https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/insomnia/ Learn about insomnia, sleep deprivation and other sleep problems. See the latest research on causes and possible cures including new treatment options. en-us Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:50:30 EDT Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:50:30 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/insomnia/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260401071936.htm Millions of people start work before sunrise—but their brains aren’t ready for it. A new clinical trial has found that the wake-promoting drug solriamfetol can significantly boost alertness in early-morning shift workers struggling with shift work disorder. Participants who took the drug were able to stay awake and function better throughout full shifts, with improvements in productivity, safety, and daily performance. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:10:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260401071936.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260330210905.htm Deep sleep does far more than rest the body — it activates a powerful brain-driven system that controls growth hormone, fueling muscle and bone strength, metabolism, and even mental performance. Scientists have now mapped the neural circuits behind this process, uncovering a delicate feedback loop in which sleep boosts growth hormone, and that same hormone helps regulate wakefulness. Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:39:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260330210905.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260326011458.htm Vivid dreams might be doing more than just entertaining your mind at night. Researchers found that immersive dreaming can actually make sleep feel deeper and more refreshing, even when brain activity is high. Surprisingly, people reported their deepest sleep after intense dream experiences, not just during quiet, inactive periods. This suggests dreams may play a key role in helping us feel truly rested. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 02:00:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260326011458.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044656.htm The largest review of medicinal cannabis to date found it doesn’t effectively treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD—despite millions using it for those reasons. Researchers warn it could even make mental health worse, raising risks like psychosis and addiction while delaying proven treatments. Some limited benefits were seen for conditions like insomnia and autism, but the evidence is weak. The findings are fueling calls for stricter oversight as cannabis use continues to rise. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:27:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044656.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040820.htm A groundbreaking clinical trial is testing whether specially engineered stem cells can help the brain restore its own dopamine production in people with Parkinson’s disease. Because the condition is driven by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing cells—leading to tremors, stiffness, and slowed movement—researchers are implanting lab-grown cells directly into the brain’s movement center to replace what’s been lost. Fri, 20 Feb 2026 04:03:58 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040820.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208011026.htm Scientists have identified a promising new compound, Mic-628, that can reliably shift the body’s internal clock forward—something that’s notoriously hard to do. By targeting a key clock-control protein, Mic-628 jump-starts the gene that sets daily rhythms, synchronizing both the brain’s master clock and clocks throughout the body. In mice experiencing simulated jet lag, a single dose cut recovery time nearly in half. Sun, 08 Feb 2026 07:17:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208011026.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260207092904.htm A major study suggests menopause is linked to changes in brain structure, mental health, and sleep. Brain scans revealed grey matter loss in areas tied to memory and emotional regulation, while many women reported increased anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Hormone therapy did not reverse these effects, though it may slow age-related declines in reaction speed. Researchers say menopause could represent an important turning point for brain health. Sat, 07 Feb 2026 09:52:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260207092904.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020852.htm New research using rhesus monkeys suggests that the brain’s relationship with alcohol may begin forming long before a person ever takes a drink. Scientists found that exposure to alcohol before birth reshaped the brain’s dopamine system, a key player in motivation and reward, and those changes were linked to faster drinking later in adulthood. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 05:26:39 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020852.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206012203.htm Scientists at Keck Medicine of USC are testing an experimental stem cell therapy that aims to restore the brain’s ability to produce dopamine, the chemical whose loss drives Parkinson’s disease. The early-stage clinical trial involves implanting lab-grown dopamine-producing cells directly into a key movement-control region of the brain, with the hope of slowing disease progression and improving motor function. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 06:57:35 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206012203.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035351.htm Scientists have discovered that breast cancer can quietly throw the brain’s internal clock off balance—almost immediately after cancer begins. In mice, tumors flattened the natural daily rhythm of stress hormones, disrupting the brain-body feedback loop that regulates stress, sleep, and immunity. Remarkably, when researchers restored the correct day-night rhythm in specific brain neurons, stress hormone cycles snapped back into place, immune cells flooded the tumors, and the cancers shrank—without using any anti-cancer drugs. Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:35:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115022811.htm Tryptophan does far more than help us sleep—it fuels brain chemistry, energy production, and mood-regulating neurotransmitters. But as the brain ages or develops neurological disease, this delicate system goes awry, pushing tryptophan toward harmful byproducts linked to memory loss, mood changes, and sleep problems. Thu, 15 Jan 2026 23:01:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115022811.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224623.htm Teens who sleep in on weekends may be giving their mental health a boost. A new study found that young people who made up for lost weekday sleep had a significantly lower risk of depression. While consistent sleep is still best, weekend catch-up sleep appears to offer meaningful protection. The findings highlight how powerful sleep can be for adolescent well-being. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 01:04:25 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224623.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155026.htm Your daily rhythm may matter more for brain health than previously thought. Older adults with weaker, more disrupted activity patterns were far more likely to develop dementia than those with steady routines. A later daily energy peak was also linked to higher risk. The study points to the body clock as a possible early warning sign for cognitive decline. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 19:52:00 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155026.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225235942.htm ADHD stimulants appear to work less by sharpening focus and more by waking up the brain. Brain scans revealed that these medications activate reward and alertness systems, helping children stay interested in tasks they would normally avoid. The drugs even reversed brain patterns linked to sleep deprivation. Researchers say this could complicate ADHD diagnoses if poor sleep is the real underlying problem. Thu, 25 Dec 2025 23:59:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225235942.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223084855.htm A massive global genetics study is reshaping how we understand mental illness—and why diagnoses so often pile up. By analyzing genetic data from more than six million people, researchers uncovered deep genetic connections across 14 psychiatric conditions, showing that many disorders share common biological roots. Instead of existing in isolation, these conditions fall into five overlapping families, helping explain why depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders so frequently occur together. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 02:28:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223084855.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043225.htm A new study shows dopamine isn’t the brain’s movement “gas pedal” after all. Instead of setting speed or strength, it quietly enables movement in the background, much like oil in an engine. When scientists manipulated dopamine during movement, nothing changed—but restoring baseline dopamine levels made a big difference. The finding could reshape how Parkinson’s disease is treated. Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:38:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043225.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251214100924.htm Natural killer cells act as the immune system’s rapid-response team, but the stress of anxiety and insomnia may be quietly thinning their ranks. A study of young women in Saudi Arabia found that both conditions were linked to significantly fewer NK cells—especially the circulating types responsible for destroying infected or abnormal cells. As anxiety severity increased, NK cell levels dropped even further, suggesting a stress-driven weakening of immune defenses. Mon, 15 Dec 2025 05:47:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251214100924.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210223635.htm Researchers uncovered how shifting levels of a brain protein called KCC2 can reshape the way cues become linked with rewards, sometimes making habits form more quickly or more powerfully than expected. When this protein drops, dopamine neurons fire more intensely, strengthening new associations in ways that resemble how addictive behaviors take hold. Rat studies showed that even brief, synchronized bursts of neural activity can amplify reward learning, offering insight into why everyday triggers, like a morning routine, can provoke strong cravings. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 22:41:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210223635.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121090740.htm Researchers uncovered how estrogen subtly reshapes learning by strengthening dopamine reward signals in the brain. Rats learned faster when estrogen levels were high and struggled when the hormone’s activity was blocked. The findings help explain how hormonal cycles influence cognitive performance and psychiatric symptoms. This connection offers a new path for understanding brain disorders tied to dopamine. Fri, 21 Nov 2025 23:32:51 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121090740.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205012.htm Disrupted sleep patterns in Alzheimer’s disease may be more than a symptom—they could be a driving force. Researchers at Washington University found that the brain’s circadian rhythms are thrown off in key cell types, changing when hundreds of genes turn on and off. This disruption, triggered by amyloid buildup, scrambles normal gene timing in microglia and astrocytes—cells vital for brain maintenance and immune defense. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 01:25:26 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205012.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000713.htm Researchers discovered that altering the body’s natural rhythm can help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s damage. By turning off a circadian protein in mice, they raised NAD+ levels and reduced harmful tau buildup. The findings suggest that adjusting the body’s clock may one day help prevent neurodegeneration. Sat, 01 Nov 2025 09:20:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000713.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251025084557.htm A new study shows that eating more fruits and vegetables during the day can significantly improve sleep that same night. Researchers found a clear link between diet quality and sleep depth, with participants who met the CDC’s daily produce recommendations seeing a 16% boost in sleep quality. The findings suggest that small dietary changes could make a big difference in how well we rest. Sat, 25 Oct 2025 22:19:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251025084557.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251002074014.htm New research shows that poor sleep could make the brain appear years older than it really is. Using MRI scans and machine learning, scientists found a clear link between unhealthy sleep patterns and accelerated brain aging. Thu, 02 Oct 2025 09:36:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251002074014.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250925025336.htm New studies show that a bacterial molecule, peptidoglycan, is present in the brain and fluctuates with sleep patterns. This challenges the idea that sleep is solely brain-driven, instead suggesting it’s a collaborative process between our bodies and microbiomes. The theory links microbes not only to sleep but also to cognition, appetite, and behavior, pointing to a profound evolutionary relationship. Thu, 25 Sep 2025 03:48:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250925025336.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250916221819.htm Scientists have uncovered how the brain reroutes its communication pathways depending on whether it’s processing something new or recalling the familiar. By fine-tuning the balance between different inhibitory circuits, the brain flexibly shifts between reactivating stored memories and integrating fresh sensory input. This discovery not only reshapes our understanding of brain rhythms but also opens new doors for exploring how attention, cognition, and even neurological disorders like epilepsy or Alzheimer’s may emerge from disrupted balance. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 23:44:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250916221819.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250913232924.htm Chronic insomnia may do more than leave you groggy, it could speed up brain aging. A large Mayo Clinic study found that people with long-term sleep troubles were 40% more likely to develop dementia or cognitive impairment, with brain scans showing changes linked to Alzheimer’s. Those reporting reduced sleep showed declines comparable to being four years older, while certain genetic risk carriers saw even steeper drops. Sun, 14 Sep 2025 02:02:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250913232924.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250908175446.htm UC Berkeley researchers mapped the brain circuits that control growth hormone during sleep, uncovering a feedback system where sleep fuels hormone release, and the hormone regulates wakefulness. The discovery helps explain links between poor sleep, obesity, diabetes, and cognitive decline, while opening new paths for treating sleep and metabolic disorders. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 22:23:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250908175446.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250902085158.htm Overactivation of dopamine neurons may directly drive their death, explaining why movement-controlling brain cells degenerate in Parkinson’s. Mice with chronically stimulated neurons showed the same selective damage seen in patients, along with molecular stress responses. Targeting this overactivity could help slow disease progression. Wed, 03 Sep 2025 04:57:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250902085158.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250901104658.htm A long-term study following insomnia patients treated with cannabis-based medical products revealed sustained improvements in sleep quality, mood, and pain management over 18 months. Most participants reported better rest and less anxiety or depression, while only a small fraction experienced mild side effects such as fatigue or dry mouth. Tue, 02 Sep 2025 08:42:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250901104658.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000856.htm Yoga, Tai Chi, walking, and jogging may be some of the best natural remedies for improving sleep and tackling insomnia, according to a large analysis comparing various treatments. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) remains effective, exercise-based approaches—especially Tai Chi—were shown to deliver significant improvements in total sleep time, efficiency, and reducing how long people stay awake after falling asleep. Yoga stood out for boosting overall restfulness, and jogging helped ease insomnia symptoms. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 03:46:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000856.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000843.htm Struggling to sleep might be the hidden reason why adults with ADHD traits often feel less satisfied with life. New research reveals a strong link between insomnia and reduced well-being in people with ADHD symptoms, suggesting a vicious cycle where poor sleep worsens attention and emotional issues, and vice versa. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:10:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000843.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250703230641.htm Stanford researchers discovered that dialing down an overactive enzyme, LRRK2, can regrow lost cellular “antennae” in key brain cells, restoring vital dopamine communication and neuroprotective signals in a mouse model of genetic Parkinson’s. After three months on the LRRK2-blocking drug MLi-2, damaged circuits revived and early signs of neuronal recovery emerged, hinting that timely treatment could not only halt but reverse disease progression—and perhaps benefit other Parkinson’s forms. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 23:44:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250703230641.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250619035454.htm With $860K in Navy funding, MSU psychologists are developing tools to spot people who can handle complex tasks under pressure. The key? Mastering "placekeeping" staying focused and accurate even when sleep-deprived or interrupted. Thu, 19 Jun 2025 03:54:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250619035454.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250613013854.htm Teens might finally have a good reason to sleep in on weekends within limits. A new study reveals that teenagers who get up to two extra hours of sleep on weekends show fewer anxiety symptoms than those who don t. But go beyond that sweet spot, and symptoms can actually increase. Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:38:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250613013854.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528132237.htm It's tempting to think that, with our fancy electric lights and indoor bedrooms, humanity has evolved beyond the natural influence of sunlight when it comes to our sleep routines. But new research shows that our circadian rhythms are still wild at heart, tracking the seasonal changes in daylight. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:22:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528132237.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131537.htm Sleep experts recommend against snoozing after a wake-up alarm, but a study shows the practice is common, with more than 50% of sleep sessions logged ending in a snooze alarm and users spending 11 minutes on average snoozing. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:15:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131537.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111059.htm Neuroscientists have discovered that the brain uses a dual system for learning through trial and error. This is the first time a second learning system has been identified, which could help explain how habits are formed and provide a scientific basis for new strategies to address conditions related to habitual learning, such as addictions and compulsions. The study in mice could also have implications for developing therapeutics for Parkinson's. Wed, 14 May 2025 11:10:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111059.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112739.htm Even a few nights with insufficient sleep promote molecular mechanisms linked to a greater risk of heart problems. This has been shown in a new study in which the researchers investigated how sleep deprivation affects biomarkers (in this case proteins) associated with cardiovascular disease. Thu, 08 May 2025 11:27:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112739.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507152241.htm Researchers have discovered distinct roles for two dopamine receptors located on nerve cells within the portion of the brain that controls approach vs. avoidance behavior. Wed, 07 May 2025 15:22:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507152241.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220605.htm A new study shows how a dopamine circuit between two brain regions enables mice to extinguish fear after a peril has passed. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:06:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220605.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423130336.htm The molecular mechanism behind why heart attacks can vary in severity depending on the time of day has been uncovered, potentially paving the way for innovative treatments that align with the natural circadian rhythm. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:03:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423130336.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131216.htm Adolescents who sleep for longer -- and from an earlier bedtime -- than their peers tend to have improved brain function and perform better at cognitive tests, researchers have shown. But the study of adolescents in the US also showed that even those with better sleeping habits were not reaching the amount of sleep recommended for their age group. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:12:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131216.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131213.htm Dopamine is the brain's motivational spark, driving us to chase what feels good, say scrolling another reel on social media, and steer clear of what doesn't, like touching a hot stove. But scientists haven't fully understood how dopamine helps us learn to avoid bad outcomes -- until now. A new study shows that dopamine signals in two key brain areas involved in motivation and learning respond differently to negative experiences, helping the brain adapt based on whether a situation is predictable or controllable. While previous research has shown that dopamine can respond to negative experiences, this is the first study to track how those signals evolve over time as animals move from novices to experts in avoiding them. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:12:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131213.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250418112902.htm For adults over the age of 65, higher levels of both insomnia symptoms and sleep medication use were associated with higher risk of disability a year later, according to a new study. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:29:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250418112902.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135728.htm Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type 2 is a congenital malformation of the cerebral cortex that is often associated with difficult-to-treat epilepsy. In the affected areas, nerve cells and their layer structures are arranged in an atypical manner, which often makes drug therapy more difficult. A research team has now found evidence of profound changes in the dopamine system in FCD type 2. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:57:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135728.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415143400.htm New research has uncovered how a simple circadian clock network demonstrates advanced noise-filtering capabilities, enhancing our understanding of how biological circuits maintain accuracy in dynamic natural environments. Tue, 15 Apr 2025 14:34:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415143400.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124710.htm Healthy sleep includes multiple components, such as number of hours of sleep per night, how long it takes to fall asleep, daytime functioning and self-reported sleep satisfaction, and addressing these different dimensions of sleep may help to reduce cardiometabolic health and related risk factors, according to a new scientific statement. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:47:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124710.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124657.htm A new study suggests that perceived stress and depression factor into the relationship between insomnia and hazardous drinking -- perhaps not a surprise. But because the relationship between insomnia and heavy drinking goes in both directions, the influence of stress or depression depends on which condition came first, the analysis found. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:46:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124657.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410160714.htm Researchers identified a direct connection between cancer-related inflammation and the loss of motivation characteristic of advanced cancer. In a mouse study, they describe a brain pathway that starts with neurons (labeled in green, above) that sense inflammation signals, and the researchers were able to treat the loss of motivation by blocking this pathway. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:07:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410160714.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409154851.htm A new study found that people with cannabis use disorder (CUD) had elevated dopamine levels in a brain region associated with psychosis. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:48:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409154851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409115301.htm A collaborative study found that while sleep duration recovers quickly, sleep timing and sleep architecture can take significantly longer to realign when traveling across time zones. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:53:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409115301.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403204559.htm Retired adults who habitually exercised outperformed sedentary adults in physical and cognitive tests. Thu, 03 Apr 2025 20:45:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403204559.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402142425.htm Patients prescribed medicinal cannabis in Australia maintained improvements in overall health-related quality of life (HRQL), fatigue, and sleep disturbance across a one-year period, according to a new study. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain also improved over time for those with corresponding health conditions. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:24:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402142425.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250328112547.htm Scientists have confirmed a neurobiochemical link between dopamine and cognitive flexibility. PET imaging shows that the brain increases dopamine production when completing cognitively demanding tasks, and that the more dopamine released, the more efficiently the tasks are completed. Armed with this information, physicians may soon be able to develop more precise treatment strategies for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 11:25:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250328112547.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326122652.htm Why do some people lose the joy of eating, even when surrounded by irresistible foods? UC Berkeley researchers have uncovered a surprising brain mechanism that explains this paradox. They found that a high-fat diet lowers levels of a peptide called neurotensin, which normally boosts dopamine’s pleasure response. Without it, food loses its appeal — driving people to eat out of habit rather than enjoyment, which can fuel obesity. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:26:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326122652.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319172910.htm For women in their 80s, experiencing increasing sleepiness during the day over a five-year period is associated with double the risk of developing dementia during that time, according to a new study. The study does not prove that daytime sleepiness causes dementia; it only shows an association. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:29:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319172910.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317163737.htm Researchers have developed a powerful AI tool, built on the same transformer architecture used by large language models like ChatGPT, to process an entire night's sleep. To date, it is one of the largest studies, analyzing 1,011,192 hours of sleep. The model, called patch foundational transformer for sleep (PFTSleep), analyzes brain waves, muscle activity, heart rate, and breathing patterns to classify sleep stages more effectively than traditional methods, streamlining sleep analysis, reducing variability, and supporting future clinical tools to detect sleep disorders and other health risks. Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:37:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317163737.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312190837.htm New research expands on current understanding of the brain chemical dopamine, finding that it plays a role in reducing the value of memories associated with rewards. The study opens new avenues for understanding dopamine's role in the brain. Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:08:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312190837.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312134620.htm We're all familiar with Pavlovian conditioning, in which a reward-anticipatory behavior follows a reward-predicting stimulus. Perhaps you experience it yourself when passing a cafe or restaurant and catching a whiff of something delectable. Behind this mechanism is dopamine released within the striatum, the largest structure of the subcortical basal ganglia, which links motor movements and motivation. Yet it has remained unclear exactly what kind of dopamine signal is transmitted to the striatum to cause this behavior in primates. In order to understand this dopamine signal, a team of researchers developed a new method of monitoring dopamine, utilizing a fluorescent dopamine sensor. Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:46:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312134620.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250309203153.htm A recently launched Phase 1 clinical trial is examining the safety and feasibility of a groundbreaking treatment approach for Parkinson's disease in which a patient's stem cells are reprogrammed to replace dopamine cells in the brain. The clinical trial, based on more than three decades of research, has treated three-of-six participants who will be tracked for more than a year. Sun, 09 Mar 2025 20:31:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250309203153.htm