High Neuroticism Increases Depression Risk: Intelligence May Help Counteract

New research suggests that having higher intelligence may reduce the risk of depression associated with neuroticism, a personality trait linked to emotional instability. Key Facts: Neuroticism is strongly associated with an increased risk of depression and psychological distress. Intelligence does not appear to protect against clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder in highly neurotic individuals. …

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CRISPR for Alzheimer’s Disease: Future Treatment via Gene Editing

Alzheimer’s disease continues to destroy minds, but new gene editing techniques like CRISPR offer hope for better understanding and treating this devastating illness. Key Facts: Alzheimer’s disease is a complex, poorly understood neurodegenerative disorder affecting over 50 million people worldwide. Gene mutations play a role in early-onset Alzheimer’s, but late-onset Alzheimer’s involves a more complex …

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Brain Tumors Linked to Psychiatric Symptoms in ~27% of Patients

Brain tumors can take a major toll on mental health. New research provides important insights into the psychiatric symptoms that often accompany these devastating diseases. Key Facts: Around 27% of brain tumor patients experience psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety. These frequently arise before diagnosis. Depressive symptoms are most common, affecting 24% of brain tumor …

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Pesticide Exposure is Neurotoxic: Links to Neurological & Psychiatric Disorders

Pesticides are chemical substances commonly used in agriculture to eliminate pests and enhance crop yields. However, indiscriminate use of pesticides has raised concerns about potential toxicity and adverse health effects in humans. Key Facts: Pesticide exposure is linked to neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and psychiatric conditions including depression and suicide. Exposure can …

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Neuroscience of Narcissism: Brain Patterns of Inflated Ego & Empathy Deficits

Narcissism is characterized by self-importance, entitlement, and interpersonal difficulties. Neuroscience research has begun to uncover the complex mechanisms underlying the paradoxical patterns of narcissistic functioning. Key findings show: Narcissism involves heightened vigilance and stress reactivity to ego threats despite outward grandiosity Alterations in brain regions involved in self-vs-other processing may underlie narcissistic self-focus and empathy …

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Dietary Interventions as a Depression Treatment: Quality Foods Boost Mood

Recent research suggests that adjusting overall diet, rather than taking supplements, may help improve symptoms of depression. Whole food and whole diet interventions show promise as adjunctive treatments for depression, though more research is still needed. Key Facts: 7 studies with over 49,000 participants found that whole food or whole diet interventions reduced depression symptoms …

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Antidepressant Foods to Treat Depression: Top 12 Nutrients to Enhance Mood

Depression is a major global health issue, but diet may be an effective yet overlooked treatment approach. New research identifies the top food sources of 12 key nutrients that help prevent and treat depression. Oysters, organ meats, leafy greens, lettuces, peppers and cruciferous veggies pack the biggest nutritional antidepressant punch. Key facts: Depression is the …

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Link Between Diet & Depression: What Does the Research Say?

Eating well may help prevent and treat depression, according to growing evidence from studies on diet and mental health. Key facts: Following an overall healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil is associated with a lower risk of depression. A “Western” diet high in processed foods, fried foods, sugary foods, …

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Diet & Mental Health: Effect of Foods & Nutrition on Mood

Nutrition plays a major role in mental health, with diet quality closely linked to risk of common mental disorders like depression. This review comprehensively analyzes recent research on the impacts of nutrition on mental health and the use of nutritional interventions in treating psychiatric conditions. Key Facts: Poor diet is a major risk factor for …

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Focused Ultrasound Stimulation of the Prefrontal Cortex Treats Depression in Mice

A new study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry provides promising evidence that focused ultrasound stimulation of the prefrontal cortex can alleviate depressive behaviors in mice by suppressing inflammatory responses. Key facts: Researchers stimulated the prefrontal cortex of mice with focused ultrasound for 30 minutes. Mice treated with ultrasound showed less depressive behaviors compared to sham …

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