Signs of Alzheimer’s disease appear after the rodents breathe cigarette smoke. (p. 20)

Drug that interferes with recollection works only when people face the unexpected. (p. 13)

Infants strut a runway wearing electrodes to show how the walking reflex works.

Research reveals unexpected role for cells called microglia in shaping the brain. (p. 12)

People with a rare brain disorder don’t get scared — except when they breathe carbon dioxide. (p. 12)

People talk a lot about speeding up drug development. But for some problems, they should also focus on speeding up the drugs. For brain disorders like depression, the medicines prescribed by doctors can take weeks or months to kick in. (And even after the long wait, the number of people who experience complete turnarounds is surprisingly low.) The idea that a disorder — even a complicated brain disorder — can be quickly reversed isn’t so outrageous. We have drugs that bring down high blood pressure within minutes, shrink inflamed airways instantaneously and stop an allergic reac...

Soccer, rugby, hockey players better ignore distractions to follow motion with their eyes. (p. 18)

Genetically engineered neurons allow researchers to watch fish brains as they track prey.

Nerve fibers send pleasure signal to brain when mice get caressed.