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Psychology

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Opinions Psychology

·June 18, 2019·4 min read

Article rebuttal: Exercise as a primary prescription for mental health disorders should be approached with caution

Recently an article was published that stated exercise should be the new primary prescription for mental health disorders, however, as of right now there are a number of reasons why this should not be the case. While exercise has shown proven benefits in individuals with various disorders, only depression has adequate evidence to suggest exercise can potentially replace psychotherapy or medication. Until more thorough research is conducted on a multitude of disorders, exercise needs to be promoted along with traditional therapies or done on a case by case basis if it is to be the sole treatment.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 18, 2019·4 min read

Fear of new foods may increase the risk of lifestyle diseases

Food neophobia, the extreme hesitation to try new foods, is associated with increased risk of developing chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

This shows a woman wiht her head in her hands

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 18, 2019·3 min read

Antidepressants can reduce ’empathic empathy’

Antidepressants for major depressive disorder reduce the aversive response triggered by exposure to the suffering of others. Findings suggest antidepressants may lead to impaired empathy of pain perception.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 18, 2019·4 min read

Afraid of food? The answer may be in the basal forebrain

A set of neurons in the basal forebrain may drive aversions to certain foods.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 18, 2019·4 min read

Puppy love: Why puppy dog eyes evolved to benefit communication with humans

Domestication transformed the facial muscle anatomy of dogs specifically for facial communication with humans. The muscular movement around the eyebrows resembles expressions humans produce when upset, triggering a nurturing response from the dog's owners.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·June 18, 2019·3 min read

Researchers link gene to cannabis abuse

Researchers have identified a genetic variant that increases the risk of cannabis use disorder (CUD). The variant affects the formations of specific nicotine receptors in the brain. Those who have less of these receptors are more likely to develop CUD. Additionally, researchers found those with a higher number of genetic variants associated with impaired cognition are more likely to struggle with marijuana addiction.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 17, 2019·5 min read

Adolescence is the game-changer for schizophrenia

Teens with schizophrenia symptoms and a genetic abnormality of chromosome 22 had significant brain atrophy in the hippocampus compared to those with the genetic variant and no psychiatric symptoms.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 15, 2019·3 min read

Pregnant women increase peripersonal space to ‘keep dangers at arm’s length’

During the third trimester of pregnancy, a woman's concept of personal space expands. Researchers believe the alteration in peripersonal space isn't just connected to alterations in the body map, but also as a mechanism to protect the vulnerable abdomen from injury.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 15, 2019·4 min read

Many choices seems promising until you actually have to choose

Choice overload can have negative consequences, a new study reveals.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·June 15, 2019·3 min read

Mouse study finds BPA exposure has transgenerational effects on gene linked to autism

Exposure to BPA appears to have a transgenerational effect on autism risk. Mice whose great grandmothers were exposed to BPA during pregnancy exhibited social behavioral deficits associated with ASD.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·June 14, 2019·4 min read

Moral emotions, a diagnostic tool for frontotemporal dementia?

Moral emotions are significantly more impaired than emotions without moral content in those with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). By contrast, those with Alzheimer's disease exhibit similar performance in both moral and extra-moral emotions as healthy subjects. The findings provide a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of FTD.

This shows the brain scans from the terrorists

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·June 13, 2019·15 min read

The neuroscience of terrorism: How researchers convinced a group of radicals to let them scan their brain

A new neuroimaging study provides an insight into the neurobiology of those willing to commit terrorist acts. Researchers consider the psychological and social factors which also contribute to radicalization, and discuss how inclusive societies could help in the fight against political violence.