Statistical learning (SL) is a fundamental cognitive ability enabling individuals to detect and exploit regularities in environmental input. It plays a crucial role in language acquisition, perceptual processing, and social learning, supporting development from infancy through adulthood. In this review, we adopt a multidimensional perspective to synthesize empirical and theoretical findings on SL, covering experimental paradigms, developmental trajectories, and neural mechanisms. Furthermore, we extend the discussion to the emerging intersection between SL and affective processes. Although emotional factors have recently been proposed to modulate SL performance, this area remains underexplored. We highlight current insights and theoretical frameworks addressing the SL–emotion interaction, such as predictive coding theory, and propose directions for future research. This review provides a comprehensive yet focused overview of SL across cognitive and affective domains, aiming to clarify the scope and future potential of this growing field.

al. (2024) address how departments at one institution differ in the degree to which they actually incorporated and desired to incorporate NCCs into their neuroscience courses. Unsurprisingly, they noted differences in depth of coverage amongst individual psychology, cognitive science, and biology courses. Their in-depth analysis found that instructors would like to include more NCCs in their courses and identified, along with Stocker and Duncan (2024), NCCs that were difficult to incorporate into specific courses, due to prioritizing other concepts based on focus of the course and instructor expertise.Their work provides other educators with ideas as to how they can assess their own courses/curricula to determine if some NCCs should be emphasized more or less. 2024) note an opportunity for how to engage both biology and psychology disciplinary strengths as instructors introduce the Gene-Environment Interaction concept into the neuroscience curriculum. Given that revisions to courses and curricula often require buy-in from various stakeholders, Schaefer and Michael (2024) provide communication strategies that may help educators realize the utility of CCs for such work.A group of papers in the collection also provides practical resources and suggestions for using NCCs to support teaching. Schaefer and Michael (2024) provide a set of tips that can assist educators in implementing disciplinary CCs in their own teaching. Cooper et al. (2025) examine novice students' understanding of the Evolution and Structure-Function Relationship NCCs at the outset of a general education neuroscience course for non-majors. Their findings-that a majority of non-biologists enter introductory courses with little comprehension of either concept and that preconceptions vary by student major-will help faculty predict areas of emphasis for applying NCCs in their courses and identify target areas for attending to common misconceptions. Streidter (2023) focuses specifically on the Evolution concept, making a strong case for why understanding nervous system evolution is essential for neuroscientists. Additionally, Strieder (2023) provides specific examples and ideas as to how educators can address this core concept in their teaching. Shah et al. ( 2025) provide resources and suggestions for navigating the rapidly-expanding, interdisciplinary field of neuroimmunology using an integrated coreconcept based approach, providing a blueprint that may assist in course development or revision. Hannah and Schaefer (2025) describe an easily-replicated teaching activity that helps students learn to read primary literature using NCCs as a contextual framework. They provide data outlining the metacognitive processes identified by students as most benefiting from the use of NCCs to read primary literature. Finally, Stocker and Duncan (2024) suggest practical teaching activities that incorporate NCCs into coursework when faced with limited institutional resources, connecting classic published research papers, case studies, and 3-D printing of biomolecules to specific NCCs.As the papers in this collection indicate, there are a variety of benefits in using NCCs in neuroscience courses and curricula. However, such efforts by the neuroscience community are just beginning and will need to continue to adapt implementation of NCCs to the needs of students, courses, curricula, and institutions. An example of the continued work needed following development of NCCs can be seen in the work products that followed publication of Biology Core Concepts in Vision and Change (AAAS, 2011). Following the identification of the Biology Core Concepts, various instruments and frameworks for utilization by departments and programs were developed (Branchaw et al. 2020;Brownell et al. 2014;Cary et al., 2019). The work needed to effectively utilize NCCs has begun with publications in this collection. We hope the papers in the collection will provide neuroscience educators with ideas and inspiration for how they might utilize the NCCs in their courses, curricula, programs, and assessments and inspire continued application and research in this important field.Looking toward the future, a key next step is unpacking the NCCs into the underlying conceptual elements within each core concept. We invite collaborators to join us in that work. Additionally, we envision that concept inventories and other assessment tools will be developed for the neuroscience education community to utilize. Finally, we are hopeful that the neuroscience community will continue the conversation about the most effective ways to utilize NCCs in neuroscience education.

NaiKan Therapy, a method of self-reflection and introspection, has garnered considerable interest for its psychological benefits. However, its physiological impacts, particularly on hormonal regulation, remain underexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of NaiKan Therapy on salivary oxytocin and cortisol release, shedding light on the psychophysiological mechanisms underlying this introspective practice. Sixty participants underwent Naikan Therapy sessions over five consecutive days, during which salivary samples were collected at multiple time points. Salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Our results revealed significant increases in salivary oxytocin levels following NaiKan Therapy, suggesting a potential role of this practice in enhancing social bonding and emotional regulation. Conversely, salivary cortisol levels exhibited a decrease post-therapy, indicating a reduction in stress reactivity. These findings provide novel insights into the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying NaiKan Therapy and highlight its potential as a holistic approach to improving mental wellbeing. Further research exploring the long-term effects of NaiKan Therapy and its implications for clinical practice is warranted.

Chronotype refers to individual preference in circadian cycles and is associated with psychiatric problems. It is mainly classified into early (those who prefer to be active in the morning and sleep and wake up early) and late (those who prefer to be active in the evening and sleep and wake up late) chronotypes. Although previous research has demonstrated associations between chronotype and cognitive function and brain structure in adults, little is known regarding these associations in children. Here, we aimed to investigate the relationship between chronotype and cognitive function in children. Moreover, based on the significant association between chronotype and specific cognitive functions, we extracted regions-of-interest (ROI) and examined the association between chronotype and ROI volumes. Data from 4,493 children (mean age of 143.06 months) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study were obtained, wherein chronotype (mid-sleep time on free days corrected for sleep debt on school days) was assessed by the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire. Subsequently, the associations between chronotype, cognitive function, and ROI volumes were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models. Behaviorally, chronotype was negatively associated with vocabulary knowledge, reading skills, and episodic memory performance. Based on these associations, the ROI analysis focused on language-related and episodic memory-related areas revealed a negative association between chronotype and left precentral gyrus and right posterior cingulate cortex volumes. Furthermore, the precentral gyrus volume was positively associated with vocabulary knowledge and reading skills, while the posterior cingulate cortex volume was positively associated with episodic memory performance. These results suggest that children with late chronotype have lower language comprehension and episodic memory and smaller brain volumes in the left precentral gyrus and right posterior cingulate cortex associated with these cognitive functions.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected 771 million people and caused 6.9 million confirmed deaths as of November 2023. Beyond the adversity, a crucial and less-explored chapter unfolds: adaptive sequelae. These have altered social, mental, and emotional conditions, leaving an imprint on biological systems. While some cases fully resolve the pathological process post-acute infection, others persist with symptoms, posing a challenge that underscores the need to comprehend pathophysiology from innovative perspectives. The article delves into “Long COVID” or Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS), where symptoms persist for ≥4 weeks irrespective of initial severity. Risk factors include a history of severe illness, in-hospital management, and intensive care. This article also explores theories, derived from various experimental models, that have demonstrated the involvement of the nervous system in coordination with the psychoneuroimmunoendocrine axes in the expression of inflammation. It is posited that PACS involves processes of peripheral and central sensitization (corticalization), facilitating dishomeostasis and the chronicity of the inflammatory process. In this context, various therapeutic strategies grounded in modulating the inflammatory reflex are reviewed, primarily through the infiltration of local anesthetics via linear and non-linear approaches. Neural therapeutic use is considered to stimulate the regulatory inflammatory circuits coordinated by the neuroimmune-endocrine system.

Non-speaking autistic individuals grapple with the profound impact of the 'double empathy problem' in their daily interactions with speaking others. This study rethinks the communication challenges faced by non-speaking autistic individuals, challenging traditional approaches that predominantly focus on speech and complex communication devices (AAC). By spotlighting the natural phenomenon of "interactive stimming," a powerful mode of communication among autistic individuals, this study advocates for a shift from a conventional emphasis on speech towards the foundational role of the body in autistic communication. Central to this exploration is the introduction of the Magical Musical Mat (MMM), an innovative interactive environment mapping interpersonal touch to musical sounds. Through a robust mixed-methods approach integrating video-based fieldwork and design-based research, this paper engages three non-speaking autistic children and their mothers in a 5-day empirical intervention. Results reveal significant transformations in parent-child interactions as both parents and children are acquainted with touch in a new environment. Children assert their autonomy, exploring at their own pace, and discovering sensory features of the environment. Notably, the introduction of sound prompts heightened awareness of the stims, leading to diversified and expressive stim movements. Foregrounding interpersonal touch eventually guides parents into their children's sensory activities where parents attune to the stims of their children by joining in and facilitating their expressiveness, co-creating extended, evolving patterns of repetitive cycles. The collaborative stim cycles can be likened to free improvisation, where dynamical coherence between individuals occurs through a blend of stability and active flexibility. By shifting the focus from speech to co-created sensory experiences, this paper sheds light on the value of transformative multisensory environments, envisioning a world where varied modes of communication are valued and embraced.

The secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) and posterior insular cortex (pIC) are recognized for processing touch and movement information during hand manipulation in humans and non-human primates. However, their involvement in three-dimensional (3D) object manipulation remains unclear. To investigate neural activity related to hand manipulation in the SII/pIC, we trained two macaque monkeys to grasp three objects (a cone, a plate, and a ring) and engage in visual fixation on the object. Our results revealed that 19.4% (n = 50/257) of the task-related neurons in SII/pIC were active during hand manipulations, but did not respond to passive somatosensory stimuli. Among these neurons, 44% fired before hand-object contact (reaching to grasping neurons), 30% maintained tonic activity after contact (holding neurons), and 26% showed continuous discharge before and after contact (non-selective neurons). Object grasping-selectivity varied and was weak among these neurons, with only 24% responding to fixation of a 3D object (visuo-motor neurons). Even neurons unresponsive to passive visual stimuli showed responses to set-related activity before the onset of movement (42%, n = 21/50). Our findings suggest that somatomotor integration within SII/pIC is probably integral to all prehension sequences, including reaching, grasping, and object manipulation movements. Moreover, the existence of a set-related activity within SII/pIC may play a role in directing somatomotor attention during object prehension-manipulation in the absence of vision. Overall, SII/pIC may play a role as a somatomotor hub within the lateral grasping network that supports the generation of intentional hand actions based on haptic information.

Editorial: Women in Neuroscience of Bioelectronic Medicine.Bioelectronic Medicine is becoming the landmark of a new era of therapies, where pharmacological treatments are replaced or combined with the leverage of electricity to restore optimal function of organs and systems. The list of applications is becoming countless, converging with the necessity of mechanistic biological understanding, the advancement of technologies in biocompatible and conductive materials, the integration of computational and electronical approaches, and the translation of basic science into the clinic. The complexity behind the development of translational treatments relies on its inherent multidisciplinary nature, which has prompted international instances to foster the creation of centers and programs to enhance collaborative efforts. The research topic collection:"Women in Neuroscience of Bioelectronic Medicine" was initiated not only to promote the integration of neurosciences with multiple other disciplines, but also to encourage the participation of women, historically underrepresented in science. This topic collection has 100 % participation of women in the editorial, 80 % as first author, and 60 % of all authors.The nervous system conveys exquisite specialization to integrate multiple functions and maintain systemic homeostasis, and our research topic collection features research in both central and peripheral nervous systems. Neuroscience is often associated with the study of the brain. However, the study of peripheral (somatic and autonomic) nerve circuitry and brain-peripheral interactions is equally important to understand systemic disorders and develop precision therapies with little to no off-target side effects. The research presented by Rodriguez-Arzate et al. is an example, they discuss the use of non-photic electroretinogram (ERG) as a non-invasive method commonly used in eye care, for the high-resolution capture of retinal function. Their work compared spontaneous retinal oscillations from different species and proposed as a biomarker to study dysfunction in retinal pathophysiology and to diagnose retinal and other neuronal pathologies at early stage (i.e., hereditary retinal dystrophy and multiple sclerosis). Seicol et al. present a perspective on the use of neuromodulation to reduce inflammation and prevent hearing loss due to inflammation in the auditory system. On the peripheral nerve side, Alvardo-Navarrete et al. integrate concepts on the spinal cord and vestibular input through the study of Hoffman's reflex to evaluate transient excitability outputs on descending pathways. This allowed them to identify biomarkers in the evaluation of the integrity of vestibulospinal tracts, often disrupted in injured patients or during neurodegenerative diseases.Our research topic collection also features a special and comprehensive multidisciplinary review by Gonzalez-Gonzalez et al. "Bioelectronic Medicine: a multidisciplinary roadmap from biophysics to precision therapies". This review brings together scientists from different fields to discuss concepts with relevance to Bioelectronic Medicine. The highlights include a historic literature compilation of this emerging field, followed by core concepts on the biophysics of the neuronal membrane presented by the esteemed biophysicist Ramon Latorre. A special emphasis is provided to the refractory period, referring to the inactivation of neurons immediately after all voltage dependent Na + channels are opened due to an action potential event. This concept is very relevant to the design of neuromodulation treatments, often modifying frequency, amplitude, and pulse duration of the electrical stimulus.The phenomenon of neurotransmitter switching was discovered by the group of Nicholas Spitzer, who, along with Marta Pratelli, discussed in the review the importance of taking this phenomenon into account when designing long-term treatments. Their research opens the possibility to understand nervous system plasticity through the lens of neuromodulation that modifies the nature of neurotransmitters and their corresponding receptors in the post synapse. This concept could impact the design of psychiatric treatments, and hopefully replace or reduce the use of neuroactive drugs with deleterious side effects or limited efficacy. Thébault, Conde and Gonzalez further provide an overview of core concepts pertaining to the physiology of the cell and the advancement in system neuroscience.They discuss the concept of field potentials, which is the temporal summation of synchronous activity among neuronal populations modulated not only by the activity of glial and endothelial cells, but also

ObjectiveAcupuncture has certain effects to improve myopia visual function, but its neural mechanism is unclear. In this study, we acupunctured at the right Taiyang acupoint of myopic patients to analyze the effects of acupuncture on visual function and electroencephalographic activity and to investigate the correlation between improvements in visual function and changes in the brain.MethodsIn this study, a total of 18 myopic patients were recruited. The contrast sensitivity (CS) of the subjects was examined before and after acupuncture, and electroencephalography (EEG) data of the entire acupuncture process were recorded.ResultsThe study found that compared with before acupuncture, the CS of both eyes in myopic patients at each spatial frequency was increased after acupuncture; compared with the resting state, the contribution of microstate C was decreased during the post-acupuncture state, and the transition probability between microstate A and microstate C was reduced; in addition, the contribution of microstate C was negatively correlated with CS at both 12 and 18 cpd.ConclusionThe contrast sensitivity of myopic patients was improved after acupuncture at the Taiyang acupoint (20 min), which may be related to microstate C.