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fear

·November 2, 2019·2 min read

Emotional trauma and fear most likely cause of ‘Havana Syndrome’

Study reports the mysterious symptoms suffered by diplomats in Havana during 2016 and 2017 may have been caused by emotional trauma and fear. The authors claim Havana Syndrome is akin to "shell shock" symptoms, associated with war trauma.

Electrophysiology Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·September 26, 2019·4 min read

Molecular link between chronic pain and depression revealed

Inhibitory inputs to the neural circuit between the dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dlBNST) to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) increase when a person is in chronic pain. This alteration is mediated by enhanced corticotropin-releasing factor signaling within the dlBNST, leading to suppression of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. The result is depressive mood and anhedonia associated with chronic pain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 21, 2019·3 min read

Three faces of teen popularity: Being feared, being loved, and being feared and loved

Study identifies three distinct types of teen popularity, prosocial popular, aggressive popular, and bistrategic popular or Machiavellian. The Machiavellian teens were considered most popular, despite being above average on both physical and relational aggression traits, as they displayed the most prosocial behavior.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 29, 2019·5 min read

New medication may be able to improve effects of psychological treatment for PTSD

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors, a form of medication that boosts endocannabinoids, may be helpful in the treatment of PTSD. FAAH inhibition can improve the recall of fear extinction memories. The drugs could also help treat stress and other psychological disorders.

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Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 25, 2019·5 min read

The unbeatable lightness of being

Finding humor in life can help to improve happiness and reduce stress.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 28, 2019·4 min read

Frog in your throat? Stress might be to blame for vocal issues

Stress can have an impact on voice disorders. Researchers found those with higher salivary cortisol levels also exhibited brain activity that impacted the larynx. Those who were more introverted were more likely to have stress reactions related to speech.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 27, 2019·5 min read

The politics of fear: How it manipulates us to tribalism

Using fear as a political platform has created a resurgence in feelings of tribalism. The utilization of fear as a political tool is uninformed, illogical and can result in increased social violence. A new study looks at the impact of the politics of fear on tribalism.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 20, 2019·4 min read

Emotion-detection applications built on outdated science

A new report warns most software designed to read facial emotions are based on outdated scientific data. Researchers say the majority of emotional detection software applications do not capture real differences in the way people convey, or interpret, emotion on faces.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·June 19, 2019·4 min read

Overcoming PTSD: Study reveals memory disruption drug target

Levels of a key molecule are elevated in the amygdala of both humans and mouse models of PTSD. The microRNA, mir-135b-5p, may be a novel biomarker for treating the disorder.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 23, 2019·6 min read

Proof it’s possible to enhance or suppress memories

Using optogenetics to stimulate different areas of the hippocampus has the ability to enhance or suppress memories in mice. The findings could have implications for suppressing memories associated with traumatic events in PTSD, and also in enhancing cognitive ability or improving memory for those with neurodegenerative diseases, in the future.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 20, 2019·4 min read

Anxious people quicker to flee danger

Those with anxiety escape from non-imminent threats of danger sooner than those who are not anxious.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 2, 2019·4 min read

Newly discovered gene mutation reduces fear and anxiety, and increases social interaction

The Ph4-tm gene has been implicated in fear and anxiety. P4h-tm knockout mice showed diminished response to fear and showed more courageous behavior than wild-type mice with a functional P4h-tm gene.