TAU team connects neurons to computers to decipher the enigmatic code of neuronal circuits Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a novel lab-on-a-chip platform that links living neurons to electronic systems in order to probe how neuronal circuits encode and transmit information. The device, described by doctoral student Mark Shein and his supervisors Prof. … Read more

Summary: A landmark clinical study finds that closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation (CLV), delivered alongside targeted rehabilitation, can produce substantial improvements in arm and hand function for people living with chronic, incomplete spinal cord injury. The treatment combines a small implanted pulse generator in the neck with precisely timed electrical signals that reinforce successful movements, promoting … Read more

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-established, evidence-based approach for treating a range of mental health challenges, from depression and anxiety to insomnia and certain eating disorders. One of CBT’s strengths is its flexibility: clinicians use it to treat clients, and many people learn CBT skills for self-help. The books below cover both professional training and … Read more

Link between intelligence and longevity is mostly genetic. New research published in the International Journal of Epidemiology demonstrates that the observed tendency for people with higher intelligence to live longer is largely explained by genetic factors. By analysing data from multiple twin registries, researchers conclude that roughly 95% of the association between intelligence and lifespan … Read more

Summary: A recent review examines evidence connecting the gut microbiome to brain development and depressive disorders. The authors highlight how disruptions to gut bacteria—caused by diet, stress, antibiotics, or early-life events—may influence mental health and suggest that nutrition-based strategies could complement existing treatments. Linking the Gut Microbiome, Neurodevelopment, and Depression Overview Researchers are increasingly investigating … Read more

Summary: New research finds little evidence that higher testosterone has a meaningful impact on socioeconomic status, health, or risk-taking in men or women. Source: University of Bristol As major sporting events like the Olympics prompt attention to hormone-related performance, testosterone is often credited with success both on and off the field. However, a new large-scale … Read more

Positive psychotherapy: at first glance the phrase may seem paradoxical. The word psychotherapy often conjures images of tense patients lying on couches, a serious therapist taking notes, and lengthy explorations of childhood trauma. While that stereotype is outdated and incomplete, it can make the idea of pairing positivity and therapy feel surprising. Traditionally, psychotherapy addresses … Read more

Advanced brain imaging links specific schizophrenia symptoms to distinct anatomical features, a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis reports. The results could help refine diagnosis and lead to more targeted treatments for schizophrenia. The study, published online in the journal NeuroImage, used high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging … Read more

Summary: Multisensory gamma-wave stimulation improves recognition and spatial memory in mice and reduces amyloid burden in the auditory cortex and hippocampal CA1. These findings indicate that combined sensory stimulation strengthens hippocampal function and diminishes Alzheimer’s-related pathology across the neocortex. Source: MIT By exposing mice to a coordinated combination of light and sound, MIT neuroscientists have … Read more

Our family of origin plays a powerful role in shaping who we become. From our habits and emotional responses to the choices we make in life, family dynamics influence us whether we feel close to our relatives or distant from them. Bowenian family systems theory views the family as an emotional unit: individual behavior is … Read more