Category: Health
Yale scientists have uncovered how a specific brain region might provoke feelings of paranoia, using a novel cross-species research approach. The study analyzed data from both monkeys and humans performing a task that measured their perception of environmental volatility and adaptability. Participants in the studies had to choose between three options on a screen, each […]
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that turning to junk food when stressed can exacerbate anxiety rather than providing comfort. The research, led by Professor Christopher Lowry, found that a high-fat diet disrupts gut bacteria, alters behavior, and influences brain chemicals through the gut-brain axis, fueling anxiety. Lowry’s team conducted the […]
Epidemiological data have long linked depression with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive dementia, affecting nearly 6 million Americans. A new study, published in Biological Psychiatry by Elsevier, has identified common genetic factors between depression and AD, suggesting that depression may play a causal role in the development of AD and that […]
Since the 1960s, researchers have theorized that major depression results from disruptions in the serotonin neurotransmitter system. However, evidence for the “serotonin hypothesis” has been largely indirect. A recent comprehensive analysis of existing studies concluded that there was not strong evidence supporting this hypothesis, prompting some to call for a reexamination. Despite this skepticism, a […]
Columbia Engineering neuroscientists have identified a neural mechanism in the human brain that tags information with emotional associations, enhancing memory. Their study, published on January 16, 2023, in Nature Human Behaviour, demonstrates that high-frequency brain waves in the amygdala (involved in emotional processes) and the hippocampus (involved in memory processes) are essential for enhancing memory […]
A new study led by researchers at UCL and Brighton and Sussex Medical School has found that depressive symptoms and memory decline are closely interrelated in older adults, each potentially exacerbating the other. Published in JAMA Network Open, the study analyzed 16 years of longitudinal data from 8,268 adults in England, averaging 64 years of […]
Researchers in the late 1980s discovered that some individuals who showed no apparent symptoms of dementia during their lifetime had brain changes consistent with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. This led to the hypothesis of cognitive reserve, which might provide a protective effect against dementia. Cognitive reserve is built through cognitively stimulating and enriching life experiences and […]
A first-of-its-kind study involving 30 volunteers reveals that a poor quality diet may lead to brain changes associated with depression and anxiety. Conducted by the University of Reading, Roehampton University, Friesland Campina, and Kings College London, and published in “Nutritional Neuroscience”, the study shows that poor dietary habits affect brain chemistry and structure, particularly neurotransmitters […]
As finals week approaches, students often face the dilemma of pulling an all-nighter or getting some rest. Lack of sleep can severely impair information retention, as revealed by two new studies from the University of Michigan. These studies explore the brain’s activities during sleep and sleep deprivation and their impact on memory formation. Neurons can […]
Two recent studies offer insights into enhancing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), an alternative treatment for depression that doesn’t respond to medication. Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), TMS is a non-invasive procedure. Researchers from the University of Helsinki and Stanford University explored factors that influence TMS’s effectiveness by examining a specific electrophysiological marker in the brain. This […]