FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 24, 2019·4 min readTurning to turkey’s tryptophan to boost mood? Not so fastResearch examines the myths and science behind how the amino acid tryptophan, associated with turkey, affects mood.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·November 21, 2019·4 min readSevere pregnancy-related depression may be rooted in inflammationInflammatory factors appear to contribute to pregnancy-related depression onset and severity. Researchers found elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-8 and reduced levels of IL-2 in blood samples taken from blood samples of pregnant women who reported symptoms of depression. Additionally, they found serotonin was drastically reduced.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·October 23, 2019·5 min readNeurotransmitters in an instantA new method allows researchers to detect serotonin at extremely low concentrations in serum.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·September 20, 2019·6 min readCommon antidepressant may not reduce depression symptoms, but does reduce anxietySertraline (Zoloft), a commonly prescribed SSRI antidepressant, may not be as effective at treating depression within 6 weeks as previously thought. However, the drug is effective for treating anxiety symptoms.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·September 17, 2019·2 min readHow gut bacteria negatively influences serotonin and blood sugar levelsA new study shows how the microbiome communicates with cells producing serotonin to influence blood sugar levels. The microbiome can worsen metabolism by signaling to cells in the gut that produce serotonin. This drives up serotonin levels. The rise in blood serotonin levels causes metabolic problems.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·September 6, 2019·5 min readHow serotonin and a popular anti-depressant affect the gut’s microbiotaSerotonin and SSRIs like Prozac can have a major effect on gut bacteria. When exposed to serotonin, specific gut bacteria grew to higher levels. However, when exposed to SSRIs, the bacterium grew to much lower levels in mouse models.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·September 4, 2019·4 min readSerotonin may be a biomarker for breathing interruptions following seizuresResearchers say serotonin, a chemical commonly associated with mood regulation, may play in breathing problems associated with epileptic seizures. Those who had higher levels of serotonin following a seizure than before the event were less likely to experience interrupted breathing.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·August 25, 2019·6 min readHighest-resolution human brain ‘parts list’ to date lays road map to better treatmentsResearchers have created the most comprehensive 'parts list' of the human brain to date. They uncovered crucial differences between human and mouse brain cells. The findings may explain why many drugs used in research do not work in human models.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·July 29, 2019·6 min readCannabidiol reduces aggressivenessCannabidiol (CBD) can inhibit aggressiveness associated with social isolation, a new mouse model study reveals.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·July 26, 2019·3 min readRed wine compound shows promise for treating depression and anxietyResveratrol, a compound found in red wine, may help to combat depression and anxiety. The compound inhibits PDE4, an enzyme induced bt excessive amounts of corticosterone, which causes depression-like symptoms in mouse models.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·July 15, 2019·5 min readScience of microdosing psychedelics remains patchy and anecdotalWhile many people report microdosing is beneficial to their mental wellbeing, researchers say more research needs to be conducted to evaluate the psychological and health implications of taking low-dose psychedelics.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·July 10, 2019·2 min readHow a popular antidepressant drug could rewire the brainFluoxetine rearranges nerve fibers in the hippocampus of mice, a new study reports.Read More
