Personality disorders like borderline and avoidant involve differences in brain structure and function that relate to symptoms. New research sheds light on the neurobiology underlying these disorders. Key Facts: Borderline patients showed reduced medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) volume compared to healthy controls. MPFC is involved in cognitive control of emotion. Both borderline and avoidant patients …
Depression affects over 300 million people globally. Current treatments have limited efficacy for many patients. Exciting new research highlights the potential of allopregnanolone agonists like brexanolone and zuranolone as more targeted, rapid-acting antidepressants. Key Facts: Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid that regulates mood and is decreased in depression. Its agonists boost allopregnanolone activity. Brexanolone is the …
Brain death during pregnancy is extremely rare but presents profound ethical, medical, and legal challenges. Key Facts: Brain death during pregnancy is very rare, with about 35 cases reported worldwide. The most common cause is bleeding in the brain from ruptured aneurysms or trauma. Infection, unstable vital signs, and hormone deficiencies are common after brain …
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders affecting children. A new randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Korean Medical Science suggests that mobile neurofeedback training may help improve attention and reduce symptoms in children with ADHD. Key Takeaways: 74 children aged 8-15 with ADHD participated in a …
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 …
