https://ki.se RSS News Listing https://news.ki.se/changes-in-brain-energy-and-blood-vessels-linked-to-cadasil A new study published in Brain shows that damage to small blood vessels in the hereditary disease CADASIL may disrupt important brain functions in the hippocampus, a region involved in memory. The findings help explain why many people with CADASIL develop cognitive problems and dementia. Wed, 04 Feb 2026 09:49:15 +0100 https://news.ki.se/how-brain-waves-shape-our-sense-of-self A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Communications, reveals how rhythmic brain waves known as alpha oscillations help us distinguish between our own body and the external world. The findings offer new insights into how the brain integrates sensory signals to create a coherent sense of bodily self. Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:00:13 +0100 https://news.ki.se/using-social-media-may-impair-childrens-attention Children who spend a significant amount of time on social media tend to experience a gradual decline in their ability to concentrate. This is according to a comprehensive study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Pediatrics Open Science, where researchers followed more than 8,000 children from around age 10 through age 14. Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:05:10 +0100 https://news.ki.se/music-training-can-help-the-brain-focus Musical people find it easier to focus their attention on the right sounds in noisy environments. This is shown in a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal Science Advances. The results suggest that music training can be used to sharpen attention and cognition. Wed, 17 Sep 2025 20:00:15 +0200 https://news.ki.se/tickling-a-window-into-the-brains-mysteries A recent study published in the journal Science Advances sheds light on the intriguing phenomenon of ticklishness. It explores why certain touches make us laugh uncontrollably while others do not, and why we cannot tickle ourselves. Fri, 13 Jun 2025 13:21:14 +0200 https://news.ki.se/lars-backman-awarded-prestigious-efpa-aristotle-prize The European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) has announced Professor Lars Bäckman, Karolinska Institutet, as the recipient of the Aristotle Prize 2025. This distinguished award recognises individuals who have made a substantial and original contributions to psychology, particularly in the field of cognitive ageing. Thu, 15 May 2025 10:40:39 +0200 https://news.ki.se/fluoride-in-drinking-water-is-associated-with-impaired-childhood-cognition Elevated concentrations of fluoride can occur in well water, and in some countries, it is added to drinking water to counteract caries in the population. A study from Karolinska Institutet now supports a few previous studies indicating that exposure to fluoride during the fetal stage or early childhood may impair cognition in children. The study is published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:30:09 +0100 https://news.ki.se/what-your-brain-is-up-to-when-resting When we are not doing anything in particular, the brain is still busy producing thoughts and daydreams. Research shows that mental chatter increase if we are sleep deprived and can sometimes even become a barrier to sleeping. But there are techniques for those who need a break from their thoughts. Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:23 +0100 https://news.ki.se/forte-awards-125-million-to-three-nvs-researchers Congratulations to Anna Marseglia, Adrián Carballo Casla, and Minjia Mo, who will share 12.5 million SEK from Forte. Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:51:54 +0100 https://news.ki.se/challenge-the-sway-curious-about-balance To maintain balance, several factors must align. The inner ears and eyes need to send accurate signals to the brain. Good motor skills and sense of touch, especially in the feet, along with a healthy brain, are necessary. It is not surprising that balance disorders can occur, but how should they be treated? Mon, 27 May 2024 18:21:59 +0200 https://news.ki.se/studying-the-sense-of-smell-and-its-significance-to-health The human sense of smell is both well-developed and important to our health. Johan Lundström is trying to unpack a sense that has long been neglected by science. Tue, 10 Oct 2023 09:13:16 +0200 https://news.ki.se/they-are-awarded-kaw-project-grants-in-2022 Four research projects coordinated from Karolinska Institutet have been awarded project grants by Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW) in 2022. This means that, over SEK 135 million are allocated to KI research in the fields of immunology, neuroscience, and stem cell biology. Fri, 14 Oct 2022 09:10:09 +0200 https://news.ki.se/video-games-can-help-boost-childrens-intelligence Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have studied how the screen habits of US children correlate with how their cognitive abilities develop over time. They found that the children who spent an above-average time playing video games increased their intelligence more than the average, while TV watching or social media had neither a positive nor a negative effect. The results are published in the journal Scientific Reports. Thu, 12 May 2022 15:57:27 +0200 https://news.ki.se/how-screen-habits-affect-childrens-health Screen time is often associated with poor health in young people, but it is more complicated than that, say researchers. We are affected, but differently and not just negatively. What we do on our phones – and what we do when we are not using them – also plays a role in our well-being. Thu, 12 May 2022 15:23:58 +0200 https://news.ki.se/sense-of-smell-is-our-most-rapid-warning-system The ability to detect and react to the smell of a potential threat is a precondition of our and other mammals’ survival. Using a novel technique, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have been able to study what happens in the brain when the central nervous system judges a smell to represent danger. The study, which is published in PNAS, indicates that negative smells associated with unpleasantness or unease are processed earlier than positive smells and trigger a physical avoidance response. Thu, 14 Oct 2021 14:02:49 +0200 https://news.ki.se/clarification-on-diabetes-and-dementia-risk It is mainly poorly controlled type 2 diabetes that carries an elevated risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, not the diabetes per se, a longitudinal study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden shows. The study comprises over 2,500 people and is published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. Tue, 12 Oct 2021 13:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/three-innovation-environments-at-ki-receive-funding-from-vinnova Vinnova is investing in eleven innovation environments in precision health that will pave the way to more preventive, accurate healthcare with greater equity, while helping Sweden strengthen its position as a leading life science nation. Of the eleven innovation environments selected, three are at Karolinska Institutet. Wed, 29 Sep 2021 13:20:38 +0200 https://news.ki.se/caesarean-section-is-not-an-important-determinant-of-offspring-cognitive-ability-among-young-adult-men Birth by caesarean section is weakly associated with a lower general cognitive ability in young adult males. However, the magnitude of this association is not clinically relevant. This is according to a study at Karolinska Institutet, published in the Evidence-Based Mental Health. The lower general cognitive ability also seems to be largely explained by familial factors shared between siblings instead of mode of delivery, the study found. Wed, 15 Sep 2021 15:44:19 +0200 https://news.ki.se/decision-making-ability-in-young-people-is-linked-to-social-function Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and UCL have identified a general factor called ‘decision acuity’ that affects young people's decision-making ability, independent of IQ, and is associated with good social functioning. The results have been published in the journal Neuron. Mon, 24 May 2021 12:20:33 +0200 https://news.ki.se/individuals-with-high-adhd-traits-are-more-vulnerable-to-insomnia Individuals with high ADHD-traits that do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis are less able to perform tasks involving attentional regulation or emotional control after a sleepless night than individuals with low ADHD-traits, a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging reports. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 07:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/they-are-awarded-the-2020-erc-stg Three researchers at Karolinska Institutet have been awarded the 2020 ERC Starting Grant: Niklas Björkström, Janina Seubert and Nils Landegren. Their projects concern resident organ-specific immune cells, the cognitive mechanisms behind our preference of certain foods, and sex-differences in the human immune system and the risk of autoimmune disease. In all, the European Research Council will support 436 early-career researchers with this prestigious grant. Thu, 03 Sep 2020 12:05:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-brains-ability-to-be-creative-and-adapt-explains-game-intelligence-in-elite-soccer In a new study, researchers from the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet have shown a clear link between game intelligence and the brain's ability to create and adapt under time pressure. The study is published in Nature Publishing Group's journal Scientific Reports. Thu, 25 Jun 2020 14:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/family-environment-affects-adolescent-brain-development Childhood environment and socioeconomic status affect cognitive ability and brain development during adolescence independently of genetic factors, researchers at Karolinska Institutet report in a new study published in the journal PNAS. The study demonstrates how important the family environment is, not just during early infancy but also throughout adolescence. Wed, 20 May 2020 07:52:09 +0200 https://news.ki.se/unique-opportunity-to-do-research-on-homeschooling An international network of researchers in 10 countries are to study the effectiveness of homeschooling during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The gathering of data via online surveys in the various languages is being led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. The aims of the study are to look at the challenges facing families during the COVID-19 pandemic and to produce recommendations and technical methods for both homeschooling and teaching in general. Wed, 29 Apr 2020 14:17:15 +0200 https://news.ki.se/cognitive-impairment-after-intensive-care-linked-to-long-lasting-inflammation People who have been treated in intensive care commonly suffer from residual cognitive impairment, but the reason for this is unknown. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet now link cognitive impairment with lasting inflammation and a potential treatment target. The results are presented in the scientific journal Intensive Care Medicine. Wed, 26 Feb 2020 08:00:06 +0100 https://news.ki.se/breathing-through-the-nose-aids-memory-storage Mon, 22 Oct 2018 19:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/placebo-effective-despite-intellectual-disability Tue, 16 May 2017 14:51:52 +0200 https://news.ki.se/footballing-success-in-the-young-can-be-measured-in-the-brain The working memory and other cognitive functions in children and young people can be associated with how successful they are on the football pitch, a new study from Karolinska Institutet shows. Football clubs that focus too much on physical attributes therefore risk overlooking future stars. Thu, 09 Feb 2017 12:39:08 +0100 https://news.ki.se/brain-scan-reveals-out-of-body-illusion Thu, 30 Apr 2015 18:10:24 +0200 https://news.ki.se/scientists-create-the-sensation-of-invisibility Thu, 23 Apr 2015 15:10:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/psychological-testing-may-predict-success-in-football Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/a-good-nights-sleep-the-key-to-being-attractive ​If you want to look attractive and healthy, the best thing you can do is get a good night's sleep, finds researchers at Karolinska Institutet in a novel study published in BMJ online. For the first time, say the authors, there is scientific backing for the concept of beauty sleep. Sun, 05 Dec 2010 08:00:00 +0100