FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 31, 2025·7 min readFear of Emotions Fuels PTSD-Related Conflict in Romantic RelationshipsNew research reveals that fear of emotions may explain why individuals with PTSD symptoms often struggle to communicate with romantic partners. The study found that people with higher PTSD symptoms were more likely to fear strong emotions, which led to less constructive and more conflict-driven communication styles.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 27, 2025·8 min readKilling in Combat Doesn’t Always Harm Soldiers’ Mental HealthA large study of over 14,000 Norwegian veterans reveals that taking a life in combat doesn't automatically damage a soldier’s mental health—context matters. Veterans from Afghanistan, where combat was expected and rules of engagement were clear, showed no long-term psychological harm from killing.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 18, 2025·5 min readBystander PTSD Alters Brain Differently Than Direct TraumaNew research reveals that witnessing trauma triggers unique brain changes, distinct from those caused by experiencing trauma firsthand. The study found that indirect trauma leads to different protein degradation patterns in key brain regions involved in fear memory.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 6, 2025·5 min readHow the Brain Overcomes Instinctive Fear and Adapts to New ThreatsResearchers have identified brain mechanisms that help animals suppress instinctive fear responses when threats prove harmless over time. Using a visual threat model in mice, they found that specific areas of the visual cortex are necessary for learning to override fear, but not for storing the memory. Instead, the ventrolateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN) retains these learning-induced memories, regulating fear suppression.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·January 8, 2025·4 min readSleep Loss Weakens Brain’s Ability to Block Unwanted MemoriesNew research reveals that sleep deprivation hampers the brain’s ability to suppress intrusive memories, a process critical for mental health. The study found that well-rested individuals could engage the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to inhibit unwanted memories, while sleep-deprived participants struggled.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 2, 2025·4 min readPoor Sleep Linked to Difficulty Controlling Unwanted ThoughtsSleep deprivation impairs brain regions responsible for suppressing unwanted thoughts, contributing to mental health challenges. Functional neuroimaging revealed reduced activation in the prefrontal cortex and increased hippocampal activity in sleep-deprived individuals, suggesting memory control deficits.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·December 4, 2024·6 min readNewly Discovered Brain Circuit Predicts Response to StressResearchers identified a brain circuit involving the amygdala and hippocampus that predicts resilience to stress in mice. Mice with disrupted neural communication in this circuit struggled to seek rewards, but activating the neurons restored resilience and improved decision-making.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 15, 2024·5 min readHow Stressful Events Alter MemoriesResearchers have discovered how stress disrupts memory specificity, leading to generalized aversive memories—a hallmark of PTSD. Stress increases endocannabinoid release, enlarging memory engrams in the brain, which triggers fearful responses to unrelated, safe situations.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 12, 2024·6 min readHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Shows Promise for Treating PTSDHyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has shown effectiveness in alleviating symptoms for individuals with PTSD unresponsive to traditional treatments. In a study of combat veterans, HBOT led to significant reductions in flashbacks, irritability, and hypervigilance, and was associated with improved brain connectivity on fMRI scans. The specialized protocol, developed over years, involves 60 sessions of breathing pure oxygen under high pressure.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 11, 2024·4 min readAstrocytes Play Role in Deciding the Fate of MemoriesResearchers have uncovered a surprising role for astrocytes—cells surrounding neurons—in deciding which memories are kept or forgotten. By manipulating astrocytes in mice using optogenetics, scientists found that acidifying these cells after a traumatic experience leads to forgetting the memory over time, while alkalinizing them preserves it long-term. This suggests astrocytes significantly influence emotional memory retention and could inform treatments for conditions like PTSD.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 4, 2024·7 min readMother’s Role in Buffering Child PTSDA mother’s ability to regulate her response to trauma can significantly lessen PTSD symptoms in her children, particularly in high-stress regions. The research observed 131 mothers and young children in southern Israel, where security threats are prevalent, linking maternal self-regulation to reduced PTSD in children.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 21, 2024·3 min readWhy PTSD Develops in Some but Not OthersFear memories initially form broad associations, but over time, they shift to become episodic memories tied to specific timelines. This process involves the hippocampus early on, with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex integrating the event sequence later.Read More
