Latest

Stanford

This shows a drawing of people watching a movie.

·October 22, 2024·6 min read

Watching Docudramas Boosts Empathy

A 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.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·October 21, 2024·6 min read

AI Uncovers DNA Variants Linked to Psychiatric Disorders

Researchers 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.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 2, 2024·6 min read

Targeting Glucose May Spark Neurogenesis

Neural 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.

This shows a person holding a brain model.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 25, 2024·6 min read

Blocking a Brain Pathway Reverses Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s

Blocking 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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 17, 2024·7 min read

Six Types of Depression Identified

Researchers 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.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 5, 2024·6 min read

Brain Plasticity’s Dark Side: New Insights into Addiction Mechanisms

Researchers 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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 1, 2024·7 min read

Night Owls Beware: Late Bedtimes Harm Mental Health

Staying 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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 12, 2024·10 min read

Key Brain Systems Implicated in Psychosis

Researchers 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.

This shows a man eating a plate of food.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 1, 2024·7 min read

Keto Diet May Improve Mental Health Symptoms

A 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.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 23, 2024·3 min read

Emotion vs. Reason: Rethinking Decision-Making

Researchers 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.

This shows a net model of a face and a woman.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 19, 2024·6 min read

AI Determines Sex of Person From Brain Scans

Researchers 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.

This shows a pink brain and a blue brain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 12, 2024·7 min read

Ketamine’s Effects Diverge by Sex

Ketamine's effects on depression and pain, and its interaction with opioid pathways, significantly differ between sexes. In a detailed rat study, the team found that blocking opioid receptors nullified ketamine's impact only in males, suggesting a complex interplay between ketamine, opioid systems, and sex hormones.

1 2 3 4 5 … 12

Stanford

Watching Docudramas Boosts Empathy

AI Uncovers DNA Variants Linked to Psychiatric Disorders

Targeting Glucose May Spark Neurogenesis

Blocking a Brain Pathway Reverses Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s

Six Types of Depression Identified

Brain Plasticity’s Dark Side: New Insights into Addiction Mechanisms

Night Owls Beware: Late Bedtimes Harm Mental Health

Key Brain Systems Implicated in Psychosis

Keto Diet May Improve Mental Health Symptoms

Emotion vs. Reason: Rethinking Decision-Making

AI Determines Sex of Person From Brain Scans

Ketamine’s Effects Diverge by Sex

How Severe Illness During Pregnancy Alters Fetal Brain Development

Aging Brains Maintain Robust Language Networks Despite Cognitive Decline

Youth Protein TIMP2 Restores Immune Function in the Aging Brain

Shame, Stigma, and Culture Prevent Male Domestic Violence Survivors From Seeking Help

Subscribe