FeaturedNeuroscience·November 25, 2024·8 min readDopamine and Serotonin Work in Opposition for Effective LearningThe interplay between dopamine and serotonin shapes behavior by creating a balance between reward-seeking and impulse control. A novel study demonstrated that both systems work in opposition but are essential for effective learning.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 22, 2024·6 min readWatching Docudramas Boosts EmpathyA new study shows that after watching a docudrama about a wrongfully convicted prisoner, participants became more empathetic toward formerly incarcerated individuals and more supportive of criminal justice reform. The research revealed that personal stories portrayed in media can shift attitudes, encouraging viewers to reconsider their perceptions of marginalized groups.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·October 21, 2024·6 min readAI Uncovers DNA Variants Linked to Psychiatric DisordersResearchers developed an AI algorithm, ARC-SV, to detect complex structural variants in the human genome that previous methods missed. Analyzing over 4,000 genomes, researchers discovered thousands of complex variants, many affecting brain-related genes and linked to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·October 2, 2024·6 min readTargeting Glucose May Spark NeurogenesisNeural stem cells, which create new neurons in the brain, become less active with age due to elevated glucose levels. Researchers found that by knocking out the glucose transporter gene GLUT4 in older mice, they could significantly increase the production of new neurons.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·August 25, 2024·6 min readBlocking a Brain Pathway Reverses Memory Loss in Alzheimer’sBlocking the kynurenine pathway, a regulator of brain metabolism, can restore cognitive function in lab mice with Alzheimer’s disease. The pathway is overactivated in Alzheimer’s, disrupting glucose metabolism and starving neurons of energy. By inhibiting this pathway, researchers improved memory and brain plasticity in mice, offering hope for new treatments in humans. IDO1 inhibitors, currently in cancer trials, could be repurposed for Alzheimer’s treatment.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 17, 2024·7 min readSix Types of Depression IdentifiedResearchers identified six depression subtypes through brain imaging and machine learning, revealing tailored treatment options. This breakthrough in precision psychiatry can improve treatment outcomes by matching patients with the most effective therapies based on their brain activity patterns.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·June 5, 2024·6 min readBrain Plasticity’s Dark Side: New Insights into Addiction MechanismsResearchers discovered that adaptive myelination, a form of brain plasticity, contributes to drug addiction. A single morphine dose in mice triggered myelination in reward-related brain circuits, reinforcing drug-seeking behavior. Blocking this myelination prevented addiction, highlighting potential new treatment strategies.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 1, 2024·7 min readNight Owls Beware: Late Bedtimes Harm Mental HealthStaying up late harms mental health regardless of one's natural sleep preference. Surveying nearly 75,000 adults, researchers discovered that both morning and night types who stayed up late had higher rates of mental disorders. Surprisingly, aligning with one's chronotype didn't matter—early bedtimes benefited everyone. The study suggests lights out by 1 a.m. for better mental health.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 12, 2024·10 min readKey Brain Systems Implicated in PsychosisResearchers provide new insights into the brain mechanisms behind psychosis. The research identified malfunctions in two critical brain systems—the "filter" and the "predictor" in individuals with psychosis.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 1, 2024·7 min readKeto Diet May Improve Mental Health SymptomsA new pilot study presents a compelling case for the ketogenic diet as a dual-action treatment for individuals with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, who often suffer metabolic side effects from their medication. The research shows how adopting a ketogenic diet not only mitigates these metabolic issues but also significantly improves psychiatric conditions.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 23, 2024·3 min readEmotion vs. Reason: Rethinking Decision-MakingResearchers challenge the notion that rational thinking is the only path to good decision-making. Highlighting the limited role of rationality in our choices, the researchers emphasize the profound influence of emotions, as demonstrated in his wine tasting study where perceived value affected enjoyment.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·February 19, 2024·6 min readAI Determines Sex of Person From Brain ScansResearchers developed an artificial intelligence model that accurately determines the sex of individuals based on brain scans, with over 90% success. This breakthrough supports the theory that significant sex differences in brain organization exist, challenging long-standing controversies.Read More
