Brain mechanisms have potential to block arthritis pain
Researchers discover the amygdala is a critical site of action for pain modulation. An existing compound, LY379268, provides pain-relieving effects and helps to reduce anxiety.... Read More...
amygdala
What are personality disorders and how are they treated?
With at least 6% of the general population and up to 60% of psychiatric patients having a personality disorder, a new report looks at the biological causes and treatment options for personality disorders.... Read More...
Male/female differences in the development of brain hubs involved in memory and emotion
A new neuroimaging study reveals sex-based differences in the development of the hippocampus and amygdala. The findings may shed light on sex-based differences in the emergence of mental health disorders the occur during adolescence and early adulthood.... Read More...
Study locates brain areas for understanding metaphors in healthy and schizophrenic people
Patients with schizophrenia show increased brain activity in central areas of the brain, but lower activity in the temporal sulcus when hearing metaphors. ... Read More...
An island for negative emotions
In mice, the insular cortex processes negative emotions and bodily discomfort. The findings shed light on emotional processing in animals and humans.... Read More...
Brain molecule identified as key in anxiety model
Boosting neurotrophin-3 in non-human primates changes dispositional anxiety. The findings could pave the way for new treatments to curb anxiety in humans.... Read More...
The neurochemistry of social perception
Researchers examined the effects oxytocin and vasopressin had on perceptions of social dominance. Oxytocin increased perception of greater dominance. Neuroimaging revealed the findings were also reflected in changes in brain regions associated with social perception.... Read More...
Brain activity may help predict success of CBT in depression
Only 45% of patients with major depressive disorder find benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). A neuroimaging study reveals those who respond to CBT have greater neural activity in the right striatum and right amygdala pretreatment than those who find little benefit from the treatment. The findings could serve as a biomarker to discover who will respond to CBT.... Read More...
What stress does to the brain
A new study sheds light on how the brain changes as a result of chronic stress. Selective noradrenaline release rewires connectivity patterns between different brain regions. Activity in the amygdala and networks that process sensory stimuli increased. ... Read More...
Brain-computer interfacing technology uses music to make people happy
A new brain-machine interface technology can enhance emotional interaction with music. ... Read More...
REM sleep silences the siren of the brain
Restless REM sleep disrupts the adjustment of memory traces during sleep. This may increase negative emotions associated with mental health disorders.... Read More...
Brain network evaluates robot likeability
Neuroimaging reveals brain area activity in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex helps people determine the likability of robots and suitability for social partnership.... Read More...