Briz Brain & Spine

Inside the Brain & Spine – Have you ever wondered why a sudden noise like a door slamming or a car horn makes you jump? The adult startle reflex is an automatic protective response controlled by the brainstem. It happens before we consciously process the sound and is designed to help protect vulnerable areas like the eyes, head and neck while preparing the body for “fight or flight”. The response can include rapid blinking, shoulder lifting, neck muscle tightening and a brief bending forward of the body.

In babies, this reaction appears as the Moro reflex — a normal developmental reflex used to help assess the health of the brain and central nervous system. Infants typically throw their arms outward before pulling them back in, often in response to a sudden movement or loud sound. The Moro reflex usually disappears by around 4–6 months of age as the nervous system matures, leaving behind the more subtle adult startle reflex.

Inside the Brain & Spine: When we first learn to drive, the brain must consciously think about every movement - steering, braking, mirrors and speed. But with repetition, the brain builds efficient neural pathways that turn these actions into automatic routines.

Structures like the basal ganglia and cerebellum help store these learned movement patterns, allowing experienced drivers to react quickly and smoothly without actively thinking through every step. Even when driving feels effortless, the brain is still constantly scanning for hazards, predicting what might happen next and preparing the body to respond. It’s a remarkable example of how the brain transforms complex skills into almost seamless behaviour.

World Brain Tumour Day: Around 300,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with brain and nervous system tumours each year. Sadly, many are detected too late, which is why early diagnosis is so important.

Be mindful of symptoms such as persistent or worsening headaches, new seizures, unexplained nausea or vomiting, changes in speech, vision or hearing, memory problems or confusion, and weakness in the limbs. These signs often have other causes, but a quick visit to your GP is always worthwhile.

Thanks to advances in treatment, outcomes continue to improve — and early detection gives patients the best chance. Today we acknowledge the clinicians, researchers and carers working tirelessly to support patients, drive discoveries and bring hope to families around the world.

Inside the Brain & Spine: With the human body comprising about 60% water, it’s important to keep hydrated. Even a 1-2% drop in body water, can dramatically impact your ability to focus.

The brain relies on a delicate balance of fluid and electrolytes to work efficiently. That small change can disrupt this balance and trigger brain fog, delayed reaction times and poor attention. Dehydration also reduces blood flow, meaning the brain gets less oxygen and nutrients. And it can even shrink slightly, one reason headaches hit harder when you’re low in fluids.

The fix is simple – rehydrate to restore circulation, balance and clearer thinking. Time to refill that water bottle!

A breakthrough study has shown that scientists were able to reverse memory loss in dementia-like mice by recharging the brain’s tiny energy engines - the mitochondria.

By boosting these energy producers, researchers restored memory performance, hinting at a powerful new direction for future Alzheimer’s treatments.

It’s early-stage research, but the idea is bold: memory loss may come not only from dying brain cells, but from living neurons running low on energy. Re energising them could open the door to new therapies. Read more:

Scientists reversed memory loss by recharging the brain’s tiny engines Researchers have shown for the first time that malfunctioning mitochondria — the cell’s energy generators — may directly cause cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases. By creating a new tool that temporarily boosts mitochondrial activity in the brain, scientists restored memory perform...

Inside the Brain & Spine: Pain isn’t just felt in your body - it’s interpreted by your brain. Your spinal cord sends pain signals to the brain, where the somatosensory cortex - the area responsible for processing touch, pain, and sensation - helps determine the location, intensity and type of pain. That’s why pain can feel sharp, dull, burning, or even occur in a limb that’s no longer there. Pain may start in the body, but the brain determines how it is experienced.

Inside the Brain & Spine: Referred pain can be confusing — it’s when pain is felt in a different part of the body to where the problem actually is. For example, a pinched nerve in the spine may cause pain in the arm or leg. This happens because nerves share common pathways to the brain, making it difficult to pinpoint the true source. Treatment focuses on the underlying cause and may involve physiotherapy, medication, or targeted procedures. Understanding referred pain helps guide accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Today is World Ankylosing Spondylitis Awareness Day - a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness of ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the spine. Often mistaken for “just back pain,” this condition can cause persistent pain, stiffness, fatigue and reduced mobility - with impacts that go far beyond what’s visible. Today is an opportunity to recognise the experiences of those living with ankylosing spondylitis and to shine a light on a condition that is still widely misunderstood. Find out more: https://muscha.org/tag/ankylosing-spondylitis/

What happens when you say yes to surgery? Do you know what myelopathy is? And just how do you do keep your balance? You can find the answers to these questions and more in our latest newsletter!
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