Latest

Schizophrenia

This shows a male and female head surrounded by different colors

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 3, 2019·3 min read

The neurobiological mechanisms behind schizophrenia may depend on gender

Schizophrenia is linked to alterations in pathways associated with glycosaminoglycan, neurotransmitter metabolism, and GABAergic synapses. A large percentage of genes related to schizophrenia are expressed differently between males and females. The results imply the mechanisms involved in schizophrenia development differ, at least slightly, between males and females.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 28, 2019·4 min read

Many psychiatric disorders have heightened impulsivity

The largest delay discounting effects were found to be associated with bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia. The image is in the public domain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 27, 2019·4 min read

Neurological brain markers might detect risk for psychotic disorders

Researchers have identified a new biomarker for psychosis in the striatal dopamine neurons. Those at risk for psychosis showed increased activation in the striatum for positive feedback and decreased activation when faced with negative feedback.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 25, 2019·4 min read

Some women with psychotic disorders are more vulnerable around the time of menstruation

A new study confirms the link between menstruation and worsening of psychosis symptoms in women with mental health disorders. Researchers found psychiatric admissions for women were one-and-a-half times higher during the time of menstruation.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 21, 2019·6 min read

Is it autism? The line is getting increasingly blurry

A new meta-analysis of autism data reveals the difference between people diagnosed with autism and the general population is shrinking. Measurable differences between people with ASD and people not on the spectrum has decreased over the past 50 years. Researchers say the definition of autism may be getting too blurry to be meaningful, and the condition may be at risk of being trivialized.

This shows a brain overlaid on a woman's head

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 20, 2019·3 min read

Relatives of patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder have distinct brain abnormalities

The brains' of first degree relatives of those with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder differ from those with no family history of the disorders. Relatives of those with bipolar disorder tend to have larger intracranial volume, while those who had a relative with schizophrenia had smaller brain volume.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 20, 2019·4 min read

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.

This shows a depressed looking person sitting on some steps

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·August 18, 2019·3 min read

Immune system and mental health are connected

Researchers explore the link between the immune system and mental health disorders. Cytokines appear to play a critical role in the development and progression of mental illness. They question if administering prednisolone, a steroid that curbs inflammation, can have a beneficial effect on treating and preventing mental health problems.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 9, 2019·3 min read

Disrupted genetic clocks in schizophrenia-affected brains reveal clues to the disease

Gene expression rhythms in the brains of those with schizophrenia are highly disrupted a new study reports. The expression of genes is significantly different in those with schizophrenia who died at night compared to the general population. The findings provide new insight into a potential mechanism that underlies gene expression in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in those with schizophrenia.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 7, 2019·2 min read

Study examines cannabis’ effects on brain neurochemistry

Study evaluates the effects of regular cannabis use on cortical dopamine function in youth at high risk of psychosis.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 6, 2019·6 min read

Guns and mental illness – The facts and consequences of using a blanket term so vaguely

Despite widespread propaganda, people with mental illnesses only commit 3-4% of all violent acts within the U.S in any given year. Mental health conditions are more strongly associated with suicide, not homicide. Restricting access to guns for those with mental health issues does not take into account those who already own guns and develop mental health conditions over their lifetime. Researchers say, given the climate of blame, people with severe mental health disorders may be dissuaded from seeking treatment.