Brain ASAP

Cocaine Addiction Linked to Brain Shrinkage & Grey Matter Deficits (2024 Study)

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Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD) patients exhibit widespread gray matter atrophy, with specific brain volume deficits associated with crack-cocaine use and relapse outcomes. Highlights: Widespread Gray Matter Atrophy: CUD patients show significant gray matter volume reductions in frontal and temporal cortices, cerebellum, and subcortical structures compared to healthy controls. Route of Use: Crack-cocaine use is linked …

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Social Anxiety Disorder & Brain Structure Abnormalities: Cortical Thickness Analysis (2024 Study)

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The study found that patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) exhibit distinct structural brain alterations, including cortical thickening and thinning in specific regions, which fit into existing neurocircuitry models of the disorder. Highlights: Cortical Thickness Alterations: Patients with SAD showed increased cortical thickness in the left insula, superior parietal lobule, superior temporal gyrus, and frontopolar …

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OCD Treatment with Antidepressants (SSRIs) Alters Brain Structure & Functions (2024 Study)

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Antidepressant treatment in OCD is linked to structural and functional brain changes, particularly in corticosubcortical areas, but these findings need further validation in larger, more homogeneous samples. Highlights: Antidepressant Use: Antidepressants, especially SSRIs, are a primary treatment for OCD, resulting in significant brain changes. Brain Structure Changes: Studies show volume alterations in the thalamus, amygdala, …

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Fidgeting May Enhance Attention in Adults with ADHD During Cognitively Demanding Tasks (2024 Study)

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Fidgeting in adults with ADHD may serve as a compensatory mechanism to sustain attention during cognitively demanding tasks, particularly during correct task performance and when reaction time variability is low. Highlights: Fidgeting was significantly higher during correct trials compared to incorrect trials, suggesting it may aid in task performance. Increased fidgeting was observed in later …

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Shared Genes & Biological Pathways in Depression & Alzheimer’s Disease (2024 Study)

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A study found shared brain-specific mechanisms between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and depression, particularly involving synaptic signaling and immune system pathways in the hippocampus, but no direct genetic overlap. Highlights: Six brain-specific eQTL genes (SRA1, MICA, PCDHA7, PCDHA8, PCDHA10, PCDHA13) are shared between AD and depression. Pathway analysis identified shared biological pathways, including synaptic signaling, myelination, …

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Lithium Appears Neuroprotective in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) (2024 Research)

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Lithium shows promise in treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) by mitigating neuroinflammation, protecting against neuronal damage, and improving cognitive functions. Highlights: Neuroprotective Mechanisms: Lithium’s therapeutic effects involve complex molecular mechanisms including gene expression, neurotransmitter signaling, and circadian modulation, contributing to neuronal protection and recovery post-TBI. Targeted Brain Regions: Post-treatment, lithium concentrations are notably higher in …

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Mitochondrial Dysfunction Linked to Psychiatric Disorders Like Autism & ADHD (2024 Study)

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A study found a strong link between mitochondrial disorders and conditions like autism, ADHD, and various psychiatric issues. Highlights: Common Link: Mitochondrial disorders are frequently found in people with autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. ASD Emphasis: Most research focused on autism, suggesting it might be more strongly linked to mitochondrial issues or simply better funded. …

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Selegiline Reverses Anxiety & Memory Impairment in Amyloid Beta-Induced Alzheimers Model Rats (2024 Study)

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The study demonstrated that selegiline (SEL) improves memory performance, reduces anxiety, and modulates oxidative stress in an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) rat model. Highlights: Memory Improvements: SEL administration improved recognition memory, spatial memory, and passive avoidance memory in AD rats. Anxiety Reduction: SEL significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior in AD rats, as evidenced by performance in the …

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Novel Risk Genes for Schizophrenia Discovered in High Altitude Tibetans via Whole-Exome Sequencing (2024 Study)

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A study on Tibetans living at high altitudes identified novel risk genes for schizophrenia (SCZ) related to hypoxia, suggesting a unique genetic signature for SCZ in this population. Highlights: Whole-exome sequencing of 47 SCZ cases and 53 controls in Tibetans revealed 275 potential novel risk variants and two known variants. One gene, C5orf42, surpassed exome-wide …

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Repurposing Antipsychotics & Antidepressants to Treat Glioblastoma (2024 Study)

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Repurposing antipsychotics and antidepressants with favorable safety profiles and blood-brain barrier permeability shows promise for glioblastoma (GBM) treatment, primarily through disrupting lysosomal function and inducing cell death. Highlights: Mechanism of Action: The studied antipsychotics and antidepressants induce GBM cell death by disrupting lysosomal function, leading to lysosomal membrane rupture. PTEN Sensitivity: GBMs with intact PTEN …

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