Human Brain Prefrontal Cortex Development Macaques

Why the Human Brain Develops Differently From Other Primates, New Research Reveals

The Human Brain's Unique Developmental Journey

The human brain stands as one of nature's most remarkable achievements, enabling advanced behaviours and cognitive skills that are not found in any other species. For generations, scientists have sought to uncover what sets the human brain apart and how it evolves throughout a person's lifetime.

In recent years, breakthroughs in technology and experimental methods have transformed neuroscience, allowing researchers to map brain structure and function with unprecedented precision. These advances are offering valuable insights into the biological roots of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions.

Comparing Human and Macaque Brain Development

A research team from Beijing Normal University, the Changping Laboratory and partner institutions has now compared the developmental trajectories of the human and macaque brains using cutting-edge genetic and molecular techniques. Their findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, reveal notable differences between the species, particularly showing that the human prefrontal cortex develops at a slower pace than that of macaques.

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Brain and cognition insights

Mental health research

Decoding Prefrontal Cortex Development at Cellular Level

Decoding how the human prefrontal cortex (PFC) develops at the cellular and molecular level is key to understanding both human intelligence and vulnerability to neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions, the researchers explained.

Jiyao Zhang, Mayuqing Li and their team reported the creation of a unique comparative resource that captures gene activity, chromatin structure and spatial transcriptomic patterns in the postnatal PFC of humans and macaques, analyzed one cell at a time.

Mapping Brain Development at a Single-Cell Level

The study involved high-resolution mapping of brain development using tissue samples collected from the prefrontal cortex of humans and macaques at different postnatal stages. Human tissue was sourced from paediatric epilepsy patients undergoing medically necessary brain surgery.

The research team examined gene activity within individual cells extracted from the collected tissue, alongside chromatin accessibility, which indicates how open or closed DNA is inside each cell. Using spatial transcriptomics, they also charted gene expression across entire brain sections and identified the various cell types present.

According to the authors, these integrated analyses revealed species-specific developmental pathways for different cell populations, pinpointing critical periods and gene regulatory networks involved in synapse formation, synaptic pruning and gliogenesis.

Environmental science & evolution context

Human-Specific Brain Development Mechanisms Identified

The findings showed that the human prefrontal cortex develops over a longer timeframe than that of macaques. In addition, glial progenitor cells —steam-like cells that later give rise to specialized glial types—were found to proliferate more extensively in humans.

The researchers reported that they had identified regulatory mechanisms linked to the extended development of the human prefrontal cortex compared with that of macaques. They found that glial progenitor cells in humans display a greater capacity for proliferation, accompanied by distinctive gene expression patterns.

The study also pinpointed specific cell types and development lineages that appear most vulnerable to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, with particular emphasis on transcription factors showing human-specific expression.

Insights That Could Deepen Understanding of Human Cognition

Zhang, Li and their colleagues uncovered a series of important findings that offer deeper insight into well-known functional differences between human brains and those of other primates. The team identified transcription factors that influence human brain development but appear absent in macaques, while also highlighting specific cell types in human tissue that are commonly affected in patients with certain neurological disorders.

"Our findings reveal human-specific regulatory programmes that extend postnatal cortical maturation through coordinated neuronal and glial development, with clear implications for cognition and neurodevelopmental disorders," the researchers wrote.

Looking ahead, these results could improve understanding of how the human brain matures and which molecular pathways are disrupted in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions, potentially opening the door to new preventive or therapeutic approaches.

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Psilocybin vs Cannabis OCD Treatment

Psilocybin Shows Greater Promise Than Cannabis for Treating OCD, Major Review Finds

New Scientific Review Reconsiders Future Treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

A review led by scientists at McMaster University suggests that psilocybin may hold greater promise for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder than cannabinoid-based therapies.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is marked by relentless, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours, often demanding lifelong management. Researchers note that the condition stems from a complex interplay of biological mechanisms, with disruptions in serotonin, dopamine and glutamate signaling thought to play a key role.

Standard treatment relies on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors alongside cognitive behavioural therapy, particularly exposure and response prevention. However, as many as six in ten patients fail to respond adequately, leaving a substantial proportion living with treatment-resistant Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Broader discussions on long-term mental health challenges and treatment resistance are frequently explored at Human Health Issues, which examines emerging research into chronic psychological conditions.

Psychedelics Re-Enter psychiatric Research

Over the past decade, psychedelics have re-entered psychiatric research, with growing attention on their potential influence over brain circuits linked to compulsive behaviour, emotional regulation and anxiety.

What the Scientists Examined

In a paper titled "New treatments for OCD? Evidence for cannabinoids and psychedelics", published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, scientists carried out an extensive scoping review examining the role of psilocybin in obsessive-compulsive disorder, including cases resistant to conventional treatment.

The review drew on both published studies and grey literature, assessing evidence on cannabinoids and several psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, LSD, DMT and methylenedioxyphenethylamine. Much of the data stemmed from case reports and survey-based research, with only a handful of small clinical trials and very limited controlled studies available.

Cannabis Findings Split in OCD Patients

Mixed Outcomes From Medical Cannabis Use

Data collected via the Strainprint smartphone app followed 1,810 cannabis use sessions over a 31-month period among 87 OCD patients prescribed medicinal cannabis for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Users reported fewer intrusive thoughts in nearly 90% of sessions, reduced compulsive behaviours in over 95% and lower anxiety levels in close to 94%. By contrast, symptom worsening was uncommon, occurring in just 3% of intrusion reports, 2.3% of compulsions and 1.9% of anxiety cases.

On average, inhaled cannabis was linked to a 49% drop in intrusive thoughts, a 60% reduction in compulsions and a 52% decrease in anxiety. Higher CBD content and dosage were associated with greater improvements in compulsive behaviour only. While baseline ratings for intrusions and compulsions remained stable over time, anxiety levels prior to use showed a significant downward trend.

An Italian outpatient survey followed 70 individuals diagnosed with primary OCD under DSM-5 criteria, dividing participants into current users, former users and non-users of substances. Around 30% reported using substances to manage obsessive-compulsive symptoms, with cannabis cited by 10%. Only a small fraction of current or past cannabis users said the drug eased their symptoms, while nearly a quarter reported a worsening of OCD, largely linked to heightened anxiety.

Environmental and lifestyle factors affecting mental health outcomes are also discussed on Earth Day Harsh Reality, which connects planetary stressors with human wellbeing.

Psilocybin and Psychedelic Findings Show Stronger Signals

International and Clinical Evidence Emerges

An international retrospective study involving 174 people with OCD from France, Canada, Belgium, United States and Switzerland examined experiences with psychedelic substances. Of all drug categories assessed, classic psychedelics were the only ones consistently associated with meaningful symptom improvement.

Reports on duration were mixed: one-third of participants experienced benefits lasting longer than three months, while another third saw improvements fade within a week following psilocybin or LSD use. Greater symptom relief was linked to more intense and positively perceived psychedelic experiences.

Clinical Psilocybin Evidence Highlights Rapid Effects

Case Reports and Variable-Dose Studies

Clinical evidence on psilocybin has emerged from individual case reports, variable-dose studies and later controlled investigations. One widely cited case involved a 33-year-old man with treatment-resistant OCD who received psilocybin at 0.25 mg per kilogram, equivalent to 19.4 mg. His Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score fell sharply from 23 before dosing to just 2 within 48 hours, before reaching zero at the 12-week follow-up. The patient later reported feeling entirely free of OCD symptoms one year after treatment.

Further findings from a small variable-dose study involving nine individuals with treatment-resistant OCD showed immediate symptom reductions in all participants within 24 hours of at least one dose. Improvements ranged from 23 to 100%, with nearly 90% maintaining a minimum 25% reduction at 24 hours, and two-third sustaining a reduction of at least 50%. No clear relationship was found between dose size and compulsive symptom scores.

Controlled Psilocybin Trial Results

In a controlled within-subjects study, 18 adults with moderate to severe OCD received 10 mg of synthetic psilocybin and a 1 mg active control dose four weeks apart. Symptom scores at one, two and four weeks after the 10 mg dose were significantly improved compared with baseline, with the strongest effect observed after one week.

Findings from LSD-assisted psychotherapy involved two patients with severe, treatment-resistant OCD who received between one and five doses of LSD at levels of 100 to 200 micrograms. One individual entered remission, while the second experienced no improvement.

Clinical Limitations and the Path Forward

The current body of psychedelic research remains limited, relying heavily on small-scale studies and individual case reports, which restrict firm clinical conclusions. To date, there is little evidence to support cannabinoids as viable treatments for OCD, while psilocybin appears to offer more promise for those unresponsive to conventional therapies.

Positive psilocybin signals have already been reported in PTSD, anxiety and depression disorders that share features such as recurring intrusive thoughts. The inclusion of OCD strengthens the case for further investigation through larger randomized controlled trials, robust comparison groups and extended follow-up to determine lasting clinical benefit.

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Consciousness Brain Quantum Vacuum Zero Point

Does Consciousness Emerge From the Quantum Vacuum? New Research Proposes a Radical Model

A Universe-Linked Origin of Awareness

Consciousness Beyond Neuronal Activity

What if conscious experience were not merely the product of neuronal activity, but something entwined with the deeper hum of the universe? In a study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, I present new evidence suggesting that our conscious states may stem from the brain's ability to resonate with the quantum vacuum — the zero-point field that pervades all of space.

More precisely, I propose that large-scale quantum effects operate within the brain. This perspective arises from a synthesis of neurophysiological, brain-architecture research and quantitative modelling. The work indicates that the brain's fundamental units, cortical microcolumns, may couple directly to the zero-point field, triggering the intricate dynamics associated with consciousness.

Self-Organized Criticality and Brain Function

The Brain's Fragile Balance at the Edge of Criticality

Neuroscientists have long noted that conscious states are accompanied by synchronized brain activity in the beta and gamma frequency bands. These rhythms exhibit traits of self-organized criticality — a finely balanced state in which the brain operates close to a critical point between different phases.

In this state, even modest sensory inputs can spark large-scale neuronal  avalanches believed to support conscious perception. When consciousness diminishes, such as during anaesthesia, this fragile balance collapses. The enduring question has been: what mechanism keeps the brain poised at this critical threshold?

Resonance in Cortical Microcolumns

How the Zero-Point Field Interacts With Glutamate

The explanation lies within quantum electrodynamics (QED), the core theory describing electromagnetism. In QED, the vacuum is far from empty—it is suffused with a restless sea of energy known as the electromagnetic zero-point field (ZPF). Model calculations based on QED show that certain frequencies within this field can resonate with glutamate, the brain's most abundant neurotransmitter. This resonant coupling occurs inside microcolumns, the cortical structures composed of around 100 neurons immersed in a pool of glutamate.

This interaction appears to be crucial for sustaining self-organized criticality. On one side, the glutamate-ZPF resonance creates coherence domains in which vast numbers of molecules vibrate in synchrony. These domains are shielded by energy gaps, allowing quantum coherence to remain unexpectedly stable within the warm, noisy environment of the brain.

On the other, the coupling stimulates particular ZPF modes and generates microwave fields within the microcolumns. These fields regulate ion channels, adjust neuronal firing rates, and preserve the excitatory-inhibitory balance at the heart of critical brain dynamics.

Consciousness as Resonant Brain-ZPF Coupling

A New Theory of Awareness

The implications are far-reaching. Should the model be validated, consciousness would emerge not simply from electrochemical interactions but from a deeper, bottom-up process driven by the brain's resonant engagement with the zero-point field. In this framework, awareness stems from the selective activation of ZPF modes, mirrored in brain's critical patterns of activity.

When consciousness fades, these critical dynamics shift markedly, suggesting that the brain's coupling with the ZPF breaks down and the field—normally acting as a hidden conductor—is temporarily withdrawn.

Future Experiments and Scientific Prospects

Testing the Quantum-Consciousness Link

The model opens exciting possibilities for direct scientific testing. With careful and targeted adjustments to cortical conditions, researchers may be able to determine whether the brain truly engages with the zero-point field—and whether consciousness itself hinges on this resonant interaction. Such investigations could mark a major step forward in neuroscience while illuminating age-old philosophical questions about the origins of awareness.

Ultimately, the model introduces a new layer to the quest for a comprehensive theory of consciousness, merging modern neuroscience with the foundations of physics. For generations, consciousness has remained one of humanity's most enduring enigmas. Is it simply the output of neural circuitry, or does it arise from something more fundamental? The findings presented in this work suggest that the ever-present ZPF may be central to unlocking this mystery.

About Dr Joachim Keppler

Dr Joachim Keppler completed his PhD in physics at the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen, where he focused on quantum field theory. He went on to establish the DIWISS Research Institute in 2012, an institution committed to the rigorous study of consciousness using a cross-disciplinary approach that bridges theoretical physics and cognitive neuroscience. Keppler's work is largely devoted to identifying the core processes behind conscious awareness and advancing the development of a unified theory of consciousness.

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3D Genome Collapse Lymphoma Risk

3D Genome Collapse Linked to Lymphoma Risk, ASH 2025 Study Reveals

Cancer Stems From More Than Mutations — It Also Begins in the Cell's Architecture

Cancer stems not only from defective genes but also from a breakdown in the cell's structural design. It is akin to a city losing its transport links overnight, leaving neighbourhoods cut off from essential support. Inside the cell, this happens when the 3D DNA framework collapses.

ASH 2025 Presentation Highlights New Structural Cause of Lymphoma

Presenting at the 2025 American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference, Martin Rivas, Ph.D., of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Centre at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, reported that even minor alterations in genome architecture may predispose individuals to lymphoma. This discovery provides an important shifts in how blood cancers may be interpreted and treated.

"We've long understood that mutations fuel cancer," Rivas explained. "But this study shows that architecture—how DNA folds—can be equally crucial. It's rather like misplacing the blueprint of a building halfway through construction."

AI-Powered Tools Reveal Weakening DNA Loops

By applying AI-powered analytics to vast datasets drawn from Hi-C maps, single-cell RNA sequencing and epigenetic profiling, the researchers identified a striking trend:

SMC3 or CTCF haploinsufficiency—where only part of the protein function is lost—does not dismantle the genome's entire 3D structure. Instead, it selectively weakens short-range enhancer-promoter loops, the crucial wiring that keeps tumour-suppressor genes such as Tet2, Kmt2d and Dusp4 switched on.

When these loops fail, B-cells reach a developmental "bottleneck" and cannot progress into plasma cells, leaving the door open for malignancy to take hold.

AI Shows How DNA Architecture Controls Cancer Risk

AI technologies enabled the team to weave together these complex data layers, exposing how shifts in genomic architecture can reverberate through gene expression and ultimately shape cell fate.

"This is precisely where computational biology excels," Rivas noted. "AI allowed us to detect patterns imperceptible to the human eye—showing how the loss of even a single gene copy can remodel the entire 3D landscape."

Clinical Impact Patients With Reduced SMC3 Levels Show Worse Outcomes

The implications reach far beyond theory. Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who display reduced SMC3 levels tend to have poorer outcomes. This raises the possibility that genome architecture could serve as both a prognostic biomarker and a future therapeutic target. Rather than repairing mutations, emerging treatments may instead aim to restore proper looping—or replicate its function.

A New Frontier in Cancer Treatment — Repairing DNA Architecture

This study reshapes our understanding of cancer biology: the problem is not confined to the genetic code itself, but extends to the structural framework that supports it. By uncovering how architectural tumour suppression works, researchers can begin to investigate therapies designed to stabilize genome structure—opening an entirely new frontier in oncology.

"We're entering an era where treating cancer may involve repairing the architecture rather than merely patching up faulty genes," Rivas said. "That's genuine paradigm shift."

The City Analogy Why DNA Loops Matter

Return to the city analogy: when roads vanish, districts become cut off and daily life collapses. Inside a cell, the disappearance of DNA loops cuts off tumour suppressor genes from vital connections and cancer finds its opening. Restoring those links may ultimately be the key to keeping both the city, and the cell, alive.

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Nitrous Oxide fast Relief Treatment Resistant Depression Study

Nitrous Oxide Shows Rapid Short-Term Relief for Severe Depression, Major Meta-Analysis Finds

UK Researchers Confirm Fast-Acting Benefits in Treatment-Resistant Depression

Study Overview and Key Findings

A major-analysis lead by the University of Birmingham has found that patients living with major depressive disorder — including those who do not respond to first-line antidepressants — may benefit from short-term treatment with nitrous oxide.

The study, published in eBioMedicine, reviewed the strongest available clinical evidence and concluded that medically supervised nitrous oxide (N₂O) can provide rapid relief of depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

TRD refers to depression that fails to improve after a patient has tried two different antidepressant medications. According to earlier research by the same team, it affects around 48% of patients in the UK who gain only limited benefit from standard therapies.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham, the University of Oxford, and the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust reviewed seven clinical trials and four protocol papers produced by international teams.

Each study examined the use of nitrous oxide—commonly employed as a medical analgesic—for the treatment of depressive disorders, including MDD, TRD and bipolar depression.

Evidence from Clinical Trials

They found that a single 50% dose of inhaled clinical nitrous oxide, tested in three trials, triggered rapid and marked reductions in depressive symptoms within 24 hours.

However, these improvements had faded by the one-week mark. In contrast, repeated administration over several weeks delivered more lasting benefits, indicating that multiple sessions may be necessary to sustain therapeutic effects.

Nitrous oxide is believed to act on glutamate receptors in a manner similar to ketamine, another fast-acting antidepressant, which may account for the rapid mood improvements seen shortly after inhalation.

Kiranpreet Gill, a Ph.D. researchers at the University of Birmingham and the study's lead author, said, "Depression is a profoundly debilitating condition, made worse by the reality that nearly half of all patients see little meaningful benefit from existing antidepressants. There is increasing interest in repurposing treatments from other medical fields to lift symptoms of low mood.

"This analysis offers the strongest evidence yet that nitrous oxide may deliver swift and clinically significant short-term relief for people with severe depression."

"Our analysis indicates that nitrous oxide could play a role in a new generation of fast-acting depression treatments. Crucially, it lays the groundwork for future clinical studies to explore repeated and carefully controlled dosing regimes, helping determine how best this therapy might be used for patients who gain little benefit from standard antidepressants."

How Nitrous Oxide Works as a Rapid-Acting Antidepressant

Mechanism Linked to Glutamate Receptors

Strong evidence, but few trials so far

The meta-analysis revealed compelling evidence that nitrous oxide can deliver short-term improvements in mood. However, with only a small number of trials available, researchers noted considerable variation in how depressive symptoms were recorded, interpreted and timed across the studies.

More studies will be necessary to pinpoint the ideal dosage, confirm nitrous oxide's safety over longer periods, and understand how it could complement existing therapeutic approaches.

Safety Profile and Limitations of Current Studies

Reported Side Effects and Short-Term Safety

The researchers examined reported side effects and found that some participants experienced temporary nausea, light-headedness and headaches. These symptoms faded quickly and required no medical assistance.

While stronger doses (50%) made such side effects more common, no short-term safety problems were observed. The authors highlighted the need for further research to explore long-term safety.

Professor Steven Marwaha of the University of Birmingham, an Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust and senior author of the study, said, "This marks an important milestone in exploring nitrous oxide as an additional treatment for patients whose depression has not responded to conventional therapies. Many in this group have lost confidence in the possibility of recovery, which these findings particularly encouraging.

"These results underscore the pressing need for new therapies to support existing care pathways, and further research is essential to determine how this approach can best assist those living with severe depression."

Future of Nitrous Oxide Treatment in the NHS

Upcoming NHS Trial and Clinical Implementation

The study was carried out by researchers at the Mental Health Mission Midlands Translational Centre, led by the University of Birmingham, who are working to improve treatment options for treatment-resistant depression among highly diverse and disadvantaged communities.

The Centre's mission is to speed up the development and delivery of innovative, evidence-based treatments designed to improve patient outcomes and reduce longstanding inequalities in mental health care.

This work complements ongoing initiatives at the Birmingham Clinic for Advanced Mood Disorder Management (CALM), where cutting-edge therapies— including ketamine and neuromodulation— are already being offered to individuals with severe or treatment-resistant depression.

Building on this pipeline from scientific discovery to clinical application, the team is now preparing to launch the UK's first NHS trial to evaluate whether nitrous oxide can be administered safely and effectively as a treatment for major depression.

Potential to Transform Mental Health Pathways

The results will guide how nitrous oxide might be incorporated into NHS treatment pathways and could widen the range of innovative therapies available to patients who have not responded to traditional methods.

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mRNA Therapy Breakthrough Antibiotic resistant bacteria

Breakthrough mRNA Therapy Shows Early Success Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and their collaborators have announced early success with a new mRNA-based treatment developed to tackle antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Published in Nature Biotechnology, the findings reveal that in tests using mice and human lung tissue, the therapy curtailed bacterial growth, boosted immune cell response and lessened lung damage in models of multidrug-resistant pneumonia.

Growing Threat of Antibiotic Resistance

Drug-resistant infections are now a pressing global danger, claiming more than 1.2 million lives annually and contributing to almost 5 million deaths around the world. In the United States alone, these infections exceed 3 million cases each year, resulting in up to 48,000 fatalities and costing the healthcare system billions. Scientists warn that resistance continues to rise across most major bacterial strains, posing serious risks to routine medical procedures, cancer treatments and neonatal care.

Rising Global Mortality from Drug-Resistant Infections

"Our findings indicate a promising route to tackling antimicrobial resistance by boosting the body's immune defense directly," explains Xucheng Hou, Ph.D., lead author and Assistant Professor of Immunology and Immunotherapy in the laboratory of Yizhou Dong, Ph.D., at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

"Although this work is still in its early phase and has so far only been tested in preclinical models, it lays an essential foundation for future therapies that may improve the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics."

How the Experimental Therapy Works

The experimental treatment delivers mRNA into the body, prompting it to produce a unique infection-fighting protein known as a "peptibody." This peptibody serves a dual role at the site of infection: dismantling harmful bacteria and directing immune cells to eliminate them.

Role of Lipid Nanoparticles in Delivery

To ensure the mRNA reaches cells safely, scientists enclosed it in lipid nanoparticles—tiny, fat-based spheres frequently used in mRNA vaccines. These nanoparticles shield the mRNA as it travels through the body and assist its entry into cells.

They also contain an added component that limits damaging inflammation by neutralizing reactive oxygen species—highly reactive molecules produced during infection that can injure surrounding tissues and worsen symptoms.

Results from Preclinical Studies

In mouse models of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, multiple doses of the treatment were well tolerated and led to a marked reduction in bacterial levels in the lungs. The therapy also eased inflammation and helped maintain normal lung architecture.

Human Lung Tissue Findings

Similar results were seen in laboratory experiments using human lung tissue, indicating that it can operate effectively alongside human immune cells. The team will now continue preclinical work before moving towards human trials to assess safety, dosage and effectiveness. Although the technology remains in its early stages, it offers a promising new path in the global battle against antibiotic resistance.

Potential for Future Treatments

"This is the first evidence that an mRNA-encoded antimicrobial peptide can both destroy bacteria directly and activate the immune system's defensive mechanisms," says Dr Dong, senior author of the study, Professor of Nanomedicine at Mount Sinai, and a member of the Icahn Genomics Institute and the Marc and Jennifer Lipzhultz Precision Immunology Institute (PrIISM).

"If the findings are supported by further studies, this could lead to a flexible new platform for designing treatments against infections that no longer respond to standard antibiotics."

Path Toward Human Trials

The team will now continue preclinical work before moving towards human trials to assess safety, dosage and effectiveness. Although the technology remains in its early stages, it offers a promising new path in the global battle against antibiotic resistance.

Study Contributors

The study lists the authors as: Yonger Xue, Xucheng Hou, Yuebao Zhang, Yichen Zhong, Diana D. Kang, Chang Wang, Haoyuan Li, Changyue Yu, Zhengwei Liu, Meng Tian, Dinglingge Cao, Ya Ying Zheng, Binbin Deng, Pauline Hamon, Miriam Merad and Yizhou Dong.

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Spaceflight Brain Differences Men vs Women Study

Spaceflight Study Reveals S*x Determined Differences in Astronaut Brain and Vision Responses

Edited by FSNews365

New Research Highlights How Men and Women Experience Spaceflight Differently

A groundbreaking study has revealed striking differences in how the human brain and vision respond to spaceflight according to s*x, offering vital insights for safeguarding astronaut health during long-term missions to the Moon and Mars.

Researchers found that female astronauts experienced a more pronounced reduction in fluid surrounding the uppermost region of the brain compared to their male counterparts—a finding that could reshape astronaut medical screening and training.

The study, led by Dr Rachael D. Seidler, director of the University of Florida's Astraeus Space Institute and professor of applied physiology and kinesiology, is among the first investigations to identify s*x-specific effects of microgravity on the human nervous system.

Read more space science reports on FSNews365

Female Astronauts Show Greater Brain Fluid Shifts in Space

According to the research team, female astronauts exhibited a stronger reduction in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the uppermost parts of the brain — a region crucial for maintaining balance, spatial orientation and neural stability.

"There is limited data on s*x-specific responses to spaceflight due to the historically small number of female astronauts," explained Dr Seidler. "Although women made up only about a quarter of our sample, the dataset's overall size allowed us to meaningfully assess these differences."

These findings come at a time when NASA and Global space agencies are planning for longer crewed missions including extended stays aboard Gateway, the lunar-orbiting station and eventual expeditions to Mars. Understanding how spaceflight affects different physiological systems is therefore essential for designing health countermeasures and spacecraft environments suited to all crew members.

Explore related content: How Space Radiation Affects Human Cells

The Hidden Challenge—Spaceflight-Associated Vision Changes

Globe Flattening: The Most Common Ocular Issue in Space

Beyond brain fluid redistribution, the team observed a consistent and concerning ocular effect known as globe flattening—a slight indentation at the back of the eye that can impair vision.

"Globe flattening was by far the most common eye alteration we observed, indicating it should be the main focus for ocular health monitoring," said Dr Seidler. "Interestingly, such eye changes more frequent in men than in women."

This structural deformation is a defining feature of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), a medical condition documented in astronauts since long-duration missions began aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

While the change may sound subtle, it can cause blurred vision, hyperopic shifts, and difficulty with depth perception—issues that could prove hazardous during critical operations on the Moon or Mars.

Brain and Eye Changes May Arise from Separate Mechanisms

One of the most intriguing aspects of the study is that brain fluid alterations and eye deformations appear unrelated.

"Curiously, we found no strong correlation between structural brain changes and eye alterations," the authors wrote, suggesting that each arises from distinct physiological pathways.

This challenges earlier theories that reduced fluid drainage or intracranial pressure was solely responsible for vision problems in space. Instead, the study points to multiple, overlapping effects of microgravity on the body's fluid regulation and vascular systems.

Such insights are vital as space agencies refine countermeasures like lower-body negative pressure suits and artificial gravity habitats designed to redistribute fluids more naturally during long missions.

How the Study Was Conducted

Leveraging Data from Multiple Space Agencies

The University of Florida team analyzed data from astronauts who had flown on various international missions, combining brain imaging, optical measurements and health data collected before and after flight.

Their analysis focused on changes in brain fluid dynamics, intracranial volume and ocular morphology, assessing how these shifts differed between men and women.

"We employed advanced neuroimaging and statistical modelling to isolate s*x-based differences while controlling for age, flight duration and other factors," said Dr Seidler.

Powered by AI and Supercomputing

The study's large-scale data processing was made possible by UF's HiPerGator computing cluster, one of the most powerful university-owned supercomputers in the world.

"Our analysis was powered by HiPerGator, which enabled us to process data at remarkable speeds," Dr Seidler noted. "This level of computational performance was essential for identifying subtle structural changes across multiple biological systems."

Implications for Future Space Exploration

The discovery of s*x-specific brain and vision changes holds major implications for future crewed space missions.

For NASA's Artemis programme and international Mars initiatives, such findings could inform:

• Customized health countermeasures for male and female astronauts.
• Refined training protocols to address individual fluid-regulation differences.
• Personalized mission assignments based on physiological resilience to microgravity.

As more women join astronaut corps worldwide, understanding these nuances will be critical for mission safety, visual health and cognitive performance in deep space.

(See related reading: How Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Affect Astronaut Health)

The University of Florida's Growing Role in Space Health Science

The Astraeus Space Institute at the University of Florida has emerged as a leading centre for space neuroscience and physiology research, connecting experts across fields such as biomedical engineering, physics and kinesiology.

Under Dr Rachael Seidler's leadership, the institute conducts projects aimed at understanding how microgravity, radiation and isolation affect human biology.

The UF team is collaborating with NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and other research partners to build predictive models for astronaut health—from brain plasticity to ocular adaptation and vestibular function.

Looking Ahead—Preparing for Mars and Beyond

The study's findings underscore the importance of personalized medical monitoring in space. As missions extend beyond low-Earth orbit, understanding individual responses will help scientists design environments reduce health risks for all astronauts.

Dr Seidler and her colleagues plan to expand their research to include astronauts on longer-duration missions and to test countermeasures that might prevent fluid shifts altogether.

Their goal is clear: to ensure that humanity's next steps into deep space are guided by data-driven health science that protects every member of the crew.

The Next Frontier of Space Medicine

This landmark study marks a new phase in space biomedical research, shedding light on how microgravity uniquely reshapes the human brain and vision—and how these effects differ by s*x.

For mission planners, it's a reminder that spaceflight is not one-size-fits-all. For scientists, it opens a promising avenue toward precision medicine in space exploration.

As Dr Seidler concludes, "Understanding how men and women respond differently to spaceflight is key to enabling safe, successful and inclusive exploration beyond Earth."

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