Summary: In mice, opioid withdrawal disrupts serotonin signaling to the nucleus accumbens, causing pronounced reductions in sociability and increased social avoidance. Source: Stanford Opioid withdrawal is not only physically painful but also sharply reduces social motivation, a change that undermines recovery by driving isolation at precisely the time when social support is most needed. “Self-isolation … Read more

Summary: Although SARS-CoV-2 rarely appears to infect brain cells directly, new autopsy research shows the virus can still produce substantial neurological injury. Investigators conclude that much of the brain damage seen in people who die with COVID-19 is likely driven by inflammation—either system-wide or focused in the brain’s blood vessels—rather than by direct viral invasion … Read more

Using a lighthearted, informal method (not based on download numbers or reviews), here is a short, curated list of positive psychology podcasts that will: Make you laugh Help you better understand yourself Teach you about others Spark feelings of awe and wonder Challenge assumptions about happiness Inspire more purposeful living Not every show is exclusively … Read more

Summary: The first anatomical reconstruction of the Neanderthal cartilaginous Eustachian tube (CET) shows a tubal morphology similar to that of human infants, and suggests Neanderthals may have been highly susceptible to chronic otitis media (middle ear infections). Lifelong ear disease and its complications could have reduced Neanderthal fitness and competitiveness, potentially contributing to their decline … Read more

Summary: Research suggests Lewy body disorders—including Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies—may encompass two distinct subtypes. One appears to begin in the peripheral nervous system of the gut and travel to the brain; the other begins in the brain or enters through the olfactory system and then spreads to the brainstem and peripheral nervous … Read more

Separation anxiety involves an excessive fear or distress when separated from key attachment figures, usually parents or primary caregivers. Although it often begins in infancy, separation anxiety can continue into childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Persistent separation-related anxiety is a known risk factor for more severe anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and agoraphobia (Lewinsohn et al., … Read more

Summary: A new study finds that administering minocycline to newborn rats after a head injury worsened cognitive outcomes. Source: Drexel University. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability and death among infants and young children in the United States. According to public health statistics, more than half a million children are affected … Read more

A traffic jam, a difficult boss, or a strained relationship — these are common sources of stress that differ in duration and intensity. None of us can eliminate stress entirely, nor would we want to: small amounts of stress can be useful. However, because stress disrupts the body’s natural balance, chronic stress becomes a serious … Read more

Summary: Changes in nascent intronic transcription may serve as indicators of risk and progression in Parkinson’s disease. Source: Murdoch University New research into Parkinson’s disease reveals promising molecular signals that could guide future diagnostics and treatments for this common neurodegenerative movement disorder. A feature article published in Experimental Biology and Medicine presents findings that broaden … Read more

Summary: A recent study finds that background music in workplaces can reduce employee mood, energy, and performance when it does not match individual needs. This “music misfit” effect leads to mental fatigue, decreased focus, and in some cases counterproductive behaviors that harm organizational outcomes. The negative impact is strongest for people who have difficulty filtering … Read more