Summary: Psychologists examine why haunted houses make us feel creeped out, concluding they unsettle us not because of clear danger but because it is unclear whether or not they pose a real threat. Source: The Conversation. The haunted house is a time-honored setting for horror. We have all shivered through classic scary films set in … Read more

Brain Reserve and Cognitive Reserve Independently Protect Against Cognitive Decline in Multiple Sclerosis Researchers from the United States and Italy have found that both brain reserve and cognitive reserve independently reduce the risk of cognitive decline in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study was published in Neuron on June 11, 2013. Investigators set out … Read more

Salk researchers find that a diet recommended for diabetics reduced autism-like signs in mice Processed foods high in sugar—such as white bread and many cereals—cause rapid rises and falls in blood glucose. In contrast, diets focused on vegetables, fruits and whole grains digest more slowly and help maintain steadier blood sugar. New research from the … Read more

Summary: New research suggests that the language you grow up speaking influences how language-related brain regions are wired. Using high-resolution neuroimaging, researchers compared the structural connectivity of native German and native Arabic speakers and found stronger cross-hemispheric connections in Arabic speakers and stronger left-hemisphere language connectivity in German speakers. Source: Max Planck Institute Researchers at … Read more

Summary: Researchers have found that wildfire smoke can trigger prolonged inflammation in the brain. Their study shows this inflammation is especially pronounced in the hippocampus, the region essential for learning and memory. In experiments with rodents exposed to wood smoke, scientists observed lasting changes in neurotransmitters and signaling molecules that persisted for more than a … Read more

Summary: Acetylcholine acting at muscarinic M1 receptors in the prefrontal cortex supports the neuronal activity that holds information in working memory. Because M1 receptor signaling is diminished in conditions that impair working memory, such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease, the M1 receptor represents an attractive therapeutic target to restore cognitive function. Source: Yale Working memory—the … Read more

Summary: Gentle, controlled stimulation of the ear canal reduced both motor and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease, with many therapeutic benefits persisting for weeks after treatment ended. Source: University of Kent New research shows that non-invasive ear stimulation can ease a range of Parkinson’s symptoms. A randomized, controlled clinical study led by researchers … Read more

Summary: People who hold a strong sense of “oneness” — the belief that everything is connected and interdependent — report higher life satisfaction, regardless of their religious affiliation. Source: APA New research from the American Psychological Association indicates that belief in oneness — the idea that the world, life, and people are interconnected — is … Read more

Summary: New research finds that people who experience migraine with visual aura have a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm linked to stroke. Source: AAN Migraine with visual aura linked to higher atrial fibrillation risk People who experience migraine with visual aura—visual disturbances that occur just before the onset of head … Read more

Implanted stem cells reduced symptoms of disease during experiment, researchers say. Researchers affiliated with the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and McLean Hospital report a significant advance toward treating Parkinson’s disease by implanting neurons generated from stem cells. The team, led by Ole Isacson at McLean, published results showing that dopamine-producing neurons derived from primate skin … Read more