High Fingernail Cortisol Linked to Lifetime Depression

Elevated fingernail cortisol levels can distinguish individuals with lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD) from healthy controls, suggesting it as a promising biomarker for MDD. Highlights: Individuals with lifetime MDD had significantly higher fingernail cortisol concentrations compared to healthy controls (p = 0.041). Higher fingernail cortisol concentrations were correlated with the number of depressive episodes experienced …

Read more

Video Game Addiction vs. Brain Activity & Response Inhibition: A Cued Go/NoGo Task Study

Video game addiction (VGA) is associated with significant deficits in response inhibition and preparatory processes, reflected by more commission errors and reduced N2 amplitudes in the cued Go/NoGo task. Highlights: Increased Commission Errors: Individuals with VGA made significantly more commission errors in NoGo trials compared to healthy controls, indicating impaired response inhibition. Faster Reaction Times: …

Read more

Cannabis (Marijuana) Addiction Linked to Altered Brain Connectivity (2024 Study)

Individuals at risk for cannabis use disorder (CUD) exhibit increased dynamic fluidity and altered connectivity patterns in brain networks, suggesting early changes in brain function that may contribute to cannabis addiction risk. Highlights: At-risk individuals for cannabis addiction show a greater number of meta-states and more frequent transitions between them, indicating higher dynamic fluidity in …

Read more

Sleep Patterns vs. Risk of Psychiatric Disorders: Depression, Schizophrenia, ADHD (2024 Study)

Insomnia and daytime napping are causally associated with an increased risk of major depressive disorder (MDD), while sleep duration influences the risk of schizophrenia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Highlights: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Insomnia and napping during the day significantly increase the risk of MDD. Schizophrenia: Longer sleep duration is associated with a higher risk …

Read more

Probiotics Alter Clock Gene Expression in Depression to Improve Mood (2024 Study)

Probiotic treatment may influence core clock gene expression and metabolites in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), potentially linking gut microbiota to circadian rhythms and mood regulation. Highlights: CLOCK Gene Expression: The expression level of the CLOCK gene significantly increased only in individuals receiving probiotic treatment, suggesting a direct impact of probiotics on circadian rhythms. …

Read more

Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Souvenaid® May Slow Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease (2024 Review)

Omega-3 supplements and Souvenaid® show potential in slowing cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients, though the evidence remains inconclusive. Highlights: Cognitive Decline Reduction: The CDR scale showed a significant reduction in cognitive decline progression with Omega-3 supplementation (SMD = −0.4127, 95% CI: [−0.5926; −0.2327]). Mixed Cognitive Outcomes: 58% of studies reported positive cognitive effects from Omega-3 …

Read more

Dyslexia Risk Increases via Environmental Chemicals, Pollutants, & Genetic Interactions (2024 Study)

A study found significant overlaps between various environmental pollutants and dyslexia susceptibility genes, identifying associations with 35 out of 95 chemicals. This suggests that these chemicals may contribute to the development of dyslexia through interactions with specific genes. Highlights: Dyslexia Risk Genes & Chemicals: The study identified 131 dyslexia susceptibility genes and examined their interactions …

Read more

Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotics for ADHD May Improve Symptoms in Children (2024 Review)

Probiotics and prebiotics show potential benefits in improving symptoms and quality of life in children with ADHD, but more extensive studies are needed to confirm these effects. Highlights: Positive Impact on Functioning: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) supplementation improved emotional, physical, social, and school functioning in children with ADHD. Reduction in Inflammation: Synbiotic 2000 reduced markers …

Read more

Guanfacine Reverses Cognitive Impairment in Long COVID (2024 Case Report)

Guanfacine extended release (GXR) may effectively improve cognitive impairments and brain activity in long-COVID patients. Highlights: Patient Presentation: A 32-year-old woman experienced cognitive impairments such as difficulty in word recall, reading, and writing, and delayed task completion following COVID-19 infection. Baseline Assessment: Initial tests showed poor performance in attention, working memory, and executive function, with …

Read more

High Zinc Levels Linked to Increased Risk of Parkinson’s Disease (2024 Study)

Zinc levels were found to have a causal effect on the risk of Parkinson’s disease, while other oxidative stress biomarkers showed no significant association. Highlights: A study identified a significant causal relationship between higher zinc levels and increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). No causal effects were found between PD and other oxidative stress biomarkers …

Read more