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), …
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a chronic mental illness characterized by dramatic shifts in mood and energy levels. It affects about 2-4% of the population worldwide. While we still don’t fully understand what causes bipolar disorder, research over the past couple decades has uncovered important clues into the biological mechanisms behind this …
A new meta-analysis published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions explores the relationship between mobile phone addiction (MPA) and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and poor sleep quality in college students. The analysis, conducted by researchers in China, pooled data from 40 studies involving over 33,000 college students worldwide. Key Takeaways: College students …
Resilience is key to coping with life’s stressors, but how it works in the brain is still being unraveled. A new study provides evidence that resilience involves distinct brain processes depending on whether someone is depressed or not. Key Facts: Resilience was linked to frontal lobe brain activity patterns that differed between depressed and non-depressed …
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continues to afflict millions worldwide, necessitating more effective therapeutic options. Key Facts: PTSD involves dysfunctional fear processing and altered threat perception. Current treatments fail to comprehensively address its complex symptoms. Research implicates dysregulation in brain systems like the HPA axis and glutamate, presenting novel drug targets. Medications modulating oxytocin, cannabinoids, opioids …
Gambling is a complex behavior influenced by multiple factors in the brain. New research in mice provides insight into the neurobiology underlying key aspects of gambling such as making the initial decision to gamble and persistently chasing losses. Key Facts: Mice exhibit typical gambling behaviors like choosing to gamble more when odds of winning are …
Hearing loss is a major health issue that affects people of all ages. It can be caused by loud noise, aging, disease, or certain medications and often cannot be reversed. Unlike humans, some animals like birds, fish, and frogs are able to regenerate the sensory hair cells inside their ears that detect sound. Understanding how …
Modafinil is a prescription medication often used off-label as a ‘smart drug’ to boost focus and concentration. While thought to have low potential for abuse, emerging case reports reveal that modafinil may be more addictive than previously believed. What is Modafinil? Modafinil is a prescription medication approved for treating sleep disorders like narcolepsy, shift work …
Researchers have discovered that the wakefulness-promoting drug modafinil causes changes in brain activity patterns when people are at rest. These findings provide new insights into how this medication works in the brain. Key Facts: Modafinil is a medication used to treat excessive sleepiness from conditions like narcolepsy. It works by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels …
Tardive dyskinesia is a disorder caused by taking certain psychiatric drugs long-term. It involves uncontrollable body movements that can severely impact a person’s quality of life. Deep brain stimulation is a promising new treatment option for severe, drug-resistant tardive dyskinesia. Key Facts: Tardive dyskinesia causes involuntary, repetitive body movements, often of the face, lips, and …
