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Study pinpoints 95 locations in the genome associated with risk of developing PTSD

In posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), intrusive thoughts, changes in mood, and other symptoms after exposure to trauma can greatly impact a person's quality of life.

18 Apr 2024

Is psilocybin safe for treating depression and anxiety?

A study in JAMA Network Open examined the acute adverse effects of therapeutic doses of psilocybin for treating depression and anxiety, focusing on its safety profile by assessing the occurrence of immediate side effects like headache, nausea, and elevated blood pressure among others.

12 Apr 2024

Service dogs prove effective in identifying PTSD-related stress markers through human breath

Whether dogs could detect potential stress-related volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath.

4 Apr 2024

Dartmouth-led research identifies unique brain areas for emotion regulation

Ever want to scream during a particularly bad day, but then manage not to? Thank the human brain and how it regulates emotions, which can be critical for navigating everyday life.

3 Apr 2024

Inhibiting neurons involved in the body's stress response may reduce alcohol use

Neuroscientists at Scripps Research have found that inhibiting neurons involved in the body's stress response may reduce alcohol consumption in people who have both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD)-;even if they still experience trauma-related anxiety.

21 Mar 2024

Breakthrough research uncovers neural basis of odor perception

Scents, such as coffee, flowers, or freshly-baked pumpkin pie, are created by odor molecules released by various substances and detected by our noses.

18 Mar 2024

Nanoparticles turbocharge turmeric's curcumin for enhanced health benefits

Study explores nanoparticle-enhanced curcumin formulations, promising to significantly boost its health benefits including anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects by improving bioavailability and bioactivity.

17 Mar 2024

Eating fatty food before surgery may affect memory-related cognitive function in older adults

Eating fatty food in the days leading up to surgery may prompt a heightened inflammatory response in the brain that interferes for weeks with memory-related cognitive function in older adults – and, new research in animals suggests, even in young adults.

15 Mar 2024

Neurobiologists unravel how stress triggers generalized fear

Our nervous systems are naturally wired to sense fear. Whether prompted by the eerie noises we hear alone in the dark or the approaching growl of a threatening animal, our fear response is a survival mechanism that tells us to remain alert and avoid dangerous situations.

14 Mar 2024

Study reveals mushroom extract's superior efficacy in psychiatric treatment

New study indicates that mushroom extract might demonstrate superior efficacy compared to chemically synthesized psilocybin, especially in stimulating neuroplasticity and promoting the development of new connections between nerve cells—an essential attribute.

11 Mar 2024

New research sheds light on how GLP-1 obesity drugs may change food cravings

GLP-1 analog treatments potentially alter food preferences and reduce obesity by decreasing appetite and food consumption, with further research needed for long-term weight maintenance using objective measures.

10 Mar 2024

Combining virtual reality and electric brain stimulation may be a promising treatment strategy for PTSD

Combining two treatments could be a promising option for people, especially military veterans, whose lives are negatively affected by post-traumatic stress disorder, a new study shows.

7 Mar 2024

How live music directly stimulates the affective brain, emotionally engaging listeners in real time

Researchers explore how live and recorded music stimulates the brain.

4 Mar 2024

Study reveals impact of socioeconomic status on children's anxiety in research settings

When participating in research studies, moderately anxious or highly anxious children from minoritized groups are likely to be hypervigilant to threat, further compounding the effects of their general state of anxiety, a research study led by a University of California, Riverside, psychologist reports.

1 Mar 2024

Oxygenation in the placenta predicts childhood brain growth

A new study shows oxygenation levels in the placenta, formed during the last three months of fetal development, are an important predictor of cortical growth (development of the outermost layer of the brain or cerebral cortex) and is likely a predictor of childhood cognition and behavior.

27 Feb 2024

Neighborhood violence impacts children's brain development

Living in neighborhoods with high levels of violence can affect children's development by changing the way that a part of the brain detects and responds to potential threats, potentially leading to poorer mental health and other negative outcomes, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

22 Feb 2024

Delta opioid receptor agonist reduces anxiety-like behavior in mice

Anxiety-related disorders can have a profound impact on the mental health and quality of life of affected individuals.

22 Feb 2024

The role of odor and verbal cues in recalling memories

Whether odor vs word cues could prompt memory in MDD patients with deficits in specific AM recall.

16 Feb 2024

Scents help depressed individuals recall happy memories

Smelling a familiar scent can help depressed individuals recall specific autobiographical memories and potentially assist in their recovery, discovered a team of University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers and UPMC social workers in a study published today in JAMA Network Open.

13 Feb 2024

Maternal happiness in pregnancy boosts child brain development, study finds

Maternal happiness during pregnancy is linked to larger hippocampus volumes in daughters and altered brain connectivity in children at 7.5 years, suggesting positive emotions may enhance fetal brain development.

5 Feb 2024