Summary: New research is examining whether disrupted sleep accelerates biological aging by altering DNA methylation, a chemical modification of DNA that tracks age. Using the jewel wasp as a model organism, scientists will test how sleep deprivation affects markers of biological age and whether any effects can be reversed. This project aims to determine if … Read more

Summary: A 12-week aerobic exercise program was linked to improved cognitive performance and reduced cerebral blood flow in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a new study. Source: University of Maryland. Regular aerobic exercise can change brain blood flow patterns and improve cognition in older adults, but the changes differ depending on … Read more

Summary: A new study of male rhesus macaques shows that exposure to oxytocin and vasopressin reduces differences in status within groups, making dominant males more relaxed and subordinate males more confident. Source: University of Pennsylvania Background: The effects of oxytocin on human social behavior are mixed—some studies report positive changes while others do not. In … Read more

Summary: New NIH research reports that the antidepressant amitriptyline can temporarily reduce activity of the blood–brain barrier’s P‑glycoprotein pump in rats, allowing other drugs to enter the brain. This discovery may affect strategies for treating neurological disorders ranging from epilepsy and stroke to ALS. Source: NIH/NIEHS. NIH rat study suggests amitriptyline temporarily inhibits the blood–brain … Read more

Summary: People with schizophrenia who experience auditory hallucinations show increased activation in parts of the auditory cortex and a disrupted, or “scrambled,” mapping of sound frequency. Because the tonotopic map of the auditory cortex is formed in infancy and remains largely stable across life, these findings suggest that the vulnerability to develop auditory hallucinations may … Read more

Summary: Early detection of depression is a major clinical challenge. A recent pilot study suggests that a simple, one-minute resting Electroencephalogram (EEG) recorded at home may reveal objective indicators of current depressive mood through analysis of brainwave synchronization known as phase resetting. Researchers found a consistent relationship between daily EEG measurements and the intensity of … Read more

Summary: Prenatal exposure to cannabis is linked with a higher risk of neuropsychological problems — including anxiety, depression and other psychiatric symptoms — in children. Those risks persist and may grow as children move into adolescence and early adulthood. Source: WUSTL Children who were exposed to cannabis before birth continue to exhibit elevated rates of … Read more

Summary: A large genetic study of more than 300,000 people found that women with a high genetic risk for depression are also more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, even if they have never been diagnosed with depression. This association did not appear in men, revealing important sex-specific differences. Researchers stress the need to screen and … Read more

Summary: New research reveals that the fetal intestine develops a much more mature immune system than previously believed. These results could inform maternal vaccine design and offer earlier clues about future autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. Source: University of Pittsburgh Overview: Traditional textbooks portray the fetal immune system as immature and largely naive until after birth. … Read more

Researchers from the Laboratory of Astrocyte Biology and CNS Regeneration, led by Professor Milos Pekny, have published new findings in the journal Stem Cells describing a molecular mechanism that controls the formation of new neurons in the brain. Astrocytes are versatile support cells in the central nervous system. They influence synaptic activity, regulate cerebral blood … Read more