FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·October 11, 2019·5 min read‘Sticky’ gene may help Valium calm nervesA new study challenges existing theories about how benzodiazepines, such as valium, work to calm nerves. Researchers report a 'sticky' gene called Shisa7 plays a critical role in the regulation of inhibitory neural circuits, and the sedative effects benzodiazepines have on circuit activity.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 11, 2019·5 min readRare sleep disorder common among veterans with PTSD21% of veterans who experience PTSD or traumatic brain injury suffer from a rare sleep condition that affects less than 1% of the general population. The condition, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), is characterized by an impairment of sleep-related muscle paralysis, causing people to act out dreams during REM sleep. The uncontrolled actions often cause harm to the sufferer of their partners.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 11, 2019·3 min readHabitual tea drinking modulates brain efficiencyHabitual tea drinking was associated with greater functional connectivity in the default mode network. Findings suggest tea drinking has a positive contribution to brain structure and a protective effect on age-related decline in brain organization.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 11, 2019·5 min readSlower walkers have older brains and bodies at 45Slower walkers have accelerated aging in middle age, both physically and cognitively. Tests given to measure IQ, language, motor skills, and emotional control at age 3, can predict walking speed and thus accelerated aging during middle age.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 10, 2019·3 min readCompound in breast milk fights harmful bacteriaGlycerol monolaurate (GML), a compound found in human breast milk, fights against the effects of harmful bacteria while allowing beneficial bacteria to thrive. GML also inhibits inflammation in epithelial cells, helping to prevent both bacterial and viral infections of the gut. GML is 200 times higher in human breast milk than cow milk. Researchers propose adding GML to infant formula and cow milk given to small children.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeurosciencePain·October 10, 2019·6 min readBrain mechanisms have potential to block arthritis painResearchers discover the amygdala is a critical site of action for pain modulation. An existing compound, LY379268, provides pain-relieving effects and helps to reduce anxiety.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·October 10, 2019·3 min readMusical perception: nature or nurture?Although musical perception is universal, musical training alters the perception of music.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·October 10, 2019·6 min readNeurofeedback increases self-esteem by re-balancing brain circuits in depressionNeurofeedback training can alter guilt-related networks and improve self-esteem in those with major depressive disorder.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 10, 2019·3 min readResearch sheds new light on how the brain forms and recalls memoriesDuring memory formation, the directional coupling between the neocortex and hippocampus alters. Decreased power in brain oscillations in the neocortex preceded and predicted increased power in the hippocampus. The reverse occurs during memory retrieval.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·October 10, 2019·4 min readFood comas and long-term memories: New research points to an appetizing connectionA single insulin-like molecule produces in the nervous system of the marine mollusk Aplysia californica strengthens connections between neurons, enhancing long term memory.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·October 10, 2019·2 min readLinguists track impact of cognitive decline across three decades of one writer’s diariesReviewing over thirty years of diaries from a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, linguists discover how writing style changes as dementia progresses.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·October 10, 2019·5 min readBrain scans may provide clues to suicide riskNeuroimaging can be used to assess a person's risk of suicidal behavior. Those with mood disorders, a history of suicidal thoughts, and those with a history of suicide attempts have less connectivity in the cognitive control network. They also have reduced connectivity between the cognitive control network and the default mode network.Read More
