Stimulating the cingulum bundle during neurosurgery where people are awake results in immediate laughter, followed by a sense of calm and happiness in patients, a new study reports.
A new, non-invasive brain stimulation treatment shows promise in enhancing memories and cognitive function in those with Alzheimer's disease. Transcranial electromagnetic treatment (TEMT) increases functional connectivity within the cingulate cortex. TEMT is also able to penetrate the brain to break up amyloid-beta and tau deposits, slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Prenatal depression can have a significant influence on a child's brain development and behavior. Greater symptoms of prenatal depression were associated with weaker white matter connections between areas of the brain involved in emotional processing. The weakened white matter connectivity was linked to increased aggression and hyperactivity in male children. The change could lead to dysregulated emotional states in children and explain why children whose mothers experienced PND are more prone to developing depression later in life.
