From San Diego to Italy, Study Suggests Wisdom can Protect Against Loneliness
Cross-cultural study finds a strong inverse correlation between loneliness and wisdom Over the last few decades, there has been growing concern about loneliness across all ages, particularly in middle-aged and older adults. Loneliness, defined as feeling isolated or...As ‘lockdown fatigue’ sets in, the toll on mental health will require an urgent response
Ian Hickie, University of SydneyAs Victorians face yet another long period of enforced lockdown, serious concerns are being raised about people’s capacity to comply with the new orders and the mental health impacts of such prolonged social isolation. The risks...Tracing the Brain-To-Gut Connection
Using rabies virus injected into the stomach of rats, researchers trace the nerves back to the brain and find distinct ‘fight or flight’ and ‘rest and digest’ circuits. These results explain how mental states can affect the gut, and present new ways to treat gastrointestinal problems.
Potent pain-suppression center in the brain is found by neurobiologists
Response of dozens of pain-promotion centers is dampened by single OFF switch.
Compared to males, females exhibit more intense subjective cannabis cravings
Researchers also found preliminary evidence that ovarian hormones may modulate the differential response in women and may be related to different levels of estrogen.
Scientists square off against gamers in a game of neuron-tracing
Veteran players of ‘Mozak’ are pitted against Allen Institute researchers — well-versed in neuroscience but new to the online game — in a work-and-game-at-home challenge.
Motor Skill Learning Via Changes in Brain’s Transmitters is Boosted by Exercise
Switch in chemical messaging is key prelude to motor skill acquisition according to research
Symptom-specific Targets for Treatment of Depression is Identified By Researchers
Improvement of separate clusters of depressive symptoms is linked to therapeutic stimulation of distinct brain circuitry Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, striking as many as one in four women and one in eight men in their lifetime. While more...Communicating differently is a subset of retinal neurons
New research has found that a subset of retinal neurons sends inhibitory signals to the brain. Before, researchers believed the eye only sends excitatory signals.
Neural circuit that drives physical responses to emotional stress are found by researchers
A key target for treating stress-related disorders such as panic disorder and PTSD is what this neural circuit could become.
Explaining Parkinson’s dyskinesia mechanism
Study finds involuntary movements caused by dopamine replacement therapy can be alleviated through suppression of RasGRP1.
Molecular switch plays crucial role in learning from negative experiences
Neurobiologists at KU Leuven have discovered how the signalling molecule Neuromedin U plays a crucial role in our learning process. The protein allows the brain to recall negative memories and, as such, learn from the past. The findings of their study on roundworms have been published in the journal Nature Communications.
Social Anxiety Disorder Patient’s Large Differences Personality Traits
Compared to others, different personality traits exist in individuals with social anxiety disorder. According to a new study from Uppsala University, Emotional instability and introversion are hallmarks.
How the heart affects our perception
Brain and heart constantly communicate. For example, signals from the brain make sure that the heart beats faster when we encounter a dangerous situation. The heart slows down when we relax. Interestingly, vice versa – even though the underlying mechanisms are unclear, the heartbeat also affects the brain. It has now been identified by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) in Leipzig and Berlin School of Mind & Brain that two mechanisms underpinning how the heart influences our perception, the brain, and how these mechanisms differ between individuals.
Now we understand vision better because of mapped neural circuits found in the eye
The function of a special group of nerve cells which are found in the eye and which sense visual movement have been discovered by researchers from Aarhus University. A completely new understanding of how conscious sensory impressions occur in the brain has been acquired through the study. The development of targeted and specific forms of treatment in the future for diseases which impact the nervous system and its sensory apparatus, such as dementia and schizophrenia, needs this kind of insight.
The Adult Brain Repairs Itself by Going Back to the Beginning When Damaged
Using a mouse model, adult neurons in corticospinal injuries begin a natural regeneration process by reverting back to an embryonic state and that regeneration is sustained by a surprising gene.
A Novel Role for Dopamine That Impacts Gene Expression Related to Cocaine Abuse Is Discovered By Mount Sinai Researchers
A new role for the brain chemical dopamine that is independent of classic neurotransmission has been discovered by scientists. The new role seems to be vital to changes in gene expression connected to chronic exposure to, or abuse of, cocaine.
How Stress Remodels the Brain Is Shown In LSU Health New Orleans’ Research
Research has shown how stress changes the structure of the brain and reveals a potential therapeutic target to the prevent or reverse it. Led by Si-Qiong June Liu, MD, PhD, Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, the findings are published in JNeurosci.
The Reason Why the Two Sides of Our Brain Are Different Is Explained By Gene Activation
Why Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders impact one side of the body before the other is explained in recent findings.
Aha! + Aaaah: Neural Reward Signal Is Triggered By Creative Insight
Creativity is one of humanity’s most distinctive abilities and enduring mysteries. Innovative ideas and solutions have enabled our species to survive existential threats and thrive. Yet, creativity cannot be necessary for survival because many species that do not possess it have managed to flourish far longer than humans. So what drove the evolutionary development of creativity?
Coherence Therapy: Facilitating Transformational Change Through Memory Reconsolidation
The Coherence Psychology Institute has released a new online workshop and some other helpful resources below. Bruce Ecker and his company of trailblazers have clarified one of the most important understanding of transformative change in psychotherapy. If you would...Novel high-speed microscope to capture brain neuroactivities is the latest breakthrough in neuroimaging by HKU biomedical engineers
Our brain contains tens of billions of nerve cells (neurons) which constantly communicate with each other by sending chemical and electrical flashes, each lasting a short one millisecond (0.001 sec). In every millisecond, these billions of swift-flying flashes...Thin, flexible brain interfaces are being protected from the human body
Surviving for more than six years is a capability of next-generation brain implants with more than a thousand electrodes. Researchers have demonstrated the ability to implant an ultrathin, flexible neural interface with thousands of electrodes into the brain with a...
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