Summary: A new study reveals how THC binds to cannabinoid receptor 1 in the brain. Source: Cell Press. Researchers have produced the most detailed view yet of the receptor responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. Published October 20 in Cell, the three-dimensional structure of the human cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) shows how THC and … Read more

Summary: People who deliberately ignore COVID-19 recommendations are more likely to be male, less cooperative, lower in openness to new experiences, and more extroverted than those who follow the rules. They tend to prioritize personal freedom and self-interest, show greater tolerance for social deviance, and rely less on official information sources, a new multinational study … Read more

Summary: New research suggests that trigger warnings shown before television content may not protect viewers from distress. Instead, warnings can prolong the negative features of traumatic memories and do not increase the likelihood that people will use coping strategies. Source: Flinders University Trigger warnings intended to alert viewers to distressing material may sometimes have the … Read more

Summary: A new study identifies a critical connection between anxiety disorders and the brain receptor TACR3, as well as circulating testosterone levels. Researchers found that male rodents with pronounced anxiety showed reduced TACR3 expression in the ventral hippocampus, a brain region important for learning, memory, and emotional regulation. The work indicates that anxiety linked to … Read more

Summary: An imbalance in gut bacteria can reduce key lipid metabolites, producing depression-like symptoms. These results strengthen evidence that the gut microbiome influences brain function and mental health. Source: Institut Pasteur Depression affects more than 264 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability. Understanding the biological processes behind depression is essential to … Read more

Summary: A new longitudinal study shows that measuring brain iron with a specialized MRI method can predict cognitive decline and the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) years before clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease appear. Researchers followed 158 cognitively healthy older adults and found that elevated iron levels in memory-related brain regions were linked to … Read more

Summary: A long-term study finds that a slowing walking pace in older adults is linked to shrinkage in the right hippocampus, and that progressive gait slowing may be an early sign of cognitive decline. Researchers suggest routine measurement of walking speed in older patients to detect changes that could warrant further cognitive assessment. Source: University … Read more

Summary: Olfactory imprinting during a neonatal critical period in mice shapes adult social behavior. Source: eLife Imprinting is a well-known biological phenomenon in which newborn animals form lasting attachments to sights, sounds, or smells encountered immediately after birth. In birds like ducklings, this often means following the first moving object, typically the mother. In migratory … Read more

Summary: Researchers at Lobachevsky University are developing a neurochip designed to restore communication between healthy brain cells and damaged or non-functioning areas. Initial laboratory experiments show successful transmission of signals from electronic, artificial neurons to living brain tissue. Source: Lobachevsky University. Lobachevsky University Develops a Neurochip to Restore Brain Signaling Scientists at Lobachevsky University’s Radiophysics … Read more

CBD and Psychosis: fMRI Study Shows Normalization of Brain Activity Summary: In a small fMRI study, people with established psychosis showed altered activity in prefrontal and mediotemporal brain regions during a memory task. After a single dose of cannabidiol (CBD), brain activation in these regions became more similar to that seen in healthy controls, and … Read more