#Neuroimaging

Listening to music does more than soothe the soul—it actively transforms the way our brain functions on the spot, according to groundbreaking new research from European neuroscientists. The study, released on June 17, 2025, and recently highlighted by Futura Sciences, unveils how musical experiences instantly rewire neural networks, opening new opportunities in education, therapy, and cognitive science across the globe—including Thailand.

Scientists from Aarhus University in Denmark and Oxford University in the UK have developed FREQ-NESS, a cutting-edge neuroimaging technology that allows researchers to track and visualize the brain’s responses to external stimuli, such as music, in unprecedented real time. Unlike traditional techniques that assign fixed brain wave patterns (like alpha or beta) to specific regions, FREQ-NESS follows how neural circuits interconnect and adapt dynamically as we listen to music. Each musical note or rhythm generates unique electrical signals in the brain, activating and synchronizing various regions moment-to-moment.

An innovative study titled “Non-caloric sweetener effects on brain appetite regulation in individuals across varying body weights” has provided fresh insights into the complex interactions between non-caloric sweeteners and the brain’s regulation of appetite. Published recently in Nature Metabolism, this research addresses a key area of public health concern, focusing on how these sweeteners impact individuals differently based on their body weight.

The study presents significant findings, particularly for Thai readers, as it highlights crucial aspects of dietary choices that could affect weight management and metabolic health. Given the increasing prevalence of obesity globally, and in Thailand, the search for alternatives to sugar without adverse effects is of profound interest. This study explores the brain’s response to non-caloric sweeteners, with implications for how they may influence hunger and satiety signals across different populations.