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Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·December 4, 2023·4 min read

The Role of Protein Misfolding in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases share a common factor: protein misfolding and deposits in the brain. Misfolded proteins can lead to toxic activity or the loss of the protein's physiological function, causing damage to neurons.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 14, 2023·5 min read

Phantom Touch: VR Reveals New Insights in Human Perception

Researchers discovered a 'phantom touch illusion' in virtual reality (VR), where users feel sensations without physical contact. This study, involving 36 volunteers, demonstrated that participants experienced a tingling sensation when virtually touching their bodies.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 10, 2023·4 min read

ASMR: Relaxation or Irritation?

ASMR, a phenomenon enjoyed by many for its calming effects, has been scientifically shown to positively alter mood and physiological responses like heart rate and blood pressure in 25-30% of people. Researchers, after reviewing over 1,000 scientific articles, confirmed ASMR's consistent description and experience across individuals, noting changes in delta brain waves and activation in specific brain regions.

This shows a woman in a field with balloons.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 19, 2023·4 min read

Journey of Joy: Tracing Emotional Highs and Lows Over a Lifetime

Subjective well-being varies significantly across different stages of life, reveals a comprehensive study examining 460,902 participants. Life satisfaction dips during teenage years, peaks in the 70s, and drops off again by age 96.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 16, 2023·4 min read

Tracing the Evolutionary Roots of Cognitive Flexibility

A new study provides insights into the evolutionary origins of cognitive flexibility, an essential skill for adaptation and survival. Participants were studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while learning a sensorimotor task, the findings of which showed the importance of sensory brain regions in decision-making.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 6, 2023·4 min read

Progesterone’s Protective Role Against Parkinson’s in the Enteric Nervous System

Recent research illustrates a protective effect of progesterone on the enteric nervous system (ENS), often referred to as the body's "second brain". The study demonstrated that nerve cells treated with progesterone were more resistant to conditions simulating Parkinson's disease.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 26, 2023·4 min read

Fibromyalgia’s Impact on Brain Structure

Researchers delved into the brain's grey and white matter, investigating the impacts of fibromyalgia. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the team detected reduced grey matter volume in the pain-processing areas of fibromyalgia patients.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 11, 2023·5 min read

Thought Power: Altering Tactile Perception With the Power of Imagination

Researchers have discovered that our beliefs, when strongly held, can actually change how we physically experience the world around us.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 24, 2023·3 min read

Classical Conditioning Through Brain Stimulation

Brain activity can be conditioned through external brain stimulation, researchers discovered. The findings have implications for using TMS as a therapeutic approach, potentially leading to more straightforward treatment for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and depression.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·April 5, 2023·4 min read

Pain Out of Control

Brain areas associated with pain processing do not function correctly in those with fibromyalgia, a new study reveals.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 4, 2023·4 min read

How Genes, Brain Characteristics and Intelligence Are Connected

Using a combination of intelligence tests, genetic analysis, and neuroimaging data, researchers found there are only a few areas of the frontal, parietal, and visual cortices where gene variations influence brain characteristics which simultaneously influence intelligence.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 17, 2022·5 min read

What Pretend Play Tells Us About Social Cognition

By the age of two, most children are able to embark on pretend play and adopt a perspective that does not fit reality. This enables children to develop the ability to attribute perspective to others that they don't share. Findings suggest the ability to adopt perspectives, an important aspect of developing social cognition and the attribution of mental state, is already present in young children.