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Vanderbilt University

·June 7, 2025·6 min read

Symptom Provocation Boosts Brain Stimulation Effectiveness

A new meta-analysis suggests that provoking symptoms just before delivering repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve clinical outcomes for OCD and nicotine dependence. Researchers examined data from multiple studies and found that rTMS was nearly twice as effective when paired with targeted symptom provocation.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 24, 2025·4 min read

Boosting Ketamine’s Antidepressant Effects to Last Two Months

Ketamine is a fast-acting antidepressant that can relieve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) within hours, even in treatment-resistant cases. However, its effects typically last only a week, and frequent dosing poses risks like dissociation or addiction.

This shows an older man sitting and brains.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 18, 2025·4 min read

Sitting for Hours May Shrink the Brain

Prolonged sedentary behavior in adults over 50 is linked to cognitive decline and brain shrinkage in regions vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease. Even among those who exercise regularly, spending more time sitting was associated with worse cognitive outcomes.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·December 6, 2024·5 min read

What Drives Language Learning: Genes, Culture, or Geography?

A new study explores how cultural practices influence the transmission of native languages, showing that societal norms like matrilineal or patrilineal inheritance can affect linguistic and genetic evolution. The researchers found stronger links between maternal genetic inheritance and linguistic sounds in some matrilineal societies, particularly in Africa, but no consistent global pattern emerged. Using data from 130 populations, they analyzed how genes and languages evolve together as people migrate and how cultural norms shape these patterns.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 29, 2024·5 min read

Shared Genetics Link Musical Rhythm and Language Skills

A new study reveals shared genetic underpinnings between musical rhythm abilities and language-related traits, including dyslexia. Using data from over 1 million individuals, researchers identified 16 overlapping genome regions tied to rhythm and language, with key roles in brain connectivity.

This shows a model of a heart on cracked flooring.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·April 9, 2024·4 min read

Link Between Heart Disease, Depression, and Inflammation Found

A new study uncovered a genetic connection between coronary artery disease, major depression, and an increased risk for cardiomyopathy, mediated through inflammatory pathways. The study highlights that medications used for treating coronary artery disease and depression could synergistically reduce inflammation, potentially preventing cardiomyopathy.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 21, 2023·5 min read

White Matter Wonders: Re-imagining the Brain’s Silent Majority

Historically, scientific research has largely focused on the gray matter of the brain, leaving the equally important white matter understudied. However, a recent groundbreaking study has used fMRI to detect significant brain activity in white matter.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 1, 2023·4 min read

New Study Identifies 4 Key Profiles to Assess Self-Harm Risk in Children

A new study aimed to determine which children are at elevated risk for self-harm events. The study identified four distinct profiles of psychiatric comorbidity in children and adolescents with varying levels of risk for a serious self-harm event. The four profiles can be used to better inform clinical decision-making by providing a better assessment of the overall risk of self-harm, according to the study. Further investigation is needed to validate these risk profiles in larger populations and develop prognostic and clinical decision support applications that provide real-time risk assessments for providers.