Major depressive disorder affects over 17 million American adults each year. For up to 30% of these patients, standard antidepressant medications fail to provide adequate symptom relief – a condition known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Now, new research suggests amphetamine-based stimulants like Adderall may be an effective augmentation strategy for TRD when other therapies have …
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an emerging form of brain stimulation showing promise for treating depression. Though still considered experimental, VNS has a long history dating back over 100 years. Recent advances are unlocking its potential as a new tool for mood disorders. Key Facts: VNS stimulates the vagus nerve, which connects to emotion regulation …
Historically, cuckoldry rates have been remarkably low in many societies around the world. Though popular belief holds that 10-30% of children are the product of female infidelity, recent genetic research shows the rate is actually around 1-2%. This challenges the notion that women frequently have affairs to obtain “good genes” for their offspring. Key Facts: …
Suicide is a major public health problem, with over 700,000 people dying by suicide every year globally. Identifying factors that may indicate risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors is an important area of research, as this could aid prevention and intervention efforts. Some studies have investigated whether asymmetric brain activity, as measured by electroencephalography (EEG), …
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is showing promise as a non-invasive treatment approach for tinnitus in some patients. Research indicates it may be able to reduce tinnitus loudness and annoyance by modulating brain activity. However, significant questions remain regarding optimal protocols. Key Facts: TMS uses electromagnetic coils placed on the scalp to deliver magnetic pulses that …
Sexual sharing paraphilias like cuckolding and troilism have long been taboo yet widespread practices. New clinical research sheds light on the pathological roots of these unconventional behaviors. Key Facts: Study finds traumatic experiences in youth trigger counterphobic adaptations underlying sexual sharing paraphilias 98% of subjects exhibit multiple significant dysfunctional personality traits 100% report psychosexual childhood …
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a chronic mental illness characterized by dramatic shifts in mood and energy levels. It affects about 2-4% of the population worldwide. While we still don’t fully understand what causes bipolar disorder, research over the past couple decades has uncovered important clues into the biological mechanisms behind this …
Mania is characterized by emotional dysregulation, sleep disturbances, and impaired judgment. Understanding its underlying brain circuitry could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment. Key Facts: Mania involves decreased activity in the right ventral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and increased activity in the left amygdala, left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and left basal ganglia. This lateralized limbic …
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective but not perfect therapy. A large new study found that over 4-7 years, a majority of patients experienced adverse events, though most were not severe. Key facts: 86% of 123 DBS patients experienced adverse events over an average 4.7 year follow-up. There was no mortality directly from DBS …
L-carnitine is a naturally occurring compound that plays a key role in energy production in the body. Some research suggests it may enhance cognitive function, but does it really work as a nootropic or “smart drug” in healthy people? Key Facts: L-carnitine is made in the body and obtained from food sources like meat. It …
