FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·January 18, 2023·8 min readExposure to World Trade Center Dust Exacerbates Cognitive Impairment in an Animal Model of Alzheimer’sMice exposed to dust from the WTC showed impairments in both long and short-term memory, and spatial recognition, as well as alterations to genes associated with immune-inflammatory response and blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Findings suggest first responders who were exposed to dust from the WTC experience a peripheral-brain immune inflammatory response that leads to cognitive decline.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 27, 2022·6 min readExtreme Heat Linked to Increase in Mental Health Emergency CareDays of extreme heat are associated with increased rates of emergency room visits for mental health-related disorders, specifically stress, anxiety, mood disorders, and substance use disorders.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·August 4, 2017·6 min readFlame Retardant Exposure Found to Lower IQ in ChildrenChildren whose mothers were exposed to PBDEs during pregnancy may have a lower IQ than their peers who did not experience prenatal exposure, a new study reports. Researchers found that every 10 fold increase of maternal PBDE levels was associated with a drop of 3.7 IQ points in her child.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·December 29, 2016·3 min readGenes and the Environment Equally Affect Language Related Brain ActivityA new study reports both the environment and genetics affect brain activity related to language in the brain.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 9, 2018·5 min readGenes Are Not Destiny When it Comes to WeightThe genetic influence on weight is halved when children are raised in a home environment where healthy eating and exercise is encouraged, a new study reports.Read More
FeaturedOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·July 20, 2018·7 min readGreening Vacant Lots Reduce Feelings of Depression in City DwellersA new study reports tidying up and greening vacant lots in urban areas, can have a positive influence on the mental health of local residents. Researchers say people who lived within quarter of a mile of greened lots had a 41% decrease in depressive feelings compared to those who lived near overgrown lots.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 25, 2022·4 min readHeat Dome and Other Climate Events Have Growing Impact on Mental HealthLast summer's "heat dome" which led to record-breaking temperature increases across Western North America raised people's anxiety over climate change, a new study reveals.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·March 14, 2023·7 min readHidden Danger in Your Groundwater? Widely Used Chemical Linked to 500% Increased Risk of Parkinson’sTrichloroethylene (TCE), a widely used chemical used in decaffeinated coffee, metal degreasers, and dry cleaning clothes formulas, has been linked to a 500% increased risk of Parkinson's disease.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·August 17, 2022·4 min readHow DDT Exposure Contributes to Alzheimer’s Disease RiskDDT exposure causes sodium channels to remain open, leading to increased neural firing and an increased release of amyloid beta peptide. Blocking the channels with tetrodotoxin reduces the toxic amyloid protein by increasing the production of the amyloid precursor protein.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·January 20, 2020·3 min readHuman Exposure to Aluminum Linked to Familial Alzheimer’s DiseaseResearchers found a close association between high aluminum content in brain tissue and amyloid-beta location in post-mortem samples of people with familial Alzheimer's disease. The findings back up previous claims that aluminum exposure may be linked to the development of the neurodegenerative disease.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·May 18, 2023·5 min readIdentifying Pesticide Culprits in Parkinson’s DiseaseResearchers pinpointed 10 pesticides that significantly damage neurons involved in the onset of Parkinson’s disease. The study utilized California's extensive pesticide use database and innovative testing methods to identify pesticides directly toxic to dopaminergic neurons, which are crucial for voluntary movement.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·January 22, 2023·4 min readIn the Wake of a Wildfire, Embers of Change in Cognition and Brain Function LingerPeople exposed to the Camp Fire California wildfire in 2018 showed significant brain and cognitive function changes many months after the event. Findings add to the growing body of evidence that supports a growing phenomenon known as "climate trauma".Read More
