#Neuroscience

A groundbreaking new study reveals that the natural ebb and flow of hormones during the reproductive cycle can dramatically reshape the brain and sharpen learning abilities, promising to transform our understanding of cognition—and even hinting at new paths in personalized medicine. Published this week in the journal Neuron and led by researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, the research shows that cyclical changes in estrogen not only alter the physical structure of neurons in the memory-related hippocampus but also enhance the brain’s ability to form and maintain mental maps of our surroundings (Neuroscience News).

A wave of recent science highlights a troubling link between long work hours and brain changes. A multicenter study led by researchers in Asia found that people clocking more than 52 hours weekly showed notable alterations in brain regions tied to memory, decision-making, and emotional control. While the research sparked global discussions, it carries particular relevance for Thailand’s evolving labor market and rising demands on workers.

Data from the Thai workforce shows Bangkok consistently ranks as a city with high working hours, and nearly one in six employees report working more than 48 hours per week. This new evidence suggests that sustained overwork could contribute to cognitive and emotional challenges well beyond fatigue, underscoring the need for workplace and public health strategies in Thailand.

A flurry of new scientific findings has revealed that the stress of working long hours doesn’t just leave people feeling exhausted—it may actually alter the structure of the human brain. According to a major study led by researchers from South Korea and published in May 2025, individuals clocking more than 52 hours a week exhibited significant physical changes in brain regions tied to memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation, sparking fresh concerns about the risks of overwork worldwide—including in Thailand’s increasingly demanding labor market (The Times; CNN; Newsweek).

A groundbreaking new study has uncovered remarkable sex-based differences in the structure of a single neuron in the tiny nematode—Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans)—offering fresh insight into the underpinnings of sex-specific neural and behavioral differences, with far-reaching implications for understanding the human brain. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and conducted by a collaborative team at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the research reveals that a single neuron, previously believed to function identically in both sexes, displays structural and functional differences linked to sex-specific behaviors in this simple organism (MedicalXpress).

A long-forgotten cellular clue may offer new hope for millions with diabetic nerve pain. Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have revived interest in the Nageotte nodule, a tiny structure first identified a century ago. Their work suggests these nodules are common in people with diabetes and may drive peripheral neuropathy, the chronic nerve pain that afflicts many and can lead to mobility loss or amputations.

Diabetic neuropathy is among the most feared diabetes complications, affecting roughly one in three Americans and, like Thailand, presenting a growing challenge for Thai families amid rising obesity and aging. While treatment often focuses on managing pain, current options do not directly halt nerve degeneration—creating a pathway for the new findings to influence future therapies.

A new study reveals striking sex-based differences in the structure of a single neuron in the tiny worm C. elegans, providing fresh insight into how neural and behavioral patterns may diverge by sex. The research, conducted by a collaboration between Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and Albert Einstein College of Medicine and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that the PVD neuron, long studied in hermaphrodites, develops male-specific branches linked to mating behavior. This discovery highlights cellular-level sexual dimorphism and its potential relevance to human brain health.

As Thailand accelerates toward a smarter, more connected future, widespread surveillance—from social media monitoring to CCTV networks and classroom monitoring—raises a timely question: what does this constant gaze do to our brains? Emerging research suggests that continuous observation can affect cognitive performance, emotional wellbeing, and even the way people think and behave. Data from leading institutions indicates stress and vigilance can shift brain resources away from higher-order tasks such as planning, creativity, and learning.

Researchers at a leading U.S. university have uncovered how dopamine, the brain’s reward signal, helps unlearn fear. The discovery, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could transform treatments for anxiety and PTSD. For Thai readers, this points to new avenues for culturally sensitive therapies that emphasize safety and positive learning.

Across decades, scientists have known the amygdala drives both fear and its extinction. For Thais affected by traumatic events—natural disasters, traffic accidents, or the lingering impact of Covid-19—persistent anxiety and nightmares are common. The new insight into how the brain learns to feel safe offers hope for more effective, locally relevant therapies that reduce stigma around mental health.

The expanding digital surveillance in everyday life – from social media monitoring to location tracking and ever-present security cameras – may have underappreciated and troubling effects on human brain function, according to a growing body of research highlighted by Live Science. As governments, corporations, and even schools employ increasingly sophisticated surveillance tools, emerging studies suggest such constant observation can disrupt cognitive performance, emotional wellbeing, and may alter fundamental patterns in how people think and behave.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have uncovered a crucial mechanism in the brain, revealing how dopamine—commonly known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter—not only signals danger, but actively helps the brain unlearn fear. The findings, reported this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could revolutionize potential treatments for anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), providing hope for millions worldwide—including those struggling in Thailand with trauma-related conditions (SciTechDaily).

A breakthrough set of studies published in Science in early 2025 shows that advanced intelligence on Earth evolved at least twice—once in mammals and once in birds. This challenges long-held ideas about the origins of cognition and has potential implications for neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and the search for intelligent life beyond humans. The reporting from Quanta Magazine and coverage in Wired help frame the significance of these findings.

Birds such as crows, ravens, cockatoos, and chickadees exhibit planning, tool use, problem‑solving, and impressive memory, despite brains that are very different from those of mammals and often much smaller. These abilities have long offered a window into how evolution crafts complex thinking in diverse neural architectures. For example, tool construction by some crows and the seed-cache memory of chickadees illustrate cognitive feats once believed possible only in larger-brained species.

In a major breakthrough that reshapes our scientific understanding of animal intelligence, a series of studies published in Science in early 2025 confirm that advanced intelligence on Earth evolved independently at least twice—once in mammals and once in birds. This finding, as reported by Quanta Magazine and summarized in Wired (wired.com), challenges longstanding assumptions about the origins of cognition in vertebrates and could hold profound implications for neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and the global search for intelligent life.

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Physiology has revealed a remarkable connection between the liver and the brain, suggesting that ketones produced by the liver—especially during exercise—play a key role in keeping the brain healthy and maintaining memory function. The latest research, conducted by a team from the University of Missouri, shows that when the liver’s ability to produce ketones is blocked, rats experience memory deficits and diminished brain mitochondrial function, but that regular endurance training can effectively reverse these cognitive problems, even when ketone production is hampered (psypost.org).

New meta-analyses suggest social conformity has remained steady for nearly two decades, even as digital networks explode. Combined with modern brain-imaging studies, these findings deepen our understanding of why people align with or resist their peers. The implications are meaningful for Thai society as it navigates rapid social and technological changes.

Social conformity is our tendency to adjust attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors to fit a group. In Thailand, where collectivism and hierarchical respect influence education, workplaces, and family life, understanding conformity helps shape health campaigns, classroom practices, and civic participation. The latest meta-analysis, which covers studies from 2004 to 2022, shows that social influence exists but has not grown dramatically due to the internet era. Researchers note the need for more work to identify factors such as culture, media, and peer pressure that shape conformity in different settings.

A new study in the Journal of Physiology reveals a strong connection between the liver and the brain. Liver-produced ketones, especially during exercise, appear to support brain health and memory. In rats, hindering the liver’s ketone production led to memory deficits and reduced brain mitochondrial function, while sustained endurance training reversed these effects even when ketone production was impaired. These findings come from researchers at a major U.S. university and were summarized by PsyPost.

In the digital age, where social media’s influence is ever-expanding, many assume that people have become more susceptible to groupthink. However, a recent meta-analysis suggests otherwise, finding that social conformity has remained surprisingly consistent over nearly two decades, despite the explosion of digital networking. These findings, alongside cutting-edge brain imaging studies, are helping scientists unravel how and why individuals choose to align with—or deviate from—their peers, with major implications for Thai society navigating rapid social and technological change (Counterpunch, 2025).

A wave of recent studies is reshaping how we think about ADHD. Researchers question whether ADHD is a fixed, lifetime brain disorder and whether the traditional medical model serves everyone it intends to help. With rising global diagnosis rates and more stimulant prescriptions, including in Thailand, the conversation matters for clinicians, families, and students alike.

ADHD has long been described as a chronic neurodevelopmental condition marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that disrupt daily life. For decades, stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamine have been widely used, grounded in the belief that they correct a biological imbalance. Yet prominent voices in medicine warn that current science does not fully align with real-world experiences of patients, families, and classrooms in Thailand and beyond.

Google Research is once again advancing AI to accelerate discovery and deliver real-world benefits across medicine, neuroscience, climate science, and quantum computing. The company’s latest announcements highlight AI as more than an incremental tool—it’s a driver of transformative breakthroughs that address pressing global and local challenges.

For Thai readers, AI-powered research holds immediate relevance. Advances in medical diagnostics and climate resilience could influence policy, healthcare practice, and education. Thailand’s ambition to lead in digital innovation and healthcare makes understanding these global developments essential for policymakers, clinicians, teachers, and citizens alike.

Google Research is once again at the forefront of technological innovation, harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate scientific discovery and deliver tangible benefits across disciplines—from medicine and neuroscience to climate science and quantum computing. The latest announcement from the technology giant underscores how AI has moved beyond incremental improvements to drive transformative breakthroughs addressing some of humanity’s greatest challenges (blog.google).

For Thai readers, this surge in AI-powered research is significant both for its immediate implications—such as advancements in medical diagnostics and climate response—and for the longer-term opportunities it could bring to the kingdom. With Thailand aiming to position itself as a regional leader in digital innovation and healthcare, understanding how global scientific advancements are being shaped by AI is relevant for policymakers, healthcare professionals, educators, and citizens alike.

A groundbreaking international study, recently published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, reframes how we understand music’s effect on the human brain. Led by a research team at the University of Connecticut, the project introduces neural resonance theory (NRT). It describes how brain activity naturally syncs with musical rhythms and melodies, offering new insight into why music moves us emotionally and physically.

For Thai readers, this research matters beyond science. Music is woven into daily life in Thailand—from wai kru ceremonies and mor lam performances to karaoke nights with friends. Understanding its neurological basis could inform health strategies, cognitive education, and cultural programs that strengthen well-being and social cohesion.

A groundbreaking study published in Nature reveals that psychedelics such as psilocybin may do far more than alter perception or mood—they fundamentally rewire the communication between the brain and the immune system, potentially revolutionizing the treatment of psychiatric and inflammatory conditions worldwide. This research, led by a Harvard Medical School assistant professor and conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, suggests a paradigm shift for mental health therapies, moving beyond neurotransmitter-focused interventions to include neuroimmune pathways as central targets for future drugs and treatments (Neuroscience News; Nature).

A new study published in Nature suggests psychedelics like psilocybin may do more than alter mood. They could rewire the communication between the brain and the immune system, offering a potential path to treating psychiatric and inflammatory conditions. Led by a Harvard Medical School assistant professor and conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the research points to a shift in mental health therapy—targeting neuroimmune pathways alongside traditional neurotransmitter-focused approaches. In Thailand, this emerging field resonates with efforts to bridge neuroscience and holistic health practices, while underscoring the need for rigorous safety and efficacy data.

A wave of recent research is challenging long-held beliefs about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), questioning whether the condition is truly a lifelong, biologically fixed disorder and whether the medical model that has dominated diagnosis and treatment actually serves those affected. With global ADHD diagnosis rates soaring and stimulant prescriptions at record levels—mirrored by rising numbers in Thailand—the debate over what ADHD is and how best to help children and adults affected is more urgent than ever. These new perspectives could have a profound impact not only on clinical practice in the West but on the evolving approach to ADHD in Thailand, where both awareness and skepticism about the condition are growing rapidly.

A paradigm-shifting international study, just published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, is transforming our scientific understanding of how the human brain engages with music. Led by a University of Connecticut research group, the project proposes a “neural resonance theory” (NRT) that describes how our brains physically sync with musical rhythms and melodies, providing groundbreaking insight into why music moves us—literally and emotionally.

This research is significant for the Thai public, as it not only broadens the global dialogue on music’s universal power but also points to direct health, cultural, and educational applications. From community wai kru ceremonies and mor lam performances to everyday karaoke, music permeates Thai social life. Understanding its deep neurological basis may help in designing interventions for well-being, cognitive enhancement, and even healthcare.