Hyperactive immune system gene causes schizophrenia-like changes
Study implicates C4, an immune system gene, in schizophrenia pathogenesis. ... Read More...
PLOS
Long-term blood pressure variation and risk of dementia
Patients who experience substantial changes in blood pressure over time have an increased risk of developing dementia.... Read More...
Large survey suggests schizophrenia less prevalent than textbooks say
A systematic review of medical literature reveals schizophrenia is overall less common than previously thought. Researchers say the 0.5% estimate for lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia, often reported in textbooks, is significantly overestimated. Additional findings from the review were that schizophrenia is more prevalent in developed countries than poorer countries, and immigrants have higher rates of schizophrenia diagnoses than native-born people.... Read More...
Is pollution linked to psychiatric disorders?
Poor air quality has been linked to higher rates of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Exposure to air pollution during the first ten years of like is also associated with a more than two-fold increased risk of schizophrenia and personality disorders.... Read More...
Jogging and five other exercises ward off weight gain despite ‘obesity genes’
For those with a genetic predisposition to obesity, partaking in six specific types of exercise can help combat weight gain. Jogging, yoga, power walking, certain types of dancing and mountain climbing can help reduce BMI in those with a predisposition to obesity. Surprisingly, cycling, swimming, and games like Dance Dance Revolution did not counteract the genetic effects on obesity.... Read More...
People’s motivations bias how they gather information
People stop gathering information earlier when it supports the conclusion they wish is true than when it supports an undesirable conclusion.... Read More...
Reducing brain inflammation could treat tinnitus and other hearing loss-related disorders
Rodent study reveals noise-induced hearing loss is associated with elevated expression of proinflammatory cytokines and microglia activation in the primary auditory cortex. Pharmacologically depleting microglia helps prevent tinnitus in mice with noise-induced hearing loss.... Read More...
Bacteria in fermented food signal the human immune system, explaining health benefits
A metabolite produced by lactic acid bacteria binds to the third hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor (HCA), signalling the immune system. Researchers believe the receptor evolved to allow great apes to consume foods that were starting to decay. They suggest the receptor could mediate some beneficial and anti-inflammatory effects of lactic acid in humans, and could serve as a target to treat inflammatory diseases.... Read More...
Unlike men, women’s cognitive performance may improve at higher room temperature
Women have better cognitive performance when in higher temperature environments. Researchers found women performed better on verbal and math tests when the room temperature is warmer, while male performance peaks in colder room climates.... Read More...
3D images reveal how infants’ heads change shape during birth
3D images show how a baby's brain and skull change shape during labor and delivery. ... Read More...
Mathematical framework explores how the brain keeps a beat
A new mathematical model can predict how the brain reacts when learning a rhythmic beat. The model shows how a neural network can act as a 'neural metronome' by estimating time intervals between beats within tens of milliseconds. The metronome relies on gamma oscillations to keep track of time.... Read More...
Mental disorders more common in people who live alone
Living alone is associated with an increased risk of developing common mental disorders, such as depression.... Read More...