A new study published in the journal Brain Behavior and Immunity Integrative, suggests that the probiotic drink kefir may show promise in preventing Alzheimer’s.

With this particular study, researchers examined studies on human participants and animal models to evaluate the effects of kefir, a fermented food rich in probiotics, on cognitive function, neurodegeneration, and oxidative stress. They concluded that kefir shows promise as a potential complementary treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, offering neuroprotective benefits due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

While standardized formulations and large-scale clinical studies are needed to validate its therapeutic potential for human patients, one study that was reviewed involved giving Alzheimer’s patients kefir supplementation. That study found that patients’ oxidative stress and inflammatory markers decreased while their motor skills, cognitive functioning, and memory improved. Specifically, patients showed a 28% improvement in Mini-Mental State Examination scores and approximately 66% and 62% improvements in immediate and late memory tests, respectively. Check it out: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949834125000133

Researchers at the University of Florida and the UF Health Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases announced this week that they have developed a new kind of software that will help clinicians differentially diagnose Parkinson's disease and related conditions, reducing diagnostic time and increasing precision beyond 96%.

Although Parkinson's disease is a well-recognized illness, the term can refer to a variety of conditions, ranging from idiopathic Parkinson's, the most common type, to other movement disorders like multiple system atrophy, a Parkinsonian variant; and progressive supranuclear palsy. Each shares motor and nonmotor features, like changes in gait, but possesses a distinct pathology and prognosis.

Today, roughly one in four patients is actually misdiagnosed.

The software, called Automated Imaging Differentiation for Parkinsonism (AIDP), consists of automated MRI processing and machine learning software. Using diffusion-weighted MRI, which measures how water molecules diffuse in the brain, doctors can identify where neurodegeneration is occurring. Then, the machine learning algorithm, tested against in-person clinical diagnoses, analyzes the brain scan and provides the clinician with the results, indicating one of the different types of Parkinson's. Here’s more: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2831631

Clearmind Medicine announced that it initiated its Phase I/IIa clinical trial investigating the safety, tolerability and full pharmacokinetic profile of CMND-100. This is the company’s treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 400 million people aged 15 years and older live with alcohol use disorders, with 209 million experiencing alcohol dependence. Indeed, the market for an effective treatment for AUD is massive, especially when you consider that current treatment options remain limited and are often ineffective. Check it out: https://www.clearmindmedicine.com/news-release/clearmind-medicine-announces-initiation-of-first-in-human-clinical-trial-with-cmnd-100-in-alcohol-use-disorder-patients

Did you know that viewing natural scenes can significantly reduce how people perceive pain?

According to a study published in the journal Nature Communications, study participants reported less pain and exhibited altered brain activity associated with pain perception while looking at virtual nature, compared to urban or office environments.

Using advanced machine learning to analyze brain scans, scientists confirmed this pain-relieving effect was due to reduced activity in areas responsible for processing sensory pain signals, and not merely a placebo effect. The findings suggest that virtual experiences of nature could serve as accessible, non-invasive treatments to complement conventional pain management.

Here’s a link to the study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-56870-2