FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 4, 2025·5 min readLow-Calorie Diets May Increase Depression RiskNew research links low-calorie diets with a slight increase in depressive symptoms, particularly among overweight individuals and men. The large observational study analyzed dietary habits and depression scores in over 28,000 U.S. adults.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·June 3, 2025·4 min readShared Genetic Signatures Found Across Psychiatric DisordersResearchers have uncovered shared biological mechanisms across major psychiatric disorders by analyzing postmortem brain samples from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Instead of looking at gene expression broadly, they zoomed in on the exon level—the building blocks that influence how proteins are made.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 31, 2025·3 min readBrain ‘Reset Wave’ May Explain How ECT Rapidly Relieves DepressionElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT), long misunderstood due to outdated portrayals, remains the most effective treatment for severe, treatment-resistant mental illness. While traditionally thought to work solely through induced seizures, new research reveals that ECT also triggers a second brain event: cortical spreading depolarization (CSD).Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeurosciencePsychology·May 30, 2025·5 min readDepression Across Life Linked to Greater Dementia RiskA comprehensive new analysis reveals that depression significantly increases the risk of developing dementia, whether it begins in midlife or later in life. Researchers reviewed and re-analyzed data from dozens of studies to clarify when depression most strongly affects dementia risk.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 24, 2025·4 min readStress Hampers Emotional Regulation in Anxiety, Depression & BPDNew 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.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 24, 2025·2 min readMarried Minds: Oral Microbiota May Mediate Shared AnxietyA new study suggests that oral microbiota transmission between newlywed couples may influence the onset of depression and anxiety symptoms. Researchers observed that healthy spouses of partners with insomnia, depression, and anxiety developed similar mental health symptoms and microbiota profiles within six months of marriage.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 24, 2025·4 min readBoosting Ketamine’s Antidepressant Effects to Last Two MonthsKetamine is a fast-acting antidepressant that can relieve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) within hours, even in treatment-resistant cases. However, its effects typically last only a week, and frequent dosing poses risks like dissociation or addiction.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·May 22, 2025·4 min readBlood Test Identifies Depression Risk in TeenagersSummary: Researchers have identified nine blood-based microRNAs that are elevated in teens diagnosed with depression, offering a potential biomarker for...Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 22, 2025·6 min readMore Social Media, More Depression: Study Links Cause and EffectA new study has found that as preteens increase their social media use, depressive symptoms also rise—but not the other way around. Researchers tracked nearly 12,000 youth over three years and discovered that increased screen time predicted later depression, while depressive symptoms did not predict more social media use.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 22, 2025·7 min readPotassium Channel Drug Offers New Hope for Treating DepressionTwo new studies reveal that ezogabine, a drug originally approved for epilepsy, may alleviate depression symptoms by targeting potassium channels in the brain. Researchers found that the drug improves function in reward-related brain regions like the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which is key to motivation and pleasure.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeurosciencePsychology·May 21, 2025·3 min readLong COVID Is Fueling a Mental Health Crisis in ChildrenA new study reveals that nearly 40% of children with long COVID are experiencing significant symptoms of anxiety or depression, many for the first time. Using validated mental health screening tools, researchers found that 1 in 4 children had new anxiety symptoms and 1 in 7 had new depressive symptoms, despite no prior mental health history.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePainPsychology·May 20, 2025·6 min readDepression May Signal Chronic Pain Years Before It StartsMiddle-aged and older adults who experience chronic pain often show worsening symptoms of depression up to eight years before the pain begins. A large-scale study found that depressive symptoms and loneliness increased long before pain onset, suggesting mental health may play a causal role in later physical discomfort.Read More