Researchers led by the University of Cincinnati’s Anna Kruyer and the University of Houston’s Demetrio Labate have published research in the journal Science Advances applying object recognition technology to track changes in brain cell structure and provide new insights into how the brain responds to heroin use, withdrawal and relapse.

A new 3D "atlas" of the mouse brain, developed by Duke University School of Medicine and collaborators, promises to sharpen scientists' ability to measure brain changes and share findings across studies of diseases like Alzheimer's. The Duke Mouse Brain Atlas combines microscopic detail from multiple imaging techniques into a living, distortion-free map—offering a powerful new tool for research and discovery. The open-source atlas, reported April 30 in Science Advances, is already helping scientists track neurodegeneration in mouse models.

Mass General Brigham researchers for the first time have identified biomarkers for tinnitus severity in subtle facial movements and pupil dilation that can be captured on video recordings. Until now, there has been no objective way to measure tinnitus severity and clinicans rely on patient survey questionaires. The researchers plan to use these biomarkrs to develop and test new therapies that can reduce or eliminate the phantom sounds (i.e. ringing in the ears) caused by tinnitus.