Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Harvard Brain Science Initiative

@harvardbrainsci.bsky.social

1.1K followers 170 following 100 posts

HBI brings together neuroscience researchers from different parts of Harvard and its affiliated hospitals. Throughout all that we do, we aspire to build and nurture a scientific community that is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming. https://brain.harvard.edu

brain.harvard.edu

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Nov 15

Hi all! Our Initiative brings together neuroscience researchers from different parts of Harvard and its affiliated hospitals. Follow us for updates on new discoveries, scientist profiles, events, award news and more.

brain.harvard.edu

Home - Harvard Brain Science Initiative

brain.harvard.edu

3 11

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 1d

The Harvard Gazette summarizes the current state of Alzheimer's research and profiles the research of Steven Arnold, Reisa Sperling, Ted Zwang, @sdas617.bsky.social, Bradley Hyman, and Bruce Yankner.
@teamcart.bsky.social

news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...

Making real gains in war on Alzheimer’s — Harvard Gazette

Researchers hope new technologies, approaches usher in era of effective treatment for incurable disease amid urgency of ‘silver tsunami’

news.harvard.edu

2 2

Reposted by Harvard Brain Science Initiative

Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences @gsas.harvard.edu · 19d

Elizabeth Klerman, MD/PhD ’90, a professor at MGH, and a faculty affiliate of Harvard Medical School, contends we’re almost certainly not getting enough rest, we probably don’t know how tired we are, and our sleep debt is affecting our work and health.

Bedtime Story

Elizabeth Klerman, MD/PhD ’90, a professor at Massachusetts General Hospital’s (MGH) Department of Neurology, and a faculty affiliate of Harvard Medical School’s (HMS) Division of Sleep Medicine,…

gsas.harvard.edu

2 2

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 4d

Today at 3!

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 16d

Please join us on 10/3 at 3pm at the Shaw-Roxbury Branch of the @bpl.boston.gov! All ages welcome!

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 8d

This Friday!!!

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 16d

Please join us on 10/3 at 3pm at the Shaw-Roxbury Branch of the @bpl.boston.gov! All ages welcome!

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 8d

Meet @kelseytea.bsky.social on #HumansofHBI

How does genetic and molecular variation, either through evolution or within a species, result in neural and behavioral variation? How many different ways can you evolve a similar behavior?

brain.harvard.edu/hbi_humans/k...

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 11d

From Daniel Rubin, Ziv Williams, lead senior author Francis R. Williet (Stanford), and first author Erin M. Kunz (Stanford).

news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...

Unquiet minds — Harvard Gazette

Researchers inch closer to decoding inner speech

news.harvard.edu

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 14d

As anxiety and depression persist at alarming rates among U.S. teens, new research finds that less than a third of the nation’s public schools conduct mental health screenings, and a significant number of those that do say it’s hard to meet students’ needs.

news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...

Public schools a weak link in efforts to protect teen mental health— Harvard Gazette

Study finds less than a third conduct screenings, according to survey of more than 1,000 principals.

news.harvard.edu

Reposted by Harvard Brain Science Initiative

Society for Neuroscience @sfn.org · 15d

Happening tomorrow!

Register to hear tips and strategies to promote your work.

🔗 vist.ly/47qm8

#neurosky #neuroskyence

4 7

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 16d

Please join us on 10/3 at 3pm at the Shaw-Roxbury Branch of the @bpl.boston.gov! All ages welcome!

5 5

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 19d

Meet @neuroangelica-atb.bsky.social on #HumansofHBI
Assistant Professor, @harvardmed.bsky.social;
Director of Social and Cognitive Research at the Lurie Center for Autism

brain.harvard.edu/hbi_humans/a...

1 1

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 22d

We are thrilled to share this TedxNewEngland Talk with Aleena Garner, Neuroscientist at @harvardmed.bsky.social! How we perceive reality is shaped by the interactions between our memories, present sensations, and future expectations.
tedxnewengland.com/speakers/ale...

TEDxNewEngland

Bridging the gaps

tedxnewengland.com

1 1

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · 28d

New research finds that vagus nerve cells, a group of nerve cells known for their role in detecting chemical irritation, tissue damage, heat, and pressure also work as critical defenders against the worst ravages of the flu caused by an overactive immune response.
hms.harvard.edu/news/unusual...

Unusual Allies: Vagus Nerve Cells Emerge as Defenders Against Flu Damage

Study finds sensory cells that detect tissue damage, irritants also rein in harmful immune responses to protect the lungs

hms.harvard.edu

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Sep 5

Mediterranean Diet Offsets Genetic Risk for Dementia, Study Finds
From Dong D. Wang, and colleagues. First author Yuxi Liu.
news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...

Mediterranean diet offsets genetic risk for dementia, study finds — Harvard Gazette

Researchers saw the greatest benefit for those who have the highest predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease.

news.harvard.edu

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Sep 4

Check out this feature on our bipolar disorder grant program!

“The goal for this grant program has always been to help creative scientists in our community initiate new avenues of research related to bipolar disorder” —HBI co-director @neurovenki.bsky.social

news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...

Seeding solutions for bipolar disorder — Harvard Gazette

Brain Science grants promote new approaches to treat the condition and discover underlying causes.

news.harvard.edu

1 3

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Sep 3

Underlying “Stay or Go” Choices
@naoshigeuchida.bsky.social
@jdrugowitsch.bsky.social
@malcolmgcampbell.bsky.social

www.mcb.harvard.edu/department/n...

How Mice Make Foraging Decisions: Uchida Lab Reveals Neural Mechanism Underlying “Stay or Go” Choices - Harvard University - Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology

In a new study in Neuron (PDF), researchers from Naoshige Uchida’s MCB lab provide an unprecedented look at how the brain makes foraging decisions—choices between sticking with a […]

www.mcb.harvard.edu

2 4

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Aug 28

Neural Circuit and Molecular Mechanism Underlying Social Hierarchy Identified

From @dulaclab.bsky.social @neurovenki.bsky.social and colleagues, co-first authors Adam C. Nelson and Vikrant Kapoor.
www.mcb.harvard.edu/department/n...

Neural Circuit and Molecular Mechanism Underlying Social Hierarchy Identified - Harvard University - Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology

The formation of social hierarchies is a fundamental aspect of group living, reducing conflict and guiding behavior across species—from animals to humans. Yet, the precise neural and molecular […]

www.mcb.harvard.edu

4 12

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Aug 27

New research shows for the first time that lithium is naturally present in the brain, shields it from neurodegeneration, and maintains the normal function of all major brain cell types.
news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...

Could lithium explain — and treat — Alzheimer’s? — Harvard Gazette

New study finds deficiency ignites neurodegenerative disease, and restoring it reverses brain aging in mice.

news.harvard.edu

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Aug 22

Breathing Low-Oxygen Air Improves Parkinson’s Symptoms in Mice
@harvardmed.bsky.social
From Fumito Ichinose, Vamsi K. Mootha, and colleagues, first author Eizo Marutani. Read more at HMS News
hms.harvard.edu/news/breathi...

Breathing Low-Oxygen Air Improves Parkinson’s Symptoms in Mice

Evidence that hypoxia can prevent or reverse progression suggests new way to address disease

hms.harvard.edu

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Aug 21

Advances in Gene Therapy for Eye Diseases
Connie Cepko provides an overview of her lab’s longstanding work developing gene therapies for ocular diseases using mouse and rat models.
brain.harvard.edu/hbi_news/adv...

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Aug 20

You’re a Deer Mouse, and Bird Is Diving at You. What to Do? Depends
Hopi Hoekstra and colleagues, co-first authors Felix Baier @felixbaier.bsky.social and Katja Reinhard @katjareinhard.bsky.social

news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...

You’re a deer mouse, and bird is diving at you. What to do? Depends. — Harvard Gazette

Neural study shows how evolution prepared two species to adopt different survival strategies to take advantage of native habitats.

news.harvard.edu

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Aug 19

How the Brain Increases Blood Flow on Demand
www.hhmi.org/news/how-blo...
@hhmi.org @harvardmed.bsky.social

New Research Shows How Blood Gets to Where the Brain Needs It Most | HHMI

HHMI Investigator Chenghua Gu and her lab use innovative techniques to determine how blood flow to the brain is controlled in real time.

www.hhmi.org

1 1

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Aug 6

Please join us today at 4pm! At the Roxbury Branch of @bpl.boston.gov!
@bostonchildrens.bsky.social @harvardmed.bsky.social

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Jul 23

Meet Dianna Hidalgo on #HumansofHBI @bostonchildrens.bsky.social

"I study how the brain makes sense of what we see, using artificial neural network and animal models."
brain.harvard.edu/hbi_humans/d...
@harvardmed.bsky.social

2 1 5

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Jul 22

For years, researchers have seen a connection between exercise and the progression of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s — but ramping up movement isn’t possible for many patients. A new study looks at how to mimic those benefits without having to hit the gym.

news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...

An exercise drug? — Harvard Gazette

Researchers hope to harness the cognitive benefits of a workout for Alzheimer’s patients with mobility issues.

news.harvard.edu

Harvard Brain Science Initiative @harvardbrainsci.bsky.social · Jul 21

Eight Arms to Taste Your Microbiome
New research discovers that octopuses use their limbs to sample the microbiomes on the surfaces they touch.

From @nbellono.bsky.social and colleagues, first author Rebecka Sepela
@cellpress.bsky.social
@mblscience.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/s...

Eight Arms to Taste Your Microbiome