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Basic neuroscience

Sex differences in how we move our eyes ... wink, wink

Sex differences in how we move our eyes ... wink, wink

I knew that men and women look at different things and suspected they sometimes look differently at things. But it was a surprise to learn that men and women move their eyeballs differently as well, in a fundamental neurological way. Eye movement tracking may be a niche, but that'

Gut-brain axis II: The potential of poop transplantat in neurology

Gut-brain axis II: The potential of poop transplantat in neurology

The intestines are home to trillions of bacteria that communicate with the brain through the gut-brain axis. And sometimes it does not work as it should. Fecal microbiota transplantation is an emerging therapy that involves transferring gut bacteria and their byproducts (basically just doo-doo) from a healthy individual to someone

Gut-brain axis I: Gut bacteria and brain health

Gut-brain axis I: Gut bacteria and brain health

It IS true - the human brain and gut are intimately connected through a complex system called the gut-brain axis. This connection allows the gut microbiome — the huge community of bacteria and other microorganisms in our guts — to influence brain function. Ways our microbiome and brain talk The gut and

The science of loneliness

The science of loneliness

Loneliness is an issue that has received significant attention from both media and public health campaigns. Recent research suggests that well-meaning efforts to raise awareness about loneliness may worsen the problem. Specifically, these campaigns might shape how people think about being alone in ways that fuel loneliness rather than ease

Does size matter? Comparing big and small brains.

Does size matter? Comparing big and small brains.

My husband has this really big head, and inside, probably a really big brain. But does that mean he is smarter than me - as he claims? One of the longest-standing debates in neuroscience is whether larger brains equate to higher intelligence - as early theories assumed that absolute brain

The shape of the brain - why does it look that strange?

The shape of the brain - why does it look that strange?

Last week, I decided to ask one of our (four) daughters," Which one question about the brain would you wanna ask?". "Well, why does it have that weird shape?" was her reply. This blog is my answer. The brain has folds to maximize its surface area.

Forgetting part II: Error in our brain's ability to forget stuff impact mental health

Forgetting part II: Error in our brain's ability to forget stuff impact mental health

The human brain is an astonishing machine, storing and managing a vast number of memories every day. This process is driven by a complex network of billions of brain cells, which work together to preserve, and retrieve information. When we learn something new, specific neurons undergo physiological changes, creating a