A recent case report describes a 34-year old man who developed a rare form of early onset dementia after two years of heavy marijuana use. While concerning, experts say more research is needed to understand the potential risks of cannabis on the developing brain. Key Facts: The man developed frontotemporal dementia, a disorder causing personality …
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. Dopamine plays an important role in PD development. Here are some key facts: Dopamine is a chemical messenger in the brain involved in movement, motivation, and mood. Loss of dopamine-producing neurons causes the motor symptoms of PD like tremors, rigidity, and …
Trouble sleeping may raise your risk of dementia later in life, according to a new 19-year study of over 22,000 middle-aged and older adults in Sweden. Both insomnia symptoms and shorter sleep were linked to higher chances of developing dementia down the road. Key facts: Adults reporting insomnia symptoms had an 18% higher risk of …
A new drug recently approved for Alzheimer’s disease aims to treat the underlying cause of the condition by removing amyloid plaques in the brain. Though promising, the drug called aducanumab also comes with potential side effects that require careful monitoring. Key facts: Aducanumab is the first drug that targets and removes amyloid plaques, sticky buildups …
How does our brain form intentions and make decisions? Do we have free will? A new study takes a fresh look at a classic Libet experiment to uncover new insights. Key Facts: Researchers tested whether people can accurately report when they formed an intention to move. They compared brain activity to the timing people reported …
A new study finds that drinking a small amount of caffeine in the morning may improve alertness, memory, and attention in healthy young men. The caffeine dose was equivalent to about one cup of coffee. Key Facts: 25 healthy young men drank either a placebo or 50 mg of caffeine (amount in a cup of …
Experiencing chronic stress or taking addictive drugs like cocaine can change your brain and behavior in similar ways, making you prone to anxiety or addiction. Key Facts: Chronic stress and chronic drug abuse both impair the striatum, which can make people become rigid in their thinking and unable to update information. This can promote anxiety, …
A new study found that taking a brief 15-minute walk outside provides more cognitive benefits compared to walking indoors. Specifically, the research showed that a short outdoor walk boosted attention, while an indoor walk did not. This highlights the importance of getting outside, even for quick exercise. Key Facts: Walking outside for 15 minutes improved …
A new study in mice shows how the immune system may play a role in the early gastrointestinal symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, decades before movement problems develop. Researchers found that injecting a specific piece of the alpha-synuclein protein into genetically modified mice triggered inflammation and loss of nerve cells in the gut, leading to constipation …
Researchers have found that more intelligent narcissists are less likely to exhibit rivalry and aggression. This suggests higher intelligence may help mitigate some of the negative interpersonal behaviors associated with narcissism. Key Facts: Narcissism has two main dimensions – admiration and rivalry. Admiration involves self-promotion, while rivalry involves aggression and devaluation of others. These two …
