Neuroimaging

In a recent study, researchers discovered that frequent use of nicotine products by young adults and adolescents is associated with changes in brain blood flow, particularly in areas critical to addiction and cognitive function. The findings have been published in...

New research has found that women using oral contraceptives (OCs) had thinner ventromedial prefrontal cortex, potentially affecting emotion regulation, but this effect may be reversible after discontinuing OCs. The study highlights the need for more research on the impact of...

Recent research reveals that high consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to increased depressive symptoms and reduced brain volume in areas related to reward processing. The study, factoring in obesity and inflammation, indicates these foods may alter brain regions involved...

A recent study published in Cerebral Cortex reveals that loneliness can blur the brain's distinction between real-life friends and fictional characters, particularly in fans of the TV series "Game of Thrones." Neuroimaging showed lonelier individuals have similar neural responses when...

A recent study explores how lithium affects brain processes in emotion regulation, revealing that it alters brain activity and connectivity in healthy participants. These findings provide insights into lithium's psychological effects and may guide future treatments for bipolar disorder, despite...

Prolonged CBD use may alter brain connectivity in the hippocampus and amygdala, regions linked to memory and emotion, but its impact on mental health remains unclear. This finding, from a study in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, suggests complex effects of...

A new study identifies a common brain network underlying various substance use disorders, offering a potential target for treatments. Despite methodological differences across studies, over 80% of neuroimaging abnormalities in addiction converge on this network.

Recent research indicates that abstaining from alcohol for over seven months can significantly improve brain structure in those recovering from alcohol use disorders. These findings highlight the brain's capacity to heal with sustained sobriety.

Brain activity during negative thinking, rather than at rest, predicts repetitive negative thinking in those with major depressive disorder, a study in the Journal of Affective Disorders reveals. This insight could lead to targeted interventions for depression's persistent negative thoughts.

Neuroscience research shows that the brain changes slowly through effortful learning, but can also rapidly rewire during transformative experiences, like those induced by psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, which leverages a natural neural mechanism for change.

Research from the European Journal of Neuroscience reveals that playing with dolls, especially in social settings, activates the posterior superior temporal sulcus, a brain region linked to social processing. This is true for children across varying neurodevelopmental profiles, underscoring the...

A review of 23 studies published in Translational Psychiatry found youth with conduct problems show reduced brain activity in areas linked to empathy, especially in the amygdala and temporal cortex. Those with callous traits had decreased fusiform gyrus activity, indicating...

Recent research in Scientific Reports suggests that daily caffeine intake might impair rather than improve working memory. While previous studies highlighted caffeine's acute benefits for attention and alertness, this research focused on the long-term effects of sustained caffeine consumption on...

A recent study published in Psychological Medicine highlights the nucleus accumbens as pivotal in linking stress and depression. Analyzing data from over 22,000 adults, researchers identified this brain region's significant association with both stressful life events and depressive symptoms.

Neuroengineers identified potential biomarkers in brain activity that could measure recovery from treatment-resistant depression using deep brain stimulation. Their findings suggest objective measures could improve treatment decisions and predict relapses earlier.