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anxiety

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·June 28, 2025·6 min read

One Gene Rewires Fear Circuits and Fuels Anxiety

Researchers have uncovered how losing the autism-linked gene PTEN in a specific set of inhibitory neurons reshapes brain circuits tied to fear and anxiety. Using advanced circuit-mapping techniques, they found that deleting PTEN in somatostatin-expressing neurons of the amygdala disrupted local inhibition by 50% while strengthening excitatory input from nearby brain regions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 28, 2025·5 min read

Exercise Proven to Boost Kids’ Mental Health

A massive analysis of over 375 trials shows that structured exercise significantly reduces depression and anxiety in children and teens. Low-intensity resistance activities like light weights were most effective for easing anxiety, while moderate mixed-mode programs worked best for depression—especially when lasting under 12 weeks.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 25, 2025·4 min read

Autoimmune Disease Doubles Risk of Depression and Anxiety

People living with autoimmune diseases face nearly twice the risk of developing persistent mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, according to a massive UK-based study. Researchers suggest chronic inflammation may play a key role in this connection, especially in women who showed significantly higher risk levels than men.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 19, 2025·4 min read

Childhood Emotion Struggles Linked to Teen Anxiety and Depression

Children who have trouble managing their emotions at age seven are more likely to experience anxiety and depression during their teenage years, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, tracking emotional development and mental health from childhood to age 17.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 17, 2025·5 min read

Low Sodium Linked to Anxiety Through Brain Chemistry Disruption

Chronic hyponatremia—long viewed as symptomless—is now shown to disrupt brain chemistry and cause anxiety-like behaviors, according to a new study in mice. Researchers found that prolonged low sodium levels reduced serotonin and dopamine in the amygdala, a brain region vital for emotional regulation.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 12, 2025·2 min read

Weekend Catch-Up Sleep Boost May Lower Teen Anxiety

A new study reveals that teenagers who get moderate catch-up sleep—up to two extra hours—on weekends report fewer symptoms of anxiety. Sleeping significantly more or less on weekends than on weekdays, however, was linked to higher anxiety levels.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·June 10, 2025·6 min read

Genetic Sensitivity to Environment May Shape Mental Health Traits

A large international study of over 21,000 identical twins has identified genetic variants that influence how individuals respond to life experiences, affecting traits such as anxiety, depression, and autistic traits. By analyzing genetic differences in identical twins, researchers discovered that certain genes make people more or less sensitive to environmental exposures.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 10, 2025·3 min read

Stress-Linked Brain Pathway Disrupts Sleep and Memory

New research reveals a stress-sensitive neural pathway that impairs both sleep and memory in male mice. Scientists activated neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, known for their role in stress response, which caused sleep loss and poor memory performance.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 9, 2025·2 min read

Sleep Quality Shapes Jealousy in Insecure Relationships

A new study reveals that poor sleep quality is linked to increased jealousy in people with high relationship anxiety. Anxious attachment, marked by insecurity and low self-esteem in relationships, was associated with worse sleep quality.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 4, 2025·6 min read

Hallucinogens Linked to Milder PTSD

In a unique real-world study, researchers examined the psychological effects of trauma on survivors of the October 7 Nova Festival attack in Israel, focusing on their use of mind-altering substances. Among 343 participants, those who had taken classic psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin reported significantly lower anxiety and PTSD symptoms than those who used other substances or none at all.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 30, 2025·3 min read

How Early Life Shapes the Adolescent Anxiety Surge

Adolescent anxiety is on the rise globally, and a new Perspective argues that its roots may begin long before birth. Researchers highlight how maternal stress, caregiving quality, and early environmental cues influence the development of brain systems that regulate emotion and executive function.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 24, 2025·4 min read

Stress Hampers Emotional Regulation in Anxiety, Depression & BPD

New research reveals that acute stress can impair key brain functions involved in emotion regulation, particularly in individuals with distress-related disorders like depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. The study found that executive functions—such as working memory, impulse control, and cognitive flexibility—are more likely to be disrupted in these individuals during high-stress moments.