Tau is a protein abundant in nerve cells, and its abnormal forms are linked to brain deterioration in Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions. Researchers investigated how tau affects mitochondria, the cell's energy-producing structures, and whether interrupting that interaction could protect neurons. The study combined animal models, human neurons grown from stem cells, and brain tissue collected after death from people with and without tau-related disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. In animal and cell experiments, researchers altered tau and examined whether reverse elect... alzheimer's dementia mitochondria neurodegeneration neurons
Read moreFinasteride is one of the most popular prescription drugs for male hair loss, but questions about its psychiatric safety have lingered for over two decades. A new review analyzed postmarketing data to determine whether the drug contributes to depression, anxiety, or suicidality, and to examine why these risks took so long to be recognized. The analysis brought together eight independent human studies conducted over the last decade. Four used adverse event reporting systems from agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and four used n... mental health depression anxiety Hair drug
Read moreMicroplastics are everywhere in the environment—from the water we drink to the air we breathe. Scientists have found these tiny plastic particles in human blood, organs, and even the brain, raising concerns about their potential health effects. A recent study in mice found that microplastics in the bloodstream can obstruct tiny blood vessels in the brain, impairing blood flow and driving neurological disorders. Researchers injected fluorescently labeled microplastics into mice and observed how the particles traveled through brain capillaries. In particular, they focused on how immune cells i... brain pollution neurodegeneration Microplastics
Read more[toc position='left'] Toll-like receptors are a family of pattern recognition receptors expressed on the surface of immune and other cells. Toll-like receptors are the principal inducers of innate immunity[ref doi='10.1186/cc1471'], activating transcription factors such as NF-kB that increase the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Among toll-like receptors, TLR4 is notable for recognizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a structure found on the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria. This overview will predominantly focus on TLR4 and its involvement in human health, disease, and behavior. Toll... toll-like receptors gut aging microbiome inflammation immune system intestinal permeability omega-3 endotoxemia
Read moreAn abundance of scientific research demonstrates that overconsumption of added dietary sugar is harmful to physical health, but research on its long-term effects on cognitive health is lacking. Findings from a recent study in mice indicate that overconsumption of added sugar during adolescence contributes to the risk of becoming obese, hyperactive, and cognitively impaired as adults. Current public health guidelines recommend that children between the ages of two and 19 years limit their intake of added sugars to less than 10 percent of their total daily calories – roughly 12 teaspoons per da... nutrition
Read morePeople who have depression often engage in harmful lifestyle behaviors such as overeating, drug abuse, or smoking. In fact, some research indicates that depression is one of the strongest contributors to cigarette smoking, especially among college students (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20181432). Findings from a new study suggest the converse – that smoking may cause depressive symptoms. The study involved more than 2,100 male and female college students (average age, 20 years) at two universities in Serbia. The students completed questionnaires about their socio-demographic status, li... depression
Read moreTo-date, only one significant study has looked at ADHD misdiagnosis and found 20-25% of boys were misdiagnosed and this was before ADHD was as common as it is now. The most common treatment for ADHD is a prescription stimulant such as Adderall or Ritalin. "According to manufacturers of ADHD stimulants, they are associated with sudden death in children who have heart problems, whether those heart problems have been previously detected or not. They can bring on a bipolar condition in a child who didn't exhibit any symptoms of such a disorder before taking stimulants. They are associated with "ne... diagnostics adhd
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