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McGill University

·April 9, 2025·5 min read

Elevated Dopamine in Cannabis Users May Explain Psychosis Risk

New research reveals that people with cannabis use disorder (CUD) have elevated dopamine levels in a brain region associated with psychosis, such as schizophrenia. This may help explain why frequent cannabis use can increase the risk of hallucinations and delusions.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 19, 2025·4 min read

Spiritual Practices Share a Common Mental Pathway to Deep Bliss

Researchers found that Buddhist jhāna meditation and Christian speaking in tongues, despite their differences, share a common cognitive feedback loop. This process, called the Attention, Arousal, and Release Spiral, creates a cycle where focused attention leads to joy, making concentration effortless and deepening the experience.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 27, 2025·3 min read

Dopamine Clock May Drive Bipolar Mood Swings

New research suggests that mood swings in bipolar disorder are regulated by two clocks: the body’s 24-hour circadian rhythm and a dopamine-based clock that influences alertness. When these clocks align at specific intervals, they may trigger shifts between mania and depression.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 21, 2024·4 min read

Cannabis Worsens Brain Connectivity Deficits in Psychosis Risk

Young adults at risk of psychosis show reduced synaptic density, a critical brain connectivity deficit that cannabis use appears to exacerbate, according to new research. The study revealed lower synaptic density linked to social withdrawal and motivational deficits, symptoms poorly addressed by current medications.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 21, 2024·4 min read

Vitamin D Deficiency in Childhood Linked to Higher Autoimmune Risk

A recent study found that vitamin D deficiency during childhood accelerates the aging of the thymus, a crucial organ in training immune cells. As the thymus ages, it becomes less effective at filtering out cells that could mistakenly attack the body's own tissues, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 10, 2024·3 min read

Bilingual Brains Build Stronger Connections

New research demonstrates that learning a second language enhances brain connectivity, particularly when started in childhood. Scientists found that bilingual individuals have more efficient communication between brain regions, notably between the cerebellum and left frontal cortex.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 8, 2024·4 min read

Immune Response Linked to Lewy Body Formation

New research reveals that immune responses play a crucial role in the formation of Lewy bodies, protein aggregates that mark Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions. Using human stem cells, scientists recreated Lewy bodies in dopaminergic neurons by combining alpha-synuclein protein buildup with immune stimulation.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience

·October 6, 2024·3 min read

Hearing Loss Disrupts Speech Coordination

A recent study reveals that hearing plays a vital role in coordinating speech movements. Researchers found that when individuals briefly couldn't hear their own speech, their ability to control their jaw and tongue movements declined.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 23, 2024·4 min read

Melatonin Receptor is Key to REM Sleep and Memory

Scientists have identified the melatonin MT1 receptor as a key regulator of REM sleep, crucial for memory, dreaming, and emotional regulation. This discovery may pave the way for targeted treatments for sleep disorders and conditions like Parkinson’s and dementia, which are linked to REM disruptions.

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Featured Neuroscience

·September 23, 2024·3 min read

Male and Female Brains Process Threats Differently

Male and female mice process threats using different brain circuits, even though their behavioral responses are similar. This discovery highlights the importance of including both sexes in neuroscience research to improve accuracy and health outcomes.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 27, 2024·5 min read

Hidden Dopamine Neurons Balance Brain Functions and Behavior

Researchers identified a small group of dopamine neurons in the striatum that play a crucial role in balancing essential brain functions such as reward, cognition, and movement. This discovery opens the door to new treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders like schizophrenia, addiction, and Parkinson’s disease. These neurons help regulate the brain's dopamine pathways, preventing overactivity that can lead to various disorders. The research marks a significant step toward understanding how these pathways impact motor and cognitive functions.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 9, 2024·3 min read

Revolutionizing Neuroscience with AI Collaboration

A new study presents a compelling case for the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT into neuroscience, highlighting their potential to transform research by analyzing vast datasets beyond human capability. The authors suggest that LLMs can bridge diverse neuroscience fields by communicating with each other, thus accelerating discoveries in areas such as neurodegeneration drug development.

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McGill University

Elevated Dopamine in Cannabis Users May Explain Psychosis Risk

Spiritual Practices Share a Common Mental Pathway to Deep Bliss

Dopamine Clock May Drive Bipolar Mood Swings

Cannabis Worsens Brain Connectivity Deficits in Psychosis Risk

Vitamin D Deficiency in Childhood Linked to Higher Autoimmune Risk

Bilingual Brains Build Stronger Connections

Immune Response Linked to Lewy Body Formation

Hearing Loss Disrupts Speech Coordination

Melatonin Receptor is Key to REM Sleep and Memory

Male and Female Brains Process Threats Differently

Hidden Dopamine Neurons Balance Brain Functions and Behavior

Revolutionizing Neuroscience with AI Collaboration

When Obsession Masquerades as Love: Understanding Limerence

How Psychology Has Shaped, and Continues to Shape, AI

Why You Sometimes Don’t Feel Pain Until It’s Too Late

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