FeaturedNeurosciencePsychologyVisual Neuroscience·December 18, 2024·5 min readStudy Ties Visual Errors to Paranoid BeliefsA new study suggests complex beliefs like paranoia may have roots in visual misperception. Participants prone to paranoia or teleological thinking were more likely to wrongly identify one moving dot as chasing another in a visual task.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·December 6, 2024·6 min readPsychosis Risk Tied to Heavy Cannabis Use and Genetic FactorsHeavy cannabis use and genetic risk for schizophrenia independently contribute to the likelihood of developing psychosis. Researchers used two large datasets to analyze the relationship between cannabis use, schizophrenia polygenic risk scores (PRS), and psychosis.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 26, 2024·4 min readBrain Biomarker Could Predict Psychosis Before Symptoms EmergeResearchers have identified a brain biomarker that may predict psychosis onset before symptoms appear, enabling earlier interventions and personalized care. MRI scans revealed abnormal connectivity patterns in sensory brain networks, with weaker connections between sensory regions and stronger connections to the thalamus.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 21, 2024·4 min readCannabis Worsens Brain Connectivity Deficits in Psychosis RiskYoung 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.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 13, 2024·4 min readMetabolic Pathways Link Cannabis to Psychosis in TeensA study investigated how cannabis use influences metabolomic patterns linked to psychotic-like experiences in adolescents. Blood samples revealed that non-cannabis users showed inflammatory metabolic changes associated with hallucinations, while cannabis users exhibited shifts in energy-related metabolites tied to brain ketogenesis. These findings suggest that cannabis use may trigger distinct molecular pathways in psychotic-like experiences.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·October 28, 2024·5 min readChildhood Attention Problems and Genes Linked to Psychosis RiskChildhood attention issues, coupled with genetic predispositions, increase the likelihood of experiencing psychotic-like symptoms in adolescence. By analyzing data from 10,000 youths, researchers discovered that variability in attention spans partially explains how genetic risk factors translate into psychotic-like symptoms.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·October 17, 2024·6 min readCannabis Leaves Molecular Marks on DNA Linked to PsychosisFrequent use of high-potency cannabis leaves unique molecular marks on DNA, particularly affecting genes related to energy and immune function. Researchers found that DNA methylation—an epigenetic modification—differed between frequent cannabis users who had experienced psychosis and those who had not, suggesting a possible genetic link to psychosis risk.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychologyVisual Neuroscience·October 1, 2024·5 min readReduced Brain Response to Visual Cues Linked to Psychosis in Parkinson’sPeople with Parkinson's disease (PD) who experience visual hallucinations have reduced brain responses to unexpected visual changes, a marker known as visual mismatch negativity (vMMN). Using EEG, researchers compared brain activity in PD patients with and without hallucinations and discovered that those with hallucinations showed weaker vMMN signals.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·September 12, 2024·4 min readHigh Doses of ADHD Meds Linked to Increased Psychosis RiskAdults taking high doses of amphetamine-based medications for ADHD, such as Adderall, face a five-fold increased risk of developing psychosis or mania. The risk was highest for those taking 30 mg or more of dextroamphetamine, with 81% of psychosis or mania cases potentially avoidable by lowering the dose.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·August 22, 2024·4 min readPsychosis Cognitive Impairment Linked to Brain NetworkNew research reveals that cognitive impairments in psychotic disorders, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are connected to brain network organization. This connection is evident even before the first psychotic break in at-risk individuals, offering potential for early diagnosis and intervention. The study highlights a novel brain network-cognition relationship that could lead to targeted treatments for these often treatment-resistant symptoms.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·July 22, 2024·4 min readBrain Coupling May Predict PsychosisIndividuals with the 22q11.2DS genetic deletion show unique patterns of brain activity and structure, which could predict their risk of psychosis. By studying brain "coupling" from childhood to adulthood, scientists discovered discrepancies in brain regions linked to schizophrenia.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 7, 2024·6 min readCat Scratch Bacteria Bartonella Linked to PsychosisAdults with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders are three times more likely to have Bartonella DNA in their blood than those without these conditions. This suggests that vector-borne pathogens like Bartonella could play a role in mental illness.Read More
