Neuroscience

Teenager in a car's driver seat, looking over their shoulder.

Slower growth in working memory linked to teen driving crashes

Adolescent drivers have the highest rate of vehicle crashes. Variability in working memory development might be a factor, and researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center tested the association between crashes and differential working memory development.

Penn Today Staff ・

Two people face each other, smiling widely and looking into each other's eyes.

No evidence that testosterone reduces cognitive empathy

In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that testosterone administration did not affect cognitive empathy, a measure of the ability to recognize another’s feelings and motivations. The finding calls into question the theory that the symptoms of autism are caused by a hyper-masculinized brain.

Katherine Unger Baillie ・

Four people in brightly colored clothing standing in a white hallway.

Using a matching game to study the language of conversations

Penn undergrads Lilian Zhang and Kassidy Houston, and University of Chicago student Benjamin Stallworth, interned in the lab of cognitive psychologist Delphine Dahan doing work to better understand what subconsciously happens when people converse.

Michele W. Berger ・

Person sitting at a table with blurry people in front and a screen hanging on the wall behind, which reads, "Experiential effects on brain development."

Five insights into how the brain works

As the Center for Neuroscience & Society celebrates 10 years, founding director Martha Farah reflects on the array of research from its faculty, on subjects from brain games to aggression.

Michele W. Berger ・



In the News


Newsweek

Man does DNA test, not prepared for what comes back ‘unusually high’

César de la Fuente of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and Perelman School of Medicine says that Neanderthal DNA provides insights into human evolution, population dynamics, and genetic adaptations, including correlations with traits such as immunity and susceptibility to diseases.

FULL STORY →

Associated Press

A new strategy to attack aggressive brain cancer shrank tumors in two early tests

A clinical trial led by Stephen Bagley of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that targeting two associated proteins with CAR T cell therapy could be a viable strategy for shrinking brain tumors.

FULL STORY →

Daily Mail (U.K.)

ADHD may have evolved more than 12,000 years ago as an advantage for foragers, study claims

A study led by David Barack of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that ADHD may have played a major role in foraging and survival for ancient hunter-gatherers.

FULL STORY →

The Wall Street Journal

How to stay mentally sharp into your 80s and beyond

According to David Wolk of the Perelman School of Medicine, a healthier body can help the brain respond better to the aging process.

FULL STORY →

NPR

Blood tests can help diagnose Alzheimer’s—if they’re accurate enough. Not all are

Virginia Man-Yee Lee of the Perelman School of Medicine says it’s likely in the future that anyone older than 60 will get an Alzheimer’s test.

FULL STORY →

The Economist

Some scientists think newborn neurons could reverse Alzheimer’s

Research co-authored by Hongjun Song of the Perelman School of Medicine strengthens the case for human neurogenesis, the development of new neurons from neural progenitor cells.

FULL STORY →