Sign in Subscribe

Neurophysiology

The neuroprotective glass: Is red wine good for your brain?

The neuroprotective glass: Is red wine good for your brain?

People are living longer than ever, and the price is a sharp rise in age-related brain problems, from slightly slower thinking to memory loss and dementia. The big question red wine lovers ask is: Does red wine actually protect the brain, or is that just the romantic side of neuroscience

Senescence: Can tired old spine cells bounce back - and take your back pain with them?

Senescence: Can tired old spine cells bounce back - and take your back pain with them?

What goes wrong in your spine over time Almost everyone deals with lower back pain at some point in their life. A common reason for this pain lies deep in the spine: the gradual wear and tear of intervertebral discs. These discs are structured like jelly donuts, with a soft,

Booze and brain: Neurons in trouble

Booze and brain: Neurons in trouble

Our brain is not just brain cells, little grey units full of thoughts and electricity and intellect ... The brain is full of helper cells called astrocytes, two for every brain cell. Once thought to just fill space, these cells actually do a lot to support neurons and help the brain

Auch! Repeated head trauma changes brain chemistry in former football players

Auch! Repeated head trauma changes brain chemistry in former football players

What happens in the brain after years of football tackles? Spoiler: it’s not just about concussions. Even without knockouts or dramatic injuries, decades after having left college, the brain may be quietly keeping score. A new study sampled cerebrospinal fluid of former American football players, looking for changes in

Mind over machine: Controlling robots with thoughts alone

Mind over machine: Controlling robots with thoughts alone

Imagine being able to control a walking robot—not with your hands, not with your voice, but with your brainwaves alone. No screens, no joysticks—just your mental focus. Picture the robot bringing you water, opening a door, or fetching your slippers. While that sounds futuristic, it’s not science

What happens when your mind goes blank, when the mind truly goes silent?

What happens when your mind goes blank, when the mind truly goes silent?

Most of the time when we are awake, our thoughts seem to flow like an endless river. We experience inner speech, mental images, silent feelings, and sensory awareness. Traditionally, it was thought that our inner experience always has some content, such as remembering a past event or imagining a future

Tinnitus: Disturbed by phantom sounds

Tinnitus: Disturbed by phantom sounds

Ever heard a ringing sound that isn’t really there? That’s tinnitus - your brain making noise without an external source. This brain misfire can turn a minor annoyance into a life-altering condition. Once thought to be just an ear problem, research reveals it’s deeply rooted in the