FeaturedNeurologyNeurosciencePsychology·May 25, 2025·5 min readChronic Stress Quietly Raises Your Stroke RiskChronic stress is increasingly recognized as a contributor to stroke risk by intensifying conditions like high blood pressure, inflammation, and unhealthy lifestyle habits. While stress isn't as easily measured as cholesterol or blood pressure, long-term exposure to it can set the stage for vascular damage and increase both ischemic and, less commonly, hemorrhagic stroke risk.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 24, 2025·4 min readStress Hampers Emotional Regulation in Anxiety, Depression & BPDNew research reveals that acute stress can impair key brain functions involved in emotion regulation, particularly in individuals with distress-related disorders like depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. The study found that executive functions—such as working memory, impulse control, and cognitive flexibility—are more likely to be disrupted in these individuals during high-stress moments.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 24, 2025·5 min readSmart Floss Measures Stress Hormone for Easy, Real-Time MonitoringEngineers have developed a novel dental floss device that can detect cortisol—a hormone linked to stress—through saliva, offering a painless, real-time method for stress monitoring. The device uses electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers (eMIPs), which act like custom molds to recognize specific molecules.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeurosciencePsychology·May 17, 2025·5 min readMidlife Cortisol Levels Linked to Alzheimer’s RiskA new study finds that elevated cortisol levels in midlife are linked to increased brain amyloid deposition—a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease—specifically in post-menopausal women. Researchers tracked 305 cognitively healthy individuals over 15 years and discovered that high cortisol predicted amyloid buildup later in life, but only among women who had gone through menopause.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·May 15, 2025·4 min readLong COVID Brain Fog Linked to Inflammation and Stress MarkersA new study comparing long COVID patients with fully recovered individuals has found that those with persistent cognitive symptoms, like brain fog, show higher brain inflammation and reduced capacity to handle stress. The study revealed lower levels of nerve growth factor and elevated inflammatory markers in the long COVID group.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 14, 2025·6 min readNew Insights Into Why Stress Is So Hard to TreatA new review reveals key differences in how stress hormone systems function in primate versus rodent brains, offering insight into why treatments for stress-related disorders often fail in humans. Researchers found that corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) interacts with dopamine circuits in more complex and widespread ways in primates, with dopamine neurons often releasing multiple neurotransmitters.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 7, 2025·5 min readDopamine’s Hidden Role in Anxiety RevealedDopamine receptors in the ventral hippocampus play a critical role in balancing approach and avoidance behaviors, expanding understanding beyond dopamine’s known functions in reward and motivation. By studying D1 and D2 receptor-expressing neurons in mice, researchers found these receptors govern opposing emotional responses under stress.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·April 26, 2025·4 min readPrenatal Stress Leaves Lasting Molecular Imprints on BabiesA new study reveals that stress during pregnancy can molecularly reprogram newborns' stress response systems, with significant differences between boys and girls. Researchers found that maternal stress altered entire families of tRNA fragments in umbilical cord blood, particularly those regulating acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 25, 2025·5 min readOnly Children Face Unique Struggles as Parental CaregiversAs single-child families rise in the U.S., more adults are navigating the intense responsibility of caregiving without the support of siblings. A new study reveals that only children experience greater emotional and financial stress when caring for aging parents, and support from friends or extended family doesn't offer the same relief it does for those with siblings.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 14, 2025·3 min readNearly Half of U.S. Adults Report Weekly Stress from NewsA new national survey reveals that 45% of U.S. adults experience stress at least once a week due to news or social media, with 16% feeling stressed daily. While stress is a natural response to caring deeply about issues or people, chronic exposure without relief can negatively affect both mental and physical health.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 10, 2025·4 min readMotivational Stress Mindset Keeps EmpathyViewing stress as a potential motivator can improve productivity and wellbeing without reducing empathy or willingness to support others. Researchers developed a brief online intervention that teaches participants to reframe stress more positively using education and visualization techniques.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 9, 2025·4 min readFear Sync: How Males and Females Respond to Stress TogetherWhen mice face fear, they often freeze—and when paired, they typically freeze together. A new study reveals that male-female pairs maintain synchronized fear responses even under stress, unlike same-sex pairs.Read More
