Topic description and stories

Neuroscience has transformed our understanding of the brain and promises treatments for devastating disorders that affect millions.

Charts map rapid growth and slow decline of brains

06 April 2022

An international team of researchers has created a series of brain charts spanning our entire lifespan – from a 15 week old fetus to 100 year old adult – that show how our brains expand rapidly in early life and slowly shrink as we age. 

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Smiling girl with the sun behind her

‘Teen-friendly’ mindfulness therapy aims to help combat depression

18 Nov 2024

Researchers have developed a mindfulness therapy tailored specifically to appeal to teenagers to help them cope with increasing levels of depression...

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Illustration of human brain

Cambridge joins forces with ARIA to fast-track radical new technologies to revolutionise brain health

09 Oct 2024

A team from across the Cambridge life sciences, technology and business worlds has announced a multi-million-pound, three-year collaboration with the...

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3D projections of QSM maps on the rendered brainstem

Ultra-powered MRI scans show damage to brain’s ‘control centre’ is behind long-lasting Covid-19 symptoms

08 Oct 2024

Damage to the brainstem – the brain’s ‘control centre’ – is behind long-lasting physical and psychiatric effects of severe Covid-19 infection, a...

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Illustration of human brain

Mental Health Overhaul: probing the processes behind the symptoms

04 Oct 2024

A new Cambridge network is turning to basic science in a bid to advance our understanding and treatment of mental health disorders

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Multi-coloured image of all neurons in an adult fruit fly brain

First map of every neuron in an adult fly brain complete

02 Oct 2024

The first wiring diagram of every neuron in an adult brain and the 50 million connections between them has been produced for a fruit fly.

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Brain on molecular structure, circuitry, and programming code background

Artificial intelligence outperforms clinical tests at predicting progress of Alzheimer’s disease

12 Jul 2024

Cambridge scientists have developed an artificially-intelligent tool capable of predicting in four cases out of five whether people with early signs...

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Illustration of a tired African American mother crying

Genetic study points to oxytocin as possible treatment for obesity and postnatal depression

02 Jul 2024

Scientists have identified a gene which, when missing or impaired, can cause obesity, behavioural problems and, in mothers, postnatal depression. The...

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Digitally generated image of a young man

What’s going on in our brains when we plan?

11 Jun 2024

Study uncovers how the brain simulates possible future actions by drawing from our stored memories.

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Third Thumb holding a sliced orange

Getting to grips with an extra thumb

29 May 2024

Cambridge researchers have shown that members of the public have little trouble in learning very quickly how to use a third thumb – a controllable...

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Smiling elderly woman speaking to a healthcare worker

Over 20,000 people join search for new dementia treatments

14 May 2024

More than 20,000 volunteers have been recruited to a resource aimed at speeding up the development of much-needed dementia drugs. The cohort will...

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Illustration of spinal cord

‘Wraparound’ implants represent new approach to treating spinal cord injuries

08 May 2024

A tiny, flexible electronic device that wraps around the spinal cord could represent a new approach to the treatment of spinal injuries, which can...

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Illustration of the human nervous system

Robotic nerve ‘cuffs’ could help treat a range of neurological conditions

26 Apr 2024

Researchers have developed tiny, flexible devices that can wrap around individual nerve fibres without damaging them.

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