A new study found that in depression, higher levels of gut proinflammatory bacteria are linked to abnormal hippocampal brain activity, suggesting a connection between gut health and brain function through the gut-brain axis.
A study has found that early-life family stressors, like harsh parenting and unsafe neighborhoods, are linked to smaller amygdala volumes and disrupted anterior cingulate cortex development, suggesting stress-related blunting rather than accelerated brain maturation.
Lonely individuals show atypical neural and linguistic responses to celebrities, diverging from group norms. Their unique perceptions reflect a lack of shared reality, reinforcing feelings of isolation and highlighting deviations in social cognition linked to loneliness.
New research suggests pandemic lockdowns accelerated adolescent brain aging, with girls' brains aging 4.2 years and boys' 1.4 years. This may increase neuropsychiatric disorder risks, highlighting the need for ongoing mental health support for affected teens.
A fascinating new study published in Communications Biology has revealed a connection between the brain's dynamic activity and states of consciousness.
Researchers found that methamphetamine and PCP cause a phenomenon known as neurotransmitter switching, impairing memory. This change is reversible, pointing to potential treatments for drug-induced cognitive deficits and related neuropsychiatric conditions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a widely used treatment for depression, may do more than teach coping skills—it might reshape the brain itself.
Recent research found that female brains are more resistant to anesthetics, regaining consciousness and cognition faster than males. Testosterone increases anesthetic sensitivity, while castration reduces it.
Depression makes the brain more sensitive to negative experiences and less responsive to positive ones, linked to specific brain circuits in the amygdala.
Researchers found a brain pathway linking the anterior cingulate cortex, pontine nuclei, and cerebellum that reduces pain when relief is expected, showing how expectations activate natural pain-relief mechanisms involving neurons and the brain’s opioid system.
Researchers found that people with alcohol use disorder have unique brain connectivity patterns, especially in areas tied to self-control and decision-making, which may explain impulsive drinking behaviors and offer clues for improving diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that caffeine blocks alcohol’s ability to increase dopamine in brain reward areas, potentially reducing alcohol's rewarding effects. This suggests caffeine could play a role in preventing or treating alcohol addiction.
New research questions the link between repetitive head injuries and CTE, suggesting current evidence is insufficient for definitive conclusions. Researchers call for more rigorous studies with standardized definitions to understand CTE’s causes.
Adolescents with lower sustained attention and specific brain activity patterns at age 14 were more likely to increase cigarette and cannabis use by age 23, suggesting early attention ability predicts future substance use risk.
Scientists have found that a process called neurotransmitter switching—where neurons alter their chemical signals—plays a role in the development of autism-related traits.