Caltech researchers identify neural circuit that drives stress-induced anxiety More than 18 percent of American adults experience anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. These disorders involve excessive worry or tension and often produce physical symptoms. While much anxiety research has focused on the amygdala, a Caltech research team has turned attention … Read more

Summary: Researchers examined the role of the BMI1 gene in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Their results suggest that reduced BMI1 expression can trigger increased amyloid‑beta and tau production and impair neuronal clearance of toxic proteins. Source: University of Montreal New Insights into the Origins of Late‑Onset Alzheimer’s Disease After more than a … Read more

UT Arlington physicist develops fiber-optic two-photon optogenetic stimulator to map neural interactions A new research tool developed by Samarendra Mohanty, an assistant professor of physics at the University of Texas at Arlington, promises to help scientists map and monitor how neurons interact across different areas of the brain. The device is a compact fiber-optic, two-photon … Read more

Imagine surviving a traumatic event such as a car crash, an earthquake, or an explosion. That in itself would be distressing. Now imagine reliving that experience repeatedly, as if trapped in a waking nightmare every day. For many people worldwide, this is the reality of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some individuals who experience severe trauma … Read more

Summary: In a randomized, double-blind experimental trial, a drug that raises levels of the body’s own cannabis-like chemicals—endocannabinoids—by inhibiting the enzyme FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase) enhanced recall of fear extinction and reduced stress responses in healthy volunteers. These findings suggest FAAH inhibitors may help improve therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related … Read more

Summary: Researchers studying human–machine interaction found that during the COVID-19 pandemic people became more altruistic not only toward other humans but also toward machines. The shift may be tied to increased reliance on digital assistants and greater trust in technology. Source: USC Many people normally treat machines differently than they treat other humans. That impatience … Read more

Researchers have identified the genetic cause of angiocentric glioma, a recently recognized pediatric brain tumor, offering a clear diagnostic marker and a path to avoid unnecessary treatments that can harm developing brains. Angiocentric gliomas are a rare form of low-grade pediatric glioma that were only classified within the last decade. They are named for the … Read more

What comes to mind when you hear the word “therapy”? Many people picture a scene from a movie: a clinician in an armchair with a notepad while a client lies back and talks about feelings. While that image represents one style of therapy, it doesn’t capture the full range of therapeutic approaches or what they … Read more

Summary: A Nature Neuroscience study clarifies the normal function of alpha-synuclein, a protein closely linked to Parkinson’s disease. Researchers say that defining how alpha-synuclein normally operates offers direct clues to how it can malfunction and suggests new directions for preventing or treating neurodegenerative disorders. Source: UCSF. New Study Reveals Normal Role of Alpha-Synuclein and Its … Read more

Summary: Genetic variants that influence aggressive behaviour in children with ADHD largely overlap with the genetic factors that affect aggression in the wider population. Source: Aarhus University An international research collaboration led by investigators from the Danish iPSYCH consortium has identified genetic variants that raise the risk of aggressive behaviour in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder … Read more