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mental health

·May 19, 2025·5 min read

Low Newborn Vitamin D Linked to Autism and Schizophrenia

A large population study has found that babies born with low vitamin D levels are more likely to develop mental disorders like ADHD, schizophrenia, and autism later in life. Researchers analyzed data from over 71,000 individuals, linking neonatal vitamin D deficiency to increased risks of several neurodevelopmental conditions.

This shows a sad kid looking at a phone.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 19, 2025·6 min read

Cyberbullying Linked to PTSD Symptoms in Teens

A new national study finds that all forms of cyberbullying—not just direct threats—can cause trauma in teens, suggesting it should be considered a serious childhood adversity. Even subtle behaviors like exclusion from chats or online rumors were found to cause PTSD symptoms as severe as overt harassment. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 2,700 U.S. teens and found 87% had experienced at least one form of online victimization.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 17, 2025·5 min read

Inflammation Tied to Motivation Loss in Schizophrenia

A new study has uncovered a biological link between inflammation and motivational deficits in people with schizophrenia, identifying a promising treatment target for symptoms that current medications fail to address. Higher levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein were associated with reduced activity in brain regions involved in reward and motivation, such as the ventral striatum and ventromedial prefrontal cortex.

This shows a person in the lotus position. The brain and lungs are highlighted.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 17, 2025·5 min read

Your Brain Loves Deep Breathing, Science Explains Why

Breathwork, or the practice of intentionally controlling one’s breathing, has been shown to calm brain activity, reduce anxiety, and even ease symptoms of depression. Deep, slow breathing engages neural circuits that regulate emotional states, producing a measurable calming effect.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·May 17, 2025·5 min read

Midlife Cortisol Levels Linked to Alzheimer’s Risk

A new study finds that elevated cortisol levels in midlife are linked to increased brain amyloid deposition—a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease—specifically in post-menopausal women. Researchers tracked 305 cognitively healthy individuals over 15 years and discovered that high cortisol predicted amyloid buildup later in life, but only among women who had gone through menopause.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 17, 2025·6 min read

Calm Your Mind: Choose Mindfulness by Anxiety Type

Mindfulness is well known for its calming effects, but researchers now propose that different types of mindfulness practices may be more effective for specific types of anxiety. A new framework suggests that focused attention meditation may benefit those who worry chronically, while open monitoring may help individuals with hypervigilance and physical symptoms.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 17, 2025·6 min read

Personality Could Help Predict Bipolar Disorder

New research suggests that personality testing could help tailor treatment for people with bipolar disorder by predicting who is more likely to experience recurrent depression or struggle with daily life functioning. Analyzing data from over 2,500 individuals, researchers identified combinations of personality traits—called personality styles—that either increase or protect against long-term mental health risks.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 15, 2025·5 min read

Early Bonding Buffers Kids from Lasting Effects of Maternal Depression

A new study highlights the lasting impact of postpartum maternal depression and mother-to-infant bonding on children’s emotional and behavioral outcomes. Researchers found that early bonding can partially offset the negative effects of maternal depression, reducing future psychosocial difficulties.

This shows a child, a calendar and pill bottles.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 15, 2025·5 min read

Early ADHD Treatment May Mean Years on Medication

A large Finnish registry study reveals that many children, especially boys who begin ADHD medication between ages 6 and 8, remain on treatment for more than seven years. While the average duration of ADHD medication was over three years, a quarter of treated children remained on it for over seven, and some for nearly a decade.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 15, 2025·5 min read

Brain’s Arousal Regulator Found

A new study reveals that a small cluster of cells near the brain's "blue spot"—the locus coeruleus—helps regulate arousal, attention, and stress responses. These peri-LC neurons modulate the locus coeruleus by releasing GABA, which reduces its activity and dampens the release of norepinephrine.

This shows a brain and a person sleeping.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 15, 2025·5 min read

Excessive Sleep May Hurt Cognitive Function

Sleeping more than nine hours a night may be detrimental to brain health, particularly for individuals experiencing symptoms of depression, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 2,000 dementia-free adults and found that long sleep duration was associated with worse performance in memory, visuospatial ability, and executive function.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 14, 2025·6 min read

New Insights Into Why Stress Is So Hard to Treat

A new review reveals key differences in how stress hormone systems function in primate versus rodent brains, offering insight into why treatments for stress-related disorders often fail in humans. Researchers found that corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) interacts with dopamine circuits in more complex and widespread ways in primates, with dopamine neurons often releasing multiple neurotransmitters.