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University of Western Ontario

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·November 29, 2021·5 min read

Why Some People Experience Early Onset Neurodegenerative Diseases

A new study sheds light on the genetic causes of a range of neurodegenerative disorders, including ALS, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, and determines factors that impact the age of onset as well as disease severity.

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Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 6, 2021·4 min read

Training the Brain to Recognize Voices

Due to social restrictions following the COVID lockdowns, people may need to brush up on their social skills of concentrating on conversations. A new study reveals people can train themselves to do this on their own.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 21, 2021·4 min read

‘Sounding It Out’ Not so Easy for Children With Dyslexia

Neuroimaging study reveals a biological deficit in some children with dyslexia that impairs phonological decoding.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 19, 2021·5 min read

Study Pinpoints Role of Language Disruptions in Psychosis

People who experienced language and communication difficulties as a result of psychosis showed weaker connectivity in the superior temporal area, an area of the brain associated with language processing. Those with greater language problems had greater connectivity in other areas of the brain, suggesting the brain may utilize other areas to compensate for language in patients with psychosis.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 9, 2020·3 min read

Antioxidants in brain linked to improved psychosis treatment

Patients with psychosis who have higher levels of an antioxidant called glutathione responded more quickly to medications and had improved outcomes. Researchers estimate a 10% increase in antioxidants could lead to reduced time spent in hospital for those with psychosis.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·April 17, 2020·4 min read

Concussion linked to loss of inhibition

Varsity football players who experienced concussions performed well on cognitive tests but showed strong impairments in tests related to inhibitory control. Many reported problems with the ability to suppress thoughts, actions, and feelings following concussions. The findings shed light on the long-term implications of sports-related concussions.

This is a drawing of a brain and fast food cartons

Featured Neuroscience

·March 10, 2020·3 min read

Junk food orders up trouble for young brains

Everyone knows consuming junk food is bad for your health, but a new study reveals it could also be bad for developing brain health. Excessive consumption of calorie-dense foods can lead to changes in the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex, including altering dopamine signaling and inhibition.

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Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 19, 2020·3 min read

Exercise boosts memory like caffeine

Short bouts of aerobic exercise can improve working memory as much as caffeine can. Additionally, exercise can help curb the negative effects of caffeine withdrawal, such as fatigue, headaches, and bad moods.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 19, 2020·4 min read

Research shows real risks associated with cannabis exposure during pregnancy

Regular exposure to low-dose THC during pregnancy led to an 8% reduction of birth weight, and decreased brain and liver growth of more than 20% in rat models.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 30, 2019·3 min read

Cannabis study reveals how CBD offsets the psychiatric side-effects of THC

CBD blocks the ability of THC to overstimulate the ERK pathway in the hippocampus, preventing negative side effects associated with cannabis use.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 28, 2019·4 min read

Lefty, righty brains count on same area for numbers

A new study debunks the popular myth that handedness plays a role in the lateralization of number processing in the brain. The study revealed, regardless of which is your dominant hand, the brain's location for number processing is the same.

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Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 12, 2019·3 min read

Researchers write ABCs of language disorder

Researchers publish a paper aimed at children to explain developmental language disorder (DLD). Those with DLD struggle to learn and comprehend oral and written communication, despite being of normal or above normal intellectual ability.