Summary: New research from the Max Planck Institute shows that the brain uses bodily feedback to regulate fear. In mice, freezing behavior slows the heart, and this cardiac slowdown reduces activity in the insular cortex, helping to balance the fear response. Source: Max Planck Institute Fear is vital for survival but must be kept within … Read more

Summary: Middle-aged people who report at least one nightmare per week are four times more likely to experience measurable cognitive decline over the following decade. Among older adults, weekly nightmares are associated with about double the risk of developing dementia. The association appears to be considerably stronger in men than in women. Source: University of … Read more

Summary: Combining two natural compounds that influence the epigenome, researchers report a promising strategy that reverses PTSD-like symptoms in an animal model and may be translatable to humans. Source: Bar Ilan University Exposure to traumatic events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating condition that currently lacks reliable, widely effective therapies. A central … Read more

The beliefs a person holds about their ability to handle situations, complete tasks, and reach goals play a major role in determining whether they succeed. Low self-efficacy can block potential, but self-efficacy is also a capability that can be strengthened with practice and the right supports. This article reviews reliable measures, practical exercises, and evidence-based … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified a relationship between depressive disorders and altered mechanical properties of blood cells. Source: TUD Depression commonly presents with loss of interest, persistent low mood, reduced motivation and heightened fatigue. In Germany, roughly 5% of the population are affected, making it a major public health concern. Alongside psychological symptoms, depressive disorders frequently … Read more

Summary: Researchers report that changes in specific neuronal genes correlate with time spent in social isolation. Source: Max Planck Institute Have you wondered how social distancing or brief periods of isolation might influence the brain? An international team led by Erin Schuman at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research identified a brain molecule that … Read more

Have you ever felt so angry that you couldn’t see straight? Many of us have experienced moments when strong emotions cloud our judgment and prevent us from responding thoughtfully. You might: Say or do hurtful things in the heat of the moment. Feel paralyzed by an intense emotion and unable to move forward. Make poor … Read more

A large new genome-wide meta-analysis has identified six previously unreported genetic variants linked to habitual coffee consumption, offering fresh insight into why people experience different effects from the same amount of coffee or caffeine. Led by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the study provides a … Read more

Positive cognitive behavioral therapy (positive CBT) is a strengths-based approach that draws from positive psychology. Instead of focusing primarily on what is wrong, positive CBT highlights what is going well: the skills, character strengths, and resources a child or adolescent already has. A practitioner of positive CBT helps young clients build strengths and learn practical … Read more

Summary: Researchers have identified neural progenitor cells in the meninges. Source: VIB Flanders Possible implications for brain regeneration In a multidisciplinary study led by Professor Peter Carmeliet (VIB – KU Leuven), researchers report the discovery of neural progenitor cells located in the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain. These progenitors are radial glia–like … Read more