Potential target for treating autism, schizophrenia, and other brain disorders Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) have identified the small hippocampal subregion CA2 as essential for social memory—the ability of an animal to recognize and remember another of its species. Understanding CA2’s role may help explain altered social behaviors seen in conditions such as … Read more

Summary: In a nationwide Finnish study, people with Alzheimer’s disease who used antipsychotic medications had a 29% higher risk of head injury and a 22% higher risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared with matched patients who did not use these drugs. Source: Wiley Key finding: Use of antipsychotic medications was associated with a statistically … Read more

Decisions, decisions! Choosing a path to become a counselor can feel overwhelming. Picking the right counseling course is like steering a ship at night—without a clear guide, it’s hard to know which direction will lead to the career you want. This article highlights top courses, degrees, and online programs to consider as you plan a … Read more

Summary: Although consumption of healthier foods like legumes and fruit increased in many places, improvements in overall dietary quality were undermined by rising intake of unhealthy items such as processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and excess sodium. Source: Tufts University On a 0 to 100 scale measuring adherence to recommended diets—where 0 represents a very poor … Read more

A new University of Florida study indicates that a promising brain-imaging technique could improve diagnosis for the millions of people affected by movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), researchers found they could distinguish among different movement disorder diagnoses with a high degree of accuracy, a result that could help clinicians … Read more

Creativity has been valued throughout human history. It has been called “the skill of the future” and is widely recognized as essential for adapting to uncertainty and solving new problems. Research also suggests that creative tendencies—closely related to the personality trait openness to experience—are linked to long-term well-being and health outcomes (Turiano, Spiro, & Mroczek, … Read more

Summary: Long-held assumptions that the enteric nervous system (ENS) finishes its development before birth are being overturned. New research shows that ENS development continues after birth in both mice and human tissues, and reveals a significant population of enteric neurons that arise from the mesoderm. This discovery reshapes our understanding of gut maturation, aging, and … Read more

Standing at the front of the church delivering my father’s eulogy, I felt both exposed and empowered. The experience was larger than myself. The vulnerability I felt was not a defense mechanism but an expression of authenticity. Why do many of us only reveal our vulnerable side during life’s most extreme moments? Vulnerability strengthens relationships … Read more

Mindfulness Training Boosts Performance with Noninvasive Brain–Computer Interfaces Summary: Eight sessions of mindfulness-based attention training helped participants gain a clear advantage in controlling noninvasive brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), reducing the time needed to reach proficiency compared with participants who received no meditation training. Source: Carnegie Mellon University Overview: A brain–computer interface (BCI) lets a person control … Read more

Summary: A new study led by UCL shows that socioeconomic factors — including education, occupation and wealth — influence the risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia in later life, and also affect the likelihood of recovery. Following 8,442 adults aged 50 and over in England for 10 years, researchers report that people with higher … Read more