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·November 29, 2023·4 min read

Reshaping the OCD Brain: How Therapy Alters Neural Connectivity

A new study reveals that exposure and response prevention (EX/RP), a primary therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), effectively reshapes brain connectivity. This therapy enhances cognitive control by strengthening connections within key neural networks. Using advanced MRI techniques, researchers observed significant changes in the frontoparietal, cingulo-opercular, and default mode networks among OCD patients who underwent EX/RP compared to those who received stress management training.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 10, 2023·4 min read

Brain Scans as Mental Health Clues

A novel study leverages a vast dataset to uncover brain imaging biomarkers that predict mental illness in adolescents. Utilizing resting-state functional connectivity analysis, the researchers discovered a brain connectivity pattern that correlates with cognitive function and psychopathological symptoms.

Featured Genetics Psychology

·November 3, 2023·4 min read

New Gene Link to Treatment-Resistant Depression

Researchers discovered a gene, LHPP, that interacts with stress and plays a pivotal role in treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) using an animal model. This groundbreaking study underscores the intricate dance between genetic risks and environmental factors in the onset of MDD.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·October 24, 2023·7 min read

Novel Schizophrenia Insights from Brain Organoids and Genes

Researchers leveraged cutting-edge technology to gain insights into schizophrenia's neurodevelopmental origins. The researchers grew brain organoids from patients' skin cells, finding persistent axonal disruptions in those with schizophrenia. In another study, researchers zeroed in on a schizophrenia risk gene, CYFIP1, revealing its potential role in brain immune cells called microglia and their influence on synaptic pruning - a crucial process for brain health.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 17, 2023·4 min read

Decoding Schizophrenia: Brain Connectivity’s Role

Researchers have discovered differences in functional brain connectivity in individuals with and without schizophrenia, shedding light on the neural basis of the disorder. The brain’s cortex regulates sensory information, and its disorganization can lead to symptoms like loss of executive control in schizophrenia.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 21, 2023·4 min read

Predicting PTSD: Brain Scans Unravel Trauma’s Long-term Effects

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 2% to 10% of trauma survivors, manifesting as intense anxiety from emotional disbalance. Researchers employed brain scans on 104 trauma survivors to determine which ones were more susceptible to PTSD.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 11, 2023·4 min read

Novel Neurobehavioral Profiles Predict Risk of Mania in Bipolar Spectrum Disorders

A recent study dentified a neurobehavioral signature that can predict the risk of future mania or hypomania in bipolar spectrum disorders (BSD). Researchers identified three profiles: healthy, moderate risk, and high risk, based on factors such as reward sensitivity, impulsivity, and sleep-circadian characteristics.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 27, 2023·5 min read

Brain Imaging Unveils Multiple Subtypes of Major Depressive Disorder

A recent study identified multiple subtypes of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) using brain imaging. Over 2,000 participants were involved in the study, which analyzed functional connectivity in the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 13, 2023·5 min read

Unveiling a Cognitive Booster Hidden in a Laxative

A new study has investigated how the laxative prucalopride, known to activate serotonin receptors, affects resting brain activity in healthy adults. The study discovered that those who took prucalopride demonstrated increased functional connectivity between major cognitive networks in their resting-state.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 11, 2023·5 min read

Glutamate Imbalance Impairs Hippocampus, Leading to Psychosis

People with a genetic risk for psychosis have an imbalance of glutamate and GABA neurotransmitters in their brains, specifically in the hippocampus.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 17, 2023·4 min read

Emotion-Focused Therapy for Bipolar Disorder Targets the Amygdala

Bipolar patients who received emotion-focused therapy showed increased connectivity and activation in the amygdala post-intervention compared to those who received cognitive behavioral therapy.