propose New Theory: Cognition and Consciousness Arise from Analog Brain Computations

MIT Scientists Propose New Theory: Cognition and Consciousness Arise from Analog Brain Computations

Scientists at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT have published a new theory in The Journal of Neuroscience, suggesting that cognition and consciousness are products of analog computations performed by traveling waves of rhythmic neural activity in the brain. Picower Professor Earl K. Miller, the paper's senior author, along with co-authors Scott L. Brincat and Jefferson E. Roy, argue that while brain circuits provide the infrastructure for memories and goals, the brain's ability to rapidly process information and adapt to sensory input relies on a control system that coordinates millions of neurons in fractions of a second. This coordination is achieved through brain waves, which are synchronized rhythmic fluctuations of large groups of neurons. Unlike digital circuits that perform calculations sequentially, analog computation, facilitated by wave interference, processes multiple calculations in parallel, offering greater efficiency. The theory posits that slower alpha and beta waves, re...

Many Brains Project Leads National Initiative for Alzheimer's Digital Detection Tools

Many Brains Project Leads National Initiative for Alzheimer's Digital Detection Tools

The Many Brains Project, a non-profit organization, is serving as the technology lead for the Open Measurement Network Initiative for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (OMNI ADRD). This major project, funded by the National Institutes of Health, involves 50 research teams across 25 sites nationwide. The initiative focuses on developing the next generation of digital tools for the early detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The Many Brains Project specializes in building open, scalable infrastructure necessary for such large-scale research initiatives. Their work supports researchers, clinicians, educators, and organizations globally through scientifically rigorous cognitive testing, large-scale behavioral data collection, and research collaboration. The organization also develops and supports the TestMyBrain platform, which includes cognitive assessments and public educational resources.

Microglia Found to Consume Living Motor Neurons in ALS Mouse Model via TAM Receptors

Microglia Found to Consume Living Motor Neurons in ALS Mouse Model via TAM Receptors

New research from the Salk Institute has revealed a novel mechanism by which microglia, the immune cells of the brain and spinal cord, contribute to the progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Published in Nature Communications, the study demonstrates that microglia utilize TAM receptors—a family of proteins discovered by senior author Greg Lemke, Ph.D.—to identify and eliminate living motor neurons in the spinal cords of mice with ALS. Traditionally, TAM receptors are known for clearing dead or dying cells. However, in the context of ALS, the study found that motor neurons in SOD1 mouse models (a common ALS model) display 'eat me' signals (phosphatidylserine) on their surface even when alive, prompting microglia to engulf them. When the Axl and Mer TAM proteins were disabled in these mice, they initially became sicker but ultimately lived longer, and the accumulation of microglia-eaten neurons was significantly reduced.

Brain Scans Reveal Political Divides in Sensory Processing

Brain Scans Reveal Political Divides in Sensory Processing

A recent brain imaging experiment, published in iScience, indicates that individuals with even subtle political differences process information using distinct patterns of brain activity. The study, led by neuroscientists Niloufar Zebarjadi and Annika Kluge at Aalto University in Finland, along with Jonathan Levy at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, focused on attitudes toward immigration. Researchers recorded fMRI data from 40 participants while they listened to pro- and anti-immigration statements. They observed neural polarization, a phenomenon where the brain activity of individuals with similar political beliefs synchronizes while consuming political content, and diverges from those with opposing views. This study uniquely explored subtle ideological disagreements, unlike previous research that typically focused on stark divides. When participants listened to pro-immigration statements, neural polarization appeared in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the right premotor cortex. For anti-immigrat...

The Many Brains Project Seeks Programs Operations Manager for Cognitive Science Advancement

The Many Brains Project Seeks Programs Operations Manager for Cognitive Science Advancement

The Many Brains Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, is actively seeking a Programs & Operations Manager. This full-time, remote position requires candidates to be based in the U.S. and available during Eastern Time Zone core collaboration hours. The organization focuses on advancing cognitive and behavioral science through digital assessment tools, scientific infrastructure, and open research resources, including the TestMyBrain platform. The new manager will play a central role in supporting researcher partnerships, developing research studies, disseminating public resources, and managing organizational operations. This role is designed for an adaptable and proactive individual who can independently manage complex work, exercise sound judgment, and contribute across various organizational functions. The Many Brains Project is also the technology lead for major initiatives like the Open Measurement Network Initiative for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (OMNI ADRD), a National Institutes...

Research Highlights Dynamic Functional Connectivity as Candidate Biomarker for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Research Highlights Dynamic Functional Connectivity as Candidate Biomarker for Neurodegenerative Diseases

A recent narrative review evaluates dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) from resting-state fMRI as a potential biomarker for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The review, which analyzed peer-reviewed literature from 2004 to 2020, suggests that neurodegenerative disease progression involves changes in how brain regions communicate, rather than solely local neuronal damage. Studies indicate that network flexibility, time-dependent variability, and global efficiency of brain networks are often reduced in individuals with MCI or AD. While DFC-related measures have been associated with altered temporal variability and disruptions in large-scale brain systems like the default mode network and hippocampal-cortical circuitry, the current research base is insufficient to support DFC as a validated clinical biomarker for routine use. Methodological inconsistencies, such as varying preprocessing pipelines and DFC metrics, limit direct comparisons across studies and hinder its immediate c...

AI Personalization in Nutrition Care Shows Promise for Dietary Assessment and Glucose Guidance, Not Overall Diet

AI Personalization in Nutrition Care Shows Promise for Dietary Assessment and Glucose Guidance, Not Overall Diet

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are demonstrating potential in personalizing specific aspects of nutrition care, particularly dietary assessment and postprandial glucose guidance. Research indicates that machine intelligence can effectively personalize selected components of nutrition care, such as dietary assessment and guidance for blood glucose levels after meals. However, the evidence does not yet reliably support AI's ability to determine the best overall diet for every individual or clinical objective. A European trial, Food4Me, found that participants receiving personalized dietary advice showed greater improvements in dietary behaviors, including reduced red meat, salt, and saturated fat intake, and higher healthy-eating scores, compared to those receiving conventional advice. Interestingly, the study also revealed that incorporating phenotype and genotype information did not further enhance these results; personalization based solely on diet and lifestyle proved equally effe...

AI Use in NIH Grant Applications Increases Funding Probability, Raises Concerns About Scientific Novelty

AI Use in NIH Grant Applications Increases Funding Probability, Raises Concerns About Scientific Novelty

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that researchers using artificial intelligence (AI) to write grant applications for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are experiencing a four-percentage-point increase in funding probability compared to those with low AI involvement. The study, which analyzed over 125,000 grant applications submitted to the NIH and National Science Foundation (NSF) from 2021 to 2025, identified a significant surge in AI use between 2023 and 2025. While NIH-funded projects with high AI involvement showed a 5% increase in resulting publications, these papers did not demonstrate a notable advantage in terms of influence among the most cited works. The researchers, including Yifan Qian from Northwestern University, gained access to confidential NIH and NSF submissions from two large research universities to conduct this analysis, providing insights into how AI is shaping federally funded research.