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Meet Dr. Marc Züst Group Leader & Deputy Head of Research UPD Bern – University Psychiatric Hospital for the Elderly University of Bern Why is deep sleep (particularly slow-wave activity) so important for keeping the brain healthy and supporting waste clearance? Deep sleep is when the brain switches into maintenance mode since it doesn't need to process constant input from the environment. Slow waves help increase fluid flow through brain tissue, which supports the clearance

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a medical diagnosis describing a pattern of alcohol or drug use that leads to significant impairment or distress (health problems, inability to meet major responsibilities, risky use, etc.). It ranges from mild to severe, depending on how many diagnostic criteria are met.

1. What is a traumatic brain injury? Traumatic brain injury  is damage to the brain caused by an external mechanical force  – for example a blow to the head, a fall, a car crash, an explosion, or a penetrating injury like a bullet. It is not a stroke, brain tumor, or infection (those are “non-traumatic” brain injuries). NCBI+1 We usually talk about TBI in a few dimensions: By severity (initially) Mild TBI (mTBI) / concussion Brief or no loss of consciousness Glasgow Coma Scal

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders worldwide. It affects movement, mood, sleep, cognition, and overall quality of life. Although we still don’t have a cure, treatment options are improving rapidly—and the future offers genuine hope.

What is the gut–immune–brain axis? Traditionally, we thought of: Brain  → in the skull, does the thinking. Immune system  → fights infections. Gut  → digests food and… that’s it. We now know that’s wildly incomplete. The gut–immune–brain axis  is the bidirectional communication network linking: Gut and its microbes  (the gut microbiome) Immune cells and inflammatory signals  throughout the body Central nervous system  (brain + spinal cord) and enteric nervous system  (the “se

Stroke is one of the most significant medical emergencies worldwide—both common and devastating, yet often preventable. It occurs when the brain’s blood supply is disrupted, leading to rapid loss of oxygen and nutrients.

Epilepsy is a brain disorder where there’s an ongoing tendency to have recurrent, unprovoked seizures.

We say in stroke that every minute counts. But in neurodegeneration, time is just as essential. A few weeks ago I had the honor of attending the Swiss Dementia Forum , the first of its kind, an event that reunited researchers, clinicians, patient representatives, pharma, and private companies to map the ecosystem of dementia research, with a focus on Switzerland. My intention was to get a clearer sense of current dementia care, strengthen my understanding of the condition, an

For centuries, scientists assumed the brain idled when we rested. But modern neuroscience revealed something astonishing: when our attention drifts inward, the brain becomes intensely active.

This article breaks down the major categories of pharmacological interventions used in neurological care, explaining what they do, how they work, and when they’re prescribed.

Today, more people with epilepsy achieve seizure control, maintain independence, and live full, meaningful lives. Innovations in surgery, neurostimulation, genetics, AI, and wearables are rapidly changing what is possible.

Wearables have quietly moved from “step counters” to serious neurological tools. They’re now helping detect seizures, track Parkinson’s symptoms in daily life, flag early cognitive decline, and measure brain-friendly habits like sleep and physical activity.

Neurophysiology is the branch of neuroscience and clinical medicine that studies how the nervous system functions — electrically, chemically, and physiologically — in real time.

This full collection of exposures is called the exposome. It includes everything from the air we breathe to the food we eat, our social environments, stress levels, work conditions, and even the internal biological processes in our bodies.

As global populations age, the incidence of seizures and epilepsy rises sharply—particularly after age 65. Yet the mechanisms that make the aging brain more vulnerable to abnormal electrical activity remain poorly understood. A growing body of evidence points toward dysfunction in one crucial system: the neurovascular unit (NVU).

sleep is a highly structured, dynamic process made up of multiple stages, each with its own purpose. And as neuroscience advances, we’re discovering that these sleep stages play a powerful role in memory, emotional health, immune function, and even the risk of neurological disease.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation — better known as TMS — is one of the most exciting developments in modern neuroscience. It offers a non-invasive, drug-free, and highly targeted way to stimulate the brain using magnetic fields. Over the past decade, TMS has moved from research labs into mainstream clinical practice, helping thousands of people with conditions that were once difficult to treat.

When we think about Alzheimer’s disease, we usually picture memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior. But behind the scenes, something else is happening deep inside the brain - something rhythmic, electrical, and often silent.

Sleep testing can be confusing—especially when the names sound so similar. Here’s a simple breakdown of polygraphy and polysomnography, and when each one is used.

Sleep is supposed to restore us. But for millions of people, the night is anything but restful. Instead, their breathing repeatedly stops and starts - often without them knowing. This condition is called sleep apnea, and it’s far more common (and more serious) than most people realize.