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University of Otago

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·April 9, 2025·5 min read

Eye Clues May Reveal Early Dementia Risk

A new study has found that blood vessels in the retina may hold early clues about a person’s risk of developing dementia. Researchers observed that narrower arterioles, wider venules, and thinner retinal nerve fiber layers were linked to higher dementia risk around midlife.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 26, 2024·4 min read

Can A Furry Fruit Help Boost Mood and Mental Health?

Researchers found that kiwifruit rapidly improves mood and vitality, with effects noticeable in just four days. The study involved an 8-week intervention with 155 adults with low vitamin C levels, comparing the effects of vitamin C supplements, placebo, and kiwifruit.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 25, 2023·2 min read

Ketamine in Depression Treatment: Balancing Promise with Caution

Researchers examined the evolving use of ketamine as a treatment for depression in New Zealand. While acknowledging its potential benefits for treatment-resistant depression, they advise against a rapid large-scale increase in its use.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 8, 2023·5 min read

Wheat Gluten Spurs Brain Inflammation

Researchers found that wheat gluten induces brain inflammation in mice, a finding that could have implications for human health. The study revealed that when mice consumed gluten, inflammation occurred in the hypothalamic region of the brain, which plays a vital role in regulating metabolism.

This shows a mom and her son blowing bubbles

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 3, 2022·2 min read

Sharing Memories With Toddlers Helps Their Well-Being Into Adulthood

How a mother interacts and shared memories with her toddler has an impact on their offspring's well-being in adulthood.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 17, 2022·4 min read

Psychopaths Remain Just as Bad, or Worse, as They Age

While most people mellow with age, this does not appear to be the case for those with ASPD or psychopathy. Researchers report maladaptive behaviors associated with ASPD often get worse as people with the personality disorder age.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 12, 2022·5 min read

Identification of New Rare Genetic Mutation Provides Answers for Families

Histone H4 mutations in the spool cause intellectual disabilities and developmental delays, a new study reports.

This shows a man with a bottle looking over the edge of a bridge

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 9, 2022·5 min read

Alcohol Dependence Significantly Increases Suicide Risk

Alcohol use disorder is associated with a significant increase in suicidal thoughts in adults.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 21, 2022·4 min read

Hormone Found to Regulate Mothers’ Behavior

Prolactin, a hormone responsible for milk production in mothers, reduces a mother's investment in aggressive behaviors and helps to increase protective behaviors.

Featured Psychology

·November 14, 2021·3 min read

Researchers Discover Best Way to Avoid Procrastination

If you want to curb procrastination, don't set yourself a deadline, or set as short a deadline as you can, researchers say.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 21, 2021·4 min read

Anxiety Impacts Ability to Perceive Changes in Breathing

People with higher levels of anxiety have altered perceptions of their breathing compared to those with lower levels of anxiety. The altered perception of respiration can lead to an increase in feelings of anxiety, researchers report.